When I sent you my former papers, I cannot say I intended you either good
or hurt; and yet you have happened, through my means, to receive both. I
pray God deliver you from any more of the latter, and increase the former.
Your trade, particularly in this kingdom, is, of all others, the most
unfortunately circumstantiated; for as you deal in the most worthless kind
of trash, the penny productions of pennyless scribblers, so you often
venture your liberty, and sometimes your lives, for the purchase of
half-a-crown; and, by your own ignorance, are punished for other men's
actions. I am afraid, you, in particular, think you have reason to
complain of me, for your own and your wife's confinement in prison, to
your great expense as well as hardship, and for a prosecution still
impending. But I will tell you, Mr. Harding, how that matter stands.
Since the press has lain under so strict an inspection, those who have a
mind to inform the world are become so cautious, as to keep themselves, if
possible, out of the way of danger. My custom, therefore, is, to dictate
to a 'prentice,[12] who can write in a feigned hand, and what is written
we send to your house by a blackguard boy. But at the same time I do
assure you, upon my reputation, that I never did send you anything for
which I thought you could possibly be called to an account; and you will
be my witness, that I always desired you, by letter, to take some good
advice, before you ventured to print, because I knew the dexterity of
dealers in the law at finding out something to fasten on, where no evil is
meant. I am told, indeed, that you did accordingly consult several very
able persons, and even some who afterwards appeared against you; to which
I can only answer, that you must either change your advisers, or determine
to print nothing that comes from a Drapier.
I desire you to send the enclosed letter, directed, "To my Lord Viscount
Molesworth, at his house at Brackdenstown, near Swords;" but I would have
it sent printed, for the convenience of his Lordship's reading, because
this counterfeit hand of my apprentice is not very legible. And, if you
think fit to publish it, I would have you first get it read over by some
notable lawyer. I am assured, you will find enough of them who are friends
to the Drapier, and will do it without a fee; which, I am afraid, you can
ill-afford after all your expenses. For although I have taken so much
care, that I think it impossible to find a topic out of the following
papers for sending you again to prison, yet I will not venture to be your
guarantee.
This ensuing letter contains only a short account of myself, and an humble
apology for my former pamphlets, especially the last, with little mention
of Mr. Wood for his halfpence, because I have already said enough upon
that subject, until occasion shall be given for new fears; and, in that
case, you may perhaps hear from me again.
I am your friend and servant,
M. B.
P.S.--For want of intercourse between you and me, which I never will
suffer, your people are apt to make very gross errors in the press, which
I desire you will provide against.