The Virginia Gazette

April 21. On Saturday last one of the Knights of Industry was brought before Justice Fielding, and charged with having conspired, with several of the Companions that honourable Order, to cheat a poor Farmer of his Money and Goods; when the Case appeared to be as follows:

One Minett, who rented an Estate in the Marshy Lands in the Isle of Ely, was lately drowned out, as is sometimes the Case in that Country. Upon this he repaired to Gravesend, where he was taken in by a Farmer to work at Haymaking. Here a Knight of Industry, who had been formerly acquainted with him, found the poor Man, and decoyed him to a Public House, where they were joined by two others of the same Order. Minett was made drunk, and then reduced to play, the Consequence of which was presently the Loss of his Watch and ten Pounds. The same Misfortune befell likewise his own Friend and one of the Strangers, For this good Turn the three Rogues joined in a Note to the successful Person. Minett came soon after to Town and went to a House in Shoe Lane, where he had not been long before he and his Friend were arrested, and carried to the Habitation of one who may be called the Mitre of this Kind of Chivalry. The Master of the House immediately offered to bail Minett's Friend; upon which the Officer, or pretended Officer, swore he would directly carry Minett himself to Prison, unless he found Bail or paid the Debt. Terrified at this Menace, and being incapable of complying with the Bailiff's Demand, Minett applied to the Master of the House, who was at last persuaded to become Bail for him also, upon Condition that he would make a Bill of Sale of his Goods, which were near the Value of 50l. This was soon complied with; and then the Bailiff recollecting himself that he should not have sufficient Security in his Hands, insisted likewise that Minett should give him a Note of 30l. by Way of additional Surety, The Dread of a Prison forced the poor Man into this Compliance also and the Note was accordingly drawn and signed, when the unmerciful Rogues bethought themselves he was not pulled off a Wig, Thus he was Likewise obliged to surrender. and then the Knights very generously allowed him to carry his Skin, having stript him of his Watch, his Household Goods, a Wig, and two Notes of Hand: For though he saw the joint Note in the Possession of his false Friend, who was arrested, or rather pretended to be arrested with him, that Gentleman refused to deliver it to him. For this Fact his false Friend, whose Name was Robert Hill, was committed to Prison, to which he was conveyed by a strong Party of Guards.
The Villanies and Cruelties daily committed on the Subject by Bailiffs under Colour of Law, are One Object of the Consideration of the Legislature; and it is Pity some Reform was not made among them by those whose immediate Officers they are: If the Gaols of this Metropolis were well inspected, it is my Opinion a Scene would be discovered of the most shocking Kind; and it would appear that our Liberties, no less than our Laws are within the Reach of the Unhappy and Necessitous.