Letter 0305

An unnamed doctor appeared before ‘ye Councill’ and Watson obtained a copy of the charges against him. The doctor was given parole and failed to appear at the next Council hearing, sending a note instead. Watson took the doctor aside at the next convocation of the Council and explained Sloane’s view regarding their disagreement. The unnamed doctor responded to the charges, stating that ‘he had not uttered such words as you [Sloane] alleged’. Mr Birkenhead pressed the unnamed doctor to explain. The latter submitted ‘yt on ye sight of ye fleet sailing away, & ye paym’t of his money not secured he might passionatly utter many indecent expressions, but not intentionally though severall witnesses sworn who were by, they either did not hear or would not remember w’t he spoke’. Captain Story and Edward Latham, Captain of the Guard, ‘heard him [the unnamed doctor] say ye very same he spoke to you, w’ch they decalred on their oaths’. The unnamed doctor said he would appeal to the Prince of Orange ‘& expects sudden releif from Coll Molesworth who is expected here w’th as much earnestness, as ye Turks expect Mahomet.’ Watson hopes Sloane remembers to send the news and books he promised.