t made by the Resident.

XXXIII. That, in this advanced state of the delivery of the extorted
treasure, the ministers of the women aforesaid of the reigning family
did apply to Captain Leonard Jaques, under whose custody they were
confined, to be informed of the deficiency with which they stood
charged, that they might endeavor, with the assistance of their friends,
to provide for the same, and praying that they might through his
mediation be freed from the hardships they suffered under their
confinement: to which application they received an insolent answer from
the said Richard Johnson, dated February 27th, 1782, declaring that part
of what he had received in payment was in jewels and bullion, and that
more than a month, the time fixed for the final payment, would elapse
before he could dispose of the same,--insisting upon a ready-money
payment, and assuring them "that the day on which their agreement
expired he should be indispensably obliged to recommence severities upon
them, until the last farthing was fully paid." And in order to add to
their terrors and hardships, as well as to find some pretext for the
further cruel and inhuman acts intended, an apparently groundless and
injurious charge was suggested to the imprisoned ministers aforesaid in
the following words. "You may also mention to them, that I have reason
to _suspect_ that the commotions raised by Bulbudder have not been
without their _suggestion and abetment_, which, if proved upon them, in
addition to the _probable_ breach of their agreement, will make their
situation _very desperate_."

XXXIV. That on the receipt of the said letter, that is, on the 2d March,
the ministers aforesaid did aver, that they were not able to obtain
cash, in lieu of the jewels and other effects, but that, if the goods
were sold, and they released from their confinement, and permitted (as
they have before requested) to go abroad among their friends, they could
soon make good the deficiency; and they did absolutely deny "that they
had any hand in the commotions raised by Bulbudder, or any kind of
correspondence with him or his adherents."

XXXV. That the prisoners aforesaid did shortly after, that is to say, on
the 13th March, a third time renew their application to Nathaniel
Middleton, Esquire, the Resident, and did request that the jewels
remaining in his, the said Resident's, hands, towards the payment of the
balance remaining, "might be valued by four or five eminent merch