I intend this Paper for the Service of a particular Person; but herein, I hope, at the same time, to do some Service to the Publick. A Monstrous Story hath been for a while most industriously handed about, reflecting upon a Gentleman in great Trust, under the Principal Secretary of State; who hath Conducted himself with so much Prudence, that, before this Incident, neither the most virulent Pens nor Tongues have been so bold to attack him. The Reader easily understands, that the Person here meant is Mr. Lewis, Secretary to the Earl of Dartmouth, concerning whom a Story hath run, for about Ten Days past, which makes a mighty Noise in this Town, is no doubt with very ample Additions transmitted to every Part of the Kingdom, and probably will be return’d to us by the Dutch Gazetteer, with the Judicious Comments peculiar to that Political Author:Wherefore having received the Fact and the Circumstances from the best Hands, I shall here set them down before the Reader, who will easily pardon the Style, which is made up of Extracts from the Depositions and Assertions of the several Persons concerned.

On Sunday last was Month, Mr. Lewis, Secretary to the Earl of Dartmouth, and Mr. Skelton,3 met by Accident at Mr. Scarborough's Lodgings in St. James’s, among Seven other Persons, viz. the Earls of Sussex and Finlatter, the Lady Barbara Skelton, Lady Walter, Mrs. Vernon, Mrs. Scarborough, and Miss Scarborough her Daughter; who all declar’d, that Mr. Lewis and Mr. Skelton were half an Hour in Company together. There Mrs. Scarborough made Mr. Skelton and Mr. Lewis known to each other; and told the former, that he ought to thank Mr. Lewis for the Trouble he had given himself in the dispatch of a Licence, under the Privy Seal, by which Mr. Skelton was permitted to come from France to England. Hereupon Mr. Skelton saluted Mr. Lewis, and told him, he would wait on him at his House to return him his Thanks.