During the late Rebellion, Parsons, who was a Lieutenant in one of his Majesty's Regiments of Foot, having involved himself, by his Extravagancies, in great Streights, and his usual Resource, the Gaming-table, failing him, he applied himself to Mr. St.J -, a half-pay Officer: After acquainting this Gentleman with the bad State of his Circumstances, he added, that he knew no other Remedy than to go down into the Country, and join himself with the Rebels. His Friend, like an honest and prudent Man, advised him by all Means not to embark in such a desperate Scheme; and in short, kindly and generously lent him forty Guineas (as our Information says) as a present Supply. - Soon after this, he went again to this same Gentleman, and acquainted him that some urgent Business, which he particularly mention'd (but whether real or pretended is uncertain) absolutely required his going down into the Country. Whereupon this good-natur'd Friend freely profer'd him the Use of his Horse, to save Parsons the Expence of hiring one. Accordingly, this ungrateful Wretch received the Horse, and directly went to Smithfield and sold him.

Having committed this base and ungenerous Action, how could he ever think of again looking his Friend in the Face? Not that he wanted Assurance enough, but it was not safe - He could not expect that this Usage would be tamely put up with; how then to avoid the Consequences was the Question, which this most ungrateful Man at last determined thus. To be beforehand with the just Resentment of Mr. S. J -, and to put it out of that Gentleman's Power to call him to any Account, he had Recourse to the meanest, as well as the wickedest Expedient, that any Man, except a Gamester, or Sharper (which certainly is the lowest and vilest Class of Thieves in the World, let their Appearance or Rank be what it will) could have thought of. In short, he gave in a false Information against his Friend and Benefactor, accusing him of a Design of going to join the Rebels; upon which poor Mr. St. J - was taken into Custody, and was a Prisoner for many Months; nor did he at last regain his Liberty without the Loss of his Half pay, which, on this Occasion, was taken from him.

Parsons himself too was taken into Custody about this Time, but on what Account we have not been able to procure an exact Information, tho' 'tis generally believ'd, it was a Contrivance of his to screen himself from Arrest by his Creditors.

He was a long Time in Confinement at the House of a Messenger, at the Corner of St. Martin's Church-yard , in St. Martin's-Lane , where he was treated with great Indulgence, and liv'd in perfect Ease and Security from his Creditors, one of whom, Mr. L - h, a noted Taylor, he took in, as the Phrase is, in the following extraordinary Manner.

Sometime before his Confinement at the Messenger's, Mr. Parsons being in Company with a certain Officer, who had on a new Suit of Cloaths, made in an elegant Taste; Parsons, who understood Dress as well any Man, and was usually himself as well dress'd as any Person of his own, or greater Rank, took Occasion to ask the Officer who his Taylor was? observing that his Cloaths were so exceeding well made, that he should like to employ the same Person himself. The Officer hereupon told him that L - h was the Person who made those Cloaths; adding, that he was a very honest Man, and would use him well.

Hereupon Parsons takes the first Opportunity to go to Mr. L - h, telling him he was recommended to him by such a Gentleman (naming the Officer, whose Cloaths he had so much admired.) He added, that his Name was Brown, that he was at present an Officer in such a Regiment, but that a Commission was then, at that very Time, making out for him, by which he was to be made a Captain in the Guards; that he should, on Occasion of this Promotion, want some new Cloaths, and that Mr. L - h must use him well, as he was one that always paid ready Money.