# Vice punished, and virtue rewarded (1798)

Vice Puniſsed, and Virtue Rewarded:
BEING THE
HISTORY
OF
Mr Thomas Thoroughgood,
ΑΝD
Mr Francis Froward,
Two Apprentices to the ſame Maſter.
Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good.
GLASGOW,
PRINTED BY J. AND M. ROBERTSON,
MDCCXCVIII.
THE
HISTORY
OF
Mr Tommy Thoroughgood,
AND
Mr Francis Froward,
Two Apprentices to the ſame Maſter.
MASTER Thomas Thoroughgood, the younger ſon of a country gentleman, was put out apprentice to an eminent tradeſman in Cheapſide. The maſter, finding his buſineſs increaſe, was obliged to take another about two years after, whoſe name was Francis Froward.
Thomas had behaved exceedingly well, was very diligent and honeſt, as well as good; he uſed to ſay his prayers conſtantly every morning, and night; he never went to play ​when he ſhould be at church, or about his maſter's buſineſs; never was known to tell a lye, nor ever ſtaid when he was ſent on an errand. Theſe rare qualifications had gained him the affection of his maſter and miſtreſs, and made him a favourite ⟨in⟩ the family before Francis came to them. It was in a great meaſure owing to maſter Tommy's character ⟨in⟩ the neighbourhood, that maſter Froward was induced to comply with ⟨the⟩ Maſter's demands, not doubting but his ſon, in ſuch a happy ſituation, and with a companion of ſo ſweet a diſpoſition, would one day, ⟨turn⟩ out to his ſatisfaction, and be a comfort to him in his old age.
Francis, in the firſt year of his apprenticeſhip, began to diſcover the natural bent of his inclination. He choſe to aſſociate himſelf with naughty boys in the ſtreets, and ſeemed to place his whole delight in looſe and idle diverſions; he neglected the buſineſs of the ſhop when at home, and entirely forgot ​it when he was abroad. There, and many more indiſcretions of the ⟨like⟩ nature, Tommy Thoroughgood concealed at firſt from his maſter, tho not without ſome inward uneaſineſs.
In the fourth year's ſervice, ⟨our⟩ young ſpark, who was an only child, heir to a pretty fortune, gave farther proof of his vicious turn ⟨of⟩ mind, and frequently launched into follies and debaucheries of a more heinous nature; for now he made no ſcruple of abſenting himſelf from church on the Lord's day; ⟨always⟩ ſtaid out late, when he knew his Maſter was engaged in company, and at ſuch times, very rarely returned home ſober; nay, he had ſometimes the aſſurance, to lie out of his Maſter's houſe all night. In order to deter him from purſuing this wicked courſe of life, Mr Thoroughgood threatened to inform his Maſter of his ſcandalous behaviour, and to acquaint his parents of his miſconduct. But, alas! all theſe menaces proved ineffectual, and inſtead of ​working out his reformation, ſerved only to heighten his reſentment, ⟨and⟩ to raiſe daily ſquabbles and animoſities between them. Hereupon, Mr Thoroughgood, finding all his good offices hitherto thrown away, ⟨at⟩ length determined no more to meddle in the affair, or even to offer his brotherly advice; but to leave ⟨the⟩ unhappy youth to follow the dictates of his own perverſe will: Being reſolved at the ſame time, to ⟨take⟩ particular care, that he ſhould not, in any of his miſchievous frolics, defraud his Maſter, and thereby caſt an odium upon his fellow-⟨prentice⟩.
The Maſter was choſen Alderman of the Ward, and Mr Thoroughgood was out of his time in the ſame year; and from his faithful ſervice, and unblameable conduct, had now the whole management of the trade, as well abroad as at home, committed to his care and inſpection. This great charge oblig'd him to keep a ⟨stricter⟩ eye over Francis' behaviour, ​who was juſt now entering into the laſt year of his apprenticeſhip, and imagined his actions were above the cognizance of one, who the other day was but his equal; and on this account would neither bear his reproof, nor hearken to his admonition, but continued to riot in all the follies and degeneracies of human nature, till his apprenticeſhip was expired. So true it is, "That the wicked hateth reproof, but the wiſe man lendeth his ear to inſtruction."
Mr. Francis, having been for a long while impatient of a ſervile life, was now become his own maſter, and it ſeemed eager of putting himſelf upon a level with his late companion. To effect this, he goes down to his father, and prevails upon him to ſet him up in the buſineſs, that he might trade for himſelf. The reins were no ſooner laid on his neck, than he gave a looſe to his ſenſual appetites, and in little more than four years, had a ſtatute of bankruptcy ​taken out againſt him. The unexpected news of this fatal event, inſtantly broke his mother's heart, nor did the old gentleman ſurvive her long. Hercupon, our heir was obliged to ſell the perſonal and mortgage the real eſtate, to procure his liberty, and to ſatisfy the aſſignees. In this ſinking situation, after the days of mourning were over, he left the houſe his father lived in, and returned again to London, where he purchaſed a handſome equipage, commenced the fine gentleman, frequented balls, maſquerades, play-houſes, routs, drums, &c. &c and cut as good a figure as the beſt of them. But here let us leave him for a while, and turn our eyes to a worthier object.
In the ſame ſpace of time, which Mr Froward took to ſquander away a good eſtate, Mr Thoroughgood, had, by his own induſtry, and from a ſmall fortune, gained one conſiderably better, and was in a fair way cf increaſing it. The former made ​pleaſure his buſineſs. but the latter made buſineſs his pleaſure, and was rewarded accordingly. The Alderman, who by his own application, and Mr Thoroughgood's aſſiduity, was grown very rich, had no child now living, but one daughter, of whom both he and his Lady were extremely fond; they had nothing ſo much at heart, as to ſee her well ſettled in the world. She was the youngeſt, and juſt now turned of twenty. She had many ſuitors, but reſolved to encourage none without the conſent of her parents, who would often, when by themſelves, tell her, that it was their joint opinion, the could not diſpoſe of herſelf better than to Mr Thomas, and would frequently aſk how ſhe liked him? For they would be unwilling to marry her againſt her own inclination. Her uſual anſwer was, "Your choice ſhall be mine; my duty ſhall never be made ſubſervient to any ſenſual paſſion. This reply was not ſo full and expreſſive as they expected; and as mothers ​are commonly very dexterous in finding out their daughters' maladies madam had good reaſon to believe from ſome obſervations made on Miſs's behaviour that her affections were already fixed, and that ſhe was deeply in love with ſomebody elſe, which was the cauſe of her unuſual anxiety. Hereupon as ſhe was fitting at work one evening, in a melancholy poſture they called her and deſired to be informed whether the huſband they propoſed, was diſagreeable to her, if ſo ſhe ſhould chuſe for herſelf.
The young Lady after ſome heſitation, with bluſhes confeſſed her regard for Mr Thoroughgood; which gave infinite ſatiſfaction to the Alderman and his Lady, who were overjoyed at the proſpect they had, of marrying their Daughter to a perſon of ſuch prudence, integrity, and honour.
The next day, as ſoon as dinner was over, the Alderman and his Lady ​withdrew, and left the two lovers together all the evening; from this interview, they became ſenſible, of each other's approaching happineſs, and about a month after were joined together, to the great ſatiſfaction of all parties concerned. From this day, the Bridegroom was taken into partnerſhip, and tranſacted the whole buſineſs himſelf. In proceſs of time his Father-in-law died, and left him in poſſeſſion of all his ſubſtance. He ſucceeded him alſo in his dignity, and after having ſerved the office of Sheriff, was in a few years called to the chair.
Mr Froward, whom we left a while ago, purſuing his pleaſures, and wicked inclinations, had long before this time, been reduced to poverty, and like many other thoughtleſs wretches, betook himſelf to the highway and gaming-table, in hope of recovering a loſt fortune. He had followed this deſtructive trade with ſome ſucceſs, above three years, without being diſcovered; but was ​at length taken near Enfield, and brought to his trial at the Old-Bailey, during his fellow-prentice's Mayorality, and caſt for his life. When he was brought to the bar to receive ſentence, his Lordſhip recollecting Mr Froward's name examined who he was, and aſked if he was not the ſame perſon that ſerved his time with Mr Alderman———, in Cheapſide. This he poſitively deemed; but notwithſtanding, he uſed all poſſible means to diſguiſe himſelf his perſon and ſpeech betrayed him. My Lord animated with the principles of compaſſion and benevolence, and imagining that his deſign of concealing himſelf, in this wretched ſituation, might very probably proceed from ſhame or deſpair took no further notice of it in court, but forgetting his preſent diſgrace, as well as his former arrogance and indiſcretion, privately procured his ſentence to be changed into tranſportation for life.
The ſhip in which Mr Froward ​embarked, drove, by ſtreſs of weather, into a certain port in Jamaica where, in leſs than ten days, he was ſold to a noted planter and doomed to perpetual ſlavery You may imagine how shocking this proſpect muſt appear to a gentleman, who had juſt before, ſquandered away a good eſtate in indolence and pleaſure, who never knew what it was to work, nor had never given himſelf time to think upon the nature of induſtry. However, he no ſooner began to reflect upon his preſent wretched ſituation, and his late providential deliverance from death. than he alſo began to repent of his former tranſgreſſions; and finding himſelf in a ſtrange country, unknown to any perſon about him he patiently ſubmitted his neck to the yoke, and endured his ſervility, with an uncommon fortitude of mind in the firſt place he determined during all the time of his labour to offer up continual thankſgivings to Almighty God, for his manifold mercies beſtowed on ſo unworthy a creature, ​and to devote all his leiſure hours to the duty of repentance. His next reſolution was, to obey his Maſter's commands. to ſerve him faithfully, and, to perform whatever buſineſs was impoſed on him, ſo far, and ſo long as health and ſtrength would permit; not doubting, but the ſame God, who had preſerved him hitherto, in ſuch a wonderful manner, would accept the oblations of a contrite heart, and enable him to go through it with courage and chearfulneſs.
The firſt month's ſervice, as he himſelf told me, went very hard with him. His hands bliſtered, his feet grew ſore and raw, and the heat of the climate was almoſt inſupportable; but, as cuſtom makes every ſtation familiar, before three months were expired, all theſe grievances were at an end; and he, naturally endued with a ſpirit of emulation, would not ſuffer himſelf to be outdone by any of his fellow-ſlaves. The ſuperintendant obſerving his extraordinary ​aſſiduity, could not help taking notice of him, and would frequently give him encouragement, either by calling him off to go on a trivial errand, or by thruſting ſome money into his hand. He behaved in this manner near two years, when his Maſter was informed of his good diſpoſition, and removed him from that laborious employment to an eaſier, where he had more frequent opportunities of paying: adoration to that Almighty Being, who ſupported him under all his afflictions. In theſe intervals, he was generally found with a book in his hand, or on his knees, from which practice, he received great conſolation, as he often aſſured me.
At the expiration of three years, Sir Thomas Thoroughgood, who made previous enquiry after his fellow-prentice's behaviour abroad, ſent orders to his agent in Jamaica, to purchaſe Mr Froward's freedom, and to advance him one hundred pounds, that he might be enabled to get his ​own livelihood; but, at the ſame time gave ſtrict orders to his friend, not to let Mr Froward know who was his benefactor, and to lay his Maſter under the like injunction. In a ſhort time after, Mr Froward was diſcharged from ſlavery; but did not expreſs ſo much joy on the occaſion, as might have been reaſonably expected. From the good uſage he met with in ſervitude, and the unuſual favours he received from the ſuperintendant, as well as the planter, he had conceived a great liking for the latter, and ſeemed to part with him not without ſome inward reluctance, though with apparent ſurprize, which was much heightened by the additional favour, of a note for a hundred pounds, payable upon fight to Mr Francis Froward, or order, delivered to him by the ſame hand, ſoon after he received the diſcharge before mentioned.
During this confuſion, the gentleman who really had a value for his late ſervant, told him, he was welcome ​come to be at his houſe till he was ſettled, and that he would do all the good offices in his power, to promote his future welfare. Mr Froward replied, "Sir, you cannot do me greater ſervice, than to let me know, who is my generous benefactor; becauſe it is incumbent upon me to make ſome acknowlegement." The Maſter poſitively refuſed to do this, and turned off the diſcourſe, by aſking how he intended to diſpoſe of himſelf and money "Sir," ſays he, "I am not unacquainted with the nature of trade, and labour is become habitual to me, and, as I am well ſkilled in the cultivation of the ſugar cane, I would willingly rent a ſmall plantation of that kind, and work upon it for myſelf." The Planter approved of his deſign, and promiſed him aſſiſtance.
In about a month after, Mr Froward met with a bargain, agreeable to his ſubſtance, and worked upon it as hard as if he had been a real ​ſlave, with this difference only, that he could now ſpare more time in the ſervice of his all-powerful Redeemer. In the interim, his late Maſter procured him a wife, with a handſome fortune, who had a ſugar-work of her own, and ſome negroes: he purchaſed more, and by his induſtry thrived amain, ſo that in a few years, he laid-up one thouſand pounds in ſpecie.
In this comfortable ſtate, nothing gave him uneaſineſs, but that he could not come to the knowledge of his kind benefactor; never was man more anxious to ſhow his gratitude, or more ſolicitous to find out his friend: One day, as he was at his devotion, a ſtrange gentleman came to his habitation, and deſired to ſee him. He was no ſooner admitted, than he accoſted him in the following manner, "Mr Froward, I am commander of the Dove frigate, whoſe principal owner is Sir Thomas Thoroughgood, and am juſt arrived from England: By Sir Thomas's orders, I am to inform ​you, that his Jamaica Agent is dead, and he has made choice of you to ſucceed him here in that ſtation. I have a commiſſion from him, for you in my pocket, to diſpoſe of my cargo, and to freight me again for my voyage home. He never would own it, but I am well aſſured, he is the perſon who ſaved your life, who redeemed you from bondage, and was the ſole inſtrument of your preſent proſperity." Nothing could give Mr Froward ſo great pleaſure and ſatiſfaction, as this laſt piece of intelligence; he knew not how to make the Captain welcome enough, he kept him all night, and in the morning made him a preſent of a hogſhead of rum. He made all poſſible diſpatch in diſpoſing of his cargo, and freighted him out with the utmoſt expedition. With the reſt of the goods, he ſent Sir Thomas ten hogſheads of ſugar, and as many of rum, as a present, with the following letter.
​Honoured Sir,
Tranſported with joy, and drowned in tears, I ſend this teſtimony of my eſteem, of which I humbly hope your acceptance, as well as theſe ſmall tokens of my gratitude, with which it is accompanied. Next under God, 'tis to you, dear Sir, that I owe my life, my liberty, and my all. Happy me, had I liſtened to your advice in my non-age; happy ſtill, as by your means, I have been directed to the paths of virtue. 'Tis to you I am indebted for my preſent comfortable ſituation, and the dawning proſpect of future happineſs: The bills of lading, &c. are ſent by Mr ———, and all your buſineſs here, with which I am intruſted, ſhall be executed with the utmoſt diligence and fidelity. I have only to add my prayers for the continuation of your life and health, who have been ſo beneficial to many, but more particularly to,
Honoured Sir,
Your moſt humble, moſt obliged,
tho' moſt unworthy ſervant,
Francis Froward.
​Sir Thomas was highly pleaſed with the purport of his letter, tho' he rallied the Captain for letting him know to whom he was obliged for his freedom. The ſame ſhip was ſent the next ſeaſon on the ſame voyage, when the Captain was ordered to pay Mr Froward the full price for the rum and ſugar he had ſent to the Knight, and to deliver him the following letter,
Mr FROWARD,
Sir,
I thank you for the acknowledgement you made for the good offices I did you, and ſhall ever eſteem the preſent as it was intended; but have neither power nor inclination, to rob you of any thing you have acquired by dint of merit. My deſign is, to add to your acquiſitions, and not to diminiſh them, as you will experience; only, perſevere in your preſent courſe of life, and you will make me ample amends for all I have done, or can do for you. I am, Sir,
Your real friend,
T. Thoroughgood.
​Mr Froward, who was uneaſy that his friend refuſed his preſent, continued in a thriving condition ſeveral years. And now his wife died without iſſue; he, grown very rich, and advanced in years, diſpoſed of the ſugar-work, and left off all manner of buſineſs, except that of Sir Thomas Thoroughgood's. At length he himſelf was ſeized with a peſtilential fever, and carried off in a few days. He bore the torture of his diſtemper with exemplary patience, and met his approaching deſtiny with an intrepidity of ſoul ſcarce to be paralleled.
That you may the better judge of his ſentiments of gratitude, I have herewith ſent a copy of his laſt will.
In the Name of God, Amen. I Francis Froward of ———, in Jamaica, being of ſound mind and memory, do hereby make my laſt will and teſtament, in form and manner following, that is to ſay,
Imprimis.
​Imprimis.I bequeath my ſoul to Almighty God that gave it, hoping, and fully truſting, that I ſhall be ſaved and made eternally happy by the merits of my dear Redeemer Jeſus Chriſt, who ſuffered for me and all mankind.
Item. As the poor convicts in priſon, where I had once the misfortune to be confined, are not attended, and inſtructed as they ought to be, by perſons who ſeek their eternal ſalvation; I do give and bequeath fifty pounds a year, to purchaſe for their uſe, ſuch books as the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, and Sheriffs of London and Middleſex ſhall think proper to put into their hands.
Item. As the laws of England, however wiſely conſtructed, have made no proviſion for poor people born in diſtant parts, and become miſerable there, but left them to periſh in the ſtreets, lanes, and public places; I do give and bequeath ​hundred pounds a year, to be laid out for their relief, in ſuch a manner as ſhall ſeem moſt agreeable to the Lord-Mayor of London, for the time being, and to the truſtees that ſhall be nominated by my executors.
Item. And as many poor tradesmen and labourers are artfully ſeduced and perſuaded, to enter themſelves on board merchant ſhips, for this and other colonies in his Majeſty's dominions, and are afterwards at ſea, unwarily drawn in to indent themſelves ſervants to the owners of the veſſel, and from that moment commence ſlaves; and as ſuch are ſold in the public markets of the colonies, and generally ill-treated; I do give and bequeath five hundred pounds a year, for the redemption of ſuch unhappy people, and for the proſecution of thoſe who have been the abettors and contrivers of their ruin.
​Item. As gratitude is of all oblations the greateſt and moſt acceptable, I do give and bequeath to my dear friend Mr Thomas Thoroughgood, Merchant in London, who ſaved me from an ignominious death, and redeemed me from ſlavery, all the reſt and reſidue of my real and perſonal eſtate; and I do nominate and appoint him, and his heirs and executors, my heirs and executors for ever. In witneſs whereof, I have hereunto ſet my hand and ſeal, this third day of May, 1740.
Francis Froward.
Witneſs
Thomas Williams,
John Wilſon,
Richard Jones.
FINIS.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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