Sentence:  We both of us happen'd to know, as well as the Stationer, that Riddlesden the Attorney, was a very Knave. He had half ruin'd Miss Read's Father by drawing him in to be bound for him. By his Letter it appear'd, there was a secret Scheme on foot to the <WSD>Prejudice</WSD> of Hamilton, (Suppos'd to be then coming over with us,) and that Keith was concern'd in it with Riddlesden. [...] 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Mischief; hurt; damage; injury; detriment.