With several other Informations concerning other Fires in Southwark Fetter-Lane and elsewhere 27 5. Votes and Addresses of the Honourable House of Commons assembled in Parliament made 1673. concerning Popery and other Grievances 49 6. A Letter from a Parliament-man to his Friend concerning the Proceedings of the House of Commons this last Session begun the 13th of October 1675. 53 7. A Speech made by Sir William Scroggs one of His Majesty's Serjeants at Law to the Right Honourable the Lord Chancellor of England at his admission to the Place of one of His Majesty's Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas 56 8. A Discourse upon the Designs Practises and Councels of France 59 9. An Answer to a Letter written by a Member of Parliament in the Countrey upon the Occasion of his reading of the Gazette of the 11th of December 1679. wherein is the Proclamation for further proroguing the Parliament till the 11th of November next ensuing 67 10. The Right Honourable the Earl of Shaftsbury's Speech in the House of Lords March 25. 1679. 71 11. The Instrument or Writing of Association that the true Protestants of England entred into in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth 73 12. The Act of Parliament of the 27th of Queen Elizabeth in Confirmation of the same 74 13. A Word without doors concerning the Bill for Succession 76 14. A Collection of Speeches in the House of Commons in the Year 1680. 81 15. A Copy of the Duke of York's Bill 91 16. Some particular Matters of Fact relating to the Administration of Affairs in Scotland under the Duke of Lauderdale 93 17. The Impeachment of the Duke and Dutchess of Lauderdale with their Brother the Lord Hatton presented to his Majesty by the City of Edenburgh The matters of fact particularly relating to the Town of Edenburgh humbly offered for His Majesty's information 96 18. His Majesty's Declaration for the dissolving of His late Privy Council and for constituting a New One made in the Council-Chamber at White-hall April 20. 1679. 99 19. The Mâ—ssage from the King by Mr. Secretary Jenkins to the Commons on the 9th of November 1680. 102 20. The Address to His Majesty from the Commons on Saturday the 13th of November 1680. Ibid. 21. The Address of the Commons in Parliament to His Majesty to remove Sir George Jeffreys out of all publick Offices 103 22. His Majesty's Message to the Commons in Parliament relating to Tangier 104 23. The Humble Address of the Commons assembled in Parliament presented to His Majesty on Monday the 29th of November 1680. in answer to that Message ibid. 24. The Humble Address of the House of Commons presented to His Majesty on Tuesday the 21st of December 1680. in answer to His Majesty's Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament upon the 15th day of the same December 107 25. The Report of the Committee of the Commons appointed to examine the Proceedings of the Judges c. 109 26. The Report from the Committee of the Commons in Parliament appointed by the Honourable House of Commons to consider of the Petition of Richard Thompson of Bristol Clerk and to examine Complaints against him And the Resolution of the Commons in Parliament upon this Report for his Impeachment for High Crimes and Misdemeanors on Friday the 24th of December 1680. 116 27. Articles of Impeachment of Sir William Scroggs Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench by the Commons in Parliament assembled in their own Name and in the name of all the Commons of England of High Treason and other great Crimes and Misdemeanors 119 28. The Humble Petition of the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common Council assembled on the 13th of January 1680. to the King 's Most Excellent Majesty for the sitting of the Parliament prorogued to the 20th then instant together with the Resolutions Orders and Debates of the said Court 122 29. Vox Patriae Or the Resentments and Indignation of the Free-born Subjects of England against Popery Arbitrary Government the Duke of York or any Popish Successor being a true Collection of the Petitions and Addresses lately made from divers Counties Cities and Burroughs of this Realm to their Respective Representatives chosen to serve in the Parliament held at Oxford March 21 1680. 125 30. The Speech of the Honourable Henry Booth Esq at Chester the 2d of March 1680 1 〈◊〉 his being elected One of the Knights of the Shire for that County to serve in the Parliament summon'd to meet at Oxford the 21st of the said Month. 147 31. An Account of the Proceedings at the Sessions for the City of Westminster against Thomas Whitfield Scrievener John Smallbones Woodmonger and William Laud Painter for tearing a Petition prepared to be presented to the King for the sitting of the Parliament with an Account of the said Petition presented on the then 13th Instant and His Majesty's Gracious Answer 150. 32. The Judgment and Decree of the Vniversity of Oxford passed in their Convocation July 21 1683. against certain pernicious Books and damnable Doctrines destructive to the Sacred Persons of Princes Their State and Government and of all Humane Society 153 32. The Case of the Earl of Argyle Or an Exact and Full Account of his Tryal Escape and Sentence As likewise a Relation of several Matters of Fact for better clearing of the said Case 151 33. Murther will out Or The King's Letter justifying the Marquess of Antrim and declaring that what he did in the Irish Rebellion was by direction from His Royal Father and Mother and for the Service of the Crown 217 34. Vox Populi Or The Peoples claim to their Parliaments sitting to redress Grievances and to provide for the Common safety by the known Laws and Constitution of the Nation 219 35. The Security of English-mens Lives Or The Trust Power and Duty of the Grand Juries of England explained according to the Fundamentals of the English Government and the Declarations of the same made in Parliament by many Statutes 225 36. The Speech and Carriage of Stephen Colledge before the Castle at Oxford on Wednesday Aug. 31. 1681. taken exactly from his Mouth at the place of Execution 255 37. The Speech of the late Lord Russell to the Sheriffs together with the Paper delivered by him to them at the place of Execution July 21. 1683. 262 38. To the King 's Most Excellent Majesty the Humble Petition of Algernoon Sidney Esq 266 39. The very Copy of a Paper delivered to the Sheriffs upon the Scaffold on Friday Dec. 7. 1683. by Algernoon Sidney Esq before his Execution there 267 40. Of Magistracy 269. Of Prerogatives by Divine Right 270. Of Obedience 271. Of Laws 272. By Mr. Samuel Johnson 41. Copies of two Papers written by the late King Charles II. published by His Majesty's Command Printed in the Year 1686. 273. 42. A Letter containing some Remarks on the Two Papers writ by His late Majesty King Charles II. concerning Religion 274
and Corporations throughout England were generally so well satisfied with the Proceedings of the Honourable House of Commons in the last Parliament That as soon as they heard of the Dissolution they Resolved to chuse the very same respective Persons again and contriv'd to make their Elections without putting the Gentlemen chosen to any Charge Thereby to crush that Pernicious Custom of over-ruling Debauchery at Choice of Members which had not only scandaliz'd the Nation but almost impoyson'd and destroyed the very Constitution of our Parliaments A Letter from the famous Town of Kingston upon Hull to Sir Michael Wharton Kt. and William Gee Esq Burgesses for that Town in the late Parliament Worthy Gentlemen WE understand you have signified to us our Magistrates your willingness to represent in the ensuing Parliament and that they have gratefully accepted of your generous Offer which if they had communicated to us our joynt compliance would have been readily manifested for we are so sensible of your integrity in the late Parliament by your indefatigable care and pains in endeavouring the security of His Majesties Sacred Person as also our Religion and Property that we cannot but rejoyce that you are pleased again to offer us that kindness which your former good Service hath engaged us to become Suitors for We do therefore return you our hearty thanks and you may be confident without your appearance or the least charge to have all our Suffrages Nemine contradicente and will as our Obligations bind us stand by your Proceedings as becomes Loyal Subjects and true Englishmen subscribing our selves Your obliged and affectionate Friends and Servants c. Which was subscribed by Matthew Johnson Esq Sheriff of the said Town and 122 more of the most Eminent Burgesses and Electors Another Letter from Lewis in Sussex on the like Occasion To their late Worthy Representatives Richard Bridger and Thomas Pellam Esquires Gentlemen WE are sensible of the great Trouble and Charge you have been at as our Representatives and of your great Care and Constancy for which we return you our hearty Thanks with our earnest Request that you would be pleased once more to favour us in the same capacity And you will thereby much Oblige Your Faithful Friends and Servants This was Subscribed by near 150 of the Inhabitants of Lewis aforesaid On the 4th of February The City of London Assembled in Common-Hall consisting of several Thousand Livery-Men having by an Unanimous Voice Elected their Old Representatives Returned them their Thanks in a Paper there Publickly Read and Approved of with a General Consent The Address of the City of London To the Honoured Sir Robert Clayton Knight Thomas Pilkington Alderman Sir Thomas Player Knight and William Love Esq late and now chosen Members of Parliament for this Honourable City of London WE the Citizens of this City in Common-Hall Assembled having Experienced the great and manifold Services of you our Representatives in the Two last Parliaments by your most faithful and unwearied Endeavours to Search into and discover the depth of the horrid and hellish Popish Plots to preserve His Majesty's Royal Person the Protestant Religion and the well established Government of this Realm to secure the Meeting and Sitting of frequent Parliaments to Assert our undoubted Rights of Petitioning and to punish such who would have Betrayed those Rights to promote the happy and long-wished for Union amongst all His Majesty's Protestant Subjects to Repeal the 35th of Elizabeth and the Corporation-Act and especially for what Progress hath been made towards the Exclusion of all Popish Successors and particularly of James Duke of York whom the Commons of England in the two last Parliaments have Declar'd and we are greatly sensible is the Principal Cause of all the Ruine and Misery impending these Kingdoms in general and this City in particular For all which and other your constant and faithful Management of our Affairs in Parliament we offer and return to you our most hearty Thanks being confidently assur'd that you will not consent to the granting any Money-Sudply until you have effectually Secur'd us against Popery and Arbitrary Power Resolving by Divine Assistance in pursuance of the same Ends to stand by you with our Lives and Fortunes And likewise there was offered another Paper directed to the Sheriffs purporting their Thanks to the several Noble Peers for their late Petition and Advice to His Majesty which was as followeth To the Worshipful Slingsby Bethel and Henry Cornish Esquires Sheriffs of the City of London and Westminster WE the Citizens of the said City in Common-Hall Assembled having read and diligently perus'd the late Petition and Advice of several Noble Peers of this Realm to His Majesty whose Counsels we humbly conceive are in this unhappy Juncture highly seasonable and greatly tending to the Safety of these Kingdoms We do therefore make it our most hearty Request that you in the Name of this Common-Hall will return to the Right Honourable the Earl of Essex and by him to the rest of those Noble Peers the Grateful Acknowledgment of this Assembly Which being Read and Approved of by a General Acclamation the Sheriffs promised to give their Lordships the Thanks of the Common-Hall in pursuance of their Request The Address of the City of Westminster Febr. 10. 1680 1. To the Honoured Sir William Poultney and Sir William Waller Knights Unanimously Elected Members of the ensuing Parliament for the Ancient City of Westminster WE the Inhabitants of this City and the Liberties thereof Assembled retaining a most grateful and indelible Sence of your prudent Zeal in the late Parliament in searching into the depth of the horrid and hellish Plots of the Papists against His Majesty's Royal Person the Protestant Religion and the Government of the Realm and in endeavouring to bring the Authors of Wicked Counsels to condign punishment And remembring also your faithful discharge of that great Trust reposed in you in vindicating our undoubted Right of Petitioning His Majesty That Parliaments may Sit for the Redress of our Grievances which Hereditary Priviledge some Bad Men would have wrested out of our Hands upon whom you have set such a just Brand of Ignominy as may deter them from the like Attempts for the time to come And further reflecting upon your vigorous Endeavours to secure to us and our Posterity the Profession of the True Religion by those Just Legal and Necessary Expedients which the great Wisdom of the Two last Parliaments fixed upon and adhered to Do find our selves obliged to make our open Acknowledgement of and to return our hearty Thanks for your eminent Integrity and Faithfulness your indefatigable Labour and Pains in the Premises not once questioning but you will maintain the same good Spirit and Zeal to secure His Majesty's Royal Person and to preserve to us the Protestant Religion wherein all good Subjects have an Interest against the secret and subtil Contrivances and open Assaults of the Common Enemy as also our Civil Rights and Properties
and all the Members that serve for the City of London Will. Goldsbrough Cler. Dom. Com. October 16. 1666. Ordered That Mr. Davies Sir Thomas Higgons Mr. S. John Sir Richard Frankling Sir Thomas Tomkins Mr. Devereux Mr. Millard Mr. Lewis Mr. Dodswell Sir James Thyn Sir Edmond Pierse Mr. Coleman Sir Thomas Allen Mr. Giles Hungerford Mr. Churchill be added to the Committee appointed to enquire into the Causes of the late Fire Will. Goldsbrough Cler. Dom. Com. THE Honourable Committee according to the forementioned Orders of the House did meet in the Speaker's Chamber and having chose Sir Robert Brook for their Chairman proceeded to receive many considerable Informations from divers credible Persons about the Matter wherewith they were intrusted and thereupon did at last agree that Sir Robert Brook should make the ensuing Report to the Honourable House of Commons The Report of Sir Robert Brook Chair-man to the Committee that was appointed by the House of Commons to Enquire into the Firing of the City of London made the Two and Twentieth of January 1666. IN a Letter from Alansen of the 23 of August 1666 New Stile written from one Dural to a Gentleman lodging in the House of one of the Ministers of the French Church in London called Monsieur Herault there were these Expressions Pray acquaint me with the truth of certain News which is common in this Countrey That a Fire from Heaven is fallen upon a City called Belke situated on the side of the River of Thames where a World of People have been killed and burnt and Houses also consumed Which seemed a word of Cabal cast out by some that were knowing and others that might be ignorant of the signification of it Mrs. Elizabeth Styles informs That in April last in an eager Discourse she had with a French Servant of Sir Vere Fan he hastily replyd'd You English Maids will like the Frenchmen better when there is not a House left between Temple-Bar and London-Bridge To which she answered I hope your Eyes will never see that He replyed This will come to pass between June and October William Tisdale informs That he being about the beginning of July at the Greybound in St. Martins with one Fitz Harris an Irish Papist heard him say There would be a sad Desolation in September in November a worse in December all would be united into one Whereupon he asked him where this Desolation would be He answered In London Mr. Light of Ratcliff having some Discourse with Mr. Lanhorn of the Middle-Temple Barister reputed a zealous Papist about February 15 last after some Discourse in Disputation about Religion he took him by the hand and said to him You expect great things in Sixty Six and think that Rome will be destroyed but what if it be London Mr. Kitely of Barkin in Essex informs That one Mrs. Yazly a Papist of Ilford in the said County came unto his House August the 13th and being in Discourse with his Mother said They say the next Thursday will be the hottest Day that ever was in England She replyed I hope the hottest season of the Year is now past To which she answered I know not whether it be the hottest for Weather or for Action This Mrs. Yazly coming to the same House the Week after the Fire Mr. Kitely said to her with some trouble I have often thought of your Hot Thursday to which she replyed It was not indeed upon the Thursday but it happened upon the Sunday was seven-night after Mrs. Yazly hearing this Evidence produced against her endeavoured to avoid the Words saying That upon the 13th of August she did tell Mrs. Kitely That they say the next Thursday will be the darkest Thursday that ever was in England but not otherwise which she affirms to have received from one Finchman an old Woman of Ilford who being examined by a Justice of Peace to discover the truth thereof denied that ever she said any such words to Mrs. Yazly or that she had discoursed with her about any such Matter and as to the subsequent Words she saith Mrs. Yazly denies ever to have spoken them But Mr. Kitely offered in her presence if it should be demanded to bring his Mother and Wife to testifie the same William Ducket Esq a Member of the House informs That one Henry Baker of Chippenham in the County of Wilts coming from Market with one John Woodman of Kelloway in the same County the Thursday before the Fire began in London they had some Discourse about the Buying of a Yoke of Fat Bullocks wherein they differed because Woodman who was to Sell them was desired to keep them a while in his hands But the said Woodman denied so to do for that as he alledged he could not stay in the Country till that time which Baker would have them delivered to him in and being asked whether he was a going he refused to tell asking what he had to do to make that Question Put riding a little further the said Woman exprest these Words You have brave Blades at Chippenham you made Bonefires lately for beating the Dutch but since you delight in Bonefires you shall have your Bellies full of them ere it be long Adding That if he lived one Week longer he should see London as sad a London as ever it was since the World began and in some short time after he should see as bloudy a time as ever was since England was England This Discourse was not much taken notice of at that time it was spoken but when the City of London was burnt the said Henry Baker gave this Information to the said Mr. Ducket and whereupon he issued out his Warrant to apprehend Woodman but he was gone out of the Country and cannot be heard of since Robert Hubert of Roan in Normandy who acknowledged that he was one of those that fired the House of Mr. Farryner a Baker in Pudding-Lane from whence the Fire had its beginning confessed that he came out of France with one Stephen Peidloe about four Months before the Fire and went into Sweden with him where he also staid with him as his Companion four Months and then they came together into England in a Swedish Ship called the Skipper where he staid on Board with the said Peidloe till that Saturday Night in which the Fire brake out When Peidloe taking him out of the Ship carried him into Pudding-lane and he being earnest to know whither he would carry him he would not satisfie him till he had brought him to the place and then he told him that he had brought three Balls and gave him one of them to throw into the House And he would have been further satisfied in the Design as he said before he would execute it But Peidloe was so impatient that he would not hear him and then he did the Fact which was That he put a Fire-ball at the end of a long Pole and lighting it with a piece of Match he put it in at a
found this following Paper which immediately either by himself or a Relation of his was delivered to Sir William Morrice one of his Majesties Principal Secretaries of State The Contents of the Paper are as follows A Warning to Protestants I Who have been a Papist from my Infancy till of late and in Zeal for their horrid Principles had too great a share in the Firing of the City and did intend to do further Mischief to the Protestants of which I am now and ever shall be a Member do upon Abhorrence of that Villany and Religion that hath moved me to it declare to all Protestants the Approach of their sudden Ruine that it may be prevented if it be not too late When I together with other Papists both French Irish and English fired the City others were imployed to Massacre the Protestants we thinking thereby to destroy the Heads of your Religion but the Massacre was disappointed by the Fear of him who was the chief Agent in this Villany And the Fire not having done all its Work they have often endeavoured to fire the remaining part They intend likewise to land the French upon you to whose Assistance they all intend to come and for that purpose are stored with Arms and have so far deceived the King that they have the Command of most part of the Army and the Sea-Ports The French intend to land at Dover that Garison being most Papists And the Papists in England have express Command from Rome to hasten their Business before the next Parliament and to dispatch Therefore as you love your Lives and Fortunes prevent your Ruine by disarming all the Papists in England especially C. L. from the Tower and the L. D. and all his Adherents and Souldiers from Dover and by disarming all Papists I have such an Abhorrence that I would willingly undergo any Punishment for it and declare my self openly were I not assured that I could do you more good in concealing my Name for the present Delay not from following these Directions as you love your Lives and be not deceived by any Pretences whatsoever An Impartial Account of some Informations taken before several Justices of the Peace concerning the several Fires happening of late in and near the City of London ABout the latter end of June and in July one Joseph Harrison came several times to the Greyhound-Inn in Holborn pretending to enquire for Letters for himself and about the beginning of July comes into the said Inn and meeting Mr. Atkins the Master of the said Inn He the said Harrison asked him for a Can of Beer whereupon Mr. Atkins ordered his Man to draw two Cans drinking one himself and giving the other to Harrison After which the said Harrison took Mr. Atkins by the Hand and lead him out of his own Yard into Holborn and by the Rails in the Street the said Harrison advised the said Atkins to put off his House and dispose of his Goods as soon as he could for within Three Weeks or a Month there would be great and dreadful Fires in and about London Mr. Atkins asked him How he knew so The said Harrison replied If you will not believe me you may chose and so left him One Monday July the 25th Mr. Atkins his Wife hearing of the Fire at the George-Inn in Southwark went to her Mother at the Talbot-Inn in Southwark the back-part of which said Inn is adjoyning to the George-Inn and was likewise on Fire and being there she espied the aforesaid Joseph Harrison in the Yard and remembring the aforesaid Advice to her Husband desired some Persons that were next her to lay hold on him which being done he was conveyed to a Foot-Company that stood in Arms near the said Inn judging that the nearest place to secure him After which Sir John Smith one of the Sheriffs of London was acquainted with the whole matter Upon which he with the L. C. went to the said Company and in the hearing of several gave Charge to the Captain of the said Company to keep him safe until they had time to examine him After the Fire was put out some went to enquire after the Prisoner and the Captain told them The L. C. had dicharged him The next Day being Tuesday a Person was informed that the said Harrison taught School in Thread-Needle Street and that he boasted of his Deliverance and said That the L. C. was pleased to honour him so far as to take him in his Barge with him to White-hall and bad him but be patient a while and he should have Satisfaction from the Persons that had troubled him But hearing where to find him Endeavours were used to retake him and accordingly was accomplished on Wednesday July 27. and had before the Worshipful Sir John Frederick who sent him to Bishopsgate and ordered him to be brought before the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen the next day to be examined Before whom were these following things proved against him upon Oath 1. THat he hath had frequent Correspondency with Jesuits and Papists 2. That he hath spoken to several of his Acquaintance to go with him to Popist Meetings declaring that he knew of many 3. That he hath been perswaded to turn Mendicant Fryer and hath been offered a Stipend to turn to the Romish Religion 4. That he knew there would be divers great and dreadful Fires in and about London within a Month. 5. That he advised Friends to rid their Hauds of all their Concerns in and about London for there would be a great Consumption of houses there 6. That when he was in the Custody of the Foot-Company aforesaid Mr. Atkins aforesaid affirming to swear the former Article he threatned him if he did it should cost him the best House he had 7. That he said there were forty thousand French Papists lately come over to his Knowledge besides many that were amongst us already 8. The Lord Mayor asking him Who perswaded him to turn Catholick He answered The King's Under-Barber Phillips After which he told the Court That when he was apprehended for these things my L. C. discharged him and took him with him in his Barge to White-hall He further told the Court That he was some time an Assistant to Mr. Lovejoy Schoolmaster at Canterbury and that he had Letters Testimonial of his good Behaviour from the Dean of Canterbury Upon which my Lord Mayor remembring that he had seen him with Mr. Lovejoy and said that Mr. Lovejoy told him That he was an idle Rogue And so he was committed to Newgate On Saturday the 30th of July it was further deposed upon Oath by Thomas Roe before Sir John Frederick as follows The Information of Thomas Roe of Bernard-Inn Gent. taken the 3th of July 1670. by Sir John Frederick Alderman one of His Majesties Justices of Peace in the City of London upon Oath as followeth THomas Roe saith that he hath for at least twelve or thirteen Years last past been acquainted with one Joseph Harrison who was
examined lately at the Guild-hall London before the Honourable the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen upon Suspicion of his being a Conspirator in the firing the City and Suburbs in several parts thereof Thomas Roe and Joseph Harrison having been School-fellows at Eaten Colledge and being thereby acquainted Joseph Harrison hath several times lately been with him and advised him to with-draw his Concerns and remove above twenty miles out of the City for that the City and twenty miles round would be suddenly destroyed and laid wast or to that purpose Whereupon Thomas Roe asked him Whether he were privy to any such Conspiracy or concern'd in its Agitation pressing him with divers Arguments to discover what he was acquainted with of that kind Harrison replied That he had no personal and positive Knowledge thereof Thomas Roe demanded upon what ground then he did thus advise him Joseph Harrison replied That he was sometimes conversant among some Papists and perceived a Plot or Design was carrying on by them against the City of London and the Protestant Religion which Plot or Design said he the Papists call The Game of Trap or do you understand Trap ad Crucem which is the Watch-word amongst them Further Joshua Harrison said that he was informed of those things by some German Protestants and that he had Offers of Fifty Pounds per annum made him by some Jesuits and Papists to turn to their Religion but he had refused it and would not embrace the Romish Religion Thomas Roe further saith That about five Weeks since he walked through New-Cheap-side and from thence into Mark-Lane with Joseph Harrison in company with Mr. Mosely a Gentleman belonging to Bernards-Inn likewise and one of his Acquaintance together with another Man a Stranger to Thomas Roe Upon their first associating Harrison said unto him That he would not discover himself to be an Englishman but pretend himself to be a German or Italian whether of the two he doth not well remember and that he might not detect himself spake in the Company as Occasion offered in Latin But leaving the place where they tarried in Mark-lane going towards Bishopsgate-street Mr. Harrison told Mr. Roe secretly That he believed that Mr. Mosely understood the Game of Trap by some Signs he had observed from him and that he would try him Then going altogether into a house about the end of Thrâ—adneedle-street Mr. Harrison having by this time discovered himself to be an English-man said Trap and made a Cross over his Face with his Finger directing himself to Mr. Mosely Whereupon Mr. Mosely did also say Trap crossing his Forehead and Face two or three times and with a quick motion drew his Finger over his own Throat Upon which Mr. Roe asked Mr. Mosely what was the meaning of Trap But he refused to tell Mr. Roe urging him again He replied He would not saying You are not of my Religion Then Mr. Mosely asked Mr. Harrison what his Name was for he knew him not by Name he answered Harrisons Mr. Mosely replied I never saw your Name Mr. Harrison made answer It is Don Olanso del Harrisonio if so saith Mr. Mosely I have seen your Name After this Mr. Mosely and the other stranger being parted and Mr. Roe and Mr. Harrison being-alone said Harison I told you Mr. Mosely did understand Trap you may see there is a List of the Trap-Gamesters Now whether Mr. Mosely's Imitation of Mr. Harrison was feigned or real Mr. Roe could not distinguish But as they two were passing through Cheape-side homewards Mr Harrison looking upon the New Buildings said To what purpose do they build this poor city it will be again destroyed at the same time he pointed at two several Persons saying That is a Trap-Gamester and there goes another Trap-Gamester Mr. Roe further Informs That since the last Term Mr. Harrison told him he would write all the Rogueries of the Trap-Game and Gamesters in a Play and that he would undertake to shew him Twenty six Papists Meetings in and about the City and Suburbs of London but said he some of them are very private and if you be discovered not to be a Papist you will peradventure be poisoned or stabb'd Mr. Roe doth further say That when the said Harrison advised him to remove with all his Concerns about twenty Miles from London that the said Roe asked him if Windsor were not far enough it being both their native place and about the distance The said Harrison answered Not reflecting upon the Castle And further Harrison told Mr. Roe That the Jesuits could by a Composition of Ingredients make such a Matter the fume of which would corrupt any Man's Intellects and that he the said Harrison could do it A Faithful Account of the Apprehending of a Scothman some time since by William Colburne at the Cross-keys in Fleet-street as followeth A Scotch-man pretending great Respect he had for William Colburne aforesaid came to him and advised him That by all means he should remove his Goods out of London and dispose of his House William Colburne asked him For what reason The Scotch-man replied Because that he with many others were employed to set the remainder of London on Fire and that they would set it on Fire in several places at one time And Chancery-lane-end which is near the aforesaid Colburne's house they intended to set first on fire Upon which William Colburne apprehended him and being brought to his Trial he was sentenced to stand in the Pillory and did accordingly three times once at the End of Chancery-lane and twice in or about the Old Exchange Much more might be said but that our aim is to be as brief as is consistent with the truth of the Matter of Fact in our Narrative Therefore we refer any that desire further Satisfaction in every particular to William Colburne aforesaid who will fully inform them An Account of the Firing of Mr. Delanoy 's House near Pepper-Alley in Southwark January 1679 â—0 by John Satterthwait a Papist as appears by the Oath of Margaret Clarke then Servant to Mr. Delanoy who was in by the said Satterthwait to assist him in the Burning of her Masters House and suffered Death for the same I Margaret Clark being shortly to suffer Death for that which I have deserved and am much humbled for and desire to lie low before God under the sense of my own Guilt do give the World an Account of the truth of my Case for I would not be guilty 〈◊〉 a Lye now I am to appear before my Judge within a few Minutes Therefore I do say and shall declare the truth of the Matter as I shall answer it before my Lord and Judge Upon the 26th of January 1679 80. John Satterthwait came to me as I was going out of my Master's Gate and did desire me to tell him whether my Master and Mistress were at home And I answered him No. And he told me That he hoped he should have an Opportunity to speak with
Is he a wise man who if his house be falling by reason of too much weight upon the roof will lay more upon it rather than propt it up and take off some of the weight So they who take the Church to consist of Ceremonies must pardon me that I am not of their opinion since the word of God warrants no such thing and my reason tells me that they are too much interested in the cause to be fit judges for with them he is accounted a good Son of the Church who keeps a great stir about Ceremonies though he live never so ill a life and perhaps is drunk when he performs his Devotion but if a man seem to be indifferent as to Ceremonies and make them no more than indeed they be yet in Practice Conforms more than he that makes a great noise about them though he live never so godly a life and as near as he can to the rule of God's word yet he is a Fanatick and an enemy to the Church but God Almighty tells us he will have mercy and not Sacrifice Gentlemen They who accuse me for an enemy to the King and Church have left you out of the story but I hope I shall not forget you but remember on whose errand I am sent and as I have hitherto stuck to your interest I hope nothing will draw me aside from it and if I know my own heart I am perswaded that neither rewards threats hopes nor fears will prevail upon me I desire nothing but to promote God's glory and the interest of the King and people and if it shall please God to let me see the Protestant Religion and Government established I shall think I have lived long enough and I shall be willing at that instant to resign my breath Gentlemen I thought good to say this to you and I thank you for your patience and hope I shall so behave my self in your Service that I shall make it appear I am sensible of the honour you have done me I humbly thank you all An Account of the Proceedings at the Sessions for the City of Westminster against Thomas Whitfield Scrivener John Smallbones Woodmonger and William Laud Painter for Tearing a Petition prepared to be presented to the King's Majesty for the Sitting of the Parliament With an Account of the said Petition presented on the 13th instant and His Majesty's Gracious Answer IT being the undoubted Right of the Subjects of England Vide the Resolutions of the Law Cook Jurisdict of Courts 79. Hobart 220. Vel. Magna Chart. Exl. Spencer 51. Vide the Proclamations of K. Charles I. and warranted by the Law of the Land and the general Practice of all former Times in an humble manner to apply themselves to His Majesty in the Absence of Parliaments by Petition for the Redress of their Grievances and for the obtaining such things as they apprehend necessary or beneficial to the safety and well being of the Nation And it being their Duty to which they are bound by the expres words of the Oath of Allegiance * I do Swear from my Heart That I will hear Faith and true Allegiance to His Majesty His Heirs and Successors and Him and Them will Defend to the uttermost of my power against all Conspiracies and Attempts whatsoever which shall be made against His or Their Persons Their Crown and Dignity And will do my best endeavour to disclose and make known unto His Majesty His Heirs and Successors all Treasons and Trayterous Conspiracies which I shall know or hear of to be against him or any of them to represent to Him any danger which they apprehend Threatning His Royal Person or His Government divers Persons in and about the City of Westminster considering the too apparent and unspeakable Danger His Majesty and His Kingdoms are in from the Hellish Plots and Villainous Conspiracies of the Bloody Papists and their Adherents and conceiving no sufficient or at least so fit Remedy could be provided against it but by the Parliament by whom alone several Persons accused of these accursed Designs can be brought to Tryal did prepare and sign a Petition humbly representing to His Majesty the imminent danger His Royal Person the Protestant Religion and the Government of this Nation were in from that most damnable and hellish Popish Plot branched forth into several the most Horrid Villainies For which several of the principal Conspirators stand impeached by Parliament and thereby humbly praying that the Parliament might Sit upon the 26th of January to try the Offenders and to Redress the important Crievances no otherways to be redressed of which Thomas Whitfield John Smallbenes and William Laud Inhabitants in Westminster taking notice upon the 20th day of December last they sent to Mr. William Horsley who had signed and promoted the Petition and in whose custody it was to bring or send it to them for that they desired to sign it And thereupon Mr. Horsley attended them and producing the Petition in which many Persons had joyned he delivered it at their request to be by them read and signed but Mr. Whitfield immediately tore it in pieces and threw it towards the Fire and Smallbones catching it up said That he would not take 10 s. for the Names and then they declared that they sent for it for that very purpose and owned themselves all concerned in the design Upon Mr. Horsley's complaint hereof to a Justice of the Peace a Warrant was granted against them and they being taken thereupon after examination of the matter were bound to appear and answer it at the next quarter Sessions of the Peace for the City of Westminster and upon Friday the 9th of January instant the Sessions being holden and there being present several Justices of the Peace that are eminent Lawyers the matter was brought before them and the Grand Jury Indicted the said Whitfield Smallbones and Laud as followeth viz. The City Borough and Town of Westminster in the County of Middlesex THe Jurors for our Soveraign Lord the King upon their Oath do present that whereas the Subjects and Liege People of the Kings and Queens of this Realm of England by the Laws and Customs of the Realm have used and been accustomed to represent their Publick Grievances by Petition or by any other submissive way And that the 20th day of December in the one and Thirtieth Year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord Charles the Second by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. at the Parish of St. Martin's in the Fields within the Liberty of the Dean and Chapter of the Collegiate Church of St. Peter of the City Borough and Town of Westminster in the County of Middlesex a Petition written in paper was prepared and Subscribed with the hands of divers the said King's Subjects and Liege People to the Jury unknown and to our said Soveraign Lord King Charles the Second Directed and to our said Soveraign Lord