at the Corner of Fetter-lane where he desired me To appear at oâ—e Old-Baily when the Bill was preferred against Colledge the Joyner and there pretend my self to be an Evidence for the King by which means I should be Sworn and when I came to be examined before the Grand-Jury I should declare that all the rest of the Witnesses Suborned me to Swear the same as they did that it was all False and Fictitious by which means said he the Jury will bring it in Ignoramus which it is well known they did without my assistance further saying They expected a Bill to be preferred against the Earl of Shaftsbury the same day but there was not further telling me That Mr. Whitaker the Solicitor sent him to me and desired him to advise me to what is before mentioned The same day coming from the Old-Baily I met Mr. Dangerfield going out of the Kings-Head-Tavern at Temple Bar to whom I declar'd that the Bill against Colledge was found Ignoramus to which he answered I am very glad of it for his sake and all persons that have and will oppose the Duke of York as he hath done The next day Mr. Lewis came to my Chamber and desired me To write a Letter to Mr. Wilmore and acquaint him of my want of Moneys and direct it to him at the Amsterdam-Coffee-House telling me That since Mr. Rowse was committed to the Tower Mr. Willmore had undertaken to raise Moneys for the supply of those Evidence that stood by the City I did write and within a day or two after Mr. Lewis came with 10 s. he had of Mr. Willmore for me which I received at several times of Lewis And about the same time I told Mr. Lewis I was informed that Mrs. Fitz-Harys had a great inclination to retract her Evidence against the Lord Howard of Escrik at which he said It will be good service to the Whigs if she could be brought over to the City that then he would make it his business to effect the same And about a day or two after he came again to me That he was desired by several Eminent Whigs to urge me to draw up my Information at large against Mr. Ivy and give it in to Sir Patience Ward who was then Lord Mayor and by his perswasions I did draw up the Information and the next day he came to my Chamber to see if it was finished but it was not then he told me That he had as good as brought over Mrs. Fitz Harys from the Court to the City for which he had 10 l. paid him that Morning for retracting her Evidence against the Lord Howard withall shewed me Handsuls of Silver I desir'd half the Money being the first that told him of any such thing he answered He was forc'd to give his Bond for it because it should not be thought he received it upon the account of Subornation telling me That the Whigs told him that he should never be call'd upon for that Money and should also be supply'd with 10 l. a Month as long as they found him True and Serviceable to them And when my Information was finished against Mr. Ivy he desired me to go with him to meet a Gentleman at the Gray-hound-Tavern near Arundel-buildings in the Strand which I did where there came to us one Mr. John Harrington who afterwards appear'd to be related to me by Marriage Mr. Harrington desired me to meet him at the Crown-Tavern behind the Royal-Exchange accordingly we did but I being there before Mr. Harrington Mr. Lewis call'd for Pen Ink and Paper and drew up an Information against Mr. Ivy Mr. Harrington came in and desired us to go before Sir Patience Ward and be Sworn but I am not positive whether it was that day or not but soon after Mr. Harrington and one Mr. Fuller went with us where we found Sheriff Bethel and Sheriff Cornish And after I was Sworn Sheriff Bethel came to me and gave me Thanks for the good service I had done the Protestants at that time Within a day or two after I met with Captain Clynton in Fetter-lane he desired me to go to the Golden-Lyon-Tavern there he told me That should be the last time I should drink with him I ask'd to know the reason of it he said He must be forc'd to leave the Town declaring That he feared Mr. Dugdale had or would Swear against him I desired his reason why he thought so saith he Because Mr. Dugdale kept correspondence with Justice Warcup who will encourage persons to Swear any thing against them that would appear for the Protestants and especially Me for vindicating the Innocency of the Earl of Shaftsbury as I have and will ever do with my Life and Fortune At the same time Captain Clynton drank the Earl's health to me in a Glass of Wine telling me What a respect he had me and what a happy man I should be when the Parliament sat until which time he hoped care would be taken for me and then we parted and I never saw him before he was brought before the King and Councel which was above a year afterwards where I appeared and again declared the Truth of what is above mentioned And about this time Mr. Lewis and Mr. Harrington were like to fall out which of them was the chiefest Instrument in bringing over Mrs. Fitz-Harys to the City In few days after I met Mr. Harrington at the Amsterdam-Coffee-House he ask'd me If I never was perswaded to Swear against the Earl of Shaftsbury I replyed I was and that the Paper that was drawn up against his Lordship was most damnable and Seditious besides False and Fictitious and that the Original was in the custody of the Clerk of the House of Commons saith he It will be good service to Print it at that time further adding It would Incense the People extreamly against the Court Proceedings I told him if I had Money I would go and drink a Glass of Wine with Mr. Golds borough and endeavour to get a Copy of that Paper for which and he gave me a Crown I went to Mr. Goldsborough at the Popes-Head-Tavern in Chancery-lane there I desired the Copy he told me He could not part with any without an Order from the King and Councel or words to that effect upon which I desisted And sometime before I went to Oxford to Colledges Tryal Mr. Everard came to me in the Amsterdam-Coffee House and told me If I would give my Bond for Money I should be supply'd but never call'd upon to repay the same saying The Bond was only that the World should not take notice or think it Subornation I said I would give my Bond for Money declaring that I wanted Cloaths upon which he said He would engage to the Taylor for a Suit for me which he did at the same time Mr. Everard desired me to do Justice Warcup's business for him when an Indictment should be brought against him which he said would be next Sessions I promised
sent for me up into his Chamber where I told him my business He ordered me to go in his Name to Sir Robert Clayton and desire his Warrant against Mr. Coombs for detaining my Papers Upon which I took leave of Sir Thomas and went to Mr. Coombs's House and demanded them who reply'd He had lost them at Oxford or coming from thence at the time of the Parliament there upon which I told him I had Orders from the Earl of Shaftsbury and Sir Thomas Player to take out Sir Robert Clayton's Warrant against him He answered me He could not help it if his Life lay at stake telling me He had search'd his House from top to bottom and could not find them So I desisted from enquiring further after them and some occasions of my own caused me to go and Lodge at Westminster about the latter end of May 1681. where I continued for some weeks and in Trinity-Term following being in Westminster-Hall I met Mr. Rowse who came to me and told me He had much wondred what was become of me so long I told him that my occasions would not permit me to stay in the City He reply'd I hope you are of the same Principle as when I saw you last I answered I was and ever would be Come then said he we will go to the Dog-Tavern in the New-Palace-yard and drink a Glass of Wine which we did And there he desired me Not to take it ill that he had questioned my Fidelity for said he it is not out of any distrust I have of you in the least but it is because you are so near the Court a place that will Debauch all persons that come near it especially those that are Evidences against the Papists At which I told him he had no cause to think the least ill of me in that or any other respect whatsoever telling him I had not spoken with any person belonging to the Court since I came last to lodge at that end of the Town at which he seem'd very well satisfied and taking Moneys out of his Pocket gave me Ten Shillings telling me withal That Moneys was short with him at that time else he would have supply'd me with more but within a few days I should see him again so we parted at that time And the same day that Plunket was Try'd I met him again in Westminster-Hall and we went to the same Tavern where he Treated the Witnesses against Pluncket after the Tryal was past and return'd them many Thanks for the great service they had done that day to the Protestant Party and whilst we tarryed there he sent for Mr. Rob. Squibb belonging to His Majesties Exchequer who accordingly came and they went both into a Room together but upon what business I know not so after plenty of Wine Evening drawing nigh we all parted And about three or four days after he came to the same Tavern and sent for me I went where I found strange Company with him to whom he recommended me telling them That I was a Friend of Theirs and all True Protestants assuring them that I had discovered a considerable part of a Plot contrived by the Duke of York and other great Papists Upon which they Thank'd him for bringing me into their Company and withal call'd for Sack plentifully They being upon going Mr. Rowse gave me other Ten Shillings and told me He would be with me very speedily And in a few days after he did come to an Ale-house where I frequented and going out of the House to him he desired me to go with him to the Fountain-Tavern in the Old-Palace-yard where he gave me Twenty Shillings telling me That as soon as they had chosen Sheriffs in the City and that they found they were for their turns then they would settle good Allowances upon all the Evidence that stood by them and that it should be paid weekly until a Parliament sat He also desired me To come into the City again to abide with them I reply'd I could not by reason of some Debts that I had Contracted there He answered Is that all I told him it was Then he said I should not tarry long at that end of the Town Then Mr. Rowse took down in Writing what Sums where and to whom I was Indebted telling me That he would certainly pay the same in few days And then he began to tell me in what a dangerous condition the Protestant Party would have been in if the Parliament and the Evidences had not stood by them For said he it is plain to be seen that the King is a Papist in his heart by his vindicating that Traytor York his Brother who would certainly if it were in his power bring us all under the yoak of Popery and Slavery He further declared That he hoped to see his Highness the next Parliament excluded banished or both saying also That he deserved to lose his Head as much as ever Stafford did Therefore said he accuse him thoroughly and I will engage you will be made for ever by it I or said he you see Mr. Dangerfield lives in great Splendor keeps his Man to wait upon him his Gelding to ride where he pleases and hath also 100 Guineys to command at any time besides he is respected by the greatest in the City and people strive to be in his Company At which I reply'd Mr. Rowse you see my Condition and were I supplie'd and assisted as Mr. Dangerfield is it might be that I could do the Protestant Party more service then ever he has done How said he Yes said I for I was Bred about the Court and have used it above this dozen years and you must needs think that in all this time I saw a great man Intrigues Nay said he if it be so I must allow you to be capable of doing us great Service and as for your Supplies take no care for before I am many days older you shall be sufficiently gratified and withal took me into his Arms and said Leave all to me and told me That they had a Common-Councel held in the City and that they had made an Act how it should be Engraven round the Monument in great Letters that the Papists Fired this City in the year of our Lord 1666. At which I reply'd it was a very good Act but withal told him will you not be displeased at a Jest He reply'd He would not then said I. It will be a long time before the Common-Councel will make an Act that it shall be Engraven in great Letters upon some publick place in the City That the late King was Murthered by the Factious Party Fie Fie said he those things are buried in Oblivion let us think of things that are to come and what will be most serviceable for us to defend our selves from Popery and Arbitrary Government which is certainly designed to be brought in amongst us else the King would have taken care of the Evidence that discovered the Popish Plot
him I intended he should be the person I would be Sworn before but through Mr. Lewis's great perswasions I did intrust him with my Papers with this reservation that he should not impart them to any of the City upon which he wished eternal damnation both to his Body and Soul if he did so he went away and in a short time after he came again to me with my Papers he said he had shew'd them to Collonel Rich who ask'd him if I would Swear to them I reply'd I could and upon that we went over the Water to a Coffee-house near St. Mary-overs-Church where I writ a letter to Justice Reading declaring to him that I had matter of moment to discover in the behalf of the King to which he sent me word by Mr. Lewis If I had any such thing to discover I might come to him at the Bear-Tavern at the Bridge-foot where he then was I went and delivered him my Information and after he had perus'd them he ask'd If I could make Oath of it all I said I could then he administred the Oath before Collonel Rich and Justice Daniel after I had Sworn I took leave this was about Michaelmas 1681. from thence I went into the City and being at the Amsterdam-Coffee-house I met an Ancient Citizen whose Name I knew not he gave me half a Crown and told me That had not the Witnesses deserted the City and gone to the Court and discovered against them there had been at least 10000 l. collected for the Supply of the Evidence until a Parliamen sit But now said he we canot find out a safe way to supply you that are true to us And about that time I being late in Fleet-street drinking in a House near Temple-Bar we heard Murther cryed out upon which I went out endeavouring to keep the Peace the Watch and Constable coming in the Constable being perverse sent me to the Compter for one of the Rioters the next Morning Sherift Bethel came and sent for me down into the Lodge where after some Discourse he ordered the Keeper that I should be carried before the Lord Mayor telling them That his Lordship knew me very well and would Discharge me The Constable came and we went before Sir John Fredrick who took my own Recognizance for my Appearance after that I went to the Amsterdam-Coffee-House and desired Mr. Kidd to pay the Fees of the Compter which he did and from that time I very little used the City About Christmass following Mr. Lewis desired me to report That I had been with the King privately in his Closet the Earls of Arlington and Ailsbury being present I asked him why he would have me report so false a thing Pish said he you have not a grain of Sense for when a Parliament sits you will have a good occasion to Swear that the King and these Lords would have Suborn'd you to have Sworn against the Earl of Shaftsbury and several others in the City He further desired me To declare the same to none but Whigs and they would come in and corroborate my Evidence And about May 1682. I was in Mr. Swith's Company who ask'd me When I saw Mr. Lewis I told him not of several days saying that he was a man that busied himself in State-Affairs at which Mr. John Smith replyed He believed more then was just I answered he would have just cause to think so if he knew as much as I at which he told me He believed it lay in my power to do the King a great deal of service to discover his Villanies I said I had offered the same almost a year since but little notice was taken of it but notwithstanding that I would do it at any time Lewis hath often told me That the Queen allow'd David Firz-Gerald fourty Shillings a week further saying That her Majesty would allow any person else as much as would come in and Accuse the Earl of Shaftsbury and those in the City And about the same time Lewis desired me to report That I had Kiss'd the Duke of York's Hand when he came from Scotland and when a Parliament sits said he you shall swear that his Highness offered you Money to Accuse the Earl of Shaftsbury and the City telling me That the Duke was the only man that they aim'd at and that I should be made by Accusing him And about Whitsontide last I had a Letter came from Lewis to desire me to come to him which I did and found him Sick in Bed he desired me To go over to Collonel Rich and tell him his Condition and that he wanted Money On Whitsunday I din'd with Collonel Rich and acquainted him with what Mr. Lewis had desired me the Collonel told me He was very sorry to hear he was ill desired to be remembred to him and so took leave I went to Mr. Lewis and told him what Collonel Rich said Is that all said Lewis I reply'd it was that-signified any thing says he Is his great kindness come to this Notwithstanding he told me at his own House in these words viz. Mr. Lewis you and I will stand and fall by one another but indeed said Mr. Lewis I must confess that Mr. Turbervile told me before his death that Sheriff Rich declared to him he liked me very well but for one thing which was I was too Mercinary At which I then reply'd You know that 's true enough you will sell the dearest Friend you have for Money He answered Damn me how can a man live without it I urther saith he Sheriff Rich was like the World when his own turn was served he that had done him a kindness might hang himself Saith Mr. Lewis It 's pity that by my means that the Collonel was so much in favour at Court And sometimes after I met Mr. Lewis who told me He had sent a Porter with a Note to Collonel Rich for five Pounds and that he could have at any time Fourty or Fifty which 5 l. he immediately sent him And in July 1682. I was taken Sick at my Lodgings in Salisbury-street in the Straind where Mr. Lewis often came to me and desired to know of me If Mr. John Smith had not been Tampering with me to Accuse him I ask'd him if he thought all the World was like himself or what reason he had to suspect any such thing He told me the reason he had to believe it was Because of our Intimacy and being often together Therefore I am sure he hath been at you which if you will draw up an Information against him I will get you Money from the Secretary of State I ask'd him what I should draw up He told me That I should Accuse Mr. Smith for endeavouring to stifle the Popish-Plot and desiring me to Swear against him I promised I would not valuing what I drew up at his request acknowing him to be so notorious a Swearer and Suborner I drew up the said Paper which he was very well pleased at only
call Hereticks since there were many true circumstances though dash'd with Contradictions and now and then a few false Oaths For we know very well 't is possible the game may be up though many of the Eager Mongrel Whelps in the deep mouth'd pack of Evidences out-run the scent and hunted Counter But on the other hand I would have men not be altogether so intent upon those glowing Embers as not to discern the Bellows that is the Presbyterians that blew them into a flame It may possibly be thought by some that I dare not assert what I now do but in the interval of Parliaments and that this Narrative were it now Parliament time dare not look abroad into the World I declare my resolution of standing by it when ever a Parliament sits and if need require of sealing the truth thereof with my Blood For it was once my dying resolution and since I never found my self in the least inclining to alter it In March last being justly visited for my sins with a severe sit of Sickness from the Almighty and having little or no hopes or prospect of recovering I sent for a Friend and made it my request to him that if it should please God to call me away at that time he would take care to have the following Discourse Printed and published for the satisfaction of the World declaring to him upon the word of a dying man that there was nothing in it but what was sincere and true which he faithfully promised to see dome But it pleasing the all merciful God to raise me up once more to perform this great duty my self I think I ought not to be either ashamed or afraid to declare those notorious Truths before an Earthly which then I was willing and expected and at last must lay open before the Heavenly Tribunal And I hope the next Parliament will be men of greater nobler and more Loyal Principles than to discountenance any thing that may tend as the detecting these Subornations Perjuries c. do to the preservation of His Majesty the Queen and his Royal Highness and to the bringing all Perjurers Suborners and other Enemies of the Government to condign Punishment Which time when God shall be pleased to grant us Doctor you may expect to be Famous as most that ever march'd through Holbourn till which I will what you your self must do at last leave you upon God and your Country and so Farewel A true and perfect Copy of the Records of Newgate against William Lewis AT the General Sessions of the Peace of our Lord the King Lond. ss held for the City of London at Guildhall of the same City within the same City on Monday viz. the 12th day of December Anno Regni Regis Caroli secundi Angli c. 28º William Lewis is Fined 100 l. and Committed c. And that he shall be put in and upon the Pillory one day in Cornhill near the Exchange of London and another day in the Poultry near the Stocks-Market there and the third day in Cheapside near the end of Honey-Lane from the hour of Eleven to One With a Paper put on his Head in Writting shewing his Offence And then he shall be returned to Newgate to be kept in safe Custody until he has paid his Fine and find good Security for his good Behaviour c. Wagstaffe The words which were put on his Head in the Pillory For Falsly Forging a Bill under the Hand of Mr. Richard Thompson to deceive him 220 l. AT the Goal Delivery of our Lord the King at Newgate held for the City of London at Justice-Hall in the Old-Bayly London Lond. ss on Wednesday viz. 10th of October Anno Regni Regis Caroli Secundi nunc Angliae c. 29th William Lewis Convicted of Fellony and demands the Benefit of his Clergy c. and is Delivered if he could read which he did and was only Burnt in the Hand and so acquitted Villainy Display'd OR THE INFORMATION OF John Zeale Gent. ABout the time that Langhorn was executed I came acquainted with one Hugh Mason a Victualler in Strand-lane near the May-pole whose House I afterwards used and one time telling him I was endeavour'd to be suborn'd to swear High-Treason against Sir Francis Radcliffe to whom I formerly was Page and that Informations were sent in my name to the Secretary of State neither my hand-writing or by my consent or knowledge against the said Sir Francis Radcliffe neither did I ever swear any matter against him Mason reply'd Now is the time to make your self if you 'll accuse him and I will draw up the Information against him And more over I 'll warrant you a good sum of money for so doing Further said he I will carry you to Sir William Waller Dr. Oates and the Earl of Shaftsbury who will all of them give you good encouragement c. But finding me unwilling Mason for some time desisted his importunities until using his House I became somewhat indebted unto him whereupon he told me If I would not consent to draw up an Information and accuse the said Sir Francis Radcliffe of High-Treason that he would arrest me and throw me into Prison Then I went to one Mr. Bennet a Sword-Cutler an acquaintance of my Fathers and desired him to go with me to the said Mason and engage for what I was or should be indebted until my Father came to Town which Mr. Bennet did at my request But before my acquaintance with Mason I had given Sir Francis Radcliffe an account by one Mr. Banks how I was persuaded and endeavoured to be suborn'd and become an Evidence against the said Sir Francis Also I sent a Letter to his Honour by the said Mr. Banks which was sent me directed as I think to my Lodging in Salisbury-Court from an unknown hand having no name to it To the best of my remembrance the words in the said Letter were to this effect to desire me to accuse Sir Francis Radcliffe of High-Treason with promises of a gratuity which Letter I believe remains still in the hands of Sir Francis And having cleared his Honour to Mr. Banks I thought I might safely go on with the afore named Mason to find out his villanous intentions One day he desired me to go up stairs with him which I did and there again he urged me to draw up the said Information which he had endeavoured to Suborn me to do all which I consented unto Then he immediately took Pen Ink and Paper and began to draw up a Charge of High Treason against Sir Francis Radcliffe which Paper was not that day much proceeded upon by reason of Company that came to his House which took him off his wicked design at that time But some days after we proceeded further upon the same business so that at last we had finished about a a sheet of Paper containing all Treasonable matter against Sir Srancis Radcliffe all the particulars I cannot well remember but one
him I would then said he You shall neither want Money nor Friends from the City for the business is left in part to my management for the raising of Money for the encouragement of the Evidence that stand with us And upon the 4th of August Mr. Harrinton met me in Fetter-lane and delivered me this following Subpaena Mr. John Zeal YOu are by vertue of His Majesties Writ of Subpaena personally to appear before His Majesties Justices of Goal-delivery for the County of Oxford at the City of Oxford upon Wednesday the 17th day of August about 8 of the Clock in the Morning to testify the Truth between our Soveraign Lord the King and Stephen Colledge who is Indicted of certain High Treasons in the said County of Oxford Of this you are not to fail upon pain of 100 l. Dated the 22d of June 1681. On the part of Stephen Colledge by the Court. Sir COme to the Cross-Keyes-Tavern in Holbourn on Munday next by Eight of the Clock in the Morning According to which I appeared and found several persons Subpaena'd upon the same account and amongst the rest I met with Mr. Everad and Mr. Harrington to whom I declared that notwithstanding I appear'd I would not go in the Garb I was in at which they reply'd It would be much better for me to stay till I came back and then I should be furnished with all things saying That if I should go to Oxford in New Cloathes it would be thought by the Kings Party I had them upon the account of Subornation from the City Notwithstanding their perswasions I was fully resolved not to go without New Cloaths upon which Mr. Everard seeing my resolution so fix'd Bid me go to the Taylor and let him bring them with all expedition imaginable to the said Tavern which was done and Mr. Everard engaged to pay for them the same time I told Mr. Lewis I wanted Linnen upon which he went into another Room and presently came out again and told me He had got 30 s. of one Mr. Harris a Quaker the same Harris Lewis told me supplyed him with the 20 l. for bringing over Mrs. Fitz-Harys in to the City From thence we took Coach for Oxford where being come Mr. Everard came to me the night before the Tryal and desired me to Accuse all the Witnesses that appeared against Colledge of Subornation further saying That if we could clear him our business would be as good as accomplished against the Court Party and when a Parliament sits said he no doubt but all of us shall have good Rewards And that day at the Tryal I was examined in the Court to which I refer my self to Colledges Tryal and coming out of the Court in the Hall Doctor Oates and Hethrington came to me And ask'd me how it went I told them I thought it would go very hard with the Prisoner if no body confronted Mr. Turbervile's Evidence at which they ask'd Why I had not done it I replyed would you have me Accuse a Person who I know no ill of Yes said Doctor Oates where a mans Life is concern'd I reply'd if it be your principle it 's not mine Therefore you may do it when you are call'd in he told me so he would to some purpose without my advise and after we came to London I met Mr. Everard at Johns Coffee house in Bartholomew lane where he told me that Provision was making for Dyet and Lodging for those Witnesses that stood by the City further telling me that he would take particular care for my accommodation But said he you must be sure to accuse Justice Warcup of Subbornation of Perjury and the rest of the Witnesses that appeared on behalf of the King against the Earl of Shaftsbury and those of the City when they shall be Indicted which as he said would be the next Sessions And then you shall have Money to pay all your Debts I ask'd Mr. Everard who was at the Charge of the seven or eight Coaches full of Witnesses besides Horse-men that went to Oxford in behalf of Colledge He answered those that were at the charge would not see me want if I would accuse the Court-Party But about the time of Colledges Tryal Mr. Lewis's Brother Lodging with me Ms. Lewis came one morning about four a clock and called his Brother out upon which I mistrusted there was some new Intreigue on foot neither could I be satisfied till I knew something of it within a night or two after I came in late finding Lewis's Brother in Bed and in Drink being fast a sleep I trespassed so far as to search his Pockets where I found a Paper written by William Lewis's own hand as I do verily believe which was a Recantation of his Brother Daniel Lewis for his swearing against Sir William Scroggs which was to this effect as near as I can remember viz That the said Daniel Lewis never knew directly or indirectly of any Sum or Sums of Money that was ever carried from the Portugal Embassador to Sir William Scroggs or of any thing in that nature but that it was all false and fictitious and that his Brother and Colledge the Joynor forced him to swear the same before the Recorder they snatching the Paper out of his hands and would not let him see what he swore to The said Daniel Lewis hath several times Cursed his Brother both in Bed with me and elsewhere telling me his Brother had brought him out of a good Service to Swear and now will not allow him Money to spend declaring to me that he had a great mind to discover all that he knew against his Brother saying that Sir John Moreton whom his Brother Served had endeavoured to take away his Brothers life for Robbing him to a considerable value further adding that the said Sir John did Imprison his Brother and had him from London into the Countrey but could not prove it against him because he had Rob'd him so dexterously About a fortnight after I came from Oxford I went to Mr. Harrington's Chamber in Black-Fryers where he desired me to draw up an Information to this effect That Mr. Fitz-Gerald some months since would have perswaded me to endeavour to bring over Mr. Smith Mr. Dangerfield Mr. Dugdale Mr. Haynes c. from the City to the Court and by that saith he it will be all prov'd fictitious and a Court countenance I promised I would draw it up which accordingly I did and within a day or two I went to his Chamber and shew'd him the said Paper there being a Barber or some such like person in the Room he read it privately to himself once or twice over and smilling told me he lik'd it very well and said that it would do the business when a Parliament sat he desired me to be Sworn privately to the same And the Sessions following Mr. Harrington sent me a Note desiring me to appear at Hicks's-Hall against the Witnesses for the King who would all be
Indicted upon Subbornation of Perjury as he inform'd me accordingly I appeared and that day Mr. Baldron was taken by a Constable and carried into Court from thence committed to New-Prison Baldron desired me to go to the Earl of Shaftsbury and acquaint them how it was with him and desired them to procure him Bail for his Enlargement I accordingly at his request went where I found Mr. Everard Mr. Harrington and several others at Dinner in Mr. Stringers Chamber I acquainted them of the matter which struck them into a great dump notwithstanding they told me that Bail should be had immediately after Dinner so I took my leave and going down Stairs Mr. Harrington came after me and desired me not to declare to any person living where I had been or who I saw together and the next day according to appointment we all met at the Castle-Tavern without Newgate and being at Dinner News was brought us that Mr. Baldrone was carried before the King and Council and had discovered the Intregues in the City at which they were all at a stand so Mr. Everard desired us to go to the Old-Baily and swear to the Indictments which were drawn up against Justice Warcup and several of the Witnesses for the King which accordingly we did Sherift Bethel conducting us into Court where one Mr. Whitton Councellor Smiths Clerk preferred the Indictments desiring the Witnesses might be Sworn but the Court rejected it upon which the said Mr. Witton and one Mr. Sangar who belonged to the Earl of Shaftsbury desired us all to go out of the Court upon which we did and went to the Dog-Tavern within Sudgate where I ask'd Mr. Witton why he desired us to come away so suddenly he replyed he saw some of the Kings Messengers in Court and he fear'd that there might be Warrants against some of us further declaring that if we should desert them their business would be at a great loss desiring us that appeared for Witnesses to take other Sodgings that night for fear of being surprized so then Mr. Langar gave us Crowns a piece to lodge where we would and also gave us Notes to meet at the Queens-Arms Tavern in Newgate street the next morning which accordingly we did there the said Mr. Whitton desired me to accuse Justice Warcup of Subornation of Perjury so that a Bill might be preferred against him at the Old Baily but that was not effected that day Mr. Everard told me that evening that money would be very sppeedily produced for my supply therefore desired me not to be dismaid but have a little Patience and within a day or two after I met Sheriff Bethel coming out of the Amsterdam Coffee-house who ask'd me what News there was stirring I told him all that I knew was that all those that stood by the City were so much slighted that they had not wherewithal to subsist he reply'd that it should be otherwise very speedily saying that if I would print my Information given into the Lord Mayor and other Papers that I could produce I should not want Money Besides saith he it will be good service to the Cause now in hand I answered him Sir I know not who will stand by me he said We will all stand by you and I my self will assist you to the utmost of my Power and Ability telling me That he himself was in danger of being Sworn against He also desired me To Accuse the Lords of the Councel that I was examined before I ask'd him what I should Accuse them of he said Of suborning you to Swear against the Protestants I told him that I had cleared their Honours in my Information against Mr. Ivy he said that was no matter further saying That the Information lay in their own hands and that they would insert what was most to their own advantage if I would consent thereto he like wise said That there was no worse men in the Nation to the Protestants then most of His Majesties Privy-Councel further adding That they were very odious in the eyes of a Parliament and when one met they would find it so I told him that I had revealed my self to a Member of Parliament a week before the Earl of Shaftsbury was Committed to the Tower Sheriff Bethel desired of me to know who it was I told him that it was Justice Rich How said he you could not have reveal'd your self to a worse man I desired to know the reason he reply'd That he was a great enemy to all persons that opposed the Duke of York's Interest I told him I was very sorry for that he reply'd It was very true Therefore said he I must desire you and Mr. Lewis to appear against him at the next Election of Southwark and incense the People against him so that he may no more be chosen to serve in Parliament and I will stand by you upon all occasions About the same time I met with Mr. Dangerfield at the Amsterdam-Coffee-House who told me That it was now come to pass what he himself was put upon I desired to know what it was He told me That the King Himself offered him almost two years before what Money or Preferment he would desire if he would Swear to a Presbyterian Plot and stand by it I replyed is it not enough for you to Accuse the Duke but you must Accuse the King likewise at which he answered Damn me I have my Pardon and I will declare nothing but what a Parliament shall like for it is them that will stand by the Evidence and not the Court you may plainly see it And in Bartholomew-fair time one Mr. Shewen Mr. Lewis and my self went to the Castle-Tavern in Fleet-street where Shewen treated us and there declared That he had been a considerable time in private with a Secretary of State we asked upon what account he was there he said For nothing as he knew but that Sheriffe Bethel had often desired him to swear that a Secretary of State would have perswaded him to Swear against the Protestants in the City and about the same time one Mr. Lune told me That he was hired by Mr. Hoskins that belonged to the Earl of Shaftsbury to go down to Oxford to make provision for the Witnesses that appeared for the City And Mr. Lune hath also supply'd me with Money and several other such like practices were continually us'd in the City during my correspondency with them in so much that I was resolv'd not to conceal those evil practices any longer but discover them in the Right of the King And one day in my Chamber being then drawing up an Information of what I knew Mr. Lewis came in and desired to know what I was writing I told him nothing but the Intrigue of the City Why said he do you intend to discover them I told him yes if I liv'd he reply'd If you be so resolved that you will do it make an end of them and let me carry them to Collonel Rich I told
the words detect the Popish Plot but he would have had me insert That Mr. Smith endeavoured to Nullifie the Popish Plot but I did not after the words Then he desired me to write a Letter to Mr. Otterbury one of the Kings Messengers and acquaint him with my Condition how I wanted Money and desired him to make it known to the Secretary of State Then said Mr. Lewis I 'l warrant you Money at that same time he often brought with him to my Chamber Mr. Perrea I sent the said Letter according to his ordering but never received any answer or supply neither did Mr. Smith ever in the least propound any immodest thing but always desired me to declare nothing but what was true of any side I could never be quiet at any Lodging for Mr. Lewis still haunted me being jealous of me as I imagine About this same time Mr. Lewis desired me When I received my Allowence from Whitehall to pray Mr. Squibb to give me a Bill to receive it of Mr. Duncomb Goldsmith in Lumber-street I asked him why he proposed that He told me If I would consent to it he would carry the Bill over to the Kings Bench to one Mr. Granger who was the Ingeniousest man in England and he shall Counterfeit Mr. Squibb's hand for 500 l. to be received of Mr. Duncomb and we should share it amongst us he said that it should be done so cleavor that it should never be found out by whom it was and that I might receive my own Money at the same time and not take the least notice of it About that time I did receive a Bill from Mr. Squibb of 10 l. upon Mr. Duncomb which Money I received unknown to Mr. Lewis for I would not have been concern'd with him in such a thing for the World Soon after our Allowances were stop'd at which Mr. Lewis grumbled and said That the King made use of the Witnesses as a man does of a House of Ease just for his Conveniency Further saith he they thought their business done at Court but they are mistaken for I will be a greater plague to them then ever my Countrey-man Bedloe was when a Parliament sits but I will have my Pardon in my hands first and will procure one for you too I ask'd him in what he answered me That We Witnesses that had not Sworn against the Earl of Shaftsbury should Accuse all them that had 〈◊〉 â—â—ornation of Perjury when a Parliament sits and 〈…〉 we shall confound their whole project for Dugdale hath 〈…〉 us and we will also make out that the pretended Association that was found in the Earl of Shaftsbury's Closet was contrived by the King and Court and conveyed into the Earl's Closet by one or other of the Clerks of the Councel by the King and Courts order That Lewis us'd to make his Brags to me That all he had discovered against the City party to Sheriff Rich and others was only under his hand and not Sworn to saying That when a Parliament sat he would discover it all and charge it upon the Court party I ask'd him how we should go about to make it out he reply'd Let me alone for that I 'll contrive it to the purpose Soon after I took Lodgings in the White-Friers where Mr. Lewis came to me and Mr. Ferrea with him where he told me He was to receive 50 l. and out of that he would supply me with 5 or 10 l. of it And within few days after he came and told me That our Allowances from the King were quite taken off and he Swore That now it is apparent the King is a Papist in his heart and ende avoured to stifle the Popish Plot by discharging the Witnesses and that the King endeavoured to take the Odium from the Papists and cast it upon the Presbyterians He also declared That the King daily endeavoured to enslave the Nation with Popery and Arbitrary Government and put Sheriffs and other Officers upon the City of London contrary to Law to serve his turn and accomplish his designs against the Presbyterians At which I replyed you take large measures of talking Treason said he We that are Evidences have advantages above all other People for we may speak Treason and not fear being call'd to question by the Court for it for if they should take any of our Lives away the Parliament would censure that they did it on purpose to stifle our Evidence concerning the Popish Plot But said he I am sorry for Sheriff Rich that he should be made use of as a Tool to accomplish their ends Further saying That Sheriff Rich had been a good Benefactor to him but he feared he would be swing'd when a Parliament sat For in a former Kings reign there were several Judges Executed and he hoped to live to see as many Nobility and Judges go to Pot when ever a Parliament sat and That his helping hand should not be wanting therein Such like Treasonable words were the general discourse he used in my Company but I cannot say that ever any other person heard him talk so largely neither do I know directly or indirectly what any other persons have Sworn against him About the latter end of September he told me in Salisbury-Court That Ludlow would vindicate their Charter as London did notwithstanding the Marquess of Worcester had so great an Interest in that Town yet he could not prevail with them to surrender their Charter to His Majesty Also Lewis told me That not one in an hundred had signed the Addresses that were presented to the King from most parts of the Kingdom further saying That the King could stand it but one Parliament more and had it not been for the few Guards he had about him he had been pull'd out of Whitehall long since saying That the late King was Dethron'd by the Sword and This is in a fair way of being Sworn out his Throne Therefore if you will Print your Information that is in the hands of Sir Patience Ward and that which is in the hands of Mr. Kelley I will engage to get you the Copies and also Guineys for the Printing them for they will incense the People extreamly against the Court Therefore we will get them ready and published before Queen Elizabeths Birth-day at which time the Pope is to be burnt and there will be at least 40000 People together that night and I will incense them what I can to breed a Mutiny for he that is not blind may plainly see that the King is a Papist or else he would not stand so for the Duke of York aas he has done who is notoriously known to the Nation to be a grand Papist And if the people did but rise in the City the Countrey would soon come in for their assistance Further saying Damn me I am but one get the better who can we shall get employs by it Mr. Lewis was very importunate with me to go into the West of England where
his Opinion he would have bespattered me in a most odious manner And at several times I have been treated at Sheriff Rich's House and have had Moneys from him but not upon any unjust account neither do I know the least ill by him and he hath always advised me to have a care of Suborners And some time after I understood that Mr. Lewis would be Indicted the Term following upon which I made the best preparation I could in order to receive the Blessed Sacrament as may appear by my Certificate as followeth viz. WE the Minister and Church wardens of the Parish and Parish-Church of St. Margarets in Westminster in the County of Middlesex do hereby Certify that John Zeale concerned in several weighty Affairs relating to His Majesty upon the Lords-day commonly called Sunday the 14th day of February immediately after Divine Service and Sermon did in the Parish-Church aforesaid receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper according to the usage of the Church of England In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our Hands the 4th day of February in the year of our Lord 1682 3. Bartholomew Wormell Minister of the Parish and Parish-Church aforesaid Giles Burrows Church-Warden of the said Parish and Parish-Church ALexander Harris Gent. and John Harris Victualler both of Westminster do severally make Oath that they do know John Zeale in the above-written Certificate named and who now present hath delivered the same into this Court and do further severally make Oath that they did see the said John Zeale receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in the Parish-Church of St. Margaret Westminster aforesaid in the Certificate mentioned and upon the day and at the time in the said Certificate in that behalf certified and expressed And that they did see the Certificate above-written Subscribed by the said Minister and Church-wardens Alexander Harris John Harris And upon the same day I received a Subpaena to appear the day following which is as followeth viz. Mr. John Zeale BY vertue of His Majesties Writ of Subpaena to you directed you are to appear before our Soveraign Lord the King at Westminster on Monday next after the eight days of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary to testify the Truth and give Evidence against William Lewis for certain Trespasses Contempts and Misdemeanors And this you must not omit under the Penalty of 100 l. to be levyed on your Goods and Chattels if you make default Dated at Westminster the 4th day of February 1682 3. According to which I did appear and being Sworn in Court I gave in my Evidence to the Grand-Jury where the Bill was found and soon after I received another Subpaena which is as followeth viz. THese are in His Majesties Name to command you personally to appear before Sir Edmund Saunders Knight Lord Chief Justice of His Majesties Court of Kings-Bench at Westminster on Tuesday the 13th of this instant February at 8 of the Clock in the Forenoon at Westminster-Hall to testify the Truth on the behalf of our Soveraign Lord the King against William Lewis for certain great misdemeanors whereof he stands Indicted and hereof you are not to fail on the Penalty of 100 l. Dated the 8th day of February in the 35th of the King c. Astrey I also appeared to this but Mr. Lewis deferred his his Tryal till next term following and upon the 6th of March 1682 3. I was at the Naked-Boy in the Old-Pallace-yard Westminster in Company with Mr. Ambrose Kelley one of the Clerks of the House of Commons who told me That Mr. Lewis was with him to desire the Copy of a Paper that was in his Custody which said Paper was that which Mr. Lewis chiefly contrived himself and would have had me to have Sworn to it against the Earl of Shaftsbury and it was also the same Paper that was contrived by him in the Marshalseas Mr. Kelley further saith that Mr. Lewis told him That he came from me and also offered him a good Gratuity for the said Copy further telling the said Mr. Kelly That it would be a means for him to Ingratiate himself into the favour of a Whiggish Parliament But for all his offers and perswasions Mr. Kelley refused to give him the Copy This Mr. Kelly Confess'd before one Mr. Alexander Harris and several others And in May last I received another Subpaena to which I also Appeared Mr. John Zeale THese are in His Majesties Name to command you personally to appear before Sir Edmund Saunders Knight Lord Chief Justice of His Majesties Court of Kings-Bench at Westminster on Wednesday the ninth of this Instant May at one of the Clock in the Afternoon at Westminster-Hall to testify the Truth on the behalf of our Soveraign Lord the King against William Lewis for certain great misdemeanors whereof he stands Indicted and hereof you are not to fail on the Penalty of 100 l. to be levyed on your Goods and Cahttels Dated the 2d day of May in the 35th of the King Astrey And being Sworn in Court I gave in my Evidence and upon a full hearing on both sides Mr. Lewis was brought in guilty of these words following which were in his Indictment viz. TThat the King is a Papist and endeavours to stifle the Plot by Dicharging of the Witnesses And that the King endeavoured to take the Odium from the Papists and cast it upon the Presbyterians and the Lord Shaftsbury And that the King and Court put the Paper of Association which was found in the said Earl's Closet upon the said Earl And that the Paper was conveyed into the said Earl's Closet by Mr. Gywn by the Order of the King and Court And that the King did daily endeavour to enslave the Nation with Popery And put Sheriffs and other Officers upon the City of London to serve Turns and to accomplish his Designs against the Presbyterians I cannot omit one remarkable Passage of Mr. Lewis which was about the time of the Earl of Shaftsbury's Commitment last to the Tower Mr. Lewis told me That whenever a Parliament sat that he would discover such things as should make all Europe stand amazed but he would have his Pardon first in his hands I desired to know why he declared himself in that manner he replyed That he had been at Hampton-Court with the King Mr. Turbervile being then with him who made some Discovery why said I did you hear any of what was said no said he But I saw those that shall come in for a snak the next Parliament He the said Lewis has several times told me That if the King would give such encouragements as Pardons and Allowances that His Majesty should not want New Evidence and Fresh Discoveries as long as he lived further saying That the Goals in and about Town were the Nurseries for such Supplies And the same day I was Sworn in the Speakers Chamber by order of the House of Commons on the 19th day of November 1680. as it will appear