his acknowledgement might be expected you shall never sail to find a return He replied that that would yet prove more irregular for I had rather said he answer an error commited where my Authority was mistaken then the suffering of another which hath no pretence in my Jurisdiction and in my view to execute what immediately is contingent to my charge and that except there were command from the higher Powers which neither was likely there being no Embassador of the King of England's as yet to move the Court in such a business with that credit and skill that might well be thought suiting to the expedition requisite thereunto He knew no way of proceeding but what was too hazardous either to undertake or to connive at and therefore seemed very much troubled by being necessitated to the denial he gave him Capt. Comb after a little pause with much earnestness represented that he could never likely expect a more just occasion to testifie his desire of gratifying the King of Great Britain then that which so highly concerned his Honour that when there were difficulties which himself was likewise sensible of that his endeavours in that act would bear proportion unto them by the sence his Majesty would entertain of the service done and that he referred the conduct thereof unto his prudence which he doubted not if well apply'd would be able to dissipate whatsoever-impediments seemed most obvious adding That he conceived little danger in securing this Monster for a time who at worst might he releast if Higher Powers should interpose in his favor But when he received his final Answer that the first motion in such a case must be from those Higher Powers and that himself as an inferior Magistrate durst not attempt to restrain any man suspected of falseness to a forreign Prince to the Prejudice of those with more vehemency then before he resolutely told him That himself was the last to be valued of many Gentlemen now present in town who were resolved rather to run the hazard of racks and Gibbets then to suffer the Murderer of their Prince to be un-interrupted in a Countrey where they had any being and that the same sence which bore the English Nation with the hazard of their Lives and Fortunes to dis-involve themselvs from the fetres which held their King and Countrey in slavery would furnish them with such Resolutions against this Traytor that perhaps might lay an unhappy ground of a fatal mis-understanding which God forbid between the two Crowns there wanting not spirits on both sides too prone to such distempers as might endanger the happiness to be hoped for in their mutual friendship and therefore since nothing said he is of consideration in your Office but the service of the King of Spain your Master for the prevention of such inconveniences which might possibly turn to his disservice give me onely under your hand a permission to seize him and secure him in some of the Town-Prisons till further Order and I engage my self unto you there shall be no outrage offered him The Aman revolving in his thoughts that what was inferred bore shew enough not to be thought impossible and making a short reflection upon what happened at the Hague in Holland and at Madrid in Spain upon the persons sent thither by that treacherous Conventicle their Master to avoid what inconveniency might arise there by the like forces disorder consented to give him this ensuing License the Original whereof I have yet in my hands and which my self translated out of the French word for word The Copy of the Order for the seizing of SCOT I Under-written give leave unto Capt. Comb belonging to the Regiment of his Majesty of Great Britany to apprehend for some Reasons he hath declared unto me a certain English man in this Town and to send him to what prison he shall think meet commanding the Masters of the Urunt and Steenport to receive the said English man into their prison respectively when by the said Capt. Comb they shall be required so to do Dated at Bruxels this sixth of June 1660. Signed George de Brimeen Amen de Bryard Capt. Comb being well satisfied with the permission he had thus wrested from the Aman hasted to his friends but upon his communicating unto them the fruits of his negotiation he found some of them a little distracted in their resolutions having been by some there perswaded and were already bent to proceed after another manner telling Cap. Comb it was but just to defer the apprehension of this man til they knew his Majesties pleasure which they were already considering hovv to procure he knovving them all to be such who were as jealous of his Majesties Honor as any men living was not a little amaz'd at this their change but remembring that this Imp of Hell might as well learn Witchcraft as Rebellion from his infernal Master he onely told them that he was now more concern'd then any and that having remov'd the main obstacle he now was not to fear lesser ones therefore leaving them all a little abruptly he invited one Major Shaw a very ancient man and no less zealous towards his Majesties service to accompany him and so upon pretence of speaking with a Gentleman who lodged in the same house where Scot did leaving two Souldiers in the street he entered with the said Sergeant Major and found Scot at dinner The Gentleman to whom he excused his boldness upon so slender an acquaintance after he had caused them both to fit told him he was to take notice of that Gentleman which was Scot a Countrey-man said he of yours whereupon being right over against him at the Table he gave him him a Salute telling him he was glad to see any of his Countrey Scot seemed little taken with the Discovery and answered little or nothing But the Captain who had more business with him then he was yet sensible of was willing to hear him speak a little plainer and that he might began to congratulate this our happy late deliverance which would said he make us all friends now whereas for these 19 years past we have all groaned under such intestine quarrels as have raised defiances betwixt the nearest relations Scot coldly answered It is so He asked him Whether there was any Immediatly upon 〈◊〉 defeat preparation for his Majesties reception before his coming over To which Scot answered That he had been * twenty dayes out of England but that there was speech before his departure of preparing White-Hall St. James and Hampton-Court Captain Comb answered that those indeed were very famous Houses but that they had been prophaned by most vile actions and such that were it his case as it was the Kings he knew not whether he should ever delight to live in them because said he in the one they kept his Royal Father Prisoner and before the Gate of the other to the astonishment and horror of the whole world so barbarously butchered him To which
if the worst happened he might with the more facility give an account thereof as well in order to his Masters satisfaction as in its due time to the accusing of such who were the authors of so great a neglect to his greatness in favour of his mortal enemy He therefore left those Gentlemen at the house where Scot lay and went himself to speak with the Aman to dispossess him if possible of that Goblin that as he thought frighted him from owning a good work encountring with him upon the way to his house the Aman after a civil salute readily throwing down the Boot of his Coach and inviting Capt. Comb in asked him whether he had the Letter he sent him He answered him Yes and am very sorry to see you repenting of a good action The Aman answered Sir you are abused the Protection that this man hath here could never ansvver the notorious guilt of such horrid crimes as you mark him with for I cannot believe that so great a Statesman so eminent a person so pious a Christian as he from whom I have my discharge is universally judged to be should ever be brought so much to derogate from himself as in his bosom to shrowd a man who had himself so far extmguisht the Laws of Charity that for him to hope any protection from a man of honor seemed a new crime And therefore Sir added he as it is an over-sight in you it would be a notable fault in me to believe it and you cannot do better then in consideration of the fright and disgrace you have brought the Gentleman to who by the Protection he hath appears to be an innocent man to repair what hath rashly been done to his prejudice by some civil acknowledgement which is no more said he then I believe your own inclination will advise you to To this was opposed the circumstance of this mans leaving England in this conjuncture of time his close lurking in Bruxels with his hants onely to such as maugre their shews of piety and splendid greatness were for many years not without sufficient ground highly susspected of the greatest disservice to the King of England but above all the honor and integrity of Sir William Persal who said Capt. Comb if you will please to make a visit to any English in town you will find not to be a man falsely to brand an innocent neighbor with such scandalous and dangerous imputations The Aman coldly replyed That having already his discharge from one whose greatness was too formidable to suffer him to contest with he was not minded to take any further trouble upon himself nor to put any more upon him Capt. Comb then seeing him balk in good earnest entreated him that for the prevention of such disorders that he had hinted to him at his first visit as well as for his own honor he would be pleased to suffer the Guards to continue till himself went to Trerence where the Marquess of Caracena who was Governor of those Provinces and to whose Authority the state of the business did more immediately appertain was at that time by reason of the death of one of his children retired which the Aman most willingly consented to telling him That he was very glad he had thought upon it and that he would in this stretch his Authority to its utmost bounds and to shew how much he was a servant to the King of Great Britany do in that more then he was wel able to justifie Thanks being duely returned Capt. Comb after he had taken order for securing him afresh hastened to the Marquess of Caracena where he found White walking in the Court-Hall with some Irish Gentlemen expecting the time of audience White seeming somewhat surprized at his arrival thither began to court him to a conference but he openly in presence of Sergeant Major Geraldin and two more Irish Gentlemen told him that being now upon a business so important to his Majesties service he should have care enough not to blemish himself by entertaining any proposals from one whom the King had already an ill mark upon he told him further that he might upon his Masters score to which effect he well knew he was sent thither pursue the Liberty of the most abominable Traytor but that he should have a care not to do it with any dis-respect to himself who came thither for his Maj. vindication that therefore he was notwithstanding his Masters great credit and his own silken ship to suffer him in time of audience to speak both before and after him or to indure the worst affront that possibly he could invent to cast upon him in the face of the Court White answered That he would in no wise interrupt him in it but that he might do well not to be so far transported The time being come Capt. Comb prest for audience in the first place and having performed his respects to the Marquess he told him that he came to petition his Excellency in the behalf of all the King of Englands Subjects in those parts in a matter which he doubted not would by himself be judged well beseeming their Allegiance a fit subject for his favor But when he had made a short Narrative of the business the Marquess seemed so astonisht that he was seen by way of admiration to cross himself two or three times crying out Is it possible Such a man at Bruxels Yes Sir answered Capt. Comb and more he hath your Excellency's Pass Whereat the Marquess hastily stepping back asked How so It is Sir said he upon a false Name procured for him by a mighty man within your Excellencies Jurisdiction who hath since which seizing him at Bruxels endeavored his Release might and main now hath sent to protect him with your Excellency Who said the Marquess should protect such a man There Sir said he is his Instrument pointing to White that doth it It is Don Allonso de Cardenas But I have reason to hope less hard measure from your Excellency then to be discountenanced in my endeavours to nearly relating to my Masters service This Traytors Liberty is said he repugnant to the spirits of all such that wish his Majesty well that had I not applyed much industry which I did rather for fear of displeasing your Excellency then for any safety I intended him his case had since Don Allonso's opposing his Arrest been already concluded but I am most glad that I have found time to expect his sentence from your Excellency which I doubt not if favourable to his Majesty his Fortune being not answerable to his inclination will be bountifully repaid humbly beseeching him to take it into his serious consideration The Marquess answered That for his part he never intended either Pass on Protection to such a man that if he had by surprize obtained one in another mans Name he should be very much obliged to the English in those parts that every one of them would have the same sence of
A TRUE NARRATIVE IN A LETTER Written to Col. B. R. and Honorable Member OF PARLIAMENT OF THE APPREHENSION Of the Grand TRAYTOR Thomas Scot Wherein is shewn His Arrtifice and subtil Endeavours to shun his Apprehension and wherein he hath judged himself not worthy of any Mercy for that detestable Murder of His late Majesty of everblessed Memory Published by AUTHORITY LONDON Printed by Matthew Inman and are to be sold by James Magnes in Russel Street in Covent Garden 1660. To the ever honorable Col. B. R. an honourable Member of the House of Commons SIR THe Discourse we held at our last interview wherein by your words I discovered a sense of some honourable Member of the House of Commons seeming to mittigate the penalty due to the guilt of that impious Villain SCOT by his pretence of rendring himself to his Majesties Resident in Brabant according to the tenor of the Proclamation made to that effect hath obliged me to make diligent search after Capt. Comb whom I understood by several persons of Honour to have been the first man that apprehended him and who coming for England to inform his Majesty thereof received a most gracious reward and thanks for his service therein And the relation of the whole business which I here sent you I have both his Faith and Honour not to exceed in the least circumstance the truth of the passage thereof and the good qualities I find in him especially his marvellous zeal to his Majesties service so perfectly well answering the Character I had before received of him gave me confidence enough to believe that the publishing of this Relation to the view of all might somewhat conduce to the dis-abusing of that promptitude which in some persons might have raised a propension against the common cry for Justice in vindication of God's glory his Majesties Honour and the satisfaction of the whole Kingdom upon one of the bloodiest Monsters that nature hath produced in many ages Upon the fifth of Iune last past according to the calculation of those Countreys the said Scot was discovered by an honourable Knight called Sir William Persal walking in the Park at Bruxels to take the evening air and as it is to be believed that that Hell which he carryed within him as never wanting attendant to such notorious consciousness was always active to make him circumspect whom he met he no sooner perceived Sir Williams eye to be fixed upon him but to divert his acquaintance which could not but be troublesom he turned himself to gaze upon the Trees an action better suiting to confirm a man who by the inconveniences he had received in the knowledge he had of him in England knew him but too well then to distract the notice he had taken of him in an other Countrey where he had no power to harm him Sir William very skilfully accepted this feint but with a resolution to answer it with another which might wound Scot to the heart and therefore passing on his way without any stop or seeming surprize so soon as he perceived Scot to hasten towards the Park Gate he accosted a certain Dutch man and gave him a piece of money to dog that man pointing at him to his lodging with promise of as much more to come and inform him of it at his lodging This was readily undertaken and as effectually performed He having received this Light from the Dutch man imparted this his discovery to some Officers of his Majesties Regiment of Guards at that time and 〈◊〉 residing in Brabant who considering the difficulty that might arise in so important an undertaking thought meet to communicate it to Capt. Comb as a man by his long service in that Countrey in all likelyhood to be better versed in what Method was most fit to be taken for the carrying on of a design which promised something of difficulty to them themselves This was done accordingly and upon their consult with him their first resolution was with all possible skill that very night to endeavor to pry into his hants and the time of his arrival thither whereof they found means to be satisfied from the Maid of the House where he lodged but in such sort as she could not gather any the least sign of design against him His arrival unto that place was about six dayes before all the visits he made to Don Allonso de Cardenas the Spanish Ambassador who had so long resided here in England and all the Company he kept was one White a servant to the said Embassador and his sworn spye into all places especially into England having immediately before been employed by him to the backing of Lamberts traiterous design in his last attempt which to his eternal confusion and the general joy of all Christendom was so succesfully and timely crusht Scot was at that instant upon a visit to this preposterous Embassador and was seen by Capt. Comb and another Gentleman to come forth of his house at eleven of the Clock that night and to go into his own lodging accompanyed by the said White The business being thus far carryed on without any noise before the opening of the Gates next morning such order was taken by placing secret Centinels in every corner of the street that Scot was in a net without dreaming of his misfortune while Capt. Comb by reason of what they all might justly apprehend possibly to occur in an illegal proceeding made his Addresses to the * He bears the same Authority there as the Recorder doth in London Aman of Bruxels who being a Gentleman that upon all occasions had testified sufficiently his zeal unto his Majesty of England his service when he resided in those parts perswaded him hee might hope from him if no assistance yet so much connivance as might be necessary in that case to avoid any popular tumult the onely obstruction to be feared for the ruining of the design the whole matter being opened to the Aman he answered that he had always been and was still most ready and ambitions of any service wherein he might be thought worthy to employ his endeavours for the satisfaction of his Majesty of Great Britany but that he might be called to a sure account if he did him any to the prejudice of his Masters Authority by whose onely power he was to act and by whose rules and no others they were all to live that although from his heart he did abhor and would gladly see brought to condigne punishment all those that combined and more especially those that acted his late Majesty of Englands destruction Yet he knew not how this Fugitive who was accused to be one should become responsible in that Countrey for crimes he committed in another And upon Capt. Comb his answer that he desired him not at all to act therein but that his connivance onely was that he petitioned for which will be so grateful and so well received said he by the King my Master that in all occasions where