to seize Berwick and Stirling It was also talk'd of bringing the Duke of York to his Tryal The said Gallowshiels deposed farther before the Lords of the Committee That in the Month of May 1683. the Earl of Tarras Hume of Polwart the Elder and the Laird of Philiphaugh came to the Deponents House where they spake of the security of the Protestant Religion and of a Party in England who would secure or seize the King or Duke That if any should rise in Arms to defend or rescue them there was another Party who would rise against them That it was proposed some Country-men should be spoken to to try their Resolutions That it was likewise proposed to seize the Officers of State That it was there said Sir John Cockran was to come to the West from England to advance the Design That the Earl of Argyle was to Land in the West Highlands to raise that Country That of these Matters all that were present discours'd as of an Affair they were agitating and wherein themselves were particularly concern'd These several plain and full Proofs together with the Depositions of Carstares before mentioned being also strengthen'd by the Confessions of Thomas Shepard and Zechary Bourn and all exhibited at the Trial of William Baillie of Jerviswood were not only over-abundantly sufficient to convince the Person accused of his particular share in the Guilt but they also remain as so many standing and indubitable testimonies of the truth of the whole Conspiracy between the English and Scotch Rebels After all this how is it possible that the most audacious of the Factious Party of both Nations notwithstanding their being so expert in driving on the Trade of Lying and traducing their Governours should ever have any tolerable colour of probability to invalidate or discredit the undoubted Evidence of so many Witnesses most of them Men of high Quality great Estates potent Interests all of them Zealous and indefatigable assertors of the Rebellious Cause and this Evidence given in by them at first voluntarily and often again reiterated and adher'd to against Baillie their Chief Companion in Iniquity their near Kinsman and Friend As for Baillie of Jerviswood himself the Persons who pass'd upon his Assize did with one Voice find the Crimes of Art and part in the Conspiracy and of concealing and not revealing the same clearly proved against him Whereupon he was adjudg'd to suffer the Punishment of a Traytor His Life and Death being such as might be expected from the Nephew and Son-in-Law of the Old Arch Traytor Warriston in whose Family he was bred up and tutor'd under his Discipline according to his Principles Such were the chief Steps the Scotch Conspirators had made in their part of the Treasonable Design as far as through the Divine Favour it has been hitherto traced out by the Extraordinary Diligence Wisdom and Integrity of his Majesties present Ministers in that Kingdom For the Readers clearer comprehending the whole progress of the Villany the King thought best to have it thus represented in one view and put all together in an uninterrupted course of Narration Though by this Method divers things have been already spoken of which in the natural course of time happen'd after the several material passages that remain yet unmention'd relating to the English part of the Conspiracy Wherefore to return to the Year 1683 and to what happen'd in England that Summer shortly after the first Discovery His Majesty having now received irresistible Proof of the certainty of the Wicked and unnatural Design that the World might have the like conviction resolv'd speedily to bring some of the most Notorious Malefactors to a fair and open Tryal The first Person who was put upon justifying himself was Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Walcot on the Twelfth of July of that Year Against him divers Witnesses were produced who in their Depositions first gave some distinct account of the Plot in General and then of the particular share the Prisoner at the Bar had in it As to what concern'd Walcot himself Colonel Romzey first deposed That the said Walcot came out of Holland with Ferguson after Shaftsbury's Death That he came to West's Chamber where he was present when a List was brought of the Assassines and agreed to joyn with them intending to Command a Party to charge the Guards That he undertook to go and view Rumbald's House and bought a Horse for that purpose That he was present at the dividing of London into twenty parts in order to an Insurrection and at the Consult for buying of Arms after the disappointment at the Rye That he was at the Meeting for carrying on the Conspiracy on Thursday before the Discovery That after it they met at Captain Tracies Walcot's own Lodgings himself being present Next Josiah Keeling swore that Walcot was at the Trayterous Assembly at the Salutation-Tavern when the Deponent was called Gulick and a Health drunk to the English Gulick West saying that Gulick in Dutch was Keeling in English adding He hoped to see Keeling at the Head of as good an Army at Wapping as it was reported one Gulick was then at Cologne Then Zechary Bourn witnessed That Walcot used to come to Ferguson when he lodg'd at his House That Walcot and several others met at the Dragon on Snow-Hill and often in other places in order to raise Men and divide the City into twenty parts for securing the King and the Duke That almost every time they met at least three times the Prisoner at the Bar was there That he was at the Meeting at Tracies where they debated of standing to it with Swords in their Hands and of killing Keeling for having made the Discovery Robert West's Testimony concerning him went somewhat farther back He deposed That he became acquainted with Walcot the Summer before when he told the Deponent the Carolina Business was only a Pretence That he ask'd the Deponent upon the Election of the Sheriffs Will the People do nothing to secure themselves Thereupon acquainting him with an Insurrection then design'd within three weeks or a month That Shaftsbury was in the Design and had engaged him also That he had an Expectation of being Colonel of Horse asking the said West Whether he would have any Command under him That upon his refusal he desired him to lend him a Suit of Silk Armour That the said Walcot told him of several Designs to Attack the King and the Duke That in the Business of the Rye he undertook to Command the Party that was to set upon the Guards That after the Disappointment he met with the other Conspirators where they discours'd of it and complain'd they had not Arms in readiness That he sometimes made one in the Trayterous Discourses at the Deponents and at the Young-Devil-Tavern That he was present at the Meeting at Tracies relating to their escape the Prisoner at the Bar himself then saying God would still deliver the Nations His Letter to Mr. Secretary Jenkins was also produced
Parks than to be medling in such matters However assuring them if there came any troublesome work he would joyn with them firmly That the Earl of Tarras also disapproved of doing any thing during the Kings Life because that might strengthen the Dukes Interest That therefore he suspected it was a project of the Common-Wealths-Men with whom he believed few Scotch Gentlemen would joyn and that he was almost persuaded the Duke of Monmouth would not concur in any Rising during the Kings Life That to all this Polwart answer'd he heard the English had once agreed on that Principle but it seem'd they found they must either do their business now or lay aside all hopes of doing it hereafter For if the Charter of London were let fall they should not only lose all safe Opportunity of digesting Matters but also a great part of their Strength Adding that he heard all things were concerted mutually between Monmouth's Friends and the Heads of the Common-Wealth Party and though Monmouth was shy on that account yet he hoped he would engage or he would be deserted by that Party That then Polwart mentioned the former Queries as overtures agreed on between other Friends in London and the Principal Men of that Party there That the Earl of Tarras and the Deponent repeated their former answers Gallowshiels joyning forwardly with them That Polwart replied he was fully of their Opinion if things were entire but refer'd it to be consider'd whether it were not better to comply with some of these Methods though not so justifiable as could be wish'd rather than disappoint the business totally That there was another argument urg'd against rising with the English because it was talk'd there had been a Day appointed in England in Shaftsbury's time which did not hold so they were not to be relied on That then it was proposed to be deliberated what Methods were most proper in the Companies Opinion for Scotland to follow in case of of Englands Rising first That it was said All that could be expected or desired from Scotland was that upon certain News of Englands being in the Field those of the Southern Shires should presently rise and as soon as so many could convene as would be able to deal with stragling Parties March to joyn the English on the Borders that then it would be seasonable for Argyle to Land in the West and these Parties on the Borders might divert the Forces till he had time to put himself into a posture That it was left to Polwart to Commune with others to this purpose That all the Company seem'd to agree they should move nothing in the Affair till they had a certain account what England propos'd and who were to be their Heads that if they design'd any thing against the Kings Person or for overturning Monarchy they should not be clear to joyn That it was recommended to all the Company to be inquiring indirectly about the affections of their Neighbours and what Arms were amongst them that so if they should resolve to joyn with the English they might know where to seek Men and Arms suddenly That here it was said by one by Polwart as the Deponent thinks That if the Earl of Tarras Torwoodlie Gallowshiels and he took Horse most part of Tiviot-Dale and Selkirk-Shire would soon come to them especially when they heard that England was risen That they all agreed to meet there again at Midsummer-Fair when the account from England might be expected but in case it came to any of their hands sooner each promis'd to advertise the rest The Deponent farther added he was told in private by Polwart or Torwoodlie That Polwart kept Correspondence with their Friends at London naming the Lord Melvil Sir John Cockran Jerviswood and Commissary Monroe That the Money to be advanc'd by the English Partie to Scotland was ready when Martin left London That it was expected within few days after it would be dispatch'd with some Confident to Holland that it was 10000 l. and was to be employ'd by that Confident at Argyle's sight for buying of Arms and providing Shipping to transport them with Argyle That as soon as the Scots at London got Notice of their Confidents arrival in Holland and that all other things were concluded with the English which might be about the middle of June then they would come down into Scotland and give them a particular Account of all Resolutions taken That the Deponent was told all Letters were written by both Parties as about the Carolina Business or concerning some Houshold-Furniture That there was a Sign and a Word agreed on that they might know with whom to use freedom the Word was Harmony and the Sign was the Opening of Buttons on the Breast-Coat and shutting them presently That the Deponent never saw it used except when he visited Parkhay in Edenburgh about the end of June who asking whether he had the Word and Sign of the Carolina-Men and the Deponent having given them said He was afraid the Carolina Business did not go well for there had been some of the Managers expected there eight days past but none were come Nor could he learn any of their Friends had heard from them for several Posts The said James Murray of Philiphaugh deposed farther That at their Meeting at Gallowshiels it was resolv'd they should keep their Cess or Tax unpaid till their next Meeting at Midsummer and should deal with all those they had influence upon to do the like and that upon the Supposition mention'd in his former Oath Next Hugh Scot Laird of Gallowshiels confess'd and deposed That the Earl of Tarras and Philiphaugh did come to his House in May 1683. That Polwart came likewise thither where there were Discourses and Proposals That if the English did rise in Arms their Friends in the South-Shires should rise with them That they should seize the Horses belonging to the Kings Troops where they grazed and attempt the Town of Berwick and the Castle of Stirling That it was likewise there discour'd of the late Earl of Argyle ' s coming to invade Scotland but because of the uncertainty of Sea-Voyages there was not much stress laid upon it That it was also proposed such of the South-Country whom they trusted should be acquainted with it That Endeavours should be used to learn what Arms were in the Country That the Earl of Tarras Philiphaugh Torwoodlie Polwart and some others should draw to Horse with the first when the rising should be in a readiness and that it might be expected the South parts of Tiviot-Dale and Selkirk-Shire would joyn with them The said Gallowshiels had also deposed before the Lords of the Secret Committee That the Earl of Tarras and Philiphaugh being in his House in May discours'd of an intended Rising in England and in London in particular and of Proposals made to the Scots to rise with them That Polwart was there present and told them he was sure the English intended so That they discours'd it was fit
Merchant of the City of London one of a plentiful Estate and eminent Repute as any of his Rank on the Exchange But a Violent Nonconformist and Disciple of Ferguson's The two Goodenoughs Richard and Francis both Notorious Enemies of the Establish'd Government in Church and State During all the time of the Factious Citizens most furious Eruptions against Authority they had been both for some Years by turns Under-Sheriffs of London and Middlesex so that the whole wicked Mystery and Trade of packing the Ignoramus Juries pass'd through their Hands Major Holms a Fifth-Monarchy-Man an old Army-Officer a Confident of Cromwel's and Trustee for his Family In the late Times of Usurpation he was a Major in the English Army in Scotland where he became acquainted with the Earl of Argyle and was since made intimate to all his Treasonable Purposes Richard Rumbald Maltster another old Army-Officer a desperate and bloody Ravilliac who had often before laid Designs for the KING's Murder which God as often prevented by some signal Providence William Rumbald his Brother worthy of such a Brother Aaron Smith a furious Fanatick who amongst many other Seditious Practices was a Factious Sollicitor for College the Joyner and with unparalell'd boldness dared to menace the Government and to put a Libel into that notorious Malefactors hands before the Judges faces at the very time of his Tryal for which High Misdemeanor he has since fallen under the censure of the Law William Hone a Joyner a melancholy Enthusiast of Colleges Trade and Spirit who besides a large Confession of his and others share in this Conspiracy did also frankly own at his Tryal and Death that many Years before he had proposed and design'd the Killing of the King out of Bow-Steeple as his Majesty was passing to Guild-Hall John Rouse a busie Agent in all the Tumultuous Proceedings of the City Elections Zachary Bourn a Brewer Son to an obstinate Independent and he himself one of Ferguson's Hosts and Familiars Thomas Lea a Dyer Andrew Barber both Anabaptists However these three last mention'd did in some measure expiate their Guilt by their ingenious and voluntary Confessions John Ayloff a Lawyer the very Man who in a spightful defiance of his Majesties Government did many Years since venture to put a French Wooden Shooe into the Speakers Chair of the House of Commons Nor has the rest of his Life since come short of the insufferable Insolence of that Action Joseph Tyley Edward Norton Edward Wade Richard Nelthrop Robert West all of them Republican Lawyers their Hatred of the Government transporting them to be Factious against the known Interest of their own Profession These were all Men of Crafty Heads and Nimble Tongues restless Spreaders of false News bold Talkers in Seditious Clubs where according to the corrupt fashion of those Times the most profligate Persons of all Conditions were wont openly to Arraign the Monarchy and vilifie the Church under the fair shows of amending both and a tender Concernment for the Publick Good Next in the Kingdom of Scotland the Names of the chief Instruments who are already proved to have transacted that part of the Conspiracy under the Conduct and Influence of the late Earl of Argyle and who since well nigh all to a Man but those that escaped on the first Notice of the Discovery have made ample Declarations of their Guilt are these Sir Hugh and Sir John Campbell near Relations of the said Earls and as much the profess'd Enemies of their Countries Peace and Government Sir John Cockran Mr. William Baillie Men egregiously disaffected to the Government and therefore of considerable Interest with its most desperate Enemies in both Kingdoms These together with Monroe were the Persons desired by the English Managers to come up to London and Treat of a Joint Conspiracy with their Brethren here under the disguise of Planting Carolina At the same time Lieutenant Colonel Walcot was call'd out of Ireland for the same end but under colour of being the intended Governour of that Plantation To this purpose they were first invited hither by the Earl of Shaftsbury and after his Death again sent for by a Particular Messenger Accordingly they actually came up and Negotiated here some time in order to a firm Conjunction between the Traytors of both Nations for a general Rising Nor was the Treaty wholly broke off or adjusted at the very time when the Discovery broke forth To these are to be added James Steuart Son to Sir James Steuart sometimes Provost of Edenburgh He was fitted for such a design by his hot and fiery Temper and by his Education and his Fathers Example who together with most of his Relations were violent Covenanters This Man was the Author of the Libel call'd The Scottish Grievances The Lord Melvil descended from Progenitors of such Principles as have been ever against the Crown when they have fancied their Kings not Zealous for the Reformation This Man had the Management of the Duke of Monmouth's Affairs in Scotland many Years And when the Duke march'd against the Rebels near Bothwel-Bridge the said Melvil as the Earl of Shaftsbury had advis'd sent to them to Capitulate assuring them the Duke of Monmouth had Orders to give them good Conditions and when they would not submit Melvil was over-heard to say That all was lost For the Beating of them would lose the said Duke with his Friends in England Sir Patrick Hume of Polwart who kept Correspondence with Shaftsbury many Years and had been formerly Imprison'd in Scotland for Traiterous Expressions Pringle Laird of Corwoodlee a noted Fanatick and of Antimonarchical Principles from his Infancy Denham of East-Sheels just such another but less cautious and more headstrong Montgomery of Lenshaw a Covenanter to the highest degree of Bigottry Commissary Monroe who had well serv'd his Majesty in the Wars as an active brave Man But upon some Injuries he pretended to have receiv'd from the Duke of Lauderdail he grew enrag'd to such a degree as led him into these Courses which now make him so uneasie to himself that he has often begg'd of his Keeper to kill him for such an ungrateful Wretch should not live Hugh Scot Laird of Gallowsheels James Murray Laird of Philiphaugh both zealous Sticklers for the Field-Conventicle-Meetings Besides these the Principal Scottish Agents there were divers other inferior Emissaries of that Nation who went to and fro to carry on the Traiterous Intercourse between Scotland and England and with the Earl of Argyle in Holland Such as William Carstares a Scotch Conventicle-Preacher to a Numerous Meeting at Theobalds where Rumbald was his frequent Hearer William Spence who had been Comptroler and was now Employed as Secretary to the Earl of Argyle taken in London under the Name of Butler John Nisbet born in Northumberland bred up at the University of Edenburgh where he was the Leader of those Seditious Students who rais'd a Tumult upon occasion of Burning the Pope in that City But of all the Conspirators
would never be out of a Plot as long as he liv'd and that he hoped yet to meet some of them at Dunbar before Michaelmas Now a day or two before this their final separation the King and his Council began to be convinc'd of the truth of Keeling's Evidence by a full knowledge of the Witnesses Character and by the firmness and consistency of his Testimony besides many other concurring Circumstances VVherefore his Majesty order'd VVarrants should be issued out against the Persons accus'd whereof some absconded others were taken Of these last divers confirm'd what Keeling had sworn and named others as Partakers in the Treason Whereupon more and more appearing every day to have been engaged Proclamations were Publish'd in England and Scotland for their speedy Apprehension By this means through the Providence of God so many of them were either seiz'd or deliver'd themselves up as have irrefragably confirm'd every part of the foregoing Account What became of the several Conspirators will appear by the following List. Of the ENGLISH SIR Thomas Armstrong presently after fled beyond the Seas where he remain'd till the next Year when he was surpriz'd at Leyden in Holland brought into England and received the deserv'd reward of his Horrid Ingratitude and Treasons John Ayloff fled and withdrew from Justice and stands Outlaw'd upon that account Andrew Barber was taken and freely confess'd Robert Blaney came in and confess'd what was done and said at the Trayterous Meeting at Colonel Romzey's House James Burton fled and is also Outlaw'd for Treason William Blagg a Sea Captain was taken try'd and acquitted there being but one positive Evidence against him Zechary Bourn was seis'd on in Essex as he was making his escape into Holland and largely confess'd afterwards Colonel Danvers of Newington was taken and dismis'd upon Bail He has since Publish'd a most Malicious and Scandalous Libel against his Majesty For which he is fled The Earl of Essex taken at his House in Hertfordshire and committed Prisoner to the Tower Richard and Francis Goodenough both fled and since Outlaw'd The Lord Gray of Wark was seiz'd on examin'd before his Majesty and order'd to be sent to the Tower But in his going thither by the negligence of the Serjeant at Arms he made his escape got beyond Sea from the Coast of Sussex and is now also Outlaw'd John Hambden Junior taken Tryed for High Crimes and Misdemeanors Condemn'd in 40000 l. Fine and Imprisonment Major Holms taken in London he confess'd the Correspondence with the Earl of Argyle whereof the Key was intrusted with him and some others James Holloway fled was taken at Mevis in the West-Indies and sent back into England confess'd and was Executed William Hone in his flight was taken in Cambridgeshire He made his first Confession at Cambridge the substance of which he afterwards own'd upon all occasions to his Death Joseph How was taken and confess'd The Lord Howard of Escrick was taken in his House at Knightsbridge hid behind the Hangings of his Chamber and at length confess'd Thomas Lea the Dyer was taken and confess'd The Duke of Monmouth withdrew upon the first Proclamation wherein he was Named and lay hid for divers Months till he render'd himself and confess'd Edward Norton fled and is Outlaw'd John Nisbet fled was taken in Essex ready to go beyond Sea He was the Author of the Letter of Trade Written to Gourdon a Scotch-Man under the Name of Pringle John Rouse taken Try'd Condemn'd Executed making at his Death a Penitent Confession John Row once Sword-Bearer of Bristol fled upon the first Discovery as did also both the Rumbalds they are all three Outlaw'd Colonel Romzey first absconded then render'd himself and confess'd The Lord Russel taken at his House in Souththampton-Square Try'd Condem'd Beheaded He confess'd enough to shew his Crime but not his Repentance Thomas Shepard hid himself but soon came in and frankly confess'd Aaron Smith had kept secret some time before because of a Sentence against him for high Misdemeanors But was taken and is still a Prisoner Colonel Algernoon Sydney taken Try'd Condemn'd Beheaded William Wade Joseph Tyley fled and are Outlaw'd Colonel Thomas Walcot first retired then sent a Letter to Mr. Secretary Jenkins plainly acknowledging That the Plot was laid very deep and wide promising to discover more if he might have hopes of Pardon But before he could receive an answer the Conscience and fright of his own Guilt made him withdraw from the place where he had appointed to stay for it He was soon after taken Arraign'd Condemn'd Executed persevering to the last in the main of his Confession Robert West withdrew for a time but then gave himself up and has amply confess'd Besides these there were divers others at first secured but afterwards dismiss'd by course of Law as the Lord Brandon Mr. Booth Major Wildman Mr. John Trenchard Major Breman Mr. Charlton this last having been taken in disguise Of the SCOTS MR. James Steuart Brother to the Laird of Cultness had fled out of Scotland a short time after the Earl of Argyle upon occasion of dangerous Papers taken in his keeping Thereafter he transacted only by Letters and Negotiations remaining out of danger beyond the Seas Commissary Monroe and the two Campbells of Cessnock were taken The Lord Melvin Sir John Cockran and Ferguson escap'd divers ways though Ferguson stay'd some time in Town after the Discovery in hopes still of obtaining Bills of the Money to be remitted into Holland William Bayley of Jerviswood was seiz'd on in London convey'd to Edenburgh and there Try'd and lately Executed William Carstares William Spence Alexander Gourdon of Earlston taken the two first in Town the last at Newcastle By the positive Confession of these three Scotchmen together with that of Major Holms who were the Earl of Argyle's chief Agents in this business was the first greatest light given of the said Earls part in the Conspiracy Of these Alexander Gourdon Laird of Earlston was a Zealous Field-Conventicler and had been a Bothwel-Bridge-Rebel Where upon the rout of their Army his Father was kill'd and he taken Prisoner Having afterwards got his Liberty he became Sollicitor for the Faction in England and Holland under pretence of collecting Contributions for maintaining such of them as were denounc'd Fugitives for which purpose he had a formal Commission sign'd and seal'd in the Name of the General Assembly of their Party at Edenburgh Before any Discovery he was taken at Newcastle under a feigned Name endeavouring to get a passage beyond the Seas About him were seiz'd divers Original Papers which as soon as he was made Prisoner he try'd to make privately away but the Kings Officers observing his design secur'd them Amongst these Papers there was one very remarkable Letter Written to him under another Counterfeit Name of Pringle The composer of it was John Nisbet one of Argyle's Agents in London It was dated March the 20th of that Year when the Conspiracy was in the heigth It gives
a perfect account of their Condition at that time during the Transactions between the English and Scottish Traytors Whilst they sometimes hoped the Treaty would take effect sometimes fear'd it would break off without coming to any Resolution Amongst many other mysterious intimations of Treason Nisbet tells him That Trading being very low here and many breaking daily desperate Diseases must have desperate Cures That while they had some Stock left it would be better to venture out than to keep Shop till all be gone for after this they should not be able to act but must let all go That he had been shew'd a Model of Affairs in such order as he saw venture they must and venture they would That now they knew what Goods had been most prejudicial to the Trade And therefore for the future resolv'd to insist only on Negatives this being the best way to still some Criticks of the Trade That they would first endeavour to dispatch the Old Stuff That some Stock was to be got to set the broken Merchants up again That if all holds that is intended it is almost time to set forward if they had but their Factors and Emissaries home who are gone forth to try how Countries will like their Goods That they will return within a Week Then matters will in instanti off or on Break or go through That if any strange thing should fall out in the mean time he would post it to him That things were full as High as he had Written These are some amongst divers others of the Covert Significations of the Conspiracy contain'd in Nisbet's Letter which being taken about Gourdon and sent with him into Scotland after divers Examinations before the Council there he plainly detected what was the true sense hidden under the Mystical Style of every Expression in the whole Letter Particularly That by the Merchants here being low and often breaking was meant the Prosecution of Dissenters by Excommunications or other legal ways That therefore they had resolved upon a desperate Cure which was rising in Arms That the Model of Affairs which would make them venture was the Method then going on in order to a Rising That by only insisting on Negatives was intended the Conspirators agreeing what they should pull down which was the whole Government but not determining positively at first what they should set up That by Criticks in the Trade were design'd the old Scotch Fanaticks who had so often rebell'd That Excluding the old Rotten Stuff was the Destruction of the entire Frame of the antient Constitution Civil and Ecclesiastical That the Broken Merchants to be set up were the baffled Scotch-Whigs to be spirited again with new assistance That their being here at a point to set forward was the English Conspirators being ready for a Rendezvous That the Factors and Emissaries were People sent forth through England and Scotland to try Mens Inclinations towards a general Insurrection That by saying That upon those Factors return Matters would be soon on or off was intended that when their Agents were come back to give an account of their success accordingly the Design would be either deferr'd longer or they should instantly rise That the strange thing mention'd was a speedy Insurrection That by things being full as high as he had written was imply'd the Rebellion was almost ripe and ready to break forth This is the substance of the Interpretation of the Letter of Trade that Gourdon of Earlston gave in upon Oath at several Examinations He moreover confess'd That upon receipt of this Letter he presently came into England where he had frequent Conferences with Nisbet touching the Contents of every Clause in it who always understood it in this sense That by him and divers others he was made fully acquainted with the Treaty then going on in London and with the Earl of Argyle's Correspondence with the Persons treating for a speedy Rebellion in both Nations Another Scotch-Man whose clear and undoubted Testimony has put this Confederacy between the English and Scotch Traytors out of all Question is William Carstares who had been a Zealous and Fierce Preacher to the Sectaries of both Kingdoms And was formerly Prisoner in Edenburgh-Castle being accus'd for Publishing a Treasonable Pamphlet call'd the Grievances of Scotland At that time he was much employ'd in many Messages relating to this Conspiracy Especially with Major Holms in dispersing the Earl of Argyle's Libellous Books and carrying to and fro his Letters in which Carstares pass'd under the Name of Read He was apprehended at Tenterden in Kent seeking an opportunity of flying beyond Sea He was taken under the Name of William Swan then declar'd his true Name was Moor but at last own'd it was Carstares This Carstares being brought before the King and refusing to confess any more than some general Hints alledging That it was no place for him to answer in a Criminal Matter upon that he was sent into Scotland where being Examined before the Lords of the Secret Committee September 8th 1684 he confess'd and afterwards renew'd and confirm'd the same Confession November 18th and December 22th of the same Year His Deposition having been already made Publick it will be enough only to note some special Heads of what he deposed He confess'd That James Steuart Brother to the Laird of Cultness wrote to him out of Holland in November or December 1682 the Letter importing that if a considerable Sum of Money could be procur'd from England something of Importance might be done in Scotland That this Letter he Communicated to Shepard and he to Colonel Sydney Danvers being present That Shepard return'd answer Mr. Sydney was averse from medling with the Earl of Argyle suspecting him to be too much inclin'd to the Royal Family and the present Government That the said Carstares still urg'd one might be sent to the Earl of Argyle That not being able to obtain this for the foresaid reason he himself went into Holland was introduced to the Earl and there discours'd with him particularly about remitting the Money to him from England and raising 1000 Horse and Dragoons and surprizing Edenburgh-Castle That the Earls answer was The Castles would fall to them of course after that the Work was done abroad That without a Thousand Horse and Dragoons rais'd in England to be ready to assist them nothing could be done That if such a Number could be rais'd he would come into Scotland with them whereby he guess'd he might get that Country without trouble having such a standing Body for their Friends to Rendezvous to That the said Earl of Argyle recommended the Deponent to Major Holms That James Steuart contriv'd a way of Correspondence by Cyphers and false Names and sent them over to Holms and the Deponent for their use and still desir'd him to press for the 30000 l. and did not propose any less Sum the said Earl saying he had particularly calculated the Expence for Arms and Ammunition c. though Steuart added If something
less could be had the Earl would content himself That when the Deponent was ready to ship for England Steuart writ him word there was hope of the Mony That the Day after he arrived here he acquainted Sir John Cockran with the said Earls demands of the Sum of Mony and the Horse and Dragoons That Sir John Cockran carried him to the Lord Russel to whom the Deponent propos'd the Affair but being a stranger had no answer from him at that time That afterwards having met the Lord Russel at Shepard's House where Shepard told him the said Lord was come to speak with him about the Mony the Deponent reiterated to the Lord Russel the former proposition for 30000 l. and the 1000 Horse and Dragoons the said Lord answering They could not get such a Sum rais'd at the time but if they had 10000 l. to begin with that would draw People in and when they were once in they would soon be brought to more but as for the Horse and Dragoons he could say nothing at present for that behoved to be concerted on the Borders That the Deponent made the same proposal to Ferguson who was much concerned and Zealous in promoting it and told him he was doing what he could to get it effected always blaming Colonel Sydney for driving on designs of his own That the said Deponent met twice or thrice with Melvil Cockran Jerviswood Monroe the two Cambells of Cessnock Mongomery of Langshaw and Veatch where they discours'd of Mony to be sent to Argyle That Monroe Melvin and the Cessnocks were against medling with the English Conspirators as Men that would talk but would not do That therefore it were better for the Scots to attempt something by themselves That Veatch Jerviswood and this Deponent were for accepting the Mony That at one of their Meetings it was agreed one Martin late Clerk of the Justice Court should be sent into Scotland to hinder the Country from rising till they saw how Matters went in England That the said Martin did go at the Charge of the Gentlemen there met and was â—â—â—cted to the Lairds of Polwart and Torwoodâ—â—â—â— who sent back word It would not be so easie a matter to get the Gentry of Scotland to concur yet that afterwards Polwart writ to Monroe That the Country was readier than they imagined That the said Deponent had the Key of the Cypher agreed on in his keeping when a Letter came from Argyle to Major Holmes intimating that the said Earl would joyn with the Duke of Monmouth follow his Measures and obey his Directions That for the Decyphering of this he gave the Key to Veatch who was to deliver the Letter to Ferguson and he to the Duke of Monmouth To all this Carstares added in his Deposition of Sept. 18. 1684. That he himself had communicated the Design on foot to three famous English Conventicle-Preachers Griffith Mede and Dr. Owen who he affirm'd did all concur in promoting it and were desirous it should take effect which part of Carstares's Oath is the more remarkable because the King solemnly affirms that the Duke of Monmouth in his Confession to his Majesty and his Royal Highness did particularly name those very three Men as conscious of the Plot and withal declar'd in these very words That all the considerable Nonconformist Ministers knew of the Conspiracy An instance that alone if there were not many more such were a sufficient Instruction to all Separatists of what tender Consciences the Men are whom they chuse for the principal Guides of their Consciences Since after all this Mede deposed before his Majesty That he never heard of any Disturbance intended against the Government but that on the contrary he himself had once advised Ferguson upon discourse of some Libel of his then newly made publick That it was not their part to do such things Nay their great Oracle Dr. Owen being examin'd upon Oath before the Lord Chief Justice Jones and being ask'd Whether he had not heard of a horrid Plot against the Life of the King did not long before his Death take God to witness and subscrib'd to it with his dying Hand That indeed he had heard of such a Plot by the means of the Kings Proclamation but no otherwise But that which still farther undeniably confirms the Scotch part of the Conspiracy with the English was the Confession of William Spence a Scotch-Man and of Major Holmes an English-Man the former being a Menial Servant to the Earl of Argyle the other his long Dependent and Friend a Man active in the times of Cromwel and always disaffected to his Majesties Government Major Holmes being taken in London in the beginning of the Discovery with several of the Earl of Argyle's Original Letters about him and being examin'd confess'd He knew of the Earl of Argyle ' s proposing to some principal Men in England That for 30000 Pounds he might be furnish'd for his Expedition into Scotland That the English at last condescended to send him 10000 Pounds That though he had not personally converst with the Great Men who were to raise the Money yet he had often heard the Duke of Monmouth the Lord Gray the Lord Russel named That he himself was appointed by the Earl of Argyle to convey Letters to and from his Countess and others his Correspondents That he could not Decypher those taken about him but that William Spence could That this Spence went under the Name of Butler and was just then come over in the Packet-Boat from Holland to dispose of the Libel call'd The Earl of Argyle's Case This Deposition was given by Major Holmes on June 29. 1683. the very day that Spence being arrived from Holland was apprehended under the Name of Butler Besides this Evidence of Holmes concerning Spence it appears plainly by the Earl of Argyle's own words in several passages of his Letters taken in Holmes's possession especially in that part of the long Letter of the 21 of June which was not written in Cypher That the said Spence alias B. as he afterwards own'd himself for the Man knew his the said Earls Address and how to write to him adding That he could instruct Holmes in this Cypher else he had lost six hours Work Wherefore upon this assurance that Spence could Decypher the Letters he was examined before the King but not confessing any thing material and seeming resolv'd not to do it he was sent into Scotland where he was brought to discover the whole Intrigue acknowledg'd That he himself was the B. or Butler mention'd in the Letters That those superscrib'd to West and Robert Thomson were directed to Major Holmes under those false Names That he the said Spence could open the Letters and explain the way of reading them which he did and then justified upon Oath the Explanation he had made to be according to their true sense It happen'd also at the same time whilst Spence was under close Examination that Mr. Gray of Crechie a Scotch Gentleman
skill'd in the Art of Cyphers did without any the least Communication with Spence Decypher some of the principal of the said Earls Letters and when both Spence's and Mr. Gray's Copies were found to agree exactly there could not possibly have been given a more certain Demonstration of the Truth of Spence's way of Decyphering which he confess'd he was taught by Argyle himself In this manner were these Letters proved Authentick and the right meaning of them unfolded And it is evident by the plain Tenour of them that some of them were written by the said Earl just about the time that the Conspiracy was near ripening and when he was inform'd of Ten Thousand Pounds only order'd to be sent him Others were written after he had heard that the Plot was discover'd In every one of those Papers it is easie to trace out manifest Footsteps of the whole Conspiracy But particularly that of June 21st New Style which is June 11th of the English written the very day before Keeling made the first discovery contains not only a vehement expostulation of the said Earl of Argyle's touching the delay of the Money from England and the smallness of the Sum design'd but a plain Narration how the Insurrection was to be concerted in both Kingdoms The Body of the Letter was written in Cypher the Preface and Postscript in plain Hand in both there is reference made to Butler's that is Spence's being able to expound it and from the very same Spence was taken the Exposition of it upon Oath Therein the said Earl tells his Correspondent in England That he knew not the Grounds their Friends had gone upon to offer so little Money nor did he understand what Assistance they would give That till he knew both and heard what Carstares or any other they should send over had to say he purpos'd neither to refuse his service nor object against any thing resolv'd here However that the said Earl had truly mention'd in his Proposition formerly made the very least Sum he thought could do the business effectually which was not half of what had been requisite in another Juncture of Affairs That what Money he propos'd to be raiz'd was so much within the power of the Persons concern'd that if a little less could do the business he had thought it would not be stood upon That the said Earl reckon'd the Assistance of the Horse absolutely necessary for the first Brush That as to the precise Number nam'd he would not be peremptory but he believ'd there would need that effectual Number That 1000 might be as easily rais'd as 5 or 600 and it were hard if it stuck at the Odds. That they should consider whether all ought to be hazarded upon so small a difference as to the Mony That though 't is true what was propounded is more by half than is requisite for the first Weeks Work yet soon after all or more will be necessary and then Arms cannot be sent like Mony by Bills That there are above 1200 Horse and Dragoons and 2000 Foot at least in Scotland all well appointed and tolerably well commanded That it were hard to expect Country-People on Foot without Horse should beat them triple their Number That if Multitudes could be got together they would still need more Arms and more Provisions That if some considerable thing be not suddenly done at the first appearing it may fright a little but will do no good That the standing Forces will take up some station probably at Stirling That they will have for aid not only the Militia of Twenty Thousand Foot and 2000 Horse but all the Heritors to the Number it may be of 50000 Men That though many should be unwilling to fight for the standing Forces yet most will once join and many will be as concern'd for them as any can be against them That though the said Earl's party should have at first all the success imaginable yet it is impossible but some will keep together and have assistance from all the three Kingdoms then it will not be time to call for more Arms far less for more Mony to buy them and they should then prove like the Foolish Virgins That it is next to be consider'd how the discontented English Lords could employ so much Mony and so many Horse better for their own Interest though the Protestant Cause were not concern'd this being a little Sum and small Fonds to raise so many Men and by Gods Blessing to repress the whole Power of Scotland That the Horse to be sent from England need stay but a little while to do a job unless future events should make Scotland the Seat of the War which would be yet more to the advantage of England That by the best Husbanding the total of the Mony proposed it cannot purchase Arms and absolute Necessaries for one time for an Army of the Number they were to deal with That nothing out of the whole is design'd to be bestow'd on many things useful and some necessary as Tents Waggons Cloaths Shooes Horse Horseshooes c. All which are not only once to be had but daily recruited much less was any of it apportion'd to provide for Meat or Drink Intelligence or other incident Charges That some honest well-meaning good People may undertake for little because they can do little and know little what is to be done That the said Earl had made the reckoning as low as if he had been to pay it all out of his own Purse That he was resolv'd never to touch the Mony only to have it issued out according to Order That he freely submits to any knowing Souldier for the Lists and to any skilful Merchant for the prices he had calculated That it will be a great incouragement for Persons of Estates and consideration to venture when they shall know there is a project and prospect of the whole Affair and Necessaries provided for such an attempt That if after the said Earl shall have spoken with Carstares he sees he is able to do any service he will be very willing if he be not able he will pray God some other may That before it be given over he wishes he might have such a conference as he had mentiotioned in another Letter a week before wherein he had offer'd either to come over privately in Person or to meet any to be sent from hence That he expected not all the Horse from the discontented Lords but some considerable part might be rais'd by particular Friends That he had yet more to add to inforce all he had said but it could not be express'd at that distance That something more was to be done to prevent the Designs of the Enemies which he dares not now mention lest it should put them on their Guard That he has a considerable Direction in his Head but all is in Gods Hands This is a faithful and impartial Abstract of the Mystical Letter than which how could there have been express'd by words a more
compleat Deduction of the said Earl's part in the design'd Insurrection Immediately after the Cyphers this follows in words at large The Total Sum is 128 Guilders and 8 Stivers that will be paid you by Mr. B. Which last Clause was the Rule whereby Mr. Gray found out and Spence discover'd the Decyphering of the whole Letter and it was accordingly done by each of them apart by making eight Columns and placing 128 words in each Column descending as upon view of the Authentick Printed Copies will appear to any Man beyond all Contradiction In short this Letter of the late Earl of Argyle's was known by many of the Privy Council there to be his Hand and his own Lady upon Oath deposed She knew it to be his though she did not know the Contents of it And such is the Account that is to be given of the said Earl of Argyle's Loyalty which he had desir'd might be the only Standard in what sense he would take the Test. Hitherto he had been by Inheritance Lord High Admiral and Justice General of Argyle Tarbat and the Isles and great Master of the Houshold He was by his Majesty put into Places of great Dignity and Trust he was made extraordinary Lord of the Session one of his Majesties Privy Council and one of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury And after his Fathers Condemnation for the highest Crimes and his own Forfeiture of his Honour and Estate for Treasonable Expressions in a Letter of his he was restor'd to all his Father possess'd except the Title of Marquiss But notwithstanding all these and many more Obligations of the like nature which he had to his Majesty his fondness of esteem with the Factious People his aversion to Monarchy and hatred of the Royal Family particularly of the Duke of York led him to this height of Ingratitude This and divers other Letters of the like traiterous importance all written with Argyle's own Hand being at one and the same time taken about Major Holmes the Person chiefly intrusted by the said Earl to receive and convey all his Correspondences with England and Scotland it cannot be doubted but very many more Papers of the same dangerous Tenor had been this way interchang'd between him and the English and Scotch Conspirators during the whole progress of the Conspiracy Especially considering that in some of these the Earl of Argyle refers to some Expressions and Propositions which he says he had made in others and there are no such Expressions to be met with in all these Letters that are taken Besides that with the Letters themselves there were also seiz'd about Holmes several Alphabets and a Key of Words whereas of one of the Alphabets there has been as yet no use found in Decyphering and though in the Key there are Eighty new-coyn'd Words yet not above Six of them are made use of in all the parcel of the said Earl's Letters hitherto intercepted However by the Light these Letters gave so well agreeing with several other Intelligences receiv'd from many Hands his Majesties Council of Scotland were abundantly convinc'd that the the Bloody Design had reach'd thither also and therefore immediately order'd the bottom of the Business to be search'd into by a Secret Committee Whereupon Warrants were issued out there to apprehend Walter Earl of Tarras Brother-in-Law to the Duke of Monmouth Sir Patrick Hume Laird of Polwart Pringle Laird of Torwoodlie James Murray Laird of Philiphaugh and Hugh Scot Laird of Gallowshiels all of them being Persons named by Carstares and others as Partakers with Argyle in this Treason as they had been formerly most active with him in endeavouring to disturb the Loyal Proceedings of the Parliament for enacting the Test. Of these the Laird of Polwart and Torwoodlie having been the most busie and so conscious of their greater guilt conceal'd themselves and have hitherto escaped the other three were taken and brought to Edenburg where they freely confess'd upon Oath As did also Commissary Monroe who had been sent thither Prisoner out of England All which Depositions and Confessions they again repeated and confirm'd in the same solemn manner at the Tryal of Mr. William Baillie of Jerviswood The Earl of Tarras without either craving or receiving any security for himself did ingenuously confess That about the time when Sir John Cockran and Commissary Monroe got their Commission from the Carolina Company for London Mr. Baillie desir'd him to speak to Monroe that he might be added to the Commission Telling him that he was resolved to go to London however upon his own charges For that his and their going about the Carolina business was only a Pretence and a Blind but the true design was to push forward the People of England who did nothing but talk to go more effectually about their business That thereupon the said Baillie did settle a correspondence with the Deponent whereby the one was to give an account what past between the Country party in England and the Scotch Men there the other to write back what occurr'd in Scotland That the said Baillie told him the only way to secure the Protestant Religion was for the King to suffer the Parliament to sit and pass the Bill of Exclusion Which the King might be induc'd to do if the Parliament would take sharp and brisk Measures with him That after the said Baillie went to London he did give the Deponent account by Letters how things were in great disorder there but he hoped effectual courses were taking to remedy them That Mr. Robert Martin did come to Mr. Pringles of Torwoodlie in May 1683 and brought the Deponent a Letter from the said Baillie then at London That Martin told the Deponent things in England were in great disorder and like to come to a height but the Country Party were considering of Methods for securing the Protestant Religion That the Scotch-Men at London had ask'd 30000 Pounds but that Argyle was to have 10000 l. which Sum was to be sent by Baillie into Holland to buy Arms and then Argyle was to Land with those Arms in the West-Highlands of Scotland The Earl of Tarras deposed farther That Philiphaugh and he went to Gallowshiels House where they met with Polwart and Gallowshiels That there it was discours'd among them that in case the English should rise in Arms it was necessary so many as could be got on the Borders should be in readiness to deal with Straglers and Seize on Horses and thereafter joyn with those that were in Arms on the Borders of England That then it would be convenient to surprize Berwick Stirling and some other strong places That some Persons should be employ'd to inquire what Arms were in the Country That it was resolv'd every one should speak to and prepare such particular Persons as they could trust not at first in plain terms but indirectly and upon supposition of a Rising in England That there was a Word and Sign to be used among them the sign was by loosing