apud Preston in Com' Lancast ' 18 Junii 1689 coram me T. Patten The Information of James Tomson one of the Mariners belonging to the Pink or Vessel called the Lion of Lancaster Who upon Oath saith THAT he is a Protestant but being Examined about several Voyages lately made by the said Vessel into Ireland as to the last saith that it was begun about five Weeks since and having heard the Information of Henry Knowles this Examinant agrees with the same in the relation thereof James Tomson Capt ' Jurat ' die loco praed ' coram me T. Patten The Information of John Barrow one of the Mariners belonging to the Vessel called the Lion of Lancaster Who upon Oath saith THAT he is an Apprentice to Mr. John Cawson and by his Order went on Board the said Vessel which about five Weeks ago sayl'd into Ireland and he hearing the Information of Henry Knowles now taken and read over this Examinant agrees with the said Knowles in the relation thereof except that this Examinant heard not what the said Lunt came over for nor the Discourses betwixt Mr. Thrillfall and Lunt and the Seamen when they set them on shore at Cockeram John Barrow Capt ' Jurat ' die lâ—câ— praed ' coram me John Patten The Information of Richard Whiteside one of the Mariners belonging to the Vessel called the Lion of Lancaster Who upon Oath saith THAT having heard the Information of Henry Knowles another of the Mariners read over this Examinant agrees with him in every particular thereof relating to the said Vessel 's last Voyage into Ireland except that this Examinant hath not heard what Mr. Thrillfall was to give for the Hire of the said Vessel R. Whiteside Capt ' Jurat ' dis loco sup ' dict' coram me T. Patten The Examination of John Cawson of Narbock within Cockeram in the County of Lancaster Merchant Who saith THAT he is half Owner of the Vessel called the Lion of Lancaster and the other half belongs to this Examinant's Son Charles Cawson and to his Son in-Law Robert Curwen to wit to either of them one Quarter And that having for several years last past about May or June been employ'd to carry the Earl of Derby's Cattle from the Isle of Man to England he this Examinant did about two or three Months ago desire Mr. William Backhouse the Attorney who design'd shortly afterwards to go with Mr. Thomas Simpson to London to put the said Mr. Simpson in mind of knowing from the said Earl when he designed the said Cattle should be fetched over which Mr. Backhouse promised to do And at Mr. Simpson's Return he informed this Deponent that he this Examinant might send for the Cattle as formerly to Mr. Cockett my Lord's Servant in the said Isle And thereupon this Examinant gave consent to his said Son Charles that if he pleas'd he might fetch over the same in the Vessel aforesaid And about five Weeks ago the said Vessel loosed Anchor and went out of Lunt Water designing only as this Examinant then believed for the Isle of Man upon the Account aforesaid And this Examinant further saith that since the return of the Vessel this Examinant has been for about an hours time with his said Son to enquire about his Voyage who inform'd him that in the Voyage Mr. Edmund Thrillfall who was then a Passenger on Board the Vessel offer'd to him the said Charles Cawson ten Pounds to put him the said Mr. Thrillfall a shore in any part of Ireland and that accordingly he had set Mr. Thrillfall a shore at Dublin and that after some stay there he returned back for England bringing the said Mr. Thrillfall and another Person who his Son called Mr. Lunt hither with him And the said Charles informed this Examinant that he was detain'd and could not be admitted to return from Dublin till he brought the said Lunt and Thrillfall with him And this Examinant saith that upon Ascension day last the said Mr. Thrillfall came unto him at Garstang and treated with him about a Passage into the Isle of Man but an Embargo being then upon Vessels this Examinant told the said Thrillfall his said Vessel could not go And upon the Monday before the Vessel went from Lancaster-water the said Mr. Thrillfall came to this Examinant's House to treat with him again for a Passage to the Island but this Examinant denied him one in the Vessel having resolved to take no Passenger thither and thereupon the said Thrillfall went away from this Deponant and since then this Examinant never saw the said Mr. Thrillfall And this Examinant demanding from his Son why he called not at the Isle for my Lord's Cattle in his return from Dublin his said Son told him the said Thrillfall and Lunt who were too strong for him being armed with Pistols would not let him and that withal they promis'd him other ten Pounds for their Passage from Ireland but never yet paid it him John Cawson Capt ' die loco praed ' coram me T. Patten Elizabeth Engley 's Affidavit ELizabeth Langley maketh Oath That she this Deponent knows Mr. John Lunt and hath done for eight or nine years past and that in or about the Month of December 1688 a little after the late King James went into France the said Lunt came to this Deponent and desired her to take a private Lodging for him until such time as he could get a Passage out of England to follow the said King which this Deponent did accordingly and about a Fortnight after he the said Lunt acquainted this Deponent that he then had an opportunity to go over into France with the Lord George Howard and this Deponent doth believe he went accordingly for is a week or ten days after she this Deponent did receive a Letter from him the said Lunt bearing date from Calais Jan. 14. 1688 which Letter this Deponent hath yet in her keeping and about July following 1689 the said Lunt came in a Coach to this Deponent's Lodging in Castle-street by Leicester-fields so disguised that she did nor know him till he spoke and desired this Deponent to come into the Coach to him which she did and then he drew up the Glasses fearing lest any one might see him and discover who he was and as the said Lunt and this Deponent sat together in the said Coach as it stood at the door of this Deponents Lodging this Deponent laid her hand on a Green-Bag which was in the Coach and doth believe that it had Papers or Parchment-writings in it but did not at that time ask the said Lunt what they were but as they were sitting together in the said Coach he the said Lunt told this Deponent that he had been in France and that he went from thence into Ireland and that he was sent thence by King James with Commissions and Deelarations to several Roman Catholic Gentlemen and others in England and did then further tell this
Trenchard Lawrence Brandon 's Affidavit LAwrence Brandon of Pennington in the County of Lancaster maketh Oath that he knows William Standish of Standish-Hall in the said County Esq and his Son commonly called the Young Lord of Standish and that about May in the year 1691 this Deponent being invited by one James Leightagh to go with him and several other Persons to dine at Standish-Hall aforesaid and upon such Invitation this Deponent and the rest did go to Standish Town in the way to the said Hall and being at the said Town it was agreed on between the said James Leightagh and the rest of the Company rather to dine at the said Town of Standish then to go to the Hall because there seemed some difference like to arise between the said Leightagh and John Neyler on the one part and John Sharp Servant to the said Mr. Standish and James Hayes on the other part concerning the Places of Quarter-Master and Corporal of a Troop of Horse to be raised by the said Mr. Standish for the Service of King James which was promised to the said Leightagh and Neyler and the said Sharp and Hayes pretended unto the same Whereupon the Deponent and the rest of the Company did dine at Standish Town at the Charges of the said Leightagh and John Neyler and after Dinner they went from thence to Standish-Hall where in the Kitchen the said Leightagh and Neyler met the said Sharp and Hayes and after some Discourses on both sides concerning the Places aforesaid the said Sharp and Hayes were contented to quit their Pretensions to the same and consented that Leightagh and Neyler should have the same Upon which Agreement the said Leightagh and Neyler desired to speak with Mr. Standish and bid this Deponent and the rest of the Company to follow them which they did and were conducted into a Parlour where the Young Lord of Standish was and being told by the said Leightagh and Neyler that they had broughe Men to be Listed under his Command he wellcomed this Deponent and the rest and made them sit round the Room and made them drink and told them that the Nation had a great deal of wrong done by Banishing King James that was their Rightful King and that the design in hand was to do no Body wrong but only to bring in their lawful King and that some Aid for that purpose was shortly expected to come out of France and Ireland into England and that they did design upon the News of the Landing of any Foreign Forces to make a general Rising of such Forces as they could procure for the said Service and hoped they were willing and would be ready to serve their King and Country on this Occasion and assured them that they should go no further than he would lead them And that upon their consenting and promising to be ready at his Command the said Young Lord of Standish went out of the Room and soon after returned with a Horseman's naked Sword and bending the Blade thereof by way of Trial shewed it to the Company and told them they should be furnished with no worse than that and should have Pistols Holsters Saddles and all other Accoutrements fit for Troopers And having some farther Consultation with the said Young Lord what course they should take to provide Horses in case they should be called suddenly to meet it was agreed that such as had Horses of their own should make use of them and those that had none should take the first they could meet with and immediately upon any Alarm or notice come to Standish-Hall to rendezvous That after Directions about the Horses were given some of the Company being apprehensive that Mr. Standish the Father might be offended in case they should agree to go under the Command of his Son without his Consent desired to speak with him to be satisfied therein Whereupon they sent to speak with him and he came to them into the Hall where being asked the question aforesaid he told them all it was indifferent to him whether they choose to go under the Command of himself or his Son and such as were not willing to go with his Son should be welcome to go with him for their design was all one and that was to bring again King James or words to that effect Whereupon about twelve of the Company among whom this Deponent was one made choice to go with the Young Lord and the Remainder being to his remembrance the greater number did resolve to go with Mr. Standish the Father and then the Company divided and this Deponent and those that had made their Election went again into the Parlour to the young Lord and drank some short time and at their taking their leaves of him he gave them a word by which they should know one another which was Go thy way old Trip and then they parted from the said House to Wigan in the way whither the said John Neyler overtook this Deponent and his Company and told them he had brought some Money from Standish-Hall to be drunk by them and carried them to the House of James Green in Wigan aforesaid where he staid with them some time and drank the Health of King James and their Captains and then left them And this Deponent farther saith that at his this Deponents Return to his own House his Wife being informed that he had Listed himself a Soldier for King James would not let this Deponent rest or be at quiet until he had promised not to concern himself any farther in the matter Upon which he this Deponent never went near them any more Lawrence Brandon Jurat ' 11. Feb. 1695 Cor'me Tho. Rokeby Robert Bradley 's Affidavit RObert Bradley of Chippin in the County of Lancaster maketh Oath that he knows John Lunt and became acquainted with him about the latter end of the year 1689 by the means of one Mr. Thrillfall who brought him to his House he this Deponent keeping an Inn in Chippin aforesaid and that at that time the said Lunt went by the Name of Jackson and that about a quarter of a year afterwards there came into that Country several Irish Men who said they were sent by Lunt from London and that when they wanted Money they said they were to have Money of Lunt and amongst the said Irish there used to come to this Deponent's House several English Papists and frequently used to drink their Old Master King James's Health and threatened this Deponent being a Protestant to hang him when King James came in often affirming he would come into England at such and such times and Lunt often told this Deponent that he had Listed not only the Irish but several of this Deponent's Neighbours besides Thirty that he had Listed at Wiersdale and amongst the Neighbours named Clerkson Hodgkinson and Hearst and that one Cottam was to be Quarter-Master And this Deponent saith that Lunt desired one Sharpless where the said Lunt Tabled to be Listed as the
Cheshire where there were and this Informant is very confident yet are lodg'd secur'd and kept great Quantities of Arms and Warlike Equipage of all Sorts with great Numbers of Horses fit for Service And this Informant saith that if he were Authorized and Impower'd thereunto he this Informant would undertake to Seize and Secure them The Examination of John Kelly taken upon Oath the 23. and 27. days of February THIS Informant saith that he came over to England in the Irish Army about Michaelmas last was twelve Months since which time he hath wander'd up and down from one Gentlemens House to another and was entertain'd in the Lord Molyneux's House about twelve Days before Christmas during which time he was there he saw a Letter from Queen Mary which came from St. Germaint directed to the young Lord Molyneux which Letter this Informant heard read the Contents of which Letter was that with good Hopes of the Encouragement they had from other Countries and that the Queen had got from the French King a Grant of assisting them with Arms to the Number of eight or nine Thousand as near as he remembereth and my Lord Molyneux on receipt of this Letter sent to several Sadlers to prepare Saddles Bridles and Holsters and as fast as they were made this Informant saith they were convey'd to secret Places under Ground And farther this Informant saith That he was at the House of one Esq Tildesley at a Place call'd the Lodge in Lancashire near to a Town call'd Preston where he saw many Commissions which came from King James out of Ireland which said Commissions were to raise two Regiments of Horse and three of Foot which Regiments were to be at an hours warning when King James sent any Assistance out of Ireland into England or when King William should go into Scotland one of which Regiments of Horse was to be Commanded by the young Lord Molyneux another Regiment of Horse was to be Commanded by Esq Townley of Townley in Lancashire aforesaid one other Regiment of Foot was to be Commanded by Mr. Standish of Standish Hall in Lancashire aforesaid and the other Regiment of Foot was to be Commanded by Sir James Pool of Pool Hall within six Miles of West-Chester And this Informant farther saith that Mr. Standish sent one Lieut. Burke from his House with Letters to King James into Ireland who gave the said Lieut. Burke forty Guinea's which this Informant saw deliver'd to the said Lieut Burke which said Letters were sent immediately after the Receipt of the said Commissions from Ireland And farther this Informant says he was sent by the Lord Molyneux with a Letter to my Lord I**t of I**t-Hall aforesaid and also he was sent with several other Letters from Place to Place to several other Gentlemen the Contents of which Letters this Informant believes was to be in a Readiness for the rising aforesaid and they were to repair to the Castle of Liverpool which they did conceive might easily be surpriz'd where were many Barrels of Gun Powder and Arms that so thereby they might be furnish'd with Ammunition and Arms and further this Informant saith that he was sent now and then a Foot and then a Horseback from one Gentleman to another who were Confederates and was kindly receiv'd by all with Plenty of Provisions and Money and further this Informant says he knew several other Persons sent upon the same-occasion and further this Informant says that he himself does know Irish Souldiers to the Number of five Hundred now lying in Lancashire which lye to be ready at an hours warning if there should be any Insurrection to assist King James And this Informant saith Mr. Thomas Tatlock of Symons-Wood near the Parish of Sefton in Lancashire did for near a Month together harbour about three Score Irish Men who had serv'd King James and were then listed under other Gentlemen to serve King James again and that Arms and Furniture for them-were hid in that Wood. He further saith that Mr. Molyneux of Morbrow did harbour about twenty Irish Men for the Service of King James and that Arms Saddles Bridles and Holsters for them were conceal'd in a Cellar under a Tower at the Entry of the House at Mr. Blundell of Inch in the Parish of Sefton That John Holland of Prescot and his Partner made Saddles Bridles and Holsters for them and was privy to the Design and that a Sadler in Legh was imploy'd by the Popish Gentlemen for that Service That all the Officers and Soldiers were to be ready at the Time they should have Notice from King James from Ireland That Arms Saddles Bridles Holsters c. were also hid in Cellars and under Ground in the Parish of Prescot and Parish of Legh and other Parishes by Gentlemen and the Sadlers that live there J. Kelly Taken and Sworn this 27. Febr. before us whose Names are here under Written Thomas Yarnold Mayor of Evesham Bellemont James Rushout William Bromley Edmund Letchmore Richard Dodswell Mr. William Wybrants Information ABOUT the Time when the Lancashire Gentlemen were brought Prisoners to Town I met Mr. Taffe I told him I met Capt. Cottingham who hop'd that you were not concern'd in the Plot especially against Mr. Legh of Lime for he heard he was a very honest Gentleman after which Mr. Taffe pressed me two or three Times to speak to Capt. Cottingham if he could bring him acquainted with any Friend of Mr. Legh of Limes some time after I met him in the Temple where he told me he was mightily disgusted for that Mr. Baker and Mr. Smith who was then walking in the Temple did use him barbarously for they would not give him any Money not so much as would pay his Horse-hire into the Country but he would be even with them and spoil the Plot and several Words to that effect I ask'd him to be Ingenious with me and tell me whether he was concern'd in the Plot for I heard it would come to nothing He told me he was no Evidence nor knew any thing of the Plot But he knew there were very good Evidence and enough to hang them all and immediately afterward he ask'd me whether I could help him to a Friend of Mr. Legh of Lime for he was in the Tower and there was no getting to speak to him but if he could get to speak to a particular Friend of his he could make his Fortime and get a good Sum of Money by it for he could put them in a way to save their Lives I ask'd him how could that be when just before he told me the Evidence was Good and enough to hang them all he answer'd that was no Matter for he could contrive a way But when he found I was not inclinable he said now I think on it he would not be concern'd in it for it would look ill for him to be concern'd against the Government who had appear'd so much for it William Wybrant Sworn before the Houses of Lords and
prudential Reasons 't is thought fit to conceal them at present there being other and farther Uses to be made of them by the Government here after at his Tryal whensoever he falls into the hands of Justice However that I may not be thought to impose upon my Reader if Mr. Bromfeild be told that the Proof of that Matter is contain'd in the Papers under his own hand which he sent out of Ireland by the Carver I am almost confident he will not deny it I equally abhor a false and partial Author but Mr. Bromfeild's Crimes are of themselves so heinous and execrable that his Historian need not give himself the Trouble to add to their Blackness therefore I have rather abbreviated than inlarg'd the Share he had in the Plot and made no other use of him but what serves to trace the Conspiracy from its dark Original at the late Kings going off and lets the Readers into the Methods that began the Treasonable Confederacies Here you see the Foundation of the Lancashire Plot to involve the Nation in Blood and Ruin And as if this would not prove a Tragedy deep enough * Si nequeant Superos Acheronta movebunt the Murther of the King as it has done ever since must either precede or go hand in hand with the Invasion For no sooner was King William setled on the Throne but he received Information * Vid. the History of the late Conspiracy written in French that several Persons were sent into England to Assassinate him The same Discovery was made to a great Man in Holland and to the Right Honourable the now Earl of Romney in England though Thanks be to God they found no Opportunity to execute their barbarous Design 'T is impossible for a sober Man to imagine a Provocation strong enough to excuse either the committing or incouraging such a Villany but it seems his Majesties Enemies were more afraid of the Kings single Person then of the united Strength of all the Allies And therefore resolv'd to take off his Majesty by ways peculiar to such degenerate Wretches that dare commit the basest and most unmanly Sort of Treason to advance their Interests And this I think will suffice at present to convince the Reader of what will be more plainly prov'd to him in the Sequel viz. That the Lancashire Plot and the Assassination of the King were Twins of the same Birth And agrees exactly with Mr. De la Rue's Depositions at Mr. Charnock's Tryal * Vid. his Tryal pag. 29. The Conspiracy says he to Assassinate his Majesty has been carrying on a great while for some years and it originally came from Col. Parker especially as to my knowledge of it and that was about six years ago at St. Germains when I was there he propounded it to me * Vid. Mr. Geo. Harris's Depositions as to Parker's being privy to it and said he would propound it to my Lord Melfort So that 't is clear that from 1689 till 1696 there was a Design to murther his Majesty and that Col. Parker who managed the Insurrection and Rebellion in Lancashire was one of the cheifest in the Assassination Plot also My next Work is to acquaint you how Bromfeild having agre'd the Plot when he was in Lancashire sent over Commissions from the late King to the Northern Conspirators to raise a Rebellion against their Majesties in those Parts Which was to be carry'd on after this Manner Mr. Lunt who followed the late King into France immediatly after his * Vid. Lunt's and Langley's Affidavit in the Appendix Abdication was sent from thence with the rest of his Guards into Ireland and in May 1689 renewed his Acquaintance with Mr. Bromfeild who was lately come out of Lancashire and a general Report being spread upon his Arrival that Lancashire and the adjacent Counties would rise in order to re-inthrone the late King and that they only waited for Commissions from him for that Purpose Mr. Lunt asks Bromfeild if there was any Truth in that Report Bromfeild avers it to be true and knowing that Lunt was a bold and active Fellow laid hold on this Advantage to perswade him to be one of the Persons that should carry over and deliver Commissions to some of the late Kings Friends and Confederates in England Lunt at first refus'd that dangerous Office but being further press'd and courted to it by many of his pretended Friends and particularly recommended to the late King for that Service by the Lords * Vid. Lunt's Depositions in the Appendix Thomas and George Howard and thereupon sent for by Bromfeild to the Lord Melfort's Office he was there over-perswaded to shut his Eyes against the visible Danger to which they were exposing him by ventring on such a hazardous Imployment which was no wonder for what will not Men of a Senceless Bigottry and desperate Fortune undertake who hope to raise themselves upon the Ruin of their Country The Lancashire Papists having now received the News that the late King was arriv'd in Ireland and had raised so great an Army there that as they fondly thought he would soon be Master of that Kingdom and from thence sail into Lancashire as had been concerted between Bromfeild and the Heads of the Conspiracy and not knowing what Care was taking in Ireland to send over their Commissions These Gentlemen I say growing impatient for them resolv'd to send a Messenger of their own to fetch them that they might be in a Condition to to join the late King with their Forces at his Arrival among them Mr. Edmund Thrillfall of the Ashes in Goosner was pitched upon for this Service and the means for his safe and unsuspected Passage into Ireland as well as his secure Returning again into Lancashire was thus contrived The Right Honourable the Earl of Derby sending every Year to fetch Cattle from the Isle of Man into Lancashire * Vid. John Cawson 's Depositions taken before John Patten of Preston Esq and John Cawson of Cockram in the County of Lancaster or his Son Charles Cawson having for some years past been imploy'd in this Service and had now leave from one of that noble Peer's Servants to enter again upon that Voyage as soon as he pleased Mr. Thrillfall treated * Vid. his Affidavit taken Jun. 17. 1689 before John Patten of Preston Esq with John Cawson for his Passage to the Isle of Man and being deny'd by the Father treats with his Son Charles who was to go Master of the Vessel and finding him more plyable trusts him with the Secret and for ten pounds in * See John Knowles's Affidavit taken before Mr. Patten hand and ten pounds more at his return hires the Master to land him at Dublin and bring him back into Lancashire but this Design was to be kept Private and none of the Ships Company were to be acquainted that they were going upon any other or farther Voyage then to fetch Cattle from the Isle
great distance from and utter Strangers at the times of their Discoveries to one another his Incredulity carries such dangerous Symptoms with it that I despair of seeing it ever confuted by a Miracle Objection But perhaps some will object if the Discovery of the Conspiracy was so True and Manifest why was not the Prosecution and Conviction of the Offenders as Public at the same time Answer I answer because the Jacobites were too nimble for the Kings Prosecutors and Murther'd the Kings Witnesses before the Conspirators could by the Formalities of Law be brought to a Tryal Objection If the late King intended to invade England in August 1690 what was the Reason he came not All the Duke of Schombergs Forces were not able to hinder him Answer Because King William landed in Ireland * June 14. 1690. in June routed the late King James's Army at the Boyn and drove him out of Ireland in July * July 1. 1690. and that was the Reason he came not into Lancashire in August as he solemnly promis'd The News of this glorious Victory was no little Mortification to all the Jacobites as well as the Lancashire Papists Yet still persisting in their restless Designs of destroying King William and restoring the late King James the Lancashire Plot must sleep while another is devised and that was to gain Assistance from France * Vid. Lord Preston 's Tryal pag. 50. to invade England and to compass this End the Heads of the Jacobites in all Countys immediatly repair to London and there consult what new Measures were to be taken after this fatal and unexpected Disappointment by the Victory at the Boyn Now Clubs are set up in all quarters of the Town for finding they could make no Archievements in the Field of Honour like Moles they endeavour to undermine the Government by working deeper and darker And because the Conspirators were then generally speaking but of one Faction and they such as made no great Figure in England it was resolved that the Plot to restore the late King should be laid wider extended farther and more Interests be united in private Cabals of their most considerable Friends Lords and Gentlemen both Whigs and Tories * See the Result of a Controversy between some Lords and Gentlemen both Whigs and Tories in order to restore the late King Lord Prestons Tryal p. 49. and 56. and that at every Meeting they should propose and debate the most effectual ways to restore the late King and when come to a Resolution they should transmit their Sentiments to the Royal Club so called in Covent-Garden and they select the most Rational among the various Opinions and digest them into such Methods for Practice as should govern the whole Party This Stratagem gratify'd all the Jacobites by making their Persons and Opinions considerable in what they thought so Great and Glorious a Work and took so mightily that in two or three Months all were agreed to ruin their Native Country by their unanimous Consent to these two Proposals First that the Jacobites being unable to reinthrone the late King by their own strength they should endeavour to obtain Assistance from * Lord Preston's Tryal p. 49 and 60. France who had formerly made them such Promises Secondly since delays were dangerous sending Letters into France hazardous * Lord Preston's Tryal p. 50 and 56. the Court at St. Germans Factious and Treacherous that some Men of Quality and known Ability should go over into France to transact that Matter for the whole Party Now Every Cabal being Ambitious of the Honour of sending some Member of their own Club on this promising Enterprise it took up more time to adjust this particular then to agree the other Preliminaries At length viz. in December 1690 all centred in the Nomination of the Lord Preston Mr. Ashton and Mr. Elliot some would have had their number increased but were over-rul'd by this standing Maxim among them * Lord Prestons Tryal pa. 55. viz. Choose well but have to do but with a few for a Multitude may give but can never keep Counsel These Gentlemen thus appointed by the Party were not long before they were ready for their Voyage And having hired a Vessel of Mrs. Jane Pratt of Berkin in Essex to go into France * See her Depos Lord Prestons Tryal pa. 30. and 31. they went on board her near Battle Bridge in December the 30. 1690 and were all taken by Captain Billup the same day a little below Gravesend In Mr. Ashton's Bosom was found * See Cap. Billups Aiffidavit in Lord Prestons Tryal pa. 38 and 39. a Pacquet of Letters and Papers which declar'd they were going to France to promote the treasonable Designs of that Party against the King and Queen To invade the Realm subvert the Government and to restore the late King by the Assistance of French Forces So that the Invasion Plot did still continue only that from Ireland is translated into one from France which is but shifting of Hands for the Conspirators are still the same Persons In January 1690 the Lord Preston and Mr. Ashton were brought to their Tryals And being found guilty of high Treason receiv'd the Sentence of Condemnation Mr. Ashton was Executed and the Lord Preston discovering the Design upon Oath had his Life given him but how well he deserv'd that Favour let his future Demeanour justify However it quash'd the Conspiracy and all hopes of an Invasion and Insurrection are laid aside for the Present till the Jacobites could meet with a more lucky Opportunity to revive them And this concludes the Jacobites Conspiracies and Disapointments from the Years 1688 to the Year 1690. And ingages our Thanks to God and the King for our Deliverance Now who would not believe but that after all these Disappointments our Enemies should have been reconcil'd to their own Quiet and the Kingdoms Tranquility but instead of giving Demonstrations of their peacable Tempers like sworn Enemies of their own and our Happiness they begin the Year 1691 with fresh Attempts to destroy the King and subvert the Government And to accomplish these horrid Designs are continually sending Intelligence to and receive Advices from France by such hardy Persons as were thought qualifi'd to undertake it And the Courrers by the Assistance of Mr. Shelton of Canterbury Mr. Nowel and Paul Peper of Dover and Hunt of Rumny-Marsh for some time pass'd to and fro with the greatest Security Not to name every little Runner on these detestable Errands some of the chief of them were Coll. Parker Mr. Bromfield and his Son Mr Waugh Mr. Charnock both the Crosbies Johnson the Priest Mr. David Lloyd Sr. Sympson a Scotchman who pass'd by the Name of Jones Mad. Sackvile Ingram Mrs. Alred and many others of both Sexes who upon occasion can be named All which in their several Turns perform'd their Parts with great Applause of the Party By this means the Court at St. Germans kept up
in Flanders who had their good Wishes while they were busying themselves about what was to follow namely the Invasion The Scheme of this Descent was laid in France and Parker and others sent over to communicate it to the Party here * Vid. Captain Blaire's Depositions before the Councel This he did by calling their General Officers and Collonels together and acquainting them but very privately That their old Master had now obtain'd * of the most Christian King thirty thousand effective Men and that when the Spring was a little more advanc'd the late King who was already marching into Normandy would be wafted over with them into England with Assurance * Vid. Blaire's Dopositions in the Secretaries Office that if that Number was not great enough to reduce his rebellious Subjects France would spare him thirty thousand more Therefore desir'd all to be in Readiness with the greatest Speed and Secresy imaginable To Captain Blaire he address'd himself more particularly at the Instance of Johnson the Priest telling him he was going to his Command in Lancashire but intended to move Southward at the late Kings Landing and therefore desir'd Capt. Blaire to join him in Regard his own Men were raw and the Captains for the most part were all old Officers and Souldiers When Parker went into Lanashire he took with him Blaire's Depositions in the Secretaries Office several good Officers some of which stay'd with him in Lancashire and others he dispos'd of in Yorkshire and the Bishopric of Durham His head Quarters were at Mr. * Vid. Depositions of Geo. Wilson and Oliv. Pearson Walmsley's at Dungan-hall and from thence issued out necessary Ordens for that County And because their Arms were for fear of Discovery hid in Woods and Grounds buried between Walls and in Cellars and Out-houses he order'd them all to be taken out and forthwith distributed * Jo. Womball's Affidavis in the Appendix among their Officers For now the late King and his Army of English Scotch Irish and French Papists * Ap. 1692. were at la Hogue imbarking for England This Allarm being early given among the Party all the Officers are rallying together the Souldiers they had under Subsistence and listing others Among the rest Mr. James Fountain as Lieutenant Coll. to the Lord Montgomery had rais'd a Regiment of Horse in London and was ready to have join'd the late King if he had landed His usual listing Places were three Ale-houses in Fullers Rents and at Redman's at the Bottle in Devoreaux Court near the Temple To the Truth of which tho I need call no other Witnesses than Mr. Day Mr. Cousins Mr. Willoughby Mr. Holmes the Japanner and Mr. Symms who were all Officers under him and brought Men to him to be listed yet having by me an Authentic Affidavit be pleas'd to take the Contents of it as followeth M. Seaton maketh Oath That James Fountain was Captain in the Lord Montgomery's Regiment of Foot and thereafter Major to the said Regiment At the Revolution he follow'd the late King James into France thence into Ireland where he was made Lieutenant Coll. to Coll. Cannons Regiment From Ireland he went into Scotland and joyn'd the Viscount Dundee and a little after the Highlands were reduc'd he came to London and lived Incognito but when the French were at la Hogue in order to invade England Fountain did buy a considerable Number of Horses and Accoutrements for Horses and Riders he had provided for them and did keep the said Riders under Pay and Subsistence to serve King James and joyn him and the French at their Landing Jurat 2 Julij 1694. Coram me James Vernon M. Seaton Collonel Holman was at the same time raising and had almost compleated another Regiment to joyn the French at their Landing And to subsist those that were actually listed he paid fifty Pounds one Week fifty Pounds the next Week and thirty Pounds the Week following to Captain Brice Blaire * See Mr. Blair's and Mr. Bertram's Depositions in the Secretaries Office who distributed it among the Souldiers by the Hands of Mr. Bertram as appears by their Depositions in the Hands of the Government but after the Defeat at la Hogue Mr. Holman would pay no more To these Instances of the Jacobites Attempts to ruin the Government add but the Share that Sir John Friend Sir William Perkins and the Persons of Quality in other Parts of the Kingdom mention'd in Crosby's Papers had in it * See Crosby's orginal Papers page and then tell me whether the Enemies of the Government and their repeated Conspiracies ought to be so much flighted and despis'd and reckoned so inconsiderable in their Numbers and weak in their Power and Interests as some out of no good design I fear would have them thought to be For all these wicked Confederacies and those mention'd by Crosby are but Branches of the Lancashire Conspiracy which at first was thought but the Capricio's of light Heads but you now see it spread almost over the whole Kingdom And justly rous'd the Government to prosecute the first Contrivers of so much intended Mischief to the King and Kingdom Nor were these Preparations for the Invasion the only part of the Plot against England for whilst the English Jacobites are bandying together to joyn their old Master at his Landing the Kings Enemies beyond-Sea are as hot and forward in their cursed Design to Murther his Majesty in Flanders that so the Invasion might find us all in a Confusion and for want of a King and a Government scatter'd like Sheep without a Shepherd and consequently the easier Prey to our Foreign and Intestine Devourers For now Granvalle returning from Paris where he had ingag'd one Leefedale to joyn with Dumont in the Murther of King William appoints a Meeting at Uden whither Dumont was to come from Hanover and both to go from thence into Flanders Where as soon as the Murther was committed Mounsieur Chandlois with a Party of 300 Horse from the Duke of Luxemburg's Army was to be posted at the advanc'd Guards to rescue the Murtherers and perswade the World the Assassination of King William was a Stratagem of War but God Almighty confounded their hellish Politics Dumont and Leefedale discover'd the Conspiracy Granvalle was taken and receiv'd the Reward of his Villany after he had made without being put to the Torture a full Confession of his Crimes At his Execution he seem'd very Penitent and declar'd with some Resentment that he was ruined by the Authors of that detestable Project Matters being thus setl'd by the Kings Enemies on the other side of the Water for his Assassination in Flanders and the Invasion carrying on by the Conduct of Collonel Parker and the rest of the confederate Collonels and other Officers in England and every one acquainted with the Design all Jacobite Eyes were fixt upon the Weather-Cocks and the first Salutation was how 's the Wind which standing long in a Protestant
Crosby Son of Sir Thomas Crosby a Member of the late Kings Parliament in Ireland was educated in Dublin College and left that Society to carry Intelligence into France From thence through Flanders and England he return'd into Ireland and under the Disguise of a Williamite contributed his utmost to the Destruction of his Native Country till the Seisure of his Letters discover'd him and made him a Prisoner but being admitted to Bail he lest his Security in the Lurch and escaped into France and his former Management of Affairs gave him so much Credit at St. Germans that the Revival of the Plot for an Invasion Insurrection and Rebellion was at last solely committed to his Management November 1693 to the great Satisfaction of the Party he lands in England brings Collonel Parker again out of Lancashire to London revives their former Cabals and adds fresh Life and Vigour to their drooping Spirits Jacobite Meetings are now more frequent and numerous in order to draw up such Proposals as might satisfy the Court of France that the Conquest of England was both practicable and easy I have now shew'd you by what means they were carrying on the Invasion and must now leave Mr. Crosby at his Work in collecting the Sentiments of the Jacobites and putting them into such a Method as might perswade the French King to assist them with Men and Arms to restore the late King and return to the Assassination Plot which always preceded or kept Pace with the Invasion And this calls me back to one of the first Contrivers of it The Lord Melfort who had still some small share in the Management of public Affairs finding his Interest sinking proportionably with the hopes of conquering England resolves to recover his former Credit by pushing on the Assassination of King William by any Methods that would effect it To this end his old Confidents Collonel Parker * Vid Mr. La Rue's Depositions at Charnocks Tryal and Johnson the Priest being absent he takes to his Assistance Mr. Bromfeild and Captain Griffin who promis'd in a short time to give him a good Account of his Project from some Friends they had about Dover which it seems they had already ingaged in this wicked * Vid Lunt's Depositions in the Appendix Enterprise at the Instigation of some more conceal'd and private Person And whilst they were thus in Expectation from Dover another Occasion to strengthen the Number of those already ingaged seem'd to offer it self thus The Lancashire Gentlemen being willing to pay their Devoir to the late King and to receive his Commands as they usually did by a Messenger of their own from his Lips Mr. Lunt whose Services and Sufferings had rendred him the Confident of the Party was sent by the Lord Molyneux and others on this Errand into France July the 3d 1693. coming to St. Germans he deliver'd his Message to the late King in his Closet the Lord Melfort being present Who thinking he had now a fit Opportunity to execute his Plot and Assassinate King William he sends Lunt to Mr. Griffin telling him that Griffin had an Affair to ingage him in Captain Griffin sends him to his old Friend Mr. Bromfeild who after bewailing the ill Success that had so long attended the late Kings Affairs told Lunt they were now upon a quicker Expedient for their Masters Restoration and that was to cut off the Prince of Orange for so they call King William by any way or method the * Vid Lunt's Depositions in the Appendix Undertakers should think fit and if Mr. Lunt would make one in that Service he should have a Reward of five hundred Pounds a Year Lunt consented and after various Discourses at sundry Times upon this Subject Lunt taking his leave of the Lord Melfort his Lordship told him that if the Design that Grissin and Bromfeild had imparted to him took Effect the late King would soon be in England And Bromfeild at Lunt's departure gave him a Signet to carry to the Persons that as Bromfeild told him were in the same Design In December 1693 Lunt arrived at Dover and met with four of the sixteen Persons that were ingag'd in the Assassination of the King * See Lunt's Depositions in the Appendix viz. Captain Nowel of Dover Captain Walton of Foulston Mr. Pepper of Dover and Mr. Preston of Feversham two of which acknowledg'd that they were in the Design of killing the King and made no question but in a Month or two to Effect it Lunt travelling from Dover toward London told several Romish Priests of his Acquaintance tho' not in Plain words the Design he was ingag'd in Some of the Priests were against it as a damnable Sin and others encourag'd him to it as a meritorious Work these different Opinions and the dismal Reflections that his awaken'd Conscience made upon his ingaging in an Action so Inhuman and Barbarous gave him so much Disquiet that he resolv'd to act no further in it but had then no Intention to discover it till a good Friend made him sensible it was his Duty and then he discover'd the whole Conspriacy beginning to his Knowledge in May 1689 and continuing till June 1694 which was the time he discover'd it and now I must return to Mr. Crosby Who Having acquainted himself with the Sentiments of the Party agre'd what Proposals to make to the French King and collected the Names of those that according to his Account were to assist at the Invasion and Insurection was preparing to return to France with these Writings of which for fear one should miscarry there were two Copies One kept by himself and the other by Coll. Parker but good Heaven discover'd this Treason also and Mr. Crosby who had compleated the Work he came about and only waited for a Wind to Transport him into France was apprehended May the 9th and committed to Newgate and Coll. Parker who was defign'd to supply that Fault was taken May the 20th committed to the Tower May the 22th and by this means the Carriage of the Papers was delay'd till Parker broke Prison which was August the 12th following The next day after Mr. Crosby was apprehended the King's Messengers Mr. Legat and Mr. Hopkins search'd the Chamber where Crosby laid up his Papers In the first Room they found store but while they were there Cosen Mally * Mary Jones with another Fomale Jacobite that lodg'd in the same House ript up a Feather Bed and took out thence great quantities of written Papers and Letters directed to Mr. Crosby and that they might tell no Tales threw them into the House of Office and a Pail of Water after them but strewing Feathers in the way through the haste they made to destroy the Writings they guided the Messengers to retrieve them Now Before I produce these Papers give me leave to acquaint you that the following Papers are truly copy'd from the Originals sworn by two Witnesses * Mr. Legat and Mr.
it was not disbelieved at Court but now quite fall'n to the ground The Jacobites say there was never a better Disposition in all generally to receive King James and give their Reasons for it Which are the same contain'd in the foregoing Papers which having briefly repeated the Letter proceeds the rest regard their own more then any King's Interest and will not hazard any thing for either if the Practice now in Design don't engage all the Presbyterians Lord Ca***n laid aside M***ne to succeed S***y solicited to be Secretary Lord Mar***h to be General of the English Foot Lord S***e ruling Minister behind the Curtain Lord B*h turn'd out of all he with many other Offenders would have King James restored if they thought their Crimes could be pardoned nothing can hinder raising Money but an Invasion Bristol declares mightily for King James Worcester disaffected but if any Disturbance should happen we have some thousands of Hugonites in this Town privately subsisted on whom we depend not a little As to what Business Mr. * K. James Vandeleur and you may have I will be deligent in it but what may relate to any of the Trading Ships being taken Prizes there is one Mr. Anselme who was Secretary to the Admirals last Year * Crosby and understands the Business very well but will not be mercenary in it and with his Help something may be done 't will therefore be necessary that he see something from Mr. Vandeleur or by his Order to that purpose Some of Mr. Anselm's Letters falling into the Hands of the Government he was sent for from on board and discharg'd The Jacobites knew him their own before but since his Discharge treat with him above-board as you may see by the foregoing Letter and another from Philips to Mr. Abraham Anselm dated May 5. 1694. I must needs see you before I go into the * Into France Country which will be to morrow you will hear of me at Barnsley's Coffee-house to night at 11 or to morrow at 7 in the morning let me see you that we may settle some Matters Philips Thus they endeavoured to corrupt the Officers of the Fleet Army and Militia and tamper'd with the Clerks and. Secretaries of those who either were or had been imploy'd in eminent Posts under the Government that by their assistance they might get Intelligence of what they wanted to know thus they obtain'd an Account of the Naval Forces of one a List of the Army of another and transmitted them into France that the Enemy might take his measures accordingly so that nothing is more apparent than that the whole Design against the Government was always carry'd on by Men of no essential Honour or Vertue but by such a confused Medley of disaffected Persons as were the Creatures of the late Reign who had lost either their Imployments or Expectations by the Revolution or Disbanded Officers and Soldiers who delight in Tumults and Insurrections I have now done with Mr. Crosby and his Papers by which the Reader will soon find that the Plot for an Invasion Insurrection and Rebellion was carryed on by the Jacobites in General in the Year 1693 and part of the Year 1694 and since the Lancashire Gentlemen instead of Blessing their Stars for so strange a Deliverance have aggravated their guilt by indeavouring to represent the legal Prosecution of some of their Party as a State-trick a Sham-Plot and the Contrivance of some little Ministers to enrich themselves by the Ruin of others I shall descend to the particular shares which they and their Friends had in the whole Conspiracy to subvert the Government to Destroy the King and reinthrone the late King James and then leave the Reader to judge what little Reason they had to raise such loud Clamours for bringing Criminals to Justice and because I have hitherto proceeded Annually and given an Account of the several Conspiracies in order of time as they were discover'd I hope the Reader will think it no impertinent Digression to refresh his Memory with a brief Rehearsal of their Proceedings till they were discover'd in 1694 as they occasionally occur in the following Depositions In June 1694 Lunt made this Discovery viz that he * Vid his whole Depos in the appendix taken before Sir John Trenchard fellowed the late King James into France thence into Ireland from Ireland was sent into England with Commissions from the late King James to certain Gentlemen in Lancashire Cheshire c. To raise War against King William and Queen Mary that he and George Wilson his Guide delivered those Commissions to whom they were directed whose Names you have in his Narrative that at the Instance and proper Costs of those Gentlemen to whom he had delivered Commissions he bought Arms and listed and subsisted many Soldiers for the Service of the late King James in order to an Invasion and Insurrection in that Country that he was twice sent by those Gentlemen into France to the late King to signify their Readiness and receive his further Commands Tho' I don't question but the Reader has had already sufficient Reason to believe what is above rehearsed I think it not amiss to shew him for confirmation sake something that Lunt discovered in 1694 that hath since proved it self he says in one part of his Depositions That when he was in London besides his Imployment of buying Arms and listing Souldiers he help'd some Jacobites over to France and secur'd others that came from thence who all of them told Mr. Lunt that generally Sr. John Friend furnished Money for those Expeditions and paid Subsistence Money to them as Souldiers Which was the Crime he dyed for in 1696. And no doubt was one of the things that enrag'd the Party so much against him knowing that that Hint might in Time be attended with a fuller Discovery George Wilson deposeth Taken before Sir John Trenchard That he keeping an Inn in Redland near the City of Chester there came a Stranger to his House whose Name he afterwards understood was Dr. Bromfeild recommended thither by Mr. Fitz Herbert of Wapra in Flintshire where Bromfeild had been conceal'd some time for a Passage into Ireland that Bromfeild bought a Vessel to transport him which Vessel was seized by Mr. Morston an Officer in the Government and Bromfeild escap'd into Lancashire and thence into Ireland He further deposeth That being known to be accessary to * See Mr. Edwards's Affidavit in the Appendix Bromfield's Escape and harbouring and furthering the Escape of many of the late King James's Friends he was sought after by Souldiers from Chester and the Civil Officers of the County insomuch that he was compell'd to fly from his own House and never durst return but after having hid himself in Woods got at length into Lancashire whither his Wife and Family followed him and was receiv'd into the Houses of the Lord Mollyneux Mr. Tildesly Mr. Standish Sr. Rowland Standley Sr. James Pool Sr. Wm.
was coming from London and had rid in the late King James's Guards and was a good Soldier this Informant further deposeth that he hath frequently discoursed in the Company of Coll. Tildesley Mr. Girlington Mr. Richard Butler Mr. Thomas Butler Mr. Thomas Carus Mr. Cole and Mr. Henry Butler that the French design'd Landing in Cornwall or thereabouts and the English and Irish in Lancashire And this Informant further deposeth that before his going to Mr. Harrington as aforesaid Mr. George Carus of Halton and this Informant design'd to go for Ireland to receive Orders from the late King James and to bring them into England for which purpose this Informant and the said Mr. Carus went to Mr. John Somers of Kirby Loynsdale and desir'd him to go to Milthrope to provide a Vessel to carry them and the said Mr. Carus went to Coll. Dalton to receive his Advice who told the said Carus as he said that he would not have him go as yet for that very lately there came a Messenger from King James who brought Word that so soon as they heard of the Duke of Berwick's landing in Scotland they might expect the said Kings landing in England and desir'd his Friends to be in what Readiness they could This Informant further deposeth that some time after Mr. Christopher Carus sent his Son George Carus to the said Mr. Dalton who had a Commission to desire him to provide for this Informant because Mr. Molyneux had disposed of the Lieutenants Place which this Informant should have had the said Mr. Dalton answer'd he would take care of this Informant but desir'd this Informant should not come to his House for fear of Suspition And this Informant hath heard by the said Mr. George Carus that Mr. Dalton had burnt his Commission for fear it should be found and sent to Mr. Tildesley to do the same who made answer he would as soon burn himself or Words to that effect This Informant further deposeth that Mr. Marsden a Protestant was one of our Companions and he having a great Estate always protects Roman Catholics when there is Occasion This Informant further deposeth that Mr. Husband a Protestant a Tradesman in Kirby-Lonsdale sent to London for two Pair of Holster Caps and two Housings for the use of the Roman Catholics and hath always been very intimate with them And this Informant further deposeth that the List of Officers hereunto annex'd were to be under the late King James when ever he commanded them as several of them declared to this Deponent and as this Informant hath been told by others R. Dodsworth Jurat 16 die May 1690. Coram me J. Holt. A LIST of those OFFICERS I know Under Collonel Thomas Tildesley LIEUTENANT Collonel Girlington a Protestant Capt. Thomas Tildesley Capt. Ralph Tildesley Capt. Henry Butler Capt. Richard Butler Capt. Alexander Butler a Protestant Capt. Thomas Carus Lieut. William Westby Mr. Goodwin the Priest was to raise a Troop at his own Charge and to put in Officers Lieut. George Carus of Sellet Lieut. Thomas Butler Cornet Knipe Protestant Cornet Coale Protestant Under Collonel Townley Lieut. Coll. Standish Capt. Bierley or Barlow Cornet Woolfall Quarter-Master Ducket Under Collonel Molyneux Lieut. Coll. Gerrard Son to Sir William Gerrard Capt. Westby Capt. Harrington Capt. Molyneux Capt. Massey Capt. Penny Capt. Carus Protestant Lieut. Stanley Lieut. Penalt or such like Name he lives in Wales and came into my Place Cornet Carus There is also one Coll. Tempest in York-shire Under Coll. Dalton I know none Several of these Officers I had it from their own Mouths the others only by Hearsay R. Dodsworth The Information of Edward Brown of Langtree in the Parish of Standish and County of Lancaster THIS Informant upon his Oath deposeth and saith that about the beginning of the Year 1690 there came a Man to the House of William Standish of Standish-Hall in the County of Lancaster aforesaid Esq who went by the Name of Capt. Brathet and this Informant was told that he was sent by King James out of Ireland to consult with the Roman Catholic Gentlemen in Lancashire about raising of Men and buying of Arms for the Service of the said King James in order to bring him into England and that there was then a Meeting of several Roman Catholic Gentlemen to consult about the said Affair and this Informant further saith that about the same Time there was a Man came to the said Standish-Hall who went by the Name of Mr. Dodsworth who as this Informant was told by the said Mr. Standish was to have been an Officer in an Army design'd to be rais'd for the Service of the late King James but being disappointed of his said Officer's Place he the said Dodsworth came to London and made a Discovery of the Design to the Parliament And this Deponent further saith that in or about the Month of May 1691 he this Deponent bought six Case of Pistols of one Elizabeth Small Widdow who liv'd near Warrington in the said County of Lancaster and who at the said Time had three Case of Pistols more and three Carbines which this Deponent would have bought of her but she said they were bought and paid for before saying she had sold one Case of the said Pistols and one Carbine to one Richard Booth of Ouston near the said Warrington and further said that she had great Quantities of Arms a little before but had lately sold them and this Informant enquiring of her where she bought the said Arms she told him at Liverpool and this Informant paid her seven Pounds for the said six Pair of Pistols which he bought of her which Money he receiv'd from the said Mâ— Standish of Standish Hall who about a Month before had givin him the said Sum to buy Arms with And further saith that as he was carrying of the said six Case of Pistols which he bought as aforesaid the Bag which they were put in burst he this Informant thereupon went to one Edward Brown of Round Moore in the said Parish of Standish who lent him another Bag and saw the said Pistols put therein after which this Informant deliver'd the same into the said Mr. Standish's own Hands Thomas Hatton and John sharp two of the said Mr. Standish's Servants being then present and the said Mr. Standish did at the same time Order this Informant to buy what Pistols and Carbines he could procure and he should have Money for them and the said Mr. Standish did then declare to this Informant that if King James landed in England there would be Men enough to take up the said Arms. And this Informant faith that four Days after the Delivery of the said Arms as aforesaid Mr. Townley of Townley in the said County of Lancaster and his Servant whose name is Nicholas Rigby came to the said Standish-Hall and had the aforesaid six Case of Postols deliver'd to him by the said Thomas Hatton being pack'd up in a Box cover'd with Lawrel and one
there also from England expecting to meet his Majesty and brought over with him an Account of the Condition and Readiness of his Friends the Papists and Jacobites there but more particularly in London Sussex and Kent and in Staffordshire Lancashire Cheshire and Yorkshire and from them all desired of his Majesty Commissions for the several Persons of Quality hereafter named with Blanks for their Inferior Officers which accordingly the late King caused immediately to be issued forth both for England and Scotland And because Bromfeild was so well known and it might be dangerous for him to come back himself he desired the King to advise of a proper Person or Persons whom he might trust to bring them over and distribute them here in England according to his Majesty's Orders amongst others he this Informant was recommended to him by my Lord Thomas Howard who told him the said King James he would engage Life for Life for him this Informant that he would not betray him in the Service and that if he were taken would rather die upon the spot Upon which this Informant was sent for to my Lord Melfort's Office where he found my Lord Thomas Howard Dr. Bromfeild and my Lord together in his Closet whither he was carried to them and then and there they asked this Informant Whether he would venture to undertake to carry Declarations Papers and Commissions and other things for his Majesty's Service to England They told him it was a hazardous thing that he should think well of it for if he should happen to be taken his Life was certainly gone but if he would and did escape be should be sure of and they promised him in the King's Name very great Preferments and Rewards when the King should come into England Upon which he this Informant undertook it and my Lord Melfort gave an Account of it whereupon to blind the business and to take off any Thought of his this Informant's being imploy'd or sent any where my Lord Melfort told him the King had thought fit to order the Officer of the Guards who was a Frenchman to casheer him and that he might say to any one that asked him the reason that he knew none but was resolved to get his Pass as soon as he could and go for England About a Week after this all things were got ready both for England and Scotland and one Mr. Thrillfall of the Ashes in Goosner in Lancashire Gentleman and this Informant were dispatched for England and one Mr. Gourdon who was this Informant's Comrade and cashiered as he was went for Scotland This Informant and Mr. Thrillfall brought with them Declarations Commissions and other Papers and Landed at Cockram within four Miles of Lancaster in or about the beginning of June 1689 upon our Landing we had like to have been wholly surprized by some Custom house Officers but we escaped and brought off the most Material of our Business only lost some Commissions Blanks and one of the King's Declarations two Case of Pistols of this Informants that the King gave him and some Clothes of this Informant's c. The greatest part of the Commissions and most of the Blanks in several Bundies were saved and this Informant delivered them as fast as he could one after another as followeth viz. in Lancashire To my Lord Molyneux's Son William a Colonel's Commission for a Regiment of Horse with Blanks for all his Inferior Officers to be filled as he should think fit To Thomas Tildesley Esq the like for a Regiment of Dragoons To Dalton of Thurnham Esq the like for Dragoons To Sherbourn of Stonyhurst Esq the like for Horse To Townley of Townley Esq the like for Horse To Girlington of Girlington Esq a Colonel's Commission To Westby of Mobrick Esq the like for Dragoons This Informant farther saith that he delivered my Lord Molyneux himself a Paper of Instructions where amongst other things He was to be Governour of Liverpool and this Informant took notice of it because my Lord Melfort and Dr. Bromfeild both told him this Informant saw and shewed it him in the Paper before they Sealed it Cheshire To Peter Legh of Lime Esq a Colonel's Commission with Blanks for his Inferior Officers To Sir Thomas Stanley of Aldersley Protestant the like for Horse To Mr. Chumley of Vale-Royal Protestant the like for Horse To Sir Rowland Stanley Protestant the like for Horse To my Lord Brudenell a Colonel's Commission for Horse with Blanks for his Inferior Officers To Sir Throgmorton the like for Horse This Informant farther saith That to these two Gentlemen last above written he delivered four other Colonel's Commissions for four Gentlemen whose Names he was not to know because as he did then conceive they were Protestants for they told him this Informant they were honest Gentlemen and Protestants Besides all these before mentioned this Informant delivered to one Mr. Jackson in Castle-street near the Meuse two Bundles of Commissions with a King's Declaration and two other Papers Sealed up with each with Orders to him to deliver one of them with a Declaration and Sealed Papers immediately to my Lord Griffin and the other to Mr. W. Pen the Quaker which this Informant supposes he did for in his sight he took Coach and said he would And besides all these which he this Informant so as aforesaid delivered Mr. Thrillfall undertook to deliver several Bundles of the same to several Gentlemen in York-shire This Informant farther saith That every Colonel had with his Commission Blanks for double his Inferior Officers and that all the Colonels had the Liberty to raise Foot Horse or Dragoons but Horse was more especially recommended This Informant farther saith That after the dispatch of these Commissions and other Business he had the ill luck to be made a Prisoner for a considerable time upon the Accusation of the Captain that brought him over out of Ireland This Informant farther saith That during the time he was a Prisoner under Bail that is to say about the beginning of the year 1691 he this Informant by the Order of Colonel Tildesley Col. Townley Col. William Molyneux Mr. Gerrard Col. Dalton and others Listed in London several Men for Soldiers to serve as Horse or Dragoons to be under the Command of the said Colonels or any other as they should dispose of them to Here he names about a hundred of the Soldiers Listed and the Pay they was to receive This Informant farther saith That being discharged of his Imprisonment in the Month of November 1691 he this Informant was desired by several of the Gentlemen that he had delivered of the Commissions aforesaid to viz. Lord Molyneux Col. Molyneux his Son Sir William Gerrard and his Son Mr. Dickinson of Wrightington John Harrington of Heightonhay Esq Col. Townley Col. Tildesley Col. Dalton and others to go into France to give King James an Account in what condition they were and to bring his Majesty's Commands how they might be serviceable to him which this Informant did
and gave his Majesty the said Account He the said King James commanded him to return for England and then amongst other things that he this Informant should tell them from him that he did not doubt but in the Spring following to be in a condition to come for England And at this Informant's coming away he was ordered by my Lord Melfort himself to go to Captain Griffith in the Meuse as soon as he this Informant should come to London and deliver him the said Griffith a Paper from his Lordship it was Sealed this Informant did not know what it was and to advise and receive Orders from him the said Captain Griffith This Informant saith that he arrived in London about the latter end of December 1691 and that he went immediately to Captain Griffith and delivered him the said Paper and that the said Griffith read the said Paper and told him this Informant he did not question but this Business meaning that in the Paper mentioned as this Informant then supposed will be accomplished in a little time and then he disclosed to this Informant what it was he meant which was the cutting off of the Prince of Orange at some proper time when he was a Hunting and then he put it to this Informant Whether he was willing to make one and be concerned in it This Informant first desired to know the Persons engaged in it He the said Griffith then told him he was not to tell him their Names but he would at any time bring this Informant into the Company of several of them that were engaged in it and about two days after this Informant came to him again and went with him into the Company of several Gentlemen at the Queens-head in White-Hart-Yard in the Strand where and with whom the said Captain Griffith and this Informant discoursed the Method of doing it and all agreed it was to be the easiest done when he should be a hunting or some time late when he went to or come from Kensington This Informant saith there was in Company at that time about Nine or Ten three or four or more of them this Informant knew three of which are since dead Captain Griffith then told this Informant and the Company he had about Sixty brave Fellows engaged in the Business who he did not at all doubt but would one way or other effect it Several of the principal of them as Whitney the High-way Man and several others happened to be sometimes after taken and secured which was the only reason that this Informant knows of that it was not attempted This Informant farther saith That about the same time abovesaid that he this Informant came last out of France viz. about the latter end of December 1691 there came several English Gentlemen of Quality viz. Lord Stafford Mr. Stafford Col. Parker Col. Walmesley a French Lieutenant-General whose Name this Informant doth not remember and others with Commissions Declarations Grants and Patents for themselves and others and for their Inferior Officers from King James This Informant farther saith that in the Months of March and April 1692 he this Informant was imployed by and assisting to several private Gentlemen and Tradesmen in or about London to list Men buy Horses Arms and Sadles and that the said Men Horses and Arms were to be imployed in the Service of the late King James And this Informant farther saith That by the Defeat of the French Fleet their design of Rising being wholly disappointed they fell upon other measures and this Informant remained in several Parts of this Kingdom and was at several of the like Meetings as aforesaid until the last Summer and then about July 1693 was desired with some others to go to France by several of the Gentlemen that this Informant has before mentioned to have delivered Commissions to in Lancashire that is to say by my Lord Molyneux Col. Molyneux Sir William Gerrard Mr. Gerrard Mr. Standish Mr. Dickinson Col. Townley and several others of that Country to give the King an Account of the Condition they were in and to bring them back an Account of what hopes and when he thought he should be in a condition to come for England and this Informant went accordingly to St. Germains and spake with the King and delivered him what he had in charge from the Gentlemen in England and my Lord Melfort being at that time with the King in his Closet bid him this Informant go to Captain Griffith who was then at St. Germains the Captain ordered him this Informant to speak with Dr. Bromfeild who told him this Informant when he came to him that if he would undertake to carry a Signet with him into England and show it to such Persons as he would direct him this Informant to that were concerned in a Design and would engage to make one with them in the same he this Informant should receive the same Reward that was intended for them which design he then told him this Informant was to cut off the Prince of Orange by any such way or means that the Vndertakers amongst themselves when they came together should agree upon Whereupon he this Informant promised and engaged to them the said Bromfeild and Griffith to make one in the Business and was then forthwith dispatched with the Signet and other Matters for England where he arrived and landed at Dover in December last and there he this Informant met with those that the said Dr. Bromfeild and Captain Griffith had directed him to which were viz. Captain Nowell Captain Walton Mr. Pepper Mr. Preston and Captain Roberts who were in the Design of cutting off the Prince of Orange as this Informant was told and that there were in all Sixteen Persons concerned but there he this Informant met Four of them only who were as followeth Captain Nowell Serjeant of the Admiralty and one of the Principal Gunners as this Informant was told who told him this Informant He had his Son and two more ready for the occasion Captain Walton of Foulston a Custom house Officer there who told him this Informant he had Six more engaged in the Business who with us together he said Walton was very confident might in a Month or two's time do the Business effectually with little hazard Mr. Pepper of Dover a Custom house Officer as this Informant was told or some place there worth about Three hundred Pounds per Annum and Mr. Preston of Feversham one of the Militia Officers were the other Two of the Four before mentioned This Informant farther saith That the said Dr. Bromfeild and Captain Griffith did order this Informant to assure the said Nowell Walton Pepper and Preston from them and in the Kings Name that every one concerned in the Action should have the Reward of Five hundred Pounds per Annum each which was the same made to him at St. Germains by the said Dr. Bromfeild and Captain Griffith and my Lord Melfort told him this Informant after he had kissed
their cruel Task-Masters or that they dispatch'd any of their Body to compliment the King of Egypt with a free Surrender of their Lives and Fortunes If they had been Guilty of such an unpardonable Stupidity I may be bold to say That they had been so far from deserving such a Country as the Land of Canaan that Lapland it self had been too good for them mutato nomine de te Fabula narratur I will no longer detain the Reader from the History it self wherein if he find by Undenyable Proofs That our Enemies have hitherto been continually designing upon His Majesty's Life and the Ruin of the Kingdom I hope he will agree That what has been already may be again repeated and therefore That we ought not by our own Sloth or Covetousness lead our Enemies into Temptations to attack us unprovided but that we should always have a Defence suitable to our Dangers AN ACCOUNT OF SEVERAL CONSPIRACIES AGAINST His Majesties Sacred PERSON and GOVERNMENT AS nothing of Public Concernment has been so variously discours'd of at home and abroad as the Lancashire Plot and that perpetual Train of Conspiracies that have annually succeeded it some endeavouring to sham the whole by scandalous Invectives against the Discoverers whilst others searching into the bottom of the several Designs are not only convinc'd of the Truth of them but also of the Honour and Integrity of the Government in relation to these Affairs I cannot imagin but that a True and Impartial Account of them will be equally useful and acceptable to the Public and because the Lancashire Plot has had the Honour not only to be the Parent but Companion of all the other Conspiracies I find my self oblig'd to begin tho' the Series of the Narration will not permit me to conclude with it The Contrivance then of this Plot is owing to the Politics of the late King James who finding himself utterly lost in the love and affections of his People and the Crown fallen from his Head by his own mal-Administration yet flattering himself with the vain hopes of regaining by the Sword what he had forfeited by breaking the Laws of the Land and endeavouring to subvert the Constitution He fled into France for shelter till he could put his Affairs into such a Posture as might facilitate his Return and enable him to establish Popery and Arbitrary Power in these Protestant Kingdoms But before he took his Voyage for France to gain Assistance from that potent Monarch 't was concerted by him and those Popish bigotted Friends that had espous'd his Interest that they should also endeavour at the same time to raise a Ferment in England Scotland and Ireland to concur with the Designs that carryed him into France and therefore that some Person of known Experience Courage and Secresy should be dispatch'd on that Errand to imbroyl the three Kingdoms Mr. Bromfeild a pretended Quaker and so dexterous and bold a Counterfeit that he was able to personate the the Disciple of any Sect Member of any Faction or Person of any Quality had this Office assign'd him and from the Earl of Salisbury's by the Name of Thompson advanc'd towards Scotland Not forgetting according to the Instructions given him by the late King to sow such Seeds of Discontent and Jealousy as he pass'd through the North of England as might ripen into an Insurrection and Rebellion at his Return He had not been long in Scotland before he effected his wicked Purposes in laying a Foundation for a Civil War in that Kingdom and from thence sail'd into Ireland on the same Errand Where he acquaints the Earl of Tyrconnel how successful he had been in his Negotiations in Scotland viz. That the Duke of Gourdon had garrison'd Edenbrough Castle and that the Viscount Dundee would be suddenly at the Head of a great Army there and both declare for the late King James but Mr. Bromfeild finding the Earl of Tyrconnel so zealous for the Cause that he wanted no Arguments or Preswasions to make him more active and daring in promoting the late Kings Service he sail'd from thence into Lancashire where he might be more useful intending to make that and the adjacent Countrys the Provinces he would act in When Bromfeild landed in Lancashire he intended for Croxteth the Seat of the Lord Molineux but for fear of being too much observ'd there he alter'd his purpose and took up his head quarters at Mr. Fitz Herberts of Wapra * Vid Mr. Edward's and Wilson's Depositions in the Appendix and sometimes at Mr. Wilson's in Redland where the Jacobites resorted to him in great Numbers to concert what was necessary to be done for the Restauration of their old Master From Wapra he often made Excursions into the neighbouring Countys and through by-ways to Croxteth to confer with the Lord Molineux and his Son and other considerable Persons of the Roman Character And having adjusted Matters there for an Insurrection he return'd into Ireland with his Dispatches and so backward and forward as the Emergency of his treasonable Affairs requir'd Having a safer Conveyance for his Lancashire Pacquets to and Answers from France by the way of Ireland than to hazard them through the several Post-Offices in England This treacherous Imployment was carry'd on by Mr. Bromfeild for some Months the Habit of a Quaker securing him from the Suspition of a Jacobite but at length his Visor dropt off and the trayterous half-fac'd Papist was seen through the demure Looks and canting Dialect of the Quaker The Vessel that Bromfeild bought to transport him to and from Ireland was seiz'd by Mr. Morston for the use of the Government and Bromfeild had certainly been committed to Prison and try'd for his Life had not the means of his Escape out of Lancashire * Vid Depositions pradict been contriv'd by his quondam Host and intire Friend and Confident Mr. Wilson Mr. Bromfeild and his Intelligence being once more landed in Ireland * May. 1689. where the late King James was arriv'd also he acquaints the late King with the Effects of his Travails viz. That his Friends were up in Arms in Scotland and that the Lancashire Papists and others were ready to ingage in his Quarrel in Order to re-inthrone him as soon as they were commissioned by him to undertake it Nor did he forget to acquaint the late King how narrowly he escap'd a Goal and the Gallows at his last being in Lancashire and that since he was too well known there to be sent again into that Country he begg'd some other Person might he imploy'd in carrying over the Commissions desir'd Which the late King comply'd with and as a Reward of these Services made Mr. Bromfeild one of the Commissioners of his Irish Mint in which Post he continued till the Reduction of Ireland by King William If any object that Bromfeild's Agency in Scotland has no Authorities to support it let the Reader know 't is not for want of them they are not produced but for
Hopkins at Crosby's Tryal to be found either in his Pockets in his Chambers or in the House of Office and were all mark'd by the Messengers at their first Seizing the Names in Cant are explain'd by a Key found among Crosby's Papers for that purpose who seldom was call'd by his own Name in England but by these that follow viz. Philips Williamson Traveller James Clynch Thompson and Jack Crue I will next shew whither he was going the Company he kept and what he had been doing and then produce the Scheme for an Invasion Mr. Crosby had a Chamber at Mr. Pugson's house a Taylor in German-street who gave the Information following That he believes Philips Crosby was going beyond Sea and had waited some considerable time for a Wind for that he reported he was going a Journey and would be often inquiring about the Wind which was then Easterly and many that inquir'd if Philips was gone would immediatly look upon the Wind. One particularly wonder'd Philips was not gone for the Wind was then shifted from the East and fair for him The same Imformant saith that most of the Persons that visited Philips brought him letters and Pacquets Among others that came to him he remembers Mr. Simon Harcourt used to bring Writings to him pretending they concern'd a Suit of Madam Elliot's he the said Harcourt came to Philips immediatly after Sr. James Montgomery was taken and carry'd himself as if he had been stark Mad. He was also often visited by Bromfeild the Quaker Lady Slaney Daughter to Sir Patrick Trant and Lady Philips lately come out of France Sir Andrew Forrester Captain Waugh of Brentford Mr. James Urwin in Kingstreet Doctor Smith late Fellow of a Colledge in Oxford Doctor Sherridon late Bishop of Kilmore the Lady Griffin who lodg'd in Pel-Mel sent Letters often to Philips by her Yallow hair'd Boy And Coll. Oglethrop by his maid Servant An Indian Boy brought Letters often from Mr. Nay Smith Gentleman of the Horse to the Duke of Norfolk So did Captain Charnock and Penelope Higgins who this Informant believes were privy to all Philips Affairs These and Collonel James Graham come often to him and were long with him and further this Informant saith not Pugson In Mr. Crosby's Custody was found a Letter from Mr. Symon Har**â— Cl of the P for the County of Mid x. Desiring to see Mr. Philips at his House at eight this night and desires Cousin Molly an intreaguing Female to let him know so much if she can I have sent saith he also to his Coffee-house to signify so much I am Madam your most Humble Servant S. Har**t directed to Mrs. Mary Jones at Mr. Pugsons over against the Coffee-House in German-street dated 13 Ap. 94. In the same Chanber was also found a bantering Letter against the Government written by Sir John Knight of Bristol directed to Mr. Symon Harcourt and desiring him to tell Mr. Philips Crosby that he had very earnest Business with him and must of necessity speak with him at Harcourts House at his first Leisure J. Knight dated April 2d 1694. You see Mr. Crosby is invited by both these Gentlemen to a Conference the Place where and Time when but about what they met I will leave my Reader to judge when I have told him that Mr. Crosby was taken by the Kings Messengers with his Pockets full of Treasonable Papers knocking at Mr. Har**t's Door in Lincolns-Inn-Fields about eleven at Night I shall make no Reflections on it but methinks it is a Jest all over that after this and many other Instances of their Aversion such Men should still enjoy such great Places of Trust and Profit under the present Government In Mr. Crosby's Chamber was likewise found among Scores of others a Letter of the same Date directed to Mr. Hatton desiring to speak with Mr. Phillips Crosby before he took his Journey and sign'd Cl***n Another directed to Mr. * Crosby Phillips dated April 6. 1694. Mr. Cole * * Mr. Noseworthy at whose Lodgings I din'd has receiv'd several other Letters for you from Ruth Goodall * * King James's Queen and he will bring them to morrow Morning to the House where I saw you last he will be there exactly at ten I am Yours C. Temple * * Tempest To Mr. Phillips March 28. 1694. In hopes Elizabeth Franklin * * The Court of France will give her Consent to a Marriage with Peter East * * England I have sent you the Grounds on which his Relations promoted the Match with Assurance * * Money Abraham Munson shall be really to attend it and defray the Expences and Bales of Woollen * * Troopers and Linnen * * Foot-Souldiers shall not be wanting when both Parties are agreed and Writings interchanged for a Settlement However you will be so kind to send Word where the Wedding must be kept that those who have so long expected it may be all in a Readiness of which they shall have Notice from Sir Your humble Servant J. Micklethwaite * * Mollyneux Fergusen calls these Papers for which Crosby was apprehended Baggatells and Stories of Robin Hood and little John but if this be not such there is none in Prince Butler's Petition against Pamphylius but if you explain the Canting Original by the Notes in the Margin which are all taken from Crosby's Copy you will find it a plain Indication how ready the Lancashire Conspirators were for a Rebellion which was then carried on by Coll. Parker Crosby Johnson and their Accomplices I shall next present you with brief Heads of a Letter written into France in Crosby's own Hand and found in his Pockets when taken at Mr. Har**t's Door directed to the late Queen Mary Wife to the late King James which gives Assurance of his utmost Endeavours in order to accomplish the late King's Restauration complains of keeping * Melfort Mills in the Ministry who has ruin'd all the late King's Affairs in England That two of * Melfort Mills's Friends viz. My Lord Alis and Sr. Robert Ham assur'd him there was no need of it he had writ to Mills * Melfort to withdraw himself for some Time and therefore hopes the late Queen will take better Measures for the future Another Letter dated March 1694 and directed to Mr. James Clynch * Crosby says I receiv'd yours of January the 26th with that inclos'd for Mr. * Melfort May which was very full and satisfactory he order'd me to make a fair Copy of it to send to Elizabeth * The French Court. Ferguson Franklin that which our Friend * Robin writ did not a little quiet my Spirit if some Persons had not rendred every thing falsly to Mr. * French King Knowles we should not have wanted to supply all the Manufactories wherein it is as plain to him as us he could not lay out his Money to a more considerable Advantage For if
the late King James and all his Adherents And in case His Majesty come to any Violent or Untimely Death which God forbid We do hereby further freely and unanimously oblige our selves to Unite Associate and Stand by each other in revenging the same upon his Enemies and their Adherents and in supporting and defending the Succession of the Crown according to an Act made in the first Year of the Reign of King William and Queen Mary Intituled an Act declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Settling the Succession of the Crown His Majesty receiv'd it very Graciously and express'd his Sence of their Extraordinary Zeal and Fidelity in the Words following Gentlemen I Take this as a most convincing and most acceptable Evidence of your Affection And as you have freely Associated your selves for our common Safety I do heartily enter into the same Association and will be always ready with you and the rest of my Good Subjects to venture my Life against all who shall endeavour to subvert the Religion Laws and Liberties of England The House of Lords also presented their Association not long after which being almost the same for Brevity sake is here omitted The House of Commons then proceeded to make Laws for the Security of His Majesties Person and Government containing these Heads First That such as shall refuse to take the Oaths of Fidelity to His Majesty shall be subject to the Forfeitures and Penalties of Popish Recusants Convict Secondly To inflict Penalties on all that by Writing or otherwise Declare that King William is not Lawful and Rightful King of these Realms Thirdly To ratify and confirm the Association Fourthly That no Person shall be capable of any Office of Profit or Trust Civil or Military that shall not sign the Association Fifthly That whenever it shall please God to afflict these Nations by the Death of his Present Majesty that the Parliament then in being shall not be dissolv'd thereby but shall continue till the next Heir to the Crown in Succession dissolve them Whilst the Parliament were thus providing Good Laws for the Preservation of His Majesty and the Peace and Safety of the Kingdom three of the Assassins viz. Robert Charnock Edward King and Thomas Keys were on the 11th of March 1695 try'd and upon full Evidence being all found guilty of high Treason receiv'd Sentence of Death accordingly at the Sessions-House in the Old-Baily And upon March the 18th 1695 were all executed at Tyburn Before their Execution the Malefactors severally deliver'd each his Paper to the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex in which Papers they all confest themselves Guilty of the Crimes they were accused of and then about to suffer for Mr. Charnock in these Words as concerning an Invasion intended by King James upon England and that there was certain Intelligence of it from abroad I presume every Body was satisfi'd and to the facilitating of which I own that my self and some others did agree upon the Undertaking to attack the Prince of Orange and his Guards for which I am now to suffer Mr. King in these Words I am now within a few Moments of Eternity brought to this Place by the just Hand of God in Punishment of all my Crimes but particularly of that of which I have been lately Arraigned and for which I stand here Condemned Mr. Keyes in these Words God is just in all his Judgments and I accept of this Death as the Punishment of my Iniquities Sir John Friend also own'd himself guilty of the Treason he dy'd for in endeavouring to justify it in these Words To assist King James in the Recovery of his Right is Justifiable and our Duty Sir William Perkins confessed at his Execution that he was privy to the Design upon the Prince meaning King William that he was intirely in the Interest of King James and looked upon it as his Duty to assist him in the Recovery of his Throne Now that these two contrary to the Example of Charnock justified their Treasons must be attributed to the blind Zeal and Rebellious Principles of those Clergy Men who administred Absolution without any Precedent Confession in direct Opposition to the Laws of that Church whereof they would be thought Members but those Proceedings being Sentenc'd by fourteen * See the Declaration of the Sence of the Arch-Bishops Bishops c. Reverend Bishops all that were then in London and consented to by the rest that were absent I refer the Reader to their Lordships printed Paper for further Satisfaction and shall only add 't is the Leaders of these People that cause them to err Sir John Fenwick who was attainted by Parliament and beheaded on Tower-Hill January 28 1696 was the last that suffered for these treasonable Practices against the King and Government At the place of Execution he delivered a Paper to the Sheriff which can be called his for no other reason but because he owned it to be so for the Paper is so closely couch'd to avoid the danger of unwary Digressions so cautiously writ to prevent Reflections and so artificially adapted to humour the Party and not irritate the Government that if compared with what was truly his own no Man can think Sr. John was the Author of it who without Complement had no such extraordinary Talent in speaking or writing Let us take a transient View of it If Sir John Fenwick was of the Communion of the Church of England this Paper does not truly represent him for it is a Scandal to the Purity of her Doctrin and wholly inconsistent with the Simplicity Fidelity and Candour which that Church requires in her dying Members The Author of Sir John's dying Paper would fain excuse him from the guilt of Treason because he was for the lineal Descent but if by lineal Descent he means the next in Blood he is as great a Stranger to our Histories as to our Laws for the lineal Descent was broken as early as Edward the Confessor both in his taking and leaving the Crown at his Death besides many other Presidents of it's Interruption since * By Will 2d By Hen. 1st By K. Stephen By King John and King Ed. 2d and Rich. 2d both deposed by Parliament c. and in this I find he had a bad Tutor for our Laws and not our Religion does determine our Loyalty and in the Matter of Succession are the indubitable Guides of English-Men He thinks the Deposing King James was Illegal but that 's a grand Mistake for what can be more criminal and dangerous to the Being of any Polity than to restrain and disable the Legislative Authority from providing a Remedy against the greatest Mischief that can happen to a Community Since no Government can support it self without an unlimited Power to correct Abuses and provide for the Happiness of the People nor no civil Establishment in the World be of any Duration in Safety unless it be controulable and alterable to the Publick Good All human