A True ACCOUNT AND DECLARATION OF The Horrid Conspiracy Against the Late KING His Present MAJESTY AND THE GOVERNMENT As it was Order'd to be Published by His Late Majesty The Third EDITION In the SAVOY Printed by Thomas Newcomb One of His Majesties Printers 1685. JAMES R. OVR Will and Pleasure is and We do hereby Appoint Thomas Newcomb One of Our Printers to Print this Account and Declation and that no other Person presume to Print the same as they will answer the contrary Given at Our Court at Whitehal the 23 Day of May 1685. in the First Year of Our Reign By His Majesties Command Sunderland JAMES R. JAMES the Second By the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Whereas Our Dearest Brother the late King of ever Blessed Memory gave special Order in His Life-time for Drawing up the following Account and Declaration of the Horrid Conspiracy against His Sacred Person and Ours and had provided that the Substance of it should be Impartially Collected out of Original Papers and unquestionable Records and was Himself pleased to direct in what Method it should be digested taking particular Care that the Truth of the whole Narration should have such Clearness and Strength as it might deserve to be owned by Himself Accordingly it was Composed and ready for the Press when it pleased Almighty God to take that Excellent Prince to his Mercy And whereas it is but too evident that the same Hellish Plot is not entirely extinguished but that divers of the Wicked Actors in it are still carrying on new Contrivances against the Happy Peace of Our Dominions We cannot but judge it seasonable in this Juncture of Time to have Our Subjects reminded of the Rise Progress and Mischievous Designs of that desperate Confederacy To this end having first Read and Examined this Account and Declaration that We might be the better able to give Our Royal Testimony as We do by these Presents to the Faithfulness and Certainty of the whole Relation We have caused it to be now Printed and Published Given at Our Court at Whitehal the 21 day of May 1685. in the First Year of Our Reign By His Majesties Command Sunderland The Rye House Malting House Outward Court Yard From the Meadow to the Court Wall 250 pases Corne Chambers and stables formerly Called flouings Roe the narrow passage 25 feet wide Bridg the Road from Hoddensdon to Bishop stafford Ware River Between Ware River and the Moat is 87 feet Great Parlor Parlor Court yard Hall Kitchin Gate house the south Front next the roade Garden Moat A True ACCOUNT OF THE Horrid Conspiracy Against the Late KING His Present MAJESTY And the GOVERNMENT THE KING has thought fit to lay open and to declare to the World An Exact Account of the late Accursed Conspiracy which was actually form'd and carried on in England and set on foot in Scotland against His own and his only and dearest Brothers Life and against the Peaceable and Flourishing Government of His Majesties Kingdoms as far forth as hitherto the Particulars of it have come to His Knowledge by the Voluntary Confessions or undeniable Convictions of divers of the Principal Conspirators By this faithfully representing the plain Matter of Fact though perhaps all the Groundless Suggestions and Malicious Insinuations of Factious Men will not be wholly put to silence it being their old and constant Artifice to support and incourage their Party by Impudent Slanders and Falshoods against the clearest Light and most evident Proof Yet however His Majesty will have the Satisfaction hereby to confirm the Loyalty and good Affections of all His loving Subjects at Home and to establish Abroad the Reputation and Honour of His Royal Justice And moreover which His Majesty most of all regards this Publick and Lasting Testimony will be given of His sincere Thankfulness to Almighty God for that Miraculous Deliverance from a Danger which came so near His Sacred Person and was so far spread in the Ruine it threaten'd to all His People It is well known what mischievous Arts of late Years have been used and what Treasonable Courses taken to withdraw these Nations from their bounden Duty and Allegiance and to expose His Majesties most Just and Merciful Government to Calumny and Contempt The Rebellious Design having been apparently carried on by all sorts of Malecontents whom either their Crimes or Wants their furious Zeal or unbounded Ambition inclined to wish for a Disturbance of the Peace and Prosperity which His Majesties Dominions have so long injoy'd to the Envy of all His Neighbours To this wicked purpose many the very same fatal Methods and specious Pretences which in the Days of His Majesties Glorious Father had involved these Kingdoms in Confusion and Blood were once again revived and by many the very same Persons Men of crafty restless and implacable Spirits impenitent after the most Gracious Pardons whom long Experience had made skilful in seducing weak and unstable Minds by counterfeiting the plausible Names of things in themselves most excellent but most dangerous when abused such as Liberty Property Conscience and Religion By these wretched Instruments was this most gentle and benign Government again reproached with Tyranny and Arbitrary Power The Church of England was once more Traduced as Popishly affected The most able Officers and faithfullest Servants of the Crown again Reviled under the odious Title of Evil Councellours In the mean time Sedition and Schism were every where promoted unreasonable Fears suggested vain Suspicions of future Dangers augmented to destroy the present Tranquility desperate Speeches infamous Libels Traiterous Books swarm'd in all places and under colour of the only True Protestant the worst of all Unchristian Principles were put in practise all the old Republican and Antimonarchical Doctrines whose Effects had formerly prov'd so dismal were now again as confidently own'd and asserted as ever they had been during the hottest Rage of the late unhappy Troubles From these Preparations to a new Rebellion the Party began by degrees to proceed to Action Distinctions of Sides were made Names and Tokens of Separation were given Illegal Conventicles were maintained in defiance of the Laws of God and Man Tumultuous Feasts and Factious Clubs were set up in City and Country Close and Seditious Meetings haunted Frequent Cabals appointed and by Men of high degree with the lowest Great Stores of Arms provided by private Persons Insolent Progresses made through divers Countries thereby to glory in their Numbers and to carry far and near the Terrour of their Power and even to Muster their Party ready for some sudden Blow or general Insurrection All these and many more such Personal Indignities and Publick Assaults on the Government His Majesty long endured with the same Mildness and Clemency wherewith he had already forgiven the highest Crimes against himself His Royal Goodness still patiently expecting and wishing that in time
for his turn in any desperate Attempt By His Majesties Favour upon his Royal Highness's Intercession he got possess'd of a very considerable Office in the Customs of Bristol which having sold he afterwards most ungratefully became the said Earls entire Cteature and Dependant Nor was he ever a profess'd Papist as since his Confession the Party has given out that he was according to their wonted Impudence of Lying Thomas Shepard Merchant of the City of London one of a plentiful Estate and eminent Repute as any of his Rank on the Exchange But a Violent Nonconformist and Disciple of Ferguson's The two Goodenoughs Richard and Francis both Notorious Enemies of the Establish'd Government in Church and State During all the time of the Factious Citizens most furious Eruptions against Authority they had been both for some Years by turns Under-Sheriffs of London and Middlesex so that the whole wicked Mystery and Trade of packing the Ignoramus Juries pass'd through their Hands Major Holms a Fifth-Monarchy-Man an old Army-Officer a Confident of Cromwel's and Trustee for his Family In the late Times of Usurpation he was a Major in the English Army in Scotland where he became acquainted with the Earl of Argyle and was since made intimate to all his Treasonable Purposes Richard Rumbald Maltster another old Anny-Officer a desperate and bloody Ravilliac who had often before laid Designs for the KlNG's Murder which God as often prevented by some signal Providence William Rumbald his Brother worthy of such a Brother Aaron Smith a furious Fanatick who amongst many other Seditious Practices was a Factious Solicitor for College the the Joyner and with unparalell'd boldness dared to menace the Government and to put a Libel into that notorious Malefactors hands before the Judges faces at the very time of his Tryal for which High Misdemeanor he has since fallen under the censure of the Law William Hone a Joyner a melancholy Enthusiast of College's Trade and Spirit who besides a large Confession of his and others share in this Conspiracy did also frankly own at his Tryal and Death that many Years before he had proposed and design'd the Killing of the King out of Bow-Steeple as His Majesty was passing to Guild-Hall John Rouse a busie Agent in all the Tumultuous Proceedings of the City Elections Zachary Bourn a Brewer Son to an obstinate Independent and he himself one of Ferguson's Hosts and Familiars Thomas Lea a Dyer Andrew Barber both Anabaptists However these three last mention'd did in some measure expiate their Guilt by their ingenious and voluntary Confessions John Ayloff a Lawyer the very Man who in a spightful defiance of His Majesties Government did many Years since venture to put a French Wooden Shooe into the Speakers Chair of the House of Commons Nor has the rest of his Life since come short of the insufferable Insolence of that Action Joseph Tyley Edward Norton Edward Wade Richard Nelthrop Robert West all of them Republican Lawyers their Hatred of the Government transporting them to be Factious against the known Interest of their own Profession These were all Men of Crafty Heads and Nimble Tongues restless Spreaders of false News bold Talkers in Seditious Clubs where according to the corrupt fashion of those Times the most profligate Persons of all Conditions were wont openly to Arraign the Monarchy and vilifie the Church under the fair shows of amending both and a tender Concernment for the Publick Good Next in the Kingdom of Scotland the Names of the chief Instruments who are already proved to have transacted that part of the Conspiracy under the Conduct and Influence of the late Earl of Argyle and who since well nigh all to a Man but those that escaped on the first Notice of the Discovery have made ample Declarations of their Guilt are these Sir Hugh and Sir John Campbell near Relations of the said Earls and as much the profess'd Enemies of their Countries Peace and Government Sir John Cockran Mr. William Baillie Men egregiously disaffected to the Government and therefore of considerable Interest with its most desperate Enemies in both Kingdoms These together with Monroe were the Persons desired by the English Managers to come up to London and Treat of a Joint Conspiracy with their Brethren here under the disguise of Planting Carolina At the same time Lieutenant Colonel Walcot was call'd out of Ireland for the same end but under colour of being the intended Governour of that Plantation To this purpose they were first invited hither by the Earl of Shaftsbury and after his Death again sent for by a Particular Messenger Accordingly they actually came up and Negotiated here some time in order to a firm Conjunction between the Traytors of both Nations for a general Rising Nor was the Treaty wholly broke off or adjusted at the very time when the Discovery broke forth To these are to be added James Steuart Son to Sir James Steuart sometimes Provost of Edenburgh He was fitted for such a design by his hot and fiery Temper and by his Education and his Fathers Example who together with most of his Relations were violent Covenanters This Man was the Author of the Libel call'd The Scottish Grievances The Lord Melvil descended from Progenitors of such Principles as have been ever against the Crown when they have fancied their Kings not Zealous for the Reformation This Man had the Management of the Duke of Monmouth's Affairs in Scotland many Years And when the Duke march'd against the Rebels near Bothwel-Bridge the said Melvil as the Earl of Shaftsbury had advis'd sent to them to Capitulate assuring them the Duke of Monmouth had Orders to give them good Conditions and when they would not submit Melvil was over-heard to say That all was lost For the Beating of them would lose the said Duke with his Friends in England Sir Patrick Hume of Polwart who kept Correspondence with Shaftsbury many Years and had been formerly Imprison'd in Scotland for Traiterous Expressions Pringle Laird of Tordwoodlie a noted Fanatick and of Antimonarchical Principles from his Infancy Denham of East-Sheels just such another but less cautious and more headstrong Montgomery of Lenshaw a Covenanter to the highest degree of Bigottry Commissary Monroe who had well serv'd His Majesty in the Wars as an active brave Man But upon some Injuries he pretended to have receiv'd from the Duke of Lauderdail he grew enrag'd to such a degree as led him into these Courses which now make him so uneasie to himself that he has often begg'd of his Keeper to kill him for such an ungrateful Wretch should not live Hugh Scot Laird of Gallowsheels James Murray Laird of Philiphaugh both zealous Sticklers for the Field-Conventicle-Meetings Besides these the Principal Scottish Agents there were divers other inferior Emissaries of that Nation who went to and fro to carry on the Traiterous Intercourse between Scotland and England and with the Earl of Argyle in Holland Such as William Carstares a Scotch Conventicle-Preacher to a
the constant sacrilegious way of the whole Party to intitle the Almighty to their greatest Impieties said at parting God would yet deliver the Nation though he did not approve of the present Instruments And Ferguson to keep up the same Character of remorseless Villany to the last took his leave of them in these very words That he perceived they were Strangers to this kind of Exercise but he had been used to fly and would never be out of a Plot as long as he liv'd and that he hoped yet to meet some of them at Dunbar before Michaelmas Now a day or two before this their final separation the King and his Council began to be convinc'd of the truth of Keeling's Evidence by a full knowledge of the Witnesses Character and by the firmness and consistency of his Tistimony besides many other concurring Circumstances Wherefore His Majesty order'd Warrants should be issued out against the Persons accus'd whereof some absconded others were taken Of these last divers confirm'd what Keeling had sworn and named others as Partakers in the Treason Whereupon more and more appearing every day to have been engaged Proclamations were Publish'd in England and Scotland for their speedy Apprehension By this means through the Providence of God so many of them were either seiz'd or deliver'd themselves up as have irrefragably confirm'd every part of the foregoing Account What became of the several Conspirators will appear by the following List Of the ENGLISH SIR Thomas Armstrong presently after fled beyond the Seas where he remain'd till the next Year when he was surpriz'd at Leyden in Holland brought into England and receiv'd the deserv'd reward of his Horrid Ingratitude and Treasons John Ayloff fled and withdrew from Justice and stands Outlaw'd upon that account Andrew Barber was taken and freely confess'd Robert Blaney came in and confess'd what was done and said at the Trayterous Meeting at Colonel Romze's House James Burton fled and is also Outlaw'd for Treason William Blagg a Sea Captain was taken try'd and acquitted there being but one positive Evidence against him Zechary Bourn was seiz'd on in Essex as he was making his escape into Holland and largely confess'd afterwards Colonel Danvers of Newington was taken and dismiss'd upon Bail He has since Publish'd a most Malicious and Scandalous Libel against His Majesty For which he is fled The Earl of Essex taken at his House in Hertfordshire and committed Prisoner to the Tower Richard and Francis Goodenough both fled and since Outlaw'd The Lord Gray of Wark was seiz'd on examin'd before His Majesty and order'd to be sent to the Tower But in his going thither by the negligence of the Serjeant at Arms he made his escape got beyond Sea from the Coast of Sussex and is now also Outlaw'd John Hambden Junior taken Tryed for High Crimes and Misdemeanors Condemn'd in 40000 l. Fine and Imprisonment Major Holms taken in London he confess'd the Correspondence with the Earl of Argyle whereof the Key was intrusted with him and some others James Holloway fled was taken at Mevis in the West-Indies and sent back into England confess'd and was Executed William Hone in his flight was taken in Cambridgeshire He made his first Confession at Cambridge the substance of which he afterwards own'd upon all occasions to his Death Joseph How was taken and confess'd The Lord Howard of Escrick was taken in his House at Knightsbridge hid behind the Hangings of his Chamber and at length confess'd Thomas Lea the Dyer was taken and confess'd The Duke of Monmouth withdrew upon the first Proclamation wherein he was Named and lay hid for divers Months till he render'd himself and confess'd Edward Norton fled and is Outlaw'd John Nisbet fled was taken in Essex ready to go beyond Sea He was the Author of the Letter of Trade written to Gourdon a Scotch-Man under the Name of Pringle John Rouse taken Try'd Condemn'd Executed making at his Death a Penitent Confession John Row once Sword-Bearer Bristol fled upon the first Discovery as did also both the Rumbalds They are all three Outlaw'd Colonel Romzey first absconded then render'd himself and confess'd The Lord Russel taken at his House in Southampton-Square Try'd Condemn'd Beheaded He confess'd enough to shew his Crime but not his Repentance Thomas Shepard hid himfelf but soon came in and frankly confess'd Aaron Smith had kept secret some time before because of a Sentence against him for high Misdeameanors But was taken and is still a Prisoner Colonel Algernoon Sydney taken Try'd Condemn'd Beheaded William Wade Joseph Tyley fled and are Outlaw'd Colonel Thomas Walcot first retired then sent a Letter to Mr. Secretary Jenkins plainly acknowledging That the Plot was laid very deep and wide promising to discover more if he might have hopes of Pardon But before he could receive an answer the Conscience and fright of his own Guilt made him withdraw from the place where he had appointed to stay for it He was soon after taken Arraign'd Condemn'd Executed persevering to the last in the main of his Confession Robert West withdrew for a time but then gave himself up and has amply confess'd Besides these there were divers others at first secured but afterwards dimiss'd by course of Law as the Lord Brandon Mr. Booth Major Wildman Mr. John Trenchard Major Breman Mr. Charlton this last having been taken in disguise Of the SCOTS MR. James Steuart Brother to the Laird of Cultness had fled out of Scotland a short time after the Earl of Argyle upon occasion of dangerous Papers taken in his keeping Thereafter he transacted only by Letters and Negotiations remaining out of danger beyond the Seas Commissary Monroe and the two Campbells of Cessnock were taken The Lord Melvin Sir John Cockran and Ferguson escap'd divers ways though Ferguson stay'd some time in Town after the Discovery in hopes still of obtaining Bills of the Mony to be remitted into Holland William Bayley of Jerviswood was seiz'd on in London convey'd to Edenburgh and there Try'd and lately Executed William Carstares William Spence Alexander Gourdon of Earlston taken the two first in Town the last at Newcastle By the positive Confession of these three Scotch men together with that of Major Holms who were the Earl of Argyle's chief Agents in this business was the first greatest light given of the said Earls part in the Conspiracy Of these Alexander Gourdon Laird of Earlston was a Zealous Field-Conventicler and had been a Bothwel-Bridge Rebel Where upon the rout of their Army his Father was kill'd and he taken Prisoner Having afterwards got his Liberty he became Sollicitor for the Faction in England and Holland under pretence of collecting Contributions for maintaining such of them as were denounc'd Fugitives for which purpose he had a formal Commission sign'd and seal'd in the Name of the General Assembly of their Party at Edenburgh Before any Discovery he was taken at Newcastle under a feigned Name endeavouring to get a passage beyond the Seas About him were
seiz'd divers Original Papers which as soon as he was made Prisoner he try'd to make privately away but the Kings Officers observing his design secur'd them Amongst these Papers there was one very remarkable Letter written to him under another Counterfeit Name of Pringle The Composer of it was John Nisbet one of Argyle's Agents in London It was dated March the 20th of that Year when the Conspiracy was in the heighth It gives a perfect account of their Condition at that time during the Transactions between the English and Scottish Traytors Whilst they sometimes hoped the Treaty would take effect sometimes fear'd it would break off without coming to any Resolution Amongst many other mysterious intimations of Treason Nisbet tells him That Trading being very low here and many breaking daily desperate Diseases must have desperate Cures That while they had some Stock left it would be better to venture out than to keep Shop till all be gone for after this they should not be able to act but must let all go That he had been shew'd a Model of Affairs in such order as he saw venture they must and venture they would That now they knew what Goods had been most prejudicial to the Trade And therefore for the future resolv'd to insist only on Negatives this being the best way to still some Criticks of the Trade That they would first endeavour to dispatch the Old Stuff That some Stock was to be got to set the broken Merchants up again That if all holds that is intended it is almost time to set forward if they had but their Factors and Emissaries home who are gone forth to try how Countries will like their Goods That they will return within a Week Then matters will in instanti off or on Break or go through That if any strange thing should fall out in the mean time he would post it to him That things were full as High as he had Written These are some amongst divers others of the Covert Significations of the Conspiracy contain'd in Nisbet's Letter which being taken about Gourdon and sent with him into Scotland after divers Examinations before the Council there he plainly detected what was the true sense hidden under the Mystical Style of every Expression in the whole Letter Particularly That by the Merchants here being low and often breaking was meant the Prosecution of Dissenters by Excommunications or other legal ways That therefore they had resolved upon a desperate Cure which was Rising in Arms That the Model of Affairs which would make them venture was the Method then going on in order to a Rising That by only insisting on Negatives was intended the Conspirators agreeing what they should pull down which was the whole Government but not determining positively at first what they should set up That by Criticks in the Trade were design'd the old Scotch Fanaticks who had so often rebell'd That Excluding the old Rotten Stuff was the Destruction of the entire Frame of the antient Constituon Civil and Ecclesiastical That the Broken Merchants to be set up were the baffled Scotch-Whigs to be spirited again with new assistance That their being here at a point to set forward was the English Conspirators being ready for a Rendezvous That the Factors and Emissaries were People sent forth through England and Scotland to try Mens Inclinations towards a General Insurrection That by saying That upon those Factors return Matters would be soon on or off was intended that when their Agents were come back to give an account of their success accordingly the Design would be either deferr'd longer or they should instantly rise That the strange thing mention'd was a speedy Insurrection That by things being full as high as he had written was imply'd the Rebellion was almost ripe and ready to break forth This is the substance of the Interpretation of the Letter of Trade that Gourdon of Earlston gave in upon Oath at several Examinations He moreover confess'd That upon receipt of this Letter he presently came into England where he had frequent Conferences with Nisbet touching the Contents of every Clause in it who always understood it in this sense That by him and divers others he was made fully acquainted with the Treaty then going on in London and with the Earl of Argyle's Correspondence with the Persons treating for a speedy Rebellion in both Nations Another Scotch-Man whose cleer and undoubted Testimony has put this Confederacy between the English and Scotch Traytors out of all Question is William Carstares who had been a Zealous and Fierce Preacher to the Sectaries of both Kingdoms And was formerly Prisoner in Edenburgh-Castle being accus'd for publishing a Treasonable Pamphlet call'd The Grievances of Scotland At that time he was much employ'd in many Messages relating to this Conspiracy Especially with Major Holms in dispersing the Earl of Argyle's Libellous Books and carrying too and fro his Letters in which Carstares pass'd under the Name of Read He was apprehended at Tenterden in Kent seeking an opportunity of flying beyond Sea He was taken under the Name of William Swan then declar'd his true Name was Moor but at last own'd it was Carstares This Carstares being brought before the the King and refusing to confess any more than some general Hints alledging That it was no place for him to answer in a Criminal Matter Upon that he was sent into Scotland where being Examined before the Lords of the Secret Committee September 8th 1684 he confess'd and afterwards renew'd and confirm'd the same Confession November 18th and December 22th of the same Year His Deposition having been already made Publick it will be enough only to note some special Heads of what he deposed He confess'd That James Steuart Brother to the Laird of Cultness wrote to him out of Holland in November or December 1682. the Letter importing That if a considerable Sum of Mony could be procur'd from England something of Importance might be done in Scotland That this Letter he Communicated to Shepard and he to Colonel Sydney Danvers being present That Shepard return'd answer Mr. Sydney was averse from medling with the Earl of Argyle suspecting him to be too much inclin'd to the Royal Family and the present Government That the said Carstares still urg'd one might be sent to the Earl of Argyle That not being able to obtain this for the foresaid Reason he himself went into Holland was introduced to the Earl and there discours'd with him particularly about remitting the Money to him from England and raising 1000 Horse and Dragoons and surprizing Edenburgh-Castle That the Earls answer was The Castles would fall to them of course after that the Work was done abroad That without a Thousand Horse and Dragoons rais'd in England to be ready to assist them nothing could be done That if such a Number could be rais'd he would come into Scotland with them whereby he guess'd he might get that Country without trouble having such a standing Body for their Friends to
then it would be convenient to surprize Berwick Stirling and some other strong places That some Persons should be employ'd to inquire what Arms were in the Country That it was resolv'd every one should speak to and prepare such particular Persons as they could trust not at first in plain terms but indirectly and upon supposition of a Rising in England That there was a Word and Sign to be used among them the Sign was by loosing a Button on the Breast the word was Harmony That it was agreed among them all that the best time for Argyle to Land was when there should be a Stir in England Stir being the word which these Scotch Traytors and the Lord Russel used to express what in plain English is call'd open Rebellion In the like manner Commissary Alexander Monroe depos'd upon Oath That the Earl of Tarras did propose to him that Mr. Baillie might be made one of the Commissioners for the Affair of Carolina That he did go along with Mr. Baillie to London and heard him by the way regretting the hazard their Laws Liberties and the Protestant Religion were in That Mr. Baillie spoke to the Deponent more than once at London for getting Mony from the English to be sent to Argyle to bring home Arms for the said Argyle's use to raise an Insurrection in Scotland That in Baillie's Chamber in London William Veitch a Forefault that is a declared Traytor being present Sir John Cockran did expresly speak of Mony to be sent to Argyle for the foresaid purpose That on another occasion he heard some of them say there would be 20000 Men in Scotland ready to assist the Rebellion That Mr. Robert Martin was sent down from that Meeting in Baillie's Chamber to Scotland to try what the Scots would do for their own Safety That is was agreed the People of Scotland should Rise when there was a Rising in England That the Commission was granted to Martin by all the Persons present who were the Lord Melvil Sir John Cockran the Cessnocks Elder and Younger Mr. William Carstares Mr. William Veitch Jerviswood and the Deponent who did all contribute Money towards his Journey That Martin at his return from Scotland meeting with the Deponent told him Matters were in such a Condition there as a little would kindle the Fire in order to a Rebellion Then also James Murray Laird of Philiphaugh confess'd and deposed upon Oath That in May 1683. upon a Letter from Mr. Pringle of Torwoodlie to invite him to his House he came where he found Mr. Martin lately come from London That upon discourse Martin told them the City was much irritated through some Attempts upon their Privileges but that all honest Men were of good heart and very brisk That Torwoodlie then told the Deponent he expected the Earl of Tarras having sent for him because Martin had a Letter directed to him from Jerviswood Torwoodlie adding That there were great Matters in Agitation at London that Martin was come down with a Commission to their Friends here but he was to Communicate his Instructions only to Polwart and himself who were to pitch on such Persons as they thought fit to intrust with the Affair That he had great confidence in the Deponent and therefore had sent to acquaint him that things were now come to a Crisis That he had reason to think England would shortly be in Arms That it was no Project of an inconsiderable Party but a Design through the Kingdom That many of the finest Men and of greatest Interest and Credit were engaged in it there and had agreed for the advancing Mony to furnish Arms here That Polwart would be at Gallowshiels that Night and it would be necessary the Earl of Tarras and the Deponent should confer with him fully on the Business That about this time the Earl of Tarras came who retired a little to discourse with Martin That then Torwoodlie told the Deponent that although Martin would not Commune with them upon his Commission directly yet it would be fit they conferr'd and without taking notice of his Commission discours'd of things as their own private Notions abstracted from any prospect of a present Design That accordingly after Dinner they four retired to a Chamber and after some general talk of the Discontents of both Kingdoms these Suppositions following were discours'd of Martin starting all or most of them If the Country Party in England should have thoughts of going into Arms what could be expected here in such a case Would it not be expedient to have a setled Correspondence between that Party there and here Might it not be so adjusted that both Kingdoms should draw out in one day Might not as many be expected in these Shires and about Edenburgh as would surprize the Rulers and some to joyn with the English on the Borders and seize on Berwick others to attempt Stirling-Castle If Argyle should at the same time Land in the West and raise that Country would not these Measures contribute much to the Advancement and Interest of the Party Incourage all that had an Inclination to them and scare many others from acting against them And so they might have leisure to joyn from all places And then might it not be expected there would be as many in this Kingdom as would be able to deal with the Forces here at least divert them from troubling England These Queries being propos'd it was answered That as to setling a Correspondence it was very convenient for those of a Common Interest but none could be found here fit to manage it that would undertake it That as to trysting that is to say Rising at the same time that could not be done without divulging the Design to all Ranks of People which none would consent to except those already in desperate Circumstances and they would not generally have much Influence That the thing was not at all adviseable for Scotland because if those in England especially in London the Spring of their motions should happen to have an Interruption near the time appointed then the Scots not having timely notice might rise alone and so be expos'd as a Prey That Argyle's coming was not much to be relied on by reason of the uncertainty of Sea-Voyages That he might himself be suspected of private Designs that Despair might blind his usual Prudence and prompt him to indigested Methods so it was expected few of the Gentry but such as were under very hard Circumstances would embarque with him That as to the surprizing their Rulers it was inveigh'd against as an Action not to be thought of amongst Protestants That then Martin told the Company if any had a mind for a suit of Armour he could provide as many as pleas'd of a new Fashion very light and of an easie rate from one who had made a great many lately for honest Men in London That then all the Company except Martin went to Gallowshiels House where they met him and Polwart That after Supper
Tiviot-Dale and Selkirk-Shire would joyn with them The said Gallowshiels had also deposed before the Lords of the Secret Committee That the Earl of Tarras and Philiphaugh being in his House in May discours'd of an intended Rising in England and in London in particular and of Proposals made to the Scots to rise with them That Polwart was there present and told them he was sure the English intended so That they discours'd it was fit to seize Berwick and Stirling It was also talk'd of bringing the Duke of York to his Tryal The said Gallowshiels deposed farther before the Lords of the Committee That in the Month of May 1683. the Earl of Tarras Hume of Polwart the Elder and the Laird of Philiphaugh came to the Deponents House where they spake of the security of the Protestant Religion and of a Party in England who would secure or seize the King or Duke That if any should rise in Arms to defend or rescue them there was another Party who would rise against them That it was proposed some Country-men should be spoken to to try their Resolutions That it was likewise proposed to seize the Officers of State That it was there said Sir John Cockran was to come to the West from England to advance the Design That the Earl of Argyle was to Land in the West Highlands to raise that Country That of these Matters all that were present discours'd as of an Affair they were agitating and wherein themselves were particularly concern'd These several plain and full Proofs together with the Depositions of Carstares before mentioned being also strengthen'd by the Confessions of Thomas Shepard and Zechary Bourn and all exhibited at the Trial of William Baillie of Jerviswood were not only over-abundantly sufficient to convince the Person accused of his particular share in the Guilt but they also remain as so many standing and indubitable Testimonies of the Truth of the whole Conspiracy between the English and Scotch Rebels After all this how is it possible that the most audacious of the Factious Party of both Nations notwithstanding their being so expert in driving on the Trade of Lying and traducing their Governours should ever have any tolerable colour of probability to invalidate or discredit the undoubted Evidence of so many Witnesses most of them Men of high Quality great Estates potent Interests all of them Zealous and indefatigable Assertors of the Rebellious Cause and this Evidence given in by them at first voluntarily and often again reiterated and adher'd to against Baillie their Chief Companion in Iniquity their near Kinsman and Friend As for Baillie of Jerviswood himself the Persons who pass'd upon his Assize did with one Voice find the Crimes of Art and Part in the Conspiracy and of concealing and not revealing the same clearly proved against him Whereupon he was adjudg'd to suffer the Punishment of a Traytor His Life and Death being such as might be expected from the Nephew and Son-in-Law of the Old Arch Traytor Warriston in whose Family he was bred up and tutor'd under his Discipline according to his Principles Such were the chief Steps the Scotch Conspirators had made in their part of the Treasonable Design as far as through the Divine Favour it has been hitherto traced out by the Extraordinary Diligence Wisdom and Integrity of His Majesties present Ministers in that Kingdom For the Readers clearer comprehending the whole progress of the Villany the King thought best to have it thus represented in one view and put all together in an uninterrupted course of Narration Though by this Methoddivers things have been already spoken of which in the natural course of time happen'd after the several material passages that remain yet unmention'd relating to the English part of the Conspiracy Wherefore to return to the Year 1683 and to what happen'd in England that Summer shortly after the first Discovery His Majesty having now received irresistible Proof of the certainty of the Wicked and unnatural Design that the World might have the like Conviction resolv'd speedily to bring some of the most Notorious Malefactors to a fair and open Tryal The first Person who was put upon justifying himself was Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Walcot on the Twelfth of July of that Year Against him divers Witnesses were produced who in their Depositions first gave some distinct account of the Plot in General and then of the particular share the Prisoner at the Bar had in it As to what concerned Walcot himself Colonel Romzey first deposed That the said Walcot came out of Holland with Ferguson after Shaftsbury 's Death That he came to West 's Chamber where he was present when a List was brought of the Assassines and agreed to joyn with them intending to Command a Party to charge the Guards That he undertook to go and view Rumbald 's House and bought a Horse for that purpose That he was present at the dividing of London into twenty parts in order to an Insurrection and at the Consult for buying of Arms after the disappointment at the Rye That he was at the Meeting for carrying on the Conspiracy on Thursday before the Discovery That after it they met at Captain Tracies Walcot's own Lodgings himself being present Next Josiah Keeling swore That Walcot was at the Trayterous Assembly at the Salutation-Tavern when the Deponent was called Gulick and a Health drunk to the English Gulick West saying that Gulick in Dutch was Keeling in English adding He hoped to see Keeling at the Head of as good an Army at Wapping as it was reported one Gulick was then at Cologne Then Zechary Bourn witnessed That Walcot used to come to Ferguson when he lodg'd at his House That Walcot and several others met at the Dragon on Snow-Hill and often in other places in order to raise Men and divide the City into twenty parts for securing the King and the Duke That almost every time they met at least three times the Prisoner at the Bar was there That he was at the Meeting at Tracies where they debated of standing to it with Swords in their Hands and of kiliing Keeling for having made the Discovery Robert West's Testimony concerring him went somewhat farther back He deposed That he became acquainted with Walcot the Summer before when he told the Deponent the Carolina Business was only a Pretence That he ask'd the Deponent upon the Election of the Sheriffs Will the People do nothing to secure themselves Thereupon acquainting him with an Insurrection then design'd within three weeks or a month That Shaftsbury was in the Design and had engaged him also That he had an Expectation of being Colonel of Horse asking the said West Whether he would have any Command under him That upon his refusal he desired him to lend him a Suit of Silk Armour That the said Walcot told him of several Designs to Attack the King and the Duke That in the Business of the Rye he undertook to Command the Party that was to set upon