them that supposing they should effect what they talked of it could not be expected that if the Duke of Monmouth should be Crowned but in Honour and for his own Vindication he must search out the Assassins and both Try and Execute them So that instead of expecting a Reward they must lose their Lives upon which they ceased their Discourse and went away soon after Some time after this Mr. Ferguson told me of a general Insurrection intended both in England and Scotland and in order to it that Sir Iohn Cochran Mr. Bayly Mr. Monro Sir Hugh and Sir George Cambell were come up to Treat with some of our English Men about it and that the Lord of Argile had made a Proposition That if they would Raise him Thirty Thousand pounds he would begin it in Scotland but finding no hopes of Raising that Sum the Scotch were willing to accept of Ten Thousand pounds And by means of a Letter which came as I was informed for there was no Name subscribed from one Mr. Stewart to some unknown Man which I have forgot Concluding then that it was intended to Mr. Bayly or some other of those Gentlemen having had some small acquaintance with Mr. Stewart formerly by means of his Brother who was then a Merchant in Burdeaux and one of my Correspondents I came acquainted with Mr. Bayly who told me from time to time what steps they made in 't how he Conversed with the Duke Lord Russel Major W. and as I remember Colonel Sidney and that he had divers promises of the Money and desired it might be paid into my Hands at length he told me that Five Thousand pounds they had agreed to Raise amongst themselves and that they expected the other half should be Raised in the City but finding no Monies could be got in the City that Project fell likewise and as Mr. Bayly told me all his Country-men were going beyond Sea A few days after came out the Discovery and I never saw any of them since Mr. Ferguson told me that my Lord Essex was hearty in this business and that Iohn Trenchard was a Man to be depended upon in the West They had likewise good hopes of Sir William Courtney and that my Lord Shaftsbury had sent Captain Walcot down to him who returned with a very cool Answer that he found them not what he expected but believed if it came to a Rising they would prove right enough I had almost forgot to acquaint your Majesty that both Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Bayly told me That Mr. Charleton had once promised to see the Ten Thousand pound paid Thomas Shepard Iurat coram Me June 27. 1683. SUNDERLAND The Information of Joseph How of the Parish of St. Giles's without Cripple-gate in the County aforesaid Distiller taken upon Oath before Sir Reginald Forester Baronet this 15th day of June 1683. against Thomas Lea of Old-street in the Parish aforesaid in the County aforesaid Dyer for speaking of Dangerous and Seditious Words THis Informant Deposeth and sayeth That the said Thomas Lea being at his House in White-Cross-street on Thursday last between two and three of the Clock in the Afternoon being the 14th of this instant Iune The said Thomas Lea was discoursing with him this Informant about the loss of the City Charter and other things upon which the said Thomas Lea fell into a Passion and told this Informant that he was one of the number of Ten Thousand Men which were designed to be ready at an hours warning and in Order thereunto there was Twenty Thousand pounds in Bank to carry on the Undertaking and many more did every day subscribe mony or engage their personal assistance And the first enterprize they venture upon is to go very near Windsor and for to seize the Black-Bird and the Gold-Finch and that Three Hundred Men were designed for that Enterprize And afterwards to seize the Militia Whitehal and the Tower But this Informant answered that he judged it impossible the Tower being now so very Strong but the said Thomas Lea told him that he had been round the Tower in Company with a Captain of a Ship and had found out a place where a breach might be made which is to be done by placing some Ships on the Thames side with Mortar Pieces therein to dismount the Guns and also to bring the Major part of those Seamen which were in Arrears of Pay to perform the work they being angry and in want therefore the fitter for that purpose And that for the better carrying of the Design several Meetings are held as this day for one at the Kings-head Tavern in Athist-Ally near the Royal Exchange at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon Further Informeth not Ioseph How Regin Forester June 25 1683. The Examination of Colonel John Romsey THis Examinant saith That in October or November last there was an Insurrection intended by the Earl of Shaftsbury and That the said Earl of Shaftsbury told this Examinant that Bristol was to be his Post and the Examinant being asked what Persons of Quality or Capacity to Command as Officers were named as intended to take part in this Insurrection He Answered That he heard my Lord Russel named and complained of and Mr. Iohn Trenchard named by the Earl of Shaftsbury and this Examinant further saith that Row the Sword-bearer of Bristol told him That Mr. West had acquainted him the said Row that there was an intention to Assassinate the King at His coming from Newmarket in October last the Examinant doth not remember whether the Duke was there or no but that if he were he was likewise to have been killed as the said Row told this Examinant and this Examinant further saith That about the latter end of November or the beginning of December last this Examinant having Matters of Law depending became acquainted with Mr. Robert West and employed him as his Refereé therein That the said West acquainted this Examinant with the Design to Murther the King at His coming from Newmarket in October last and told this Examinant That though it miscarried at that time it was not to be given over so and therefore desired that he this Examinant Mr. Richard Goodenough and some others which he cannot charge his Memory withal should meet at his the said West's Chamber where this Examinant and they did meet within three or four days after to the best of this Examinants Remembrance and there Discoursed about the same Design and let it fall at that time and this Examinant further saith That about the Month of February last the above-said Persons met with this Examinant at the said Mr. West's Chamber to consider how the Design should be brought to effect at the Kings return from Newmarket and Mr. West and Mr. Richard Goodenough undertook to find out Men for that purpose And this Examinant further saith That about this time the said West and Goodenough did desire that this Examinant would be acquainted with Richard Rumball of the Rye near
and another whose Abilities and Qualifications did in no degree fit him for such a Province The first Meeting of these Six was about the middle of Ianuary at Mr. Hambdens House at which Consultation there was only propounded some General Heads which were afterwards upon more mature thoughts to be Debated viz. Where the Insurrection should be first made whether in the City or in the more remote parts of the Country or in both at the same instant what Counties were thought to be best disposed to and best fitted for this enterprize what Persons in the respective Counties were the most useful and most ready to be engaged what Towns easiest to be gained and the most proper for a general Rendezvous what Arms were necessary to be provided how to be got where to be disposed what sum of Money was of absolute necessity to answer publick occasions how and by what Methods such a sum of Money was to be raised so as not to draw into observation nor to administer occasion of jealousie And lastly which was the principal and thought to challenge the chiefest Care how Scotland might be drawn into a Concert with England and which Persons there fittest to be Consulted withal about this Matter This was the sum of that days Conference The second Meeting was about 10 days after at the Lord Russels House where were present every one of the foresaid Six At this Meeting it was propounded that a speedy understanding should be settled with the Lord Argyle and that in order thereunto some fit Person or Persons should be thought of to be sent to him and to be a constant medium of Correspondence betwixt him and them that care should be taken to be rightly informed of a true state of Scotland of the general Bent and Inclination of the People of the Capacities or Incapacities they were under and that some trusty Messenger should be forthwith dispatched thither to invite two or three of the most valuable Gentlemen of that County into England to the end they might be advised with about the general Design The Persons nominated to be called into England were the Lord Melvin Sir Iohn Cockran and I remember another Gentleman of the Family and Alliance of the Lord Argyle who if I mistake not was of the same Name also and a Knight but of this I retein but an indistinct remembrance Some other things were considered of but of no great moment At the Conclusion of this Meeting it was agreed that there should not be any other Meeting of this Cabal unless in case of some extraordinary Emergency until the return of the Messenger sent from hence and the arrival of the foresaid Gentlemen out of Scotland This affording a kind of Vacation I soon after went into Essex whether I was called by the Concerns of my Estate after that I went to Bath whither I was enforced to go by the Infirmity of my health so that what was done or argued on after this I can give no account but by hearsay Howard Iuly 11. 1683. A Supplement of some things which upon recollection have occurr'd to my memory since my former Information I Remember that my Lord Shaftsbury complaining of divers persons who had deserted him and fell short of their Engagements to him amongst the rest named his Cousin Charleton meaning Mr. Charleton of Totteridg who he said had promis'd and was able to bring in great assistance to him upon which he did much rely but was quite fallen from him and had so wholly attacht himself to the Duke of Monmouth and my Lord Russel that he would act only by their measure Speaking also of Major Wildman He said that he was very forward in the Work and very active in it And being told by me that amongst other things which were wanting in such Enterprize the want of some Great Guns seemed to me not to be the least He told me that they should be furnished with two Drakes by a Friend whom he did not name which two Drakes I have since thought may be those two small Pieces found with Major Wildman The Person mentioned in my former Narrative who as my Lord Shaftsbury said had offered to kill the Duke with his own hands I do now distinctly remember to be Mr. Iohn Ayloffe to whom he Answered No Jack thou shalt not kill him till we have an Arm'd Force to Iustifie it About the 10th or 12th of October after a stop put to the then intended Insurrection the Duke of Monmouth told me that he had seriously thought of it meaning the Insurrection and that after divers ways proposed and seriously considered of he was clearly of Opinion that there was nothing so easie to be accomplished nor so probable to do the Work effectually as to fall in upon the King at Newmarket with a smart party of Horse of about Forty or Fifty which he said he could soon have in a readiness To which I answered That I was of the same opinion but whether or not it would be decent for him to appear in person in an Attack to be made when the King was in Person deserved his consideration Two days after I spoke to him of it again and ask'd him what thought he had of it He answered me that it could not be brought about soon enough After which I never Discoursed more with him about it but upon reflection I am apt to think that from this time and not before the Design of Way-laying the King in his return to London was first meditated and I am the more confirmed in this Opinion from the Consideration of the behaviour of the Duke of Monmouth and Lord Grey who seemed to be very big of Expectation of some great thing to be attempted upon the day of the King 's coming from Newmarket upon which day as I have before observed Sir Thomas Armstrong was not to be found till the King's Coaches were come into Town and I do verily believe he was to have headed the Party To this also may be added That the Duke of Monmouth within few days after told me that he had that day given order to have his Horses carried into London to have been in a readiness to have Mounted upon any Emergency I do further call to mind That there is a considerable Person living in Spittle-Fields whom I very well know and have often been in his Company but cannot remember his name distinctly this Man I have been told did undertake to bring in two or three Hundred Men upon the strength of his own Interest when occasion should require He is well known to Mr. West Howard Further Information of Colonel Romzey June the 11th 1684. SIR Thomas Armstrong was at the Meeting at Mr. Shephards when I was there and was one that undertook to view the Savoy and Mâ—ws to see in what posture the Soldiers were and how easie or difficult it would be to surprize them Sir Thomas Armstrong did tell that Gibbons came to him and acquainted him that
that this Io. N. was a person that past under the name of Iohn Nisbet an Englishman and stayed at one Mr. Mead's in Stepney which Nisbet was an Usher of a School at Bednal-green before That the close of the Letter bearing that things were fully as high as I tell you is meant the present intended Rebellion That by the Capital Letter B. is meant one Mr. Brake a Minister in Lewarden in Friesland and the young men are some Students who are in Holland Being interrogat what he heard of the Earl of Argile's concurring or assisting in this Insurrection Answers That he heard by report in Holland that Argile had undertaken to Raise ten thousand Men to assist in that Rebellion and that he was to furnish himself with Arms in Holland and about the time of this report which he thinks was in December or Ianuary last he heard Argile was in Holland but that he did not see him and to the best of his memory Io. N. also told him of the Earl of Argiles concurring in the Rising but remembers of no other person Being interrogat upon the little Letter from Stepney which he thinks was about the beginning of May Dated Friday at seven a Clock That the Man whom he speaks of is Mr. Mead a Minister and that by the words what my Hands find to do was meant Io. N's going to Holland and that the Declarant was to meet with Mr. Mead to let Io. N. go Further declares that Iohn Iohnston was one who at other times past under the name of Murray who is a little Man Pock-marked and wears a Periwig Sic subscribitur A Gordon Linlithgow Perth Io. Edinburgen Geo. Meckenzy I. Drummond This is a true Copy of the Original Declaration and Answer made by Alexander Gordon late of Earlestoun to the Interrogators proposed to him by the Committee of Council which is attested by me William Paterson Cls. Sti. Concilij A Copy of Alexander Gordons Examination June 30. 1683. THe said Alexander being interrogate what he knew of the Author of that Letter directed to Alexander Pringle of the date 20 of March last to be left at Alexander Hopes House in Gloss-haven Rotterdam which runs upon the Metaphor of Trade answereth That the Author of that Letter seemeth to him to be one Io. Nishet with whom he conversed a year ago at London and ordered the said Alexander to direct his Letters to Bednal-Green and since to Mr. Mead in Stepney near London and that he the said Alexander had written a Letter to this Io. Nisbet challenging him why he came not sooner over to Holland as he had promised dated about Ianuary last and that he received this Letter by the Metaphor of Trade in answer thereunto and that the venturing spoke of in the Letter was to signifie a resolution of a speedy Rising in Arms and that the Factors therein mentioned signified their Agents and Emissaries who were sent out into different corners both in England and Scotland to know the Pulse of their Complices and Parties if they were in readiness to joyn and rise with them and that they brought back accounts of their willingness so to do and readiness for an Insurrection And as to the assistance they were to have from Scotland he understood it at his last coming here and some Months before he came over in May last he heard amongst the Dutch People commonly reported that there was to be very shortly a Rising in England and that the Earl of Argile was to furnish from Scotland Ten Thousand Highland-Men for their assistance and that at his coming hither last he heard that there was a Person come from England to Sir Io. Cockram alleadging he came about the Affâ—ir of Carolina but that he had discovered himself to a Servant of the Lord Treasurers that he had come to Scotland upon other matters and that the Letters for Scotland from any Correspondents of the Party in which Earlestoun was engaged was directed to Mr. Henry Emertson written in Edenburgh and that before he came last hither in May the meeting of these Phanatical People had received a Letter from England subscribed by one I. S. whom he take to be one Murray as he named himself to Earlestoun as the other forementioned person named himself Io. Nisbet in which Letter there was the Metaphor of a Marriage anent which all things were agreâ—d and the Marriage ready to be solemnized which occasioned their sending for him the said Alexander Gordon to have his mind concerning that Affair and they interpreting that Letter signed by I. S. from England to concern the seeking of their assistance in their intended Rising there he did disswade them from it and that by the Marriage they understood a Rising to be intended in England and that it was ready to be solemnized was to signifie that an Insurrection was to be very speedily on foot and declared that these with whom Earlestoun conversed here declared that they believed that the Persons who came from England to Sir Io. Cokram were sent to manage a Correspondence in order to the design of Rising in Arms. The Relation of Alexander Gordon of Earlstoun of what he was informed of and heard as followeth ABout the time of the Election of Rich and North I heard that there were some designs of Rising in Arms of some people in England and in order thereto there was some Treating with my Lord Argile but not agreeing to the terms my Lord left them and I heard it ceased for some time and went over to Holland and when he was there I was informed of the renewing of the Treaty and agreed upon the following terms viz. That the Earl of Argile should raise Seven Thousand Men and the Treators who as I was informed were English-men were to advance the said Earl Ten Thousand pound Sterling and this was agreed to in April last The persons in England were by Information the Duke of Monmouth the Earl of Shaftsbury but after the said Earls decease I did not hear so much of the Duke of Monmouth I was also informed of Ford Lord Gray of Wark his being in the Design I was also informed that those concerned in Scotland most in the said Design were Sir Iohn Cockram Ierviswood Sessnock Elder and Younger and that Sir Iohn Cockram the one day kist His Majesties Hands the other day went to the Cabal anent the above-written Design I was also informed That no small number of the Gentlemen in the West and other places in Scotland upon their resentment of the present Government particularly as to the Test and other Papers put to them were not resolved to stand to them although they should take them but rise upon the first occasion This Information I heard from Murray alias Iohnstoune who as I heard was a West Country-man in Scotland who offered to take me along to their Cabals but upon my refusal to meddle in the designs kept himself and told no more than those generals I met with
Christmass Holy-days Colonel Romzey invited this Examinant and several others to Dinner at his House in Kings-Square in Sohoe Fields where Dined this Examinant Mr. Richard Goodenough Mr. Francis Goodenough Mr. Roe Mr. Blaney and to the best of this Examinants remembrance Mr. Ioseph Tyley and some Discourse was then had of the said Design against the King and Duke and of a general Insurrection which this Examinant proposed to them being Lawyers to call and distinguish them in this manner The Design of Killing the King and the Duke Executing a Bargain and Sale which was a short manner of Conveyance And the general Insurrection By the executing a Lease and Release which is a longer Conveyance which Distinction was received and often afterwards made use of but the same Blaney was never afterward as this Examinant remembers at any other Meeting And this Examinant further saith That some short time after Christmas last this Examinant Colonel Romzey Mr. Walcot and Mr. Rumbold met at the Salutation Tavern in Lumbard-street where it was Discoursed that some Preparations ought to be made against the time that either the said Design against the King and Duke or a general Insurrection should be put in Execution And it was â—â—greed That Ferguson should be sent for Home and that Ludlow should be sent for if it could be and that Blank Commissions should be drawn up for Officers both Civil and Military and a Model of Government but there was some doubt in whose Names those Commissions should run and at last it was proposed but this Examinant does not remember by whom that they should run in the Name of the Conâ—ederate Lords and Commons of England After which Meeting this Examinant and Colonel Romzey went the same night to the best of this Examinants remembrance or soon after to a Coffee-House in Popes-head Alley to enquire for one Mr. Thomas Shepard a Merchant for Directions how to send to Mr. Ferguson then in Holland and there found Mr. Shepard And this Examinant by the consent of the said Colonel Romzey wrote a sort of Canting Letter to Ferguson to invite him over for his Health but there was no particular business in the said Letter and the said Mr. Shepard sent it But Mr. Ludlow was never sent for nor any Commissions prepared nor any Frame of Government drawn up to this Examinants knowledge or as he ever heard of And this Examinant further saith That about Christmass last he was informed to the best of this Examinants remembrance by Colonel Romzey that a design for a general Insurrection was carrying on and was managed by a Cabal or Council and that the said Cabal differed amongst themselves and the business was like to be at a stand but the persons of that Cabal the said Colonel Romzey did not then give this Examinant any account of But the said Colonel Romzey this Examinant and Nathaniel Wade agreed to draw up some few Fundamentals which they thought reasonable and the said Colonel Rumsey to present the same to the Lord Russel for him to present to the Managers or the Duke of Monmouth which they did accordingly but the same were rejected as the said Colonel Romzey told this Examinant and this Examinant hath no Copy of them And this Examinant further saith That about Hillary Term last this Examinant was informed by Mr. Ioseph Tyley and since by Iames Holloway of Bristol that there was a considerable Party in Bristol well provided for and almost impatient for Action and had laid a rational Design if they could be seconded in other places And this Examinant further saith That he was informed by Mr. Richard Nelthrop that Colonel Sidney had sent Aaron Smith into Scotland with Letters to Sir George Cambel and Sir Iohn Cochran or one of them upon pretence of a Purchase of Land in Carolina but in truth to get them up to London in order to settle matters for a Rising or used words to that effect and that the said Colonel Sidney gave the said Aâ—ron Smith Fourscore Guineys or some such Sum for his Charges And Mr. Ferguson hath since told this Examinant that the said Aaron Smith behaved himself very indiscreetly in the said Journey and run a hazard of discovering the Design And this Examinant further saith That Mr. Ferguson often told this Examinant that it was agreed between several Scots and several Persons of Quality here in England that the Scots should have 10000 l. from hence to buy Arms and then should Rise in Scotland and be seconded here by an Insurrection in England or if the English would help the Scots to 30000 l. they would attempt a Rising in Scotland without being seconded in or further assisted from England And that the 10000 l. was to be paid this day and that day but at length the 10000 l. sunk to 5000 l. but the Scots were resolved to Rise though they had nothing but their Claws to fight with rather then endure what they did And about three Weeks or a Month since the said Ferguson told this Examinant that Colonel Sidney and Major Wildman had used the Scots ill and broken with them after making them attend two Months and the reason they broke upon was That the Scots would not agree to declare for a Commonwealth and the extirpation of the Monarchy but that the said Ferguson had hopes of raising the Money otherwise but would not tell this Examinant how neither could this Examinant ever be certainly informed whether any part of the said Money has been paid to the Scots And this Examinant further saith That Mr. Iohn Roe hath told this Examinant that he the said Roe was acquainted with some Scotchmen here in London who informed him that there were 2000 or 3000 Scots many of them Bothwel-Bridge Men who were Journey-men and Pedlers in and about England and were under the order and management of ten or twelve Scotchmen in London who could in a Month or six weeks time draw in all up to London and that the Earl of Shaftsbury had a great command of these men And this Examinant further saith That about three Months since or thereabouts this Examinant being upon the Exchange met with Major Wildman who told this Examinant for News that the Marquess of Huntly and Earl of Dowglas two eminent Papists were reported to be made General of the Forces and Governour of Sterling Castle in Scotland and that a Resumption or Repurchase of the Abby Lands was going to be made there Whereupon this Examinant told the said Major Wildman That he this Examinant had a Plantation in America where the Churchmen never had Footing and would go thither if he was driven from hence To which the said Major Wildman replied Keep here and don 't talk of being driven out drive them out hence And this Examinant saying He did not see how that could be done The said Major Wildman returned it may be done and must be done and shall be done or used words to that effect And
says laboured to undervalue the disaffected party in Scotland which he calls your Goods is the Name of Andrew Young who stays about Newcastle whom he supposes to be a suspect Person because he was feared that Colonel Struthers would apprehend him And that he supposes the way that that Letter came to his Hand was from some Persons that were at a Meeting at Midsummer about that time where was present several of those People that had Commission from the several Districts but that he himself was not at that Meeting Examination of Mr. Steil and Andrew Oliver anent Mr. Aaron Smith's coming to Scotland his going to Sir J. Cockram's House at Ochiltree Edenburgh 11th of December 1683. MR. Thomas Steil in Iedwart-Forest declares that in February last an English Gentleman coming to Iedwart being recommended to the Declarant by one David Sheriff Stabler in Newcastle only that he might direct him to Ochiltree spoke only to him of â—arolina Business anent which he was to transact with Sir Iohn Cockram and that the Declarant got him one Andrew Oliver in Iedwart-Forest for hire to be his guide to Douglass and that the said Oliver went with him from that to Sir Iohn Cockrams and declares he knew not his name and had no knowledge of him but that he was called when he was at Iodwart Clerk but afterwards heard he was called Smith Andrew Oliver in Barwick Tenant to the Marquess of Douglass being Examined declares a little before Seed-time last the Declarant met with Mr. Thomas Steil at Linalie the Marquess's House of purpose to bring hom his Wife from Douglas to Iedburgh-Forest and the Declarant being upon his way and coming to Provost Ainslie's House in Iedburgh and there being a Stranger there an English man ready to take Horse to go to the West the said Mr. Thomas Steil having told the Deponent there was a Stranger who knew not the way and would be desirous of his company and the Deponent having called for the Stranger in the House he and he took Horse together and rode to Peebles that night and the next day came to Douglas and the Stranger upon the way told his Name was Samuel Clerk which he thinks was the next day after they came from Iedburgh and the next day the Stranger not being able to get a Guide to convey him to Ochiltree at the desire of Mr. Thomas Steil's Wife did go along with him from Douglas to Ochiltree and the Stranger went into the House of Ochiltree to call for the Laird the Deponent not having gone in with him where he staid about one quarter of an Hour and came back to a House in the Town where the Deponent was to Lodge That de Deponent heard from the Stranger that his business with the Laird of Ochiltree was concerning Carolina business and of their design to send Families there in the Spring to Plant and that he commended the Country And. Oliver Io. Edenburgen Edenburgh Sederunt and Iournals of Council 20 Dec. 1683. MR. Thomas Steil Chamberlain to the Marquis of Douglas being Prisoner as alleadged Entertaining and Corresponding with Aaron Smith when he was in Scotland and providing him a Guide to Sir Iohn Cokram's House of Ochiltree who being Examined with the said Guide and all that appears is That the said Aaron Smith under the Name of Clark was Recommended by one David Sheriff Inn-keeper and Stabler of Newcastle to Steil as being his Acquaintance when he came to Iedburgh to help him to one that should guide him the way being a Stranger without any suspition or knowledge of his being a person guilty of any Crime or evil Design The Lords upon consideration of the Bill appoint a Letter to be written to the Secretaries to cause Examine Aaron Smith upon the time of his coming to Iedburgh and what past betwixt him and Steil and any other Interrogator proper seeing it 's said that the said Aaron Smith denied he was ever in Scotland and that another Letter be written to the Mayor of Newcastle to Examine the Inn-keeper and in the mean time allows Steil to be at liberat on Caution to appear when called under the penalty of 2000 Marks and that he shall not go off the Country without Licence to prevent any practizing with the Inn-keeper Alexander Gordon of Earlston his Deposition before a Committee of His Majesties Privy-Council and two of the Iustices Edenburgh the 25th of September 1683. ALexander Gordon being further interrogate upon the Interrogators given in anent the Conspiracy in England declares That the first time he heard of any Design of rising in Arms was at the time when the competition was anent the Sheriffs at Midsummer was a year and then he heard the Duke of Monmouth was to head the Rebels and this he had from Iohn Nisbet and one Mr. Murray a Scotch-man then at London and declares That in Ianuary last the Declarant being in Holland he heard by general report that the late Earl of Argile was to raise some thousands of Highlanders to assist the Rebels in England by making a diversion and was to get a sum of money for that effect and that in March last he having received a Letter in Holland from Iohn Nisbet then in London he came over to London where he met with the said Nisbet and Murray who told the Declarant they designed to rise presently in England and to Rendezvous in six or seven places at one time particularly at Coventry and London and that they computed several thousands in Yorkshire who where to joyn with them That Murray desired the Declarant to go along with him to meet with the late Lords Russel and Gray and the Lord Wharton but of Wharton they said they were not very sure being a fearful man and with Mr. Ferguson and spoke of several old Officers of Cromwels that were to be there but the Declarant not being for the present rising shunned to meet with these persons or any of them and both Nisbet and Murray told the Declarant that Sir Iohn Cochran was with them and heard from these two persons that both the Cessnocks were concerned in that Business As to the Letter written by Io. N. of the 20th of March and directed for the Declarant at Rotterdam declares that Iohn Nisbet wrote the said Letter and that under the Metaphor of Trade throughout the whole Letter is meaned the design of rising in Arms and a Rebellion and that by the word Dispatching the old rotten stuff is meaned either the excluding the Sectaries from joyning with them or destroying the Government both Civil and Ecclesiastical which last the Declarant supposes rather to be the meaning of the words and that by the Factors are meaned their Emissaries for carrying on the Rebellion And for that strange thing that was to fall out that Week or the next the Declarant thinks is meaned the sudden muster of the Rebels In the close of the Letter which says Things are full as high
was addressed to Major Holms and marked Number 3. Iune 21. 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head guard mention 324344675748465257 things which to your hope some ago as over some if do spoke for of know and encouragement confer have and self be order resolve and to reckon all and undertake honest or was far be Shooes undertaking many of to for purchase was as is the a possibly us of by force it 〈◊〉 so how the credit for time Birch and some greatest them concerned will for and to and 404843 slation good may onely the if more will if should expect tollerably standing and by and necessar the the more the hazarded to it 8 and think urge so necessar I the that so affairs have business very I possible of I send here against my till what little upon know not which mony 25405748575840524244 I service any what shall resolve thee at did least effectually thought and far if business reckoned for still the there I or stuck you upon money by first sum if then Bills 26435640465359 52 5769455356424457 well that 3841444058 51595058458594357 need trouble something very a frighten the probably not 2000 the tho the once for and 575942 4244575735 will 4057 5748575840524244 and to money could foolish Browne many the not to Gods Brand besides stay Ioâ— seat yet to proposed 322240565157 a deal the things as all once less any drink well on know I as pay whether never the received to any calculate about to that that the such with you I other II for considerable be particular add I are of leâ—t I but all have it Enemies to cannot to Friends made part I writ wish may be service Mr. an whole there consider persons it when knowing any and payments to I it low shall little little meaning Intelligence thing out had which Tents usual whole with 673151485048584840 and by the more of if but the that blessing raise a 5456538445758405258 4753565744 can Virgins supply to call 485650405243 not keep imaginable tho them 4853485244 standing many number 25 4753565733 onely at standing a 5159505848585943 first considerable with more can them Countrey 425351514052434443 in and there 40565157 it was Weeks half I so to at 600 think needs precise I the the it a within what requisite not Sum truly this grounds to say Mr. thing nor know they as hath the grounds occasioned I they both do is Red only let I distance in I half in I the little would 4057485758405242 first shall number very 1000 and the consider small confess them work proposed pleased cannot are 2000 Brand it 544453545044 the be 40565157 then be 4044440564852464604â—84744564443 little 4553564244575758445650485244 have the but it will 455356574457 and as we yet together onely it for buy it consider imploy better Interest small so to some 47535657 a future the to total the absolute of and designed and Waggons are but of proposed or and because what add as out meddle touch of I knowing Merchant there is that what is 404540485644405844515458 Red I not but I of expect of up I enforce at be that should a is in considerable put I done this all have by the not to had before able will I if and a they have will is for 5753504348535956 shall necessars the or of if is is they very incident for the dayly not Cloaths necessar to there the necessar best of the 60405639 events little to hope 5644564457 many Sum were for so in we them more will in and it had any many yet be may all 51485048584840 and will it without and not but more got triple on is very 45535959 now be God and but is what a if odds it as near named not brush of not less power proposed an of thought my and go you in or resolved so I intend hear them our 45564844524357 to neither to will much till any the know on in proposition could what other I of could be the and be but that easie were I all differ was absolutely soon more to sent above at well right foot their together Provisions the suddenly that 404258485352 will take will of the be unwilling the will can at is get Brand not 40565157 no should the much their not and men the are be while do to advantage the husbanding for number is be for 5747534457 only to whole Provisions Charges good can to II my meddle Money as freely for the and be estates do project all after see be I it such you all 47535657 the yet I distance to dare them direction Gods hands in on not prevent and have some help may from a a be pray very II Necessars and that to a occasion prices the submit they but not own had made be do men some of Sum be necessar 47535657 such bestowed nothing they one it Money of Brand not to sent engaged whole with a concerned own Money next prove Money far then but some impossible first be be most to of 4744564858535657 20000 to up do tho there done case and yet number without hard appointed lest 1200 like give will after necessar proposed as should leave hard had number I peremptor I 673347535657 stood possibly those thought juncture I do mention this as as mean other I as neither give know offer have Adieu  Gil. St. The total Sum is 128 8. which will be payed to you by Mr. B. Follows in plain writing on the back of the Letter I have found two of the Books I wrote to Mr. B. were lost I believe he hath the blew one we have received his Letter I have nothing more to say to him at present I hope he knows how to write to me and understands my Address and to instruct you if he do not I have lost six hours work Adieu The Decypher of the said Letter as it was done in England Sir June 21. THough I cannot by this Post send you a full account of your Affairs yet I send you as much as may make you take measures what Bills to
the Churches where the Sermons for Oath to bring up their Children in the true Protestant Faith and in the Discipline and Doctrine of the Kirk of Scotland according as they are obliged by the Solemn League and Covenant and at their Communions debarring always from their Sacrament all such as have not taken the Covenant and do not adhere to it But of all the Fugitive Preachers lately gone over from Scotland into Holland none is more perversely violent against the Government than Mr. Iohn Sinclair who for many years was Minister and kept a Boarding School at Ormiestoun whom about twelve Weeks ago I heard preach in the Scotch Church at Rotterdam and a great part of his Sermon was railing against the Duke and the Privy Council of Scotland saying That he meaning his Royal Highness was a Rebellious Enemy of God and had got such a Hand over those perjur'd Rogues meaning the Lords of the Privy Council as they all intended to overturn the Protestant Religion and to introduce Popery which he further said could very easily be done considering the small Difference that is betwixt them since Episcopacy was re-established and in his Prayer after Sermon I heard him pray earnestly That God might open the King's Eyes to let him see the Evil of his Ways and turn from it otherwise That God might take him out of this World from being a Curse and a Scourge to his Holy People And further prayed That God would turn the Counsels of his Councellors as he did that of Achitophel into nothing The late Earl of Argile lives now in the Province of Frisland where he has a small Estate purchased partly by his Father and partly by himself upon one of their Family or Tenants foretelling many years ago that they should be driven from their Estate in Scotland as I was often told in Holland particularly by Mr. Iohn Hog Minister of the Scotch Church in Rotterdam and Mr. Iohn Pitcairne who keeps a Meeting-house at Vtrecht The Earl of Lowdon with two Servants only and Sir Iames Dalrymple of Stair with his whole Family live at Leyden besides Mr. Douglas a Minister and some few more whose names I do not remember There are many Phanatick House-keepers in Rotterdaâ— who harbour the Rebels and Fugitives that come over from Scotland Viz. Robert Gibs Mr. Livistoune Iohn Gibbs Mr. Russell Iames Delapp Iames Thomson Iohn Greirson Iames Nory Iohn Iack George Weir all Merchants and the Widdow of the lately Deceased Iames Gordon Merchant whose House was the Common Receptacle of the chief of those Rebels and Fugitives The Gentlemen that I left at Rotterdam are Mr. Denham of Westsheills with his Family Captain William Cleland Iohn Belfour with his Family Captain William Ferguson of Caitloch with his Family Captain Andrew Story The Ministers there are Mr. Iohn Hog Mr. Robert Fleeming setled Preachers of the Scotch Church Mr. Iohn Harraway Mr. Thomas Forrester Mr. Alexander Hasty Mr. Patrick Vernat Mr. Iohn Blakater Mr. Gordon Mr. George Barclay and Mr. Iohn Sinclair aforesaid who is now settled a Preacher in the English Church at Delfe At Vtrecht I left Mr. Iames Stewart the Lawyer with his Family and his Elder Brother the Laird of Coldnesse Mr. Cochran Sir Iohn's Second Son the Lady Kersland and her Son and Six Ministers Viz. Mr. Thomas Hogg Mr. Iohn Pitcairne Mr. Iohn Ogilvy Mr. Iohn Veitche Mr. Robert Ker and Mr. Robert Menteath besides some others of less Note whose names I do not remember I left at Vtrecht three English Gentlemen who lived there for some time before and go by the Names of Esquire Packwood Mr. Smith a Merchant of London and Mr. Iones a Welsh-man but I do not believe that these are their true Names for they fled from England upon the Discovery of the late Plot as did likewise several other Englishmen whom I did often see there but could not learn their Names I did also see and speak with Sir Iohn Cochran but he and 7. or 8. Scotchmen more whose names I know not went two days after my Arrival there to Gilderland where a great many of the Rebels and Fugitives live as they think most safe and at ease amongst the Bores for they were afraid of Staying at Vtrecht as some of themselves told me by reason of the Spies that they were informed were sent thither from England to make enquiry after such of his Majesties Subjects as lived there And Mr. Cochran and Captain Cleland told me as their Friend that the report amongst our Countrymen was that I likewise was sent thither as a Spie which although they did not believe yet they advised me to be gone away privately assuring me withal that I was every hour I stayed there in hazard of losing my Life Upon this I returned to Rotterdam where my Credit with that Party continued about a week untill I was suspected by my old Captain and three of the Ministers Viz. Harraway Forrester and Sinclair who about 7 or 8 Weeks ago carried me with them to Church and there proposed as a Test of my Sincerity to the interest of the good Cause as it was commonly called that I should take the Covenant and the Sacrament with a Solemn Protestation that I am still as I have been in former times an Enemy to the King and the present Government All which I refused to do and then they debarred me for ever from their Meetings and Company Nevertheless I did often thereafter insinuate my self into both though without any Success for I could not recover their good opinion but on the contrary was daily threatned with the severest effects of their revenge White-hall 24 Feb. 1683 4. Robert Smith The Information of Zachariah Bourne taken the 5th of December 1683. THat Mr. Bayly sat up one night if not two with Mr. Ferguson and went several times in the Evening with him to the Duke of Monmouth and the cheif managers of the Conspiracy Ferguson told me he was the Cheif man for the Scots next the Lord Argile The Night he sat up with Ferguson I believe it was about the Declaration for the next day he was going to shew it me but some body came up to him and hinder'd him Mr. Bayly's great business to meet the Cheif Conspirators was as Ferguson told me to get the 10000. l. for the buying of Arms for the Insurrection in Scotland Carstares I saw often come to Ferguson but for any Discourse he had with him he never told me of or with any other but Mr. Bayly as I can at present remember Zac. Bourne The Deposition of Mr. William Carstares when he was Examined before the Lords of Secret Committee given in by him and renewed upon Oath upon the 22d of December 1684. in presence of the Lords of His Majesty's Privy-Council Edinburgh-Castle September 8. 1684. MR. William Carstares being Examin'd upon Oath conform to the Condescention given in by him and on the Terms there-in-mention'd Depones That about November or December 1682. Iames
Stuart Brother to the Laird of Cultness wrote a Letter to him from Holland importing that if any considerable sum of Money could be procur'd from England that something of Importance might be done in Scotland The which Letter the Deponent had an Inclination to inform Shepard in Abb-Church-lane Merchant in London of but before he could do it he wrote to Mr. Stuart above-nam'd to know from him if he might do it and Mr. Stuart having consented he Communicat the said Letter to Mr. Shepard who told the Deponent that he would Communicat the Contents of it to some persons in England but did at that time name no body as the Deponent thinks Some time thereafter Mr. Shepard told the Deponent that he had Communicat the Contents of the Letter above-named to Colonel Sidney and that Colonel Danvers was present and told the Deponent that Colonel Sidney was averse from imploying the late Earl of Argile or medling with him judging him a man too much affected to the Royal Family and inclined to the present Church-Government yet Mr. Shepard being put upon it by the Deponent still urg'd that one might be sent to the Earl of Argile but as Mr. Shepard told him he was suspected upon the account of his urging so much yet afterwards he press'd without the Deponents knowledge that the Deponent being to go to Holland however might have some Commission to the Earl of Argile which he having inform'd the Deponent of the Deponent told him that he himself would not be concern'd but if they would send another he would introduce him but nothing of this was done upon which the Deponent went over without Commission from any body to Holland never meeting with Iames Stuart above-named He was introduced to the Earl of Argile with whom he had never before convers'd and did there discourse what had past betwixt Mr. Shepard and him and particularly about remitting of Money to the said Earl from England of which the said Mr. Stuart had written to the Deponent namely of 30000 pounds Sterling and of the raising of 1000 Horse and Dragoons and the securing the Castle of Edinburgh as a matter of the greatest importance The method of doing this was propos'd by the Deponent to be one hour or thereby after the relieving of the Guards But the Earl did not relish this proposition as dangerous and that the Castles would fall of consequence after the work abroad was done Iames Stuart was of the Deponents Opinion for seizing the Castle because it would secure Edinburgh the Magazines and Arms. As to the 1000 Horse and Dragoons my Lord Argile was of Opinion that without them nothing was to be done and that if that number was raiss'd in England to the said Earl he would come into Scotland with them and that there being so few Horse and Dragoons to meet them he judg'd he might get the Country without trouble having such a standing Body for their Friends to Rendezvouz to and the said Earl said he could shew the Deponent the convenient places for Landing if he understood and as the Deponent remembers where the Ships could attend The Deponent remembers not the Names of the Places The Deponent spoke to the Lord Stairs but cannot be positive that he nam'd the Affair to him but found him shie but the Earl of Argile told him he thought Stairs might be gain'd to them And that the Earl of Lowdoun being a man of good Reason and disoblig'd would have great influence upon the Country and recommended the Deponent to Major Holms with whom the Deponent had some acquaintance before and had brought over a Letter from him to the Earl of Aâ—gile but the Deponent had not then communicate any thing to the said Holms Iames Stuart laid down a way of correspondence by Cyphers and false Names and sent them over to Holms and the Deponent for their use which Cyphers and Names are now in the hands of His Majesty's Officers as the Deponent supposesâ— and did desire the Deponent earnestly to propose the 30000 pound Sterling above-named to the Party in England and did not propose any less for as the Earl told the Deponent he had particularly calculate the Expence for Arms Ammunition c. But Iames Stuart said that if some less could be had the Earl would content himself if better might not be but the Earl always said that there was nothing to be done without the body of Horse and Dragoons above-mentioned During the time of the Deponent his abode in Holland tho he had several Letters from Shepard yet there was no satisfactory account till some time after the Deponent parted from the Earl of Argile and was making for a Ship at Rotterdam to transport himself to England Iames Stuart wrote to him that there was hopes of the Money The next day after the Deponent came to England he met with Sir Iohn Cochran who with Commissar Monro and Ierviswood was at London before he came over and depones That he knows not the account of their coming more than for the perfecting the Transaction about Carolina and having acquainted Sir Iohn 〈◊〉 with the Earls demands of the 30000 pound Sterling and the 1000 Hoâ—s◠〈◊〉 Dragoons Sir Iohn carried him to the Lord Russel to whom the Depâ—nent proposed the Affair but being an absolute Stranger to the Dâ—ponent had no return from him at that time but afterwards having met him accidenly at Mr. Shepards house where the Lord Râ—â—sel had come to speak to Shepard about the Money above-named as Mr. Shepard told the Deponent The Deponâ—â—â— whâ—â—â— they were done speaking desired to speak to the Lord 〈◊〉 which the Lord Russel did and having reiterate the 〈…〉 for the 30000 pound Sterling and the 1000 Horse and 〈◊〉 he the Lord Russel told the Deponent they could not get so 〈◊〉 raised at the time but if they had 10000 pound 〈…〉 would draw People in and when they were 〈…〉 soon be brought to more but as for the 1000 〈…〉 he could say nothing at the present for tha◠〈…〉 upon the Borders The Deponent made the same 〈…〉 Ferguson who was much concerned in the 〈…〉 the promoting of it This Mr. Ferguson had in 〈…〉 before as the Deponent remembers in a Conversation 〈…〉 in Cheap side or the Street somewhere 〈…〉 for the saving of Innocent Blood it would be 〈…〉 few insinuating the King and Duke but cannot be positive whether he named them or not To which the Deponent 〈…〉 for our wild People in Scotland my Conscience does not serve me for such things after which the Deponent had never any particular discourse with Ferguson as to that matter but as to the other Affair Ferguson told the Deponent that he was doing what he could to get it effectuate as particularly that he spoke to one Major Wildman who is not of the Deponent his acquaintance Fergâ—son blamed always Sidney as driving designs of his own The Deponent met twice or thrice with the Lord Melvil Sir Iohn
Cochran Ierviswood Commissar Monro the two Cessnocks Montgomery of Langshaw and one Mr. Veatch where they discoursed of Money to be â—ent to Argile in order to the carrying on the Affair and tho he cannot be positive the Affair was named yet it was understood by himself and as he conceives by all present to be for rising in Arms for rectifying the Government Commissar Monro Lord Melvil and the two Cessnocks were against medling with the English because they judged them men that would talk and would not do but were more inclined to do something by themselves if it could be done The Lord Melvil thought every thing hazardous and therefore the Deponent cannot say he was positive in any thing but was most inclined to have the Duke of Monmouth to head them in Scotland of which no particular method was laid down Ierviswood the Deponent and Mr. Veatch were for taking the Money at one of these Meetings it was resolved that Mr. Martin late Clerk of the Justice Court should be sent to Scotland to desire their Friends to hinder the Country from Rising or taking â—ash Resolutions upon the account of the Council till they should see how matters went in England The said Martin did go at the Charges of the Gentlemen of the Meeting and was directed to the Laird of Polwart and Torwoodlie who sent back word that it would not be found so easie a matter to get the Gentry of Scotland to concur But afterwards in a Letter to Commissar Monro Polwart wrote that the Country was readier to concur then they had imagined or something to that purpose The Deponent as above-said having brought over a Key from Holland to serve himself and Major Holms he remembers not that ever he had an exact Copy of it but that sometimes the one sometimes the other keeped it and so it chanced to be in his Custody when a Letter from the Earl of Argile came to Major Holms intimating that the would joyn with the Duke of Monmouth and follow his Measures or obey his Directions this Mr. Veatch thought fit to communicate to the Duke of Monmouth and for the Understanding of it was brought to the Deponent and he gave the Key to Mr. Veatch who as the Deponent was inform'd was to give it and the Letter to Mr Ferguson and he to shew it to the Duke of Monmouth but what was done in it the Deponent knows not The Deponent heard the Design of killing the King and Duke from Mr. Shepard who told the Deponent some were full upon it The Deponent heard that Aaron Smith was sent by those in England to call Sir Iohn Cochran on the account of Carolina but that he does not know Aaron Smith nor any more of that Matter not being concern'd in it Shepard nam'd young Hambden frequently as concern'd in these Matters Sign'd at Edingburgh Castle the 8th of September 1684. and renewed the 18th of the same Month. William Carstares PERTH CANCELL I. P. D. Edinburgh Edinburgh Castle September 18. 1684. MR. William Carstares being again examin'd adheres to his former Deposition in all the parts of it and Depones he knows of no Correspondence betwixt Scotland and England except by Martin before-nam'd For those Gentlemen to whom he was sent were left to follow their own Methods Veatch as the Deponent remembers stayed sometimes at Nicholson Stabler's House at London-Wall sometimes with one Widow Hardcastle in Morefields The Deponent did Communicate the Design on Foot to Doctor Owen Mr. Griffil and Mr. Meed at Stepney who all concurred in the promoting of it and were desirous it should take effect and to one Mr. Freth in the Temple Councellor at Law who said he would see what he could do in reference to the Money but there having gone a Report that there was no Money to be rais'd he did nothing in it nor does the Deponent think him any more concern'd in the Affair Nelâ—hrop frequently spoke to the Deponent of the Money to be sent to Argile whether it was got or not but the Deponent used no freedom with him in the Affair Goodenough did insinuate once that the Lords were not inclin'd to the thing and that before they would see what they could do in the City The Deponent saw Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Rumsay lurking after the Plot broke out before the Proclamation having gone to Ferguson in the back of Bishop-gate-street at some new Building whether he was directed by Ierviswood who was desirous to know how things went Rumsay was not of the Deponent his Acquaintance before but they knew as little of the matter as the Deponent This is what the Deponent remembers and if any thing come to his Memory he is to deliver it in betwixt and the first of October And this is the truth as he shall Answer to God William Carstares PERTH CANCELL I. P. D. At Edinburgh the 22d of December 1684. THese fore-going Pages subscrib'd by Mr. William Carstares Deponent and by the Lord Chancellor where acknowledged on Oath by the said Mr. William Carstares to be his true Depositions and that the Subscriptions were his in presence of us Underscribers William Carstares PERTH CANCELLARIUS David Falconer QUENSBERRY George Mekenzie ATHOL Copy of the Lord Russel's Examination in the Tower My Lord Russel Asked WHether he knows of any Consultations tending towards an Insurrection or to surprize His Majesties Guards at any time and by any persons and by whom Whether he hath ever been at Mr. Shepards House and how often and when last Whether any Lords were in company and who Whether at any time the Duke of Monmouth Lord Grey Sir Thomas Armstrong Colonel Romzey Mr. Ferguson or any of them were there and how many and which of them Whether there was any discourse concerning a Rising in the West or any parts of the West or at Taunton and what the Discourse was and by whom Whether there was any discourse concerning the surprizing the Kings Guards at any time Whether the Duke of Monmouth the Lord Grey and Sir Thomas Armstrong did undertake to view the Guards to see if it might be done and in what posture they were Whether they gave any account that they had viewed the Guards and how they found them What did Mr. Ferguson say at any of those Meetings and by whom was he directed Whether he knows of any Design for a Rising in Scotland Whether he hath been at any Consultations for that end with any persons Scotchmen or others and with whom What Monies the Scotch demanded at first and whether they did not consent to take Ten thousand pounds and how was that or any part of that to be raised and by whom My Lord Russel's Answer to the preceding Interrogatories MY Lord knows of no Consultation tending to any Insurrection His Lordship knows nothing of any Consultation or Design to surprize his Majesties Guards at any time divers times His Lordship doth acknowledge to have been frequently at Mr. Shepard's House His Lordship cannot