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
but that the Earl of Shaftsbury broke that Designe not consenting to pay the Money This Examinant never heard any thing of this Design until the said West Norton and Goodenough did tell him thereof And this Examinant further saith That Mr. Nelthrop and Mr. Wade did always oppose the Murthering of the King and the Duke and so did Captain Walcot but at last the said Walcot consented And this Examinant further saith That Mr. Bourn and Mr. Goodenough's Brother were at some of the last Meetings about the raising of the Men This Examinant saith That to the best of his Memory he hath here set down every thing that was said or Transacted in the Debates when he was there but he was absent from some I. Romzey Colonel Romzey's further Information THis Examinant further saith That being sent by the Earl of Shaftsbury about the beginning of November last to Mr. Shepard's a Merchant near Lombard-street where was the Duke of Monmouth Lord Russel Lord Grey Sir Thomas Armstrong and Mr. Ferguson this Examinant told them my Lord Shaftsbury had sent him to tell them it was high time to come to some Resolution about the Rising They made him this Answer by Mr. Ferguson and afterwards my Lord Grey said words to the same effect that Mr. Iohn Trenchard had promised and assured them at his first coming to Town that Term that he could in four hours time have a Thousand Foot and Two or Three Hundred Horse but now they had sent to him to know the certainty he had returned to them this following answer That Men would not be got from home on two or three days warning but that when such a thing as a Rising should be he must know it sooner that he might acquaint Men to make Provision of Settlements for their Families so they could not go on at this time any further And for this reason and that they heard Sir William Courtney would not stir my Lord must be contented This Message I returned to my Lord On this my Lord resolved to leave England This Examinant further saith That there was a Project of Government drawn up by Mr. West and Mr. Wade which they delivered to this Examinant and he gave it to Mr. Ferguson who told them that he heard Colonel Sidney had drawn one that he would compare them together and reduce them into one intire one And this Examinant further saith That Mr. Nelthrop told him that my Lord of Essex my Lord Russel Colonel Sidney and young Mr. Hamden were the persons that did Treat with the Scotch Gentlemen and so did Mr. West and I think Mr. Ferguson Mr. Nelthrop and Mr. West during the time I did not see Mr. Ferguson told me that now they were resolved to raise Ten Thousand pounds for the Scots and that next week it should all be paid in that was about a Month since But they had been with Mr. Shepard the Merchant and he told them there was none paid This Money was to buy Arms in Holland Mr. Ferguson told this Examinant the Rising must be in Scotland before Harvest or else their people would not be got together and that in four days after the Scots were up we should have the first Intelligence and that then we must Rise in this Town and in Taunton My Lord Howard was at first one with my Lord Essex and the rest but he told Captain Walcot and Mr. West what passed amongst them for which reason he was lâ—fâ— out of the meetings Further this Examinant saith that Mr. Wade and Holloway told him how they had fixed the matter for Bristol that they were sure of Three Hundred Men and that they would Post them in all the cross Streets so that none of the other party should get together in a Body or out of their Houses By this means they should be Masters of the Town without spilling one drop of Blood And this Examinant further saith that Goodenough told Wade West and this Examinant that about twenty five Hundred Arms would be wanting for the Men that would Rise here for without they were Armed that were on the first to Rise here we should be beat therefore West and this Examinant did acquaint Mr. Ferguson from the rest that did meet of the necessity of having so many Arms. He replied Money should not be wanting but how so many Arms could be bought without a discovery Mr. West did undertake that if Money were given the Arms might be had and some person of the Company did name a Gun-smith that was an honest Man that might without suspition have two or three Hundred Arms and other Gun-smiths might if enquired after be found that might lodge proportionable quantities in their Shops and the Men should be led to these Shops and Armed It was said by Goodenough that six Hundred Arms were together in the Artillery Ground which might be easily seized on Many debates we had about the Tower some proposed the taking of it by day-time by sending some Men onely with Pocket Pistols and when the Sign was given they were to fall on the Guard but this was left off as not agreeing with a Rising by night and then the other way was to clap two or three hundred Fagots to the Gates and set them on Fire which would make those within surrender and that Ships should come and lie before the Tower and batter it at the same time the Fagots were on fire I. Romzey Colonel Romzeys Letter to the Earl of Rochester concerning the Scotch Pedlars My Lord WHen the Rising was to have been in November Mr. Ferguson did say that he could promise for Three Hundred Scots in this Town that would be ready at a days warning and that there was in England Twelve Hundred that might be depended upon that Three or Four Hundred did always abide here the rest were scattered throughout England with Packs on their Backs for the Maintenance of themselves that a great many of them were Gentlemens Sons and all of them had been at Bothwel-Bridge and betook them to this way to get and carry Intelligence as well as a living J. Romzey Another Letter from Colonel Romzey to the Earl of Rochester My Lord I Do not know whether I have already in any of my Papers where I mention Mr. Roe acquainted the King of one passage he told me but I think I have that Gibbons the Duke of Monmouths Footman did tell him that nothing but taking off the Two Brothers would do the business and if he would go with him he would shew him the place to do it he carried him to my Lord of Bedfords Garden where I think he told me is a Mount to look into Covent Garden and said no place can be like this to lodge Men in to do the feat and shewed him the Garden-door where they might make a Sally on the Coach if they mist with their Fire Mr. Roe asked him but how will you bring the Men in He told him my Lord was long in
Examinant further saith That there was some Considerations lately had how to make an Estimate of the strength of the Protestant party in case they should be put upon their own Defence when it was agreed that the City and Subburbs should be divided into twenty parts that some person well acquainted in each Division should enquire into and make a return of the number he should find which returns are not yet made to the Examinants knowledge And more this Examinant for the present saith not Robert West 23 Die Junii 1683. Capt. Recognit coram me L. JENKINS The further Examination of Robert West Barrister at Law of the Middle-Temple the 24th of June 1683. THis Examinant saith That he was informed of the Insurrection in his former Examination mentioned to have been designed in November last by Thomas Walcot who told this Examinant that the same was projected by the late Earl of Shaftsbury and was to have been put in execution the 19 of November last but that he looked upon it as a mad thing which he had no thoughts to engage in and afterwards told this Examinant that it was wholly laid aside And this Examination further saith That to the best of his remembrance Francis Shute lately deceased was the person who acquainted this Examinant that an Assassination of the King and Duke in their return from Newmarket in or about October last had been intended and that he heard the same from Mr. Ferguson and this Examinant asking Mr. Ferguson about it the said Ferguson told this Examinant that it had not been thought of time enough and therefore could not be done or words to that effect And this Examinant further saith That he discoursing with the said Ferguson concerning the late intended Attempt upon the King and Duke in their return from Newmarket asked the said Ferguson what care was taken to justifie the same if in case it took effect for that the other party might in revenge shed a great deal of Blood and immediately proclaim the Princess of Orange which would overthrow the whole Design To which he answered me that care would be taken about it and that the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs and most of the Lieutenancy should be secured But when this Examinant desired to know what persons were to be concerned he bad this Examinant ask no questions for things would be managed well as he said and that if London was secured all England would fall in And this Examinant further saith that when this Examinant asked the said Ferguson whether any Declaration was prepared to be published upon such occasion he told this Examinant that it had been considered of and was ready and would be printed ready to be dispersed but when this Examinant asked him how it should be done he answered it was assuredly so but this Examinant must ask no questions And this Examinant further saith That before this Examinant bespake the Arms mentioned in his former Examinations the said Ferguson told this Examinant that he would give this Examinant mony to pay for them for he had five or six hundred pounds at Command but he paid not the money to this Examinant till about three weeks or a month since and then paid it this Examinant in ninety three Guineys but would not tell this Examinant of whom he had the said money And this Examinant further saith That the said Ferguson told this Examinant that the Scots intended to make some Insurrection in Scotland this Summer but were not well able to do so without the assistance of ten thousand pounds or some other great sum to buy Arms for them which he had hopes of getting for them and that they expected and he hoped they would be seconded by a party in England both in London and in the Northern and Western parts And when this Examinant asked him what persons of Note would engage in it and what method they would use He answered First let us sound our strength and if there be encouragement from that you will not want men of Quality to take their Post but you must excuse me from naming of them till there be occasion And this Examinant further saith that though he frequently enquired whether any money had been paid to the Scots he could not certainly be informed that any money had been paid And further saith this Examinant that the Arms in his former Examinations particularly mentioned were directed by the Company then present to be bespoken And further this Examinant saith That he hath been often in company with Mr. Edward Norton of Dorsetshire as this Examinant doth believe with Nathaniel Wade a Barrister at Law and Francis Goodenough an Attorney at Law at the Castle-Tavern in Fleetstree and at the Green Dragon Tavern upon Snow-hill where some Discourses were held concerning an Iâ—â—urrection in Scotland and of one in England if there should be occasion or be thought requisite at which time the said Parties last mentioned declared they would not be wanting to act their parts therein And this Examinant further saith not Robert West 24 Junii Cap recognit coram me L. JENKINS The further Examination of Robert West taken by my Lord Keeper the 25th June 1683. THis Examinant further saith That Robert Ferguson in his two former Examinations named told and sent this Examinant word by a Note That if this Examinant would send to Major Iohn Wildman commonly so called he would pay a hundred pounds for the Arms in this Examinants farther Examinations mentioned to be bougth by this Examinant and this Examinant not being willing to speak with the said Wildman himself sent Richard Rumbald to receive the money but the said Wildman was gone out of Town before the said Rumbald did call at his house And this Examinant further saith That upon some discourse at one of the Meetings in his former Examinations mentioned it was proposed whether some of the chief Ministers of State particularly the Lord Keeper the Lord Marquess of Hallifax and the Earl of Rochester that now is should be killed and it was agreed that it was very necessary they should be killed but no particular persons were appointed to do it as this Examinant remembers it being thought almost impossible for any of the said Ministers to escape And further this Examinant saith not Robert West 25 Junii 1683. Cap. recognit coram me Fr. North C. S. The further Examination of Robert West of the Middle-Temple Barrister at Law taken before Mr. Secretary Jenkins the 26th of June 1683. THis Examinant further saith That some time in the last Spring and to the best of this Examinants remembrance whilst the King was at Newmarket Francis Shute late deceas'd came to this Examinant with a Message from the Lord Howard of Escrick as he told this Examinant to this effect viz. That the Lord Howard had a Project for raising a Body of Men to make an Insurrection and desired this Examinants concurrence and assistance in it and shortly after the Lord
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
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
Your MAIESTY will Consider that whilst I was Under the Apprehensions of great Anger and Violence against Me it might easily Corrupt my Judgment and by seeing Things in a wrong Light Betray Me into very Fatal Mistakes But now that I have had Time to Recollect my Self every thing like a Fault towards Your MAIESTY appeareth to Me in such a Reproaching Terrifying Shape that I have a Remorse for it which could it be seen I assure my Self it would Move Your Compassion to Me. I Humbly beg SIR to be Admitted to Your Feet and to be Disposed of as You Direct not only now but for the Remainder of my Life And though my Resignation is too full to admit any Reserve Your MAIESTY will permit me to offer to You Whether You will let pass any thing as a Penalty upon Me which may lay a Stain upon my Innocent Children Whether You will make Me Undergo the Ignominy of a Tryal before You give Me Your Pardon And of what Use or Satisfaction can it be to You to Forgive Me and yet give Me the Cruel Punishment of hearing my Self Arraigned for Treason against such a KING and such a FATHER And whether my being carried to the Tower in case You be pleased to Excuse my â—ryal câ—n have any Effect but an unnecessary Mortification of One who God knoweth is already enough Afflicted and some kind of Blemish too to my Family as well as an useless Limitation of Your MAJESTIES Mercy SIR I lay these Things before You in the most Submitting Manner that is Possible with an Entire Resignation to what You shall Determine Neither do I Imagine to Receive Your Pardon any otherwise than by the Intercession of the DUKE whom I Acknowledge to have Offended and am Prepared to Submit my Self in the Humblest Manner and therefore beg Your MAIESTY would Direct how I am to Apply my Self to Him and I shall do it not as an Outward Form but with all the Sincerity in the World If what I have said can Move You to Forget my past Faults it will be a Grace I shall Endeavour to Deserve by all the Actions of my Life And I am so sensible how Ill a Guide my Own Will hath been to Me that I am Resolved for the Future to put it Entirely into Your MAJESTIES Hands that I may by that Means never Commit a Fault but for want of Your Directions or Your Commands Dear SIR be pleased to Revive by a kind Answer the most Miserable Disconsolate Creature now Living Monmouth The Copy of a Letter to the KING Signed by the Duke of Monmouth mentioned P. 155 of the foregoing Account I Have heard of some Reports of Me as if I should have â—essen'd the Late Plot and gone about to Discredit the Evidence given against Those who have Died by Justice Your MAIESTY and the DUKE know how Ingenuously I have Own'd the Late Conspiracy and though I was not Conscious of any Design against Your MAJESTIES LIFE yet I Lament the having had so Great a Share in the other Part of the said Conspiracy SIR I have taken the Liberty to put this in Writing for my Own Vindication and I beseech You to Look Forward and Endeavour to Forget the Faults You have Forgiven Me I will take Care never to Commit any more against You or come within the Danger of being again Mislead from my Duty but make it the Business of my Life to Deserve the Pardon Your MAIESTY hath granted to Your Dutiful Monmouth FINIS * Nota That this week His MAJESTY was expected from New-Market but came eight days sooner by reason of the â—ire * Carâ—â—â—res †Scotland * Sâ—â—tland †〈◊〉 * Dissâ—nting Lords * Scotland * England †Carstares * Diâ—â—enting Lords