said that being thus Kill'd they carried the Corps to a chamber of Hills at Dr Godwins where lying till Munday night they brought it to a Room in the lower part of Sommerset-House and then Hill shewd it Prance by a dark Lanthorn Green Berry and the rest being by That on Tuesday it was brought to Sir John Arundels where lying till Wednesday it was convey'd to the first lodging and from thence about twelve in a Sedan to the So-ho and then on a Horse before Hill to the place where it was afterwards found That Girald and one Vernat spake to him the said Prance of a great Reward and that there was to be a good one from my Lord Bellasis That in the beginning of November Girrald Lewson Vernat one Dethick and himself met at Bow where reading all the Writings of the said Murther they were very merry and a Drawer listning Prance threatned to kick him down stairs but the Boy being call'd said he knew nothing but that Dethic was with company there and that in reading a Paper he heard Sir Edmund-Godfrey's name and that some body threatned to kick him Bedlow swore That Le-Phair Prichard Keines and other Priests but Girald he knew not did treat with him concerning the Murther of a Gentleman about the beginning of October last That he having a mind about two years ago to discover the Plot was prevented but now drill'd them on to know the Party that he might prevent them but they would not tell him who it was That they set him to insinuate himself into the acquaintance of Sir Edmund Godfrey not telling their Design That on Saturday the day that Sir Edmund Godfery was murther'd Le Phair having mist Bedlo in the morning met him by accident in Lincolns-Inn-Fields about four and at the Palsgraves Tavern told him That a material man was to be put out of the way that night who had all Oates's and Tongue 's informations which if not taken from him would discover their business to that Degree that they must stay till another Age to effect it That Le Phair then told him he should have Four Thousand Pound for a Reward That no worse man than my Lord Bellasis was engaged for it and Mr. Coleman had order to pay it yet named not Sir Edmund Godfrey to him That he parted then with Le Phair but came not according to his engagement to Somerset-House That Le Phair met him on Monday in Fleetstreet and charged him with breach of promise That he answered That he knew not but the murthered person might be his Friend whereupon Le Phair appointed him to meet at Eight in the Evening at Sommerset-House and he should know more that coming there the said Le Phair told him the man was Kill'd and that if he would help to carry off the Body he should have half the Reward That he then shew'd him the body by a dark Lanthorn but that he saw neither Hill Green nor Berry there Green being in the Court That he had such a remembrance of Faces that he can tell all he saw there though the light were small And by the way Reader now it was as appears by the Lords Journal that Bedlo Deposes he saw Prance and that Waâ—s †Le Phair Atkins and my lord â—ellâ—siâ—'â— man were wiâ—h him being is you see quite different Actors from those mention'd by Praâ—er Then he tells 〈◊〉 Tâ—â—â—â—he Corps had a Cravat about the Neck like that about his 〈◊〉 now but so streight that he could not put his Finger between which Reader one would think were no very proper Instrument to Strangâ—â— a strong Man so cleverly and without Noise That he knew Sir E. Godfrey presently though they said he belong'd to a Man of Qualityâ— That the Jesuits now with him the said Bedlow were not those who had formerly imploy'd him to insinuate himself into this Knight's Company and yet Reader his Worship inform'd us as you see but just before That his present Introducer Le Phair was one of them who had thus imploy'd him He further sayes That for his part he advised them to throw the Body with Weights into the River That they thinking that not safe answer'd They would put it on himself That upon asking Le Phair How they could get him away they said in a Chair and Berry was to let them out That upon his saying T was too early Eleven or Twelve being better for their purpose and that he would come again Le Phair conjur'd him not to fail that Night on the Sacrament he had taken on Thursday for after Oaâ—es his Discovery of the Plot the Sacrament was Administred to him twice a Week That he hasted away and having so great a Charge upon him as the Sacrament he grew disturb'd and went to Bristow where God put it into his Mind to discover All and so writ to the Secretary The Premises were endeavour'd also to be confirm'd by Four Colateral Testimonies as first by Mr. Robinson of the Common-Pleas who attested that Sir Edm. Godfrey said to him That he believed he should be the first Martyr but if they came fairly he would not part with his Life tamely Secondly by one Curtis a poor Chair-Woman belonging to Sir E. Godfrey who said She saw Hill with her Master about Nine or Ten in the Morning on the Saturday he was Murther'd Thirdly by Hill's denying before the Council that ever he saw Girald whenas the Boy at the Plow prov'd in Court that they met there And lastly by Berry's sending away the Prince whilst this Intrigue was on foot upon pretence that he had Orders to acquaint all Persons of Quality That the Queen received no Visits And then being askt at his Examination by the Lords Whether he had ever had such Orders before he then said No which Contradicts his present Answer To this Charge the Prisoners answer'd with all imaginable Protestations That they were Innocent Nor did Sir Robert Southweâ—'s Testimony advantage them a little in the Opinion of many for firsts he being summon'd as a Witness for the King to acquaint the Court with several Particulars about Prance's Examination before the Council was askt Whether his present Description and Account of Places were suitable to what 〈…〉 which Sir Robert answered Yes but that it was 〈…〉 had said In the next place the Aâ—turney General demanding whether Prance did hesitate when he shew'd the Lords the several places in relation to the murther He answered That he went positively and directly till they askâ— him where in Sommerset-â—ouse the Body was carried but that then after going into several rooms he was in greatâ— distraction yet because in that Confusion he said Thâ—◠〈…〉 we are right the C. Justice would have it that his doubtfulness gave credit to his Testimony since a Knight of the Post never sticks at any thing Now as to the Prisoners
Coleman writ a curious fine small hand and would thereby put a great deal in a little room which very much surpris'd all that knew Coleman who was far from writing a curious or fine hand and far from a small one also Nor was this the only thing that amaz'd the Auditors for both Oates and Bedlow openly declar'd in Court when Mr. Langhorn charg'd them with Rewards Gratifications and the like that they were so far from any benefit by the Discovery That they were out of pocket 700. l. a pece and yet the one was proved the day before to line 〈◊〉 Gaol on the Basket and the 〈◊〉 as deplorable as a Man of â—eâ—pâ—ll'd the College and desâ—tut of Friends couldâ— be 〈◊〉 Nay there were several Witnesses at hand to prove also Oiteo's wretched poverty but by not appearing presently at call the ' Court went on to other matters Besides Reader you may imagine that Mr. Langhorn's Friends and Acquaintance were not a little confounded to find Bedlow saying Thus. I saw him Register Colemauys Letter to his Studjl whilst Coleman and I walkâ—â—â— in his Chamber when as all knew as he hints in his Memoires That 't is impossible to see one out of his Chamber writing in his Study Mr. Langhorn being askt what he had to say to all this Answer'd That he had been a close Prisoner from the Seventeenth of October and never convers'd with any Friend to tell him news nor could he fore-see what these men would testify so that the main of his Defence was to lessen their Evidence and thereupon he called the 19 St. Omer's Witnesses c. who proved as before both Oates his being constantly at St. Omers from December to June and that Sir Thomas â—reston Sir John Warner c. were not in England either in April or May. But here the Court too 〈◊〉 great Exceptions at the Gardener of Watten who was a Dutch man and could scarce speak English for being askt how he could be so â—onctual as to Sir J. Warners being there all April and May and not so in July and other Months he Answer'd because Sir John in the Rector's absence who went then into England supply'd his place that he did not take so much notice of him at other times and besides That the Question that he came for did fall in those moneths and not in July c. whereupon the Court inferr'd That he had his part given him and the rest and consequently that there was no credit to be given to them Now his meaning was this and every body was thought to understand him so viz. That all the World ringing by reason of the Printed Tryals and the like with the noise That Sir John was at London in such and such moneths he had reflected on the several circumstances in relation to the said months and therefore could positively speak to them when as for the others he never consider'd or dreamt of them Then Mrs. Grove and her Maid a Protestant appeared who witness'd that Oates never lay there for they knew him not that all March April and May the House was full of Lodgers whom they knew and that Mrs. Fitzherbert lay then in that room which Oates pretended was his but because the Mistress being demanded who lay there in June and July answer'd that she was not to be examin'd further then April and May they were both slighted and dismist like the Gardiner though the Maid positively nam'd Mrs Fitzberbert as there then nor did Mrs. Grove mean any thing else by the words but that April and May were the only months which Oates pretended to as lodging at her house * After this Mr. Langhorn call'd for the Authentick Copy of the Record out of the Lords House which though it were in the beginning of his Tryal granted not only by Oates but by the Court also that if he had one it should be read yet now 't was deny'd and Chief-Justice North said It was unreasonable to think a man should be prepared to justify all he has sworn in his life besides 't was absolutely determin'd that he should not prove even by Witnesses what Oates had said against him at another Tryal which was thought very hard After this came the Mistress of the White-Horse a Protestant also who said she had kept that Tavern Seven Years that she had never seen Mr. Oates before That it was a small inconsiderable House that there was no room would hold above a dozen and that she remembers not so great a company at one time unless at a Parish Jury who were divided into three rooms Now Oates fearing much this Witness at first insisted on his priviledge of not answering to any question relating to a former Tryal and therefore would not tell the Prisoner how many Jesuits met here but the Chief Justice perswading him to speak he answer'd at last about Eighteen or Twenty and not Fifty Reader as formerly and that these were also in two or three several rooms which not a few deem'd non-sense and contrary to the Nature of a Consult for that requires that the Members should be together and besides the Meeting according to this rate comes but to about three Clubs or Colloquies as he calls them which were still kept according to his usual story in other places the general Randezvous being only here But Oates was soon comforted for upon the womans Evidence there stood up one that attested that there were Rooms there that would hold Thirty and then another that he was at a Wedding there where Dined above Twenty and so she made her Exit like the rest and retir'd But this ended not thus for after the Tryal several went to view this so much talkt of Tavern and though it 's back part be rebuilt since April 78. yet the Jesuits famous Room still remains being about four Yards and a half square and consequently not able with any convenience to contain above a dozen no wonder therefore if people can hardly comprehend how such a number of Polititians could meet there or why they should choose the poorest Tavern in all London or Westminster and where every extraordinary company must necessarily be taken notice of I say people cannot comprehend this and especially they that knew Mr. White 's Mr. Hartcourt's and Mr. Ireland's Chambers either of which besides the us doubtless of the respective Houses upon any extraordinary occasion is almost twice as big as the pretended one and would have been 100 times more convenient to all intents and purposes whatsoever After this the Prisoner askt Oates about his distributing the Commissions who averred that He the said Prisoner had told him in July or August that he had distributed them which Mr. Langhorn urg'd to be quite contrary to his former Oath as having sworn in Coleman's Tryal That he never saw him after the day in April when he brought him the Result and
to be well followed and closely observ'd because so much depends on it for if we should miss to kill him at Windsor or you miss in your way we will do it at New-Market This impudent and Notorious addition for if there were any Hint of such a design in Bedlow's before recited Evidence it was you see only in doubtful words or as a thing told Bedlo by Hartcourt I say this impudent and Notorious addition amaz'd the C. Justice and most of the Auditory but when Sir George saw that some seem'd in earnest to allow it and consider'd the Fate of all that had been yet tryed he turn'd himself to his Fellow-Prisoners and with a Disdainfull smile said There is my business done But resolving nevertheless not to die a mute he and they fell to their Defence the main of which is as follows First Sir George proved by the present Mayor of Bath his Apothecary who had read and his Son did the like the Letter of Directions for Mr. Ashby That there was not the least mention of the King or Queen besides the Baths called by their names That he had the Physical part still by him having torn it off the bottom of the said Letter and that Milk was ridiculous and never prescribed by any Physitian Oates being thus pinch'd would fain have the Milk to be Mr. Ashby's direction in Town before his going to the Bath and that there were then two Letters To this Sir George reply'd that it was Non sense to think he should write two Letters of Directions for the same man at the same place and that Mr. Ashby went to the Bath presently after the writing of them so that what he had order'd was for him there which he prov'd by young Madam Heningham and his man Hunt for he attested that his Master coming in late and weary and understanding by him that Mr. Ashby was going next day to the Bath the said Sir George made the Witness write his directions Mrs. Heningham being also all the while present who averr'd the same and that he carried them that very night to Mr. Ashby nor was there any mention of Milk only Mr. Ashby told him the said Hunt that a friend had advised him to drink it Besides Sir George told the Court that Oates at his first examination before the King and Council declar'd he never saw him and consequently could not see him write that he charg'd him there so slightly that the Board thought it not fit so much as to Commit him That he had his Liberty 24 days after his being accus'd before the Council That when Oates had accus'd him a new at the Common's Bar the Lords as appear's by the Journal examin'd Oates about this very pretended Letter and when the Chancellor askt him if he knew Sir George his hand he answered NO and that he only knew it was his Letter by being subscrib'd George Wakeman which is Reader directly contrary to his present charge Then Sir Philip Lloyd being called by Sir George he said That on the 31 of September Oates declared in Council that Fenwick writ to St Omers that Sir George had undertaken to poyson the King for 15000 l. of which 5000 l. was paid by Coleman That Sir George deny'd the thing and demanded Reparation that the Board not likeing his Carriage the Chancellor askt Oates if he knew any thing personally more than by Hear say desiring a sufficient ground for a Commitment That he lifting up his hands answer'd NO God forbid I should say any thing against Sir George for I know nothing more against him and the said Sir Philip for the Truth of what he attested appeal'd to the whole Board To this killing stroak and unquestionable evidence for every body knew Sir Philip durst not for his head have asserted a false thing since the Council before whom Oates had depos'd would have certainly question'd him I say to this killing stroak Oates had no other answer but his former to Coleman that he was weak by his two nights fatigue and that he was not COMPOS MENTIS Whereupon the C. Justice replyed That it requir'd not much strength to say he saw a Letter under Sir George's hand which was a plain and full answer also to Sir Tho. Doleman who witness'd That Oates was in a very weak and feeble condition at the Council for can any body Reader life up his hands and cry God forbid I should say more than I know and yet be so feeble as not to be able to say I know he has written Treason in a Letter Now when Oates saw this foolish Excuse would not do he openly cry'd It was such a Council as would commit no body which was not only a most Rascally Reflection and for it the Court reprehended him but a most Notorious lye since they secur'd every body whom he personally accus'd I say this was not only a Reflection and a Lie but enough to perjure him also for if he thought that this partial Councel would not secure Sir George then he has forsworn himself by saying that the remisness of his Accusation proceeded from forgetfulness and Lassitude After this Sir George desir'd that the Record of the House of Lords might be read but the Court refus'd it and then Mr. Corker began his plea. He told the Court That it was swearing with probable Circumstances that must render a man Guilty and not a ridiculous Charge by Scandalous men for otherwise no-innocent person could ever escape an Oates or a Bedlow That the Record or Lords Journal shows that Oates acknowledg'd he had nothing to say against any man but those already accused and that his name was not there That when Oates came to seize on Mr. Pickering He the Officers ask't who was in the House and when the Names of Mr. Pickering Mr. Corker Mr. Marshal were mention'd they said they had nothing to do with any body but Mr. Pickering as Ellen Rigby the House-Maid attested which plainly mproves that had Mr. Corker and Mr. Marsh been Traytors to Oates his knowledge they would have been apprehended also That the said Mr. Corker was not President of the Benedictines as Oates had depos'd and this he proved by three to wit Madam Sheldon Mrs Broad-head and the said Ellen Rigby who declared that Mr. Stapleton was in that Office and had been so for many years Besides this El. Righby who had also with others attended the Court the two former Tryals witnest That Oates last Summer came to their House a begging to Pickerings and that Pickering bad her not let him come in any more which shew'd to all the Court what a Plotter Oates was being forc'd to beg even in the very heat of the Plot and contemn'd also by his pretended Partisans Mr. Marsh added also and had the Messenger in Court That he sent for Witnesses out of the Countrey against his
and found the Ink not yet dry nor was there any body else to write Mr. Ashby being Lame That Oates heard Ashby talk to him of the Commission he had received of being Physitian to the Army That presently there came one Sir Richard or Sir Robert a brisk man about 45 years old to call Father Keines Langworth Fenwick Hartcourt and another to wait on her Majesty at Somersethouse That Oates accompany'd them and staying in the Anti-Chamber whilst they went into her Room he heard a Woman after expressing much zeal for her Religion and the violation of her Bed say That she would assist Sir George in poysoning the King That when the Fathers came out He Oates desir'd to see the Queen who gave him a gracious Smile and spoke to Mr. Hartcourt in the former voice about 1000 l. nor did he see there any other Woman and Reader you may easily imagine how ridiculous this stuff seem'd to every body That a Lady eminent in vertue should not only make such a declaration in a publick Consult for the resolves of all Consults are known at one time or other but also in the hearing of such a pittiful Wretch as Oates who could help neither her nor any body else in any part of the Plot more than the first Kennel raker you meet with After this he tells the Court That he heard Ashby in express Terms offer Sir George 10000 l. to poyson the King which he refus'd as too little for so great a Work That Mr. White sent to offer him 5000 l. more which he accepted and received for he saw it thus Register'd in the Jesuits Entry book which Langhorn sometimes kept Mem. The day of August 15000 l. was proposed to Sir George Wakeman and then under it was written Received of Mr. Hartcourt by the Order of Ed. Coleman 5000 l. in part G. W. Now Reader he that can swallow such a Register or such unnecessary and unheard of Entrys and Memorandums let him him never for the future think any thing either Romantick or sottish As for Mr. Corker he say'd he had a Patent which Oates saw in his hand to be Bishop of London That he being PRESIDENT of the Benedictines did consent to the raising of the 6000 l. contributed by them That he heard Mr. Corker dislike the Choice of Pickering to kill the King because he commonly attended upon the Altar and might miss an opportunity by being at High Mass that Mr. Marshall knew of Pickering's Design and that he went halves with Coniers that the King should eat no more Mince Pies That Mr. Rumley was privy to the giving of 6000 l. That he saw Mr. Marshall at the Consult in August but Mr. Marshall asking him what day he answer'd â—Twas a great priviledge he named the moneth At last with much ado he said ' T was either the day before or day after the 15th or Assumption Whereupon Mr. Marshal answer'd with heat and briskness Now he hath avouch'd this positively so that Oates fearing the Consequence cry'd Nay I will not be positive and continu'd so all along as good as his word only he said that the Benedictin Consult in which they had an account from A. Bâ— Talbot of the Irish Affaires was positively on the one and Twentyeth if it fell on a Wednesday as it did which contradicts his former depositions and therefore he is not to be blam'd if he refuses to be positive for in Mr. Whites Tryal he fixes the †Consult about sending the 80l to the Ruffians on this day and yet those two Consults are by his account on different dayes all along Bedlo succeeding Oates said That being at Mr. Harcourts about the beginning of August Sir George came in Angry and discontented at put offs and askt Mr. H. if he had any thing for him who after some words gave him a Bill of 2000 l. saying it was brought him by a Gentleman whose name Bedlo had forgotten who received it from such a one that said it was by the Queen's Order That the Bill was charg'd on a Goldsmith's as he thinks neer St Denstans but his name he had forgotten also That Sir George upon reading the Bill saidâ—he found more encouragement from his good Mistress than from all the rest That Sir George asking Mr. Hartcourt who Bedlo was answered A Friend long engaged in our business and is to do the next great work which Bedlo thought a sufficient answer to Sir George's wonder †That upon the first sight of a man he should discover such high and dangerous secrets Nay after Sir George's protesting he had never seen Bedlo before his now appearing in Court for he had too remarkable a face he said to be forgotten Bedlo replyed That Sir George was his Physician three years before at the Bath which by the premisses Reader is absolutely false you see for how could Sir George ask Hartcourt now who he was or Bedlo need Mr. Hartcourts Character if there had been such an Acquaintance between them formerly as he pretends Bedlo moreover says That presently after this discourse in Mr. Hartcourts Chamber Sir George told him the said Bedlo near the Temple That the Bill was accepted and would be paid in the afternoon †That upon asking Hartcourt a while after he told him That he the said Hartcourt had made up the former summ 5000 l. it being for the old business for if they should fail at Windsor then this way was to be taken and if this fail they should be sure to do it at New-Market and that so was the Discourse with Sir George That he had heard Corker speak of a Design Army c and of Letters he had receiv'd from beyond Sea in relation to it That Mr. Marshall was one that knew the Affairs That he communicated all to Sir Francis Ratcliff and used to be one of the Club that saw and examin'd the Letters he brought That for Mr. Rumley he heard he was one employ'd when Secret Letters were sent into the Countrey and so knew of the Plot. Here Sir George asking Bedlo what day he had this Bill he answer'd He had no Dispensations as formerly to lie and had no delight to damn his Soul and therefore could only tell him it was in the beginning of August or thereabouts nor remembred he any names but those relating to his business Now when the Evidence came to be stated the C. Justice said that Bedlo had heard t is true doubtfull words told Sir George but that Hartcourt had not fully spoken of the business to him in the said Bedlow's presence so that in effect 't was no more than That Sir George receiv'd from Hartcourt a Bill he know's not upon whom nor for what But Bedlow being call'd to repeat his former Evidence and finding now where he had been too short declar'd That Hartcourt in one intire discourse said in his hearing to Sir George This is