Religions sake or in short for the sake of all that is Good and Holy put a stop to this present Tempest which bearing up Perjury has not only destroy'd all Trade and Commerce among us but render'd us a Laughing-stock to the whole world and shaken the very Basis and Foundation of our Island FINIS The Certificate of the City of St. Omer concerning Titus Oates WE the Mayor and Sherifs of the City of St Omer being surpris'd at the Report That the English Fathers residing with us had about the beginning of the Present Year by the Negotiation of one Titus Oates in France and England contrived and Plotted a wicked and bloody Treason against their natural Lord the most excellent King of Great Britain and being the more amazed at it since they had given through a long â—cries of Years a rare example among us not only of Learning and Piety in particular but of Obedience in general to all Civil Magistrates and Governors a thing which makes the whole Society of Jesus highly respected and esteemed by most of the Christian Princes of the World We say that being surpris'd at this report we took as far as we could the Examination of the matter into hand and therefore certify That it has appeared to us by the Oaths of several of the best and antientest Scholars of that Seminary the whole College having offer'd to make the same Oath That the said Titus Oates was not only effectively in the said Seminary at the end of April and beginning of May 1678 but did constantly reside there from the tenth of December 1677. to the twenty third of June following without ever being absent from thence except one night in January at which time he was at Watten two Leagues distant from us The said Deponents also have alledg'd as a reason of this their knowledge That they Lodg'd Convers'd Drunk and Eat with the said Oates in the said Seminary all that while he being at a distinct table alone and did partiâ—ularly take notice that he was there in April and May as abovesaid as having seen him at that time constantly perform the Office of Reader in the Sodality of the Students in the said Seminary and as being present at the departure of one Killembeck alias Pool an English Scholar who went from this City the fifth day of the said Moneth of May New Stile to take his journey into England In Witness whereof we have caus'd the Seal of the said City to be hereunto put this 28 of December 1678. Loco Sigilli ✚ J. Ganon The Certificate of the City of Liege in Relation to Sir Thomas Preston WE the Eschevines of the high Court of Justice of his most Serene Highness in the City and Countrey of Liege To all those to whom these presents shall come greeting do certify and attest That a Petition being presented to us in our ordinary Consistory in the Palace of his said Highness on the behalf of Sir Thomas Preston Knight and Baronet residing at the English College of this City That whereas the said Sir Thomas Preston during the greatest part of the Year One Thousand Six Hundred Seventy and Eight and more especially in the Moneths of March April May and June did constantly reside in the said College be the said Sir Thomas Preston having petition'd that we would in favour of the Truth hear a great many Witnesses which he had to produce we condeseended unto his said Petition as reasonable and just and have accordingly heard upon Oath fourteen creditable persons who have all unanimously upon their respective Oaths declared and attested that the said Sir Thomas Preston Knight and Baronet did reside all the time aforesaid at the College aforesaid and particularly in the Moneths of March April May and June in the Year 1678. and that he was not absent sâ— much as one-night during the said time and they further have attested that they knew this to be true in that they resided all in the said College and there saw and convers'd dayly with Him Given at our Court of Justice this 28 of March 1679. By Order of the High Court of Justice abovesaid Locus Sigilli ✚ De Bernimolin per Bonhomme THe like Certificate came from Watten about Sir John Warner the Witnesses names being Albert Bapthorpe William Bitchfielt Tousaint Vanden Cruys F. Caeles Augustin Elmers Jaques Broos Nicholas Willaert Thomas Higgenson Marc. Bartolet Charles Verons FINIS * Vid. Trial. Pag. 17 18. †pag. 19. ‖ pag. 20. * pag. 28. †pag. 21 ‖ pag. 29. * pag. 22. †pag. 23. ‖ pag. 72. * pag. 24. †pag. 25. ‖ pag. 26. * pag. 27. †pag. 30. ‖ pag. 40. * pag. 39. †pag. 16. ‖ pag. 72. * pag. 80. and 96. †pag. 30. ‖ pag. 38. * pag. 30. †pag. 32. ‖ pag. 31. pag. 40. †pag. 80. ‖ pag. 38. * pag. 41. †pag. 42. †pag. ib. †pag. 43. ‖ pag. 44. * pag. 72. †pag. 68. ‖ pag. 57. * pag. 73. †pag. 16. ‖ pag. 69. * pag. 72. ‖ pag. 102. ‖ pag. 102. 103. * Pag. 70. * pag. 68. †pag. 66. ‖ pag. 69. * pag. 80. ‖ pag. 161. * Bedlow †Vid. Trial. ‖ pag. 35. Pag. 19. * pag. 36. †pag. 34. ‖ pag. 60. * pag. 22. †p. 19. ‖ p. 26 * pag. 47. †pag. 19 26. ‖ pag. 23. * pag. 24. †pag. 22. ‖ pag. 30. * pag. 32. †pag. 20. * pag. 47. ‖ pag. 46. * pag. 41 44. †pag. 49. ‖ pag. 67. * pag. 25. †pag. 56. * pag. 59. ‖ pag. 62. * pag. 65. †pag. 56. ‖ pag. 56 62. * pag. 65. †pag. 57. ‖ pag. 12. ‖ pag. 14. ‖ pag. 16. ‖ pag. ib. ‖ pag. 18. ‖ pag. 19. ‖ pag. 20. †pag. 22. * pag. 21. ‖ pag. 44. ‖ pag. 29. ‖ pag. 28. †pag. 29. ‖ pag. 30. ‖ pag. 31. ‖ pag. 32. ‖ pag. 33. * pag. 32. * pag. 32. ‖ pag. 33. †pag. 14. ‖ pag. 40. * pag. 41. †pag. 49. * pag. 46. * pag. 47. †pag. 23. ‖ pag. 71. * pag. 26. †pag. 24. ‖ pag. 25. * pag. 71. †pag. 70. ‖ pag. 52. * pag. 53. †pag. 54. * pag. 56. ‖ pag. 58. * pag. ib. * pag. 56. †pag. 54. ‖ pag. 55. * p. 56 57. †pag. 59. ‖ pag. 61. * pag. 67. †pag. 62. ‖ pag. 63. * pag. 64. †pag. 65. ‖ pag. 65. * pag. 70. †pag. 68. ‖ pag. 69. * pag. 48. ‖ pag. 43. * pag. 60. †pag. 40. ‖ pag. 49. * pag. 50. * Vid. Trial. Pag. 3. †p. 4. 5. ‖ pag. 6. * pag. 12. †pag. 13. ‖ p. 14. 15. * pag. 15. ‖ pag. 16. * pag. 17. ‖ pag. 21. * pag. 22. ‖ pag. 29. * pag. ib. †pag. 44. ‖ pag. 29. †pag. 23. ‖ pag. 24. * pag. 25. ‖ pag. 26.
had a Sight of every private Writing by which they came not only to know our Hands but had oftentimes Hints the better to frame their Accusations I say notwithstanding all these Accidents there has not been found any ill Letter any Commission any Bill of Exchange any Money any Arms any Horses or any Thing else suspicious but to the Confusion of our Enemies an Innocency a Patience and a Loyal Zeal beyond Example I have been my Lords and Gent the more particular with Oates though as I said I have not half done to the end you might see not only how impossible it was That he should have any knowledge of a Plot had there been one but that his whole Information also is a most vain Fiction and consequently if 100 Men and all of them of some repute should vouch and justify his Fopperies it could but show us what Encouragements and Temptations will do For since he has most evidently Lyed all along how can their Testimony make him to have spoken Truth If therefore upon force you must judge thus of all that shall witness for him though their Credit should be a little Tollerable of which I 'le assure you we have no Apprehension what are we to think of his declared Coadjutors and Partizans who are so known and not one whit behind him in any impudent or apparent falsity As for Bedlow's part nothing can be a greater proof of it than that he should at first solemnly profess to the very Secretaries in his Examination upon Oath That he knew nothing of the Plot further than of Sr. Edm. Godfreys Murther Besides when he was askt where they laid his Corps in Somerset house he mention'd the Room next to that where the Duke of Albemarle lay in state but being caught Tardy there because it belong'd to my Lord Ossory's Protestant Servants he went and show'd them another in which he was yet more unfortunate it being the common place for Pages and other forraign Attendants and had to boot during the Queens stay Centinells still by it Prance also you see for I must be very brief in my Instances acquaints us of God knows how many that menton'd the killing the King to him and this as a trivial matter even whilst they were buying Spoons Candlesticks and the like And to confirm the raising an Army by us he come's to the very number of men it was to consist of to wit Fifty Thousand and yet there are not so many Men Women and Children of our Religion in England nor were we to expect much help from abroad seeing the Kings Navy was not only then in a good forwardness but all forraign Princes were together by the Eares and wanted Recruits as they still do who are in an actual War But considering Dugdale is the Junior of all for as to Jenison I shall only add this at present to what I have said before That he has already demanded a PENSION for his Services which shews both his plentiful Condition and his Aim I say as to Dugdale he is no ill Proficient I 'le assure you in proceedures of this Nature Having had the luck as well as the rest of the Fraternity to be proved in Open Court a Villain For at the last Staffor'd Assizes Mr. Sambige a Protestant Gent together with Mr. Philips the Parson of the Parish represented to the Court That Dugdal never mention'd to them the killing of a Justice of Westminster as he deposes in Sir George Wakeman's Trial and least such a Testimony should endanger the spilling of Innocent blood they were willing to swear to the Truth of this Averment nor could this ill man say any thing then to it only after some days search he got two wretched fellows of his Gang who privately made Oath That Dugdal had told them the said Deponents that Story which contradicts nothing had their Depositions been true of what Sambige and Mr. Philips attested to his Confusion and how Mr. Chetwin also who makes Mr. Sambige in the Jesvits Trial his Author will avoid this Blow let any man tell me that can Besides were there no such persons as Mr. Sambige and M. Philips living is not yet the Lie most apparant and clear for how is it possible as I mention'd before That Dugdale that was so greatly concern'd in the Plot and so surpris'd and disturb'd as he assures us at this Murther least it might ruin the whole business should run the very next morning after Mr. Ewers had forsooth with great Secresy told him of it and proclame to no manner of purpose at an Alâ— before any man dreamt of it in the Countryâ— Thus stands our Case my Lords and Gent thus you see that no good Protestant can be safe if such notorious Perjuries shall be countenanc'd Nay if Popery should be thus deprest could it be do you think either for the Honour or Interest of your Religion since the History of all Country as well as our own for no Tittle of this can fall to the ground and be unrecorded will like the Ghost of a Murther'd man be ever haunting you which must raise in yours and your childrens thoughts great Detestation and Horror For to what Height is the Effrontery of these Sons of Perdition come when they can threaten Juries for not going against their Consciences and tell Judges of WRITS of EASE if they take notice of most apparent and impudent Contradictions Have not they then destroy'd all Law And will not our moderate and excellent Government if these Precedents stand good be the most despotical uncertain one that ever was but to add yet to our Amazement who could have ever thought unless it were to make the folly every where proportionable that we who have so eminently hazarded our ALL for the King that have so entirely Loved his person have so constantly even doted on Monarchy should be accus'd as the grand Parricides and that they that are generally reputed to hate King and King-ship should be now the Sticklers and Zealots for both Is there not then some further Trick Design in this new Loyalty And may not the Papists as the Dogs in the Fable be thought too great a safety for the Fold Yes certainly for as the Apologist has long ago observ'd The Prerogative never suffer'd no great States man has ever been disgrac't nor the Church of England it self nâ—â— the Libertyes of the People ever wounded but a fearful Out cry against Popery has still preceded And now that I speak of the Liberties Rights of the People shew me an Instance in Story even in the reputed Worst of Times and therefore you may see what Judgments ever follow the falling upon the Innocent that whole Corporations as appears now in the Buckingham case in other Places also were ever before publickly Libell'd for their Choice which takes away the chiefest Liberty and Priviledge we can possibly pretend Therefore for Liberties sake for Monarchies sake for
from the Gate And moreover that they were Examin'd twice about this very Matter by the Committee before ever Prance was taken up As for the Collateral Evidence against the Prisoners first Mr. Robinson's was not insisted upon we suppose because Sir Edm. Godfrey did not say He feared to be a Martyr by the Papists and most People had heard That he had bin very much threatned by Great Persons that were not Papists Nor did the Court longer insist on Hill's denying before the Council that he knew Girald when Sir Robert Southwel shew'd them that it was Kelly he spoke of And the Master of the Plow could not say He had seen Kelly and Hill together Now as for Curtis's the Chair-Woman's Evidence of seeing Hill with Sir Edm. Godfrey about Nine or Ten that very Morning before he was Kill'd it was both Contradicted by How who witness't That Hill was with him that Morning from about Nine till Two and by Hill himself who protested That she said at Newgate She never had seen him in her Life before To which Answer neither the Bench nor the King's Council nor the Woman her self ever made the least Denyal or Reply And lastly as to Prince Rupert's Non-admittance Berry not only declar'd that the Gentleman Vsher brought him his Orders about the Answer he gave to the Persons of Quality that came to see the Queen and that the Prince might have enter'd if he had pleas'd since several did go in But he added also that he never deny'd he had such Orders before for the Truth was he had had them formerly So that the Court when they commanded his Examination to be read found not the least mention there of the pretended Denyal nor did they so much as send for the Gentleman Vsher which inferr'd they were satisfyed And besides every Body knew that the Queen's receiving no Visits by day was little Advantage to the Conspirators in their Deeds of Darkness especially since all the Family and who else pleas'd might come in and out as before Nor was it possible for the said Conspirators to assure themselves of Wheedling Sir Edmond into the Palace and more particularly at a prefixt and certain time which shew'd the Allegation to be vain and frivolous This was the Prisoners Plea but the Jury finding them Guilty they were Condemned the next Day and Ten Dayes after viz. Fryday the 21 th of February Hill and Green were carryed to Tyburn where Hill spoke thus much of the Speech which was found in his Pocket and being since Printed is often put at the End of his Tyral Mr. Hill's Speech I Am now come to the Fatal Place of Execution and in a little time must appear before the Tribunal of God Almighty who knoweth all things and I hope it will be Happy for me because I am innocently put to Death I take God Men and Angels to witness I am Innocent of the Death of Justice Godfrey and believe it will be well for me because I dye Innocently and hope through the Merits of my Blessed Saviour to be saved I do confess as I lived so I dye a Roman-Chatholick desiring such to Pray for me God bless and preserve his Majesty and this poor Nation and lay not Innocent Blood to its Charge So I bid you all Farewel in Jesus Christ into whose Hands I commend my Spirit Then turning to some of the Officers he said There is a Report up and down that I have Confessed the Murther of Sir Edm. Godfrey to Dr. Lloyd I do deny it Then Mr. Green spake thus I Desire all your Prayers And as for Sir Edmundberry Godfrey I know not whether he be Dead or Alive For in my Dayes I never saw him with my Eyes as I know of And if false People will Swear against me I cannot help it I pray to God to Bless my King and all Good People Then Captain Richardson told him He had a fair Tryal and wisht him not to reflect upon others but to prepare himself for Death To which Mr. Green reply'd I pray God Almighty Forgive them all I never saw Sir Edm. Godfrey to my Knowledge in my Life MR. Berry was Executed on the 28 th of the same Month and though he was brought back to the Church of England by the Pains of Dr. Lloyd or rather declar'd that he had for Interest pretended himself for some time a Catholick I say notwithstanding this he absolutely deny'd at the very Gallows the Fact Nay as the Cart was Drawing away he lifted up his Hands and said As I am Innocent so receive my Soul O Jesus Concerning Mr. White Harcourt Fenwick Gaven and Turner ON the Thirteenth of June 1679. the aforesaid Provincial Mr. White and Mr. Fenwick together with Mr. Harcourt Rector of London Mr. Gaven and Mr. Turner two other Jesuits were Tried at the Old Bayly being Indicted for meeting in London at a Traitorous Consult on the Twenty Fourth of April 78. where 't was agreed upon That the King should be-Kill'd by Grove and Pickering and upon their failure by Four others as it has been formerly mentioned Mr. White told the Court that he had already viz. with Mr. Ireland on the Seventeenth of last December been Indicted the Jury Empanell'd Witnesses call'd and he Examin'd during many Hours and that he humbly conceiv'd he could not by Law be put again in Jeopardy of his Life for the same Fact for otherwise a Man might be Tried 100. times To which the Chief Justice Answered That it was supposed when he was Endited there would have been Two Witnesses but that fell otherwise that he was not in Jeopardy being discharged before the Jury went together and that his Case was no more than if a Witness were taken Sick and should that happen it would not be reasonable a Malefactor should therefore escape Chief Justice North affirm'd the same and said that he knew this often done and besides that his Plea was not good because there was no Record of it extant which surpris'd many of the Auditors to hear of the necessity of a Record about a publick Fact done in that very Court and before the same Judges Hereupon Mr. White demanded Counsel as his right as also whether he ought not at his former Trial to have been Condemn'd or Acquitted but the Chief Justice Answering that it lay in the Discretion of the Court and that he must plead He did it at lâ—st and so did Mr. Fenwick whose case was the same with his after he had urg'd in his own and in Mr. Whites behalf this reason That not being formerly proceeded against because the Second Witness declared he had nothing against them it follow'd that his Silence ought to have then discharged them since his Evidence would certainly have Condemn'd them which not satisfying the Chief Justice he reply'd that this lay in the Breast of the Court for it was unreasonable that a Man accus'd of a Capital Crime by
for the Catholick Cause under the Command of my Lord Bellasis Powis and Arundel and that there should be Trade enough for him and others in Church-Work That he going to Mr. Fenwick's Chamber and his Confessarius Father James being dead Mr. Fenwick would have had him come to Confession to him and enjoyn'd him Secresie once or twice Then Bedlow was call'd who said That he question'd not but Mr. White and Fenwick would now object his former slender Evidence against them but that it was then Convenient for otherwise it would have stopt a Design there being a Treaty with Mr. Reading about them two as well as the Lords in the Tower So that Mr. Reading depended on him as to the favouring the said Lords according as he dealt with these which made him then Apologize in Court as some of the Justices he believ'd did remember That he could not then safely declare all he had to say and in truth he was so far from saying all that he did not say half of it Now as to the Particulars of his then Evidence it was he affirm'd thus That he had seen Mr. White at several Consults but this he said with a Caution viz. That he never heard Mr. White was so very much concern'd in the Plot because he had no reaeson to say otherwise since he heard of it from Mr. White himself and so could not well speak it from a Hear-say And for Mr. Fenwick he never heard him 't is true give in any Answer but yet he had seen him at the Consults This was Bedlow's Prelude but whether Satisfactory or not the Auditors then and the Readers now can best judge and especially since his former Charge was not as he would now have it to be it being without any Apology or Advertisement to the Court that he had more to say against them as it most manifestly appears by Ireland's Printed Tryal For being then ask't Whether he knew any thing of Mr. White 's being present at any of the Consults His Answer was That he had the least Acquaintance with him of any of all the Society yet both he and Mr. Fenwick had been several times at Consultations but he knew not the particular Resolves of them nor had he heard them speak any thing in particular only he was often told that nothing was done without Fenwick but this Evidence not being enough the Jury was Discharged of them and they Remanded to Prison The Court taking no notice of Bedlow's Pretence and Plea or of Mr. White 's Demand viz. Whether any thing he had now said was in the last Tryal the Chief Justice askt Bedlow if they had told him any thing of Killing the King who answered Yes For White had told Coleman the manner of sending the Four Ruffians to Windsor That he saw Hartcourt take out of a Cabinet 80. or a 100 l. That Hartcourt paid them the Money by Coleman's Order and gave the Messenger a Guinney to Drink his Health for Coleman was gone before he the said Bedlow came in Moreover he had seen Mr. Fenwick at Mr. Hartcourt's and White 's Chamber when this whole Business was spoken of That he heard from Mr. White and others in Mr. Hartcourt's Chamber of Grove's and Pickering's Reward or Killing the King as aforesaid That Pickering had received Checks for slipping many Opportunities For once his Flint was loose another time there was no Power in the Pan a third time he Charg'd the Pistol with Bullets and no Powder and a fourth time as one that was at the Tryal assur'd me though the Common Print has omitted it he Charg'd it with Powder only Which Reader if these Attempts had bin Bells are all the Charges that can be Rung on them That Mr. White was in Mr. Hartcourt's Chamber with him and others where 't was agreed that the Additional 5000 l. should be given Sir George Wakâ—man and yet Oats in his Evidence told us That Mr. White order'd it by Letter from Flanders He further sayes That Fenwick was to go to New-Market along with Coniers c. to Destory the King there in his Morning-Walk That he knew nothing in particular of Turner and Gaven That â—e had brought Hartcourt many Pacquets from Spain France Flanders c. about this Affair That he had often carryed the Papers of Business to Mr. Langhorne to Register them That he saw Hartcourt in Sir William Aderson's Presence give a Bill of Exchange to Sir George Wakeman of 2000 l. in part of a greater Sum That Sir George then said 15000 l. was too small a Reward for setling Religion but that Sir George did not read out the Merchant's Name on whom it was drawn After this two Letters were produc'd taken among Mr. Hartcourt's papers The first being from Mr. Peters here in England in which the 24 th of April was mention'd as the day of the meeting Now because it was there enjoyn'd that they should not appear much about Town till the meeting were over lest their Design should be suspected and because of the word Design as also that Secrecy was much recommended as in its own nature necessary The C. Justice thought it extremly conduc'd to the making out of the Plot. As for the second it was from Mr. Anderton at Rome bearing date the 5th of February was Twelve month where mention being made of Patents that were sent and Patents being in the Plural number 't was thought that these were the Commissions so often spoken of The Charge being finish'd it became soon very dubious as to Gaven and Turner because Oates knew them not at their Apprehension and his own words in Court make it good for first He confest that when he met Gaven after his apprehension in the Lobby and was askt by a Gentleman about him he did not well know him nor could say any thing against him then because being under an ill favour'd Perriwig and being a man he knew had a good Head of Hair he did not understand the MYSTERY of it and so spar'd his Evidence and informing the Councel against him Again Gaven produc'd several Staffordshire Witnesses and among others Sir John Winford's Neece and her Maid where he sojourned who attested that they were very confident of his being with them besides other moneths all June and July 'till the 23th because they remember not his absence yet they would not positively say that 't was impossible for him to be away some days since they had no particular Circumstances in readinesse but both they and the rest of his witnesses did averr that he was in Wolver-Hampton from the 23th to the end of July for then to their knowledge he was in the Spiritual Exercise which in truth included the very time of Oates his Accusation for by his saying that Gaven was in London either in July or August and then absolutely agreeing that it was in July it in manner follows that the time
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-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
and Protestation and every part thereof in the Plain and Ordinary Sense wherein the same stands Written as they are commonly understood by English Protestants and the Courts of Justice of England without any Evasion or Equivocation or Delusion or Mental Reservation whatsoever And without any Dispensation or Pardon or Absolution already granted to me for this or any other purpose by the Pope or any other Power Authority or Person whatsoever Or without any hope expectation or desire of any such Dispensation and without thinking or believing that I am or can be acquitted before God or Man or absolved of this Declaration or any part thereof although the Pope or any other Person or persons or Power or Authority whatsoever should dispence with Or take upon him or them to dispence with or Annul the same Or declare that it was or is or ought to be Null or Void in part or in the whole from the beginning or otherwise howsoever Having made this Declaration and Protestation in the most plain Terms that I can possibly imagin to express my sincere Loyalty and Innocency and the clear intention of my Soul I leave it to the Judgment of all Good and Charitable persons whether they will believe what is here in this manner affirmed and sworn by me in my present Circumstances or what is sworn by my Accusers I do now farther declare That I die a member though an unworthy one of that Holy Catholick and Apostolick Church of Christ mentioned in the Three Holy and publick Creeds of which Church our Lord Jesus Christ is the Invisible Head of Influence to illuminate guide protect and govern it by his Holy Spirit and Grace and of which Church the Bishop of Rome as the Successor of St. Peter the Prince of the Apostles is the visible Head of Government and Unity I take it to be clear That my Religion is the sole cause which moved my Accusers to charge me with the Crime for which upon their Evidence I am adjudged to die and that my being of that Religion which I here prosess was the only ground which could give them any hope to be believed or which could move my Juâ—â—y to believe the Evidence of such men I have had not only a Pardon but also great Advantages as to preferments and Estates offered unto me since this Judgment was against me in case I would have forsaken my Religion and owned my self guilty of the Crime charged against me and charged the same Crimes upon others But blessed be my God who by his Grace hath preserved me from yeilding to those Temptations and strengthened me rather to choose this death than to stain my Soul with sin and to charge others against truth with Crimes of which I do not know that any person is guilty Having said what concerns me to say as to my self I now humbly beseech God to bless the Kings Majesty with all temporal and eternal Blessings and to preserve Him and His Government from all Treasons and Traitors whatsoever and that his Majesty may never fall into such hands as His Royal Father of Glorious Memory fell into I also humbly beseeh thee O God to give true Repentance and Pardon to all my Enemies and most particularly to the said Mr. Oates and Mr. Bedloe and to all who have been any ways accessary to the taking away of my Life and the shedding of my Innocent Blood or to the preventing the King's Mercy from being extended unto me and likewise to all those who rejoyced at the Judgment given against me or at the Execution of the said Judgment and to all those who are or shall be so unchristianly uncharitable as to disbelieve and to refuse to give credit unto my now Protestations And I beseech thee O my God to bless this whole Nation and not to lay the guilt of my Blood unto the charge of this Nation or of any other particular person or persons of this Nation Unite all O my God unto thee and thy Church by true Faith Hope and Charity for thy mercies sake And for all those who have shewed Charity to me I humbly beg O my Jesus that thou wilt reward them with all Blessings both temporal and eternal 13 July 1679. R. Langhorn Mr. Langhorns's Speech at the time of Execution WHen the Hangman was putting the Rope over his Head he took it into his hands and kissed it Afterwards He said I would gladly speak to Mr. Sheriff HOW who coming up to him he addressed himself thus Mr. Sheriff I having some doubt whether I should be suffered to speak in relation to my Innocency and Loyalty I did for that Reason prepare what I had to say and what I intended to say in Writing and it is delivered into your hands Mr. Sheriff and therefore for the particular and precise Words and Expressions I do refer my self to that and I hope you will be so just to my Memory that you will permit it to be seen I shall therefore make only a short Preface and I do declare in the Presence of the Eternal God and as I hope to be saved by the Merits and Death of my dear Jesus That I am not Guilty directly or indirectly of any Crime that was sworn against me I do not speak this to Arraign the Court of Publick Justice either Judges or Jury but those Men that did swear it and the Jury had liberty to believe or not believe as they pleased And I do like wise say with the same Averrment That I did never in my Life see any Commission or Patent or any Writing or any other Thing under the hand of Johannes Paulus de Oliva c. S. Nor under no other Hand L. No nor under any other Hand of any Commission or Patents for the Raising of an Army or any Thing else against the King S. What was the Patent for for Nothing L. I never saw any nor do I believe there was any And whereas I have read in a Narrative that I sent a Commission by my Son to the Lord Arundel of Warder and that I delive'rd another to the Lord Petre or Petres with my own hands I take God to Witness that I never knew him in my life or ever to my knowledge saw the face of that Lord nor did I send or know of any thing that was sent to my Lord Arundel of Warder of that nature S. Shorten your business you have Mr. Langhorn and your Party so many ways to Equivocate and after Absolution you may say any thing L. I refer my self to that Paper I gave you Mr. Sheriff S. I think it is not fit to be Printed I will do you no wrong L. I do not think you will S. You have already printed a Paper or some body for you L. Sir I did not Print it and it was done without any Direction or Permission of mine The Lord preserve his Majesty from all manner of Treason and preserve Him from falling into such Hands as His Royal Father
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
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
of the Mine had the promise of Secrecy bin valid must have discover'd his Complices nay we find in the said Treatise that he hufft in the beginning like a Scaevola and declar'd he would confess nothing laying all the blame upon himself which the wise Lords of the Counsel laught at knowing that the Gentleman being in Hold they would for all his Bravadoes find presently and so it happen'd the depth of the whole Intrigue 'T was the knowledg of this I mean that in a discover'd Treason there is no Reliance on Oaths that made Winter with both tâ—e Wrights upon Fawkes his Apprehension post out of town as he confessâ—s they did for had they not bin desperate and without further hopes of secrecy and faith they would never have run to seven or eight Gentlemen suppos'd then in Armes who had now up against them both King and Kingdom to their own particular knowledg Nor coul'd Tresham himself escape you see though he still continued as How tells us about the Court that he might thereby seem wholy free and innocent In fine their own Declarations were such that the Publisher of the Proceedings against them in the very Epistle say's That Justice pass'd on the several CONFESIONS of all the Capital Offenders which they openly CONFES'D and confirm'd at their Arraignments in the hearing of multitudes of People And by the way be pleased to remember that no Catholick ever denied this Treason only some question whether Protestant History it self dos not shew us that Cecil to ruin the Party drew those fiery men into it by his subtil Tricks and Artifices This one would think were more than enough to show you how you are by ill men deceiv'd and we abus'd but because no present Pretence shall be left untoucht I will speak a word of the two Examples which our weak Enemies deem so strong and pertinent to prove this Calumny The first is of one Curphy an Irish Papist who being condemn'd they say in his Countrey for Burglary deny'd it with great Asseverations at his Execution but the Rope by chance breaking before he was quite dead he thankt God confessing the Fact and then in spight of the Sheriffs great Intercession was again hanged by the Judge's special Order and Command The next is of the before mention'd Tresham who protested as they will have it in writing upon his Salvation and this just before his death That he had not seen Garnet in 16 years whereas Garnet and Mrs Vaux did both confess that they had been often since that time together As to Curphy then though truly I know not why any Christian or Pagan should be responsible for every Atheist or Libertine of his Proâ—ession give me leave to ask first how our Adversaries can think this so Nicking a Blow for since they themselves must acknowledge him already to have been an impudent Lyar and an ill man why may it not be as possible nay as probable also and then how is the Argument convincing that seeing he could not save his Life by asserting a TRVTH he now hop'd to work on the Judge by attacking him with a LYE on the other hand for the denying of a Fact to death never pleases him that gave sentence especially if the Evidence be in the least questionable nor was the said Curphy's Expectations it seems wholy frustrated since the Sheriff and others did as you see earnestly intercede for him Now for Tresham the Case is plain and at most but a poor simple womans Project and Mr. Att. Cook cannot but confess it in the aforesaid Speech for there he tell 's us That Tresham's wife understanding with great Concerâ—ment that he had confest all against Garnet got him a little before his death even when he could not WRITE himself to dictate the PROTESTATION to her servant so that 't is no wonder since the meer changing of a Word nay a Figure might do it if there were an Error as to the number of years in question But my Lords and Gent if both the Examples were as our Adversaries would have them what Resemblance or Analogy has the Action I beseech you of a single man once in a Century to Twelve that dyed together who were not only free from the least matter or Circumstance that could make them suspected besides the Testimony of most nefarious Persons but had also LIFE add PREFERMENT offer'd them upon their bare CONFESSION Besides do they that thus charge us think their Religion so harmless or us so ignorant that we can show no Precedents against them of this nature Certainly we can and as I suppose much more to the purpose Nay witnest also by Protestants themselves For does not first that most learned New-Gate-Divine declare in the before mention'd Treatise That in his late Experience as Ordinary there he knew some Malefactors condemn'd for Murther and Burglary to have gone out of the World with a Notorious asserting their Integrity although they had twice or thrice confest to him with some seeming remorse that theywere justly condemn'd for the said Crimes so that here Reader we have not only Protestant Penitents denying the truth at their death but a Protestant Confessarius revealing secrets and such another or one at least very like him Hind the famous Robber met with at Worcester being there convicted and hang'd by the evidence of his spiritual Guide But what do you think of a far more eminent Example to wit that of my Lord Castle haven who as all the Writers of King Charles's Reign will tell you was after a Netorious ill life Charg'd and condemn'd at last for prostituting his Daughter in Law for holding his own Wife whilst his servant forc'd her and lastly for Sodomy it self and yet though these Crimes were proved by several plain Circumstances by his wife and daughters Testimony and lastly by Brodway and Patrick his abus'd Patizans who were both hang'd for the facts and own'd the Committing of them to the last he at his Execution most solemnly deny'd all dying as Sanderson affirms not only a true Protestant but assisted also by his Chaplain's to wit the Dean of St Paul's and Doctor Wickham Thus then you see besides the former evident and unanswerable Reasons that we are not only free from this Imputation our selves but that the Protestant Doctrine is guilty of it if the Actions of some few men are sufficient to determine and adjudge the Point In fine then was it not very pertinently askt by the Author of the New Plot That seeing the Councel of Trent has positively declar'd No Absolution available which is not preceded by Detestation of the sin committed and seeing it is impossible freely to do a thing and at the same time to detest it how could it be imagin'd that the late executed Catholicks should hope for any benefit by such an Absolution as is pretended or be thought with the least appearance of Reason to make use of so wretched