as I suppose and when she went from home desired me to call at Gadbury's for her that we might go together to Mr. Stamfords Accordingly I went to Mr. Gadbury's where I found her and from thence we went to the place beforementioned where Mr. Stamford told us he had been informed from very good hands that Dr. Tongue had at that time employed a considerable number of Writers to describe the whole manner of the Plot but said he I will acquaint the King with it and tell His Majesty my thoughts which are That the design of it is to direct Oats and Bedloe and the rest how to proceed and carry on the present Plot meaning I believe their own against the poor Catholicks but I do not know whether he informed his Majesty of it or not From thence Mrs. Cellier and I went home and the next morning she sent me to Gadbury's to enquire how the Lord Peterborough and Sir Robert Peyton entertained each other At their meeting Gadbury told me they agreed very well and stayed there several hours but what they treated on he did not yet know for he withdrew and left them together Then I returned and told Mrs. Cellier what he said who was very well pleased that their endeavors seem'd to succeed so well Soon after I met the Countess at Mrs. Celliers house who acquainted me that the Lord Peterborough had given her Ladiship an account of all that had passed between him and Sir Robert Peyton and also told me there were great hopes of him but at the same time she said I must go forwards with all speed to set some Intrigue on foot against the Presbyterians for his Royal Highness either was already come to Town or would be here the next day and something must be done to make his Royal Highness believe the Presbyterians were carrying on a Design against the King and Government Then we considered what course to take in order thereunto but could not agree without better Judgments or at least then mine was So the Countess went away and the next day sent for Mrs. Cellier to the Tower who when she returned told me the Lords had ordered that I should use all the speed I could to find out some idle persons that appeared well in apparel and give them Money to go to the Coffee-houses and make enquiry of all the Clubs and Meetings that were about the Town and get the names of such as frequented them and endeavour to learn how things went in all parts of the Town This I promised to do but not being acquainted with many such persons whom I durst trust in such an Affair I employ'd only two or three of whom I had a better opinion then of the rest viz. One Bedford by some called Captain though he never was in Commission to him I gave 40 s. in Cliffords-Inn Garden and endeavoured to make him sensible what it was for and he was to proceed He entred into a solemn Promise to use his utmost endeavors to give me satisfaction Soon after I employed one Curtice and gave him Ten Shillings Earnest and told him his business who also promised to use his utmost Endeavour Then was I my self very busie in visiting most Coffee-Houses about Town where I found all things very suitable to our Interests and Designs and many Persons very hot against the Presbyterians some saying The Plot was now most apparently discovered to be theirs This Rumour was very industriously spread about by all our Accomplices as Wood Dormer the Virginia Merchant my self and many others perhaps unknown to me By this time his Royal Highness was returned from Flanders and the Lord Peterborough sent for me to give the Duke an account of this New Plot by which it appears that his Lordship had heard something of it before And his Lordship has since declared to the King and Council That Mrs. Cellier had given him an account of one Willoughby as also of his behaviour in Flanders and some part of a Presbyterian Design that was then on foot But at that time when his Lordship sent for me I was unprovided and sent the Countess word of it who appointed me to wait on her at Powis House that Night at Four a Clock which I did and found her Ladyship there who bid me sit down and write which having done she dictated and I writ and this which follows is the Abbreviation of that which was found by Sir William Waller in the Meal-Tub for that was the Original and what the Countess dictated REMARKS c. Four Clubs or Meetings viz. Sir Robert Peyton at the Kings Head Tavern Mr. Bennet's at the Green Dragon Sir Francis Clark's at the Sun Tavern Colonel Blood 's at Westminster Market The three first being the Council Meetings and the last the Messengers for the Countries at present but when occasion shall require they are to be Field-Officers Mr. Gooding's promise to support D. M. if Banished Major Alsop's promise to me for a Commission Friday the 12th of September M. went to Sir Thomas Player The manner of sending Messengers to all parts of England The Manner of all their several Meetings and how the Converse with one another for the concurrence of matters The manner of their Contributing and to what purpose money is raised The posture they were in for a Rising if His Majesty had died and how they had a considerable Army posted in and about the Town for that purpose The Contrivance of the Bill against The Design to rise in the North in order to join with an Army of Scots commanded by Goodine's and others Accounts about their Government Lord Hallifax Lord Shaftsbury Lord Radnor Lord Essex Lord Wharton Duke of Buckingham and others for Counsel Duke of Monmouth to be General Lord Gray of Warke Lieutenant-General Lord Gerrard and his Son Lieutenant-Generals Sir Thomas Armstrong Lieutenant-General Colonel Blood Sir William Waller and others to be Major-Generals Colonel Mansel Quarter-master General Most of the Field-Officers meet at Bloood's Club and others at Cities and great Towns in the Countries The Detachment to be made from His Majesties Guards c. and also from the Trained-Bands and Militia both in City and Country Alsop's promise to bring me to my Lord Shaftsbury to be employed for an Intelligencer and to have his promise for a Commission Now I must obsrve to the Reader That though most of these Particulars were Dictated by the Countess yet I had them not all of her but some from Bedford Curtice Woods c. the which being by me afterwards abbreviated and the Lists of the persons named who I was informed met at the aforesaid Clubs being added to it Each of these Clubs consist of at least 200 persons all of good Estates and Substance These that follow are Lists of particular persons viz. At the Kings Head Tavern in Fleetstreet LOrd Howard Sir Robert Peyton Sir John Duke Sir Philip Matthews Sir Henry Blount Mr. John Gibson Mr. Charles Umphreville Mr. John
Freake Sen. Mr. Richard Goodenough Mr. John Trenchard Mr. Henry Trenchard Mr. William Trenchard Mr. Claypole Mr. Griffith Mr. Joseph Clarke Mr. Richard Spicer Mr. Freake Jun. Dr. Harrington Mr. John Aylif Mr. Percival Mr. Overton Mr. Hutchinson Mr. Starkey Mr. Bugdel Mr. Howard Mr. Thompson Mr. Gibson Mr. Waller Mr. Combe Mr. Ireton Mr. Whitlock Sen. Mr. Rey. Mr. Coxlow Mr. Whitlock Jun. Mr. Merry Mr. Chettwyn Mr. Bethal Mr. Speake Sen. Mr. Speake Jun. Mr. Trinder Mr. Littleton Mr. West Mr. Smith Mr. Harbert Mr. Aron Smith Mr. Blount Mr. Washenden Mr. Potter And others whose Names I know not At the Green Dragon Tavern in Fleetstreet MR. Bennet Mr. Chaire Mr. Baker Mr. Chumley Mr. Young Sir William Hartop and his Son Mr. Hartop Mr. William Campion Mr. Appesley Mr. Bowles Mr. Roger Pope Mr. Kent Captain Fitz-Williams Mr. Robert Reeves Mr. Hodges Mr. Minns Mr. Barrel Mr. Isted Mr. Mazemore Sir Edm. Bacon Mr. Jennings Lord Lovelace Mr. Bainton Sir John Wild Mr. Robert Creswel Sir Richard Atkins Mr. George Long. Mr. Holeman Mr. Villers Mr. Ashburnham Mr. George Pitt Mr. Barth Ashburnham Mr. Daniel Osborne Captain Bennet Mr. Henry Harris Mr. Blithe Mr. Henry Wynne Mr. Natchpole Mr. Edw. Dering Mr. Sandes Mr. Hubbert Besides many others whose Names I know not At the Sun Tavern behind the Royal Exchange ALderman Bence Alderman Booth Sir Francis Clarke Mr. Saunders Mr. Twisdel Mr. Stavely Mr. Cowel Mr. Parker Captain Collier Mr. Phelps Mr. Davis c. In Westminster-Market at a Chandlers House COlonel Blood Sir William Waller Colonel Mansel Colonel Browne Colonel Barrington Colonel Hart. Colonel Jenks Major Coult. Then the Lady Powis the next Day by Mrs. Cellier recommended me to the Lord Peterborough and desired him by a Letter that Mrs. Cellier carried then as she told me to take me to his Royal Highness In order whereunto Mrs. Cellier and my self were commanded to go directly to his Lordships Lodgings in the Stone-Galery at Whitehal where we were told he would come to us as he did and told me I should presently see the Duke But in the mean time asked me What I would say to his Royal Highness Or if the Lady Powis or any Person else had instructed me what to say We were carried then into his Lordships Closet where I shewed him my Business in Writing and told him what I had to acquaint his Royal Highness with by word of mouth which his Lordship well approved of and highly commended me Which gave me great encouragement to proceed For had his Lordship not been too Credulous of the said Story it must certainly have been discovered long before it was for as I suppose his Credit and good Character of me to his Royal Highness brought me to the Honour of Communicating the whole matter to His Majesty to whom I did deliver it as a Real thing though indeed it was an absolute falshood and only a Story contrived and consented to in general by the Popish Party and intended for a Mask hoping whil'st the King if His Majesty should believe it was preparing for the safety of His Sacred Person and the Government against the pretended Conspiracy of the Presbyterian Party that they might have the more time to move on with their own Plot which was still to possess the the King with the real belief of the said Sham-Plot There we waited till his Royal Highness came from Supper for 't was that time of Night then the Lord Peterborough bid us follow him where we were brought into his Royal Highness's Closet and immediately the Duke came in and had some discourse with Mrs. Cellier whose Business was to acquaint his Royal Highness about Sir Robert Payton then turning to me I fell on my Knee and had the Honour to Kiss his Royal Highness's Hand I presented the Duke with the Paper of my Business and to the Questions which his Royal Highness asked me I returned such Answers as I was directed Then the Duke told Mrs. Cellier he would stay there till Sir Robert Payton came whereupon we both withdrew and returned to the Lord Peterborough's Lodging where we waited till his Lordship came which was not till above an hour after When we left his Royal Highness the Lord Peterborough introduc'd Sir Robert Payton to the Duke where as his Lordship told us afterwards Sir Robert Payton did behave himself much to the Duke's satisfaction He told me likewise That his Royal Highness liked me well and had promised his Lordship I should be Encouraged and then he told Mrs. Cellier Sir Robert Payton had promised upon his Troath to employ all his Interest for the Duke's Service And that his Lordship had moved her Business to his Royal Highness which was That his Royal Highness would grant an Order for the Payment of some Money due to her Husband which Order soon after was granted and at Sir Allen Apselyes Mrs. Cellier and her Husband received One hundred Pounds part of the said Debt Then turning again to me his Lordship also promised to assist me in the making my Fortune for the good Service I had done and was still like to do and he bid me proceed in the said Discovery and from that time his Lordship called me Captain Willoughby And as Mrs. Cellier and I were coming away his Lordship called in some of his Servants and ordered that at what time soever either of us should come to enquire for his Lordship they should be sure to let him know it forthwith which they promised to do and we returned home where Mrs. Cellier could not rest till she had seen the Countess to let her know what had hapned and how we were received And in order to it the next morning early she went to the Tower and related the whole matter to the Lords as at her return she told me who were extreamly satisfied and some of them were pleased to say They hoped to find me an honest and an active Person Soon after this the Lord Peterborough told me I must go again to the Duke to whom I was again brought by his Lordships means and his Royal Highness told me I must wait on the King to whom he had delivered the Paper I had before presented him with and gave His Majesty an account more at large of the Contents thereof and his Royal Highness then told me the King would order me money to proceed in the said Discovery of that new Plot and then with his own hand gave me twenty Guineys to encourage me and also promised provided I could produce a clear proof to make good the account I had given of it to make my Fortune And I did really think that his Royal Highness did believe there was truth in this Sham-Plot Then I returned home and told Mrs. Cellier I had been with the Duke wereupon she perswaded me forthwith to send the Lord Powis word of it for 't would be great satisfaction to him and the rest of the Lords Accordingly I dispatcht my
New Plot. But at that time I my self was so employed with giving an Account to Mrs. Jeane at Peterly of the present posture of Affairs advising with Munson Kemesh Sharp Knowls and others and amongst the rest the Lord Castlemain that I could not spare much time to write 'T was about this time that Mrs. Ayry and Mr Dowdwel used to carry such Papers and Letters as concern'd the Design in hand to the Gate-house and other Prisons about Town to have the advice and consent of the Priests and Roman Catholicks there for as Mrs. Cellier told me the Lord Powis refused to meddle in the thing unless it were generally approv'd of as it was soon after for all that either saw or heard of it agreed in opinion that it was a very sound thing and if well manag'd would turn to very good account in a little time Persons were to be employed to carry these into all parts of England and some means or other used to Lodge them in the Houses of such as were the most eminent of the Presbyterian Party Then others were to obtain Warrants upon other pretences to make Search in those Houses and to get the persons committed in whose Houses they were found this they hop'd would occasion so much confusion throughout the whole Kingdom that at last every body would be glad to save himself and the Papists come off upon the same terms that others did but God would not suffer that as you may perceive by the bad Success all their Designs and Attempts had Whilst this was in agitation there was a Rumour That Sir George Wakeman was sought after upon some new Matters which proved as I suppose to be more his fear than any thing else but for his better security he was conveyed by night to Mr. Stamford's Lodgings in the Hay-Market who is the Duke of Newburg's Resident and himself as soon as he had received Sir George Wakeman into his House came to Powis-house to seek for Mrs. Cellier but being inform'd we were both in Lincoln's-Inn-Gardens he came thither and after some discourse about Sir George Wakeman's Business told me There had been fastned on the Door of Sir George's House in St. Martins-lane a Paper importing a Menace which was to this effect Wakeman Though you have escaped at your Tryal think not your self beyond the reach of Justice c. or to this effect Then Mr. Stamford took Mrs. Cellier with him to advise with Sir George Wakeman about his being conveyed into Flanders but which way was not agreed on but Mrs. Cellier came home and told me I must go early the next Morning to Mr. Stamford which I did and he brought me to Sir George Wakeman with whom I consulted about his Passage to Flanders I proposed divers ways but he did not approve of them then Sir George going into another Rome Mr. Stamford and I contriv'd another way which he afterwards refused but then Mr. Stamford told me the Queen's Majesty had furnished Sir George Wakeman with 500 l. in order to his departure from England And said he to me you shall be at neither Charge nor Trouble in this Affair but what you shall be gratified for then I parted and the next time that I came to Sir George I advised him to go down to Rumney-Marsh For I said it was like he might meet with some French Shallop or Boat there that might run him over to that Coast but this Advice he did not then approve of though he bethought himself afterwards and went the next day out of Town in order to it yet when he was gone he desired by Letter That some other way might be consulted which Letter Mr. Stamford shewed me and desired my advice which was That Sir George should send a person in the Pacquet-Boat from Dover to Calice which person should hire a Boat there to come back to the English Coast with him and take Sir George in this course was taken and some four Miles to the West of Dover Sir George Wakeman took Boat and sailed for Flanders where in nineteen hours as I was since informed by one of his Letters he arrived safe at Newport By this time I had received by one of the Countesses servants an order to go to the Tower the next day which I did and after some discourse with Lord Powis about Sir G. W. his Lordship told me that one Mr. Doyley had seen or heard of me the last time I was with his Lordship and had said in the hearing of one of his Lordships servants if ever he should see me there again he would have me secured whereupon Lord Powis desired me to come thither no more but return to Powis-house and be careful of my business and not go much abroad and farther told me that when any thing was ready I should hear of him by his Lady who should give me directions how to manage Affairs and then he commanded me to go to Mr. Turner his Lordships Priest and take directions from him how to send Letters to Brussels to one Mr. Holder his R. H. Auditor the Letters contain'd an account of the whole Design and were writ by the Countesses own hand most earnestly desiring his good advice in an Affair of that weight as being unwilling to do any thing without it and pray'd his speedy Answer this Pacquet was made up by Mr. Turner and I Superscribed it by his direction thus For Tho. Holder Esquire at Mounsieur Keneydays Secretary to the English Resident in Brussells This I sent by Mrs. Cellier's Boy to Mrs. Catherine Holder living at St. James's and desired the same might be sent with all care and speed to her Unkle which was done I also remember I read part of one Letter in which Mr. Holder was desired to employ some ingenuous person there to Cut and Ingrave the impressions of divers Coats of Arms the Patterns had been taken in Wax from the Seals of the persons to whom the Cotes belonged as I believe and were sent over enclosed in the same Letter being fastned with other Wax to the Margent of it Some time after the Countess having received Answers to the Pacquet I caused to be sent away she being then at Powis-house pulled a Letter out of her Pocket and desired me to hearken in which as I remember she read as follows If you had taken this Course sooner much Innocent Blood might have been saved but I doubt 't is now too late and fear the St. Omers Witnesses being so Baffled as I hear they were has much blasted our Endeavours but yet to my power I will assist and do advise you to go on Letters to the same purpose with those came the same time to Mrs. Cellier who shewed them to me and would highly applaud this Gentleman for his great Wit and Courage in all their business saying once that if he had not been very careful the Lords in the Tower had not been now alive Then the Lady Powis about the end of July
or the beginning of August did advise Mrs. Cellier to go home to her own house and as she told me the Lords gave her the same advice and for these reasons viz. First They expected Powis-house would be searched by an Order of Council and if any person more than their own Family should be found there it might be very prejudicial to the Lords Secondly That now Sir William Waller was better advised and they did believe he would be more mild for the future in his prosecutions against the Catholicks Thirdly The Current of Affairs they said was now in a manner stopt and the people began to speak favourably of their Party but in that his Lordship was much mistaken or misinform'd at least for in all my business I could not meet with any Protestants that did so Then I also removed my Lodging and a little after went to Lodge at Mrs. Cellier's house where I had been about four days where there came an express Order to Mrs. Cellier for me to disguise my self as well as I could and come forthwith to the Tower I wondred at this having been caution'd by the Lord Powis the last time I was there to the contrary but when I consider'd of it I did not believe it was about a matter of small consequence and thereupon changed my Habit as I often used to do on other occasions and went that day to the Tower and the better to avoid suspicion took my Boy with me this being the first time of his going there I went up stairs to Lord Powis by his Order and after much discourse about the Opinions I met with in Coffee-Houses with his Lordship in the Dining-Room he bid me follow him which I did into his Lordships Bed-Chamber where his Lordship also Discoursed me about my thoughts of the times and asked if I had any hope of alteration I Answered yes if the Design took such effect as I wisht it might then from the Window at the farther side of the Bed came the Lord Arundel who as I suppose had been reading a Pamphlet there or some such Book they both discoursed me above half an hour and asked If I had seen the five good men meaning the five Jesuits and Mr. Langhorn Executed I answered Yes and told them They all Died with so much constancy and courage as much amazed the Spectators in general and my self in particular who had been commanded by the Countess to go and see them die that from their Sufferings I might take the more resolution and become better setled in Matters of Religion Their Design in this was to make me espouse the Cause with the greater Zeal and certainly had I followed their Lordships Orders I had run a great hazard of suffering Martyrdom as well as they But I thank God for having by his Providence delivered me from that Destruction and I hope preserved me for better Work than I had foolishly engaged my self in Then the Lord Arundel began to discourse of Business more closely and demanded If I would do any thing to make my Fortune I answer'd Yes tho' I thought I had done enough for that already but it seems his Lordship was of another mind I would do any thing Well then said he Will you venture to Kill the King for a good Reward At that I stood amazed and my Countenance altered insomuch that his Lordship took notice of it and after I was gon told my Lord Powis I had a great deal of Grace in regard of my Blushing which seemed strange to his Lordship who used to converse I suppose with persons that could both talk of and contrive ways how to Murder Kings without Blushing My Lord said I I suppose your Lordship is but in jest No said he I am in earnest and repeated his Question I was amazed still and knew not what to say For I began to be afraid of my own Life if I should utterly reject the Proposal and at last made answer That to serve them I was willing to be the death of any person whosoever but the King and his Royal Highness When he press'd it upon me the third time I desir'd time to consider then said Lord Powis who was present all the time No no come Lord Arundel only does this to try you And pray my Lord Arundel said he what is it worth or what would you give him for doing it 'T is worth said Lord Arundel 2000 l. No more said Lord Powis Pish away if he will kill my Lord Shaftsbury he shall have 500 l. for his Reward All this while I stood mute not knowing what to say finding their Designs so bloody but at length I enquired Why they desired the Lord Shaftsbury's Life and how he might be dispatch'd they both replied The thing would be easie enough For said Lord Powis my Man Wood was there two Nights since upon pretence of an Errand but his business was to view the House and observe what convenience there was for making an Escape after the Fact done he said moreover That Wood found the thing so feasible that after he came back he said he was very sorry he had not been provided to have done it then And the reason said he why we should be glad to have him out of the way is because we take for granted if we were rid of him as they were of Sir Edm. Godfrey we should find it no hard matter to bear down all the rest of our Opposers After this with much persuasion I promised to undertake the Murthering of the Earl of Shaftsbury then Lord President of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council and immediately to perfect the Bargain Lord Powis took me by the hand and gave me Ten Guineys in earnest and wish'd me good Success but expresly commanded me not to stir in it till farther order but told me one Mr. Reagaut a Virginia Merchant of Mrs. Cellier's acquaintance should come the Sunday following to Mrs. Cellier's House to advise with me about the most dextrous way of putting the Design in Execution and to secure the Payment of the 500 l. Upon which I took my leave and went thither no more as I remember leaving the two Lords together who I believe were more concern'd at my rejecting my Lord Arundel's Proposal of killing the King than pleas'd with my embracing the Overture made by them both of Murthering the Earl of Shaftsbury and I believe some persons were employed to watch which way and whither I went from the Tower for they could not chuse but be jealous of me in regard my Colour went and came so often The next day I went to wait on the Lord Castlemain whom I found in his Study writing the Compendium and I had time to read some part of a Paragraph as it lay before him on the Table before he spoke to me at last rising in a hasty posture and casting an angry look upon me Why were you so unwilling said he to do what you were taken out of Prison for
whereupon not knowing what his Passion might transport him to I laid my hand upon my Sword His Lordship made no Approach towards me but his Passion seeming to continue I thought it best to retire and accordingly went down stairs and in a rude manner left him and went home and told Mrs. Cellier the Lord Castlemain was very angry with me and that I would never come at him more Oh said she 't is his manner to be angry one hour and reconcil'd the next and Men of that Temper are generally the best and most fit for Business Then Mrs. Cellier advised me to go to Mr. Sharp the Priest at Wild-house and Confess and Receive for then my Kettle wanted scouring more than ever in regard of my late Promise in the Tower I went to him accordingly the next Morning where I Confess'd and received the Sacrament but as I was coming away the said Mr. Sharp who it seems had been informed how I behaved my self to the said Lord Powis and Lord Arundel and had heard of my refusing to kill the King would scarce suffer me to depart on those terms but told me I ought to do Penance for refusing to serve God in what the Scriptures taught me was my Duty whereupon I desired to be informed Whether or no they taught me any such thing as to kill my King He answered Yes if he were first Excommunicated and Condemned by the Church Then he made me kneel down the 2d time where he gave me an Admonition of half an hour long and enjoyned me for my Penance that every Night twice for 5 Nights following I should walk bare-footed at a certain time of night fit for the purpose from Powis-house in Lincolns-Inn-Fields to Lincoln's-Inn-Back-Gate and back again which I did accordingly and that every Morning for five Mornings I should discipline my naked Shoulders with some Franciscan-Cords which he then gave me and bid me be sure to follow his direction if I were minded to escape Damnation then I took my leave of him being extreamly confounded in my thoughts and at a loss how to behave my self in this Affair for now I saw through all their Designs and found both their Principles and Practice to agree with the Account which Protestants give of them I was then about to go directly to his Majesty and discover all I knew or had been privy to but when I debated the Matter within my self the Devil prevail'd and I went home where I found the Countess of Powis and Mrs. Cellier when the Lady saw me she sent for me in and laughed but I being then more serious than I had been for some years before told the Countess 't was not a laughing Matter Why said she do you know what I laugh at I told her I supposed I did then her Ladyship entered into some Discourse not worth the rehearsing but e're long turning her face towards Mrs. Cellier Well well said she Mr. Willoughby will be honest and do us no hurt I am sure By this I found I was liable to some suspicion for the clearing of which I was forced to make a small Apology for my self we entred into other Discourse the Lady bidding me sit down and amongst other things her Ladyship told me His Royal Highness would be in Town speedily which would help to qualifie the Rage of the Presbyterians and produce another face of things And said she there 's one Sir Robert Payton who intends to come over to the Duke's Interest and asked me If I knew him I answered No then the Countess told Mrs. Cellier she must take some care to provide a place for Sir Robert Peyton to treat with the Lord Peterborough about his coming over for so they termed it Mrs. Cellier answered That no place was so fit as Mr. Gadbury's House because he was the person who had first proposed the matter to Sir Robert Peyton and did from time to time use all his Endeavours to effect it So that said she we seem for ought appears as yet to owe Sir Robert Peyton's coming over chiefly to Mr. Gadbury's Persuasions and Solicitations The Countess was well pleas'd with Mrs. Cellier's Proposal and order'd me to go the next day to the Lord Peterborough and acquaint his Lordship with this business of Sir Robert Peyton I replied His Lordship knew me not and so perhaps might not be apt to give credit to what I should say To make sure the Countess replied she would go home and write a Letter to the Lord Peterborough and send it by one of her Servants for the Lord Peterborough was return'd from Brussels and was then in London or at lest aboutthe Town then the Countess took Coach and left us Now in the Afternoon of the next Day I went to Mill-Bank at Westminster where the Lord Peterborough's House is to wait on his Lordship but being informed by the Servants that his Lordship Dined that Day either at Lockets or Lambs which are both Eating-Houses at Chearing-Cross I went thither and found his Lordship having first sent up word by his Page that there was one to wait on his Lordship from the Lady Powis Then I was brought into the Room and there gave his Lordship an account of my Business and also told him that Sir Robert Payton would meet his Lordship at Mr. Gadbury's House on Tuesday next at Five a Clock in the Evening His Lordship was very well pleased and promised to be there at the time and place appointed And he farther told me One of the Countesses Servants had just before I come brought his Lordship a Letter to the same effect of which his Lordship shewed me the Superscription So I took my leave and went directly to Mr. Gadbury at his House in Westminster for so Mrs. Cellier advised me to do that he might also have Notice of this Meeting and let Sir Robert Payton know that the Lord Peterborough would not fail to be there according to appointment Which Mr. Gadbury did and seem'd to be very well pleased Then he and I entring into discourse I perceived his Countenance change and looking very angerly on me he told me That he wondred I would offer to displease the Lords in the Tower and especially the Lord Castlemaine who was then out upon Bail who designed to advance me in the World and help me to make my Fortune I was not a little surpriz'd to hear such Words from him and asked him If he knew the ground of their displeasure He reply'd Yes yes he did And falling into a great passion said 'T was because I would not Kill the KING I admire said Gadbury at your Ingratitude that when you could not propose to your self any possible way of getting out of Prison and were like to have continued there as long as you lived had not the Charity of good People reliev'd ye you should notwithstanding offer to refuse it Telling me withal 'T was to engage me to make that Attempt that I was helpt out of Prison
Nay said he you might have done it with all the Security in the World for no manner of Hurt could have befallen you Why said I Mr. Gadbury would not Death unavoidably have been the Consequence of it No said he not if you undertook it For before you were Released out of the Kings Bench Prison I had an exact account from Mrs. Cellier what Year Month Week Day and Hour you were born in and the Countess of Powis ordered me to Calculate your Nativity Now I do remember that when I was in the Kings Bench I received by the Hands of Mrs. Cellier's Maid a Letter in which her Mistriss desired me to give an exact account of the time of my Birth which I did in my next Letter to her But wondering what her meaning might be in desiring it I read the Letter to the Maid thinking that she might possibly be able to give me some light into it But she pretended she knew nothing of the matter so I sent her away And what I have told ye said he appear'd to be so clear and demonstrable that you were by all meaning I suppose the Lords in the Tower adjudged A Person design'd by Heaven for that bold and daring Enterprize But I was soon weary of his Discourse and as soon as conveniently I could I took my leave of him and returned home to Mrs. Celliers House where I then lodged and after some Discourse of the Lord Peterborough I told what Discourse had passed betwixt Gadbury and me and how he had entertained me with Frowns at which she fell into a great Laughter and said Mr. Gadbury was in his Heart a good Catholick This Gadbury was the Author of the Ballad of the Popish Plot which was pretended to be writ by a Woman and many other Seditious Pamphlets Now you must understand that after Gadbury had first Chastised me for not undertaking what the Lords in the Tower proposed to me I found him to smile in another occasion which made me believe that Gadbury knew of the Design to Kill the Lord Shaftsbury The next day being Sunday came Mr. Regaut the Virginia Merchant that the Lord Powis promised should Treat with me about Murthering the Earl of Shaftsbury and Dined at Mrs. Celliers that Day Before Dinner we had no Discourse upon the Business but afterwards he told me of the whole matter and what I had promised at the Tower to the Lord Powis and the Lord Arundel which I wondered at not thinking him to have been the Person For I had divers times seen him at Powis house with Mrs. Cellier but never thought or heard that he was privy to any of our Business but now there is reason to suspect his knowledge of the whole There he opened the manner of the thing to me demanding how I would order the Money to be paid when I had accomplish'd that bloody Design or if it should be brought in Guineys and left with Mrs. Cellier for me I answered No not so for divers reasons but desired when he heard of the Lord Shaftsbury's death and should receive a Note from me that the Money might be immediately paid for my use which he promised should be done and desired Mrs. Cellier to let me know where he liv'd when I should have occasion to send to him Then he told me I must advise with one Mr. Dormer Mr Sharpe Mr. Knowls Mr. Munson Mr. Remese and some others about the manner of doing the Business which I promised to do that was all the Discourse I had with him then so I having business in the City that night I took my leave leaving Mrs. Cellier and him together On Monday morning I went to Mr. Dormer at Madam Dormers in St. John's where I told him my Resolution about my Lord Shaftsbury and he embraced me very kindly but said he could wish that might be suspended for a time For said he there are some Priests that are falling that is to say troubled with remorse of Conscience and were upon the point of discovering the Designs they were engaged in their names were one Southerne and Mr. Clay the latter is now lodged at Mr. Blazedale's house the Apothecary in Arundol Street These persons being thought dangerous he demanded if I would venture to hire a small Vessel and endeavor to transport them to any part of France or Flanders I promised I would and he told me he would furnish me with Money for it at his own Charge Then I came away and the next time I saw him he had conceived some better way For said he Mr. Southerne I have sent to a secure place in Buckinghamshire and Mr. Clay is placed at Mr. Blazedale's who will be very careful of him Then we discoursed of putting in execution the Design against the Lord Shaftsbury He spoke a great deal upon the Subject but little to the purpose in my opinion at last finding that I gave but little heed to what he said he took his leave but on the Monday morning I went again to him to St. John's After which I went according to order to Mr. Knowles the Priest to Confession He lodged then at a Coffee-house in White-Fryers that has a Back-door into Water-lane Of him I received the Sacrament and had his advice about Murdering the Lord Shaftsbury which was so silly and weak that I shall not mention any part of it here Knowles sent me to the Lady Abergaveney telling me she was a witty Lady and held a great Correspondence with the Lord Shaftsbury and therefore was the more fit to give me advice So I left him and went to that Lady who then lodged at one Mrs. Griffins house in Holborn-Row in upper Lincolns-Inn Fields I was admitted into her Chamber and let her Ladiship know who I was and whence I came She told me she had heard much of me and gave me thanks for my diligence in the Cause but coming to treat about the main Business with her she told me 't was as easie to Kill the Lord Shaftsbury as a Bird on a Tree I asked her how then she proposed several ways but this amongst the rest viz. That I should pretend to have skill in Curing the Gout and be recommended by her to my Lord Shaftsbury and having access to him for that purpose should watch my opportunity She said she had advis'd with Mr. Knowles and Mr. Sharpe and they had agreed upon that way as the best and most secure that could be Then I went to Powis house where the Countess was to whom I repeated where I had been and what discourse I had with every of the aforesaid persons but particularly that Project of the Lady Abergaveneys Which her Ladiship thought but a very weak Contrivance but said that perhaps it might do So I parted without any orders to proceed as yet On Tuesday in the evening Mrs. Cellier went to Gadbury's a little before the time appointed to discourse with the Lord Peterborough and Gadbury about Sir Robert Peyton
Boy to the Tower with a Letter that contained the whole Relation and likewise desired that since I was to wait upon His Majesty the next day their Lordships would be pleased to give me some Directions how to behave my self there That night I received no other answer then that the Lady Powis would be with me the next day at three a Clock in the afternoon So she was at Mrs. Celliers house where I received from her these following Directions viz. That I should be sure to lay all the burthen I could upon the Presby terians but particularly upon the Lord Gray Lord Howard of Eserick Duke of Monmouth Duke of Buckingham Sir William Waller Colonel Blood and some others and that I should explain to His Majesty the meaning of the several contents of the Paper I had before presented to the Duke and how the Presby terians were resolv'd to use their utmost endeavors for the reducing the present Government and setting up a Commonwealth once more and setling the Duke of Monmouth in it and that the Lord Shaftsbury and other Persons of Quality were issuing out Commissions to that purpose and had promised some to divers persons This was the Story I was to tell the King as I did and then I thought His Majesty believed the same to be true but His Majesty has since been pleased to declare in Council he did not give Credit to it for that it was so impossible a thing but yet to shew that he would not wholly slight it till better satisfaction was pleased to order me money by Mr. Secretary Coventry to encourage me in the farther discovery thereof and soon after I received from Colonel Halsel 40 l. but when he paid it me he told me I must endeavor to make things a little more plain or the King would not be well pleased which I promised to do and took my leave Then I came home and told Mrs. Cellier what had passed who went immediately to the Tower to let the Lords know I had not only given His Majesty a satisfactory Account but had likewise received 40 l. by His Order to encourage me which they were glad to hear and then I suppose thought fit to prepare something that might induce a stronger belief and gain more credit to the discovery but desired me to go no more to Colonel Halsel for it should seem they had some reason to be afraid of him lest he might trace the Business till he had discovered it This Order I followed for I went no more to Colonel Halsel though I had been commanded by the King as often as I made any new progress in the Business to give Colonel Halsel an account of it When His Majesty was at Newmarket I was advised to send an account of some new Discovery made since the former and this I was to deliver to Colonel Halsel to be sent for it was before I had received the 40 l. from him and an Order from the Lords to apply my self to him no more The Paper I sent was to this Effect viz. SIR May it please Your most Sacred Majesty I Have discovered a great Correspondence between the Presbyterians and the Dutch and believe at your Majesties return to give a good Account of the same by God's help till which time I shall use my utmost endeavor to approve my self Your MAJESTIES Most Faithful and Obedient Subject WILLOVGHBY Soon after the King returned from New-market which when the Lords heard of they ordered me to wait on His Majesty with a supplemental Story but much to the same effect with my former and to apply my self to Master Cheffinch to be brought to His Majesties presence Col. Halsel being the person that had brought me to him before which I did and His Majesty ordered Mr. Cheffinch to bring me to Him where I related my business and withdrew then I met the Countess again at Mrs. Celliers house and gave her an account of my having been with His Majesty To which She answered The next time I should carry something of greater moment but that in the mean time she ordered me to make diligent enquiry after one Colonel Mansfield for so she said his Name was which I did and with some difficulty found by Curtice where he lodged and sent word by Mrs. Cellier of it to the Tower who when she came back told me The Countess ordered I should be at home in the Afternoon and her Ladiship would come to me but in the mean time that I should go to Mr. Sharp to Confession and receive the Sacrament which is a custom the Roman Catholicks constantly practise either before the undertaking or after the effecting some damnable enterprise and sometimes both that their Father Confessor may palliate the thing to them under a colour of Religion so as to make it appear meritorious be it never so criminal for the next Orders I should receive would be for the putting in execution what had been resolv'd on with relation to the Lord Shaftsbury on this I took some time to pause but at last did go to Father Sharp and Confess and Receive after which according to his usual custom he conjured me by all that was good to use all the possible speed to stabb the said Lord after I had received Orders from the Lords so to do I promised I would and so left him About three dayes after that Mrs. Cellier had received a Letter from the Lady Powis which made mention that that very night I should make my self ready and go to Lord Shaftsbury's house in Aldersgate street and desire to speak with him privately but from Mrs. Cellier her self I received a particular charge not to enter into any discourse with my Lord when I had him alone but after a little Apology for my coming to his Lordship though an absolute stranger to him and neither sent nor introduced by any other person and desiring to know whether if it should fall out to be in my power to serve him I might have his Lordships favour c. to do my business and come away Then she gave me a short French Dagger as I suppose 't was by the make I asked whence she had it she answered that on Sunday last the Virginia Merchant had brought her three or four such and out of a Cubbord in the same room took the rest and bid me chuse which I liked best but I kept that which I had already and made no further choice and went directly to Lord Shaftsbury's house where I was admitted but there being divers persons in the Room where his Lordship was I desired privacy lest some of them might know me and I be discovered then his Lordship sent me with one of his Gentlemen up stairs whither his Lordship came to me in a little time I repeated my story to him and his Lordship seemed desirous to have entred into some farther discourse but I was not willing to engage my self in any neither had I opportunity to do
what I went for for there were some persons at the other end of the Room but if they had been away it pleased God to strike me with a sudden fear and horrour of mind insomuch that I was utterly disabled to have done him any mischief and the apprehension of being discovered was so terrible to me that I was in torment to be gone So that I took leave and came home putting on the best countenance I could lest my face should discover to Mistress Cellier the great dread and terrour I was possest with then she was very earnest to know what progress I had made I answered I had been at Lord Shaftsburys and discoursed with him but there being more persons in the Room I thought it not safe to attempt any thing at that time but withall pretended 't was easie enough to be done and promised to do it the next time I went The next morning early she sent my Boy to the Tower with a Letter to give an account to the Lords that I had entered my self at Lord Shaftsburies and promised not to fail the second time The Countess her self wrote an Answer to that Letter and Ordered me to go to the King and acquaint His Majesty that I had been with Lord Shaftsbury in order to some farther Discovery of the New Plot and tell His Majesty verbatim what I had said to the Lord Shaftsbury and I was also to tell the Kings Majesty that his Lordship had promised me an Imploy and that he would take care of me whereupon I went the next Morning to Whitehall to Mr. Cheffinch and he brought me to the King to whom I repeated my Lesson and the King bid me proceed About two days after I met the Countess at Mrs. Celliers House whom I told I had been with the King and done according to order then she told me I must repair to Lord Shaftsbury that night to make the second attempt and frame a discourse to him to this or the like effect viz. That I was now come with something that very nearly concerned both his Lordships Honour and Person to wit that if his Lordship should be sent for before the King and Council and there have several Accusations of High Treason brought in against him and thereupon be committed to the Tower and that the Evidence to maintain those Accusations should prove to be Letters written by his Lordships own hand that then I hoped his Lordship would believe I was his faithful servant This I promised to do and in the dusk of the Evening Mrs. Cellier having delivered me a Dagger I went the second time and sent for Mr. Shepherd one of his Lordships Gentlemen to the door and desired to speak privately with his Lord he went in and returned desiring me to come in which I did and he took me into a Room which I supposed to have been his Lords Closet and desired me to stay there and said his Lord would come to me presently but assoon as the Gentleman was gone I looked about the Room and found another door besides that at which I came in and openâ—â—g it I found that it led into the Room where I had been with his Lordship before then I concluded if his Lordship had come into the Closet that my way would have been to have Stabbed him and having my chocie of two ways out to have put out the Candle and pretended to go some where to light it and if any of the Servants should have seen me with the Candle unlighted to give it him or them and tell them their Lord was in the dark and they must make hast up with a Candle by which means I might have opportunity to make my escape But as providence had better ordered both for his Lordship and my self he came not into that Room but sent for me into the next but before I saw him I had waited near two hours in the Closet where in a Table-drawer I found many Papers and Letters some of which I put into my Pocket which when they came to be perused proved to be Letters from Sir Richard Bulstrode His Majesties Agent now at Brussels but the Contents imported no more than the present posture of Affairs in that Country When I was sent for into the next Room to his Lordship I was feiz'd with the same trouble and confusion of mind that I had upon me the first time I came then I began to consider with my self which of these two courses it would be most advisable for me to take whether to yield obedience to the laws of an infinite God who had power to save or damn my Soul or to the commands of my Lords and Masters in the Tower who treated me as the Devil does his Vassals putting me daily into new methods of Destruction and incurring Everlasting Damnation But through the grace of God I then made a wise choice and resolved to obey God rather than them I was about to hint something of danger his Lordship might be in but other Discourse arising it went out of my memory So I left his Lordship to meditate on this confused story which I had repeated and returned home with such a chearful countenance that Mrs. Cellier laughed and said he has done the business but when I answered I had not but would take some other time she seem'd not a little concerned and the next morning sent my Boy with a Letter to the Tower to relate the story I had told her and in the Letter inclosed Sir Richard Bulstrodes Letters which I brought from the Lord Shaftsbury's with me the night before I suppose the Lords were no less concerned than Mrs. Cellier was for they assur'd themselves that the thing would be done as certainly as that of Sir Edmund-Bury Godfrey's was already done But soon after my Boy came back who returned without any answer came Mr. Wood and told me his Lord admired that I of all people should be so great a Coward c. but it was his Lords pleasure to try me once more and in the mean time that I must make hast and go to Whitehal and tell the King all the discourse I had with Lord Shaftsbury and shew His Majesty these Letters of Sir Richard Bulstrode's that he might give the more credit to me and lest Lord Shaftsbury should suspect me and be with the King before me which he said might be more prejudicial to me perhaps than I was aware of c. and that I must tell the King that a great quantity of Papers very dangerous and relating to the design of the Presbyterians were in the Lodgings of one Mr. Mansfield and pray a Warrant to search the said Lodgings Presently after I went to Mr. Cheffinch who placed me in a Room which his Majesty was to pass through the King seeing me asked what I had to say to him whereupon I repeated what I was bid to say and humbly prayed a Warrant his Majesty commanded me to go and acquaint Mr.
Secretary Coventry with the thing and said he would make me out a Warrant so I went to Mr. Secretary Coventry and acquainted him with it and told him 't was the Kings pleasure that I should wait on him for a Warrant but Mr. Secretary refused to grant one unless I would make Affidavit that there were such Papers and whaâ— the Contents of them were which I could not do for I knew not of any Papers in his Chamber then for I suppose they were to have been put there after the Warrant granted and if the Papers had been there at that time and I had been able to swear the Contents it would have been plain that they were of my putting there for else how was it possible for me to know the Contents of Letters in a Gentlemans Chamber whom I never exchanged two words with in all my life so that I concluded the safest way for me was to let it alone Then I returned home where I found Mrs. Cellier who sent me to the Lord Peterborough's to let him know what had happened and how I had been twice at Lord Shaftsbury's who had received me kindly and told me he would take some care of me I went accordingly to his Lordship and acquainted him who seemed to be well pleased that I had been with Lord Shaftsbury and his Lordship told me When any Forces were raised he would put in for a Regiment of Horse and would give me a Troop in the same but withal his Lordship bid me be sure to do his business the third time meaning the Lord Shaftsbury's Whereupon I went home and just as I came in Mrs. Cellier came from the Tower and told me Some Persons had been with the Duke to destroy my credit with him by giving him an Account of my Life but said she That storm is over for the good Lady Powis and Lord Peterborough have both waited upon the Duke and not only perswaded his R. H. not to believe it but prevailed with him not to speak of it to the King which Mrs. Cellier told me his R. H. had promised not to do By this time Lord Peterborough had been divers times with Sir R. P. at Gadbury's and once at least if not oftner at Mrs. Cellier's and Sir R. P. had seen and spoke with his Royal Highness the second time and Lord Peterborough told me the Duke had promised Sir R. P. to treat with the King about putting Sir R. P. and some others into the Commissions for the Peace again which they had been formerly put out of by His Majesties Order Then the Countess of Powis came to Mrs. Cellier's and desired to speak with me which I hearing of came down out of my Chamber expecting to be chid severely but the Lady was very mild and only enquired how His Majesty resented my going a second time to the Lord Shaftsbury's and of bringing the Letters from thence and if I had gotten a Warrant I told her The King I thought was well pleased with me but I could not by any means get a Warrant unless I would make Affidavit that I had seen the Papers in Mansfield's Lodging and knew the Contents of them which I said I could not do Then the Countess and Mrs. Cellier were both very angry with me for refusing to make oath that there were Papersthere and the Contents of them such as that the Secretary might think fit to issue a Warrant to search for them And began to argue the case with me according to the usual equivocating way of that Party First telling me that I might have saved my Oath for that I had formerly seen and been at the writing of some of them Secondly It could be no Perjury if Oath were not made in'Court of Record And lastly That I was by my Religion obliged to part with my life for the good of the Cause and much more to swear a thing that was not inconsistent with truth Then the Countess endeavoured to perswade me to go the third time to the Lord Shaftsbury which I refused telling her that I had such a discomposure in my mind for having been there twice already that I should not be easie in a little time then Mrs. Cellier being present the Countess struck me gently over the hand with her Fann and said Away cowhearted Fellow I my self will go No Madam said Mrs. Cellier that shall not be for I will go and let the World know that some of our Sex are brave and more daring than the men and promised to do the Work the first time or dye upon the Spot At the same time the Countess complain'd that all their Men of Courage were sent out of the World or secured in order to be so Then the Countess asked me If I knew where Mr. Mansfield's Lodging was I answered Yes and that I had been much troubled to find it out then said She You timorous Person here will you take these Papers and convey them privately into some part of his Cloaths or into his Coat Pockets or into any part of his Room or his Trunks I answered 'T was impossible for me to do that because I knew him not The Countess told me I must find some way to be acquainted with him and take him to a Tavern and drink smartly and then take an opportunity to lodge the Papers in some part of his Cloaths and immediately upon pretence of his having spoke Treason or some such thing call a Constable and have him apprehended and search'd and carry the Papers to the King and Council and so have him committed For this was to be the Introduction to their real Plot. If this had been done the whole Plot had gone on and I was to have moved the King and Council to have impowered me to make Search in many other Gentlemens Lodgings and Houses both in City and Country Then the Countess advised me to go and take a Lodging some where near his and endeavour to insinuate my self into his acquaintance and take my own way for the management of the business Then 't was that her Ladyship gave me fifteen Letters and a List of Names one of which Letters and the List being writ by her own hand She desired they might be transcribed which I offered to do But She told me that must not be for the King had some Remarks already under my hand and would know it again and so we might be discovered for these must be brought to the King and Council Then She gave me order to go to a Scrivener over against Somerset-house because I had no person that I durst make privy to such a Secret and bid me to leave them with him and pay the person for writing them then She went away and I went to the Scrivener and got the Papers transcribed and brought them back and finding Mrs. Cellier and Mr. Webb together by the fire I took the Letters out of my pocket and shewed 'em them telling them those were the papers I
had been imported and was stowed in such a place But here Mansel understood that his Papers were all returned and more than his own for the Treasonable Papers were return'd with them and accordingly when he was come back to his Lodging he found the Box restored and the Papers lying on the Dresser suprescribed by the Master of the House For Colonel Mansel These Papers he opened in the presence of Mr. Harris desiring him to take notice of them and how many there were and desired Mr. Harris to set a mark on them that he might be the better able to swear they were the same when they should come to be examined before Authority which he resolved they should presently be In order to which he carried them with him to advise with a Friend what to do in the Case who perswaded him to go forthwith to a Secretary of State which he endeavoured to have done but not finding my Lord sunderland or any of his Clerks at the Office the Earl of Essex and Sir Henry Capel being also from home he addrest himself to a Worthy Gentleman Mr. Justice Warcup to whom he laid open the whole Affair and having got together the Officers of the Custom-house the Master and Mistress of the Lodgings and whatever other Evidence they then had Mr. Justice Warcup was pleased to take their Depositions Upon the whole matter it appeared to have been a Malicious Design of mine and thereupon he made out a Warrant to apprehend me which having delivered to a Constable they went along with him to Mr. Celliers who is a French Merchant and a Papist where I did then and the St. Omers Boys formerly had lodged there the Justice Constable and Warrant found me As soon as I understood their errand I pretended that this was Mr. 〈…〉 What said I has he cryed Whore first but I have been this day with the King my self and with Mr. Secretary Coventry and have acquainted them with the business so that I suppose there will be some enquiry made for him at his Lodging before he get back Col. Warcup answered me That if I would find sureties to appear at the Council-Board next Morning by Nine of the Clock he should give me no further trouble at present And accordingly Mr. Cellier the French Merchant and Mr. Blasedale the Apothecary entering into Recognizance for my appearance I was Bail'd On Thursday October 23. in the Forenoon when the persons concerned attended the Council in the Lobby I met with a very unhappy Rencounter for as I was going down the Stairs of the Lobby I met with one Mr. D'oiley an Officer belonging to the Mint who had formerly known and prosecuted me for uttering false Guinies Espying him and being conscious to my self of my former Crimes I began to Curse without any provocation and demanded what D'oiley had to say to me threatning if I had him out of the Court to cut his Croune and that whenever I should meet him in a convenient place I would be revenged on him at which I suppose D'oiley was surprized But my Lord Chief Justice North passing by towards the Council and overhearing what words passed betwixt us Mr. D'oiley made his application to his Lordship and presently Mr. Justice Warcup was sent for in and ordered to take Mr. D'oiley's information against me and a Messenger was likewise ordered to take me into Custody Mr. Justice Warcup directed the Messenger to take me to the Kings-Head Tavern whither he promis'd to come himself as soon as the Council was up during our stay there I writ a Note to Mrs. Cellier to go to the Lord and Lady Powis and acquaint them that I was apprehended for they knew what This Note the Messenger would not suffer the Boy to carry till himself had read the Contents of it and then he dismist him who carryed it according to direction That Morning the Council had before them the affair of Mr. Dugdale so that when Colonel Warcup had delivered in the Examinations that he had taken the day before about me we were all commanded to appear in the Afternoon at Four of the Clock Thursday Octob. 23th Afternoon when the Council was sitting I was called in first and presently after me Mansel was call'd whom the Lord Chancellor asked What Correspondencies these were that he held Here are Papers says he of dangerous consequence such as import the Levying Men and Raising Rebellion against His Majesty Here is also a Catalogue of mens Names whom you have Listed Mr. Mansel replyed That he knew nothing of these Letters and Papers That he neither had held nor ever would hold any Treasonable Correspondence with any person living He humbly prayed the favour of the Honourable Board That he might be permitted to give an Account how he came by the sight of these Papers and he did not question but to make it appear that these Papers were brought into his Chamber out of some malicious design or other by me Then he gave to their Lordships a full and clear account of what he knew or had been informed of by those of the Family where he lodged and the Officers of the Custom-House and being commanded to call in his Witnesses he did so Mr. Alexander Harris was first Sworn who Witnessed That the Papers before that Honourable Board were the same that had been left at his House for Colonel Mansel by an Officer of the Custom-House Mr. Stretch and Mr. Bostock were Sworn next who deposed among other matters That I having informed them of certain prohibited Goods concealed in Ax Yard appointed them to come to me at Mr. Celliers House in Arundel Buildings the last Monday whither being come in order to the Search and Seizure I told them I was not yet ready having not yet Lodged at my new Quarters but would not fail to be there that Night and therefore appointed them to come thither on Wednesday Morning That at that time they came and found me with my Friend in the Chamber that then I took them aside lest Bedford should hear what I said and whispered to them that the Goods were in the Room above Stairs and desired them to charge me to assist That after a narrow search finding no such Goods as they were informed of I pointed towards the Bed which they drew from the wall and searched very narrowly but still the Papers not appearing that I pointed again to the Beds-head whereupon Stretch went once more behind the Bed with a Candle but with the like ill success At last I went behind the Beds-head and called to the Officers What 's that hangs there shewing them a Pacquet of Papers pinned to the Beds-head the Officer taking them down I snatcht one of them out of his hand and cryed out Here is Treason The Officer taking another Paper and reading it In the Paper that I read were words to this purpose I wonder at your delay and that the Four Lords have left us for now the Tyrant has
Popish Recusant but has not been at any other time since with the Earl of Shaftsbury but knows nothing of the Earl of Shaftsbury's being threatned to be killed by the Lady Abergavenny and saith that Mr. Nevill did bid her tell my Lady Powis that he would write to his Friend Mary Ayray 3. The Information of Bennet Dugdale a Joyner taken upon Oath before His Majesty in Council Novemb. 2. 1679. THe Informant saith That he hath wrought at Powis-house and hath there seen Mr. VVilloughby and that he went with Mrs. Ayray to see one in Prison in the Kings Bench but knew not that his name was Nevill that Mr. VVilloughby stayed in the mean time at a Coffee-house there by he saith that when they returned they brought some Papers with them and that soon after Mrs. Ayray went to the Tower that he hath at Powis-house seen Mr. VVilloughby Mrs. Cellier and others often writing he remembers that one Mr. Lane lay there in the house and that Mrs. Cellier was once in great fear when she thought that Lane was lost he doth remember that Mr. VVilloughby did once ask him if he could make a Hand-Press in order to Printing and he made answer he would ask the Lord Powis and his Lady if he might make such a thing he sayes he went Once or Twice with Mrs. Ayray to the Gate-house who went with money to the Prisoners but the reason of his being the more with Mrs. Ayray was by the reason of a Match proposed by Mrs. Cellier between him and her That in Powis-house there is a private place made by him and by the Lady Powis's Order Sworn before the King and Council Bennet Duddell Tuesday Novemb. 4. 1679. 1. The Lady Powis was called in to whom the Deposition of Woodman was read her Ladyship said That to her knowledge she never had a pacquet from me or ever sent a Pacquet to Nevill that she hath had several Letters from Mrs. Cellier and perhaps she may have given at some time a Pacquet to her boy written from some body else That her Ladyship never went to see Nevill at the Kings Bench but going there to see the Lady Gage some body pointed to Nevill as he was at the Window and once before that she thinks she saw him elsewhere That she never had Letter from Nevill though perhaps she might have had one from me 2. To the Deposition of Duddel she saith That it is true one Mr. Ayray did bring to the Tower some Remarques upon Langhorn's Tryal but she never saw any thing brought from Nevile at the Kings Bench. 3. To the Deposition of Susan Edwards she saith That though she hath been at Mrs. Celliers she never had so much as lighted out of her Coach to have any discourse with me 4. To the Deposition of Mrs. Ayray she saith as before That she never brought her Ladyship any message from Mr. Nevile 5. To the Deposition of Mr. Jolly a Taylor her Ladyship sayes That she had two or three short notes from me as also a great pacquet of papers brought by Jolly from me but looking them over she found them very insignificant things That once or twice she had some short notes from me but was much surprized to receive them She affirms that I never told her of my having been alone with the King though she was indeed told it by Mrs. Cellier but for any such answer as to lament that I was not then prepared to Kill the King she never gave it and abhors any such thoughts having never heard of any such thing or any other Treason in her life That for my Lodging so long at her house all the servants are able to testifie That it was without her knowledge and when she came there I still endeavoured to keep out of her sight I said that after I was to make my first appearance at the Council Mrs. Cellier went to her Ladyship to the Tower to frame an excuse touching forty shillings that should have been lent me by one of her Ladyships servants Her Ladyship answered It was true Mrs. Cellier came to her with a story in her mouth of about forty shillings owing to one of her servants but her Ladyship chid her severely and told her she would keep no servant that would be guilty of such a thing her Ladyship added that she never saw me but twice Mrs. Cellier being called in and askt whether she had not been at the Tower with the Lady Powis to frame some excuse for me flatly denyed the same but being told that the Lady Powis had even now owned it she then confest that on Thursday seven-night she was there and told her Ladyship how her Husband and her Son Mr. Blazedale were bound for my appearance when Justice warcup came and took me from her house That I did indeed advise her to say something touching money due to a servant of the Lady Powis but that her Ladyship hearing thereof was displeased at it then she railed at me And being told of her industry to get my Nativity cast she said that I having desired the same she got Mr. Gadbury to do it but I affirmed Mrs. Cellier sent her maid Margaret whilest I was in Prison for the time of my Birth Bedford was then called in who referred himself to the account he had given of his Correspondence with me by Information to Mr. Justice Warcup And further saith That he went about with me to several Clubbs That he went with me also to Thompson in Fetter-Lane who was then Printing the Presbyterian Vnmaskt That I have often brought with me to the Coffee-House papers fresh and wet from the Press That I went to pay moneys to Mr. Dormer in St. Johns's That I enquired of him after Clubs and that he naming the Kings Head Club thither I went and would have got a List of the Names but the Drawer refused The like happened at another place but at the Green Dragon we got a List of about Eighty Names of such as used to meet there Afterwards we went to the Sun and Ship Taverns to enquire if the D. of Monmouth had not been there the Night before his departure That I told him how by Gadbury's means I was acquainted with Sir Robert Peyton and by him was getting into the Kings-Head Clubb but that Sir Robert disswaded me upon the account of the Charge for that they did sometimes make a Purse of one or two Guinneys a man about special service That I lay for a time at the Goat near Exeter-house and that going with him thence to drink Cock-Ale it so flew up into my head that going into a Coffee-house I raised a great quarrel there about a Word relating to Sr. Thomas Player the Matter of which had been heard by Mr. Secretary Coventry That I shewed him a Paper called The State of the Three Kingdoms that I told him that the Lord Shaftsbury Dr. Tounge Sir VVilliam VValler c. had private meetings about Fox-Hall about
the Plot and that it was there hatched by them and that I had Lodgings at Mrs. Celliers and lamented once unto him my wanting of Twenty Pound for some great design that I had been at the Lord Clarendon's whom I complained of as a Dilatory man That I asked Bedford if at their being together in Cliffords-Inn-Garden he did not receive from me a Gift of forty shillings and if I did not discourse to him so and so concerning the D. of York and the D. of Lauderdale and about Scotland and touching three hundred Horse that were to be raised by Sir VVilliam VValler Bedford denyed any Gift of forty shillings in the Garden but that he borrowed forty shillings at two other times That he never spake to me of either of these Dukes or of Scotland And as to the three hundred Horse he said he had given an account of it to a Minister of State I replyed That as to this of the three hundred Horse he spoke it also to Mr. Stanford the D. of Newburgh's Agent who if called upon was able to testifie the same Mr. Justice VVarcup coming in acquainted the Board that Mr. Cellier and his Son-in-Law Blazedale the Apothecary did both attend and that there were yet wanting the Examinations of some of their servants Upon which the Lord President directed him to take those Examinations Blasden called in and Sworn said That Margaret brought him a Note for Opium to cause Rest but he refusing to follow that Direction he mixed somthing that was less Dangerous which the Maid afterwards told him signified nothing and therefore ordered him to mix somwhat a great deal stronger Mr. Cellier being asked about the Paper of the Nativity saith He read it not himself but that his Daughter read it to him He remembred only somthing of Prophesie or a Man's Fortune That there were in it the words Horoscope Venus Mercury c. That the Man should be Hang'd at last but he knew no more of it or of whom it was but that he burned the Paper and Owned That he was a Roman Catholick and a French Merchant But Mr. Blasden in whose House the Paper was read said It set forth How that his Adventures should be very various and that he should come before some Judge and be in Danger in a Sea-Fight Then I asked Cellier if he did not remember when in the presence of his Wife I said I was then come from my Lord Shaftsbury This he deny'd and also that he heard any Discourse extraordinary between me and Rigaut but that Rigaut had been twice at his House and that I and he played at some Game together He denied also that he saw any Dagger in his House or that ever any was hid under his Beds-side He acknowledged to have seen the Lady Powis at his House but not six times in all But Mr. Blasden said He had seen her Ladiships Coach a dozen times which he could see plain from his Shop but did not remember to have seen her Ladiship go into Mr. Cellier's above twice The Lord Peterborough was called in and having been told what was Objected against him as having encouraged me at his Lordship's House to go again to the Lord Shaftsbury and to be sure to Dispatch him the third time His Lordship flatly denied any such thing and then in a large Discourse appealed to the known Method of his Life and Conversation his Constant Services to the Crown and how little he had been concern'd in this Matter as being known by all Good men not to be capable of such a Thing That as to the Earl of Shaftsbury he came lately Over with great Expectation of his aid and favour in Parliament touching an unhappy Difference arisen with a great Ally meaning his Son-in-law's Father And that the Earl of Shaftsbury had already testified so much Countenance in this matter that he came over full of Inclinations to do that Lord greater Services than he can well express That before his Daughter was disposed of in Marriage a very Noble Lady the Lady Powis who had testified very great Inclinations to have her Married to her Ladiship 's Nephew upon which Obligation he then grew Intimate with the said Lady and being a Person that is not wont to forget his Friends in their Afflictions had often gone to that Lady to give her the best Comfort he could That waiting on her Ladiship when he came lately from Flanders she recommended to him just at parting a very Charitable Woman one Mrs. Cellier unto whom the late Dutchess of Tork was a Debtor in 5 or 600 l. That his Lordship being one of the Duke's Commissioners did promise to further her Business That in further Recommendation of this Woman the Lady added That she was a great Servant to the Duke and also to the King And also being a Woman of great Understanding and getting Acquaintance by her Opportunity of being a Midwife into many considerable Families she had wrought about several Incensed Persons to be of better Principles and Inclinations both to the King and the Duke And more particularly that this Woman had now found out a Man who was very able to discover any dangerous Practices against the King That Mrs. Cellier came soon after to his Lodgings that she gave a great Character of one Willoughby who had much improved himself abroad in the Service of the Prince of Orange and under the Duke de Villa Hermosa that this man coming over and resorting to the Coffee-Houses was much Suprized at the Rebellious discourses that he heard but that concealing his thoughts he grew Familiar with the most Mutinous who liked him so well that they carried him to their Clubs and private meetings and being admitted to their Secrets he found that great and dangerous things were preparing against the Parliament That she desired his Lordship but to procure a Warrant for making a Search and that all the whole matter would be Plainly discovered but she desired that this Warrant might be obtained without the King's knowledge That of all this Information his Lordship gave an Account to the Duke who refused to have any thing acted therein without the King's knowledge That I came with Mrs. Cellier to his Lodgings where the Duke saw me and I was afterwards handed to the King That when I came afterwards to his Lordship I mentioned the difficulty of getting a Warrant and Complaining of want of zeal in the King's Ministers I said I would yet do my business without a Warrant and by the Custom-house way That as concerning my Lord Shaftsbury I told him that there was some Woman about the Duke that Writ to the Earl of Shaftsbury all the dangerous things she could Invent and to make proof of this came afterwards to shew two Letters which his Lordship presently saw were Written in Sir Richard Bolstrode's hand and contained nothing touching the Duke but such matters of Common Intelligence from Brussels as he himself or any other man might
Celliers charity He said that the second discourse he had with me at Powis's house was concerning Mrs. Celliers having offered to procure me an Ensigns place under the Duke of Monmouth in the late expedition to Scotland or else that I should stay and depend upon her He said farther That Mrs. Cellier from being his friend became his enemy I replied That Mrs. Cellier had sent him 80 l. and that her husband had been his security to keep him from prison but that upon some difference arising upon complaint made that Nevils daughter was like to turn Whore old Celliers withdrew his security and so Nevil was returned to prison Nevil in answer to this reviled with many passionate expressions and as to the writing the Pamphlet Timothy Touchstone he denies it and says he knew nothing of Mr. Jeane the Priest in Buckinghamshire As to one Cox in Covent-Garden he said he had been his Agent about his business in Ireland but denied to have heard any thing from him about Ten thousand pound which I objected he acknowledged that he was still for the advice of Indicting false witnesses and had twenty times advised the Indicting Oates and Bedloe but as for the framing a Presbyterian Plot and to draw men into it it had been a great villany and he utterly denies the same That he only had from Mrs. Cellier Fifteen pound but that she had of his money Seventeen pound That the commerce between her and me was very scandalous and she was suspected to defraud the Charity which came through her hands which by the Collection of all forts of Catholicks was about Twenty two pounds per week He acknowledged that he advised me to compound my debts and not to depend upon shifts of Law He owned that he received all the Trials that were printed and had fingered them out as would still appear by the Books he had by him for that seeing how ill things hung together and that some things looked like perjury he thought it would be easie to frame Indictments against the Witnesses That as to his informing me of a List of mutinous Coffee-houses he denied the same having never been in above four or five in his life but it was notorious enough how all the Coffee-houses were factious He declared his great hatred and animosity against Mrs. Cellier who formerly indeed came to him every day but that she caused her husband to withdraw his Bail and he was again clapt up To this I objected That it was not altogether Mrs. Cellier but the advice of the Lords in the Tower that he should be again confined forasmuch as when he was formerly in that Condition he had been very industrious about writing of Papers in their business but that being at Liberty he chiefly followed the Play-House Nevil here reflects upon me as a Lewd and Infamous person to which I replied That if I were such as he said it was the more plain that I could not proceed in such weighty undertakings as I had managed without considerable Counsel and Direction which is agreeable to what I have affirmed The Lady Powis said She hoped the Oath of an Infamous person should not bring her in danger for that no person of Common sense would ever trust such a Creature as I was with any thing of importance Mrs. Cellier said She never caused me or any body else to put forth Pamphlets but that indeed I did make some and put them forth which were very inconsiderable things that I did once read to her two Pamphlets wherein was no matter of hurt but the things were foolish and mere Chimaera's and then she railed upon me c. The Lord Peterborough called in said That he gave his servants charge to admit me whenever I came and that he did call me Captain Willoughby yet his Lordship told the Board he could not but be troubled to have his name mentioned by so infamous a person as I was Mr. Nevil alias Payne called into the Council on Friday Novem. 7. 1679. saith That I had writ him a kind of a Challenge which he knowing my life rejected besides that I was grown in behaviour proud and high as a Prince Midd. and Westmin The Information of Thomas Curtis of Westminster Cloth-worker taken the Fifth day of Novem 1679. before Edmund Warcup Esq one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace in the said County and City THis Informant saith that about half a year ago he became acquainted with Mr. Willoughby taking him to be a very Civil Gentleman and not knowing that he had any other name and about the second day of October last he met the said Willoughby at the Hoop-Tavern on Fishstreet-hill and there drank a Bottle of Rhenish-Wine with him in the drinking whereof he the said Willoughby told this Informant that he looked on him as an honest man and one that loved his King and Country and expressed himself to be a Protestant and much against Rebellion and further added that he would put this Informant into a Way to serve his King and Countrey whereunto this Informant replyed that he would serve his King and Countrey to the last drop of his bloud in anything that was just to which the said Willoughby replyed that he would not put this Informant on any thing but what was honourable and just and that he would make it easie but at that time refused to tell the business but appointed this Informant to dine with him at Mrs Celliers the next day following which this Informant did and after Dinner the said Willoughby took this Informant into a private room and there told this Informant that there were Commissions given out privately by the Fanaticks and perswaded this Informant to get one and if this Informant did so he would bring this Informant to the King and that it should be 5000 l in this Informants way besides being taken care of for the future But this Informant replying that he did not believe there was any such thing the said Willoughby answer'd that he knew it to be true and that he had been at several meetings with them and named one in Holbourn another which he called Sir Thomas Player's or my Lord Shaftbury's in London a third that was Sir Robert Peyton's and particularly said that Bloud 's party issued out these Commissions And this Informant had heard before that Mrs Cellier had harboured the Gentlemen that came over from St. Omer's and that she was a Papist but the said Willoughby did never intimate to this Informant that he was imployed by the Papists in this Affair and charged this Informant not to say any thing of this Matter to Mr. Nevil because he had no Correspondence with him nor desired any nor to Mrs. Cellier because she was a woman And then this Informant promised him to see what could be done and so left him resolving not to insinuate into any secret Trust on purpose to betray it about Four days after which this Informant returned to Mr. Willoughby