Chillington the like for Horse To Sir James Symmons of Ashton in Staffordshire the like for Horse This Informant saith that be also saw Sir Robert Throgmorton fill up a Lieutenant Collonel's Commission to his own Regiment and deliver it to one Sir Charles Neale who accepted the same and kiss'd it upon his Knees And that he this Informant also was present and saw Sir James Symmons deliver a Captains Commission to Mr. William Fowler of St. Thomas near Stafford And also when Sir Thomas Gifford deliver'd a Captains Commission to Mr. Augustin Gifford and also to Capt. Gowre the like Captains Commission and to Bazil Brooks Esq the like Captains Commission and to Mr. John Pursel a Cornet's Commission and to Thomas Pursell a Warrant for Quarter Master and to several other inforiour Officers and the several Collonels aforesaid This Informant saith that all these Collonels Commissions with the Blanks as aforesaid were deliver'd by Mr. Lunt in the presence of this Informant And this Informant saith he knows they were such Commissions because he saw them and heard most of them read at the time of the delivery to them And for the Lieutenant Collonel and other inferiour Officers Commissions he this Informant saw most of them fill'd up by the Superiours and deliver'd to the inferiour Officers as aforesaid And this Informant further saith that at the same time aforesaid he this Informant saw the aforesaid Mr. Lunt deliver to my Lord Molyneux a seal'd Paper which he this Informant saw him the Lord Molyneux open and read which to the best of this Informants Memory was purporting a Commission and Instructions for the Care and Government of Liverpoole This Informant also saith that he was at a Meeting at Sir John Lawsons in York shire about the Month of March then next following with Mr. Lunt where were the Gentlemen Mr. Lunt names in his Information where he this Informant then heard most of them publickly own that they had receiv'd Commissions by Mr. Thrillfall some time before from King James and would then have oblig'd this Informant and Mr. Lunt to have engaged with them the Gentlemen of the Country c. This Informant further saith that about the beginning of the Year 1691 he this Informant heard that Mr. Lunt was employ'd in and about London to list Men And this Informant saith that some short time after several Men came into Lancashire as from London and said they were listed by the said Mr. Lunt and sent down to serve under the Command of some of the Officers aforesaid and he this Informant saith that as fast as they came down he was order'd by my Lord Molyneux Sir Thomas Clifton Coll. Molyneux Coll. Tildesley Coll. Townley Sir William Gerrard and his Son and several ther 's the Officers aforesaid to take Care of them and prouide Quarters or Lodgings for them which the said Informant did accordingly and that at several Times this Informant had and did receive Money from my Lord Molyneux Coll. Tilâ—desley Coll. Townley Sir William Gerrard and sime others to pay the said Souldiers for their Subsistance And this Informant saith he did pay and distribute the Money he so receiv'd amongst them which this Informant saith in the whole did amount to to the best of his Mneoy about 3 or 400 l. the Names of many of the Soldiers this Informant yet remembers and a List of them was deliver'd into the House of Commons when the Plot was examin'd there And this Informant saith that he is very well assured that the said Mr. Lunt did at several other times before and after List a great many more than those named in the List aforementioned This Informant further saith that about the Month of February 1691 he this Informant was at a general Meeting of several Gentlemen at Coll. Walmesley at Dungan-Hall in Lancashire many of whom he yet remembers viz. Coll. Townley Coll. Tildesley Coll. Molyneux Coll. Dalton Sir William Gerrard Mr. Gerrard Mr. Dickingson Mr. Stanley Mr. Shuttleworth Mr. Tildesley of Stansare Mr. Massey of Buddington Mr. Langton of the Loe Mr. Gerrard of Inch Sir Thomas Clifton Mr. Blundell of Crosby Coll. Westby of Mobrick Coll. Parker and others the said Coll. Walmesley being then lately come out of France he the said Coll. then produc'd publickly in the said Meeting several Commissions Declarations Grants or Patents that he had then lately brought from King James of several Gentlemens Estates of that Country to other Gentlemen there that were King James 's Friends 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coll. Tildesley Lord Molyneux Coll. Westbey of Mobrick Coll. Townley of Townley Sir Thâ—â—as Clifton Sir William Gerrard Coll. Molyneux Mr. Gerrard of Inch Mr. Langton of Loe and sâ—â—e others This Informant further saith that above a Fortnight after he this Informant was at the like Meeting at Philip Draycots of Painesley-Hell in the County of Stafford Esquire of most of the aforesaid Gentlemen and others as Mr. Bazill Brooks Sir James Symonds Sir Richard Fleetwood and his Sons William and Rowland Cary of Cary Esquire and others where were produc'd several of the like Grants and Patents as aforesaid brought over by the Lord Stafford and there also given out to those they did belong to this Informant further saith that at this Meeting aforesaid Coll. Parâ—â—â— being also there and was then also lately come out of France he the said Coll. did then publickly produce and deliver to one Capt. George Penny then in the Company a Commission from King James for the said Penny to be a Major of Horse which he said Capt. Penny accepted of with many Thanks and promis'd to do the King the best Service be could And this Informant further saith that at another Time being at a Meeting with the said Coll. Parker at the Sign of the Star an Inn in Holywell in Flintshire and about twenty Gentlemen more he this Informant there saw the said Parker deliver one Commission from King James to one Mr. Pew of Pendrell to be a Captain of Horse and at the same time he the said Parker deliver'd in the presence of this Informant to one Mr. George Davies of Treloughnel and to several others and that the said Parker did there and at several other times as well as at the aforementiond Meetings order direct and desire all the Officers to take Care to have their Men ready at an Hours warning with a Pound of Powder and Ball proportionable to each Man for that he expected News of the Kings Landing every day c. This Informant saith that about the beginning of the Year 1689 he this Informant was order'd and employ'd by Mr. Massey Sir James Symonds Sir Thomas Gifford and Capt. Fowler to List as many Men as be could in Staffordshire and North-Wales for King James's Service under their Command and that he this Informant had Money of the aforesaid Gentlemen for that Purpose and this Informant saith that he did at that Time that is to say within the space of three
Quarter of Heaven some of them were silly enough to curse it saying 't would serve them as Treacherously now as it did at the Revolution However that nothing might be omitted on their Part they send an Express to the Lord Melfort by Captain Lloyd acquainting his Lordship that they had corrupted many of our English Sea Commanders who would go over to the French and with that Notice a true List of the Number and Rates of the English Fleet and how long it would be before it was possible they could be joyn'd by the Dutch Praying his Lordship to lay it before the most Christian King and procure his Command to Mareschal Tourville to seek and immediatly sight the English before they could be joyn'd by the Dutch And now the Jacobites thought they had nothing to do but to kill and take possession And therefore were as Insolent and Unsufferable in their Behaviour before the Ingagement as their Fears ' and Cowardise were apparent after it Whilst the Jacobites were pleasing themselves with the hopes of approching Wealth and Opulence the great thing that put a damp upon their Mirth was the various Reports abōut the joyning of the English and Dutch Fleets Once they had notice they were joyn'd but being contradicted the next day least that Report should have Influence upon the French they send over Sir Adam Blaire to assure the French they were not joyn'd But so it happened before that Gentleman could reach Dover they had good Assurance that the Fleets were joyn'd indeed and therefore * Mr. Clark is now in England and I appeal to him for the Truth of it Mr. Clark better known by the nickname of Count Cl. is posted into France to acquaint them with this fatal Junction but the Count was so far from gaining Credit to his Report Sir Adam Blaire averring the contrary that Mr. Clark was imprison'd as a spreader of false News till the late King owning him and their being beaten procured his Liberty But whilst the Queen's Majesty of blessed Memory was taking such measures as might frustrate their wicked Designs and secure the Nation and all Men gazing in dubious Expectations of the Event comes the happy 20th of May 1692 with the joyful News that through the Providence of our good God and the Valour of our couragious Seamen the French Fleet was beaten off la Hogue and their Majesties victorious Navy was pursuing burning and sinking those that by flying endeavour'd to escape And not long after to make our Joy compleat was brought the Notice of Granval's Execution Both great and miraculous Deliverances For This Year the ultra Marine and English Jacobites were resolv'd to play all their Engins at once The French King was to be in Flanders Namure was to be besieged King James was to land in England and his Majesty was to be murther'd all about the same time Here are Plots with a Witness and all so substantially prov'd that the very Thought so crushes me with Horror and Amazement that I tremble to think what the Consequences of them would have been if they had succeeded for 't is much more easy to imagin then express what a dismal Scene of Barbarity and Cruelty of Blood and Horror must have follow'd in England and the greatest Part of Europe but the Snare is broken and we are delivered for which we ought to be Eternally thankful This is the fifth Disappointment of the Jacobian Plot began in Lancashire in 1688. First by Kelly's and Dodsworth's Discovery in 1689. Then by King William's Victory at the Boyne in July 1690. Next by seizing the Lord Preston and Mr. Ashton in December 1690. Fourthly by Dumont's Disappointment And Lastly by the detecting of Granvalle and beating the French at la Hogue in 1692. However that they might prove themselves such as neither Mercies not Judgments could effect about Michaelmas 1692 these Malecontents through the Clemency of the Government assum'd the Confidence to cabal again to find out some new Conspiracy or rather to revive those two old ones of Assassination and Invasion by some more secret Methods than they had hitherto found out And that they might not commit the same Solecisms again like grave Politicians they first enquire into the former Miscarriages and particularly that at la Hogue And 't was agre'd among them that Mareschal Turville's not fighting the English before they were join'd by the Dutch was the Cause of the Overthrow that happen'd afterwards That it was originally if not designedly the Lord Melfort's Fault In not giving the Notices which he receiv'd from England time enough to the French Court viz. to fight the English before they were join'd by the Dutch but suffering the Time prefix'd by his English Advices to be worn out ' ere he communicated what he had in Charge to deliver immediatly Hereupon great Complaints are made to the late King against the Lord Melfort's Ministry and in plain Terms they tell the late King unless Melfort be remov'd they will concern themselves no * Vid. Letters against Melfort in Crosby's Papers more in his Affairs The Popish Jacobites defend Melfort with their utmost Art and Interest and lay the Miscariages at la Hogue * Vid Letters on Melforts behalf upon the Protestant Compounders and so far ingage the Court of Rome in their quarrel that the late King's Pension from the Pope was taken off for siding with Heretics But the Protestants who had gain'd some Papists to their Party against Melfort making use of Sir Sympson a Scotch Knight then and still residing at St. Germans by the Name of Jones between whom and Melfort there was an old Grudg he stagger'd the Lord Melfort in the Opinion of the late King and the French Court and when Sir James Montgomery came over he threw him quite out of Favour insomuch that he was forc'd to leave St. Germans and retire to In the mean time two such strong Parties were form'd at St. Germans that the late King according to his usual Politics of altering his Measures according to the Variety of his Circumstances took the Lord Middleton into his Counsels and employ'd both him and the Lord Melfort by Turns as his Affaris requir'd And these Transactions made an end of the Year 1692. Both the Jacobite Parties being now seemingly pleas'd in having each their Favorite at the Helm for Sir James Montgomery was not yet come into France the Murther of King William and the Invasion of England are again revived The Management of the Invasion is committed to Sir Sympson Major Crosby Captain Lloyd and Mr. Walter Crosby Sympson and Lloyd came and went over several times about it in the beginning of the Year 1693 continued so doing till June following and then having laid the Plan for an Invasion return'd into France in August following Major Crosby as he was commonly call'd came into England about Michaelmas 1693 staid in London a while went down into Lancashire and from thence return'd into France Mr. Walter
Classes of his Friends in answer to his late Instructions and of many considerable Men in his Interest unknown to each other As to the properest Place the Time the Number requisite and the Concurrence to be expected from hence upon a Descent But because the best and most solid Conclusions are drawn from an Union and Harmony in Opinion we think it not amiss to explain our selves upon that Head to the end that if ours agree with those you have already before you it may have the greater weight with you First then as to the Number it 's our Opinion and that of all we converse with that 30000 Men or 25000 in England and 5000 in Scotland would carry the King through all difficulties will be a sufficient shelter for his Friends and an Encouragement to others to come into him and declare for him that such an Army or a much less according as the Army here rises or falls as the Person who conveys this and has concerted it with us will be able further to explain unto you seconded with an agreeable Ministry and the Kings late gratious Declaration would meet with little Opposition is most certain and may be intirely relyed upon but it ought not to be forgot at the same time that some particular Assurances be emitted suitable to the Constitution of some Shires as will be further explained to you and the present Condition of the Army Thirdly As to the Place proper for such a Descent that must be left to the Wind Weather and Season If it could be early the nearer London would be the better for the whole Kingdom would follow the Fate of that City which would make no manner of Resistance if a Descent were made near it and at the same time would give an Opportunity to 5000 Foot and 1500 Horse all formed Troops and Remains of the old Army to joyn the King besides what 〈…〉 would go in of the greatest Consideration we now speak within the narrowest Compass Fourthly If later then in our Opinion Bristol is the properest Place which is a great Town well affected to his Majesty lies in the heart of the Kingdom and that and the Counties about it is capable to furnish all Necessaries for such an Army as he shall think fit to bring besides a great many other Advantages which have been already explain'd to you and will be further by this Gentleman Fifthly Upon a Descent in that Place his Majesty may depend upon a great Concurrence of the Nobility Clergy and Gentry from the adjacent Counties Cities and Towns Gloucestershire Worcestershire Monmouth-shire will move with the D. of B**rt Mar**ss of W**ter his Son and my Lord N**ry who immediatly upon the Kings Direction to them will change the Lieutenancy of those Countries and bring the whole Militia into the King as is concerted and agreed upon North Wales and South Wales are honest and will be influenc'd by the D. of 〈…〉 c. It 's concerted there amongst the chief Gentry that those who were in the Lieutenancy in the late Kings Time will re-assume their Posts as before upon his Landing and bring the whole Militia to joyn him as will be further explain'd to you by the Person that conveys this to you The Gentry of Dorsetshire are the same particularly the Towns of Dorcester ond Weymouth Sommersetshire will be altogether influenc'd by my Lord P**t Lord Bishop of B. and W. Sr. Fr**s W*r Sr. Ha**ll T*t Sr. Wm. P**n Mr. A**ll Mr. L**y Mr. St'd who have concerted immediatly upon the Kings Landing to call all the Gentry of the County together and prevent them from raising the Militia and upon his Majesties Directions will re-assume their Places as before when his Majesty was upon the Throne From Devonshire his Majesty will be joyn'd by the Honourable J. Gr**ll Sir Ed. Se**r Sr. Bo. W*y Sr. Sy. Li*h Sr. P. Co***n who have great Interest in that County From Cornwall by my Lord Ar***l of Tr**e Lord Mo**n Capt. Mo**n his Uncle Lord La**n Lord Bishop of E***r Sr. Wm. Co***n Sr. J. Ar***l Sr. Jos Te***m Sr. Wm. Go***n Sr. J. St. Au**n Sr. J. M**h Sr. J. A**y In a Word that whole County is honest and intirely devoted to the King but particularly the Miners who are chiefly influenc'd by Go***n St. Au**n J. K*p H. T**n J. K*n Hen. Vi**t who may bring together a Body of 8 or 9000 of them to joyn the King upon an Occasion and if mix'd with some regular Troops and headed by a good Officer would settle that part of the Country for the King the Free-holders there are tired with Taxes no Fish taken Tin low scarce worth the working Wool and Yarn very low so that some particular Promises and Assurances to that County would have great Effects among the Tin Miners That should be his Majesties particular Care to enhaunce the Price of that Commodity c. which since his Time is fallen from 4. l. to 50. s. at which Price 't is now Wiltshire will move with my Lord We**h and Ay**y From Shropshire the King may expect to be joyn'd by most of the Gentry The City of Shrewsbury is honest From Warwickshire by my Lord Fe**s Lord B*r Lord L*h Lord D**h Lord D**y who with those that have been in the Lieutenancy will reassume their Posts and bring the Militia of that County to joyn the King Northamptonshire Lord E***e who has lately offer'd the King he will come at the Head of 3000 Horse with the chief Gentry of the County to joyn him Lord Gr**n and his Son Derbyshire and Leicestershire by Lord C***d Lord H***n Lord R**d Lord S**le Who will in that County as in others reassume the Lieutenancy upon the Kings Directions and make it serviceable to his Majesty Cheshire Sir F. E***n Sir P. E***n Mr. C**y of V*e R**ll Mr. Ro t Ch**y of H**d Sir Wm. M***ll Mr. Ar**n Mr. M**ll Mr. Lo*s M r. B*h Coll M**ll Mr. Fr***lls Mr. Br*ks of Norton Sir T. S*ley with a great many of the Clergy and City of Chester is well inclined Oxfordshire Lord A***n Lord N**s his Son Lord L**d Sir T. Cl**is Sir W. his Son Lord T***t the Honourable Henry B***s Sir E. N**s Sir E. R*d Sir Wm. W**s Lincolnshire by the Earl of L**y his Br. and the greatest Part of the Gentry So much as to the Places adjacent to Bristol now it 's most certain that while the Kings Western Friends are imployed his Northern Friends and those in London will not be Idle if his Majesty will but send them Directions There are actually in the North above 4000 Men * * Compare this account with that of the Discoverers and they exactly agree listed ready to march upon occasion and will be headed by Men of great consideration all the North being generally well inclined his Majesty has particular Assurance from thence and a true State of those Parts before him so that there is no need we should lay it down here but this it
what the grand Plotters in France thought would be the most expeditious and effectual Project to restore the late King James viz. Killing King William for which Action there would quickly be sent a Commission from the late King to command the doing of it and an Order to all his General Officers which were then in England to be aiding and assisting in the Enterprize And that in the mean time all things ought to be so well adjusted among themselves here that there might be no time lost nor nothing to do when the Commission came but to put it in Execution At this Juncture comes Major Crosby also from France March 20. 1094. with Assurance That he saw the Commission sign'd and under Seal in France that it was sent away before him and if not already come he was certain it was upon the Road and would be here in a few days This was communicated to all the Assassinates in order to cut off his Majesty before he went to Holland but that God that design'd him for a further Blessing to England prevented their Treachery and convey'd him safe to his Army in Flanders Now If the Jacobites enquire how I prove this Plot upon the King's Life so early as to be laid in January and February 1694 and to be executed in the beginning of April 1695 that was say they scarce heard off till a twelve Month after they may please to know that besides my being told of it by Captain Blaire Mr. De la Rue swears it at Mr. Charnocks Tryal p. 37. And Sir John Fenwick when living was one of the Kings Evidence in this Matter and declar'd it in a Paper annexed to the Lady Mary Fenwicks Petition praying a Repreive for Sir John Fenwick deliver'd into the House of Lords January 22th 1696 * Vidahe Lords Journal in these Words The beginning of the Weck the Parliament was prorogu'd I was walking in the Court of Requests and there came to me Sir William Perkins Mr. Porter and Mr. Charnock * * Mr. Waugh was there also with the same Company but Sir John names him not and ask'd me if I did not know of an Order come from King James directed to those that had been General Officers under him I answered them I knew nothing of any Order from him and ask'd for what purpose it should be They told me they had for some time expected a Commission from King James to seize King William and that Mr. Crosby was newly come over and requir'd of them if they had not receiv'd such a Commission They told him they had not he said he wonder'd at it for he saw it sign'd before he came away from St. Germains and also an Order to the General Officers to be aiding and assisting to them I told them I believ'd what Crosby said was False that it was a Scandal upon King James and I was sure he never would give any such Commission or Order for so base an Action That they could intend no less by seizing the King than to Murther him upon which Sir W. Perkins said the Parliament would be Prorogu'd on Friday next and then the King would go for Flanders and that Saturday was the only day they had left to do it and tho' the Commission was not come they would not loose the Opportunity of attempting it as he return'd from Richmond that Night and swore he should never go out of England alive Mr. Porter and Mr. Charnock said they were resolv'd of it and tho the Commission was not yet come Crosby assur'd them it must be upon the Road for it was come away before him I used all Arguments against it and told them what Injury they would do King James and bring certain Ruin upon all his Friends here that if it was upon the Road as Crosby said it might be here on Saturday and with much Perswasions prevail'd with them to dine with me that day at Twelve a Clock at the Fountain-Tavern by the Temple-Gate and got them to Promise they would do nothing in it till they met me there that day We met accordingly And I kept them there discoursing upon the business and shewing them the baseness of the Action and the impossibility of their succeeding for none of King James 's Friends would back them in it till it was too late to make any such Attempt The King went for Flanders next Morning early this I attest for Truth and for this Reason I suppose they did not acquaint me with their Last Design John Fenwick Tho' the main end for which this Paper was design'd would admit of many severe Reflections as wanting that Sincerity which might be expected from one in Sir John's Circumstances and naming none of the Persons that manag'd that Treasonable Discourse in the Court of Requests but what are either Dead or in the Government when he knew what a large share Mr. Waugh had in it I shall content my Self and I hope satisfy my Reader only in observing three things as the natural Consequence of what the Paper acquaints us with Viz. That there was a Design to assassinate King William in the Year 1694 and 1695. That the late King James not only knew of it but commanded it That Sir John Fenwick knew of it but did not discover it and therefore no Objection lyes but that he might be acquainted with the last Design also The Parliament was prorogu'd the 3d of May 1695 and the King set forward for Flanders the day following so there being no hopes of Executing their barbarous Design till his Majesties Return they resolve so to employ the Summer that Winter might find them ready to perform what they had so long and unsuccessfully resolv'd on And that the Invasion might still accompany the Assassination they revive the Latter that it might be in a readiness to follow the Former as soon as the fatal Stroke had made way for it For this Purpose several Meetings are appointed and particularly one was held in May 1695 at the Old Kings-Head in Leaden-Hall-street London where met the Lord Aylesbury the Lord Mountgomery Sir John Friend Sir William Perkins Sir John Fenwick Mr. Charnock Mr. Cook Captain Porter and Mr. Goodman who came in after Dinner * See Mr. Porter's Deposition in Sir W. Perkins Tryal p. 14. there they consulted of the best way to restore the late King James and all agreed to send a Messenger over to the late King to desire him to procure of the French King ten thousand Men viz. 1000 Horse 1000 Dragoons and 8000 Foot Mr. Charnock was the Person appointed to Manage this Affair who said he would not go on a foolish Errand and therefore would know what the Company would do if Forreign Forces could be procured whereupon they all unanimously promised if the late King would come over with such a Number of Men as was defired they would meet him at the Head of two thousand Horse where-ever he would appoint At the latter
to bring him back an Answer to Dungan Hall and accordingly this Informant did return with his Message to Dungan-Hall and then and there he this Informant saw in Company with Mr. Lunt viz. Mr. Charles Harris Robert Holden and several other Gentlemen that this Informant did not know and this Informant after a little stay there did see a Gentleman they call'd Mr. Walmesley come down Stairs into a Room at the foot of the Stairs where the said Lunt and the other Gentlemen were and a little time after he came into the said Room he saw the said Lunt pull a Paper out of his Pocket and deliver it to the said Walmesley who receiv'd the same which this Informant doth believe was a Roll of Men listed for King James 's Service because the next Time he this Informant met with and saw the said Lunt which was about a fortnight after he told him that the Paper he saw him deliver to Mr. Walmesley was a Roll or List of the Names as aforesaid John Wilson Jurat ' 5. die Oct. 1694. Coram me G. Eyre Ann Elliot's Affidavit ANN Elliot late of Chippin in the County of Lancaster now living in London maketh Oath that about the beginning of the Year 1691. She this Deponent then living in Chippin aforesaid knew John Lunt who then went by the Name of Jackson and this Deponent saith that about that Time there came into that Country several Irish Men who said they were come from London and sent down by Lunt and that they were listed at London by the said Lunt for the Service of King James And this Deponent saith that the said Irish Men call'd Lunt their Lieutenant and at all times when they were together that they could be free own'd him and obey'd his Commands as their Lieutenant and in this Deponents hearing promis'd to be ready to rise in Arms with the said Lunt to bring in their old Master which they said was King James And this Deponent further saith that several Roman Catholic Gentlemen and others contributed towards their Subsistence and amongst the rest this Deponent her self And this Deponent saith that Lunt receiv'd the Money for the use of the said Irish And this Deponent saith she hath heard one Mr. Lock who went under the Name of an Irish Man complain that Lunt had brought him down from London to his Prejudice because he did not find what was promis'd was perform'd Nevertheless he would be ready with the rest for the said Service And this Deponent saith she set up many Nights to wait on the said Irish Men sometimes by 12 in a Company or more And this Deponent saith she hath often question'd whence they would have all those Arms they pretended to have who answer'd we know very well whence to have them Ann Elliot Jurat ' 11. die Febr. 1695. Coram me Tho Rokeby The Information of George Wilson THIS Informant upon his Oath saith that in or about the Month of April 1689 one Doctor Bromfeild came to William Fitzherbert Esq at Wapra near West-Chester in Flintshire where he the said Bromfeild lay conceal'd for some time for a Passage into Ireland from whence he was recomended to this Informant to assist him who then liv'd near the Sea-side at a Place call'd Redland where after the said Bromfeild had stay'd about a Week this Informant did assist him in the buying of a Boat of about 25 Tun which said Boat being victuall'd and ready to Sail was seiz'd by Mr. Morston and Bromfeild escap'd to Mr. Crosby's in Lancashire from whence by the Assistance of Mr. Peirce Morston Mr. Winn of Gop Mr. Lloyd of Greith Mr. Robert Brierwood of West Chester Mr. George Pennant Mr. Pue of Pendall and this Informant he afterwards got over in a open Boat This Informant farther saith that being search'd for by Troopers from West Chester and other Soldiers and by the Civil Officers of the Country was forc'd to leave his House and Family and hid himself in the Woods for many Days and could never return to his House again but got into Lancashire whither his Wife and Family follow'd him where he this Informant was receiv'd and entertain'd by Lord Molyneux Coll. Tildesley Mr. Standish of Standish Sir Rowland Stanley Sir James Pool Sir William Gerrard Coll. Townley and others sometime at the House of one Gentleman and sometimes at anothers This Informant saith that about Midsummer 1689 he this Informant and others were ordered and directed by the Gentlemen asoresaid and others to look out about the Sea-coasts thereabouts for any Gentlemen that should arrive from Ireland for at that time he this Informant was told they expected some Friends and News from Ireland which he this Informant did and about the beginning of June 1689 Mr. Edmund Thrillfall of the Asheâ— in Goosner and one Mr. Lunt arrived at Cockram and came immediately to Col. Tildesley's with several Bundles of Papers where this Informant was then attending their coming c. This Informant saith that upon their coming to the said Coll. Tildesley's the said Thrillfall and Mr. Lunt immediatly open'd their Cloakbags and took out several Commissions Declarations Blanks and seal'd Papers from King James to several Persons and Gentlemen of Quality in that Country and York shire and divided them those for York-shire Mr. Thrillfall put up and undertook to deliver and had a Guide immediatly provided the others for Lancashire Cheshire Staffordshire and Parts thereabouts Mr. Lunt took to himself to deliver and had this Informant with him from Place to Place to Guide and Assist him in the Delivery of them and after they had left and deliver'd to Coll. Tildesley his Commission for being a Collonel which he the said Coll. receiv'd upon his Knees and kiss'd it with the Blanks for his inferiour Officers they proceeded and went to the Lord Molyneux his House and deliver'd one Collonels Commission to Mr. William Molyneux his Son for a Regiment of Horse with Blanks for his inferiour Officers he the said Coll. Molyneux immediatly filling that Blank for the Lieutenant-Collonel deliver'd it in the Presence of this Informant to Mr. William Gerrard who was with the said Coll. Molyneux when he this Informant and Mr. Lunt came in This Informant further saith that he this Informant was present and did see Mr. Lams deliver to Mr. Sherbourn of Stonyhurst a Collonel's-Commission with Blanks as aforesaid for a Regiment of Horse To Mr. Townley of Townley the like for Horse To Mr. Girlinton of Girlington Esq a Collonel's Commission To Mr. Westby of Mobrick Esq the like for Dragoons To Mr. Legh of Lyme Esq a Cossonel's Commission with Blanks as aforesaid To Sir Tho. Stanley of Alderley the like for Horse To Mr. Chumley of Vale Royal the like for Horse c. To Sir Rowland Stanley the like for Horse c. To Sir Robert Throgmorten the like for Horse c. To Sir Henry Titchbourn he being then at the Lord Molyneux the like for Horse To Sir Gisfard of
Thomas Fox a Servant to the said Mr. Standish was appointed to go with the said Rigby as a Guard to the said Mr. Townley's of Townley And this Informant further saith that about the Year 1691 or beginning of the Year 1692 there came to the said Standish-Hall one who went by the Name of Mr. Green in public Company but privately in the said Mr. Standish's Family was call'd Coll. Parker who kept two Servants his Gentleman who went by the Name of Gandy a French-Man and one Thomas Merrick his Groom and further saith that he hath several times seen in Company together at the said Standish Hall the Lord Molyneux's Son Sir William Gerrard's eldest Son William Dickinson of Wrightington Esq Mr. Blundell of Crosby Mr. Townley of Townley the said Mr. Green or Coll. Parker the said Mr. Standish and divers others and heard it discours'd amongst them that they would all be ready upon King James 's landing in England with Men and Arms to serve him And this Informant further saith that he knows John Womball very well and hath seen him several times at Standish-Hall aforesaid amongst the Gentlemen last mention'd who seem'd to be very familiar with him and hath heard it discours'd at the said Standish-Hall that the said Womball us'd frequently to carry Arms from London to the said Standish-Hall for the Roman Catholic Gentlemen in Lancashire And this Informant further saith that the said John Sharp Servant to the said Mr. Standish was imploy'd by his said Master Standish and others to list Men for the late King James 's Service and the said Sharp in pursuance of his said Orders did List several Men for the said Service at Preston Legh Wiggan the said Standish Town and other Places gave them one Shilling to each Man listing Money and promis'd them half a Crown a Day when they serv'd under the respective Officers they were listed under and the Men so listed us'd frequently to meet the said Sharp at the said Standish Town And this Informant further saith that about the 24th June 1695 one Roger Emer of Standish told this Informant that he had then in his Custody several Swords Pistols and Saddles and two Kettle Drums which Drums were brought to the said Emer by Thomas Smith of Park Brooke in the said Parish of Standish all which Arms Saddles and Kettle Drums were Mr. Standish's of Standish aforesaid and remov'd from Standish-Hall for fear of being seiz'd by some of the Kings Messengers when the Lancashire Gentlemen were taken up about two Years since And this Informant further saith that in or about November last a little after he had given in an Information before Coll. Kirby and two other of his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the said County of Lancaster the said John Sharp came to this Informant who was then a Prisoner in Lancaster-Castle and seem'd to be very angry with him and told this Informant that he had discover'd some of their Designs to a deal of Rogues but before May last either the late King Jam's or some one else would come into England and then this Informant and all the Rogues else should be cut off And this Informant further saith that in August 1695 at the Assizes then held at Lancaster-Castle at which Assizes Mr. John Lunt Wilson and Womball were try'd upon an Information of Perjury and this Informant seeing one Thomas Hatton in the said Castle-Yard a little before the said Tryal ask'd him how he thought the Tryal would go Who answer'd that all Things would go very well for that Sir John Fenwick who as this Informant was told was then in Lancashire would take Care that Lunt Wilson and Womball should all be convicted of Perjury and the Lancashire Gentlemen all clear'd And this Informant further saith that within 3 or 4 Days after he had given in his Information before three Justices of the Peace as aforesaid there came to him into Lancaster-Castle he being then a Prisoner there for Debt one John Rigby an Inhabitant of the said Parish of Standish and told this Informant that the Gentlemen naming no particular Person had taken Care that his Debts should be Paid and be released out of Prison provided he would go with him to such a private Place as the Gentlemen would appoint where this Informant his Wife and Children might privately live out of the Way and the Gentlemen would take Care they should be well maintain'd to the intent he might not be found by the Government to justify what be had upon his Oath deposed in the said Information And that he had brought a Horse for this Informant for that purpose aforesaid And this Informant further saith that the said Rigby further told this Informant that he had a Letter from one Mr. John Haddock a Rich Quaker in the said Standish Parish who us'd to supply the said Mr. Standish and others with several Sums of Money upon Purchase and Mortgages to his Friend one Henry Coward a Shop-keeper in Lancaster the Purport of the Letter as the said Rigby told this Informant was to let Rigby have what Money he pleas'd in order to give this Informant in case of his Acceptance of the Gentlemens said Offer but this Informant denying to go with the said Rigby who staid three Days in Lancaster for the said purpose within two Hours was immediately after his so denying put in Fetters by the Gaoler of the said Lancaster-Castle that now is And this Informant further saith that in December 1694 when the Lancashire Conspiracy was under Examination before the House of Commons he was sent for by the said Mr. Standish of Standish who desir'd this Informant to go to London with some of his Servants who were to be Evidence in the said Affair before the Parliament to the intent he might Coroberate what they said Withal telling this Informant that he needed not be any ways afraid what he said in the House of Commons in the said Matter for that he was not to be upon his Oath And this Informant further saith that a little after the House of Commons sent a Messenger for the said Mr. Standish he the said Standish told this Informant that his Wife had given the said Messenger a Mare and Money so that the said Messenger was return'd to London without effecting his Message Edward Brown The Information of Mr. John Lunt given the Fifteenth Day of June 1694. THIS Informant upon his Oath saith That when King James left the Kingdom upon the Arrival of the Prince of Orange in the Year 1688 he this Informant went then immediately after him into France and upon his Arrival at St. Germains was introduced to kiss his the said King James's Hand in his Closet by the Lords Thomas and George Howard that from thence he was about the beginning of March then next following ordered with the rest of his Guards to go for Dublin that immediately upon his Arrival there about the latter end of May 1689 one Dr. Bromfeild came
there also from England expecting to meet his Majesty and brought over with him an Account of the Condition and Readiness of his Friends the Papists and Jacobites there but more particularly in London Sussex and Kent and in Staffordshire Lancashire Cheshire and Yorkshire and from them all desired of his Majesty Commissions for the several Persons of Quality hereafter named with Blanks for their Inferior Officers which accordingly the late King caused immediately to be issued forth both for England and Scotland And because Bromfeild was so well known and it might be dangerous for him to come back himself he desired the King to advise of a proper Person or Persons whom he might trust to bring them over and distribute them here in England according to his Majesty's Orders amongst others he this Informant was recommended to him by my Lord Thomas Howard who told him the said King James he would engage Life for Life for him this Informant that he would not betray him in the Service and that if he were taken would rather die upon the spot Upon which this Informant was sent for to my Lord Melfort's Office where he found my Lord Thomas Howard Dr. Bromfeild and my Lord together in his Closet whither he was carried to them and then and there they asked this Informant Whether he would venture to undertake to carry Declarations Papers and Commissions and other things for his Majesty's Service to England They told him it was a hazardous thing that he should think well of it for if he should happen to be taken his Life was certainly gone but if he would and did escape be should be sure of and they promised him in the King's Name very great Preferments and Rewards when the King should come into England Upon which he this Informant undertook it and my Lord Melfort gave an Account of it whereupon to blind the business and to take off any Thought of his this Informant's being imploy'd or sent any where my Lord Melfort told him the King had thought fit to order the Officer of the Guards who was a Frenchman to casheer him and that he might say to any one that asked him the reason that he knew none but was resolved to get his Pass as soon as he could and go for England About a Week after this all things were got ready both for England and Scotland and one Mr. Thrillfall of the Ashes in Goosner in Lancashire Gentleman and this Informant were dispatched for England and one Mr. Gourdon who was this Informant's Comrade and cashiered as he was went for Scotland This Informant and Mr. Thrillfall brought with them Declarations Commissions and other Papers and Landed at Cockram within four Miles of Lancaster in or about the beginning of June 1689 upon our Landing we had like to have been wholly surprized by some Custom house Officers but we escaped and brought off the most Material of our Business only lost some Commissions Blanks and one of the King's Declarations two Case of Pistols of this Informants that the King gave him and some Clothes of this Informant's c. The greatest part of the Commissions and most of the Blanks in several Bundies were saved and this Informant delivered them as fast as he could one after another as followeth viz. in Lancashire To my Lord Molyneux's Son William a Colonel's Commission for a Regiment of Horse with Blanks for all his Inferior Officers to be filled as he should think fit To Thomas Tildesley Esq the like for a Regiment of Dragoons To Dalton of Thurnham Esq the like for Dragoons To Sherbourn of Stonyhurst Esq the like for Horse To Townley of Townley Esq the like for Horse To Girlington of Girlington Esq a Colonel's Commission To Westby of Mobrick Esq the like for Dragoons This Informant farther saith that he delivered my Lord Molyneux himself a Paper of Instructions where amongst other things He was to be Governour of Liverpool and this Informant took notice of it because my Lord Melfort and Dr. Bromfeild both told him this Informant saw and shewed it him in the Paper before they Sealed it Cheshire To Peter Legh of Lime Esq a Colonel's Commission with Blanks for his Inferior Officers To Sir Thomas Stanley of Aldersley Protestant the like for Horse To Mr. Chumley of Vale-Royal Protestant the like for Horse To Sir Rowland Stanley Protestant the like for Horse To my Lord Brudenell a Colonel's Commission for Horse with Blanks for his Inferior Officers To Sir Throgmorton the like for Horse This Informant farther saith That to these two Gentlemen last above written he delivered four other Colonel's Commissions for four Gentlemen whose Names he was not to know because as he did then conceive they were Protestants for they told him this Informant they were honest Gentlemen and Protestants Besides all these before mentioned this Informant delivered to one Mr. Jackson in Castle-street near the Meuse two Bundles of Commissions with a King's Declaration and two other Papers Sealed up with each with Orders to him to deliver one of them with a Declaration and Sealed Papers immediately to my Lord Griffin and the other to Mr. W. Pen the Quaker which this Informant supposes he did for in his sight he took Coach and said he would And besides all these which he this Informant so as aforesaid delivered Mr. Thrillfall undertook to deliver several Bundles of the same to several Gentlemen in York-shire This Informant farther saith That every Colonel had with his Commission Blanks for double his Inferior Officers and that all the Colonels had the Liberty to raise Foot Horse or Dragoons but Horse was more especially recommended This Informant farther saith That after the dispatch of these Commissions and other Business he had the ill luck to be made a Prisoner for a considerable time upon the Accusation of the Captain that brought him over out of Ireland This Informant farther saith That during the time he was a Prisoner under Bail that is to say about the beginning of the year 1691 he this Informant by the Order of Colonel Tildesley Col. Townley Col. William Molyneux Mr. Gerrard Col. Dalton and others Listed in London several Men for Soldiers to serve as Horse or Dragoons to be under the Command of the said Colonels or any other as they should dispose of them to Here he names about a hundred of the Soldiers Listed and the Pay they was to receive This Informant farther saith That being discharged of his Imprisonment in the Month of November 1691 he this Informant was desired by several of the Gentlemen that he had delivered of the Commissions aforesaid to viz. Lord Molyneux Col. Molyneux his Son Sir William Gerrard and his Son Mr. Dickinson of Wrightington John Harrington of Heightonhay Esq Col. Townley Col. Tildesley Col. Dalton and others to go into France to give King James an Account in what condition they were and to bring his Majesty's Commands how they might be serviceable to him which this Informant did
and gave his Majesty the said Account He the said King James commanded him to return for England and then amongst other things that he this Informant should tell them from him that he did not doubt but in the Spring following to be in a condition to come for England And at this Informant's coming away he was ordered by my Lord Melfort himself to go to Captain Griffith in the Meuse as soon as he this Informant should come to London and deliver him the said Griffith a Paper from his Lordship it was Sealed this Informant did not know what it was and to advise and receive Orders from him the said Captain Griffith This Informant saith that he arrived in London about the latter end of December 1691 and that he went immediately to Captain Griffith and delivered him the said Paper and that the said Griffith read the said Paper and told him this Informant he did not question but this Business meaning that in the Paper mentioned as this Informant then supposed will be accomplished in a little time and then he disclosed to this Informant what it was he meant which was the cutting off of the Prince of Orange at some proper time when he was a Hunting and then he put it to this Informant Whether he was willing to make one and be concerned in it This Informant first desired to know the Persons engaged in it He the said Griffith then told him he was not to tell him their Names but he would at any time bring this Informant into the Company of several of them that were engaged in it and about two days after this Informant came to him again and went with him into the Company of several Gentlemen at the Queens-head in White-Hart-Yard in the Strand where and with whom the said Captain Griffith and this Informant discoursed the Method of doing it and all agreed it was to be the easiest done when he should be a hunting or some time late when he went to or come from Kensington This Informant saith there was in Company at that time about Nine or Ten three or four or more of them this Informant knew three of which are since dead Captain Griffith then told this Informant and the Company he had about Sixty brave Fellows engaged in the Business who he did not at all doubt but would one way or other effect it Several of the principal of them as Whitney the High-way Man and several others happened to be sometimes after taken and secured which was the only reason that this Informant knows of that it was not attempted This Informant farther saith That about the same time abovesaid that he this Informant came last out of France viz. about the latter end of December 1691 there came several English Gentlemen of Quality viz. Lord Stafford Mr. Stafford Col. Parker Col. Walmesley a French Lieutenant-General whose Name this Informant doth not remember and others with Commissions Declarations Grants and Patents for themselves and others and for their Inferior Officers from King James This Informant farther saith that in the Months of March and April 1692 he this Informant was imployed by and assisting to several private Gentlemen and Tradesmen in or about London to list Men buy Horses Arms and Sadles and that the said Men Horses and Arms were to be imployed in the Service of the late King James And this Informant farther saith That by the Defeat of the French Fleet their design of Rising being wholly disappointed they fell upon other measures and this Informant remained in several Parts of this Kingdom and was at several of the like Meetings as aforesaid until the last Summer and then about July 1693 was desired with some others to go to France by several of the Gentlemen that this Informant has before mentioned to have delivered Commissions to in Lancashire that is to say by my Lord Molyneux Col. Molyneux Sir William Gerrard Mr. Gerrard Mr. Standish Mr. Dickinson Col. Townley and several others of that Country to give the King an Account of the Condition they were in and to bring them back an Account of what hopes and when he thought he should be in a condition to come for England and this Informant went accordingly to St. Germains and spake with the King and delivered him what he had in charge from the Gentlemen in England and my Lord Melfort being at that time with the King in his Closet bid him this Informant go to Captain Griffith who was then at St. Germains the Captain ordered him this Informant to speak with Dr. Bromfeild who told him this Informant when he came to him that if he would undertake to carry a Signet with him into England and show it to such Persons as he would direct him this Informant to that were concerned in a Design and would engage to make one with them in the same he this Informant should receive the same Reward that was intended for them which design he then told him this Informant was to cut off the Prince of Orange by any such way or means that the Vndertakers amongst themselves when they came together should agree upon Whereupon he this Informant promised and engaged to them the said Bromfeild and Griffith to make one in the Business and was then forthwith dispatched with the Signet and other Matters for England where he arrived and landed at Dover in December last and there he this Informant met with those that the said Dr. Bromfeild and Captain Griffith had directed him to which were viz. Captain Nowell Captain Walton Mr. Pepper Mr. Preston and Captain Roberts who were in the Design of cutting off the Prince of Orange as this Informant was told and that there were in all Sixteen Persons concerned but there he this Informant met Four of them only who were as followeth Captain Nowell Serjeant of the Admiralty and one of the Principal Gunners as this Informant was told who told him this Informant He had his Son and two more ready for the occasion Captain Walton of Foulston a Custom house Officer there who told him this Informant he had Six more engaged in the Business who with us together he said Walton was very confident might in a Month or two's time do the Business effectually with little hazard Mr. Pepper of Dover a Custom house Officer as this Informant was told or some place there worth about Three hundred Pounds per Annum and Mr. Preston of Feversham one of the Militia Officers were the other Two of the Four before mentioned This Informant farther saith That the said Dr. Bromfeild and Captain Griffith did order this Informant to assure the said Nowell Walton Pepper and Preston from them and in the Kings Name that every one concerned in the Action should have the Reward of Five hundred Pounds per Annum each which was the same made to him at St. Germains by the said Dr. Bromfeild and Captain Griffith and my Lord Melfort told him this Informant after he had kissed
the King's hand and was coming down Stairs That if the Design that Griffith and Bromfeild had engaged him this Informant in took effect the King would soon be in England Upon this he this Informant came for England and in travelling being somewhat troubled in his thoughts with what he had undertaken he called upon several Priests that were his Friends and Acquaintance and Relations in France as he came along and did tho' not in plain terms acquaint them with what he this Informant was engaged in some were positively against it as damnable and others for it as meritorious which difference amongst them gave him this Informant more disturbance so that as soon as he came into England he resolved not to be one in it and to prevent it if he could but this Informant did not resolve then to discover it until he was perswaded thereunto by a Taffe Friend by whom after he had often times discoursed the Matter with him he this Informant was at length prevailed with to discover it This Informant further saith that being at Sr. Germains in the Months of October and November 1693 the Lord Melfort Capt. Griffith and some others then told him this Informant that there was a Design laid by their Friends the Protestants engag'd with the Roman Catholics there for the seizing the Tower of London Tilbury Fort Sherness the Ports and Coasts c. the Manner viz. That some of the Officers within the Tower who were sure and firm to King James's Interest whose Names this Informant knoweth not they being kept as a Secret to the Chiefs only were to be ready to receive several Gentlemen and others that were to pass as private Persons some in the Habit of private Gentlemen with good private Arms others with the same Habit as the Horse Guards do wear and others in the Habit of Foot-Soldiers all arm'd accordingly and some like plain Country-Men until there was a sufficient Number with the help of those within to have secur'd the Gate and Brig when on a Signal given those without who were in great Numbers to have been lodg'd about the Tower-Hill St. Katherines East-Smithfield Thames-Street and Places adjacent a great many that were to be walking carelesly about the Gates and upon the Wharf provided for that Purpose who were to have made to the Gates secured the Guns and all within by cutting them off and making them Prisoners and for Tilbury Fort by the help of some within much after the same Manner and that for Sherness they did not doubt but to have secured by some Officers of the Fleet and for the Ports of Dover and Foulston and the Coast upon Rumney Mash those they said were undertaken to be made theirs by those Officers of King William that this Informant hath named above viz. Nowell and the rest with the Correspodents they pretended to have in those Parts and that Hull also and all those Parts in the North were at the same time provided for in the like Manner This Informant farther saith that some time after his Arrival at London which was in December 1693 he was at a Meeting at the Queens Head in white Hart-Yard in the Strand where was the Lord Griffin the Lord Baltimore the Lord F was gon before this Informant came there the rest this Informant saw there and Capt. Tozier Mr. Whitefield Mr. Tasbrough Mr. Kingsley and some other Gentlemen told this Informant they had consulted and agreed of the Method abovesaid with those Lords for the securing the Tower and the other Places and that there would be no doubt of accomplishing it c. with a great deal of case but still that they the said Lords and Gentlemen had a great dependence and assurance from those Gentlemen and others in Commission as aforesaid for that they were well assur'd they had an Army listed and Officer'd and ready well Arm'd and Accoutr'd at all Points at twenty four Hours warning to the Number of at least thirty Thousand Horse Foot and Dragoons in the North Parts besides those here in and about London and Parts adjacent which were under the Command Care and Conduct of Lord Fe***m Lord Griffin Coll. Griffin his Son Col. Porter Col. Holman Coll. Sir William Go**g Coll. Bernard H**d Coll. T**n Lieut. Coll. B*s and some others This Informant farther saith that in March last about the middle or latter end of that Month he this Informant was at a Meeting at my Lord Str e's of about twelve or sixteen Protestant and Popish Gentlemen some of which this Informant knew as Mr. Basteen of Dover Capt. Roberts Dr. Clark Mr. Lee Capt. that lives two Miles from Sir Bazill Dixwells The Meeting was to consider and agree to be all ready for securing that Country and the Ports and Coasts there upon any Occasion for the Kings Landing or otherwise and to compute what their Strength they might depend upon might amount unto and it was then agreed amongst themselves that they had between five and six thousand Men well Arm'd and Disciplin'd besides what they might reasonably expect would come in upon their rising whose Numbers they did not doubt would be very considerable This Informant further saith that in his frequent passing to and again from the Ports to and from London at his Inn in Rochester kept by one Alderman Cross of that City he was well known to him the said Cross who several Times and Nights that he has lain in his House did introduce him this Informant into the Company of several Commanders who being by him the said Cross satisfy'd what this Informant was were extreamly civil and kind to this Informant entertaining him and inviteing him Aboard their Ships and otherways And this Informant saith that in December last he did bring from my Lord Melfort a Paper seal'd to that Inn-Keeper this Informant did not see what was in it but he the said Cross told this Informant that it was for some honest Gentlemen that did belong to the Sea This Informant further saith that about six Weeks since Capt. Tozier and Mr. Kingsley a Gentleman that then lately came from St. Germains told him this Informant Mr. Whitfield and another Mr. Kingsley being present that since there was an Account given there that the late Kentish Design upon the Life of King William was by some Traytor or other prevented it was there resolv'd to try another way upon him in Flanders which was by causing several resolv'd Gentlemen and others of the English Scotch and Irish Nations and some French of seeming Quality to desert from the French Army in Flanders as early this Campaign as they could that would undertake to watch and take the first Opportunity they could in their several Posts to attempt upon his Life This Informant further saith that he is very sure that he this Informant can point to and carry and Body to the very Place some he believes in or near the Town but more particularly in several Parts of Yorkshire Lancashire Staffordshire and
their cruel Task-Masters or that they dispatch'd any of their Body to compliment the King of Egypt with a free Surrender of their Lives and Fortunes If they had been Guilty of such an unpardonable Stupidity I may be bold to say That they had been so far from deserving such a Country as the Land of Canaan that Lapland it self had been too good for them mutato nomine de te Fabula narratur I will no longer detain the Reader from the History it self wherein if he find by Undenyable Proofs That our Enemies have hitherto been continually designing upon His Majesty's Life and the Ruin of the Kingdom I hope he will agree That what has been already may be again repeated and therefore That we ought not by our own Sloth or Covetousness lead our Enemies into Temptations to attack us unprovided but that we should always have a Defence suitable to our Dangers AN ACCOUNT OF SEVERAL CONSPIRACIES AGAINST His Majesties Sacred PERSON and GOVERNMENT AS nothing of Public Concernment has been so variously discours'd of at home and abroad as the Lancashire Plot and that perpetual Train of Conspiracies that have annually succeeded it some endeavouring to sham the whole by scandalous Invectives against the Discoverers whilst others searching into the bottom of the several Designs are not only convinc'd of the Truth of them but also of the Honour and Integrity of the Government in relation to these Affairs I cannot imagin but that a True and Impartial Account of them will be equally useful and acceptable to the Public and because the Lancashire Plot has had the Honour not only to be the Parent but Companion of all the other Conspiracies I find my self oblig'd to begin tho' the Series of the Narration will not permit me to conclude with it The Contrivance then of this Plot is owing to the Politics of the late King James who finding himself utterly lost in the love and affections of his People and the Crown fallen from his Head by his own mal-Administration yet flattering himself with the vain hopes of regaining by the Sword what he had forfeited by breaking the Laws of the Land and endeavouring to subvert the Constitution He fled into France for shelter till he could put his Affairs into such a Posture as might facilitate his Return and enable him to establish Popery and Arbitrary Power in these Protestant Kingdoms But before he took his Voyage for France to gain Assistance from that potent Monarch 't was concerted by him and those Popish bigotted Friends that had espous'd his Interest that they should also endeavour at the same time to raise a Ferment in England Scotland and Ireland to concur with the Designs that carryed him into France and therefore that some Person of known Experience Courage and Secresy should be dispatch'd on that Errand to imbroyl the three Kingdoms Mr. Bromfeild a pretended Quaker and so dexterous and bold a Counterfeit that he was able to personate the the Disciple of any Sect Member of any Faction or Person of any Quality had this Office assign'd him and from the Earl of Salisbury's by the Name of Thompson advanc'd towards Scotland Not forgetting according to the Instructions given him by the late King to sow such Seeds of Discontent and Jealousy as he pass'd through the North of England as might ripen into an Insurrection and Rebellion at his Return He had not been long in Scotland before he effected his wicked Purposes in laying a Foundation for a Civil War in that Kingdom and from thence sail'd into Ireland on the same Errand Where he acquaints the Earl of Tyrconnel how successful he had been in his Negotiations in Scotland viz. That the Duke of Gourdon had garrison'd Edenbrough Castle and that the Viscount Dundee would be suddenly at the Head of a great Army there and both declare for the late King James but Mr. Bromfeild finding the Earl of Tyrconnel so zealous for the Cause that he wanted no Arguments or Preswasions to make him more active and daring in promoting the late Kings Service he sail'd from thence into Lancashire where he might be more useful intending to make that and the adjacent Countrys the Provinces he would act in When Bromfeild landed in Lancashire he intended for Croxteth the Seat of the Lord Molineux but for fear of being too much observ'd there he alter'd his purpose and took up his head quarters at Mr. Fitz Herberts of Wapra * Vid Mr. Edward's and Wilson's Depositions in the Appendix and sometimes at Mr. Wilson's in Redland where the Jacobites resorted to him in great Numbers to concert what was necessary to be done for the Restauration of their old Master From Wapra he often made Excursions into the neighbouring Countys and through by-ways to Croxteth to confer with the Lord Molineux and his Son and other considerable Persons of the Roman Character And having adjusted Matters there for an Insurrection he return'd into Ireland with his Dispatches and so backward and forward as the Emergency of his treasonable Affairs requir'd Having a safer Conveyance for his Lancashire Pacquets to and Answers from France by the way of Ireland than to hazard them through the several Post-Offices in England This treacherous Imployment was carry'd on by Mr. Bromfeild for some Months the Habit of a Quaker securing him from the Suspition of a Jacobite but at length his Visor dropt off and the trayterous half-fac'd Papist was seen through the demure Looks and canting Dialect of the Quaker The Vessel that Bromfeild bought to transport him to and from Ireland was seiz'd by Mr. Morston for the use of the Government and Bromfeild had certainly been committed to Prison and try'd for his Life had not the means of his Escape out of Lancashire * Vid Depositions pradict been contriv'd by his quondam Host and intire Friend and Confident Mr. Wilson Mr. Bromfeild and his Intelligence being once more landed in Ireland * May. 1689. where the late King James was arriv'd also he acquaints the late King with the Effects of his Travails viz. That his Friends were up in Arms in Scotland and that the Lancashire Papists and others were ready to ingage in his Quarrel in Order to re-inthrone him as soon as they were commissioned by him to undertake it Nor did he forget to acquaint the late King how narrowly he escap'd a Goal and the Gallows at his last being in Lancashire and that since he was too well known there to be sent again into that Country he begg'd some other Person might he imploy'd in carrying over the Commissions desir'd Which the late King comply'd with and as a Reward of these Services made Mr. Bromfeild one of the Commissioners of his Irish Mint in which Post he continued till the Reduction of Ireland by King William If any object that Bromfeild's Agency in Scotland has no Authorities to support it let the Reader know 't is not for want of them they are not produced but for
Thomas Yarnol Mayor of Evesham in the County of Worcester Richard Earl Bellemont Sir James Rushout William Bromly Edmund Letchmore and Richard Doldswel Esquires Justices of the Peace for the County of Worcester viz. That there was a design on foot to raise a Rebellion against the King and Queen in Lancashire That divers Persons in that and the adjoyning Counties had receiv'd Commissions from the late King to raise two Regiments of Horse two Regiments of Dragoons and three Regiments of Foot that great numbers of Irish Souldiers and Arms for them were privately kept in divers Places in that County Particularly that Mr. Thomas Tatlock of Simmondswood * Ferguson in his Letter to the Lord chief Justice Holt Printed 1694. near Sefton did harbour above threescore Men for the Service of the late King And that Arms for them were hid in that Wood. That Mr. Molyneux of Marborow did harbour above twenty Irish Souldiers for the same Service And that Arms Saddles Bridles Holsters and other Necessaries for them were hid in a Cellar under a Tower at the Entry of the House of Mr. Blundel of Ince in the Parish of Sefton That John Holland of Prescot and his Partner and a Sadler in Legh made Saddles and Holsters for them and were privy to the Design And that he saw and heard read a Letter in the Hands of the Lord Molyneux 's Son from the late King James 's Queen incouraging the Insurrection intended in Lancashire and giving Assurance of Assistance from the French King of Men and Arms. This Information caus'd many of the Lancashire Papists to be Imprison'd but others who tacitly confest their Guilt by flying and were look'd upon to be dangerous Persons absconded * See the Justices Letter from Middleton and would not be found till they had also prevented the Punishment by removing Kelly into another World I suppose by private Murther for as soon as it was known that Mr. Dodsworth had also discovered the Conspiracy that the King might not have two Witnesses to prove the Treason Kelly was made away and could never be heard off to this time His Fate continues a Mystery but whether he was kill'd or carry'd away 't is certain the Conspirators from that very time began to resume their Courage which was extreamly sunk upon the notice of Mr. Dodsworth's discovery And that these were the Artifices by which they conceal'd the Plot so long and frighted others from discovering it for fear they should meet the like Fate is too plain to he deny'd In December 1689. the Lancashire Plot was discover'd also by Mr. Dodsworth to his Kinsman Roger Kirkby of Kirkby Loinsdale Esq and Governour of Chester Castle and on the 27th of March 1690 to the Right Honourable the Earl of Macclesfeild which his Lordship laying before One of his Majesties Principal Secretaries of State Mr. Dodsworth was sent for to London to declare his Knowledg of the whole Matter and on May the 16th 1690. gave Information upon Oath of this Conspiracy before the Lord chief Justice Holt. And the Clamour that was made upon several Persons of Note being seised and Search made after others brought it to be examin'd before the Honourable the Commons assembled in Parliament The substance whereof was That certain Roman Catholic Gentlemen and others in the County Palatine of Lancashire and Parts adjacent of whose Names and Dwellings he gave a List into the House of Commons where the Original still remains were entred into a treasonable Conspiracy to make War against the King and Kingdom with design to reinthrone the late King James and in order to accomplish these Designs had receiv'd Commissions from the late King James brought over from Ireland by Mr. Thrillfall to raise some Regiments of Horse and Dragoons To furnish which Ammunition was provided Arms and other Necessaries bought and hid in divers Places by the confederated Collonels Which Troops were to be joyn'd by the late Kings Forces from Ireland whilst the French that were to be landed in Cornwal gave the King Diversion there and the Duke of Berwick in Scotland And all to be kept close and still till the late King arriv'd in Lancashire which according to the late Kings Promise should be in a Month or two at the farthest With this Discovery the Honourable House of Commons were so well satisfied that they recommended Mr. Dodsworth to the King for a Reward of his Service to the Public His Majesty gratify'd him with a present Reward in Money and recommended him to the Lords Commissioners of his Treasury for what Employment he was capable of but Mr. Dodsworth being a Papist and consequently uncapable of any Place under his Majesty was too long forgot and had no other Reward but what was given him by the Jacobites to stop his Mouth for ever viz. Murthered for as soon as that Party who have their Spies and Intelligencers in all Places heard there was a Correspondence between Dodsworth and Lunt and that it was whisper'd that Lunt would also discover Mr. Dodsworth was Murther'd by Mr. Deane a known and profess'd Jacobite Mr. Edward Robinson also made a Discovery of this Conspiracy on the 17th day of March 1690 before Richard Wright Esq One of his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Lancaster in Substance thus That Mr. Fitzakerly at Spello House in Lancashire shew'd this Deponent a Commission from the late King James for the raising Men for his Service and Arms wrap'd up in Straw and hid under the Tyles of the House That Mr. Fitzakerly had promis'd all his Tenants that would serve under him in the Service of King James that upon the Death of any of them he would renew their Leases to their Children That they heard from the late King James very often and that he had sent them Word by a Servant of the Lord Molyneux 's that he would be with them in two Months That John Harrington of Egboth Esq told this Deponent that he also had receiv'd a Commission to be a Captain under King James and that Mr. Moore then in the House who had been a Captain of Dragoons in the late Irish Army was to be his Lieutenant Thus have I proved without any help from Mr. Lunt Mr. Wilson or Mr. Womball that there was a Conspiracy against the King and Government form'd by Mr. Bromfeild and the Lancashire Papists his Confederates as early as the latter end of the Year 1688. That Commissions were sent from the late King James to the Conspirators in June 1689. That Arms were provided and Souldiers listed and maintained by the Lancashire Papists to be ready at the Invasion in August 1690. That at the same time the Duke of Berwick was to invade Scotland and the French England and give the King Diversion in the West while the late King was doing the like in the North. And now he that disbelieves the Lancashire Conspiracy after he has seen it thus separately and singly prov'd by Persons at
Crosby Son of Sir Thomas Crosby a Member of the late Kings Parliament in Ireland was educated in Dublin College and left that Society to carry Intelligence into France From thence through Flanders and England he return'd into Ireland and under the Disguise of a Williamite contributed his utmost to the Destruction of his Native Country till the Seisure of his Letters discover'd him and made him a Prisoner but being admitted to Bail he lest his Security in the Lurch and escaped into France and his former Management of Affairs gave him so much Credit at St. Germans that the Revival of the Plot for an Invasion Insurrection and Rebellion was at last solely committed to his Management November 1693 to the great Satisfaction of the Party he lands in England brings Collonel Parker again out of Lancashire to London revives their former Cabals and adds fresh Life and Vigour to their drooping Spirits Jacobite Meetings are now more frequent and numerous in order to draw up such Proposals as might satisfy the Court of France that the Conquest of England was both practicable and easy I have now shew'd you by what means they were carrying on the Invasion and must now leave Mr. Crosby at his Work in collecting the Sentiments of the Jacobites and putting them into such a Method as might perswade the French King to assist them with Men and Arms to restore the late King and return to the Assassination Plot which always preceded or kept Pace with the Invasion And this calls me back to one of the first Contrivers of it The Lord Melfort who had still some small share in the Management of public Affairs finding his Interest sinking proportionably with the hopes of conquering England resolves to recover his former Credit by pushing on the Assassination of King William by any Methods that would effect it To this end his old Confidents Collonel Parker * Vid Mr. La Rue's Depositions at Charnocks Tryal and Johnson the Priest being absent he takes to his Assistance Mr. Bromfeild and Captain Griffin who promis'd in a short time to give him a good Account of his Project from some Friends they had about Dover which it seems they had already ingaged in this wicked * Vid Lunt's Depositions in the Appendix Enterprise at the Instigation of some more conceal'd and private Person And whilst they were thus in Expectation from Dover another Occasion to strengthen the Number of those already ingaged seem'd to offer it self thus The Lancashire Gentlemen being willing to pay their Devoir to the late King and to receive his Commands as they usually did by a Messenger of their own from his Lips Mr. Lunt whose Services and Sufferings had rendred him the Confident of the Party was sent by the Lord Molyneux and others on this Errand into France July the 3d 1693. coming to St. Germans he deliver'd his Message to the late King in his Closet the Lord Melfort being present Who thinking he had now a fit Opportunity to execute his Plot and Assassinate King William he sends Lunt to Mr. Griffin telling him that Griffin had an Affair to ingage him in Captain Griffin sends him to his old Friend Mr. Bromfeild who after bewailing the ill Success that had so long attended the late Kings Affairs told Lunt they were now upon a quicker Expedient for their Masters Restoration and that was to cut off the Prince of Orange for so they call King William by any way or method the * Vid Lunt's Depositions in the Appendix Undertakers should think fit and if Mr. Lunt would make one in that Service he should have a Reward of five hundred Pounds a Year Lunt consented and after various Discourses at sundry Times upon this Subject Lunt taking his leave of the Lord Melfort his Lordship told him that if the Design that Grissin and Bromfeild had imparted to him took Effect the late King would soon be in England And Bromfeild at Lunt's departure gave him a Signet to carry to the Persons that as Bromfeild told him were in the same Design In December 1693 Lunt arrived at Dover and met with four of the sixteen Persons that were ingag'd in the Assassination of the King * See Lunt's Depositions in the Appendix viz. Captain Nowel of Dover Captain Walton of Foulston Mr. Pepper of Dover and Mr. Preston of Feversham two of which acknowledg'd that they were in the Design of killing the King and made no question but in a Month or two to Effect it Lunt travelling from Dover toward London told several Romish Priests of his Acquaintance tho' not in Plain words the Design he was ingag'd in Some of the Priests were against it as a damnable Sin and others encourag'd him to it as a meritorious Work these different Opinions and the dismal Reflections that his awaken'd Conscience made upon his ingaging in an Action so Inhuman and Barbarous gave him so much Disquiet that he resolv'd to act no further in it but had then no Intention to discover it till a good Friend made him sensible it was his Duty and then he discover'd the whole Conspriacy beginning to his Knowledge in May 1689 and continuing till June 1694 which was the time he discover'd it and now I must return to Mr. Crosby Who Having acquainted himself with the Sentiments of the Party agre'd what Proposals to make to the French King and collected the Names of those that according to his Account were to assist at the Invasion and Insurection was preparing to return to France with these Writings of which for fear one should miscarry there were two Copies One kept by himself and the other by Coll. Parker but good Heaven discover'd this Treason also and Mr. Crosby who had compleated the Work he came about and only waited for a Wind to Transport him into France was apprehended May the 9th and committed to Newgate and Coll. Parker who was defign'd to supply that Fault was taken May the 20th committed to the Tower May the 22th and by this means the Carriage of the Papers was delay'd till Parker broke Prison which was August the 12th following The next day after Mr. Crosby was apprehended the King's Messengers Mr. Legat and Mr. Hopkins search'd the Chamber where Crosby laid up his Papers In the first Room they found store but while they were there Cosen Mally * Mary Jones with another Fomale Jacobite that lodg'd in the same House ript up a Feather Bed and took out thence great quantities of written Papers and Letters directed to Mr. Crosby and that they might tell no Tales threw them into the House of Office and a Pail of Water after them but strewing Feathers in the way through the haste they made to destroy the Writings they guided the Messengers to retrieve them Now Before I produce these Papers give me leave to acquaint you that the following Papers are truly copy'd from the Originals sworn by two Witnesses * Mr. Legat and Mr.
it was not disbelieved at Court but now quite fall'n to the ground The Jacobites say there was never a better Disposition in all generally to receive King James and give their Reasons for it Which are the same contain'd in the foregoing Papers which having briefly repeated the Letter proceeds the rest regard their own more then any King's Interest and will not hazard any thing for either if the Practice now in Design don't engage all the Presbyterians Lord Ca***n laid aside M***ne to succeed S***y solicited to be Secretary Lord Mar***h to be General of the English Foot Lord S***e ruling Minister behind the Curtain Lord B*h turn'd out of all he with many other Offenders would have King James restored if they thought their Crimes could be pardoned nothing can hinder raising Money but an Invasion Bristol declares mightily for King James Worcester disaffected but if any Disturbance should happen we have some thousands of Hugonites in this Town privately subsisted on whom we depend not a little As to what Business Mr. * K. James Vandeleur and you may have I will be deligent in it but what may relate to any of the Trading Ships being taken Prizes there is one Mr. Anselme who was Secretary to the Admirals last Year * Crosby and understands the Business very well but will not be mercenary in it and with his Help something may be done 't will therefore be necessary that he see something from Mr. Vandeleur or by his Order to that purpose Some of Mr. Anselm's Letters falling into the Hands of the Government he was sent for from on board and discharg'd The Jacobites knew him their own before but since his Discharge treat with him above-board as you may see by the foregoing Letter and another from Philips to Mr. Abraham Anselm dated May 5. 1694. I must needs see you before I go into the * Into France Country which will be to morrow you will hear of me at Barnsley's Coffee-house to night at 11 or to morrow at 7 in the morning let me see you that we may settle some Matters Philips Thus they endeavoured to corrupt the Officers of the Fleet Army and Militia and tamper'd with the Clerks and. Secretaries of those who either were or had been imploy'd in eminent Posts under the Government that by their assistance they might get Intelligence of what they wanted to know thus they obtain'd an Account of the Naval Forces of one a List of the Army of another and transmitted them into France that the Enemy might take his measures accordingly so that nothing is more apparent than that the whole Design against the Government was always carry'd on by Men of no essential Honour or Vertue but by such a confused Medley of disaffected Persons as were the Creatures of the late Reign who had lost either their Imployments or Expectations by the Revolution or Disbanded Officers and Soldiers who delight in Tumults and Insurrections I have now done with Mr. Crosby and his Papers by which the Reader will soon find that the Plot for an Invasion Insurrection and Rebellion was carryed on by the Jacobites in General in the Year 1693 and part of the Year 1694 and since the Lancashire Gentlemen instead of Blessing their Stars for so strange a Deliverance have aggravated their guilt by indeavouring to represent the legal Prosecution of some of their Party as a State-trick a Sham-Plot and the Contrivance of some little Ministers to enrich themselves by the Ruin of others I shall descend to the particular shares which they and their Friends had in the whole Conspiracy to subvert the Government to Destroy the King and reinthrone the late King James and then leave the Reader to judge what little Reason they had to raise such loud Clamours for bringing Criminals to Justice and because I have hitherto proceeded Annually and given an Account of the several Conspiracies in order of time as they were discover'd I hope the Reader will think it no impertinent Digression to refresh his Memory with a brief Rehearsal of their Proceedings till they were discover'd in 1694 as they occasionally occur in the following Depositions In June 1694 Lunt made this Discovery viz that he * Vid his whole Depos in the appendix taken before Sir John Trenchard fellowed the late King James into France thence into Ireland from Ireland was sent into England with Commissions from the late King James to certain Gentlemen in Lancashire Cheshire c. To raise War against King William and Queen Mary that he and George Wilson his Guide delivered those Commissions to whom they were directed whose Names you have in his Narrative that at the Instance and proper Costs of those Gentlemen to whom he had delivered Commissions he bought Arms and listed and subsisted many Soldiers for the Service of the late King James in order to an Invasion and Insurrection in that Country that he was twice sent by those Gentlemen into France to the late King to signify their Readiness and receive his further Commands Tho' I don't question but the Reader has had already sufficient Reason to believe what is above rehearsed I think it not amiss to shew him for confirmation sake something that Lunt discovered in 1694 that hath since proved it self he says in one part of his Depositions That when he was in London besides his Imployment of buying Arms and listing Souldiers he help'd some Jacobites over to France and secur'd others that came from thence who all of them told Mr. Lunt that generally Sr. John Friend furnished Money for those Expeditions and paid Subsistence Money to them as Souldiers Which was the Crime he dyed for in 1696. And no doubt was one of the things that enrag'd the Party so much against him knowing that that Hint might in Time be attended with a fuller Discovery George Wilson deposeth Taken before Sir John Trenchard That he keeping an Inn in Redland near the City of Chester there came a Stranger to his House whose Name he afterwards understood was Dr. Bromfeild recommended thither by Mr. Fitz Herbert of Wapra in Flintshire where Bromfeild had been conceal'd some time for a Passage into Ireland that Bromfeild bought a Vessel to transport him which Vessel was seized by Mr. Morston an Officer in the Government and Bromfeild escap'd into Lancashire and thence into Ireland He further deposeth That being known to be accessary to * See Mr. Edwards's Affidavit in the Appendix Bromfield's Escape and harbouring and furthering the Escape of many of the late King James's Friends he was sought after by Souldiers from Chester and the Civil Officers of the County insomuch that he was compell'd to fly from his own House and never durst return but after having hid himself in Woods got at length into Lancashire whither his Wife and Family followed him and was receiv'd into the Houses of the Lord Mollyneux Mr. Tildesly Mr. Standish Sr. Rowland Standley Sr. James Pool Sr. Wm.
Trenchard Lawrence Brandon 's Affidavit LAwrence Brandon of Pennington in the County of Lancaster maketh Oath that he knows William Standish of Standish-Hall in the said County Esq and his Son commonly called the Young Lord of Standish and that about May in the year 1691 this Deponent being invited by one James Leightagh to go with him and several other Persons to dine at Standish-Hall aforesaid and upon such Invitation this Deponent and the rest did go to Standish Town in the way to the said Hall and being at the said Town it was agreed on between the said James Leightagh and the rest of the Company rather to dine at the said Town of Standish then to go to the Hall because there seemed some difference like to arise between the said Leightagh and John Neyler on the one part and John Sharp Servant to the said Mr. Standish and James Hayes on the other part concerning the Places of Quarter-Master and Corporal of a Troop of Horse to be raised by the said Mr. Standish for the Service of King James which was promised to the said Leightagh and Neyler and the said Sharp and Hayes pretended unto the same Whereupon the Deponent and the rest of the Company did dine at Standish Town at the Charges of the said Leightagh and John Neyler and after Dinner they went from thence to Standish-Hall where in the Kitchen the said Leightagh and Neyler met the said Sharp and Hayes and after some Discourses on both sides concerning the Places aforesaid the said Sharp and Hayes were contented to quit their Pretensions to the same and consented that Leightagh and Neyler should have the same Upon which Agreement the said Leightagh and Neyler desired to speak with Mr. Standish and bid this Deponent and the rest of the Company to follow them which they did and were conducted into a Parlour where the Young Lord of Standish was and being told by the said Leightagh and Neyler that they had broughe Men to be Listed under his Command he wellcomed this Deponent and the rest and made them sit round the Room and made them drink and told them that the Nation had a great deal of wrong done by Banishing King James that was their Rightful King and that the design in hand was to do no Body wrong but only to bring in their lawful King and that some Aid for that purpose was shortly expected to come out of France and Ireland into England and that they did design upon the News of the Landing of any Foreign Forces to make a general Rising of such Forces as they could procure for the said Service and hoped they were willing and would be ready to serve their King and Country on this Occasion and assured them that they should go no further than he would lead them And that upon their consenting and promising to be ready at his Command the said Young Lord of Standish went out of the Room and soon after returned with a Horseman's naked Sword and bending the Blade thereof by way of Trial shewed it to the Company and told them they should be furnished with no worse than that and should have Pistols Holsters Saddles and all other Accoutrements fit for Troopers And having some farther Consultation with the said Young Lord what course they should take to provide Horses in case they should be called suddenly to meet it was agreed that such as had Horses of their own should make use of them and those that had none should take the first they could meet with and immediately upon any Alarm or notice come to Standish-Hall to rendezvous That after Directions about the Horses were given some of the Company being apprehensive that Mr. Standish the Father might be offended in case they should agree to go under the Command of his Son without his Consent desired to speak with him to be satisfied therein Whereupon they sent to speak with him and he came to them into the Hall where being asked the question aforesaid he told them all it was indifferent to him whether they choose to go under the Command of himself or his Son and such as were not willing to go with his Son should be welcome to go with him for their design was all one and that was to bring again King James or words to that effect Whereupon about twelve of the Company among whom this Deponent was one made choice to go with the Young Lord and the Remainder being to his remembrance the greater number did resolve to go with Mr. Standish the Father and then the Company divided and this Deponent and those that had made their Election went again into the Parlour to the young Lord and drank some short time and at their taking their leaves of him he gave them a word by which they should know one another which was Go thy way old Trip and then they parted from the said House to Wigan in the way whither the said John Neyler overtook this Deponent and his Company and told them he had brought some Money from Standish-Hall to be drunk by them and carried them to the House of James Green in Wigan aforesaid where he staid with them some time and drank the Health of King James and their Captains and then left them And this Deponent farther saith that at his this Deponents Return to his own House his Wife being informed that he had Listed himself a Soldier for King James would not let this Deponent rest or be at quiet until he had promised not to concern himself any farther in the matter Upon which he this Deponent never went near them any more Lawrence Brandon Jurat ' 11. Feb. 1695 Cor'me Tho. Rokeby Robert Bradley 's Affidavit RObert Bradley of Chippin in the County of Lancaster maketh Oath that he knows John Lunt and became acquainted with him about the latter end of the year 1689 by the means of one Mr. Thrillfall who brought him to his House he this Deponent keeping an Inn in Chippin aforesaid and that at that time the said Lunt went by the Name of Jackson and that about a quarter of a year afterwards there came into that Country several Irish Men who said they were sent by Lunt from London and that when they wanted Money they said they were to have Money of Lunt and amongst the said Irish there used to come to this Deponent's House several English Papists and frequently used to drink their Old Master King James's Health and threatened this Deponent being a Protestant to hang him when King James came in often affirming he would come into England at such and such times and Lunt often told this Deponent that he had Listed not only the Irish but several of this Deponent's Neighbours besides Thirty that he had Listed at Wiersdale and amongst the Neighbours named Clerkson Hodgkinson and Hearst and that one Cottam was to be Quarter-Master And this Deponent saith that Lunt desired one Sharpless where the said Lunt Tabled to be Listed as the
said Sharpless inform'd him but said he refused to be Listed by the said Lunt fearing he had not wherewith to maintain his Soldiers And this Deponent saith one John Wilson kept the List and burnt it by his own Acknowledgment at the Request of Lunt And this Deponent farther saith that several of the Irsh Men were furnish'd with all new Clothes at Chippin and that Lunt was among them and liv'd with them And that the said Irish Men were lodg'd at Mr. Harris's at Mr. Perkinson's and several other Popish Houses And this Deponent saith that Lunt always went in good Habit that he had Money and paid as well as any Man and many times for the Irish and gave them Money Robt. Bradley Jurat ' 11. die Febr. 1695 Coram me Tho. Rokeby Francis Jackson's Affidavit FRancis Jackson of the City of Chester maketh Oath that in or about the Month of July 1694 he this Deponent being a Constable did receive from the Hands of S. John Manwaring two Warrants of High-Treason under the Hands of one or both of the then Secretaries of State against Sir Rowland Stanley and Mr. Massey of Puddington and likewise for the Seizing of all Arms and Accowtrements of War belonging to them And this Deponent in pursuance of the said Warrants did Apprehend and take into Custody the said Sir Rowland Stanley and did deliver him into the Castle of Chester to the Deputy Governour thereof but could not find the said Massey But this Deponent did find and seize in a dark Room of the House of the said Massey put into a Chest cover'd with an old long Pillow nine new Dragoon's Saddles as this Deponent doth believe with Buckles Rings and Staples to them for breast-Plates Holsters and Cloaks with Cruppers Girts and Stirrups to them all new and six new half Gheek bit-Bridles Francis Jackson Jurat ' 14. die Febr. 1695 6 Coram Sam. Eyre The Information of John Wilson of Chippin in the County of Lancaster THAT he this Informant doth remember that at Christmas last was four Years one Mr. Thrillfall of Goosner in the said County of Lancaster and one Mr. John Lunt who went then by the Name of Jackson said they came from King James out of Ireland into Lancashire as he had been inform'd also by others and this Informant being at that time in their Company at Goosner heard them say they had brought several Commissions from King James to several Roman Catholic Gentlemen and others in Lancashire and other Places one of which he this Informant saw viz. One for Mr. Lunt to be a Lieutenant under Mr. Thrillfall and Mr. Thrillfall told him be had a Commission to be a Captain And this Informans farther saith that at the same time of his seeing them at Goosner as aforesaid there was one with them that went by the Name of Alderton who was writing to London for Arms as they said and heard them discoursing that they had others that had bought great Quantities of Arms and other things for War some of which he this Informant at that time saw viz. five or six Swords two Case of Postols and one Pocket-Pistol and to the best of his remembrance a Dagger and Armour made of white Paper sow'd together with yellow Wire and that they were endeavouring to get a great many more all which were for King James's Service And this Informant further saith that soon after Mr. Thrillfall and Mr. Lunt their coming over as abovesaid he was employ'd by the said Thrillfall and Lunt to make double Girts for four Buckles for Troopers Saddles and accordingly did make 34 23 of which be deliver'd to the said Thrillfall who told him that upon their having Occasion he should make more That the Candlemas after this Informant was at Goosner Mr. Thrillfall told him he had twenty Irish Men already for his Troop most of which this Informant at that time saw who said themselves that Lunt spoke to them and sent them down from London to be Soldiers for King James under Mr. Thrillfall and the said Irish Men was at Thrillfall's and in the Country for several Months some of which were afterwards imprison'd in Lancaster Goal he doth remember the Names of some of them viz. Thomas Lock William Macarty and Oneal Dumbarton two whose Names were Bourn and two whose Names were Cook Kelly a tall Man Walter Tate Richard Lettice a little Man well skill'd as be said in fencing Hugh Neal one Locksome who used to have a Spaniel with brown Spots which used to lye with him upon the Bed one they call'd Long-Boy a Taylor one Mr. Dalton a very handsom comly Man a fat Man that wore a blew Apron who was taken for a Preston Butcher who used to ask any body that look'd upon him if they had any fat Calves or Sheep to be sold And this Informant farther saith that betwixt 2 or 3 Years ago the said Mr. Lunt came to this Informants House and then did declare to this Informant that he the said Lunt had been at Dungan-Hall with Mr. Walinesley who a be said was lately come from France and the said Lunt said he had receiv'd from the said Walmesley a Commission to be a Captain of Horse in a Regiment to be raised for King James's Service and that the said Walmesley was to be Collonel of the same which Commission he this Informant at that time saw in the Hands of Mr. Lunt and heard him read the same And this Informant saith that a little after the said Lunts receipt of the said Commission as aforesaid he this Informant saw the said Mr. Lunt lift severel Men for King James 's Service viz. Richard Cottam Edward Cottam The. Swinghurst Lancellot Bolton William Hodgkinson Henry Bourne Richard Beesley Robert Clarkson his Brother Cuthbert Wilson and this Informant and several others promised that they would list themselves the next time Lunt came to this Informants House And about 3 Years and a half ago Mr. Lunt told this Informant that he the said Lunt had listed six Men in Wyersdale for King James's Service and that he was promis'd a great many more there and about three Years since Mr. Lunt told this Informant he had listed twelve Men in Cheshire for the said Service At Inglewbite Fair was three Years Mr. Lunt sent this Informant to one James Bradley a York Carrier that liv'd a little beyond long Ridgefel with a Letter this Informant brought him the said Lunt back to the best of his remembrance a Letter in answer to that sent but does positively say he brought back a Watch from the said Carrier and deliver'd it to Lunt Near three Years ago to the best of this Informants remembrance Mr. Lunt came to this Informants House and told him he was going to the Lord Molyneux's to meet a great many Gentlemen there Much about the same time Mr. Lunt sent him this Informant to one William Hodgkinson of Legrum about buying of a black Mare of the said Hodgkinson and order'd him
Commons when the Plot was examin'd there I can also aver that when I was concern'd as one of the Commissioners for the forfeited Estates in several Counties of Ireland he on Oath gave in his Name to be John Taffe but since going into Ireland and making Enquiry after him there are several Hundreds that will make Affidavit that his Name is Thomas O Mullen William Wybrand A Letter from Three of Their Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Lancaster Dated at Middleton April 9. 1690 and directed to a Minister of State My LORD WE have received your Lordships of the Fifth Instant and make bold to acquaint you that at the same time that we sent out our Warrants for Byra◠Burton Boardman and Ellam who are now in Lancaster Castle we did also send our Warrants for apprehending of Mr. Molyneux Mr. Standish young Townly John Holland Edward his Partner and Mr. Blundel of Ince for High Treason and ordered them to be carried to Lancaster Castle but none of the last mention'd Persons can as yet be apprehended as we are inform'd though search'd for and will still be searched for with what diligence we can we indeed much question the apprehending most of them they having been search'd for by the Militia for mear Twelve Months past and have notwithstanding so conceal'd themselves in this County or elsewhere that they could never yet be apprehended We have also sent out our Warrants for many of the Persons mention'd in Kelly's Information for High Treason which are judg'd by us to be dangerous Papists and also against others to bind them to the Assizes who are not positively charg'd with High Treason in the Examinations and upon apprehending any of the Great Ones We shall impart the same to your Lordship and in all things demonstrate our willingness to be Serviceable to Their Majesties and their Government to our Power and to approve our Selves Middleton Apr. 9th 1690. My Lord Your Lordships most Faithful and Obedient Servants Ralph Ashton Jos Horton Jos Yates A Letter from May Melfort to Clinch Crosby Dated March 30. 1694 and should have been inserted in the Body of the History after Crosby's Scheme for the Invasion Page 97. at the End of the first Paragraph MR. Crosby having now Collected the Sentiments of the whole Party is by the late King James's Order commanded to hasten into France with the Scheme before recited as appears by the following Letter from the Lord Melfort Dated March 30. 1694. SIR The Affair you went about being near done it is Mr. Kemp 's K. James positive Order that you return immediately hither that he may consider what further will be fit for him to do upon such Information as you can give him which he desires may be as full as you can get them I shall be glad to see you And am SIR Your most Affectionate Servant Ja. May. A Letter to Mr. Crothy while he was a Prisoner in Newgate directed to Mr. Hutchinson in Bishops Gate-Street London 'T IS impossible to express the great 〈…〉 are in here upon the Notice of your Person and your Papers falling into the Hands of our Enemies Mr. Vandeleur King James and his Queen and Mrs. Kemp are so sensibly afflicted with it they refuse all Comfort and almost despair of Success in any Attempt for the Future Elizabeth Francklin French Court. reads our Discontents in our Faces though we don't declare our Misfortunes by our Words for fear they should quite desert us seeing we are betray'd in all our Projects And truly such a Blow was never given to our Manufactory as this that at once has discover'd the Secrets of our Trade and confin'd the best of all our Factors We have now but one Project more left and if that miscarry also we must give up our Hopes of supplanting the Interlopers and wait with Patience till they ruin themselves by dividing their Interests and their Stock◠in setting up for themselves singly as they have once done already All Care here shall be taken to supply your Wants and our Friends with you must use all endeavours to delay your Audit for in that particular lye our Hopes and your Safety God Almighty Comfort you and grant the hearty Wishes of SIR your c. J. M. Dated August 12. 1694. and directed to Mr. Clynch under Mr. Hutchinsons Cover Having now I hope sufficiently Prov'd what I promis'd in the Preface and shew'd my Vouchers for all I have related in the Body of the History I thought fit before I take my leave of the Reader to acquaint him That if this Undertaking gives Satisfaction to the Public another Volum of the most secret Intreagues and Letters of Correspondence between our English Jacobites and those at St. Germains and other Places shall speedily be Printed and put into his Hands as the best Answer I could think of to the Argument against a standing-Army FINIS ERRATA PAg. 4. Lin. 11. instead of preswasions read perswasions p. 64. the last lin for come r. came One of Mr. Crosby's Letters which should have been inserted at the bottom of pag. 97. being omitted by the Printer is put in the last Page of the Appendix Pag. 119. in the Margent for depition r. deposition P. 145. l. 11. after more r. to p. 207. l. 18 for next r. Rest In the Appendix p. 225. last line for Cyre r. Eyre P. 254. l. 15. for Mneoy read Memory P. 255. last lin after he r. the.