Murther'd them for Tetterson was here yesterday and told me that Dangerfield threatned to kill him if he appeared any more and said That he went in danger of his Life L.C.J. Call them again look about the Hall for them which they did Clements My Lord I see Tetterson in Court this day Then the Cryer called them again and a person was sent to the Houses adjacent to call them but in vain Then the Kings Councel would not admit him to be the Man mentioned in the Indictment because it was there Tho. Dangerfield Labourer and the Pardon was Tho. Dangerfield Gentlemen Cel. My Lord if he be the person Pardoned he is the person Out-law'd for both are Thomas Dangerfield of Waltham Abby Judge Is there any more Thomas Dangerfields there Dangerf Yes my Father and a Cousin of mine which uses to come there sometimes Kings Councel Said I must prove him the man Lawyer within the Bar. Brother trouble not the Court for he is the Man L. C. J. Come I will not admit it could be your Father Mrs. Celliers have you a Record of Perjury Cel. My Lord I have of Forgery Judge Have you one of his being Pillory'd Cel. I have four bring the Salisbury Records They were produced and proved and one of them read which said that in the Thirtieth year of the King he was Indicted at Sarum for putting off a Gilt Shilling for a Guinney to which Indictment he Pleaded Guilty and was Condemned to stand in the Pillory three hours next Market day with a Paper on his forehead signifying his Crime and after that to pay five Pounds to the King and that he stood in the Pillory according to Sentence Cel. My Lord I have 3 Records more to the same effect to all which he Pleaded Guilty Judge No it is enough After all this Serj. Maynard and the Att. General would had him allowed a good witness saying all these Crimes are Pardoned under the Title of Offences and Transgressions Cel. A Pardon cannot make him an honest Man as all ought to be that are Witnesses in Treason Nor can the King give him an Act of Grace to my prejudice as this Pardon will be if it make him a good Witness to take away my Life Mr Langhorn desired that Mr Reading might be examined and the Lord Chief Justice North denyed it saying he had been in the Pillory and had his Testimony been allowed I doubt not but Mr. Langhorn had been alive And shall this prodigous Wretch that has been burn'd in the Hand Whipt Pillory'd Convict of all manner of Crimes and stands out-law'd for Fellony be allow'd a good Witness to take away my Life and such a Gentleman as Mr. Reading be denyed to give Evidence to save because he had been on the Pillory for endeavering to do that which if he had done it had not amounted to one of those many Crimes this Villain Pleaded Guilty to And I beseech the Court to consider That if such Witnesses be allowed Liberty and Property are destroyed Attor General Mr. Reading was not Pardoned Cel. He is not Pardoned neither for he is Out-lawed for Fellony which is not incerted in his Pardon and is otherwise notoriously infamous K. Council None but Villains are fit to be employed in such Designs L. C. J. They are fit to be employed but not fit to be believed and we ought not to hood-wink Justice for such a Stigmatiz'd Whipt Pillory'd Burnt in the hand Fellow as he notoriously appears to be Then Dangerfield submissively bowing said My Lord this is enough to discourage any one hereafter from entring into good and honest Principles L. C. J. It will discourage Rogues from daring to appear before a Court of Justice Then his Lordship told him his own in very apt words with a recapitulation of his Crimes saying he did not nor would not fear nor spare such as he was Then Judge Dolben stood up and said That no man that had any spark of Grace or Civility would dare to appear before a Court of Justice being guilty of such Crimes and that no man of common sence would take away the life of a Worm upon such Evidence Then the Lord Chief Justice gave short directions to the Jury telling them he knew nothing they had to do for that nothing material appeared against me And they unanimously cryed out Not Guilty Clerk Crown Kneel down Cel. Kneeling said God preserve the King and his Royal Highness and bless this Honourable Court. L. C. J. Dang have you any security for your Good behaviour to answer the Fellony But Dangerfield having none the Lord Chief Justice said Take him away take him away and secure him Then was Dangerfield presently disarmed who trembling and looking as if he had been just going to be Hang'd Cryed out Whither must I go whither will you carry me Then he shed Tears in the Court and was by the Officers presently conveyed to the Kings-Bench Prison with a numerous Train of Attendance where the Gentlemen Prisoners received him according to his Merit But he not liking his entertainment desired to be locked up till the Marshal came home and then for his better security was sent to the Common-Side where the Prisoners had like to have Pump'd him But his Phanatick friends bringing him good store of Mony both Gold and Silver he spent it very freely among them so by that means escap'd that Storm and there remained in the custody of the Marshal till he was brought to the Bar by order of Court and pleaded a general New-gate Pardon in which his name was inserted and so was discharged with good advice to leave off his former wicked courses and take up some imployment to live honestly for his thread of Life was so fine spun that he could expect no more favour from any Court The tryal being over the Gentlemen of the Jury sent for me up into the Room where they Din'd and told me there was a Guiny a Man due to them I Answer'd I had cost my Husband a great deal of Mony alerady much more than my Person was worth and was not willing to put him to any Charge I could avoid And I hop'd they would consider my condition and not expect Mony from me They reply'd if I had been cast the King must have paid them a Guiny a Man upon which I promis'd if it were a due Debt I would send it to Sir Philip Matthews on Munday but finding it was not I sent him this following Letter Honoured Sir I Have considered upon your demand of a Guiny apeice to each Gentleman of the Jury and find that it is in no sort due How great soever the ruin is I lie under by the villany of my accuser I would have made hard shift but I would have paid what was justly due But upon your second thoughts I am assur'd you will not forfeit your Spurs by oppressing the Distressed she Your selves and the Laws have preserv'd from a raging Dragon Pray Sir
he never carry'd before the Councel nor as yet restor'd though some of them be of Considerable value Next morning his Worship sent to know how I did and to tell me if I thought he could do me any service he would come and visit me I reply'd if he could I knew he would not and therefore desired him to spare his pains and my trouble Friday the last of October I brought my self to the Kings-bench Barr in hope to be Bail'd but then at the Barr Church opposed it saying His Worship had sent in an accusation of high Treason against me though I had as yet no Accuser And by the Law no person ought to be committed for Treason till accused by two honest sufficient lawful and credible Witnesses witnessing one and the same Individual Fact November the first I was examin'd before His Majesty and the Lords of the Councel where the Fable of the Husband-man and the starved Snake was proved a Truth for Willoughby accused me of all the Forged Stories he tells in his Lying Narrative and I unfeignedly told the Truth and the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth But the Lord Chancellor told me no body would believe a word I said and that I would Dye To which I replyed I know that my Lord for I never saw an Immortal woman in my life And then kneeling down said Cellier I beseech your Majesty that I may not be Tortur'd The King The Law will not suffer it Cellier Such things are frequently done in Newgate and I have more reason to fear it than any other person because of what I have done against the Keeper and therefore I beseech your Majesty If at any time I should say any thing contrary to what I have now said that you will not believe me for it will be nothing but lies forc'd from me by barbarous usage what I have now told you being the truth and the whole truth to the utmost of my knowledge Then I was sent away to Newgate and the next day was brought again before the Councel and then a Lord said Turn up your hoods Mrs. Cellier I did so The Lord Chancellor ask'd me if I had not been at the Tower to tell of Willoughby's Commitment and bring instructions for him Cellier I protest I have not been at the Tower Since Then the Lord Chancellor Interrupted me saying She cannot speak three words of Truth Cellier Pray my Lord be pleased to hear me out and do not Judge me till then I have not been at the Tower since Thursday was seven-night Lord Chan. That was the Time what did you there Cellier I Din'd there Lord Chan. Had you no talk concerning Willoughby tell us the Truth for the Countess of Powis hath told us all Cellier My Lord nothing of Truth can do me any harm and I am sure her Ladiship will tell nothing else I told her that Justice Warcup and Mansel had been at my House to demand him and my Husband had past his word for his forth-coming Then I was commanded to withdraw And understanding soon after that I should be Close Confin'd the dread of being lock'd up on the top of Newgate and attended on by Fellons as Mrs. Prescick had been though big with Child and so troubled with Fits that they came upon her every hour which caused Captain Richardson to Pitty her and take her into his own House but some had been Locked up there a full year and kept in Irons above Six months of the time the fear of this or worse usage did so oppress my spirits that though I be not the most timorous of my Sex and never had any kind of Fit before I fell into such Convulsions that I had like to have died at White-hall Gate Then I was carried to the Keepers House and laid upon a Couch and being a little come to my strength and senses I told Captain Richardson that if I should die in that desolate place as it was like I might that very Night most persons would believe that he had caus'd me to be Murthered in revenge of the Articles I put into Parliament against him whereupon he bid me be of good Comfort for I should not be carry'd to the top of the Goal but lye in his own House which promise so revived me that within an hour I was able to go up into the Garret where I had a very Good Bed and a Maid ordered to lye in the Room by me she tended me very diligently and seem'd very much to Commiserate my Condition being I suppose set on to do so that she might the more easily betray me I had brought Pen Ink and Paper from the Gate-house and easily prevail'd with her for money to carry a Note home to my House in a Bottom of Thred she carried and recarried three or four shewing them first to the Jaylors Wife and Sister and they took Copies of them and sent them to the Councel perswading themselves they should make strange Discoveries but I had Committed no Crime and therefore nothing but Innocence could be found in my Letters When they saw this share would not take then they laid another for my Life and brought Willoughby to a Window over against mine to talk with me having as I then thought and now know set another Rogue behind me to hear what I said Dangerfield Madam Madam Madam Pray Madam speak to me and tell me how you do Cellier I am Sick very Sick of the Bloody Barbarous Villain Dangerfield Pray Madam speak low and do not discompose your self Cellier Nothing you do can discompose me I despise you so much I am not Angry Dangerfield I am very glad of it for then I hope you will have patience to hear me speak Pray how do they use you Cellier Well much better than I expected Dangerfield Is any body suffered to come to you Cellier No body Dangerfield I am very sorry for your Confinement but I could not possibly help what I have done Cellier Bloody Villain I am not confin'd for Stone Walls and Iron Bars do not make a Prison but a Guilty Conscience I am Innocent and gaine that here which my Enemies did not intend me for I have now nothing to do but to serve God but you are Confin'd and one of the Devils Slaves Ah Villain for which of my Good deeds do you seek my Life Dangerfield Crying you shall not dye nor receive any other hurt Cellier Wicked Wretch I do not fear but desire to dye Dangerfield still Crying but you shall not look here how I have been used and then shewed his Arms and Howl'd saying he had been so miserably Tormented that he was not able to bear it but was forced to accuse me and others to save his own life Cellier Ah Villain will you bely the Innocent to save an Infamous Life Dangerfield I have told the King more than I could make out and was forc'd to joyn with the Confederates to get my Pardon for I have liv'd
told the Truth as I would have done long before if they asked it and desired Pen Ink and Paper to recollect my Memory and to see my Husband before a Keeper which the King said was but reasonable and bid make an Order for it which was done yet the Keeper would never let me see him in 11 or 12 weeks that I was confined after that but one quarter of an hour Yet to give him his due he was as civil to me as the strictness of my confinement would admit of and his Wife also all the time I was in their own House January 11 th I sent in my Depositions being all I then could remember but they would not let me have Paper to take a Copy of them but Truth can never be forgotten January 15 16 or 17 th I was brought before a Committee of Lords and they asked me many Trepanning Questions to insnare me Then Mr. Gadbury was called in and his Depositions read to which I only answered Cel. Mr. Gadbury I remember nothing of all this but I confess I am the unfortunate cause of your Trouble and if by ruining me you can ease your self I give you free leave Then a Lord told me there was Treason sworn against me but I might yet save my self if I would for they did not Thirst for my Blood Cel. I am glad to hear your Lordship say so for I am so simple I judge by appearances which are quite otherwise Then Dangerfield was called in and asked if I did not set him on to make a Mutiny at the Rainbow Coffee-House Dangerfield My Lord I cannot say she set me on Cel. Was not I angry with you for it and bid you be gone out of my House and caused you to be removed up into the Garret Dangerfield No that was afterwards Cel. But it was for that Cause A Lord. Do you know any thing of a walk that was upon Tower-Wharf tell us the Truth for you are upon your Oath Cel. I have often walked upon it for I lived there by A Lord. We mean a walk with the Lord Chief Justice and offering Ten Thousand Pounds concerning Sir George Wakeman tell us the Truth for the Countess of Powis has told us all Cel. Yes my Lord I read it in a Pamphlet Dangerfield I do believe it was in a Pamphlet Cel. There was two and you brought them both to me A Lord. Do you remember any more concerning Sir Robert Peyton Cel. Nothing that is fit to tell at this time A Lord. She will not tell the Kings Privy Council what she knows Cel. Not at this time at which Answer they were very angry and asked me some snaring Questions concerning my self but I have forgot what it was yet remember that I answered thus Cel. My Lord I am not obliged to Answer that Question your Lordships are none of my Judges I appeal to my equal Judges Twelve Commons of England in a Court of Judicature let them that desire my life assault it there and though I cannot defend it like a man yet I will not part with it in complement to your Lordships and I desire to be tryed as soon as may be A Lord. Your Tryal will come soon enough you will be put to death Cel. Blessed be God then I hope the Play is near an end for Tragedies whether real or fictious seldom end before the Women die A Lord. What do you make a Play of it Cel. If there be no more Truth in the whole Story than there is in what relates to me every Play that is Acted has more Truth in it A Lord. You talk very peremptorily Cel. My Lord I thank God Death is no terror to me and she that fears not to die cannot fear to speak Truth A Lord. Withdraw withdraw Mrs. Cellier Cel. Before I go I will tell you something of Sir Robert Peyton he told me that though the Earl of Shaftsbury was out of the Council yet his power was as great as ever for he had a strong Party there and he knew all Transactions as soon as the Council rose for he had a Nephew there and there was a person always ready at his House to run away with Intelligence of what passed at Council to the Earl of Shaftsbury A Lord said that was very like how else should the Examinations taken there come to the Press so soon some of Mr. Gadburies that were taken but a day or two before lying there in Print upon the Table Then one of the Lords seeming to wonder his Lordships Nephew was not there commanded me to withdraw Both in January and February I sent in the following Petition but could not possibly get it read though I sent 5 or 6 and in the whole time of my Confinement my Husband carried near 20 but they were still supprest To the Kings most Excellent Majesty and the Right Honourable the Lords of his Majesties Privy Counsel The Humble Petition of Elizabeth Cellier close Prisoner in Newgate Sheweth THAT Your Petitioner hath been thirteen Weeks close confin'd and she having had the management of her Husband's Estate with that of two Fatherless Children The most considerable Estate of which depends upon Process at Law and is to be try'd this next Term and they are wholly Ignorant of their Affairs Wherefore your Petitioner doth most humbly Pray and Beseech your Majesty and the Honourable the Lords of the Counsel that she may be Inlarged or permitted to speak to her Husband and Children before a Keeper to advise them how to proceed in their Suit and thereby prevent their ruine And your Petitioner shall pray My Husband put in several Petitions to the same effect but could get no Answer insomuch that he was forc'd to release Seven Hundred and odd Pounds for Sixty one A good Part of which Mony lay in Court of Chancery and the Master of the Rolls had made A decretal Order for us but the Defendant petitioning for another hearing my Husband and Children not being permitted to speak with me knew not which way to defend themselves There I lay close confin'd till the first of April though my Husband daily sollicited for my enlargement But about that time being dangerously sick I was allow'd the Liberty of the Press-Yard Sometime in February I was brought again before a Committee of Councel A Lord. Mrs. Cellier do you know one Mr. Pen a Quaker Cel. I never see him but once Lord. Did you not write to him and give him thanks for making so good use of the Paper you sent him Cel. Yes My Lord I did so Lord Do you use to write to Men you know not Cel. If your Lordships please to have Patience I will tell you the occasion of it About the beginning of May last 6 Copies of a Paper call'd the Danby Reflections were left at my House by an unknown Person with a Note desiring me to put them into understanding mens hands I went to Fox Hall and made a strict Inquisition into the
matter and found by the affirmation of many Persons that that part of the Story was very true and I thought I had no other reason to doubt the Truth of the rest and having heard Mr. Pen plead in the Cause of New Jersey at Sir John Churchil's chamber before the Duke's Commissioners and observ'd that he was a man of a great deal of Reason I thought I could not better comply with the desire of the Author than to send him one Lord. What made you so earnest to speak with him Cel. I heard it abroad by the name of Pen's Paper and found it spread much Lord. What had you to say to him Cel. Something relating to the same matter I suppose but I have forgot what for it is 9 or 10 months ago Lord. What did you with the rest Cel. I gave one to my Lady Powis another to Mr. Henry Nevil I sent one into France another into Flanders and got the other coppied and sent as many as I could get to my Friends and Acquaintance Lord. You have been very zealous for the Cause Cel. My Lord It is good to be diligent in all that one undertakes Which answer was the last I had opportunity to make to any in Authority until my Arraignment which in confidence of my own Innocence I continually prest for Not but that I knew the danger as to this Life of encountring the Devil in the worst of his Instruments which are PERJVRERS INCOVRAGED to that degree as that profligated Wretch was and has been since his being exposed to the World in his true colours both at mine and at anothers Tryal But the Sence that all I had done or endeavoured to do was prompted by a Disinterested Loyalty to the King and Charity to Innocence opprest without the least mixture of Mallice to any Creature breathing Made me with hopes expect the worst those Devils incarnate could do unto me And if any thing in the World could give a probable Light where the true Plot is manag'd mine and my accusers Cases would do it For Singly and Alene without the Advice or Assistance of any Catholick breathing Man or Woman I was left to study manage and to support my self in all my troubles to my Expence and Loss much above a thousand Pounds never receiving one penny towards it directly or indirectly but ten pounds given me by the hands of a condemn'd Priest five days before my Tryal nor have I since received any thing towards my Losses or the least civility from any of them Whilst Dangerfield when made a Prisoner for apparent Recorded Rogueries was visited by and from Persons of considerable Quality with great Sums of Gold and Silver to encourage him in the new Villanies he had undertaken not against Me alone but Persons in whose Safety all good Men as well Protestants as others in the three Kingdoms are concern'd For I hope no reasonable man can believe me so vain as to think my Life or Fame worth the consideration of an Industrious Faction Thus have I laid open the Truth of my Case to be believed or not believed as Reason Sence and Probability shall guide Men. And as to my own Sex I hope they will pardon the Errors of my Story as well as those bold Attempts of mine that occasion'd it since in what I meddled with as to Sir Robert Peyton and others that are yet among them undiscovered like Hushai and I hope will have as good success to confound the crafty Contrivances of all the old Achitophels and the Headstrong Ambitious Practices of young Absalom though it may be thought too Masculine yet was it the effects of my Loyal more than Religious Zeal to gain Proselites to his Service And in all my defence none can truly say but that I preserv'd the Modesty though not the Timorousness common to my Sex And I believe there is none but had they been in my Station would to their power have acted like me for it is more our business than mens to fear and consequently to prevent the Tumults and Troubles Factions tend to since we by nature are hindered from sharing any part but the Frights and Disturbances of them Which that God will long preserve these three Kingdoms from is the daily Prayers of Elizabeth Cellier AN Abstract of the TRYAL OF Elizabeth Cellier UPon the 30th of April 80. I was Arraigned at the Kings-Bench Bar before the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs for High-Treason Cl. of the Crown What sayst thou Eliz. Cellier art thou Guilty or not Guilty Cel. Not Guilty C. C. Culprit how wilt Thou be Tryed Cel. By God and my Country C. C. God send thee a good Deliverance Cel. My Lord I am safe in my own Innocence as far as Innocency can make any person safe but since the most Innocent may be sworn out of their lives I desire time to send for my Witnesses some of which live very far off L. C. Just How long time will you have till next Term Cel. No my Lord I desire but a fortnight which was Granted and I remanded back to Prison that day I sent the following Petition to the Attorney General To the Honourable Sir Creswell Levins his Majesties Attorney General The Humble Petition of Elizabeth Cellier Sheweth THAT your Petitioner is to have her Tryal at the Bar of His Majesties Court of Kings-Bench for High Treason the 14 of this Instant May. Your Petitioner Humbly beseeches that you will please to let her know or otherwise to order the Clerk of the Crown to give her to understand whether she is Indicted at Common Law or upon any Statute and what Statute and that she may likewise have a Copy of Mr. Dangerfields last Pardon from his Majesty as also Subpoena's for her Witnesses That she may be somwayes enabled to make her Defence And your Petitioner shall Pray Eliz. Cellier Mr. Attorney answered that I was Indicted upon the Statute of the 25 of Edward III. and might have as many Subpoena's as I would at the Crown-Office but he knew nothing of Dangerfield 's Pardon Then I petitioned the Lord Chancellor for a Copy of the Pardon and his Lordship was pleased to Grant it May the 14. I was again brought to the Bar in Order to my Tryal but Mr. Gadbury being Sick of which Oath was made by a learned Physitian that had Visited him the Kings Council desired to put off the Tryal but I prayed to be Tryed then or some day that Term And said That I would bring my self thither the last day of the Term and hoped that according to the Law I should be Tryed or Discharged L C. J. That will do you little good for there is a Proviso in the Act if the Kings Witnesses be not sick Cel. My Lord what if they will never be well L C. J. You shall be Tryed the next Term it is but a little while to it Cel. My Lord my Husband will think it a great while at which the Court laugh'd Cel. My
William Leigh Anne Sutton Tho. Willoughby and knows him to be the person for whom he sought the prisoner is by the Jaylor forthwith sent for who questions his ability and if he finds sufficient to satisfie his Avarice he promises to secure him with Life against Justice by vertue of his Interest in the Recorder but if poor joyns with the Prosecuter to the same intent either to the hazard of the Prisoners life or at least a tedious Confinement The unlegal deteining of another sort of persons which have pleaded His Majesties Pardon of Transportation Judeth Collingson Elizabeth Evans Mary Porter Tho. Willoughby and according to the form thereof have given in Bail to Transport themselves in 8 months which is the time limited in the said Pardon which persons notwithstanding their being bail'd are still deteined and often till the time be expired which makes the Jaylors Market with the Merchant and inslaves the persons Mary White and others or at least creates Vice instead of Reformation and converts the Money to his own Use The debarring Prisoners liberty of Conscience Jane Middleton Mary White Charles Parker T. W. and compelling them to go 3 or 4 pair of Stairs to Chappel as the Jaylor calls it but as it will otherwise appear to be seen by Strangers through Grates like the Lions at the Tower who give money to the Jaylor for the same which persons are so severely tortured that it is not to be thought and that with such Irons as in Jaylors language are called Shears To this part T. W. only which are in weight 40 or 50 l. and a yard in length with one Legg fixed at one end and the other at the other end which barbarous Engine produces such Torture that the persons on smooth ground can move but 3 or 4 inches at a time this is his pretence to secure his Prisoners The putting of persons which are Debtors to the Crown Jane Middleton Magdalen Clench Jos Mallorey T. W. in the place he used to secure Condemned Prisoners and that for not writing this following Superscription on a Letter To the Worshipful William Richardson Esquire there to be laden with Bolts and continued without food or sustenance during the worshipful Jaylors pleasure John Whitehand Mrs. Whitehand Elizab. Golding T. W. The separating a Wife from her Husband and all manner of Friends and Relations as well from sick persons as others which they do to compel such persons as are desirous to see their Friends to give money before they be admitted That all persons whatsoever are carefully searched as they come in lest they should bring in such goods or provisions as are by his Worship prohibited T.W. only to this And that he takes care with his Subbs to be very diligent in such search for the better creating a Vend for his own Goods which are so bad that it oftentimes breeds Distempers and so small a quantity for money that unless Prisoners are more than well stored with money poverty strikes in to their great detriment Mary White Jane Middleton Joseph Mallorey John Whitehand T. W. That about the 8 th of March last a person whose name was Robert Thompson died and is to be apparently made out that it was for want of Food as his Corps also signifies which was an absolute Skeleton and that within the space of 24 hours Contr. for Stat. the Jaylor disposes of him as he thought most fit and that without any Coroner to enquire of his Death and to give an account of the said Subject to our Sovereign Lord the King c. Dorothy Ramsey That the Jaylor ordered his Subbs to Punish or privately Torture with Thumb-scrues the person of Dorothy Ramsey to the intent she should discover the manner of Owen Hursts escape who was her Husband William Leigh Jane Middleton John Zeal T. W. The Jaylors Extortion on the Kings Prisoners after his Majesty has of his Bounty and Goodness extended his gracious free Pardon comes to the Prisoners inserted therein the said Pardon Signed and Sealed and tells if they or as many as can will raise such a certain Sum he will assure them a Pardon others which cannot are by his base jugling left only as Convicts for Transportation and that for want of Money thus are the Laws of the Realm and his Majesties pleasure to his poor Subjects violated and to make the Jaylors Market which is as usual with him as with our most Clement Prince to extend his Mercy The close Confinement of Prisoners without Relief or Sustenance as particularly one Mary White Mary White the Midwife Several Prisoners and others who for the space of seven weeks was close confined from all Conversation as well of Husband as other near Relations and not only burthened with excessive Irons on both Leggs but for two days together kept from any Victuals or other Sustenance and after this was by the Jaylors order removed to a Room called the Condemn'd Room and there for six weeks more kept with the Irons on her Leggs and though big with Child to the Jaylors certain knowledge yet did he cause her to be put in the Bilboes and bolted her hands down to the Ground with Staples of a great bigness by which inhumane and immoderate torments she was so afflicted that her Child died soon after it was born occasioned as Oath will be made by the usage aforesaid and this done meerly to enforce her to accuse her self and others of Crimes they imagined her and them guilty of That about a year since was in custody as a Convict for Transportation one Elizabeth Evans who had given in Bail to the Recorder to Transport her self according to the form of the Pardon but was so indebted to the Gaol as he pretended that she could not raise moneys for the same whereupon Richardson sends for the said Evans and often requested her to refer her self to him to the end he might make good his Market with the Merchant which she did but when he brought a Master of a Vessel to take the said Evans away she refused to go and told the Gaoler he promised to give her the Fees and turn her out but that now she did perceive 't was only to expose her to Sale which she would not consent to upon which refusal the Jaylor forthwith ordered her to the Condemn'd Room there to be double Iron'd and kept without sustenance or any converse till his farther Order which came not in two days then he himself examined her again whether she would consent but she refused and then the Jaylor thought fit to employ some other Engines of his Tyranny amongst which was a certain thing by him called a Cap of Maintenance which was fixed to her head with a thing like the Rowel of a Spur being put into her Mouth cleaves to the Roof with such extream Torture that is not to be exprest this the Woman endured several times till at last
Jury-man but I 'll venture that and bring my self to the Bar the first day of the next Term. Sir Will. You must not be tryed there you must be tryed at the Old Bayly Cel. If his Majesty bring me upon my Tryal He may try me where He pleases but if I bring my self to it it must be at the Kings-Bench Bar. Sir Will. You are deceived you cannot Cel. But I can and will to Sir Will. I 'll tell his Majesty what you say Cel. Pray do for I desire it Sir Will. Well I see you are an obstinate woman and do not understand your own good I 'll come no more to you Cel. I care not for your Company therefore pray stay away and tell Truth Once in your life As he was upon the Stairs going down I call'd to the Maid to bring me some Beer and he was willing to believe I called him and ran up in great haste asking through the Door if I had bethought my self of any thing he could do to serve me Cel. No Sir Will. I am not such a Distressed Damosel to use your Service For as the Devil can do harm but not good so though you have put me in yet it is not in your power to fetch me out of this inchanted Castle but I shall come out e'er long to a Glorious Death or an Honourable Life both which are indifferent to me blessed be God After this I was no more troubled with him That night the Duke of Monmouth came to Town from Holland I was fetched before the Council in great haste having now learn'd to turn up my Hoods without bidding L. Chan. Come Mrs. Cellier we hear of your zeal Cel. It is a Virtue to be zealous My Lord. L. Chan. The Truth comes out by little and little we shall know all Cel. My Lord I wish all the truth were known and then I should go home to my own House L. Chan. When were you in Flanders Cel. Never L. Chan. You were Cel. I never was out of England L. Chan. Do you know one Mr. Adams Cel. What Mr. Adams does your Lordship mean L. Chan. Mr. Adams a Commissioner of the Statute of Bankrupt Cel. Yes I know him well he sent John-a-Nokes to Prison and thereupon was put out of Commission L. Chan. Has he done you any personal injury Cel. Only helpt to cheat me of five Hundred Pounds L. Chan. Nothing else Cel. No my Lord but I 'll assure you he did that L. Chan. You were at the Devil-Tavern with him and Dangerfield the 24 th of September and said there was no Plot but a Presbyterian Plot and that it would appear so in a Month you tim'd it well for just then your Intrigue was found out Cel. My Lord I was at the Devil-Tavern but not within three weeks of the time you mention L. Chan. You were there at that time and said you were just come from Flanders and drank the Duke of York's Health in a Beer-glass of Claret and would not let Mr. Adams drink unless he nam'd the Health Cel. Indeed my Lord that was ill done for there was not a drop of Claret L. C. But you drank the Duke 's Health Cel. Pray my Lord what crime is it L. C. It is none Cel. Then I hope there 's no Punishment L. C. Here is nothing to be done with her call Mr. Adams He was called in and his Wise Depositions read Cel. My Lord of all this fine Story there is nothing true but that I was at the Tavern but it was three weeks before the time he mentioned and I did Pledge the D 's Health and say I believed there was a Plot among the Presbyterians to play their old Game over again but I hoped God would bless the King and his Royal Brother and that their Affairs would go well and God would destroy their Enemies and send quiet Times Adams She did say she had been beyond Sea and Mr. Petly will swear she said she had been in Flanders Cel. If I did say so I lyed L. Presid If you Lyed then how shall we know you tell Truth now Cel. My Lord there is a great deal of difference between what I say at a Tavern to a Man of his Understanding and what I say here where every Word ought to be equal to an Oath Adams Your bawdy Story I left out of the Depositions I was asham'd to speak it King What can she speak Bawdy too Adams Yes indeed she did L. C. I she 's fit for any thing Cel. My Lord I never spoke an immodest word in my Life Mr. Adams though you strive to take away my Life do not take away my Honour What did I say King What did she say come tell us the Story Adams She said She said that She said That if she did not lose her Hands she could get Mony as long as King As long as what out with it Adams made as if he were asham'd and could not speak such a word Cel. I said if I did not lose my Hands I should get Mony as long as Men kissed their Wives Adams By the Oath I have taken she said their Mistresses too Cel. Did I so pray what else do they keep them for L. Chan. That was but witty King 'T was but natural to her Practice Cel. Mr. Adams I am sorry for your Ignorance I beseech your Majesty let me be inlarged L. Chan. You are an obstinate Woman and will tell us nothing we ask you Cel. My Lord I tell Truth to all you ask L. C. Here 's no body believes you you will trifle away your Life Cel. My Lord I will not belye my self nor others to save it but I will assure your Lordships never man that came before you feared Death nor valued Life less than I do L. C. I she 's fit for them Withdraw Withdraw After that I was fetcht up once or twice again but do not remember for what Then they let me alone till the 9 th of January and then Captain Richardson went up with me and by the way told me That if now I would make an ingenious Confession I might be inlarged and the Truth found out I answered I knew nothing of all they asked me nor ever answered any thing but the Truth they do not look for Treason in the right place but when they do they may find enough Capt. Richardson But if you know any thing you are bound to tell it Cel. I am only obliged to answer Truth to such questions as I am asked and the Lord Chancellor told me he would not believe a word I said and I do not believe a word of the whole Plot further than that the Presbyterians are playing over their old Game again Capt. Richardson Well I see it is impossible to perswade you to Reason Cel. I never yet could see a Reason for lying When I came before the Council they spoke not a word of the old matter but questioned me concerning Sir Robert Peyton then present I
Lord he hath a great cause to think it long for he is already a Thousand pounds the worse for my Imprisonment I have lain two and twenty weeks close confin'd During which time my Husband put in near 20 Petitions before the Lords of the Council to speak with me before a Keeper but they were all rejected and he had then a suit in Chancery to a considerable value which had been heard before the Master of the Rolls and he had made a Decretal Order for us and a good part of the Money lay in the Court of Chancery but my Adversary taking Advantage of my confinement Petitioned for another Hearing and my Husband not knowing how to defend the Cause was forced to discharge seven hundred and odd pounds for sixty one because he could not be permitted to speak with me L. C. J. You arraign the Councel Cel. No my Lord it is not to Arraign them but to make it known how I have been used and pray redress Serj Maynard Why could not your Husband follow his Law-Suit without you Cel. Because he is a Stranger and does not understand the Law Serj. Maynard Then you do Gentlewoman Cel. No Sir but I have got enough to make a Country Justice and pray that I may be tryed And if I be Guilty punished and if Innocent acquitted And that my Husband and Children may not suffer as they do by my Imprisonment L. C. J. You shall be tryed the first day of the next Term and it is in compassion to you that we appoint that day Cel. My Lord shall I be discharged if I be not Tryed then L. C. J. You shall Cel. My Lord the Laws I am to be Tryed by have sufficiently compensated their denying me other Councel by allowing me you my Lords that are my Judges for Councellors and I will depend upon your Faithful advice with confidence and humbly pray fair play for my life Judges You shall have fair play Cel. I thank your Lordships L. C. J. Keeper of Newgate take her back and use her with respect June the 11th 80. I was again brought to the Bar and the Indictment read and the eâ—â—â—ct of it was for consulting and expending Money for carrying on the Plot to kill the King raise War in the Realm and introduce Popery and for endeavouring to cast the Plot upon others and for imploying Dangerfield to kill the King and upbraiding him for losing an Opportunity c. Cel. My Lord for saving the time of the Court I pray that no Gentleman that has been on any of the former Juries and found the Indictment against any of them that lately had the like accusation may be sworn against me And in regard a great part of my Charge is for endeavouring to throw the Popish Plot upon the Presbyterians therefore I except against all those that had not lately taken the Sacrament as Persons that cannot be indifferent L. C. J. Mrs. Cellier this cannot be allow'd you must make your exceptions Cel. My Lord the Jury ought to be chose out of the unconcern'd Neighbourhood and every Dissenter from the Church of England is a party against whom the Fact is said to be committed therefore none but Church of England men ought to be of my Jury L. C. J. Mrs. Cellier make your exceptions Which I did and excepted against several that had been on the former Juries yet admitted of Sir Philip Matthews and others telling them they looked like honest men and I believ'd they would do me no wrong The Jury are as follows Sir Philip Matthews Baronet Sir John Munster Thomas Harriot Esq John Foster Esq Richard Cheney Esq Edward Draper Esq Edward Wilford Esq John Roberts Esq Hugh Squire Esq Thomas Eaglefield Esq George Read Esq Richard Parrot Esq The Jury being sworn the Kings Councel called the Witnesses and first Mr. Gadbury who attested that he knew not a tittle of the Plot one way or other except what he heard by Common Report and read in the Prints nor of any design I had against the Life of the King but acknowledges that he was Privy to and active in bringing over Sir Robert Peyton to the Kings interest at the said Sir Robert's request and to bring Sir Robert to kiss his Royal-Highness's hand by my means and said That I did always express my self with all Duty and Loyalty and that I told him I had carried the names of four Gentlemen Sir Roberts Friends to the Duke in hopes that if they were put into Commission of the Peace it might conduce much to the breaking the measures of the Factious And Mr. Gadbury further Declared that one Smith formerly a School master at Islington and another Gentleman with him came to him and desired his Advice about going to the Lords in the Tower pretending he could declare strange things against Mr. Oats which might prove advantagious to them In order to Indicting him for Perjury which he said I was forward to promote and said that I did not care if I were at Ten Pounds Charge to have it effected but he said he refus'd to advise Mr. Smith to concern him himself either with Mr. Oats or the Lords He further aver'd that I told him I heard Dangerfield talk of a Non-conformist Plot and how he frequented their Clubs and had so far insinuated into the favour of some of them that he was promised a Commission among them and that several Commissions were given out already After that Mr. Gadbury being interrogated by the Attorny General to several passages signified in an Attestation which he himself had drawn up for the Privy Council which seemed more to affect me than any thing he had hitherto said shewing the same unto him which when he had perus'd he did own to be his hand-writing and said That what was contained therein was true but when he wrote the same he confessed that he raked up all that ever he could against me aggravating every Circumstance to the utmost and that by that reason when he was in Prison some person or persons whom he did not name to avoid reflections Threatned him with Hanging c. And that they told him two Witnesses had sworn Treason positively against him and that I now accus'd him and made a third and he knowing I must swear false as the rest had done and being Menac'd as before Drew up the said Accusation against me aggravating the several expressions therein in hopes thereby to lessen my Evidence against him and thereby to save himself Then he was again interrogated whether I did not tell him I hoped to see Westminster Abby full of Benedictine Monks and the Temple with Fryers he answered That his sufferings had very much weakned his Memory but as far as he remembred I did not speak of any hope but believes it was thus What if you should see Westminster Abby filled with Monks again and that this was in ordinary Discourse as they pass'd through the Abby together And that he looked upon
those Words to be no way maliciously spoken nor regarded it further than common Discourse Serjeant Maynard What Religion are you of Gadbury A Protestant according to the Church of England Serj. Maynard Such Protestants do more harm than Papists Gad. Sir I am neither Papist nor Presbyterian nor was I any of the Tribe of Forty One Then he went on with his Evidence saying That when the King was Sick at Windsor I asked him whether he thought his Majesty would live or dye supposing as he thought that he might have taken some notice of the effect by observing the beginning of the Distemper but says That I did not desire him to erect a Scheme for that purpose nor to Calculate the Kings Nativity and that he believes I had talked at this rate five or six times always expressing great fears of his Majesties Death and the Troubles that may thereupon arise through the restless Malice of the turbulent Factious Party and that he with as great Trouble told me he durst not presume to Judge of such and so weighty an Affair as that was But that he remembers he Calculated a persons Nativity for me to know whether he would be just to me in gathering in such Debts as were due to my Husband who was a French Merchant And that from thence he caution'd me to beware of him but that he knew not the said person was Dangerfield till he came before the Counsel bringing onely the time and Place of his Birth without making any mention of his Name but that the said Dangerfield thence took occasion to swear him into the acquaintance of the Countess of Powis and several Honourable Lords whose Faces he never saw This was the substance of Mr. Gadbury's Evidence L. C. J. Brother you are mistaken in your Evidence Att. Gen. We are in this but I hope we shall not be mistaken in others Then Dangerfield was call'd in Cel. My Lord I except against his Evidence as a person that has not the Qualifications the Law requires in Witnesses of Treason and I pray that I may be heard to prove it and that the Court will protect my Witnesses from his Insolence for the last time I stood here in order to my Tryal he struck one of them here in presence of His Majesty in the Face of the Court and threatned to kill others if they appear'd again L. C. J. Have you Witnesses of this Cel. Yes my Lord I will offer nothing to the Court but what I will prove by Witnesses and Records And to do this I have taken of a few of the Records of his many Crimes and but a few because I would not be chargeable to my Husband or troublesome to the Court I have but Thirteen Judge A pretty Company L. C. J. Go on then Cel. Call Mr. Pearson He appear'd I pray'd he might be sworn L. C. J. That may not be against the King Cel. My Lord it is not against the King for the King is as much concern'd to preserve me if I be Innocent as to punish me if I am Guilty And by the Statute of the Fourth of King James it is ordered that persons accus'd shall have Witnesses produc'd upon Oath for his better Clearing and Justification And the Lord Cook says That he never read in any Act of Parliament Author Book Case nor ancient Record that in criminal Cases the Party accus'd should not have sworn Witnesses And therefore there is not a spark of Law against it And the Lord Cook dyed but lately and if there was no Law against it then I desire to know by what Law it is now denyed me for the common Law cannot be altered And I pray your Lordships being of Counsel for me that you will not suffer any thing to be urged against me contrary to Law but that my Witnesses may be sworn or Counsel assign'd me to that Point of Law A Judge What would you have Counsel for This does not affect you yet Go on Cel. Mr. Pearson pray tell the Court how Dangerfield us'd you the last time I was here Pearson I stood in the Hall and he came and asked me how I durst Subpoena any man and not tell him for what and struck me on the Arm. Judge Did he so Cel. Call Mr. Barrard He appear'd and testified the same Cel. My Lord Witnesses for Treason ought to be Honest Sufficient Lawful and Credible And I will prove that he hath been Burnt in the Hand Whip'd Transported Pillorie'd Out-law'd for Felony Fin'd for Cheating and suffer'd publick Infamy for many other notorious Crimes Mr. Clements bring the London Record He produc'd it Judge Can you swear this is a true Copy Clem. Yes my Lord I examin'd it Then he was sworn and the Clark read the Record which shew'd That in the 25 th Year of his Majestie 's Reign he was Convict of Felony at the Old-Baily for stealing a Tortoice-shell Cabinet and ten pieces of old Gold out of the House of Robert Blagrave and being asked what he had to say for himself that Judgment should not pass upon him according to Law He said he was a Clark and desir'd the benefit of the Book which was granted and he read and was according to Law Burnt in the Hand A Judge Can you prove he is the man Cel. Call Mr. Ralph Briscow He appeared and testified that he was the Man and he saw him Burnt in the Hand Cel. Call Captain Richarson He appeared and testified the same Then Dangerfield offer'd to go away One of the Judges call'd to him and ask'd him whither he went a Lawyer answer'd to fetch his Pardon for he was come without it L C J. Make hast then Then there arose a Question among the Judges whether Felony was sufficient to take away his Evidence his Clergy having restor'd him And an excellent Discourse pass'd amongst them upon that Subject but I cannot remember the particulars so well as to insert it here One of the King's Counsel alledged that he was made a good Witness by his Pardon Cel. My Lord He is not Pardon'd Fellonies Burglaries nor Forgeries And I will prove him convict of all these and the King cannot give An Act of Grace to one Subject to the prejudice of another as this Pardon will be to me if this prodigious Villain be thereby made a good Witness to take away my Life Nor doth his Pardon include his Crimes Then I produc'd a Copy of his Pardon but remembring I was not oblig'd to believe that he had a Pardon till he himself had produc'd it I call'd for it back again then the Court went off the Cause and heard motions but Dangerfield staying long they began to examine Witnesses on his behalf First Thomas Williamson was call'd Who said he knew nothing of my treating with Dangerfield nor ever saw us together but that he was imploy'd in businesses of Charity by me to get Prisoners out and Dangerfield among the rest Mr. Scarlet was call'd and said he turn'd him
over to the Bench and I paid for his Habeas Corpus Bennet Duddle was call'd He attested that he had often seen Dangerfield and I together in the Gallery at Powis-House and had seen us write but he knew not what William Woodman was call'd And said he had carried Letters for me to the Tower and else-where but none for Dangerfield An Blake was call'd Who attested that I sent her to Dangerfield in New-gate and that he cry'd and pray'd her to speak to me to send him six Pounds and that she return'd to him and told him I would send him none Then Dangerfield told her he had been rack'd and expected worse usage that night and that she should be forc'd to turn Rogue and ruin us all And that if he did not turn Rogue he should be hang'd And that I bid her hide the Papers saying they were Dangerfields and might do him good and she put them into the MEAL-TUB Then Margaret Jenkins was call'd And said she saw Dangerfield in New-gate in Irons very poor that he told her he had eaten nothing in two dayes that she carried him half a Crown and another time five Shillings and after that Mony to pay his Fees and that she saw him in the Bench. Att. Gen. Did you not carry Letters between them Margaret Yes but knew not what was in them Att. Gen. Did you not carry two Vials of Opium to him Mar. I carri'd 2 Vials which he sent for but I know not what was in them L.C.J. Who sent for them Mar. Dangerfield sent a Note for them to Mr. Blasedal and when I brought them to him he tasted of them and set them up in his room Judge Who tasted of them Mar. Dangerfield did Att. Gen. Did you ever see Mrs. Cellier in the Bench with him Mar. No I never did Att. Gen. Did you ever see them together at Powis-House Mar. Yes once at Dinner and once at Supper L.C.J. Was any body with them Mar. Yes once her Husband and the other time three Gentlewomen Att. Gen. What do you know concerning Stroud Mar. She bid me tell Dangerfield that he must get acquainted with Stroud I tould him so and he reply'd that was done already for he had been acquainted with Stroud a long time and they us'd to go a robbing together And he told me that he fear'd neither Fire Sword nor Hell and he car'd not what he said nor swore for he had studied to be a Rogue ever since he was Ten Years old L.C.J. You will make a special Witness of him by and by Then the Attorney General would not let her speak any more but call'd Susan Edwards Att. Gen. What do you know against the Prisoner at the Bar Edwards I carried two Notes from her to Mr. Dangerfield in New-gate and two Books of Accompts and a Guiney and 20 s. in Silver and she bid me tell him now was the time that her Life lay in his hands Serj. Maynard Did not you carry her a Letter from him Susan Yes Att. Gen. What was in it Susan I know not for I cannot read written-hand but he told me he must turn Rogue and ruine all the Sect. Judge What Sect Susan I know not what Sect but he said if he did not turn Rogue he should be Hang'd Ser. Main But she bid you tell him her Life lay in his hands Cel. And yours too Sir if he turn Rogue and be believ'd as others have been of late But she 's no Witness for she robb'd me and the very Heathens would not allow false Servants to swear against their Masters Cel. By the Oath you have taken Where had you the Cloaths you wear Susan Of my Father they are none of yours I never see you have but two Suits at a time Cel. Did you ever see any thing Dishonourable by me Susan Yes He went into your Chamber one Sunday Morning L.C.J. Was her Husband there Sus No He was gone to Church L.C.J. He were best take care how he goes to Church Cel. My Lord I appeal to your Conscience as you sit there whether you think any thing but Innocence durst ask that Question And to prove it is so there is a Women has served me 26 Years be pleased to examine her A Lawyer within the Bar said To me it is a plain proof of her Innocence as to that point Serj. Maynard then made some malicious reflections thereupon Cel. Pray Sir is that Treason by the Statute of the 25. of Edward III. It is not in this Innocent Age. Susan She said she doubted not but the Plot would turn to a Presbyterian one and I heard Dangerfield say so too and that he would make it his Interest to find it out And she said if he did she should see him keep his Coach and Six Horses and then he should marry her Daughter L.C.J. What would he have Mother and Daughter too Susan then prated very impertinently Judge Will that Impudent Wench never have done prating Turn her out Then she went and stood among the Clerks Prating and behaving her self impudently till they scoft at her and thrust her out of Court Then the Lord Chief Justice made an excellent Speech of what sad Consequence it would be to admit such profligated Wretches to give Evidence and that the three Kingdoms might have cause to rue such a days work and that it would be an in-let to the greatest Villanies to destroy our Lives Liberties and Estates with much more to the like purpose Judge This Fellow will come no more L.C.J. Call him shall we stay all day Cryer Dangerfield Dangerfield Dangerfield c. After he had been called five or six times the Lord Chief Justice commanded a Tip-staff to go into the Hall and look for him Which he did and after a long time Dangerfield came with a Black-Box at which the Court laughed saying here comes the Black-Box here comes the Black-Box L.C.J. You have been long in going to the Temple Dang I went to the Exchange Here is my Pardon It was observ'd that his Hands did so shake and tremble that he could not open the BOX Cel. My Lord he is not Pardon'd Fellony Burglary Perjury nor Forgery And I will prove him notoriously Guilty of all these The Clerk read his Pardon and all these Crimes were omitted Cel. My Lord he is Convict of Fellony and Out-lawed thereupon Mr. Lane bring the Chelmsford Record he produc'd and prov'd it The Clerk read it which said he was Convict of Fellony and Burglary for breaking the House of Robert Tetterson Shoe-maker of Windsmore-Hill and taking thence a linnen bag worth a Penny and Four Pounds Ten Shillings in Mony he broke Prison and was Out-law'd thereupon Kings Counsel How do you know this is the Man Cel. He is the Man and I will prove it by the party that was Rob'd and the Constable out of whose hands he broke Call Robert Tetterson and James Eaton The Cryer called but they came not Cel. My Lord I fear he has
accept of and give my most humble Service to your self and all the Worthy Gentlemen of your Pannel and Yours and their several Ladies And if you and They please I will with no less fidelity serve them in their Deliveries then You have done me with Justice in mine and thereby preserv'd Liberty and Property as much as Honoured Sir Your most Humble Servant Elizabeth Cellier Monday the 14 th of June the Jury sent one Mr. Squire a very civil and understanding Gentleman to demand the Guinies of me we argued the Case a while and he went away very well satisfied On Tuesday morning another came that was as rough and inconsiderable and among other things he told me that the D. of B. gave them two Guinies a Man I replyed If I had been a Dutchess I would have given them five But I was a poor Woman and had been much wrong'd and to prevent further inconvenience I would not injure my Innocence not their Justice so much as to give them any thing but my humble Thanks which I pray'd him to accept of and give to them all He went away in a great heat expressing his resentment in such Language as I will not spoil Paper with This is all I can call to mind of what past at my seveeal Examinations and Tryal and I hope the judicious Reader will pardon what is either forgot or not well express'd in consideration that I was forc'd to defend my Life both against the Knights and the Dragon for in this unequal Combate there was no St. George to defend me against him but Sir C Sir J Sir R and Sir George also stood by my accuser to manage his Malice against me Yet I could not but pity those learned Gentlemen one of which would have been infinitely too hard for all these together which have been accused in this accursed Plot that so many of them should come arm'd and arrayed against me and be forc'd to blush at the weakness of their Combatant But God the Protector of Innocence hath for this time delivered me from the rage of that wicked Enemy and his Fellow-plotters But how long either my self or any other Loyal Subjects shall be secure from the like Conspiracy God only knows He sent from above he drew me out of many Waters He delivered me from my strong Enemy and from them which hated me for they were too strong for me They prevented me in the day of my Calamity but the Lord is my stay Ps 18.16 17 18. Finished Fryday July the 2 d. By Elizabeth Cellier A Postscript to the Impartial Readers ON Monday the 16 th of this Instant the Sheet F was taken in the Press and my Self and the Printer brought by Messengers before Mr. Secretary Jenkins and he caus'd us to give Bonds and Security to appear before the Lords of the Council and in the mean time not to print any further On Wednesday the 18 th I appear'd before their Lordships and testified the truth of what I had written saying I publish'd it because I would come again before their Lordships and did then accuse Sir William Waller Mansel Dangerfield and their Confederates of High Treason for endeavouring to raise a Rebellion and for conspiring against the life of his Royal Highness And proffered to make good my Charge by the Testimony of persons of Honours Persons of middle Quality and unspotted Reputation and by some of their own Companions And their Lordships were pleased to promise that we should be heard Thursday the 19 th According to their Lordships order I came to Mr. Guin the Clerk then in waiting to give security for my good Behaviour and to appear at the Kings Bench-Bar the first day of the next Term and though several good Hous-keepers proffer'd themselves he would accept of none but such as himself knew which though it was very difficult for me to obtain I was forc'd to do it After Security given he would not let me depart till I had paid 3 l. 2 s. 6. d. And though I told him that two Justices of the Peace expected me at that hour to go with them to take the Examination of a Person that then lay Sick and desired him to let me go and I would send the Mony to him as soon as I came home Yet he commanded Otterbury the Messenger to take me into custody till I paid it and I was forced to stay till I sent home for Mony and by these delays lost the Opportunity of meeting the Gentlemen and could not examine the party that day and the next he was taken Speechless as he still continues By this means I lost a most material Witness Yet doubt not but to make good my Charge if the rest may be heard I hope the Readers have not forgotten that after it had been proved before the Lords of the Council that Dangerfield stood in the Pillory at Salisbury Yet upon his single Evidence the Countess of Powis the Earl of Castlemain and other persons of considerable Quality were Committed and I was close Confined two and twenty weeks and after that Tryed for my Life June the 11 th But though Treasonable Practices have been sworn against Dangerfield by Justice Foster Justice Harvey Mr. Thomas Hill and my self Yet the Gentleman walks abroad undisturbed and daily consults with his Confederates how to act new Villanies These things make me very sensible of the great Difficulties and Discouragements I am like to meet with But I hope the God of Truth and Justice will protect me and bring me through them all and pluck off the vails and discover both Truth and Frauds bare-faced And whensoever his Majesty pleases to make it as Safe and Honourable to speak Truth as it is apparent it hath been Gainful and Meritorious to do the contrary there will not want Witnesses to testifie the truth of more than I have written and Persons that are above being made The Hangman's Hounds for weekly Pentions or any other Considerations whatsoever And though I have been two and twenty Weeks confined and two and thirty Weeks a Prisoner and my Charge and Losses much exceed a Thousand Pounds I do not yet so much fear the smell of New-gate as to be frighted for telling the Truth nor is Death so great a Terror to me but that I am still ready to seal the same with my Blood August the 21 st 1680. Elizabeth Cellier THE MATCHLESS PICARO OR A short Essay of the Fortune and Virtues of Seignior Don Tomaso Ganderfieldo alias Francisco De COROMBONA Bray a Fool in a Mortar yet he will not depart from his Folly Prov. BEing importun'd by some friends to write a Narrative of the Famous Atchievements of the Virtuoso who accus'd Me I have endeavour'd their satisfaction But upon a diligent Search I find the Records of his Worth so many and so chargable to take off that neither my Pen nor my Purse are able to perform their Request But because their Expectation should not wholly be