believe their Relations true so neither can I comprehend to what end they should invent this Story of the Closet's Door being lock'd upon my Lord seeing my Lord might as well have been said to have cut his Throat without locking the Closet What Service could they propose by this part of their Story of the Closet-door's being locked upon the Body T. The use they afterwards made of this was the end they proposed by this their Invention they strongly argued to the Truth of my Lord's self-Murder from this very Circumstance for they say Can it be thought possible that my Lord should be murdered by others when it was impossible that any should do it in the Closet and come out of it leaving the Body so close against the Door which opened inward and there was no other way but the Door out of which they could come Had this Relation therefore been true it would have been as strong an Argument of my Lord 's being a Self-Murderer as the contrary appearing by the many and gross Contradictions before observed is of his being treacherously murdered by others But as a further Argument of the Closet-door's not being locked I desire you to observe the Closet and how the Body was first seen by such as were some of the * Before â—y that 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 King â—…w the â—…dy first that went up into my Lord's Chamber after my Lord's Death was known At the beginning of this Book is the Room and Closet drawn and how the Body was first found By this you may perceive how my Lord's Legs were lying on the Threshold of the Closet-door and you find the Closet-door could not whilst the Body lay thus and it was not then pretended â—or be moved be locked this appears by what William Turner and Samuel Peck declare as they have deposed before the Lords William Turner and Samuel Peck declare that these two Informants were Servants to the late Earl of Essex at the time of his Death and bringing in some Provisions into the Tower just upon the first Discovery of my Lord's Death of which as soon as they heard these Informants ran up stairs and found my Lord's Legs lying upon the Threshold of the Closet-door G. I am now satisfied how they proposed to argue from it on their own side but the Edg of the Argument through their Disagreement and Contradictions in their Evidence hath been turned against them and wounded them to the quick T. In the third and last place I shall disprove that part of these three Mens Relations which saith that the Razor was locked into my Lord's Closet when he was first found dead Those three have all deposed or often declared That the Razor was found by my Lord's Body locked into the Closet and all three denied that there was any bloody Razor thrown out of my Lord's Chamber-Window just before my Lord's Death was first discovered to those out of the House L. If the bloody Razor was thrown out of the Window before my Lord's Death was discovered then it 's most certain it could not be found lock'd in with the Body in the Closet upon the first Discovery as by these Treacherous Varlets is deposed Pray read these Papers G. William Edwards aged about Eighteen Years declareth That being in the Tower that Morning the late Earl of Essex died and just before the Discovery of his Death viz. about Nine of the Clock the same Morning as this Informant was standing almost over against the Earl of Essex his Chamber-Window he saw a bloody Razor thrown out of the said Earl's Chamber-Window and fell just without the Pales that stood before the Door which this Informant was going to take up but just as this Informant came to take up the Razor which this Informant found very bloody there came a Maid out of Major Hawley's House and took up the Razor and then ran in with it into Major Hawley's House immediately after discovering my Lord's Death Thomas Edwards Father to the said William Edwards Sarah Edwards and Ann Edwards and Elizabeth Edwards all declare and are ready to depose That the said William Edwards the very Morning of my Lord's Death when he came home did give the same Account in substance to these Informants G. Was not this William Edwards sworn at Mr. Braddon's Trial T. Yes G. If I mistake not he did there upon Oath deny it T. 'T is very true G. How then can there be any Credit given to what one swears in Contradiction to what he hath before deposed When upon Oath he declared he saw no such Razor but it was a Story that he invented to excuse his Truanting T. I desire that you will consider when this Story was first told by the Boy viz. about ten of the Clock that morning my Lord died ☞ Now it was not then known it would be sworn that this Razor lay by my Lord's Body locked into the Closet when the Body was first found as did appear the Monday after when the Coroner's Inquisition and Bomeny's Deposition were printed and therefore there could not be any use made of this Story when first told against the Truth of my Lord's pretended Self-murder for that was possible to be true ☞ what was suggested in answer to this by a certain Gentleman who as soon as he saw what Edwards declared asked What use could be made of it and how this did appear to argue that my Lord was murdered for he further said That it might be when Bomeny came and found that Razor which he had before delivered to my Lord proved the Instrument of his Death he took it up and with great indignation threw the Razor out of the Window as we many times throw away what we have hurt our selves with To this it was answered It appeared sworn before the Coroner That as soon as Bomeny saw my Lord and part of the Razor thro' a Chink of the Closet-Door he called out to Russel that my Lord was fallen down Sick so that there was a Noise of this in the Room before ever the Closet Door was opened and consequently before Bomeny could have any opportunity to take up the Razor Whereas it here appeared by what Edwards said that all things were very quiet in the House till the Maid had taken up the Razor and the Maid first discovered my Lord's Death Upon this the Gentleman urged this no further but what he herein declared was so ready at hand as tho' he had before heard of the Razor 's being thrown out and thought this the best Salve for it As for the pretence that this Lie was invented to excuse his truanting this is very ridiculous this Boy in very great earnestness as soon as he returned from the Tower told his Mother and Sisters that the Earl of Essex had cut his Throat and thrown the Razor out of the Window this argued his simplicity Now the material part of the Story was then generally believed to be true viz. That the
all Oponents the matter is as I do humbly conceive so far detected as Circumstantial Evidence is almost capable of and those that will not be convinced of the Truth of a Murder unless positively attested demand such Proof for their Conviction as no Law requires Now that the God of Wisdom Righteousness and Truth may direct and prosper your Lordships in this and all other Vndertakings is the Humble Prayer of My Lords Your Lordships most Humble and Obedient Servant P. V. The CONTENTS p. for Page c. for Colume THE Introduction Pag. 1. Col. 1. False Reports to prejudice the Discovery p. 2. Two Orders of the Lords p. 3. c. 1. How this Case first came before the Lords p. 3. c. 2. My Lord of Essex's Commitment to the Tower p. 4. c. 2. Bomeny 's Information before the Coroner printed p. 5. c. 2. Russel and the two Chirurgeons Informations before the Coroner p. 6. c. 1 2. The Substance of what was sworn before the Coroner to prove the Self-murder p. 6. c. 2. What Monday declareth p. 6. c. 2. What Major Hawley declareth p. 7. c. 1. Bomeny Monday Russel and Lloyd denied the letting in any Men to my Lord that morning my Lord died p. 7. c. 1. The Order into which the Evidence is divided p. 7. c. 2. Do. Smith 's Evidence to prove the Papists Resolution nine days before my Lord's Death to cut my Lord's Throat p. 8 9. An Objection against this Evidence p. 9. c. 2. An Answer to this Objection p. 9. c. 2. D. Smith 's Evidence no new made Story but long since revealed p. 10 11 12. Farther Objections against D. Smith 's Evidence and these Objections answered p. 12. c. 2. p. 13 to 22. Many Reports in several Parts of England before my Lord's Death that the Earl of Essex had cut his Throat in the Tower p. 22 23. All Reports agree in the Manner how and Place where p. 23. c. 2. An Objection against the Reports p. 24. c. 1 2. An Answer thereunto p. 24. c. 1 2. F Evidence proves that the Report before my Lord's Death sets forth not only the Manner how and the Place where my Lord died but likewise the pretended Reason wherefore my Lord cut his Throat p. 22 24. An Objection against F Evidence p. 24. c. 2. p. 25. c. 1. An Answer to this Objection p. 25. c. 1 2. How the Earl's Death became so generally reported in so many Places and particularly as to Manner Place and pretended Reason before he was dead p. 26. c. 1 2. A short Inference from these Reports p. 27. c. 1. What passed the day my Lord died p. 27. c. 1. The letting in the Ruffians to my Lord just before his Death p. 27. c. 2. p. 28 29. An Objection against this Evidence p. 30. c. 1. An Answer to this Objection p. 30. c. 2. M. B. proves a great bustling between three or four Men in my Lord's Room just before my Lord's Death and one in this bustle crying out very loud and very dolefully Murder Murder Murder p. 31. c. 1. This Evidence of B. not now made but revealed by B. just after my Lord's Death p. 31. c. 1 2. The Reason that M. B. refused to depose what she knew in this Case p. 31 c. 2. p. 32. B 's Testimony confirms Loyd 's Confession p. 33. c. 1. An Objection against B 's Evidence p. 33. c. 1. An Answer thereunto Eodem The Sentinel a Confederate p. 33. c. 1 2. The D. of Y. sends the Ruffians to murder my Lord p. 33. c. 2. p. 34. c. 1. An Objection against this p. 33. c. 2. An Answer to this Objection p. 33. c. 1 2. Further Evidence of the Duke's sending the Men to my Lord's Chamber to murder my Lord p. 35. c. 1. An Objection against such Evidence p. 35. c. 1. An Answer to this Objection p. 35. c. 1. Further Evidence of these Ruffians being sent by the Duke to the Earl's Lodgings p. 35. c. 2. A further Answer to an Objection against what R. and M. declared the day my Lord died p. 36. c. 1. Major Hawley suspected to let in the Ruffians into my Lord's Lodgings p. 36. c. 2. An Objection against this p. 36. c. 2. An Answer to this Objection p. 36. c. 2. p. 37. c. 1. Sir C. sent to the Old-Baily to give notice of my Lord's Death but forgets who brought Orders from his then Majesty for his going p. 37. c. 2. p. 38. c. 1 2. Bomeny and Russel suffered to hear each others Examination before the Coroner p. 38. c. 2. Bomeny 's first Information taken by the Coroner p. 38. c. 2. p. 39. c. 1. Bomeny suffered to go from the Jury into the next Room and there to write his second Information p. 39. c. 1. Bomeny 's Information which he so wrote p. 39. c. 2. p. 40. c. 1. Bomeny 's Information which was printed by Authority is different from that which he swore to p. 40. c. 1. The Reason Bomeny 's Information was printed contradictory to what he had deposed before the Coroner p. 40. c. 2. Monday declared the day before my Lord died and confirmed it afterwards that he saw my Lord of Essex with the Razor in his Hand as soon as the Gentleman-Goaler had opened my Lord's Chamber-Door and this above two hours before my Lord's Death and long before Russel stood Warder at my Lord's Chamber Door p. 41. c. 1 2. No Razor delivered to my Lord appears by the Contradictions between Bomeny Monday and Russel p. 42 43. c. 1. An Answer to those Contradictions p. 43. c. 1. This Answer insufficient Eodem Bomeny Monday and Russel swore or declared that my Lord pared his Nails with the Razor that morning my Lord died p. 43. c. 2. This appears false p. 43. c. 2. The Closet-Door not locked upon my Lord as Bomeny Monday and Russel have sworn or declared p. 43. c. 2. p. 44. c. 1. For what Reason Bomeny Monday and Russel have sworn and declared that my Lord's Closet Door was locked upon the Body p. 44. c. 2. p. 45. c. 1. Further Evidence against the Closet Door being locked p. 45. c. 1. No Razor lying by my Lord in the Closet when my Lord was first discovered p. 45. c. 1 2. W E proves a bloody Razor thrown out of my Lord's Chamber-Window before my Lord's Death was known p. 45. c. 2. An Objection against W E Testimony p. 45. c. 2. An Answer to this Objection p. 46 47. J. L. proves this bloody Razor being thrown out as before p. 48. c. 1. An Objection against J. L 's Evidence p. 48. c. 2. An Answer to this Objection Eodem Further Evidence of the bloody Razor 's being as before thrown out of my Lord's Chamber-Window p. 49 50 51. What might occasion the throwing out of the Razor before my Lord's Death was known p. 51. c. 1. Alice Carter supposed to take up this Razor and first to discover my Lord's Death Her Defence false
of what hath been materially deposed to prove that unfortunate Lord villanously murdered and further I have several Informations taken to strengthen my Lord's Evidence in Answer to those Depositions on the behalf of the Prisoner Of all which I have had an Opportunity to take Copies by being daily conversant with that Gentleman whose Misfortunes have made him of all Men the best acquainted with this Case Sir there is hardly a Witness herein sworn but what I have discoursed neither do I believe there is any Objection can be raised against the Proof of my Lord 's being murdered but what I can sufficiently Answer All which your Authority shall command from me who rejoyce in this Occasion of serving you But I question whether it may not be thought a divulging of what a Secret Committee hath had under Examination and ought still to be kept private L. You can't but know that this Secret Committee is dissolved by the Reports being made to the House where the Depositions having been read it can no longer be thought a Secret And it being for the Interest of the Kingdom it should be published if there be any Evidence to prove this Murder I can't imagine how your communicating this matter can in the least prejudice this Cause the just Success whereof no Man living can desire with greater impatience than my self who shall its probable by your now-Assistance be able to stop the Mouths of those Gainsayers which not so much out of Malice as Misinformation seem totally to disbelieve this matter of which number Mr. O. of Grays-Inn our Friend and old Acquaintance is one he did appoint to be here precisely at this time He is now come A Grays-In Gent. Gentlemen your most humble Servant T. Sir We are both cordially yours and rejoyce you are thus opportunely come G. I hope my Company doth not hinder private Business if so I will leave you till such your Discourse is ended and then shall esteem my self happy in the Injoyment of both your good Companies T. Sir the Business we are upon you are free to hear and I do very much rejoyce in this Opportunity of making you a Convert G. In what pray Sir for if I am in any Error I hope I am not thereto so wedded but upon good Cause shewn shall readily sue a Divorce and thank you heartily for my Conviction L. This Gentleman is about giving such Reasons as will convince not me for I do already believe it but you That the late Earl of Essex was treacherously and villanously murdered G. Pish there is not the least ground for such a Belief neither hath there been any colour of Evidence for it produced to the Lords Moreover all my Lord's Relations are so firmly possessed with the Belief that the late Earl of Essex did indeed cut his own Throat that neither of them hath thought fit in the least to move in this matter but all of them wish that this Cause had never been revived because it renews the Remembrance of that sad and deplorable Accident which hath been so great a Misfortune to that Honourable Family T. Sir I perceive you have been abused in every part of your Information for your Author scarce told you one Word of Truth As for the Families not appearing in but being very averse to this Prosecution I do assure you Sir this is far from being true for no Gentleman could shew more Honour and greater Zeal in a Cause than the Right Honourable Sir Henry Capel the late Earl's only Brother hath done in this and caused some to be taken up for endeavouring to abuse the World with the Belief that he had not engaged in this matter The now Earl of Essex was not returned from his Travels when this Prosecution was renewed but as soon as he came his Lordship approved of what was done and hath been at the Charge of this Prosecution in which you may believe there hath been no small Expence there having been in this Cause such a number of Witnesses examined and so many several Committees And whereas you say there was not the least Colour of Evidence produced to the Lords Did you ever hear what Persons were sworn before their Lordships and after examined by this Honourable Committee G. Not in every particular but in part I have and in general have been informed That the Witnesses produced by that Gentleman who pretended to prove it were looked upon as altogether insufficient for that end and therefore the House of Lords upon reading the Informations in this Case taken by the Committee immediately rejected them as frivolous thereupon ordering that all such as had been taken up as suspected concerned in this pretended Murder should be discharged T. I perceive in this also you have been misinformed as to both particulars for the House of Lords upon reading what was taken by the Honourable Lords of this Committee neither rejected the Evidence as insufficient nor ordered the discharge of such as in this case were taken up but the Depositions being read before the House when three of the four Honourable Lords of this Committee were out of Town viz. the Earl of Devon the Earl of Monmouth and Lord Delamere the Earl of Bedford being the first in this Committee the House ordered all those Depositions and Examinations to be sealed up and kept by the Clerk of the Parliament till these three Lords returned and in the mean time the farther Debate hereupon to be suspended To prove all which pray Sir read this Order made Die Jovis 23o. Maii 1689. Die Jovii 230. Maii. 1689. After reading several Papers and Depositions relating to the death of the late Earl of Essex It is Ordered by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament Assembled that the Consideration of this business shall be suspended until the return of the Lord Steward the Earl of Monmouth and the Lord Delamere who were of the Committee before whom they were made and who are now in the Country in His Majesties Service And its further Ordered that the said Depositions and Papers shall be Sealed up and kept by the Clerk of the Parliament in the mean time G. Then I find my Information in this Particular false T. As to the Second That the Lords have not ordered the discharge of such as were in this Case apprehended but contrarywise that all these should be bound over by the Court of Kings Bench to appear the first day of the next Term appears by an Order of the House of Lords made the 15o. June 1689. which you may read if you please Die Sabati 15o. Junii 1689. Ordered by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament Assembled that such Persons as are now under Bayl by Recognizance concerning the death of the late Earl of Essex shall be by the Court of Kings Bench bound over to appear the first day of Michaelmas Term next G. I thank you Sir for your Information herein and it s very probable those who gave me such
is proved by Eight Witnesses L. Enough sure to one point G. If their credit be good none ought to doubt what is attested by so many L. The Scripture saith that in the mouth of Two Witnesses a thing shall be confirmed he that will doubt the truth of a Fact attested by Eight credible Persons is not to be argued with T. Pray read these Eight Informations G. W. T. declareth and is ready to depose that Wednesday being the 11th of July 1683 the second day before the Death of the late Earl of Essex one Mr. H. of Froom in Somersetshire told this Informant that the Earl of Essex had cut his Throat in the Tower. This Informant farther saith that about the 18th of the same Month of July in the Year aforesaid meeting some Clothiers then newly come from London the Clothiers declared to this Informant that the Earl of Essex had cut his Throat in the Tower Fryday before about Nine of the Clock in the morning upon which this Informant declared he had heard it from Mr. H. the Wednesday before my Lords Death This Informant farther saith that meeting the said Mr. H. soon after this Informant asked the said Mr. H. how he could inform this Informant the Wednesday before my Lord of Essex's Death that my Lord had cut his Throat in the Tower when it appeared that my Lord of Essex did not dye till Eryday morning after about Nine of the Clock Upon which the said H. answered that all concluded my Lord of Essex would either cut his Throat or be an Evidence against his Friend my Lord Russel and most believed my Lord would rather cut his Throat then turn Evidence against his Friend J. B. of Marlborough in the County of Wilts Pinmaker declareth and is ready to depose that he this Informant was at Froom about 8 in the morning about 100 Miles from London Fryday the 13th of July in the Year of our Lord 1683 and this Informant then heard at the Dolphin aforesaid that the Earl of Essex had cut his Throat in the Tower and the Person that informed this Informant then farther declared that he much feared it might go the worse with my Lord Russel which that day was to be try'd Mrs. M. declareth and is ready to depose that Thursday the 12th of July 1683 going with her Daughter into Barkshire her Daughter informed this Informant that the night before being Wednesday night a Gentleman declared it was reported one of the Lords in the Tower had cut his Throat Mr. P. H. Merchant and his Wife both declare and are ready to depose that these Informants were at Tunbridge-Wells about Thirty Five Miles from London the day of the Death of the late Earl of Essex My Lord is not known to be dead 〈◊〉 after Nine and about Ten of the Clock that very morning it was whispered nigh the Wells that the Earl of Essex had cut his Throat in the Tower but the same was soon contradicted and hushed up till Chappel was ended which was about or a little before Twelve of the Clock and then the same report was revived and so continued without any contradiction T. F. of Andover about 60 Miles from London declareth and is ready to depose that the 10th of July 1683 being the Wednesday next before the Death of the late Earl of Essex this Informant heard it reported at Andover aforesaid that the Earl of Essex had cut his Throat in the Tower and it was that same Wednesday likewise declared that the Earl cut his Throat for this reason ☜ viz. the King and Duke coming into the Tower where the Earl of Essex was a Prisoner for High Treason the Earl was afraid the King would have came up into his Chamber and have seen him but his Guilt and Shame was such that he could not bear the thoughts of it having been so ungrateful an Offender against so good a Master therefore his Lordship cut his Throat to avoid it This Informant farther saith that the same Wednesday night inquiring at the Coffee-house whether the London Letters made any mention of this he could hear of none that writ of it upon which this Informant concluded it was false though the same report continued at Andover This Informant further saith that by Friday Post he did expect a Confirmation of the same but could not upon inquiry hear of any London Letters that spoke of it upon which this Informant concluded all was false But Saturday being the 14th of July the very next day after the Earl's death this Informant was told that the Earl of Essex had cut his Throat in the Tower upon which this Informant declared he had heard the same repeating what he had as before heard the Wednesday before upon which this Informant was told that it was very strange seeing the Earl did not cut his Throat till the Friday after at or a little after Nine of the Clock in the Morning J. B. Declareth and is ready to Depose That he this Informant lay at Andover about Sixty Miles from London Thursday night the 12th of July 1683. the very next day before the death of the late Earl of Essex and as this Informant Fryday Morning about Four of the Clock was going out with the Ostler to catch his Horse the Ostler several times over-told this Informant that the night before it was reported at his Masters House that the Earl of Essex had cut his Throat in the Tower. This Informant further saith That the very same day in the Afternoon he came to his own House in Southwark in the County of Surry and was then Informed that the Earl of Essex that very Morning between Nine and Ten of the Clock had cut his Throat in the Tower upon which this Informant was much surprized having as before heard the same at Andover nigh Sixty Miles from London above Four hours before the Earl's death J. S. of Bolt and Tun Court is ready to Depose That at or before Six of the Clock that very Morning the late Earl of Essex dy'd in the Tower viz. July the 13th 1683. there came into this Informants House a Gentleman who with much concern told this Informant he had just before heard the Earl of Essex had cut his Throat in the Tower but this Informant about a Eleven of the Clock the same day being informed that the Earl was not dead till about Nine of the Clock This Inforformant was much surprized at the Report of my Lord 's having cut his Throat so many Hours before the Earl's death G. Have any of these eight been sworn before the Lords T. I have been informed by all those Eight Witnesses that they have Deposed in Substance as you have before heard This previous Report can be prov'd by many more but if these eight will not satisfie eightscore will not convince L. I think no Man can well doubt the Truth of this Report before my Lord's death thus Deposed by so many Witnesses T. Those
if he were privy ☜ then he swore to save himself if he were not privy to the designed Murder or knew any thing of it till after the fact was done then could he not but expect that the same principles backed with the same power which Murdered my Lord would have likewise destroyed him should he have declared what he knew in the matter therefore the fear of being hanged in the one case and the danger of a stab or the like in the other were powerful Arguments with this Sentinel I do grant no man upon any consideration whatsoever ought to be influenced to Perjury but yet I desire never to fall under so strong temptations You can't therefore but confess this Sentinel at the time of Mr. Braddon's Trial was under a strong prejudice to deny what he might in this case know and that for the reasons before alledged wherefore compare the circumstances of his Confession with what he afterwards declared under a great Injunction of Secresy viz. ☜ That he was troubled night and day he had confessed the letting in these men for though it was indeed true he should not have confessed Consider truth becomes not a Lye by being deny'd though upon Oath nor a Lye a Truth by being sworn Wherefore all circumstances considered you have much stronger reasons to believe Lloyd's now Confession than his former Oath But that there were some Men let into my Lord and were bustling with his Lordship just before his Death appears more clearly from this Information following which I desire you to Read. G. M. B. Declareth that a little before the Death of the late Earl of Essex was discovered this Informant was walking up before the Earls Chamber Window and hearing a very great trampling and bustle in my Lords Chamber this Informant stood still and looking to the Window of the said Chamber saw Three or Four Heads move close together and heard one in the Chamber which seemed to be one in this bustle cry out very loud and very dolefully Murder Murder Murder This Informant not then knowing it to be my Lord's Lodging nor thinking any other of this Cry than what might be occasioned by some accidental quarrel walked up towards the Chappel but not out of sight of the Lodgings and about a quarter of an hour after or less it was first cry'd out in the house that the Earl of Essex had cut his Throat upon which this Informant went down to the House and being shewed the Chamber where the Earl lay she found that was the Chamber where she saw the Men and heard the bustle and Murder thrice cry'd out as before related This Informant further saith that some few days after this telling Mr. P. and his Wife whom she then kept in her lying in of what she had seen and heard as before declared the said Mr. P. advised her not to speak of it for her divulging it in all probability would prove her ruine L. Is this Woman Sworn T. Yes and as she hath Informed me deposed the same G. But what is become of this Mr. P. T. His Information is ready which you may read G. A. P. declares that within a Week after the Death of the late Earl of Essex M. B. did give this Informant and his Wife the same Account as above related by the said M. B. and this Informant did then caution and advise the said M. B. not to reveal it lest it should prove her ruine L. Is this Mr. P. sworn T. Yes as he hath informed me and deposed the same T. This Mrs. B. was very unwilling at first to declare in this matter what she knew to be true L. Why there was no danger in the discovery upon this Revolution T. It 's true and it was not danger but what she thought her interest that would have deterred her L. Interest Is she a Papist T. No nevertheless she thought it not for her Profit this Murder should be discovered L. Certainly it 's both the duty and interest of all true Protestants that this Murder should be fully detected and I can't well foresee wherein it could be inconsistant with this Womans Interest if she were indeed a Protestant that this Barbarous cruelty should be laid open G. It may be she was afraid some Friend or Relation might be concerned T. That 's very true it was to save a Relation but not of Blood or Affinity but a Civil Parent the cruel Father of us all the late K. I mean. For the case stood thus this Mrs. B. had been Nurse to some Papists of Quality and others where that Infamous Madam Midnight Madam Wilks had been Midwife and this Mrs. Wilks had pretended a great kindness to this Nurse and had assured her she would get her into the Court to be Nurse to several Persons of Eminent Quality which this Woman thought might be much for her advantage and therefore when Mr. Braddon first spoke to her and asked her whether she was in the Tower that Morning the late Earl of Essex died she answered seeming under some surprise and disorder Yes Mr. Braddon then desired to know what she either heard or saw with relation to that unfortunate Lords death she very shortly replied Nothing whereupon Mr. Braddon who before had discoursed Mr. P. told her either she was a Liar or Unjust a Liar if she did not see and hear that which was material with Relation to my Lords Death seeing she declared the contrary just after my Lords Death to Mr. P. and his Wife or very unjust if what she had formerly declared were true and would not now reveal it she said she would have nothing to do with it and so flings up Stairs But Mr. Braddon being shortly after informed that this Woman had declared it was against her Interest this Murder should be discovered and prosecuted because it would be fixed upon King James whose return and settlement she desired for Madam Wilks had promised her as before declared and therefore seeing Mrs. Wilks would have no interest in case this Murder were discovered and so she should loose a very great Friend She was resolved not to tell what she knew nor would have any thing to do in the matter Mr. Braddon being thus informed desired once more to see this Nurse when he saw her he told her he did understand that there was somewhat which stood as a prejudice against her revealing what she knew but he declared that he would move the Honourable Committee of Lords that she might be brought to the Bar of the House of Lords and Sworn where she should either perjure her self in the concealing of what she knew in doing whereof she would not only be guilty of Perjury when sworn to discover the truth but to that Perjury would add Blood for which at the last day she must expect to answer for could she reveal any thing with relation to this Murder and stifled it she by such her silence consented to the Blood of my
Information viz. The Information of Paul Bomeny c. Saith That when my Lord came to Captain Hawley that was the 11th of July 1683 my Lord of Essex asked him for a Pen-knife to pair his Nails with as he was wont to do to which this Informant answered being come in haste he had not brought it but he would send for one and accordingly sent the Footman with a Note for several things for my Lord among which the Pen-knife was inserted and the Footman went and gave the Bill to my Lord's Steward who sent him the Provsion but not the Pen-knife and he told the Footman he would get one the next day when the Footman was come my Lord asked if the Pen-knife was come this Informant answered No but he should have it the next day and accordingly he on the 12th Instant in the Morning before my Lord of Essex was up this Informant sent the Footman home with a Note to the Steward in which among other things he asked for a Pen-knife for my Lord and when the Footman was gone about or a little after Eight a Clock my Lord sent one Mr. Russel his Warder to this Informant who came and then he asked him if the Pen-knife was come this Informant said No my Lord but I shall have it by and by to which my Lord said he should bring him one of his Razors it would do as well and then this Informant went and fetched one and gave it my Lord who then went to pair his Nails and then this Informant went out of the Room in the Passage by the Door and began to talk with the Warder and a little while after he went down Stairs and soon after came the Footman with the Pen-knife which this Informant put upon his Bed and thought my Lord had no more need of it because he thought he had paired his Nails and then this Informant came to my Lord's Chamber about Eight or Nine in the Forenoon on Friday the 13th Instant with a little Note from the Steward where there were three Lines writ but not finding his Lord in the Chamber went to the Close-stool Closet-door and found it shut and he thinking his Lord was busy there went down and staid a little and came up again thinking his Lord had been come out of the Closet and finding him not in the Chamber he knocked at the Door with his Finger thrice and said My Lord but no body answering he took up the Hanging and looked through the Chinck and saw Blood and part of the Razor whereupon he called the Warder Russel and went down to call for help and the said Russel pushed the Door open there they saw my Lord of Essex all along the Floor without a Perriwig and all full of Blood and the Razor by him And this Deponent further deposeth That the Razor now shewed unto him at the time of his Examination is the same Razor which he did bring unto my Lord and did lie on the ground in the Closet by my Lord. You find some of Bomeny's printed Informations writ in large Capital Letters and likewise some of this so writ L. I perceive it T. The first was inserted by my Lord Sunderland's Order the then Secretary of State or some under him And the third omitted for it was in the Original which you have just now read and the second was interlined by the Coroner after Bomeny had as before brought this Information to him what the Coroner interlined was as himself saith with Bomeny's Consent and truly I think very favourably of him G. I perceive that by comparing the Relation printed by Authority that next Monday after my Lord's Death with what you here declare to be the Original it materially differs for they added to it and took from it as they pleased so that this is in strictness speaking a forged Information that was printed L. As in a Deed or Bond the adding to or taking from either in Construction of Law is forging the whole So in an Information once signed and sworn to nothing can be added to it or diminished from it without being in Law a Forger of the whole G. What reason had the Secretary of State to print Bomeny's Information different from the Original T. My Lord Sunderland or some under Consident perceiving Bomeny had sworn the Delivery of the Razor and what thereupon happened to be of the Thursday the day before my Lord's Death which was not only contrary to his Instructions but a point-blank Contradiction to his Confederate Russel it was thought convenient either by my Lord Sunderland or such Confident under him that these two Informations should be reconciled in the Print how contradictory soever they were in the Original which could not be seen and compared with the Print by any but the Coroner in whose Custody they were and therefore on Friday the 13th Instant was to be by way of Forgery added to Bomeny's Informations but this done as hath been observed by an ingenuous Author on this occasion without the least Congruity either to Sense or Grammar for nothing can be more apparent than that the foregoing part of the Information relates wholly to Thursday but at last without any regard to what Bomeny had before sworn on Friday the 13th Instant is foisted in contrary to all Rules of Grammar and common Measures of Sense as well as Justice which justly esteems this printed Information forged This forged Reconciliation is done with the greatest Incongruity and Absurdness as well as Falseness imaginable and I know not whether the Folly of the Suborner for without doubt the Suborner and Reconciler in this case are the same or of the same stamp or the Perjury of the suborned in this Information be most conspicuous G. Sir I now perceive what was the reason of this Alteration or rather Forgery in this Information but as you have often observed God Almighty allots to the Knave such an Allay of the Fool that the Fool hangs the Knave up half way and in this that Observation is so Notorious that I never saw more of the Fool in the Knave in my Life Certainly this Gentleman that villanously in protection of the Murder thus turned Reconciler either did not understand Sense himself or else did believe none would read this Information that did c. T. Pray read these two Papers G. J. W. Painter saith That the very day the Earl of Essex died he went with one George Jones since dead to the Tower to discourse Nathaniel Monday concerning the Death of the said Earl and when they came to the Tower meeting with the said Monday he gave them this Account That as soon as the Gentleman Jaylor had opened my Lord's Chamber Door that very morning he the said Monday by Order went in to my Lord's Chamber and tarried there because their Orders were that one of the Warders should be in his Lordship's Chamber and the other at the Stair's Foot. And that they had this farther Order not
Earl had cut his Throat and that he should add the throwing out of the Razor when as before observed there could be no use thereof made towards the proof of my Lord's Murder is such a Suggestion as can't be supposed But as a clearer Answer to this I will now tell you how the Boy came first to deny that he saw the Razor thrown out and secondly what made him forswear it As for the first What occasioned the Boy 's first denial When Mr. Braddon went first to Mr. Edward's House which was Tuesday morning next after the Earl's Death he asked Mr. Edwards Whether his Son had seen a Bloody Razor thrown out of my Lord's Chamber-Window just before the discovery of my Lord's Death Mr. Edwards at first was surprised with the Question and wept saying He was undone if he should be turned out of his Place in the Custom-House but being pressed to speak according to the Truth he did declare what you have before heard the like did the Mother and two of the Sisters Upon this Mr. Braddon desired to see the Boy for before this Mr. Braddon never saw Mr. Edwards or his Son or any of his Family to his knowledg the Father answered He was gone to School but if Mr. Braddon would come in the Afternoon the Boy should be kept at Home and he might then discourse him which Mr. Braddon promised to do And accordingly about two of the Clock in the Afternoon went. When he came to Mr. Edwards he was told by the Mother and Sisters that the Boy had denied he ever saw any Razor thrown out Upon which Mr. Braddon inquired Whether the Boy had ever deny'd it before he the said Mr. Braddon had been there that morning To which it was answered He had not Whereupon Mr. Braddon did further enquire Whether the Boy voluntarily deni'd it or what made him do it Upon which the Mother delared That his Eldest Sister being afraid of the Consequence of this Story as soon as the Boy that day came from the School ran to him in great fury and in a threatning manner told him That several People would be hanged for what he had said and that he himself might be hang'd likewise Upon which the Child came running to her and cried out The King would hang him and immediately thereupon denied what he had before declared and so often repeated without any the least Contradiction Hereupon Mr. Braddon desired the Boy might come into the Parlour where before his Relations and others present he might discourse the Boy At first the Child could not be perswaded being afraid but at last came into the Room where Mr. Braddon before six or seven then present none of which before that day he had to his knowledg ever seen before ever he did ask the Boy whether what he had as before declared were true or false spoke to the Child to this Effect viz. Mr. Braddon Can you read William Edwards Yes Mr. Braddon Did you ever read the 5th Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles William Edwards Yes Don't you there find that there were two struck dead upon the Place for telling a Lie. W. Edwards Yes Mr. Braddon God is still the same God of Truth and a God of the same Power likewise and he knowing all things knows better than you your self whether what you declared were True or False Wherefore if it be indeed a Lie notwithstanding you have so often declared it to be true now deny it and never more own it lest for your saying that which is false God execute the same Judgment upon you and immediately strike you dead But if it be true be neither afraid or ashamed to own it Immediately hereupon the Boy confessed it was true and then declared as before related Being asked what made him deny it he answered His Eldest Sister threatned him and said the King would hang him which the Sister then likewise confessed You have here a large Account how this Boy came first to deny it and what was the Reason thereof and likewise upon what Arguments he retracted his Denial and stood to his first Confession all which will be fully proved by many Witnesses when the Matter comes under a Judicial Determination G. I am herein satisfied But how came it to pass that the Boy forswore it at Mr. Braddon's Trial T. That is the second thing to be answered This Boy was subpoena'd on the behalf of the King as well as by Mr. Braddon And as William Edwards was going into Westminster-Hall that morning Mr. Braddon was tried and before he was sworn Major Hawley at whose House my Lord died meets him and in a threatning manner told him That if he had the management of him he would have him whip'd once a Fortnight on Monday morning for seven Years together for what he had said This Child not being then above 13 Years of Age was extreamly frighted with this Threat and being so very young was more sensible of the Pain of such a Punishment than of the Sacred Obligation of an Oath and deni'd what was true to avoid what he feared he might otherwise have suffered L. It 's very natural to suppose a Child of his Age might be frighted into a false Oath being of such Years as he can't well be supposed to have that Notion of an Oath which People of riper Years may and ought to have But this argues Major Hawley to be a very ill Man thus to threaten the Boy out of his Evidence G. I have heard that this Major Hawley is a very honest Man sure he was ever heretofore esteemed very Loyal T. I have reason to believe that his old Loyalty and somewhat else hath run him into such Service as argues him not of that Character some would have him thought and of my Opinion you will be when you have heard what is said against him in this Case But as a farther Argument of this Razor 's being thrown out of my Lord's Chamber Window Pray read this Information G. J. L. aged about 18 Years declareth That as she was standing upon the high Ground almost over against the Earl of Essex's Lodgings that Morning the Earl died and a little before the Discovery of his Death she saw a bloody Razor thrown out of my Lord's Chamber Window and just before the Razor was thrown out she heard two Shreeks T. That this Girl discovered this to her Aunt the very Morning my Lord died proved by Mrs. G. and others are ready to attest the same At Mr. Braddon's Trial the Girl 's Aunt and one Mr. G. then a Lodger in her Aunt 's House deposed the same L. You have here three Witnesses sworn that this Child related this Story to her Aunt as soon as she came from the Tower. Do you doubt the Truth of what these three Persons have sworn G. I am very well satisfied these three depose the Truth but it may be this Boy might tell the Girl what he saw and so it is
but one Evidence T. It will be proved as far as a Negative can be proved That this Boy and Girl never spoke to each other till some time after the Earl's Death and the Relations of the Boy and Girl were altogether strangers to each other having never to their Remembrance heard or seen one another which might be well supposed for their Habitation was some distance from each other Mr. Edwards and his Son and Family living in Mark-Lane the Girl and her Relations at St. Katherines besides you may observe the Girl stood upon the high Ground over against the Earl's Chamber Window and the Boy in the lower Ground where the Girl stood she being but short could hardly see the Ground where the Razor fell but she declared she saw the Maid in the white Hood come thereupon out of Major Hawley's House which Description agreed exactly with that Description the Boy gave of the Maid L. Their Evidence thus agreeing can't well be doubted G. I have been informed this Maid is now reputed of a loose Character T. Admit it true she could not be so thought when she was but just past twelve Years of Age and it was then she first declared it and six Years since and more swore it Therefore her now Character can't in common Reason prejudice her then Testimony given in her innocent Chilhood and her now Testimony is but a Repetition of her former Oath Besides had this Fact been told by Persons of never so great Infamy that did appear to be altogether strangers to each other their Agreement in their Relations had given Credit to their Testimony ☜ being first reported when as is before observed there could be no end proposed by telling this Lie seeing when it was first declared it appeared not in the least inconsistent with the pretended Truth of my Lord's Self-Murder because this Razor after the Discovery out of Indignation might have been thrown out of the Window by some attending on my Lord. Now had this been sworn the next day after my Lord's Death which at the time it was first told by this Boy and Girl could not appear otherwise then this Story of the Razor 's being thrown out of my Lord's Chamber Window had fallen to the Ground and no way useful to prove the Murder But this I have already more at large insisted upon L. It 's an old and true Proverb Children and Fools tell Truth the Reason of this saying is because Children and Fools not being capable of that Invention which such as are of Years and Understanding may be supposed to have speak without design the naked Truth of the Fact. T. A farther Argument of the Truth of this is the Relation of R. and M. the two Souldiers before mentioned both which the very day of my Lord's Death declared in this particular the same with the Boy and Girl as appears by these Informations following Pray read them G. E. G. and S. H. further declare That about 11 of the Clock the very day my Lord dy'd the aforesaid R. did further say That my Lord was murdered but before his Death was discovered to any out of the House there was a bloody Razor thrown out of my Lord's Chamber-Window and that a Maid took it up and carry'd it into my Lord's Lodgings J. B. and his Wife do both further declare That the aforesaid R. M. the very day of my Lord's Death did further say That after my Lord's Murder and before his Death was known there was a bloody Razor thrown out of my Lord's Chamber-Window which a little Boy endeavoured to take up but there came a Maid out of Capt. Hawley's House and took it up and run with it into Capt. Hawley's House and then the Maid was the first that discovered my Lord's Death L. These two Witnesses agree with the Boy not only in the Main as you call it but in several Circumstances of the Story with the Boy 's Relation First in the Main that there was a bloody Razor thrown out of my Lord's Chamber-Window before his Death was known Secondly Meake agrees with the Boy that the Boy did endeavour to take up this Razor but was prevented by the Maid who forthwith carried it into Major Hawley's House And Thirdly that this Maid was the first discovered my Lord's Death G. I must confess their Agreement in their Relations gives great Credit to the Truth of their Testimony L. Was it ever yet known that four Persons ☞ some very Young and others of Riper Years and all Strangers to one another should give the same Account of a Fact in all its Circumstances and the Fact not True T. For the farther Confirmation of this Truth I shall prove by three Witnesses more it was a general Report in the Tower that morning my Lord died That the Razor was as before related thrown out of my Lord's Chamber-Window Pray read these three Papers G. I. S. declareth That this Informant was a Souldier in the Tower that very morning the late Earl of Essex died in the Tower and about eight of the Clock in the same morning this Informant was sent as one of the Guards upon the Honorable Lord Russel to the Old Baily and as this Informant was returning to the Tower with several of this Guard one in great haste from the Tower met them and said the Earl of Essex had cut his Throat and thrown the Razor out of the Window Upon which it was Answered the Earl of Essex had great Courage first to Cut his Throat and then to throw the Razor out of the Window This Informant further saith That after he came into the Tower that very morning he heard it declared by several that there was a bloody Razor thrown out of my Lord's Chamber-Window before my Lord's Death was known R. G. Declareth That he was a Souldier in the Tower that very morning the late Earl of Essex dy'd and after the Earl's Death this Informant heard it discoursed that very morning in the Tower that there was a bloody Razor thrown out of my Lord's Chamber-Window before my Lord's Death was known and it was further said That the Razor was much broken and notched which some then attributed to the fall out of the Window but others said it might be against the Neckbone L. Against the Neck-bone That 's a pretty Business indeed that my Lord should so hack the Neck-bone as to break the Razor according to the description you have before given us of the Razor T. So Ridiculous as you make this it was the very same that the Surgeon the next day said to the Jury as you will anon find L. A Surgeon either Knave or Fool a Knave if he told them what he did not himself believe and nevertheless endeavoured when upon his Oath to speak the Truth to impose upon the Jury and a Fool if he did believe it But pray read the Third Information G. R. B. declareth That he this Informant was in the Tower that very
morning the late Earl of Essex died and immediately upon the first discovery of my Lord's Death this Informant went to Major Hawley's where my Lord then lay and by the Door of the said Major Hawley's House this Informant heard several then and there declare That there was a bloody Razor thrown out of my Lord's Chamber-Window before my Lord's Death was known some then and there asserting that they saw the Razor so thrown out L. Who now can doubt this Truth thus attested and confirmed T. But to put the Matter beyond all colour of contradiction or doubt read the farther Testimony of Mr. S. S. G. S. S. farther saith That the very day Major Webster and Lloyd were taken up viz. the 21st of January last as suspected concerned in the Death of the late Earl of Essex this Informant was in the Goat-Alehouse in the Minories where the said Webster and Lloyd were then in the Constable's Custody and this Informant did then and there hear the said Webster declare That he did nothing with relation to my Lord but pull off his Cravat and took the Razor up from the Floor and threw it out of the Window Upon which this Informant asked the said Webster What hurt the Razor had done him that he should throw it out of the Window To which the said Webster replied That when he did it he was under such a consternation as he knew not what he did This Informant farther saith That upon this Confession of the said Major Webster Lloyd the Sentinel then sitting by this Informant did declare That it was indeed true that the Razor was thrown out for it was thrown out of my Lord's Chamber-Window just over the said Lloyd's Head and the Razor fell just without the Pales The said Lloyd did further say That he did observe a little Boy and the Maid of the House to struggle for the Razor but the Maid took it and ran in with it into Major Hawley's House soon after crying out My Lord of Essex hath cut his Throat and the said Lloyd declared the said Maid was the first discovered to him my Lord's Death T. As a confirmation of this viz. that this Maid was the first that discovered to the Sentinel my Lord's Death read this Information G. J. N. declareth That he this Informant went into the Tower that very morning the late Earl of Essex died and just before the knowledg of my Lord's Death this Informant went to the Sentinel that then stood at my Lord's Lodgings and asked the said Sentinel how the Earl of Essex did to which the said Sentinel answered Very well T. Observe the Sentinel at this time pretended my Lord was very well and confessed not any knowledg of his Death But proceed G. Just as this Informant had asked this Question and been thus answered he did observe a Maid run in great haste into Major Hawley's House and as the Maid was come to the Stair-foot and going up Stairs he did observe a tall black Man a Warder and another Gentleman come down Stairs from my Lord's Chamber-Wards and neither of these two spoke one word of my Lord's Death as this Informant heard who stood about six foot from the Door but the Maid ran up in great haste and immediately in as great came running down Stairs wringing her Hands and crying out My Lord of Essex had cut his Throat which Discovery was the first this Informant heard of my Lord's Death who stood as before very nigh Major Hawley's House And this Informant did observe the said Maid to have a Razor in her Hand either as she ran up Stairs or as she came running down as aforesaid L. I wish we could but know who this Warder and another Gentleman was that came down Stairs as the Maid ran up for they could not be ignorant of what was done T. By description it must be Monday for there was but two Warders in the House at that time and this description agrees not with the other as for the other Gentleman a short time may discover him G. This Confession of Lloyd as to the Boy 's endeavouring to take up the Razor but the Maid's taking it up and carrying it into the House immediately upon which my Lord's Death was discovered I find agrees with the Boy 's Relation and with what M. and R. declared the very day my Lord died L. If you will not be convinced of the Truth of a Fact attested by such positive and circumstantial Relations agreeing in their several Accounts as to the material Circumstances of the Fact as was before observed and confirmed by two of the Persons accused the last whereof in his Relation gave the same representation of the Fact as was before related by so many I say if such Evidence as this will not convince you in in this Particular it argues you are under an invincible prejudice which moral Testimonies will not remove G. I can't but acknowledg my self in this Particular satisfied as to the truth of this Razor being so thrown out as before deposed but I am altogether to seek of the Reason of this Action what should make these Ruffians to throw it out L. You have the Reason Webster himself assigned for doing it for he was asked What made him throw it out he answered He was under such a consternation that he knew not what he did T. You did before observe the scituation of the Room and Closet and how the Chamber-Window out of which the Razor was thrown was about 17 foot distant from the Closet where the Body lay therefore it 's very probable after this bloody Ruffian had murdered my Lord and blooded the Razor as the pretended Instrument of his Death they having not finished the whole Scene and laid the Razor by the Body as was intended but this Webster who threw it out standing not far from the Chamber-Window with the bloody Razor in his Hand was surprised when a Person came up Stairs of whose coming he was not aware and under this consternation as is natural to a surprise in such horrid Villanies threw the Razor out of the Window but discovered nothing of my Lord's Death and then the Maid who it's possible was the occasion of this surprise went out and took it up and as soon as she returned into the House discovered my Lord's Death as you have before at large heard related G. This seems to be probable enough L. It may shortly prove more than probable G. What is become of this Maid that carried up the Razor T. She is under Bail. G. Doth she deny it T. Yes and saith she went out of her Master's House almost half an hour before my Lord's Death was known and returned not until my Lord's Death was publick and several People in the House to see my Lord For she tells this Story That about half an hour before my Lord's Death was known my Lord's Footman came to her and told her the Warder would not open the Wicket to let in
Death these were such as prevented the Jury from making those Observations you say were natural for them to observe for the Body was stripp'd and washed and the Clothes carried away and likewise the Chamber and the Closet washed before ever the Jury saw the Body and when the Jury the next day saw the Body my Lord lay stripp'd and washed in the Chamber and covered with a Sheet L. This was very irregular and contrary to all Practices when a Body is found dead especially under the suspicion of self-Murder I say under a bare suspicion for seeing none could be examin'd in the matter to give any Account how my Lord became dead but those immediately attending on my Lord and such being strongly to be suspected as privy to the Murder if my Lord were by others treacherously taken off the Body and all things with relation to it should have remained under the Circumstances first found in and the Persons thus attending on my Lord secured apart in order to their Examination so that they might not instruct each other and agree in a feigned Story to avoid the Discovery of their most perfidious Villany T. This had been indeed natural and according to King Charles the Second's express Order but contrary to both the matter was managed according as you have heard declared The next day after my Lord's Death the Jury met and viewed the Body at Major Hawley's House under the Circumstances before related and then the Jury were adjourned to a Victualling House in the Tower to consider of their Inquisition When the Jury had the Matter thus under Examination Mr. Fisher one of the Jury demanded a sight of the Cloathes upon which the Coroner was called into the next Room and returning in some heat said It was the Body and not the Cloaths they were to sit upon the Body was there and that was sufficient L. Who was it that called the Coroner into the next Room and to whom did he there go for it 's probable this was what these Gentlemen who ever they were then in the next Room would not have inquired into so strictly I desire to know their Names T. The Coroner protests he hath forgot who called him or to whom he there went. L. Forgot I must confess I have heard of the Art of Memory but never of the Art of Forgetfulness as none are so deaf as those that will not hear so none so forgetful as those that will not remember T. You are very sharp upon the Coroner of whom I have a more charitable opinion L. Your Charity ought not to blind your Judgment Can you believe this Gentleman forgets what he hath had all the reason imaginable to remember for seeing my Lord's Death was so soon after his Death questioned this must naturally put the Coroner upon reflecting on what passed which might argue either for or against the Murder I am sure these Reflections would have naturally brought to and imprinted in his Mind this particular Passage but peradventure should the Coroner true Answer make to this Point and confess that such Gentlemen in the next Room advised him to check the Jury for their too great Inquisitives this would have look'd like making himself an Accessory in Fore Conscientiae at least after the Fact and therefore self-preservation makes him forget what otherwise he might well remember T. I must confess you have some Reason on your side but seeing the Coroner is fair in his Answers to other Questions and hath by his ingenuity in discovering what we could not have otherwise known been assisting to a Detection I do from such his fairness and readiness argue for his Innocence L. He is fair I find in his Answers to such Questions as touch not himself but when Self lies at stake he prevaricates G. It 's very probable he may at present forget what hereafter may come into his Mind and I dare say he will be ingenuous in what he knows when his Memory serves for I have heard a very fair Character of the Gentleman L. When his Memory doth serve as you call it I shall believe his Forgetfulness to be real but till then pardon me if I think otherwise G. In the mean time forbear your Censures L. From what Circumstances of the Cloaths could the Jury have had any sight into the Matter T. Had the Body lain in its first posture the Jury would have seen the print of a bloody Foot on my Lord's Stocking coming out of the Closet which would have argued that some had before been with the Body in the Closet though the contrary was then pretended by those three attending on my Lord. Secondly They would have found my Lord's Cravat cut in three pieces as the two Women that strip'd my Lord have often declared proved as followeth viz. Philip Johnson and Miriam Tovy have both deposed That Mary Johnson Wife of the said Philip Johnson hath often declared That she help'd strip the Body of the late Earl of Essex by the command of Major Hawley at whose House my Lord died and that the Neck of my Lord 's Cravat was cut in three pieces T. W. Gentleman saith That Alice Carter the very Night she was first seized as suspected privy to the Murder of the late Earl of Essex did declare That she help'd strip the Body of my Lord of Essex by the command of her Master Major Hawley and that my Lord 's Cravat was cut in three pieces G. It 's very much my Lord had not put off the Cravat or cut above it had he done it himself T. Those that attended on my Lord say my Lord had put off his Periwig and laid it upon the Shelf of the Closet that the Hairs of the Periwig might not hinder the Action L. Sure the Neck of the Cravat was a far greater Impediment and such as would have effectually hindred my Lord from doing it with a Razor the pretended Instrument of his Death This alone is a strong Argument that my Lord did not cut his own Throat as is sworn by those Treacherous Villains that attended on my Lord neither do I believe it was done at all by any Razor but with a more convenient Instrument for that purpose G. Did you ever hear with what Instrument it was done T. Yes and who besides any before named is said to be one of the Actors in this cursed Tragedy pray read this Information G. The Information of R. D. of the Parish of St. Mary-Somerset London Schoolmaster taken before me James Cardraw Esq Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex THis Informant saith That a little after the late Duke of Monmouth was routed in the West one Mr. J. E. to the best of this Informants remembrance told this Informant that it was almost Universally whispered amongst the acquaintance of Mr. John Holland formerly Servant to the Earl of Sunderland that the said Mr. Holland had confessed to one Mr. D. of his intimate acquaintance and afterward concerned
Foot distant from the Closet-door where the Body lay and no noise of my Lord's Death till after the Maid carried up the Razor which Maid thereupon first discovered my Lord's Death And as yet other Arguments of the Perjury of these perfidious Villains add the Mathematical Impossibility of the Wound seeing not above two Inches of the Razor must be without my Lord's Hand had he done it himself and yet the Wound above three Inches deep Moreover by many Eminent Doctors and Chyrurgions the Wound is thought to be naturally Impossible to have been done by my Lord himself because upon cutting the first Jugular Artery such an Effusion of Blood and Spirit would have immediately thereupon followed that Nature would not have been strong enough for to cut through the other Jugular Artery to the Neck-bone on the other side much less to make so many and so large Notches in the Razor against the Neck-bone as an old Foolish or K Chyrurgion suggested to the Coroncis Jury Wherefore by what is before observed as to the many Contradictions it plainly appears that these three as it is said in the History of Susanna Verse 61. are convicted of false Relations by their own Mouths and those other Arguments before observed are further Detections of these three Men's Perjuries It then remains as at first viz. That here is a Body found Dead by violent Hands and the manner of the Death not discovered for it can't be according to these three Mens Relations for the Reasons before observed The Conclusion that the Law makes in such Cases in this therefore holds good viz. That this Honourable Lord was Murdered by the violent and cruel Hands of barbarous and bloody minded Men. Secondly For the Proof of the Murder In this I shall first consider what is most material which passed before my Lord's Death Secondly The day of his Death And then Thirdly and Lastly After the day of his Death The First Before my Lord's Death I shall consider First The previous Resolutions by Papists to cut my Lord's Throat And then Secondly The many previous Reports before my Lord's Death that his Lordship had cut his Throat in the Tower. For the first of these D. S. declares That about nine Days before the Death of the late Earl of Essex she heard several Papists consulting together concerning the said Earl And this Informant heard them say the Earl of Essex was to be taken off and that they had been with His Highness and His Highness was first for Poysoning the Earl but that manner of Death being objected against it was then said one did propose to His Highness Stabbing the Earl but this way His Highness did not like at length His Highness concluded and ordered his Throat to be cut and His Highness had promised to be there when it was done Some few days after some of the aforesaid Persons declared It was resolved the Earl's Throat should be cut but they would give it out that he had done it himself and if any should deny it they would take them and punish them for it Secondly For the previous Reports before my Lord's Death It 's proved by eight several Witnesses That before the Earl's Death or before it could be known it was Reported That the Earl of Essex had cut his Throat in the Tower amongst the rest it was at Froome which is about an hundred Miles from London the Wednesday Morning and at the same time at Andover about Sixty Miles from London tho at neither of these Places especially the former could it then be known that the Earl was a Prisoner in the Tower his Lordship being not committed to the Tower till the Tuesday in the Afternoon All these Reports agreed in the manner How viz. cutting his Throat and the place Where viz. the Tower and which is further at Andover the Wednesday Morning before my Lord's Death it was reported not only in the manner How and place Where but likewise the pretendded Reason Wherefore was given for it was then and there said That the Earl of Essex being a Prisoner in the Tower and understanding that the K. and Duke were come into the Tower his Lordship was afraid the K. would have come up into his Chamber and seen him of which his Lordship's Guilt and Shame would not bear the thoughts and therefore he did cut his Throat to avoid it This being declared two days before my Lord's Death when it could not have been in the least fore-thought that the King and Duke would have come together into the Tower where they had not been above twice together since the Restoration I say This previous Report which so particularly cloathed this Action with the how where and wherefore clearly proves That all things were so resolved upon to be done or otherwise it is impossible it should have been reported under these three Essential Qualifications as to Manner Place and Reason before it was indeed done especially at Andover where it could not then be supposed to be known that my Lord was so much as a Prisoner in the Tower this Reason the Papists themselves gave out just after my Lord's Death Secondly What passed the day my Lord died These then attending on my Lord viz. Russel and Monday the Warders Bomeny the Servant and Lloyd the Centinel at the Door did all deny that day my Lord died that there were 〈◊〉 any Men let into my Lord's Lodgings that Morning before my Lord's Death But it now appears That there were some Ruffians a little before my Lords Death sent into his Lodgings to Murder him which they did accordingly R. M. a Soldier in the Tower that Morning my Lord of Essex was Murdered about one of the Clock that very day nigh Aldgate told B. and his Wife That the Earl of Essex did not cut his own Throat but was barbarously Murdered by his Royal Highness's Order For the said Meake declared That just before the Earl's Murder His Highness sent two Men to the Earl's Lodgings to Murder him which after they had done they threw the Razor out of the Window Likewise a Soldier that Morning in the Tower about Eleven of the Clock that very Morning my Lord died in Baldwins Gardens informed G. and H. That the Earl of Essex did not cut his own Throat but was barbarously Murdered by his Royal Highness's own Order For the said R. then declared That a little before the Earls Murder his Royal Highness parted a little way from His Majesty and then two Men were sent into the Earls Lodgings to Murder my Lord which when they had done they did again return to his Highness Mr. E. declares That he saw his Royal Highness just before the Earl's Death part a little from his Majesty and then beckoned to two Gentlemen to come to him who came accordingly His Highness thereupon sent them towards the Earl of Essex 's Lodgings and about a quarter of an hour after this Informant saw these very two Men return to His Highness
and as they came they smiled and to the best of this Informant's hearing and remembrance said The Business was done upon which His Highness seemed very well pleased and then went to His Majesty to whom the news was immediately brought That the Earl of Essex had cut his Throat Lloyd the Centinel at my Lord's Door the day my Lord dyed till the 21st of January last did deny the letting in of any men and Russel and Monday still deny it but now Lloyd doth confess That just before my Lord's Death two or three Men by Major Hawley's special Order were let in and immediately he heard them as he did suppose they were go up stairs into my Lord's Room where there was a very great bustle and stir so great that this Centinel declared he would have forced after them had not the first Door been made fast upon the bustle he heard somewhat thrown down like the fall of a Man which he did suppose was my Lord's Body soon after which it was cryed out My Lord of Essex hath out his Throat Here is not only these mens going in but a great bustle confessed immediately thereupon to ensue in my Lord's Room and the Body of a Man in this bustle to be thrown down this is in a Close Prisoner's Room where no one is admitted but his Servant and those that kept the Door deny'd upon Oath that any were in my Lord's Chamber that Morning my Lord died before his death But these Warders being supposed privy to the Fact would not own the admitting of those Men which themselves let in with such a murtherous Design and it is to be presumed that this Centinel was not a stranger to the matter but enjoined to secrecy for otherwise he would never have declared to a Friend under a repeated request of secrecy that this Confession as before laid upon his Conscience and troubled him night and day for tho' it was indeed very true that he did let in these Men it was what he should not have confessed This Confirmation to his Acquaintance under a great and repeated injunction of secrecy argues first That this Confession was indeed true And Secondly That there is some cursed Confederacy it's probable by Oath entred into to stifle this Murther for what other probable Reason can be assigned for that trouble of Conscience in this Confession ☜ seeing himself at the same declared it was true tho' he should not have said it There are some other Arguments that this Sentinel was particeps Crimines in the Privity first his Retraction in part of what he did confess for upon his being first apprehended he owned the throwing out of the Razor before my Lord's death was known but he now retracts and disowns it Another Instance of his Privity is his now prevaricating in his now pretending that these men were let in an hour or more before my Lord's death whereas at first he declared they were let in immediately before my Lord's death for as soon as let in he heard several go up stairs into my Lord's Room and heard the bustle c. as before A third Argument of this Centinel's Privity is his not declaring the whole Truth which he must know for one at a greater distance that saw these Russians as they were bustling with my Lord and heard the bustle did likewise hear one of these in the bustle as it seemed to be and therefore presumed to be my Lord cry out very loud and very dolefully Murther murther murther The Centinel who could hear the trampling or indeed the very walking in my Lord's Chamber could not but hear this Murther so loud and often repeated It appears by five Cuts in my Lord 's Right Hand viz. two upon his Fore-finger ☞ one upon upon the Fourth Finger another on the Little Finge and the fifth about two Inches long in the Palm of his Right Hand that his Lordship in this bustle made great resistance for these Cuts can be supposed to be done no otherwise than by endeavouring to put off the Cruel Instrument of his Death The next thing that I should observe which happened the day my Lord dy'd and gives us reason to believe the Murther is the Irregularities committed upon the Body before the Jury saw the Body the Body was stript and washed and the Room and Closet washed and my Lord's Cloathes carried away tho' all men know the Body should have remained in its first posture till the Coroner's Jury had seen the Body Sir T. R. as himself saith declared to the Lords That the Body was not stirred from its first posture till the next morning about Ten of the Clock to this Sir Thomas hath not sworn for he was not sworn before the Lords and it s well he hath not ☞ for herein he is so much mistaken that the contrary can be proved by almost twenty Witnesses Had the Body remained in its first posture by my Lord's Cravat's being cut in three parts the Jury would have plainly seen that his Lordship could not so do it with the Razor and then secondly they would have perceived the print of a bloody Foot upon my Lord ☞ as he lay in the Closet by which it appeared some one had been with the Body in the Closet and several other Material Circumstances might have been discovered which by the total illegal alteration of the Circumstances of the Body c. were destroyed About Three of the Clock in the Afternoon that day my Lord died some of those bloody Men who had been at the Consult met at Homes's House and one of them leaped about the Room as overjoyed and as the Master of the House came into the Room he strikes him upon the Back and cry'd the Feat was done or we have done the Feat upon which the Master said is the Earls Throat cut to which the other replied Yes and farther said he could not but laugh to think how like a Fool the Earl of Essex looked when they came to cut his Throat To destroy the Testimony of this D. S. Homes hath produced Two Witnesses who by many Witnesses appear to be forsworn in every part of their Depositions His Defence being false his Charge therefore may be concluded true Thirdly and Lastly What past after the day of my Lord's Death That very Morning several Soldiers which were presumed able to discover what was material with relation to my Lord's Death were called together as M. then said and enjoined to secrecy under very severe Penalties About Ten of the Clock in the Morning the next day after my Lord's Death the Jury met and were surprized to see all the Circumstances of my Lord's Body changed from what was first discovered After the Jury had seen the Naked Body at Hawleys the Coroner adjourned them to a Victualling-House in the Tower when one of the Jury demanded a sight of the Cloathes but the Coroner was immediately called into the next Room from which returning to the Jury
would get one the next day When the Footman was come my Lord asked if the Penknife was come this Informant answered No but he should have it the next day and accordingly he on the 12th instant in the morning before my Lord of Essex was up this Informant sent the Footman home with a Note to the Steward in which amongst other things he asked for a Penknife for my Lord and when the Footman was gone about or a little after eight of the Clock my Lord sent one Mr Russel his Warder to this Informant who came and then he asked him if the Penknife was come this Informant said No my Lord but I shall have it by and by to which my Lord said that he should bring him one of his Rasors it would do as well and then this Informant went and fetched one and gave it my Lord who then went to pare his Nails and then the Informant went out of the Room into the passage by the Door ☜ on Fryday the 13th instant and began to talk with the Warder and a little while after he went down Stairs And soon after came the Footman with the Provisions and brought also a Penknife which this Informant put upon his Bed and thought my Lord had no more need of it because he thought he had pared his Nails And then this Informant came up to my Lords Chamber about Eight or Nine in the Forenoon on fryday the 13th instant with a little Note from the Steward but not finding his Lord in the Chamber went to the Close stool Closet Door and found it shut and thinking his Lord was busie there went down and staid a little and came up again thinking his Lord had been come out of the Closet and finding him not in the Chamber he knocked at the Door with his Finger thrice and said My Lord But no body answering he took up the Hanging and looking through the Chink he saw Blood and parts of the Rasor whereupon he called the Warder Russel and went down to call for help and the said Russel pushed the Door open and there they saw my Lord of Essex all along the Floor without a Perriwig and all full of Blood and the Rasor by him And this Deponent further deposeth that the Rasor now shewed to him at the time of his Examination is the same Rasor which he did bring to my Lord and which did lye on the Ground in the Closset by my Lord. The Information of Thomas Russel one of the Warders of the Tower who had the Custody of the Earl of Essex taken the Fourteenth day of July Anno Regni Caroli Secundi Dei gratia Angliae Scotiae Franciae Hiberniae Regis Fidei Desensoris c. Tricesimo quinto Annoque Domini 1683. SAith That on Fryday the 13th instant about Eight or Nine of the Clock in the Forenoon he was present when he did hear the Lord of Essex call to his Man Mr. Bomeny for a Penknife to pare his Nails and then for a Razor which Mr. Bomeny brought him and then my Lord walked up and down the Room scraping his Nails with the Razor and shut the outWard door Mr. Bomeny half a quarter of an hour afterwards not finding my Lord in his Bed chamber ☞ went down Stairs again believing that my Lord was then private in his Closet Bomeny came up about a quarter of an hour afterwards and knocked at the Door Note then called My Lord My Lord but he not answering peeped through a Chink of the Door and did see the Earl of Essex lying on the Ground in the Closset whereupon he did cry out that my Lord was fallen down sick and then the Informant went to the Closet Door and opened it the Key being on the out-side and then did see my Lord lye on the Ground in his Blood and his Throat cut The Information of Robert Sherwood of Fanchurch-street Chyrurgeon taken the 14th day of July Anno Regni Caroli Secundi Dei gratia Angliae Scotiae Franciae Hiberniae Regis Fidei Defensor c. Tricesimo quinto Annoque Domini 1683. SAith that he hath viewed the Throat of the Earl of Essex and does find that there is a large Wound and that the Aspera Arteria or Wind-pipe and the Gullet with the Jugular Arteries are all divided of which wound he certainly dyed The Information of Robert Andrews of Crutchet-Fryars Chyrurgeon taken upon Oath the 14th day of July Anno Regni Caroli Secundi nunc Regis Angliae c. Tricesimo Quinto Annoque Domini 1683. SAith That he hath viewed the Throat of the Lord of Essex and does find that it was cut from the one Jugular to the other and through the Wind pipe and Gullet into the Vertebres of the Neck both Jugular Veins being also quite divided Upon these Informations the Coroners Jury found my Lord Felo de se The substance of these Informations in short is That my Lord of Essex called for a Penknife to pare his Nails but the Pen-knife not being ready his Lordship required a Razor which was delivered him with which Razor his Lordship retired into his Closet and Lock'd himself in but soon after the Closet door being opened my Lord was found with his Throat cut through both Jugulars and Arteries to the Neck-bone and the Razor as before delivered lying by him Nathaniel Monday the other Warder on my Lord at the time of his Death now declares that assoon as my Lord of Essex's Chamber Door was opened by the Gentleman Jaylor about Seven of the Clock that morning my Lord died he stood Warder upon my Lord till about a quarter of an hour before my Lord was found dead and then he called up Russel and left him at the Door and then went down Stairs where he had not been a quarter of an hour before Bomeny cryed out My Lord is fallen down sick whereupon he ran up Stairs and found Bomeny and Russel endeavouring to open the Closet Door but neither could stir it because my Lords body lay so very close and strong against the Door wherefore he being stronger than either Bomeny or Russel put his Shoulder against the Door and thrusting with all his might broke it open Major Hawley at whose house my Lord was Murdered saith That about Five of the Clock that Morning my Lord died he went out to open the Tower Gates according to the duty of his place and came not home nor nigh his own house till about Nine of the Clock Note when Monday the Warder came to him and told him my Lord of Essex had cut his Throat whereupon Hawley going home found it true and immediately thereupon went to his Majesty Charles the Second then in the Tower and did inform his Majesty of the same Bomeny Russel and Munday and likewise Lloyd the Sentinel at my Lords Lodgings that Morning my Lord dyed Note did ever deny till January last that any men were let into my Lords Lodgings before his
Death any time that Morning my Lord dyed The two first upon their Oaths denied it before the Coroner and Bomeny Russel and Lloyd did at Mr. Bradon's Tryal pag. 55 56 57 upon their Oaths declare that no men were let into my Lords Lodgings that Morning my Lord dyed before my Lords Death was known Monday and Russel still persist in their denial of any mens being let into my Lord before his Death that Morning my Lord dyed This is the state of the Case as it was represented by those that were immediately attending upon my Lord at the time of his death I shall not in this place make any Observations upon the several Contradictions and Incoherences of these Relations nor yet say what is prov'd to falsify all that hath as before by these been declared and sworn but shall leave this to a more proper place and shall in my method begin with such things as were first in order of time The Informations and Examinations in this Case taken are nigh Sixty I shall range them in this order I shall place those First That have relation to what passed before the day of the death of the late Earl of Essex Secondly That that relate to what passed the day of his death And in the third and last place such as have relation to what was subsequent to the day of his death upon hearing all which I doubt not but fully to convince every unprejudiced person L. Such I am I do assure you for it s neither my interest nor desire that this Murder if such indeed it were should not be detected but I do heartily wish all such of whatsoever quality sex or condition as stood concerned in contriving privy to or acting in this Murder may be brought to condign punishment G. If this be proved to be a Murder I shall always think it the most villanous that was ever acted on our Stage and as soon as I shall be throughly convinced hereof shall as heartily desire with you that all Actors and Abetters herein may receive according to their demerit And indeed I shall hardly think any punishment too severe for such an Act or any thing too ill to be thought of any who were in the least concerned in this treacherous complicated Murder in Person and Reputation if it be proved to be any But pardon me if I think it not true but invented by heretofore Disloyal and Disaffected Men to raise an aversion against the most Unfortunate among Princes who was treacherously I had almost said Treasonably deserted by his Souldiers as well as others in the midst of the greatest dangers We have had much noise of this pretended Murder and as some falsly call it of the Murder of Charles the Second of the supposititiousness of the Birth of the Prince of Wales and of the Private French League but all this hitherto hath been but talk and I now think as I ever did there is not any good grounds for the belief of either for if there had we should long since for the Vindication of what is past which I shall forbear to call by its proper Name have had it made more publick T. Bona verba quaeso not this great heat G. But Passion is very natural to every honest Man that had any sparks of true Loyalty upon such Reflections as these T. Passion serves not but prejudices an Argument and generally speaking where there is the most Passion there is least Reason G. I will endeavour for the future to be more calm L. I shall tell you at our next meeting what I have heard concerning the Death of Charles the Second and the Birth of the pretended Prince of Wales and its probable may inform you in both of what you may have never heard nor as yet made publick by any but I desire not any longer to detain this Gentleman from proceeding in his intended Method G. I beg both your Pardons for this Heat and Interruption and I do impatiently wait to hear what can be said T. I shall proceed and First as for such Informations as have relation to what passed before my Lord's Death these are of two sorts the first proves a Resolution by Papists several Days before my Lord's Death to cut my Lord's Throat The Second Many Reports in several parts of England before my Lord's Death that the Earl of Essex had cut his Throat in the Tower. For proof of their previous Resolution to cut my Lord's Throat pray read this Paper which I have taken for my own satisfaction and the Information of some Friends from the Person 's own Mouth G. D. S. saith That a little before the Death of the late Earl of Essex as she was Servant in the House of one Mr. Holmes a Papist then living in Baldwins Gardens about Nine Days before my Lord's Death some Papists among which one Mr. Lovet whom this Informant knew met in her said Masters House she being then in the Kitchin with one W. A. then Apprentice with the said Mr. Holmes the said W. A. went a little up stairs and stopping beckoned to this Informant to come to him which this Informant accordingly did but the said W. A. soon went up stairs into the Garret as this Informant supposes to work and left this Informant on the Stairs and this Informant heard the aforesaid Papists discoursing in the Room just over the Kitchin concerning the said Earl of Essex and the substance of what she then heard was to the Effect following viz. one of them cursing the said Earl called him Villain and Dog or such with several such approbrious Terms saying He knew so much of their Designs Note and was so very averse to their Interest that unless he was taken off they should never carry them on Upon which it was then answered by another That they had been with his Highness and his Highness was for Poysoning the said Earl but his Highness was told that manner of Death would not look well to the World it was then also declared that one had proposed to his Highness Stabbing the Earl but that was likwise not agreed on at length his Highness concluded and ordered his Throat to be cut and his Highness had promised to be there when it was done but this Informant remembers not any Place mentioned where the Earl's Throat was to be cut This was the Substance of what this Informant heard the first meeting But about three Days after some of the aforesaid Persons met again at the said Mr. Holmes's House and this Informant listned as before to their Discourse and heard one of them say That the cutting the Earl's Throat was agreed on but they would give it out That he had done it himself and if any should deny it they would take them up and punish them for it This Informant further saith That being much troubled in mind for what she had heard as above related she was willing to have discovered to some Justice of Peace what she
man speaks of an action to be done about such a Year Month or Week certainly in common acceptation about a Year includes either the very Year or the Year before or after and about such a Month either the very Month or the Month before or after c. G. I am herein satisfied now this Information of D. S. thus strengthened would alone convince me of the truth of my Lords being Murdered were it not that I had heard some Informations read in the Court of King's Bench upon a Motion made for the Bailing of Mr. Holmes which with me and indeed with all men must totally destroy the Credit of this pretended Consult If I mistake not those Informations proved this D. S. for suspition of Theft to have been turned out of Mr. Holmes's Service in April before my Lords Death whereas she Swears her self a Servant with Holmes at the time of my Lords Death which was July the 13th I remember not the Names of these Deponents but I am almost possitive this was what was sworn and if I mistake not there was somewhat else deposed by a Countrey Parson which in some other particulars contradicted D. S's Information T. I will herein arm you against my self and produce you Copies of these Informations you speak of The first is of one Dorothy Hewit Sister in Law to Mr. Holmes a very violent Papist and otherwise not of the best Reputation The second is of one Elizabeth Christopher once reputed of a very loose Character And the third of Nathaniel Swan Clerk to whose Character I shall speak in a more proper time and place These are the names of the Informants and here are the Informations which you may read if you please G. Dorothy Hewit of Hatton-Garden in the County of Middlesex Widdow maketh Oath That one Dorothy now called by the name of Dorothy Smith was Servant to William Holmes of Baldwins Gardens in the County of Middlesex Varnisher and Brother-in-Law to this Deponent and lived with the said William Holmes as his Maid Servant about the space of a Month and went away from the said Service in the Month of April ☞ in the Year of our Lord 1683 and was turn'd away upon suspition of Stealing a Silver Spoon for which the said William Holmes's Wife refused to pay her any Wages and after a long dispute the said Mr. Holmes did detain 4 s. and 6 d. or 5 s. for satisfaction of the said Spoon upon which the said D. in the presence and hearing of this Deponent did give the said Mrs. Holmes very opprobrious Language and declared that she would be reveng'd of her or words to that effect And about Two or Three days after the said Dorothy was turned away as aforesaid one Elizabeth Cadman came into her place and lived with the said William Holmes for the space of Nine Months and upwards And this Deponant further maketh Oath that the 6th day of July in the said Year of our Lord ☞ 1683 this Deponent went with the said William Holmes from the said William Holmes's House into the Country and went that day to Wickam in the County of Bucks and the next day went to the City of Oxford where this Deponent and the said William Holmes continued till the 9th day of the said July and the said 9th day this Deponent and the said William Holmes went from thence to Alderminster in the County of Worcester to the house of one Mr. Nathaniel Swan Minister of the said Town and continued there till the 23d day of the said Month of July and then returned towards London and came to London the Six or Seven and Twentieth of the said Month of July 1683. Elizabeth Christopher late Elizabeth Cadman now Wife of John Christopher of Winford Street near White-Chappel Clothworker maketh Oath That she this Deponent was Servant to and lived with William Holmes Varnisher from the Month of April ☜ in the Year of our Lord 1683 which said Mr. Holmes then lived in Baldwins Gardens in the County of Middlesex and is now a Prisoner in the Gaol of Newgate and that this Deponent continued his Servant as aforesaid and lived in his House from the said Month of April for the space of Nine Months and upwards then next following and that there was not in that time any other Female Servant living with the said Mr. Holmes And this Deponent farther maketh Oath That the said Mr. Holmes in or about the beginning of the Month of July then next following did go into the Country with Mrs. Dorothy Hewit Widdow his Wives Sister and continued absent for about Three Weeks and she this Deponent hath heard the said Mr. Holmes his Wife and Sister declare that they went into Worcestershire and in their absence this Deponent did hear of the Death of the late Earl of Essex in the Tower of London Nathaniel Swan of Alderminster in the County of Worcester Clerk maketh Oath ☞ That about the 9th day of July in the Year of our Lord 1683 William Holmes of Baldwin's Gardens in the County of Middlesex Varnisher now a Prisoner in Newgate London with and in the Company of Dorothy Hewit of Hatton Garden in the said County of Middlesex Widdow Sister-in-Law to the said William Holmes and Grand-daughter to this Deponent came to this Deponents House in the said Town of Alderminster and continued there with this Deponent till about the Three and Twentieth day of the said Month of July 1683 and then departed thence towards London G. What can you say in Contradiction to these Depositions either of which being true your pretended Consult falls down to the ground and your first Evidence proved false Of the same nature are I believe all the rest though they may not be so happily detected as this Smiths Evidence is by these Depositions L. I believe these Depositions will be of but little service to you because your Adversary did so readily furnish you with them I am therefore apt to think he may be able to destroy the credit of these as these seem to do the credit of Smiths And if it shall appear that these Informations are false such a detection will add great force to the credibility of Dorothy Smiths Deposition for whosoever flies to Lyes for a Defence hath nothing of truth and innocence for protection G. I must confess there cannot be a greater Argument of Guilt than a false defence seeing every man in his defence doth virtually conclude If my Defence be false my Charge is true L. The Law concludes the same in all Civil Actions for instance he that is sued upon a Bond and Pleads non est factum or solvit ad diem or a Release or a former Recovery c. Whatsoever such general Issuable Plea is pleaded and the Plaintiff denies this Plea to be true and thereupon the truth hereof being tryed if what is pleaded appears false the Law immediately gives Judgment against the Defendant for it s to be supposed
she saw the said D. in Baldwins Gardens whilst the said D. was as she then declared a Servant to the said Mrs. Holmes The Information of E. M. E. M. Wife of R. M. of Vine-street in Hatton Garden Pavier deposeth That in July 1683. she lived next Door to Mr. Holmes's in Leopards Alley in Baldwins Gardens and she knew D. S. to be a Servant in the House of the said Mr. Holmes in the same Month of July 1683. Note after the Death of the late Earl of Essex but this Deponent knoweth not how long the said D. S. tarried with the said Mr. Holmes a Servant This Deponent further deposeth That the said D. S. in the same Month of July 1683. told this Deponent that her Mistress had lost a Silver Spoon and told her she should pay for it Whereupon this Deponent said it was well if the right Owner had not mislaid it to make her pay for it or Words to that effect This Deponent farther deposeth That the said D. S. remained a Servant with the said Mr. Holmes several days after the said Spoon was lost L. Here are five Depositions against your two and unless these five appear to be of very infamous Characters Mrs. Hewit and Christopher deserve a Pillory for swearing falsely in Protection of Murder What is sworn by these five seems very natural because most agree in this That D. S. was a Servant with Holmes in that time of the year when Green Pease were very plenty and cheap Now this is a natural Evidence that it was long after April for all men know Pease are not then a Groat a Peck nor indeed to be had for any Price G. These Depositions contradict Hewit and Christopher as to that part which proves D. S. to go from Mr. Holmes in April but how do you prove Mr. Holmes was in Town the 13th of July 1683 seeing Mr. Swan as well as Hewit prove him in the Countrey T. As for Mrs. Hewits Deposition in that point it is of no credit at all for if it be once disproved in any particular as I think it sufficiently is the credit of the whole is destroyed for perjured or foresworn in one thing believed in nothing But seeing Mr. Swan which by the way is fallen into ill Company in this his Evidence deposeth That Holmes came to his House about the 9th of July 1683 and tarried till the 23d Mr. Swan hath sworn very indeffinitely as to the first part for what allowance he will have made for about I can't imagine if he thinks reasonable that about shall include the 16th seeing the time is so long past to which he swears this objection falls of it self but if the Parson will be more certain and depose that Mr. Holmes was at his House before the 13th of July 1683 and tarried there till the 23d then will his Oath be some Objection which otherwise is none Nevertheless it appears by the Informations following that Mr. Holmes did not go into the Countrey with Mrs. Hewit till D. S. left Holmes's Service and it is Sworn by E. M. that D. S. did not leave Mr. Holmes's Service till after my Lord's Death therefore according to these Informations Holmes did not go into the Countrey till after the Death of the late Earl of Essex Pray read this Information G. W. A. Declareth and is ready to Depose that whilst D. S. was Servant to Mr. Holmes in the Year of our Lord 1683 this Informant being then Apprentice to the said Mr. Holmes remembers that Mrs. Holmes pretended she lost a Silver Spoon but this Informant saith that the said D. S. was not immediately hereupon turned away for she tarried sometime after to the best of this Informants remembrance about a Fortnight This Informant further saith That Mr. Holmes did not go his Journey into the Countrey with Mrs. Dorothy Hewit until after the said D. S. left his Service But this Informant at present can't be possitive what Month the said D. S. went from Mr. Holmes's Service T. This Information doth further prove that the said D. did remain a Servant with Holmes some time after this Spoon was loft W.A. is ready to depose that a little before D. S. left Holmes 's Service she was taken with Fits and in her Fits would cry out The Papists are Bloody People The Papists are Bloody People several times over repeating it D. S. saith that the fright she was in when she first heard of my Lords Death brought upon her those Fits. and was not immediately turned away as was pretended by Hewit But a stronger Evidence to prove Hewit in Town whilst she swears she was with Mr. Holmes in the Countrey then any you yet heard is a Taylors Book ready to be produced by which it appears that Mrs. Hewit had a Dust-Gown a peculiar Riding upper Garment made for her the Week next after she swore she went out of Town this Gown was made the Week my Lord Died the Gown appears to be made about the Wednesday which was the 11th of July the second day next before my Lord's Death but the Taylor can't be possitive what day of this Week he did deliver this Gown to Mrs. Hewit The Taylor 's Information is as followeth J. W. of St. Dunstans declareth and is ready to depose that in July 1683 he lived in Poppins Alley nigh Fleetstreet very near Mrs. Dorothy Hewit and often wrought for the said Mrs. Hewit and between Menday the 9th of July 1683 and Monday the 16th of the fame Month and Year this Informant made or caused to be made a Dust-Gown for the said Mrs. Hewit as appears by this Informants Book ready to be produced and the very same Week viz. between Monday the 9th of July 1683 and Monday the 16th of the same Month and Year but in the very Day this Informant is not certain this Informant carried the said Dust-Gown to the said Mrs. Hewit who did then pretend she was about going into the Countrey but how long after the Dust-Gown so delivered the said Mrs. Hewit did go into the Countrey this Informant knoweth not T. This entry before my Lord's Death is so clear an Argument of the falcity of Holmes's Defence L. And consequently of the truth of his charge T. That there can't be a more satisfactory Evidence in this part produced G. How came this entry to be found out T. When Mr. Braddon found that Holmes endeavoured to prove as before sworn by Hewit himself out of Town from the 6th of July 1683 to the 26th or 27th of the same Month Mr. B. did endeavour to enquire out all such as either Mr. Holmes or Mrs. Hewit were well known to or traded with and therefore he made inquiry after all those with whom in that Month and Year they bought of or sold to all Shopkeepers Taylors Butchers Fishmongers Shoemakers Hatters c. and such as upon inquiry he received such Characters of as he might expect fair satisfaction from he did
Humane Law reach him not the Divine Law-giver will one day lay it to his charge as consenting to this Blood. G. This Doctrine I do not well understand L. The Doctrine I think is both true and plain and I will give you an instance somewhat like this A Gentlman such a day very early in the morning was found Murdered between London and Highgate with one Glove lying by the Body and not any Person at the first by his Relations particularly suspected for the Murderer at length upon diligent Inquiry it was found out about Two Months after the Death that a certain Gentleman had sworn he would Murder the Deceased if he could ever meet with an opportunity Upon this suspition he was taken up the Prisoner denies the fact and in particular saith that he could make it appear by two then present how that two days before this Murder he went to Salisbury and tarried there till Ten days after and such a day he with his Two Friends return'd to London which Two Friends being then there declared they were ready to Depose the same A Gentleman just then coming in who knew and was very well acquainted with the Prisoner having been inform'd of his Defence immediately reflected upon this Defence and knew it to be false for this Gentleman with three others all knowing the Prisoner very betimes the very morning the Murder was committed which was of a remarkable day were walking out in Lambs-Conduit Fields there and then met the Prisoner with another Person a Stranger to them to whom they spoke and he to them and a little after the Prisoner was his Spaniel running with a Fringe Glove in his Mouth this Gentleman being well known to the Dog calls the Dog and takes from him the Glove puts it in his Pocket and carries it home This Gentleman therefore knowing this Defence to be false concluded as he naturally might that the charge was true and hereupon though with some reluctancy because the Prisoner was his acquaintance but not dearer to him then his love to Justice declares what you have before heard and fetches the Glove and his two Friends and all depose in contradiction to the Prisoners Defence what you have before heard related and the Glove appeared to be the Glove of the Person Murdered and Fellow to that found by the Body And now I desire to know of you what you think of this Gentleman who thus falsified the Defence did he do the duty of an honest man. G. Truly I believe he did and was to be commended for so doing though the Prisoner was his Acquaintance for Justice obliged him to it and Iustice knows neither Acquaintance Relation or Friend T. But do you not think that this Gentleman in foro Conscientiae had been consenting to this Murder had he suffered the Prisoner by such a forged Defence which he well knew to be false to baffle the Prosecution G. By his silence he would have consented to the Murder and negatively at least protected the Prisoner from that just Punishment which both the Law of God and Man justly inflicts for such an offence T. Upon the whole matter I think you have rather lost then got any ground by those Depositions upon which you so much rely'd to falsify D. S. Testimony and that which you have brought to destroy hath strengthened her Evidence and consequently gives credit to the truth of that most Barbarous Murder L. For my own part I am very well satisfied that D. S. hath deposed the truth for how can it be thought that she should declare so long since that she knew of this Consult if she had not indeed heard it her very saying it would have gone nigh as it would then have been managed per fas aut nefas to have cost her life and to believe that she would hazard her life to a Lye can't enter into my thoughts And therefore I am verily perswaded that nothing but the power of truth made her speak in this matter G. It appears sworn by Hewit that D. S. threatned Mrs. Holmes with Revenge when she was turned away L. For this you have the Oath of one who is sufficiently detected of a falsity in two other particulars and therefore not in this or any thing else to be credited T. Had she designed any Revenge she would have sworn more home upon Mr. Holmes for when she was asked whether she did remember that Mr. Holmes was in the Room either of the Two Meetings before my Lord's Death she declared she would not swear it because she remembred not that she had heard him there but all that she could positively swear against him was what passed after my Lord's Death viz. When Mr. Holmes came into the Room about Three of the Clock that day my Lord dyed one strikes him upon the Back and crys we have done the feat upon which Mr. Holmes said What is the Earls Throat cut to which the other replied yes and further said he could not but laugh to think how like a Fool the Earl looked when they came to cut his Throat upon Holmes's Question it was plain he well understood the meaning of that expression the Feat was done or otherwise he could not so readily have hit the thing G. Can it be supposed Mr. Holmes would at Three of the Clock that day my Lord Dy'd ask whether my Lord's Throat was cut when it had been from Eleven of the Clock that day in every mans mouth and consequently Holmes could not but believe without any further inquiry at that time of the day L. What Holmes here spoke by way of Interrogation might be intended as a strong affirmation of what seemed to be asked and this you can't wonder at Have you forgot that common Figure Quaerit Erotesis c. Is not this the Carpenters Son Is not this he speaking of St. Paul that destroyed them which called on his Name at Jerusalem c. in both these the thing is most strongly affirmed A Thousand such instances might be given Or it 's possible that D. S. might mistake for whereas she saith that Holmes said What is the Earls Throat cut which makes it an Interrogation the Expression might be What the Earls Throat is cut and this makes it a positive Affirmation Here the words are the very same only in the first the Copula is placed before the Subject and in the last just before the Predicate G. I must confess if either of these have sworn true or the dying man spoke truth this truth is a very strong confirmation of her Testimony and I cannot well disbelieve these Five seeing they do all so well agree in their Evidence for Five swear Smith was there about Peas time which must be after April I shall detain you no longer upon this particular but desire you to proceed T. Secondly the many reports in several parts of England before the Earls Death that the Earl of Essex had cut his Throat in the Tower. This
that Bloody Party which Murdered him both in Person and Reputation and the manner how the place wher◠and the forged Reason wherefore agreed in These Bloody minded men would without doubt from the same motives and to carry on the same end destroy as many more were it once again as much within their power as it then was only they would do it with this difference that whereas therein they did act clandestanly we must expect that hereafter they would do it in the face of the Sun and justify it But from their Cruel Power and Bloody Malice Good Lord deliver us G. I desire not to detein you any longer on this particular for I am herein well satisfied and therefore pray proceed T. I am now come to the second general head viz. what passed the day my Lord Died you may observe it was denied by Bomeny Monday and Russel the three that attended on my Lord at the time of his Death the first as his Servant and the two others as his Warders that there was any man let into my Lord's Lodgings before my Lord's Death that Morning my Lord Died the like did John Lloyd the Sentinel that Morning my Lord Died at the door of Major Hawley's House wherein my Lord lodged I shall now prove that there were some Ruffians let into my Lords Lodgings a little before his Death to Murder my Lord. Pray read this Information G. S.S. Linnen-Draper declareth and is ready to depose that the 21th of January last this Informant was at the Goat Alehouse in the Minories where John Lloyd Sentinel upon the late Earl of Essex at the time of his Death as this Informant then was informed was that day brought Prisoner being taken up as suspected privy to the Death of the late Earl of Essex This Informant further saith that he this Informant discoursed the said Lloyd concerning the said Earl's Death and the said Lloyd did for some short time often deny that he had let in any men into the Earl of Essex's Lodgings that Morning the Earl dyed This Informant perswaded the said Lloyd to discharge his Conscience to God and Man and tell what he knew with relation thereunto lest by his denial or silence he should draw the guilt of that Innocent Blood upon himself but the said Lloyd for sometime persisted in his denial and whilst the said Lloyd was denying his letting in any men into my Lord that Morning my Lord Died before his Death there was brought into the Room one Major Webster as this Informant afterwards understood him to be then Prisoner for the same matter This Informant did thereupon ask the said Lloyd whether he knew the said Webster which the said Lloyd denied and said he never saw him before in his life upon which this Informant said it was very much that the said Lloyd should not know or remember to have seen the said Webster who was his Neighbour and very notorious in the place where he lived But the said Lloyd persisted for some short time in his denial of any knowledge of the said Webster but soon after the said Lloyd took this Informant by the hand and wringing this Informant's Hand with Tears in his Eyes spoke to this effect Master I give you a Thousand thanks for your good Advice ☞ and I do now remember by special order of Major Hawley I did let in two or three men but to the best of my remembrance three into my Lord's Lodgings that morning my Lord dyed and a very short time before his death and that man pointing to Webster was one of the three Men I did so let in upon which this Informant told the said Lloyd it was very strange he should pretend that Webster was one of three Men he had let into my Lords Lodgings just before his death when the said Lloyd had a little before pretended that he never saw the said Webster before that time This Informant further spoke to the said Lloyd to this effect That as the said Lloyd was consenting to my Lords Death in case he did endeavour to stifle any truth which might tend to the Discovery of my Lords Murder so would the said Lloyd be guilty of Webster's Blood if he should charge him in this particular with a Lye for what Jury soever should believe that Webster was one of those let into my Lord just before his Death it having been by all deny'd that any were so let in would likewise believe that Webster was one of the Ruffians that Murdered his Lordship and therefore this Informant advised the said Lloyd to be very careful in the matter Whereupon Lloyd replied that he could be very positive in the Man and if he were even then to dye he could safely and truly charge him upon his Oath with it This Informant further saith that Lloyd did then further declare that as soon as he had let in those men into my Lords Lodgings he did hear several and he did suppose them to be those he so let in go up Stairs into my Lord's Chamber where there immediately ensued a very great noise and trampling and thereupon somewhat thrown down like the fall of a Man not long after which it was cried out that the Earl of Essex had cut his Throat Lloyd did further declare that he did not remember that he saw those men go out of Major Hawley's House but he did believe they might tarry some time in the House till the Croud came in upon the Discovery of my Lord's Death and then went out with the Croud L. Did any others besides Mr. S. hear this Lloyd thus confess the letting in these men T. Yes Besides Lloyd before the Justice confessed the letting in Two men into my Lords Lodgings a little before his Death as appears by the Coppy hereof The Examination of John Lloyd of Goodmans-yard in Aldgate Parish without in London Clothworker taken before John Robins Esq one of the Justices of Peace for the County of Middlesex the 22th day of January Anno Domini 1689. THis Examinant saith on the day whereon the Right Honourable the late Earl of Essex was found dead upon the suspition of having been Murdered in his Lodgings in the Tower of London he then being a Soldier was standing Sentinel at the Door of the said Earl's Lodgings and had order to let no body go up Stairs to the said Lodgings without leave from Major Hawley or the Warder then in waiting on the said Earl and that about half an hour after Eight of the Clock in the Morning of the said Day two Men to this Examinant unknown knocked at the Hatch-door belonging to the said Lodgings and by permission of the said Warder entred the said Lodgings but when they came out he can give no account and that about Nine a Clock he heard a struggling on the said Morning and a little time after heard a Crying my Lord is dead T. Read this likewise G. C. T. of the Minories Butcher declareth and is
had cut my Lord's Throat they were extreamly over-joyed and one of them striking the Master of the House upon the Back with great Joy cried The Feat was done and he could not but laugh to think how like a Fool the Earl of Essex looked when they came to cut his Throat L. These bloody Villains are the greatest Fools morally speaking for such horrid barbarous Cruelties is the highest degree of moral Folly and how like Fools and Rogues will such Blood-suckers look when they come to receive the Reward due to such Barbarity G. God's Judgments commonly overtake even in this Life that heinous and crying Sin of Murder for which the Penalty of Blood was by him expresly required in that Ancient Statute wherein it was positively enacted that Whosoever sheds Man's Blood by Man shall his Blood be shed I believe the Law in this Case will be fully executed upon all concerned or some eminent Judgments inflicted almost if not altogether as bad as the Penalty T. May no Character whatsoever be excused from some remarkable Punishment or other L. Amen T. You did object against what was sworn to be said by M. and R. because they viz. B. and his Wife and H and G. were but hear-say Evidence but I desire you to reflect upon the many such Testimonies produced to prove the high 〈◊〉 Plot in 1683. Nay read but the Evidence of Mr. Blaithwait Clerk of the Council in 1683. in Mr. Braddon's Trial pag. 22. you will there find Mr. Blaithwait being sworn on the behalf of the King against Mr. Braddon gives an Account to the Court what the young Edward's Sister declared to the Council-Board viz. That Braddon compelled the Boy to sign it the Paper the young Edward's signed this you fiud to be only hear-say Evidence and the Author the Sister then in Court but testified no such thing therefore this hear-say Evidence ought if any ought to have been rejected and yet this hear-say Evidence tho' not confirmed by the Author then upon Oath was not only admitted but ordered to be printed in the Trial in large Capital Letters how much sooner ought the Evidence of B. and his Wife as to what M. declared and of H. and G. as to R's Account be particularly remarked seeing M. and R. we cannot now produce in Court as that Author was but especially the first being presumed to be murdered by way of prevention by that bloody Party that murdered my Lord. L. We have a Maxim in our Law That no Man shall take an Advantage of his own Wrong but the Papists will totally destroy this Maxim for by the Murdering of those who know their Offences they totally suppress and destroy their Evidences and then will not admit of an Account tho' upon Oath of what these Men so murdered by way of prevention declared because it 's but an hear-say Evidence certainly if there be any Wrong Murder is such and of all Advantages by that Wrong the saving one's Life is the greatest T. Lloyd upon his first Confession could not be positive whether Major Hawley or Monday opened the House Door to the Ruffians G. It could not be Major Hawley for you said he declared That he went out of his own House at five in the Morning and returned not till after my Lord's Death so that between Five and past Nine till after my Lord's Death Major Hawley was not in his House and therefore could not open the Door to those that went in a little before Nine L. If Major Hawley did indeed let in those Ruffians I suppose you don't think he 'l own it And therefore Hawley may deny his being at Home after Five till my Lord was dead to avoid being suspected to be the Man that let them in T. Major Hawley's denial in this Case is as true as his other Denials of which you will hereafter hear to prove this denial false It is positively sworn by N. That he saw the said Major Hawley go into his House as my Lord Russel was carrying to the Old-Baily Now this was not above half an hour before the Murder committed and then whereas Hawley pretends he did not go nigh his own House after five of the Clock in the Morning till after my Lord's Death It 's contradicted by the positive Oath of one who swears That he saw Major Hawley several times a little before my Lord's Death run up thro' that Gate which is nigh and leads to his House and he would immediatly come in haste down to the Gate and peep on both sides as tho' he would see the way clear and because the Warder let in but one Man to the Tower Hawley came running to him in great fury chiding him for admitting that one L. Major Hawley's denial of what is so sworn looks as tho' he had not been thus careful in keeping all clear but for some Design which was to be done with as great secrecy as the Time and Place would admit of T. You may remember that Bo. Mo. and Ru. declar'd That there was a Razor delivered to my Lord wherewith to pair his Nails which his Lordship having done he retired into his Closet and there cuts his Throat the Closet Door being afterwards opened all these three as they depose and declare saw the Body there lie in its Blood and the Razor as before delivered to my Lord to pair his Nails lying by him G. This is in short their Relation and how can you possibly disprove it seeing there was none with my Lord but these three and therefore how can it be contradicted by any T. I will disprove this Relation in every part First I will convince you that there was no Razor delivered to my Lord to pair his Nails Secondly That my Lord did not lock himself into his Closet nor was there first found lock'd in as is sworn by these Men. And Thirdly That the Razor was not lying by the Body when these three first saw the Body dead G. I can't imagine how in these Particulars you can falsify their Relations T. I shall prove Bomeny's Relation to be false by what Russel swears and Russel's Deposition forged by what Monday declared the day my Lord died L. As soon as my Lord was found dead Bomeny Monday and Russel ought to have been secured T. It was so order'd by his Majesty for as soon as News of my Lord's Death was brought to King Charles the Second then in the Tower his Majesty sent my Lord Allington Sir C and Thomas Howard Esq to my Lord's Lodgings with Orders That all who were attending upon my Lord at the time of his Death should be secured and examined with relation thereunto His Majesty did further order That all things should remain as to the Body in the same Circumstances it was first found till the Coroner's Inquest had seen the Body Before Sir C had proceeded far in the Examination of any about my Lord's Death a Gentleman came as from his Majesty with Orders That Sir
to suffer his Lordship to have a Knife or any thing like it but whilst he used it in cutting his Meat and that being done all Knives and such-like were to be taken from him To which his Lordship answered He should take nothing ill in them in observing their Orders This Informant further saith That the said Monday did then declare that he tarried with my Lord in his Chamber two hours or better that very morning and that whilst he was with my Lord in his Chamber he did observe his Lordship paired his Nails with the Heel of a Razor This Informant further saith that the said Monday did further declare Before he left his Lordship and went down Stairs to stand below he called up Russel his fellow-Warder to stand in the Chamber and as he went down Stairs he lighted his Pipe and sat at the Stairs foot but before he had half smoaked his Pipe he heard it cried above Stairs that my Lord had cut his Throat Hereupon he the said Monday ran up Stairs and pushed the Closet Door open and there found my Lord dead This Informant further saith that the said Monday did further declare That when he came up Stairs he asked Mr. Bomeny and Russel where they were whilst my Lord was in the Closet The said Bomeny answered he was sitting upon the Bed in my Lord's Chamber and the said Russel declared he stood at my Lord's Chamber Door just without the Door whereupon he the said Monday as the said Monday declared check'd the said Russel for not keeping in the Chamber according to Order Richard Jordan declareth That on the day Mr. Braddon was tried upon the account of the late Earl of Essex this Informant heard Nath. Monday declare That the very morning the late Earl of Essex died as foon as the Gentlemen 〈◊〉 open'd the Chamber Door which was about seven of the Clock the said Monday first stood as Warder above Stairs upon the said Earl and at the first opening the Door did observe the said Earl have a Razor in his Hand pairing or scraping his Nails with it and this the said Monday declared he saw a long time before Russel stood Warder above Stairs upon the said Earl. T. By these two Informations you may perceive what Monday declared My Lord had this Razor in his Hand about seven a Clock in the Morning long before Russel came up Stairs to stand Warder upon my Lord and that my Lord pared his Nails with the Heel of the Razor G. I find it as you say L. Monday I perceive tells W. the very day my Lord died that the very same morning about seven of the Clock Monday told my Lord that they his Warders had Orders not to suffer his Lordship to have a Knife or any thing like it whilst he was cutting his Meat and that being done the Knife was to be taken from his Lordship This looks as tho there were some Jealousies that my Lord would cut his Throat for otherwise why would they not suffer him to have a Knife T. It looks more like either a Suggestion of Monday's own Invention or a Lesson taught him to make others believe that there was such a Suspition for Monday now denies it I desire now to compare these three Mens Relations as to the Time of delivery of the Razor by doing which you will have reason to believe no Razor at all was delivered to his Lordship For the clearer understanding hereof I suppose Bomeny under Examination with the Jury and answering according to what he hath sworn Jury Did you deliver this Razor to my Lord ☞ Bomeny Yes Jury When did you deliver this Razor to my Lord Bomeny About eight of the Clock that morning my Lord died ☞ This according to what he first swore but he then withdraws to write his own Information which point-blank contradicts this his Oath in that particular for he is then examined and answereth as followeth Jury Do you remember the very Time that you delivered this Razor to my Lord Bomeny Yes Jury When did you deliver this Razor to my Lord Bomeny ☞ About eight of the Clock on Thursday morning being the day before my Lord's death This as you observe he swears in the Information himself writ and brought to the Coroner T. Bomeny then to withdraw and let Russel answer to this particular Jury Mr. Russel do you know when this Razor was delivered to my Lord Russel Very well for I faw it delivered to my Lord by Bomeny Jury When did you see this Razor delivered Russel Less then a quarter of an hour before wefound my Lord dead I stood Warder at my Lord's Door and I heard his Lordship ask for his Penknife to pair his Nails and Bomeny said it was not brought upon which my Lord required a Razor saying it would do as well ☞ and I saw Bomeny give my Lord the Razor it being then about nine a Clock Jury Who first stood as Warder at my Lord's Chamber Door or in my Lord's Chamber yesterday morning before my Lord dy'd was it you or Monday Russel Monday upon my Lord's Chamber Door being opened first stood at the Door and after he had been there as long as we use to stand he called me up and then went down and stood at the Stairs-foot at the House Door where I did before stand Jury Then this Razor you saw delivered to my Lord after Monday went down Stairs and whilst you stood as Warder at my Lord's Door Russel It 's very true for I am sure I stood by Bomeny when he delivered the Razor and saw it delivered to my Lord. Jury What distance of Time do you say there might be from the time this Razor was delivered to the time of my Lord's death Russel I am sure it could not be half an hour from the time of the delivery of the Razor to the time we found my Lord dead in the Closet T. Russel withdraws and Monday is examined Jury Mr. Monday did you see my Lord have any Razor in his Hand yesterday morning before his death Monday Yes I did Jury What time was it when you saw my Lord have the Razor in his Hand Monday About seven of the Clock as soon as the Gentleman Jaylor opened my Lord's Chamber Door for I first stood Warder above Stairs and as soon as the Door was opened I saw my Lord have the Razor in his Hand and observed him to pair his Nails with it Jury Was this before Russel came up to my Lord's Chamber door to stand Warder there Monday Yes almost two hours T. This is according to their own Informations and Relations Now can you believe that this Razor was delivered by Bomeny at eight of the Clock Friday morning according to his first Oath and yet not delivered till eight of the Clock Tuesday Morning according to Bomeny's 〈◊〉 Oath And can you also believe that the Razor was not delivered till about nine of the Clock Friday Morning according
my Lord's Provisions that were brought and therefore begged her to go to her Master Mr. Hawley the Gentleman-Porter to desire him to go to the Warder that kept the Gate and order him to let in the Provisions L. It 's much the Footman himself could not go to Major Hawley for certainly the Major well-knowing whose Footman he was would soon go and give Orders to let in the Provisions upon the Footman's request as his Maids unless the Maid had some collateral consideration besides that of a Servant which might influence her Master T. There was no need of eithers going as you will immediately hear Upon this she declares She did accordingly go to her Master who thereupon ordered the Warder to let in my Lord's Provisions and as they viz. my Lord's Footman Will. Turner and one Sam. Peck and a Porter were bringing the Provisions a Sentinel told them They were come too late upon which this Maid declares she was surprised and asked Will. Turner what should be the meaning of that Expression You are come too late for she did not understand it Whereto Turner answered that he did suppose the Sentinel believed those Provisions to be my Lord Russel's who being gone to his Trial this Souldier might think he would never return again to the Tower and so the Provisions were brought too late This she declares she then believed but as soon as they came in sight of her Master's House they admired to see so great a Croud about the Door but were soon too well satisfied in the occasion for it was just before discovered that my Lord of Essex had cut his Throat G. This looks as a made Story for can it be thought that the Warder would not let in my Lord's Provisions T. It is indeed a forged Lye throughout for William Turner Samuel Peck and the Porter do all three declare that the Maid was not with them whilst they were bringing in the Provisions neither did the Warder that kept the Gate in the least scruple the letting in my Lord's Provisions this they all say they are ready to depose G. Then this Maid is a Confederate for otherwise she would speak the Truth T. Surely she that endeavours by such a false villanous Invention to evade the Truth becomes consenting to my Lord's Murder and at the last day shall answer it L. Nay she may answer it before if it be once plainly made appear that she did carry up the Razor and was the first that discovered my Lord's Death for by what she then saw and hath since heard sworn by those who attended on my Lord she could not but be well satisfied my Lord was murdered and endeavouring thus to stifle it by her false Evasions T. To which she saith she did swear before the Secretary of State. L. That adds Perjury to the first Guilt Without doubt her endeavouring by Perjury to conceal and stifle the most perfidious and barbarous Murder our Nation ever knew shall render her culpable in no small degree T. Just as the Maid cried out My Lord had cut his Throat one Mr. B. then an Ensign ran into the House and was the first Man in my Lord's Chamber after my Lord's Death was known the Blood then seeming almost reeking hot this Mr. B. declared that as he ran in he did observe this Maid whose Name he knew to be Alice standing at her Master's Door wringing her Hands and crying and N. who saw the Maid run into her Master's House and up Stairs and then heard her cry out Murder and likewise in her hand the Razor declares that was the very Maid which stood at the Door when Mr. B. went into the House L. By all Circumstances this must be the Maid for had not this Wench been some way concerned she would never have invented this Lie for Innocence flies not nor needs a Lie for its Defence but is always supported by Truth and Innocence it self becomes justly suspected for Guilt when it makes use of a false Defence the Law and the natural Reason of the thing presuming that every one will use the best and consequently the truest Defence in Protection of his Innocence Pray proceed T. The Circumstances of the Razor in the top's being so broken and the many other Notches as before appears by the Razor are natural self-Evidence of the Truth of the Razor 's being thrown out of the Window for my Lord in cutting his Throat could not so do it notwithstanding an old Chirurgion to the Jury declared otherwise for the Jury asking him Whether my Lord in cutting his own Throat could so break and notch the Razor The Chirurgion answered that it was possible for my Lord to do it against his Neck-bone occasioned by the Tremefaction of my Lord's Hand when the Razor came to the Neck-bone L. Certainly there was a Tremefaction in the Chirurgion's Understanding or Honesty when upon Oath he gave this Answer for I do suppose he was sworn T. He was so As a further Argument against my Lord's cutting his Throat in the Closet the Circumstances of the Closet as found when my Lord was first found dead appear in Evidence You may observe the Closet is but three Foot and one Inch wide and seven Foot long in one side and about five Foot long in the other now it 's declared by those attending on my Lord that there was no Blood against the Wall a foot higher than the Floor nor any upon the Cloose-stool or any of the Shelves of the Closet whereas had my Lord cut his Throat standing on the Closet the Blood would have immediately gushed out of so large an Orifice five Foot at least wherefore that part of the Wall over against his Throat must have been very bloody but in this case there was none at all and therefore it could not be done standing neither did his Lordship do it kneeling for there was no Blood as high as his Throat as in that Posture would have then been and that his Lordship did it not lying along appears from the Position of the Razor for the Wound beginning on the left side and ending on the right the Razor must have been on the right side of the Body whereas it lay about fourteen Inches or more from the left G. All these self-Evidences might have appeared to the Jury upon their view and it 's very much they did not observe them T. What the Jury did and how they were managed you shall soon hear But I shall First take notice of the many Irregularities with respect to the Management of my Lord's Body the Chamber and Closet after my Lord's Death Secondly The false and malicious Suggestions by Major Hawley to the Jury to hinder the Discovery of the Truth and to influence them to the belief of my Lord's self-Murder And Thirdly The Oppressions Threats and Severities since used to avoid a Detection of this unparalled bloody Treachery First The Irregularities with relation to the Body Room and Closet after my Lord's
say they remember not These Gentlemen I perceive have likewise learn'd the Art of Forgetfulness so that they will remember nothing which may seem to reflect upon their Discretion or Integrity I would have some of these you have before mentioned set up a School to teach this Art never before found out by any T. I have heard of one of these Jury-Men who being asked what Cuts he did observe in my Lord's Right-hand answered Should he consess any it would reflect upon them L. And therefore this Gentleman was resolved to forget to reflect upon them I perceive this Gentleman doth not consider how his stifling in not owning what he can't but remember the Truth makes him in Foro Conscientiae accessory after the Fact to my Lord's Murder For whosoever there is that knows any thing which he believes in its Discovery might tend to the Detection of this most perfidious Murder and by his Silence endeavours to stifle it therein before God becomes consenting to that Fact as accessory to which at the last day he shall answer Our Law makes him accessory after the Fact that endeavours to conceal and convey any from Justice whom he knows guilty of such a Villany and for such his Crime he shall answer with the Forfeiture of his Life Now the reason of this Law I take to be this because such an Offender endeavouring to defraud Justice of its due by protecting his Life which by his Transgression became forfeited to the Law becomes consenting to the Fact and shall in his own Life become subjected to that Punishment the Person by him so conveyed away would have suffered when taken nay the Crime becomes not excused by the Person 's being apprehended after he is so concealed or conveyed away but the Person guilty hereof shall suffer the same Capital Punishment that is inflicted upon the Principal T. I wish all Men were such Casuists as to understand this and so good Men as to put it in Practice for you would then soon hear of new Evidence in this Case L. A Man needs not much Casuistical Learning to know so plain a Case T. In all your Heat you do not consider those Circumstances that might influence the Jury and deter them from doing what they ought in this Case L. What can plead their Excuse T. The great danger they had been under in finding my Lord murdered by others pleads for your and all Mens charitable Pity towards Men under such a Temptation L. Nothing ought to deter Men from an inviolable Observation of that Maxim before mentioned Fiat Justitia ruat Coelum T. The Observation of this is I must confess every Man's Duty but we find the fear of Death hath prevailed with the best of Men to swerve from their Duty to the highest degree He of the Disciples who in all appearance had the best natural Courage for he only wore the Sword and * John 18.10 used it in the greatest Dangers had the †Mat. 14.29 highest degree of Faith was the ‖ Mat. 16.16 first that explicitly owned our Saviour and declared when fore-warn'd of his Denial that tho all Men deny'd our Saviour he would not nay tho he were to die â—â—t 26.55 he would stick close to his Faith this very Man once under all these Advantages in the midst of his Presumption was at last hector'd out of his Faith by a poor silly Kitchin-Maid thrice denying the Lord of Life tho' even then before his Face and after his Reflection upon his Fault and his weeping bitterly he had not Courage enough to appear own and suffer with his Master as before he declared he would do rather than deny him Such Instances as these should teach us all Pity towards those that fail in their Duty under the like Temptations and likewise those that stand should take care lest they fall G. I have been often told by a Merchant who many Years lived in Genoa That when some young Noblemen upon a small provocation in the midst of the Street have murdered others they have upon the Spot immediately aloud declared That whosoever should say they did it should not long remain their Debtor By which the standers-by were given to understand that whosoever should discover them to be the Men must expect to fall Sacrifices to their Revenge or the Revenge of their Party and they fail'd not to perform what was so threatned T. Little less in this Case was done as some have felt by woful Experience who by their Expressions in detestation of this Murder had exposed themselves to the malicious fury of those Men who never stuck to add Blood to Blood to prevent a discovery of the first and carry on their devilish Interest And this brings me to the last general Consideration viz. The Backwardness of the then Government and the many Threats great Oppression and barbarous Cruelty that hath been used to prevent a Discovery of those barbarous and bloody-minded Men with other Particulars which seem to argue my Lord's being villanously murdered I shall first speak to the Backwardness and Oppression of the Government in this Case And Secondly To such other Particulars as may be used as Arguments of this treacherous Cruelty For the first viz. The Backwardness of the then Government and the many Threats great Oppression and barbarous Cruelty that hath been used to prevent a Discovery of these barbarous and bloody-minded Men. When Mr. Braddon went to the Earl of Sunderland then Secretary of State the very next Thursday after the Death of the late Earl of Essex and carried with him the Information of William Edwards and his Mother ready writ but not sworn my Lord Sunderland seemed much surprised upon reading of them and indeed he had reason to be surprised if he stands so related to the Matter as he is now suspected to be and then in some heat asked Mr. Braddon Who bad him bring those Things to him To which it was answered That Sir Henry Capel had desired it Upon which my Lord ordered Mr. Braddon to come the next morning and bring the Parties concerned saying If it were proper he would take them L. I can't but here observe that Anger and Heat you say my Lord Sunderland was in when these Informations were as above delivered as though it had been a Matter which did not properly belong to him and therefore unless it were proper he would not take them The Secretary is angry that he was troubled with the Business and yet the Court of King's-Bench at Mr. Braddon's Trial said That Mr. Braddon had done well if he had first gone to the Secretary of State. G. But Mr. Braddon first tried several Justices of the Peace T. That did not then appear to the Secretary of State wherefore the Secretary thought that an Impertinency in Mr. Braddon which the Court of King's-Bench called his Duty L. If it were proper my Lord Sunderland would take them Certainly the Inquiry after a Murder is proper
apply such Fears accordingly now her Honour being startled with these often Repetitions upon hearing of her Lord's death might suppose that such had been her Lord's Resolutions which gave Birth to those repeated Expressions But whereas it 's said my Lord spoke it in a sort of Despondency it 's probable that her Honour might mistake his Lordship's undaunted Courage which with a higher assistance kept him above the fear of what the Power and Malice of his greatest Enemies could inflict for Desparation This to me seems the most likely considering what his Lordship had before declared viz. That he did expect the Court would not only Imprison but take off several and if it should be his misfortune to fall a Sacrifice for his Country to the Court Malice and Rage the World should see he ceuld dye with as great Resolution as ever his Father did for he was ready at all times and upon all occasions to lay down his Life for his Country This Honourable Lord was not ignorant of the Popish and Arbitrary Designs of the Court and that there were small hopes of any Redress by Parliaments for such were not suffered to sit when they began to reform our Grievances and as for the then Judges they were purely Instruments and Ecchoes to the Corruption of the Court so that whatsoever Whitehall had resolved upon as fit to be declared Treason in Westminsterhail was declared not properly adjudged accordingly not adjudged I say for we found many of them more Knave than Fool and their Interest corrupted their Consciences and these their Tongues to pronounce what their Judgments in the Law could not but be satisfied was false and themselves well knew to be corrupt wherefore only the last remedy remained in case the Court proceeded as there was all reason to believe they would by such Vile Illegal Arbitrary Popish and Oppressive Methods to destroy what to every brave true English Spirit is much more valuable than Life Religion Liberty and Property I mean. My Lord of Essex had long stood in a true light wherein he could plainly see the most secret and ultimate end of the Court and this made him the more resolved to joyn with others such Patriots as himself in opposition to those Hellish Plots of St. James's for there indeed lived the true Plotters which were industriously plotting the total Destruction of our Religion and Liberties when such true Lovers of their Country as himself were designing nothing more than the Preservation of our Laws which the Corruption of the Bench had in Perjury sold to the Oppression of the Court. But this Bargain was never so plainly proclaimed as in that Never-too-severely-to-be-punished Judgment which gave as far as was within the Power of that perjured Bench such a Dispencing Power to the Crown under a necessity of which necessity the Crown was the sole Judge as by a natural Consequence dissolved all Law when a Royal Arbitrary Ipse Dixit should so pronounce it Wherefore as before observed we held our Laws and therein our Religion Lives and Liberties as these Forsworn Mercenary Judges did their Places durante bene placito Regis Had we in this Lord's days known those Popish and Arbitrary Court-Secrets which he plainly saw designed our ruine but no confiderarion could ever corrupt this Honourable Lord to ingage in those Cursed Cabals most certainly we should have rescued the Lives of those our best Friends and not by a corrupt Constructive Treason have Sacrificed those true Lovers of our Country for doing of that which we all ought as one Man to have cordially joined in Had not those brave Patriots our Church and State Confessors the most Reverend his Grace and the Reverend six Bishops met with an Uncorrupt Jury which were guided by Conscience not imposed upon by the Court but enlightned with the true State of the Case as most judiciously and truly Stated by those their Learned Council in the Law These Seven Champions for our Laws and therein for all by them we possess would most certainly have been offered up by the Bench as Victims of Expiation for that Guilt which would in a Court Sense have robb'd the Crown of its richest Jewel yea that Court Philosopher-Stone the Dispencing Power which at pleasure might have turned our Properties Liberties yea Lives into pure Gold for the Estates we possess the Liberty we enjoy and the Lives we live we have guarded only next under God by our Laws which this Leviathan at once would have swallowed and totally destroyed L. When I consider my Lord 's declared Resolution of his not stirring tho then under the like Danger as in this Case apprehended and with what Readiness Courage and Chearfulness he could lay down his Life for his Country and likewise the Knowledg that he may be supposed to have of their Designs which those Villains nine days before his Death declared ☜ for it 's Sworn they then said The Earl knew so much of their Designs and was so very Averse to their Interest that they could never carry them on unless his Lordship was taken off and his Lordship was therefore to be Murdered I say when I consider these things and that the more this Honourable Lord knew of the black Intrigues of the Court the more so good a Man and so true a Patriot must be supposed to hate them I can't but imagine that this brave State-Champion when he had been once satisfied that the Court under Colour of Law would have taken him off had resolved as to himself to lay open those Popish Arbitrary-Court Contrivances and justified that just Design of standing upon their Guard there was no other way under God to defend what was so grosly invaded Now tho his Lordship might suppose by dealing thus plainly he should the more exasperate the Court so that their Malice would be more inveterately bent in his Destruction yet that he declared he feared not but was ready chearfully to lay down his life in so just a Cause and should this daring true lover of his Country have thus expired by his State-Martyrdom he would have given such satisfaction in the truth of what he thus couragiously with his last breath should have affirmed as would have raised a general hatred against those Arbitrary and Popish-Court-Resolutions and this might so suddenly have given another so general a Resurrection to that just Cause as would have totally routed those our true and only Enemies of both Church and State. Our then Enemies under colour of Law were industriously endeavouring the total Subversion of our Laws and whilst in shew they seemed to maintain the Protestant Church they were secretly contriving its total Destruction by wresting those very Laws which were chiefly designed as Destructive to Popery and making them productive of what they were enacted to destroy for by a malicious and furious Prosecution of all Protestant Dissenters they did hope to raise so general Animosities between the Conforming and Non-conforming Protestants that they might
own But they were both thought deserving of Death for their cruel Treachery and were Executed accordingly G. Had we not already been too troublesome to you in this particular and satisfactory Relation I should beg one favour further T. Your further Satisfaction in this Matter may command from me whatsoever is convenient to be told and beyond that I desire you not to move me G. More than you have already declared I don't now desire to know but I perceive there have been very many Persons in this Case Sworn to many Particulars so that the Relation of the whole Matter hath been long but to me not tedious because I have received full Satisfaction in that wherein before I was extreamly Abused by Misinformation Sir If it may not be too tiresome to you I would desire you to Abstract the most material Proofs before mentioned and give us as short as you well can the substance of what is before deposed T. In this I shall readily serve you but I shall not observe the very same Method as before but shall begin with the Disproof of my Lord's Self-murder by destroying those forged Informations which would prove him so and Secondly shall prove him barbarously Murdered First For the disproof of the Self-murder The Right Honourable Arthur late Earl of Essex was Committed to the Tower Tuesday the 10th of July 1683. and there were placed over his Lordship two Warders viz. Monday and Russel and one Servant viz. Paul Bomeny permitted to be attending on my Lord the very next Friday morning about Nine of the Clock his Lordship was found Dead in his Closet with his Throat cut through both Jugular Arteries to the Neck-bone Now seeing our Law presumes every Man destroyed by violent Hands is Murdered by others unless such Evidence appears as gives Satisfaction in the contrary and proves him a Self-murderer This Lord had been found barbarously Murdered had not Bomeny Monday and Russel appeared to prove otherwise and they endeavour to prove it shortly thus My Lord of Essex they say called for a Pen-knife to pare his Nails which Pen-knife not being ready he required a Razor which was accordingly delivered him with which his Lordship having pared his Nails he retired into his Closet and locks himself in and there cut his Throat the Razor before delivered to pare his Nails lying by the Body But that this Relation is forged and that there was First no Razor delivered to my Lord to pare his Nails nor had his Lordship pared his Nails with any Secondly Neither the Body locked into the Closet Nor Thirdly The Razor lying locked in by the Body when my Lord was first know to be Dead is evident from what follows which clearly detects this Forgery For the first of these that there was no Razor delivered to my Lord. This appears by the Contradictions of Bomeny Russel and Monday as to the time of the delivery of this Razor for Bomeny first Swears he delivered this Razor to my Lord to pare his Nails on Friday morning at eight of the Clock and within two hours positively swears in the Deposition himself writ that he delivered it on Thursday morning at Eight of the Clock being the day before his Death and this as to the Thursday he swears Positively and Circumstantially Positively for he doth expressly name Thursday as the day on which the Razor was delivered and Circumstantially for he doth swear the Razor was delivered the very next Morning after my Lord came to Captain Hawley's and his Lordship went to Hawley on Wednesday the 11th of July But Russel Swears a Point-blank Contradiction to Bomeny's Oath for Russel deposeth and now declares That on Friday Morning in less than half an hour before they found my Lord Dead in his Closet he stood as Warder at my Lord's Chamber-door Monday that Morning having first stood as Warder on my Lord and was then gone down to stand below Stairs and heard my Lord ask Bomeny for a Pen-knife to pare his Nails which being not ready his Lordship required a Razor which he did immediately see Bomeny deliver his Lordship But Monday doth as directly give the lye to Russel as Russel did to Bomeny for Monday the day may Lord dy'd declared he saw my Lord have a Razor in his Hand paring his Nails with it at Seven a Clock that Morning my Lord died and this about two hours before Russel came up to stand as Warder at my Lord's Chamber-door Wherefore unless it can be reconciled how this Razor should be delivered Thursday Morning at Eight of the Clock according to Bomeny's Oath and yet not delivered till Friday Morning Nine of the Clock within half an hour of the time his Lordship was found Dead and delivered whilst Russel stood Warder at the Chamber-door as Russel deposeth and notwithstanding this my Lord to have had the Razor and pared his Nails with it two hours before Russel came up Stairs to stand Warder at my Lord's Chamber as Monday declared the very day my Lord died I say Unless these Contradictions can be reconciled it can't be thought that any Razor at all was delivered And then whereas all declared my Lord pared his Nails with the Razor by strict Observation it appeared his Lordship's Nails were not newly before his Death either pared or scraped Secondly That the Closet-door was not locked upon my Lord's Body appears by the Contradictions of these three as to the opening the Closet-door Bomeny first swore He did open the Door when my Lord would not answer upon his knocking at the Door and there saw my Lord lying Dead in his Blood and the Razor by him and he then called the Warders but immediately swears in Contradiction to his first Oath that he peeped through a Chink of the Door and saw Blood and part of the Razor and then without opening the Door ran and called Russel who thereupon first opened the Door And at Mr. Braddon's Tryal Swears he knew not who opened the Door Russel deposeth he did first open the Door and makes no difficulty in it then comes Monday and gives the lye to both For Monday the very day my Lord died declared what he hath since often confirm'd That neither Bomeny or Russel could stir the Door my Lord's Body lay so close and hard against the Door and he being stronger than either put his Shoulders against the Door and pressing with all his might broke it open Whosoever there is that can reconcile these Contradictions in these three Mens Relations and make all appear credible Erit mihi Magnus Apollo A further Argument That the Closet-door was not locked upon the Body appears by my Lord's Legs lying upon the Threshold of the Closet-door when the Body was pretended not to have been stired from its first Posture Thirdly That there was no Razor lying locked in with the Body when the Body was first found appears by the bloody Razor 's being thrown out of my Lord's Chamber-Window which is about seventeen