THE FURTHER INFORMATION OF Stephen Dugdale GENT. Delivered at the BAR of the HOVSE of COMMONS Pursuant to an Order of the said HOUSE On the 30 th of October 1680. Novemb. the 24th 1680. By vertue of an Order of the Honourable House of Commons I appoint Tho. Parkhurst and Tho. Simmons and no others to Print my Informations Given at the Bar of that Honourable House STEPHEN DUGDALE LONDON Printed for Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside and Thomas Simmons at the Princes Arms in Ludgate-street M. DC LXXX THE FURTHER INFORMATION OF Mr. STEPHEN DVGDALE Given to the HONOURABLE the HOUSE OF COMMONS Pursuant to an Order of the said HOUSE On the 30th of October Anno Dom. 1680. as followeth Viz. THAT about the 21 st of September 1678 I being in Company with Mr. Evers and one Hobson in Discourse had amongst us they both then declared That their Design in Carrying on the Plot was to kill the Duke of Monmouth as well as the KING which Horrid Acts the Lord Stafford about the same time proposed for me to do And that one George North who was Nephew to Pickering and Servant to my Lord Aston declared to me that they had lately taken his said Uncle who was likewise one appointed to kill the King and put him in Newgate which if true he said he thought the King deserved an Execrable Death as was intended him by reason of his Whoring and Debauchery That in September 1678 Mr. Evers told me That Mr. Beningfield had a Pacquet of Letters delivered to him from the Post-house which he feared the Lord Treasurer Danby had notice of therefore he delivered them to the Duke of York who delivered them to His Majesty who was pleased after he had read them to give them to the Treasurer not much Crediting them for that they had after such manner been transmitted to him by which unwariness the Design was undiscovered which the said Pacquet of Letters wou'd have Confirmed of the Plot. That I have received many Pacquets of Letters for Evers some of which I have broke open and found them to be and tend to the Establishing of the Romish Religion here As also several Sums of Money which by several persons imployed to put forth was for the Use of the Jesuits to carry on the Design To which end Mr. Evers told me That there was several Gentlemen in the County of Stafford had Monies in their hands though they were shy of being so known but nevertheless had entered into Covenant to do it at St. Omers To confirm which I received a Letter from Mr. Warner a Jesuit that the money should be speedily returned to Mr. Harcourt the Jesuit here That in another Letter directed to Mr. Evers which I broke open and found the same to be my Lord Stafford's hand-writing The Contents of which was That things went well on beyond the Seas for carrying on the Plot and hoped it did so here in England and for the Pardoning of those that were concerned therein Mr. Evers told me That there were several Indulgencies which he believed came from Mr. Ireland to whom they were transmitted from Rome That the night before I went away from my Lord Astons upon Discovery of the Plot I took several Letters and Papers which related thereunto and burnt them fearing the same wou'd detect me if found not then having thoughts to discover my self which if I had happily kept and preserved wou'd have much more Evidenced the whole Design in carrying on the Plot In several Letters relating to the same I have heard the Names of Oates and Bedlow named as persons therein imployed but I did not then know them That I very well remember that the Jesuits had a Meeting in London in April 1678. for that Mr. Evers and other Jesuits went up from Staffordshire unto it who desired me when I went to escape to be secret and that I should if I were ever brought to Examination deny my knowledge in every particular which I then and when I burned my Papers was resolved to do And the said Mr. Evers at several times told me That the Pope out of his Revenue had granted several Sums of money in order to put the Irish into a Condition of opposing the now Establish'd Government for it was his Gracious pleasure to consider what a Tyrannical Government they lived under To which purpose I opened a Letter from Paris which was directed to Mr. Evers the persons Name I have forgotten but it was to this purpose That he had lately received a Letter from Rome to confirm that the Pope did still hold his good purpose for the relieving the poor Irish and that they were considering how to procure them Men as well as Money but as to that and other things there wou'd shortly be an Express from thence to England which wou'd be about the latter end of March 1677 8 as I best remember and that Mr. Evers company with Mr. Cottons Mr. Vavasors Mr. Gavens and Mr. Peters were requested to be at London whither Mr. Evers and Mr. Peters went and when Mr. Evers came home again into the Countrey he told me That Mr. Ireland and Mr. Simons wou'd be in the Countrey the latter end of June for considering the best way and means for the carrying on the great Work as they called it That it was always agreed at our Meetings That to disturb the Peace in Ireland and Scotland wou'd be a means to weaken England so much that their attempts might be easier managed which cou'd not be done without a good Assistance beyond the Seas which Mr. Gaven said we needed not to fear for though they had great troubles with them both in Flanders and France and those Countries yet there wou'd not be men or money wanting to carry on their Design for the Glory of God And if so their Endeavours shou'd be no ways wanting here which was not only to kill the King but the Duke of Monmouth also but to lessen the power of the rest of the Protâ—stants To which Mr. Peters asked If they were assured that the Gentlemen were all true to them in Assisting them with money for if that should fail our own Stock will serve us little Upon which I told them I wou'd give them One hundred pound more to the Four hundred pound I had before setled on them which was taken very thankfully with promises that I needed not to fear to have a free Pardon procured for my Sins past and to be a Saint in Heaven placed to all Eternity for that I had been so much Instrumental in so Pious a Work and Mr. Vavasor said That the monies which was out at Use to carry on the said Design for that there wou'd be occasion for it speedily and to that end one Mr. Jackson was Chosen by the Jesuits as likewise Mr. Evers to gather in the money about him who in his place appointed me to go to Mr. Dracott Sir James Simons Mr.
Heveningham and other persons that were Contributors thereabouts Mr. Peters was appointed to receive of one Mr. Gerrard his Contribution-money but being the Priest of the House Mr. Evers was willing to do it for him Mr. Gaven undertook for several private Gentlâ—mâ—n about Wolverhampton viz of Mr. Gifford of Chillington Mr. Fitz-Herbert Mr Gravener Mr. Winford Mr. Humphrey Elliot with several others of which money I received Five hundred pound at Wolverhampton of Mr. Vavasor and Mr. Gaven which Sum of Mr. Evers with other monies returned here to Mr. Harcourt and it being then asked Who was to speak to Mr. Howard for his money It was answered Mr. Broadstreet though Mr. Evers said he wou'd do it himself but for Mr. Herbert Aston who was also a Contributor in the said Design and being in debt ought to be looked on accordingly To which Mr. Vavasor replyed That it was for a good and Charitable Use and God wou'd the more encrease his store or to that purpose which monies so Collected and Received or should come in should be returned to Mr. Harcourt and Mr. Ireland who should receive Orders how they should dispose of the same and if any doubt should arise they should repair to Mr. Benefield who wou'd resolve the same That at another time Mr. Ireland told me when I came to London he wou'd give me Instructions and order how I should proceed in my Undertakings To all which I did seem very content and told me he wou'd speak to Groves that I might have notice how the Design went on for then he cou'd not tell till he had spoken to my Lord Bellasis and my Lord Arundell of Warder who would prove the Loyal'st men of Trust and Council of any persons in the World but before I received my Letter from Mr. Ireland the said Groves was in Newgate That I saw a Letter from Mr. Harcourt who told Mr. Evers That he had lately received a Letter from Mr. Warner wherein was mentioned That Mr. Warner had used all care imaginable for the helping on the design in hand and that there was Four hundred pound of the said money in Mr. Ireland's hands for that purpose and I heard Mr. Peters tell Mr. Evers that he was very glad that Mr. Whitebread was made Provincial of the Jesuits for that he wou'd be very careful in carrying the design on and a close man in his business and they then agreed that my Lord Arundell of Warder was the only man we had to trust to being a Wise man and much in favour with the Duke of York That in a little time after this Discourse had I received in a Letter of mine 3 Letters inclosed from Mr. Beningfield one from Paris and one from Mr. Harcourt that from Mr. Beningfield was to let Mr. Evers know that he had spoken with my Lord Arundel of Warder and that my Lord was very willing to assist in what was requested by Mr. Evers and Mr. Vavasor which Letters I intercepted and I never let Mr. Evers know to whom they were directed that I had received them but being not long after in Discourse with him in his Chamber I asked him what Persons of Quality or Note did besides those he had mentioned to me countenance our Design to which he answered that there were several in other places where the business went on aswel as here and at the same time told me that he had Writ to Mr. Beningfield to request my Lord Arundel of Warder to be assisting in the matter which then was in hand and I desiring to know of him whether my Lord was concerned in their Design he told me that his Lordship was to undertake the most part of the Design and with my Lord Bellasis to give Order both as to the taking the King's Life away and the Duke of Monmouth's and for the Establishing the Romish Government here That about the middle of September 1678 a Letter came to my hands of Mr. Evers which I opened the Contents whereof were to this purpose that he had been with my Lord Arundel and my Lord told him that he spoke to the person he was requested and it was both their Opinions that it was the best way to speed their Design The persons name which sent the Letter I know not for there was two Letters for his name which were I. W. That when the Design was set on foot it was not for the taking the King's Life away but to provide for themselves Money and Arms against the King died for it was always thought amongst us that the D. of M. would stand for the Crown after the King's Death and then our hopes would be frustrated for ever having here the Romish Religion established But the perceiving and seeing it was his Majesties whole Endeavours to Establish and secure the Protestant Religion so firm that it should not be removed for the future It was by Decrees thought fit that this way that is now designed and endeavoured to be carried on would most answer their wicked ends and for those that had bin active therein they agreed should have Rewards and thinking that I amongst the rest had deserved somthing Ordered I should have an equal share with one Captain Aderley who was an Agent in the said Plot but how much it should be and in what after the Design took effect was not then declared but was to be determined by the D. of Y. and my Lord Arundel and some other persons but it should be such a share as should make me and my Posterity happy Which I accepted with great thankfulness to Mr. Evers Mr. Gavan Mr. Peters and Mr. Leviston who then promised to see it fulfilled to me alledging at the same time that there would be lands enough of the Protestants to reward every one that had been active in the said Design That in the Summer 1678 I met with one Humphry Elliot who fell into Discourse with me about Mr. Ireland who said he had told him that I was to go up to London upon an occasion that would also oblige him to come up which Discourse something startled me which he perceiving told me I need not fear him for if I suffered he was like to suffer as well as I and begg'd of me not to impart my mind to any one except my Lord Stafford or Mr. Evers or whom they should appoint That for the carrying on the whole Design in several other Counties Mr. Peters Evers and Pool told me that there was for a part of Worcester appointed one Mr. Turner and three more whose names I have forgot and for a part of Darbyshire and a part of Nottinghamshire was appointed one Mr. Turner Mr. Bennet and Mr. Pool of Spnikehill and one Mr. Heaton which were to take care of their several Liberties as well for engaging persons in the Hellish Design as for raising of mony of the Gentlemen to carry it on and to give in their several accounts to the Provincial who was then appointed
for that purpose to see which was the best Benefactor though at the same time Mr. Pool told me that he thought Mr. Turner was no ways fit for such an Employ for that though he was a Priest he was given to Drinking That being sent to Dr. Richard Needham with a Letter and discoursing him found him very Zealous to promote the Plot who told me he had been 200 Miles about it and that his pains he thought were well bestowed in so good a work and that it should fall out in his days that might be spoke of in after Ages That honest Dick Needham was a Promoter and one Entrusted for the Establishing of the Romish Religion and the Subversion of the Heretical Government And being sent at second time to Dr. Needham's and Mr. Pool's and going first to the said Mr. Needham's at Satton in Scarsdale in Darbyshire with letters in order that Mr. Needham might transmit them from place to place according as he was thereby directed to the Gentlemens houses near adjoyning the purport of which letters were for the promoting and carrying on the Design of subverting of the Protestant Religion And Mr. Pool being there I dispatched my business with him which was to the same purpose and Mr. Needham being to receive orders from Mr. Pool and Mr. Bennet Mr. Pool after Mass gave him further Instructions as to what business he was to undertake who made this reply that both he and his Son should be at their Command to serve in so good a cause in the destroying of the Protestants and introducing their own Religion and having received his letter from me and what I had to Communicate to him by word of mouth the Content of which Letter was that he should go to Westhallam to acquaint Mr. Pawdrels that Mr. Evers Mr. Vavasor and Mr. Peters would be at Westhallam within a short time and desired that one Mr. Busby might be at home for they and some other Gentlemen would be sure to be there at the time appointed about the great work they knew of which so much concerned them all That I have Intercepted several Letters that came to Mr. Evers from St. Omers and Paris wherein was mentioned that they were in good forwardness and that they had disbursed 500 l. upon Account for Arms as also 700 l. was mentioned in other Letters to be laid out for the same purpose in some of which Letters it was pressed to Mr. Evers for return of Monies for discharging those Accounts And I have likewise seen Letters to Grove Ireland Beningfield and Harcourt for the sending mony over to those Persons and that Mr. Ireland and Mr. Vavasor differed in their accounts about the same the last time Ireland was in the Country That about July 1678 a Pacquet came directed to me from Mr. Evers which came to 2 s. 6 d. which I open'd and there it was expressed that all things were ready which were bespoke and all paid off but how it was Ordered I never knew and when I have been in business with them it hath been often given out that the King of France did know of this Design and would be Aiding and Assisting therein which I was ever of another opinion and they then declared that there was in England above 200000 men which would prove true if occasion were with some supplies which they said they were sure of from other parts beyond the Seas That about August or the beginning of September 1678 Mr. Peters and Mr. Vavasor told me that there was to be a great meeting of the Jesuits and Secular Priests at Boscobel besides several private Gentlemen that were to be there to receive the Oath of Secrecy which Mr. Gavan was appointed to Administer to about forty persons particularly at that time it was given to Sir James Simons Mr. Gerard Mr. Fitzherbert Mr. Vavasor Mr. Lewson Mr. Broadstreet Mr. Turner Mr. Manley Mr. Francis Lewson and several others the said Mr. Gavan at the same time publishing an Act of Indulgence which he lately received from Rome to those that were active in promoting the wicked Design of killing the King and the Subversion of the Protestant Religion I promised to be there but went not for which they were angry and Mr. Peters and Mr. Vavasor both told me that the occasion of their meeting was to Consult means how to carry on the Plot. That presently after I had made my Discovery to the Justices of the Peace they Issued out their Warrants for the apprehending of George Hobson and George North beforementioned who were both thereupon apprehended which my Lord Aston hearing of it was Reported that his Lordship should say in great Passion That he was sorry he did not run me through before I went out of his House That about the beginning of September 1678. Mr. Evers told me in great secret that my Lord Aston was to go in October next following to St. Omers and probably from thence to Paris which my Lord afterwards told me he was to go over in order to dispose of the Arms which were provided there the number whereof were as my Lord and Mr. Evers told me 30000. which were to be landed here and in Ireland and further discoursing Mr. Evers in that Affair he told me that some out of caution to themselves would have their names entred at St. Omers as it had been before the better to disguise their Design and that about two years last past he with Mr. Cotton went over to enter their names and that several of them had continued to do the like in this Affair and Design But after the news was that the Plot was discovered I never heard my Lord Aston speak to me more of his going over That in addition to what I have already declared concerning my Lord Stafford is That his Lordship in September 1678. in the great Parlour at Tixal discoursed Mr. Evers and me and told us That the reason of his dissatisfaction against his Majesty towards whom he had always carried himself with all sort of Loyalty as he had done towards his Father whereby not only he but others and their Families had been hereby ruined and that in particular of the old Lord Aston who had been a great Sufferer and his Father the Ambassador had spent 30000 l. out of their own Estate was for all this no hopes of any Recompence for he plainly saw as any thing fell to be given it was rather disposed of to Rebels and Traytors than to those that had served him and that were Loyal And therefore these things had wrought with him and were sufficient to change his mind against the King if there were not the matter of Religion in question which was a Consideration above all others And his Lordship also took notice that at any Sessions of Parliament when there fell out any thing to the prejudice of the Catholicks the King was always willing to expose them to the Parliaments mercy both in Estates and in any thing else that might befal them That at a general Meeting in September 1678. had at Tixal aforesaid where there was present the now Lord Aston Lord Stafford Sir James Symons Mr. Hevennigham Mr. Howard Mr. Gerard Mr. Vavasor Mr. Lewson Mr. Peters Mr. Symonds Mr. Herbert Aston Mr. Fitter Mr. Broadstreet and to the best of my remembrance Mr. Dacot upon a full debate had of all their precedent Transactions and Instructions in carrying on their Design It was then by them severally agreed and resolved upon to perform the Oaths they had severally before taken which was to Kill the King and to Establish their Romish Religion here in England and they did there also severally promise to Aid and Assist me in what I was to undertake as well for Money as other Necessaries and then my Lord Stafford promised me to make good his promise formerly made me both as to Money and other Necessaries Stephen Dugdale Jur. 15 o Novembris 1680. coram Tho. Stringer Will. Roberts The Gentlemens Names in the Plot viz. LOrd Stafford Lord Arundel Lord Bellasis Lord Aston Sir Francis Symons Mr. Hevennigham Mr. Howard Mr. Fowler Mr. Gerard. Mr. Gifford Mr. Baz effits Herbert Mr. Elliot Captain Atherley Mr. Dracot Mr. Richard Needham Mr. Grove Mr. Hobson and Mr. North. Jesuits Names in the Plot. Mr. Ireland Mr. Bedingfield Mr. Harcourt Mr. Vavasor Mr. Evers Mr. Catmer Mr. Lewson Mr. Peters Mr. Broadstreet Mr. Poole Mr. Turner Mr. Anthony Turner Mr. Gavan Mr. Heatne Mr. Fitter Mr. Pearson Mr. Whitebread Provin Mr. Busby Mr. Arthur Mr. White Sir John Warner Mr. Clifford Mr. Worstley Father Mumford Mr. Godwin Mr. Winford Father James Mr. Symons Mr. Charles and Mr. Peters Priests Names in the Plot. SIr Francis Luson Mr. Tomers Mr. Fitter Mr. Smith Mr. Atkins Mr. Morley Mr. Cunney Mr. Thompson Mr. Sheppey Mr. Dowdell Mr. Fitzherbert Mr. Trill Mr. Fanford Mr. Weeden Mr. Bennet Mr. Gravener Messengers Imployed in this Design MR. Oates Mr. Bedlow John Carrington Joseph Tarbox and Mr. Needham Persons Imployed to get Company together WIlliam Hanson Rob. Pullinger John Harker Gerard and Briscoe FINIS An Advertisement HAving given in this Information by Memory at the Bar of the Honourable House of Commons which when I perused as it was taken in Writing from my mouth I found that I had misplaced many Paragraphs as to Order of Time For instance I begin with Sept. 1678 and afterwards give an Account of things done in March 1677 8 and in April and July 1678 it was not thought convenient to alter it in the Printing but to Publish it as delivered Of this I thought good to give the Reader notice Errata's in the Transcriber and Printer PAg. 6. Line 17. next to the word Design add should be called in Pag. 7. Line 8. dele of Pag. 18. Line 17. read Dracot Pag. 19. Line 5. read Sir James Simons pag. 20. Line 2 d. read Mr. Francis Luson Line 3 d. read Towers