Iosiah Coram me L. Jenkins The Ioint Information of Josiah Keeling of the Parish of St. Butolph without Aldgate in the County of Middlesex Salter and of John Keeling of the Parish of St. Anne Black-Fryers Citizen and Turner June the 15th 1683. THe Informants say That being in the Company of Richard Goodenough at the Sun-Tavern behind the Royal Exchange between the hours of One and Three of the Clock on the fifteenth day of this instant Iune 1683. They asked the said Goodenough what Persons of Quality would be concerned He the said Goodenough replyed That he had discoursed William Lord Russel Son to the Earl of Bedford and that the said Lord Russel told the aforesaid Goodenough that he would be concerned in it to his utmost and that he would use all his interest to accomplish the aforesaid Design of killing the King and the Duke of York And these Informants further say That asking the said Goodenough what Collonel that was that yesterday he the said Goodenough told the Informants Iosiah and Iohn would advance eight Hundred or a Thousand pound towards carrying on the Design of Killing the King and Duke he the said Goodenough Replyed it was Collonel Romzey and the Informant Iosiah asked the said Goodenough whether it was that Romsey that Married the Lady Smith and had Commanded Forces in Portugal for his Majesty i. e. the King of England he Replyed it was Witness our hands this 15th day of June 1683. JOSIAH KEELING JOHN KEELING The Information of Josiah Keeling given upon Oath at Hampton-Court the 23d of June 1683. ANd this Informant further saith That several Gentlemen viz. Mr. Roope Mr. Fitton Gerrald and Mr. Allen and one other whose Name this Informant hath forgot who as they said came to visit their honest Wapping Men that this Informant would recommend to them for such and also to Dine with them at some Tavern which was the Fortune at Wapping where was Mr. Samuel Gibbs Mr. Edmund Hunt Mr. Robert Ferguson with several other persons that this Informant doth not remember where the aforesaid Gentlemen began to drink Healths some of which were as followeth To the Man that first draws his Sword in defence of the Protestant Religion against Poperty and Slavery Another was to the Confusion of the Two Brothers Slavery and Popery and being askt what they meant as this Informant verily believeth it was replyed The Two Brothers at Whitehal The next was to the pinning of Mackinny's Head on the Monument for burning the City in 66. And this Informant asking what was meant they said it was the Duke of York And this Informant Dining at the Horse-shoe Tavern on Tower-hill with Edward Norton Esquire Mr. Starkey Mr. Ogle Mr. Goodenough and others forgot by this Informant they drank the fore-said Healths and did explain them as the afore-said Company did And this Informant further saith that Fran. Goodenough sent a Letter to this Informant by one Cherry to acquaint the said Informant That the said Goodenough would with some other Gentlemen Dine at the End of the Town where this Informant dwelleth and that this Informant would speak to such men as he could trust to meet the afore-said persons at the Siracusa House There came with the afore-said Goodenough one Iohn Row late Sword-bearer at Bristol with a Dorsetshire Gentleman whose name this Informant hath forgot also at the same Meeting was Mr. Edmund Hunt Andrew Barber William Tomson Iames Burton as this Informant verily believes with several others forgot where it was agreed we should discourse so that it might not be understood if we were over-heard Then the question was if the Foot-ball was laid down how many we might reasonably expect would come in at first Laying of it down from our end of the Town to play at it To which it was replyed it was uncertain but as many as were there would be concerned to which it was answered by Row and Goodenough if we would not in a little time kick the Ball effectually we should be made Slaves for saith Row the Lord Mayor hath imposed Sheriffs upon you and the King will take away your Charter and then you 'l be in a fine conditâ—on and Goodenough spake to the same purpose upon which Hunt replyed That he could do as much good as any body for that Foot-ball players often got broken shins and he the said Hunt could Cure them And this Informant further saith that this Discourse was grounded upon this Foundation What Men can be raised against the Church-Warden at Whitehal which was understood the King And this Informant further saith that Richard Goodenough and Richard Rumbal told this Informant that there was a Remonstrance or Declaration ready drawn up which would be â—inted against the day that this designed Commotion was to be wherein they would ease the people of Chimney Money which seemed to be most Grievous especially to the common people and that they would lay the Kings Death upon the Papists as a continued design of the former Plot. JOSIAH KEELING Copy of a Note given in by Iosiah Keeling 23d of Iune and by him received from Goodenough From the Tower Eastward on the South-side of Rosemary-Lane to Maiden-head-lane the West-side of Maiden-head-lane the North-side of Upper Shadwel Westward to new Gravel-lane the West-side of new Gravel-lane to the Thames and by the Thames to the Tower The Streets and Allies of Note within the bounds St. Katherine's East-Smithfield Ratclift-High-way Victualling-Office Butcher-Row Redcross-street Armitage Nightingale-lane Artichoack-lane Red-Mead-lane Wapping Gun-alley Cross-alley Well-alley Warners Yard Salters-alley Green Bank Gunâ—alley Pumpâ—alley Love-lane Back-alley Meeting-horse-alley Old-Gravelâ—lane Brewer's-lane Tobacco-pipe-alley Cinamon-street Crown-street Queen-street King Edwards Street King-street Carman-Rents Crown Yard Harrow-alley Seven Star-alley Garter Yard Wests Garden Blew-gate field Fleece Yard Chamberlain's-alley Frankland-street Match Walk With all other Places within the Outbounds not Named The Information of Thomas Shepard taken by the Right Honourable the Earl of Sunderland c. June the 27th 1683. SOme time before my Lord Shaftsbury went for Holland the Duke of Monmouth Lord Gray Lord Russel Sir Thomas Armstrong Colonel Romsey and Mr. Ferguson met at my House in Abchurch-lane where the subject of their Discourse was how to seize Your Majesties Guards and in Order thereunto as I afterwards at their next Meeting was informed the Duke Lord Gray and Sir Thomas Armstrong walked about that end of the Town one night and gave an account that they found them very remiss in their places not like Souldiers and that the thing provided they could have a sufficient strength was feasibly enough but finding that failed the Project was wholly laid aside so far as I know After that Mr. Ferguson told me of a Project was on foot for Destroying Your Majesty and his Royal Highness coming from Newmarket Colonel Romsey Mr. West and as I remember Mr. Wade came to my Counting-house one Evening and began to Discourse of it upon which I told
and some short time after the said Parties above-mentioned met at the Green Dragon Tavern where the said Goodenough declared he had employed several Persons from whom he hoped to have a good account in a little time and the next Week after the said Parties above-mentioned and one Mr. Zachary Bourn a Brewer whom the said Goodenough had employed in it met at the Salutation Tavern in Lumbardstreet but this Examinant came not thither till the company just broke up and did not hear what passed there And about a Week after the same Parties except Holloway who was gone to Bristol met again at the Green Dragon Tavern on Snow-hill where the said Goodenough reported that he had an account of 1300 Men out of Two of the Hamlets and that Southwark would yield more and Spittle-Fields a great Number but had no particular account of other places And this Examinant further saith That about Three Weeks since Richard Rumbald told this Examinant that he suspected Mr. Keeling had discovered all the Designs as well that of the intended Assassination from Newmarket as the other Design then on foot and that if he were sure of it he would take care to get him knock'd on the Head but was unwilling to do so till he were fully satisfied and about a fortnight since the said Rumbold told this Examinant that he had several Reasons to convince him that the said Keeling had made a Discovery and but that he made so many Protestations and Imprecations to the contrary he would kill him And this Examinant hath heard from Mr. William Rumbald that he lent the said Keeling an Hundred pounds on Saturday was Sevenight last least the said Keeling should be tempted by want of Money which he then pretended to labour under And on Monday was Sevenight last this Examinant was informed by the said Mr. William Rumbald that the said Keeling was with Persons that Afternoon some of whom he believed would have killed the said Keeling if he had not deceived them by many imprecations that he had made no Discovery And this Examinant further saith that this Examinant Colonel Romzey Mr. Wade Mr. Nelthrop Goodenough and Norton had notice on Sunday was Sevenight last by means of the said Keeling's Brother that the said Keeling had made a Discovery and thereupon they resolved to meet early the next morning in order to their Escapes and according to their appointment met in Goodmans-Fields where they endeavoured to hire a Boat for Holland whither all except this Examinant were resolved to go but by reason they could not get clear of Gravesend before five or six a Clock on Tuesday Night and so might be taken they laid aside that Design and every one shifted for himself And this Examinant further saith That when this Examinant was much dejected and refused to go for Holland most of the Company and particularly Colonel Romzey looked wistfully in this Examinant's Face as if they suspected Treachery in this Examinant Whereupon this Examinant told the said Col. Romzey this Examinant if he were taken would not save his Life unjustly and instanced that he had never spoke with the Duke of Monmouth and could say nothing against him and would not do Injustice to the Colonel but rather give his Right-hand to serve him which Complement the Colonel returned and so parted and there was no agreement between all or any the Parties above-named to favour one another and further this Examinant saith not The further Examination of Robert West of the Middle-Temple Barrister at Law before the Lord Keeper the 27 June 1683. THis Examinant further saith That Mr. Richard Rumbald and a party of his Friends about Ten years since designed and were prepared to have killed the King and Duke of York in their Journey to or from Newmarket and lay in Ambush for that end but the King and Duke went an unusual Road through the Forest that time which they never went before or since and so escaped them and the said Rumbald also told this Examinant that he once had a mind to have taken one of the Cellars under the Duke's Play-house and by placing Barrels of Powder there have Blown up the Play-house when the King and Duke were there but the consideration that a great number of other innocent People must have perished in it diverted him from it though a Friend to whom he communicated the design endeavoured to over-rule that objection by saying What have the Iack-Daws to do amongst the Rooks And this Examinant further saith That at some Meeting before or about Christmass last there was a discourse concerning Surprizing some Garrisons in case of an Insurrection and it was proposed for Portsmouth that some Gentlemen should go into the Town and Treat the Officers of the Garrison who in that bad Air were apt to accept of an Invitation and drink plentifully and that in the height of their drinking a party of Men who might be brought into Town on a Market-day in Country mens Habits should Surprize the Guards who likewise to that end should be Treated and it was thought the Townsmen who were uneasie under the Insolencies of the Garrison would be apt to close in and assist in the Enterprize Pendennis Castle was also mentioned as a place naked and easily seized and that might be of great use And this Examinant doth not remember any thing said about Hull but Mr. Ferguson lately told this Examinant that he had good assurances of having Newcastle And this Examinant further saith That after the intended Insurrection in November last was laid aside Ferguson to the best of this Examinants remembrance told this Examinant that the Lord Shafisbury had sent Mr. Walcot to Sir Wiliiam Courtney in Devonshire to engage him in an Insurrection and to joyn with some Person of Quality if it should be thought fit to send one thither but Mr. Walcot returned without any incouragement from Sir William Courtney And though this Examinant knew that the said Mr. Walcot took a Journey into Devonshire yet the said Mr. Walcot kept the business of it close from this Examinant and would own only making a visit to a Friend And this Examinant further saith That the Places usually resolved on for places of Rendezvous in case of an Insurrection in London were Saint Iames-Square Covent-Garden Lincolns-Inn-Fields Smithfield the Royal-Exchange St. Georges Fields in Southwark Goodmans-Field Spittle-Fields and Moor-Fields where the Arms in the Artillery Ground were to be Seized And this Examinant further saith That Mr. Roe told this Examinant That he had Discoursed with one Mr. Hicks a Tobacconist an Anabaptist Preacher a great Ringleader of the Anabaptists and that the said Hicks had told him that the Anabaptists could and he believed upon a good consideration would make up an Army of 20000 Men and 1500 of the 20000 would be Horse and though perhaps there would be a necessity of making use of some great Men at the beginning and this Examinant thinks he mentioned the
Examinant was of opinion that a publick Declaration of safety to their persons and Estates if they would submit was a better expedient and would win more upon the People And it was further resolved that some of the principal reputed Pentioners in the late long Parliament should be brought to Tryal and Death and that there Skins should be stuft and hung up in the Parliament House as Betrayers of the People and of the Trust. It was proposed that Bishops Deans and Chapters should be wholly laid aside but no resolution was taken concerning their Lands because the present Tenants might be induced to submit in hopes of preserving them and would be sure to struggle if they saw they must lose them and those who had those Lands in the late times would be sure to engage in Arms for us or submit in hopes of having those Lands again Some discourse was had of applying those Revenues and of one half or two thirds of the Colleges in both Universities to publick uses in ease of the People from Taxes It was further proposed that it should be publickly declared to the people that they should be eased of the Chimney Mony and have Toleration in matters of Religion which was thought would engage all the meaner people That England should be a free Port and all Strangers who would should be Naturalized which was looked upon as a means to engage Foreigners on our side that there should be no Taxes for the future buâ— the Excise and Landâ— Taxes which should be appropriated to particular uses and all forfeited Estates should be applyed so too And this Examinant further saith that this Examinant enquiring of Ferguson what Fond of Money was provided it was answered by him and Colonel Romzey that if the business were done and backt with success there could be no want of Money there would be half a years Revenue of the Chimney Money then due besides what the Excise-Office and Custom-house will afford and that there was Money and Plate enough among the Bankers and Goldsmiths which must be taken up upon Publick Faith if there were occasion and be punctually repaid again for the reputation of the Cause And this Examinant further saith that when Walcot agreed to engage in the said Action he desired his Name might be concealed whatsoever the effect of it proved whereupon Ferguson replyed no Man ought to be ashamed of it for 't is a glorious Action and such as I hope to see rewarded by a Parliament and that the Actors in it shall have Statues erected to them with Inscriptions of Liberatores Patriae And this Examinant further saith that he acquainted Mr. Thomas Shepard Merchant that this Examinant had provided Arms in his former Examination mentioned and that Ferguson promised to see for a conveniency of committing the Assassination between Hampton-court and Windsor And this Examinant further saith that Mr. Bourn a Brewer between great Queen-street and Parker-lane was acquainted with the intended Insurrections and hath talked with this Examinant about them and declared himself ready to engage in an Insurrection but not in the Assassination and the said Bourn was knowing of the Arms bought by this Examinant but was not at the Meeting when they were agreed to be bespoken and this Examinant believes he acquainted Mr. Carleton Whitlock Mr. Edmund Waller both of the Middle-Temple and Mr. Holford of Chancery-lane of the intended Assassination and Insurrection in November but he did not do so till after the time for Execution was past And further saith that in the beginning of October last this Examinant met with Colonel Sidney at Vxbridge where the said Colonel told this Examinant that many tricks had been plaid in the Scrutiny of the Poll for the Lord Mayor and that Sir William Prichard was declared though not duly chosen but said he all that I can say to it is what a Justice of Peace of Essex said lately to a Country Fellow brought before him for Killing a High-way-man that would have Rob'd him Friend says the Justice you have done well but you might have been Rob'd if you would and so we may be inslaved if we will or else need not or he used words to that purpose but this Examinant to the best of his remembrance never spake to the said Colonel since Robert West The further Examination of Robert West of the Middle-Temple Barrister at Law THis Examinant upon further Recollection saith that Richard Goodenough and Francis Goodenough formerly offered to act in the intended Assassination of the King and Duke if a sufficient number of Men could not be got to do it but afterwards believing there were Men enough besides they both declined it And this Examinant further saith that at some of the Meetings concerning the said Assassination Colonel Rumzey said it would be very convenient to take off Colonel Legg the now Lord Dartmouth for he was a stout Man and of desperate Courage and believed if he could get into the Tower would in Revenge fire all the Gunpowder in the White Tower which would endanger the whole City And it was said concerning the Lady Ann Daughter to the Duke of York that it would be best to Marry her to some small Country Gentleman and have a Breed only to keep out any Forrain pretenders to the Crown and at one of the said Meetings when it was discoursed whether the King or Duke should be killed singly it was agreed that Rumbold should send out a Spye before who by some signs should give an account at a distance whether the King and Duke were both together or not and at one of the said Meetings when it was designed that it would be convenient to take off some of the Chief Ministers of State as the Lord Keeper Lord Halifax Lord Hyde Richard Goodenough said take the Keeper Prisoner and Try him at Oxford for the Death of Colledge and hang him upon the same Post on which Colledge was hanged And at one of the said Meetings this Examinant saying he was well enough Armed for one for he had a good Musket Blunderbuss and Case of Pistols the said Rumbold desired to see 'em and finding 'em very good said he believed he must use the Blunderbuss in the Assassination and told Ferguson he must Consecrate it if he should use it And this Examinant saith that at one of the said Meetings this Examinant was appointed to speak to one Captain Bon a Seaman at Ratcliff to undertake the Raising a body of Seamen to surprize the Tower in case the Assassination had been committed and this Examinant accordingly proposed to the said Bon whether he would undertake to do so but the said Bon replyed he was going to settle in America where he was born and did not care to be concerned and feared he had not interest enough amongst the Seamen if he would which this Examinant reported to the next Meeting and the said Bon is since gone to live in New-England where he was born or in
the Country and he was so well acquainted with the Porter and Servants that he could have the Key at any time The said Gibbons told Sir Thomas Armstrong as if Roe had proposed it to Gibbons and Sir Thomas came to me in a great Passion and told me what I have related and bid we speak to Roe to warn him of talking of any such thing When I did speak to Roe he Confessed the thing but that Gibbons moved it to him for he knew not any thing of my Lord of Bedfords Garden or Servants This was to be done as the King came from the Play I cannot recollect whether I was twice at Mr. Shepards with the Duke of Monmouth c. or but once but if I was but once then I heard Mr. Ferguson relate to my Lord of Shaftsbury some part of their Debates at another time as that they had resolved of the 19th of November for the Rising and some Heads of a Declaration Whether I heard this Debate at Mr. Shepards or at my Lord Shaftsburies Lodgings I cannot be positive in but Mr. Shepard I believe may remember J. Romzey The further Information of Colonel Romsey THis Examinant further saith That Mr. Ferguson was at this Examinants House for seven or eight nights intermitting a night two or three which time he told me he went to his Wife During the time he was at my House the Duke of Monmouth came to see him to the best of my remembrance twice the first time I was with them and all the discourse that passed was about my Lord Shaftsburie's death and relating the Affairs of Holland and the Confederates the Duke not staying a quarter of an hour The next time I was not in the room with them Sir Thomas Armestrong came several times in a Morning to see him sometimes before I was stiring the first time I shewed him the room where he lay and did not go in with him but went to dress me I being in my shirt Andrew Barbers Informations read in Council 23 June 1683. ON Saturday morning about the latter end of March last past Mr. Keeling came to me and told me that he and some other Friends of mine would have me come to the Mitre Tavern within Aldgate because they would drink a glass of Wine with me and there I came to them and found Mr. Rumbal a one Eyed man Mr. Keeling Burton and Thompson I sate down with them and drank soon after Mr. Rumbald fell into Discourse concerning getting of Arms to his House he was speaking he thought it would be a good way to send them in a Barge but he concluded 't would not be safe but said he thought that those that would be concerned should ride with Arms themselves betimes in the Morning or in the Night and so come to his House and there they should be refreshed and their Horses till he should order them what to do Some I understand were to continue on Horseback and they that were to kill the Horses Coachman and Postillion and to shoot into the Coach were to be on foot and he would order Carts to be set cross the Road for to hinder them So then Rumbald asked if we could shoot well I told him I could not I never shot at a mark in my life the others said let them alone for that says Keeling he is a good Souldier and a lusty man what do you think of him he made no answer so I answered I was no Souldier fit for that work and said that it would be Murder to Kill and he said it would be a means not to Kill but to save many thousand mens Lives When I had done he said he would order some to bring word what Coach by the colour of the Horses that they may not be mistaken for this was to be as I understood in Rumbalds own ground for his House joyns to the Road and he said they must come by his House to come to London so he said he would ingage his Life to do it if he had but Thirty men but he expected Forty and for Horses Mr. Keeling said he would get as many as he could but it was not concluded on by reason Rumbald did expect to have seen more at that place but Mr. Keeling promised him they should be ready at the next Meeting which was to be the next Wednesday after as I remember but then I resolved never to come into their company more nor be concerned with them because I did understand there would be Murther committed nor have been in their company since nor I never saw that Rumbald before nor since Likewise I replied if you should do so how will you escape Rumbald answered he would fight his way through and separate themselves into By-roads and make what way they could for London and then they should do well enough All this time I never heard that this was intended against the King for he was never mentioned in any respect that I did understand but I did verily believe that it was meant by his Royal Highness So we paid our reckoning which was I think six pence apiece and they went towards the Exchange but I directly home and have not been in their company since nor no other tending to such evil work Andrew Barber Moreover Rumbald said that there was never above one or two that rid before the Coach and likewise if they could get to Cambridge Heath or thereabouts they should have friends enough for their help In the Gate-house the 29th June 83. Major Holmes Confessed THat in order to the late Earl of Argile's going into Scotland and raising a Rebellion there he had proposed that 30000 l. Sterling should be sent to him from hence by some great persons with whom a Treaty was held for that purpose by Ferguson but that they refused to advance so great a sum yet condescended to send him 10000 l. which Holmes knoweth not whether the late Earl hath accepted of as sufficient for effectuating that design Upon his being ask'd who were the great men by whose means the Money was to be advanced he protested that he had never conversed with any of them but that he had heard often the Duke of Monmouth and particularly the Lord Russel named and as to the Lord Grey he did not remember that his Lordship was mentioned unto him in the matter of Money but did confess that he had frequently been told of his being ingaged in and a promoter of the design in general He confessed that the Letter marked Numb 2. is from the Countess of Argile to her Husband and that he was to have sent it away by the Post last Tuesday into Holland had he not been taken into Custody That it was directed for Peter Harvie Linnen Weaver which is not a true name in Bow Church-yard and was left at one Mr. Browns House a Sider-Seller there where Holmes usually received her Letters under that borrowed name but saith that he cannot decypher this nor
Duke of Monmouth yet when the Anabaptists were once up they would not lay down their Arms till they had their own terms And this Examinant further saith That to the best of his remembrance he was informed by Colonel Romzey that the Managers of the general Insurrection had one or more Meetings at the House of Mr. Thomas Shepard Merchant in Abchurch-Lane or St. Clements-Lane in Lumbard-steet London and that if the Money were paid to the Scots the said Mr. Shepard was to return it into Holland and this Examinant to the best of his remembrance once to twice asked Mr. Shepard whether any Money were paid who answered it was promised several times but he had not any assurance of its being paid And this Examinant believes the said Mr. Shepard did know of the intended Assassination of the King and Duke but doth not remember that this Examinant had any particular Discourse with the said Mr. Shepard about it the said Shepard having failed to meet this Examinant Col. Romzey and others several times when he had promised to do so And this Examinant further saith That Mr. Ferguson to the best of this Examinant's remembrance told this Examinant since the King went to Windsor that there had been some thoughts of Surprizing Windsor with 500 Horse but upon consideration it seemed impracticable but he named no Persons to this Examinant And the said Ferguson desired this Examinant to speak to Mr. Richard Goodenough to meet Sir Thomas Armstrong which this Examinant did and this Examinant believes the said Goodenough and Sir Tho. Armstrong have had several Meetings and the said Goodenough hath Communicated to Sir Thomas Armstrong the design last carrying on for Raising 3000 Men out of the Twenty Divisions of the City and Suburbs and the Progress that was made in it And this Examinant further saith That at one of the Meetings concerning the last mentioned Design Mr. Richard Goodenough Reported one Man but would not name him would undertake to bring 1000 Men out of the Hamlets and if occasion were to give satisfaction he would shew them all a Footbal Match or other Pastime but the said Goodenough reported withal that he found most Persons insist upon terms and required to know what ease and advantage they should have in matters of Religion their Liberties and Properties and what assurance they should have of their being performed before they would actually engage in Arms for they would not Fight to change Persons only but Things But whether any thing was done in order to give them such satisfaction this Examinant knows not And this Examinant further saith That the fundamentals in this Examinant's last Examination mentioned to be prepared by Mr. Wade Col. Romzey and this Examinant were only rough drawn up by the said Mr. VVade's own Hand and this Examinant did not write them nor had any Copy of them because if they had been approved of it was intended to have drawn them into form and therefore this Examinant cannot set them forth exactly but to the best of this Examinant's remembrance the substance of them was to the effect following 1. That the People should annually meet at a certain time to Choose Members of Parliament without any Writ or particular Direction to do so 2. That the Parliament should Meet at and Sit for a stated time and not be Dissolved Prorogued or Adjourned but by their own Consent and that no Prorogation or Adjournment should hinder their Meeting before the day to which they were Prorogued or Adjourned if there were occasion 3. That the Parliament should consist of a House of Lords and a House of Commons but the exact number of both or either of them this Examinant doth not remember 4. That only such Nobility should be Hereditary as were assisting in this Design the rest should be only for Life and upon their Death the House of Lords be supplied from time to time with new ones out of the House of Commons but whether by the Election of the Lords or of the Prince this Examinant doth not remember 5. The Militia should be in the Parliament and the Parliament have the Nomination if not the Election of all Judges Sheriffs Justices of the Peace and other greater or lesser Officers Civil or Military 6. That what Acts passed in both Houses should be a Law for one Year without the Prince's Consent and what Acts passed both Hoâ—ses in two several Parliaments should be a Perpetual Law without his Consent 7. That a Council to the Prince should be Elected out of the Parliament a certain Number of the Lords to be Elected by the Commons and a certain Number of the Commons to be Elected by the Lords but the Number of the Council or of either Lords or Commons to be of it this Examinant doth not remember And this Examinant further saith That before the said Ferguson went for Holland this Examinant pressing him to know whether the Duke of Monmouth were acquainted with the Design against the King and Duke and would not Hang all Persons concerned in it if it succeeded the said Ferguson said what if I get it under his Hand that he shall not To which this Examinant answered It would be sufficient Satisfaction but when the said Ferguson returned from Holland and this Examinant pressed him again to have Security fit to be relied on he asked this Examinant Whether that were fit to be proposed to the Duke And this Examinant saying If he durst not propose it he thought other Men ought not to venture upon it Whereupon the said Ferguson said That he had mentioneâ— something concerning the King to the Duke of Monmouth but not Assassinating him to which the Duke Answered somewhat sternly You must look upon me in the Capacity of a Son Which answer for some time dampt the Design and alwayes clog'd it But at length it was resolved that if the Duke did prosecute the Actors in it that the Duke himself should be killed if it could be done And this Examinant believes Colonel Romzey was present at or made acquainted by this Examinant with the said Discourse And this Examinant further saith That the said Ferguson to the best of his remembrance told this Examinant that some thoughts had been formerly of making an Attempt upon the King and Duke the last Lord Mayors Day either going out of the Coach into Guild-Hall or in the Hall at Dinner which might be done with Men with Swords only or in their return from thence at Ludgate or Pauls-Church-Yard but for the great hazards in either of these wayes nothing was resolved on And this Examinant further saith That this Examinant perceiving that little or no preparations were made for the last Designed Attempt in the Newmarket-Journey told the said Ferguson of it to which the said Ferguson answered That he should have a Sum of Money for it when things were fixt but not else for a Sum had been Deposited in a Mans hand but named not whose for the former designed
Attempt in the October Journey and though it was not made use of it was not returned and there was no asking for such Money again And this Examinant further saith That at one of the Meetings concerning the Attempt upon the King and Duke this Examinant proposâ—d to the said Ferguson that some of the Duke of Monmouths Servants or Dependants should be brought into the Action which might be some security to the Persons engaged or at least make the World think the Duke concerned in it if he were not But Mr. Rumbald did not care to engage with any of them however this Examinant believes the said Proposal had been Communicated to some of them for that this Examinant was told to the best of his remembrance either by Colonel Romzey or Mr. Ferguson that Sir Thomas Armstrong offered to engage if Colonel Romzey would but the Colonel refused and that in case of a general Insurrection Sir Thomas Armstrong would the night before it attempt to kill the Duke of York by going to him with a pretence to discover some Plot against him And this Examinant was informed by Mr. Iohn Roe That one Mr. Gibbons who was or had been a Servant to the Duke of Monmouth â—et the said Roe in Covent-Garden or carried him thither and there told the said Roe that was a Convenient place to do the Trick in by which this Examinant understood the Attempt upon the King and Duke and that he the said Gibbons would engage to be one in it And this Examinant further saith That about a fortnight before the Kings return from Newmarket when the Attempt was resolved on to be made Mr. Ferguson told this Examinant That the Duke of Monmouth and several Lords should be invited into the City to a Dinner the same day that the King was to return so as they might be ready to appear in the City upon the Arrival of the News and the said Ferguson told this Examinant that some preferment was designed for this Examinant and desired this Examinant to consider and give a Note of such Lawyers as this Examinant thought fit to be and would accept of being Judges but this Examinant only smiled at his vanity and never gave the said Ferguson any such account Robert West 27. Iunii 1683. Capt. recognit Coram me F. North C. S. The further Examination of Robert West of the Middle-Temple Barrister at Law AND this Examinant further saith That at one of the Meetings held for managing the business of the Assassination of the King and Duke in their Newmarket-Journy there was some Discourse about getting the Arms down to Mr. Rumbald's House and the said Rumbald first proposed to put them up in long Chests and send them down by some Empty Carts from Smithfield and afterwards he thought to make use of two trusty Watermen of his acquaintance who should lay them in the Boat and carry Oysters over them as sometimes they used to carry Oysters up Ware-River and land them at or near his own House or else every Man was to carry his own Arms under long Coats But no particular way was resolved on but such was to be used as should appear most safe and at the same or some other Meeting for the same purpose it was discoursed how the Men should get down unobserved and it was thought best that they should go from London in the Evening in small numbers so as to arrive at the place about Midnight and go into an empty House near Rumbald's own House where their Horses should be put into a Barn and be refreshed and Rumbald was to send away his Servants early to Market and his Wife and Daughter he resolved to Lock up above Stairs But the greatest difficulty was how these Men should get off after the Business was done the Road might be full and the party Cut off by some force that might come from London and therefore Rumbald proposed that if he surviv'd the Action or were not disabled in it to bring them a back way over the Meadows and over Hackney-Marsh to the best of this Examinant's remembrance which he said was a very good way and all of it to be Gallopped and by that meas they might get to London as soon as the news could Or else the said Rumbald offered that the party should retire into his own Yard which was Walled in with a high Wall and Moated round which he would undertake to defend against any Force that could assault them and before night he thought all would be dispersed and shifting for themselves and the Road be clear to London but which Course he would take was left to his Discretion as the Circumstances of the Case should require And this Examinant further saith That the several wayes proposed to surprize and take the Tower of London were these to the best of this Examinant's remembrance One was so send ten or twelve Men Armed with Pistols Pocket-Daggers and Pocket-Blunderbusses into the Tower under pretence of seeing the Armory another number should go to see the Lyons who by reason of their not going into the inner Gate were not to have their Swords taken from them that the persons who went to see the Armory should return into the Tavern or Sutlers House just within the Gate and there Eat and Drink till the time for the Attempt was come that some persons should come in a Mourning Coach or some Gentlemans Coach to be borrowed for this occasion under pretence of making a visit to some of the Lords in the Tower and just within the Gate some of the persons issuing out of the Tavern should kill one of the Horses and overturn the Coach so as the Gate could not be shut and the rest of the persons within and those who went to see the Lyons should set upon the Guards that upon a Signal of the Coach driving down a party of Men two or three Hundred or more if they could be got and were to be lodged in empty Houses to be hired for that purpose as near the Tower as could be had should be ready to rush out and 〈◊〉 the noise of the first shot immediately run down to the Gate 〈◊〉 break in This way if at all put in Execution was to be in the 〈◊〉 time about two a Clock because after dinner the Officers are usually dispersed or engaged in drinking and the Souldiers loytering from their Arms. Another way proposed was that several Men should enter Actions against one another in St. Katherine's Court held for the Tower Liberty within the Tower and that at the Court-day at which time great Liberty is allowed to all Persons to come in a party of Men should go as Plaintiffs and Defendants and Witnesses who joyned with some others who should come in under pretence of Curiosity as abovementioned should attempt the surprize and be seconded by the Party from the hired Horses and to the best of this Examinant's remembrance a Coach was likewise to be made use of
upon the Scots and us too that he had laid out a parcel of Money for Arms and that he could not get it again which I told Ferguson when I saw him but he said he should have it Some time after I met him in Lineolâ—s-Inne-Fields and he told me that he had a Note to one Major Wildman for the Money and that he 'd go for it next Morning which he did but the Major was gone out of Town Some time after I went to Mr. Owen's in Bloomsbury where Ferguson then Lodged and there I asked him about West's Money he told me he had given it himself for that it was sent to him just before Mr. West came in and he had given it him On Monday they met at Captain Tracy's Mr. West gave a Note to one Tottle to go to the Gunsmith to fetch the Arms he had bought lest they should be found there and carry them with him to one of the Plantations I think New York which Tottle did then profer if they would push for it he would not go his Voyage though I think he said his Ship was at Gravesend nor would he come alone but undertake for a Hundred Sea-men and others presently The persons that used to come to Ferguson were Sir Thomas Armstrong very often sometimes two or three times a day Colonel Romzey Captain Walcot Mr. Wade Mr. Norton Richard Goodenough Richard Nelthrop Mr. West Mr. Charleton with a wooden Leg Mr. Iohn Freak Mr. Blaney once or twice Mr. Thomas Shepard Merchant Sir Robert Rich Iohn Starkey Mr. Baily a Scotch-man and Sir Camel and a great many more of his Country-men and several from Wapping all whom I know when I see also Mr. Iohn Ayloff used to come when he was in Town Ferguson told me of a certain person of Quality in that part of Ireland next Scotland that could raise Twenty thousand Men and that he had promised it I asked his Name but he would not tell me he told me it was Aaron Smith was sent to Scotland about this business and that he had like to have spoiled all but that the person to whom he carried the Letter went to the Council and shewed them a Letter he had about some business of Carolina and asked leave to come to London about it and so got off this suspition Zec. Bourne Iuly the 6th 1683. Zec. Bourne's further Information THat Mr. Baily the Scoth-man sate up one night with Mr. Ferguson and he went several times with him to the Duke and the other Lords that Ferguson Lodged at several places a few nights at a time and so to my House again at one Mr. Bickerstaff a Sword-Cutler in Covent-Garden at a German Doctors at the Green Posts in St. Martins-Lane and Mr. Owens in King-street in Bloomsbury That we met at the Salutation in Lombard-street by the perswasion of Captain Walcot for he said Mr. Thomas Shepard would meet us there he went out of Town every night and so could not come further that I have often carried Letters to the Exchange to Mr. Shepard from Ferguson that he used to come often to my House to him that I believe him to be the Man was to return the ten thousand pound for Ferguson told me he had a great Correspondence with several Merchants in Holland and that he did return my Lord Shaftsbury's Money when he went over That Captain Walcot would have spoke to one Mr. Collins an Anabaptist Preacher he Preaches somewhere in Moor-fields that could assist us greatly but they would not hear of it being a Parson Mr. West told me that Mr. Ayloff was at the buying the Arms in Shear-lane and if at the buying I suppose at the contriving the use for them that two or three days before the Discovery was made by Mr. Keeling thinking the business was pretty ripe Mr. Norton was desired to write to Mr. Ayloff to come to Town which he did That Ferguson desired me to tell them one night when we met that he must have a party to seize Mr. L'Estrange for he should find strange Papers and that great care must be taken to secure the Paper-Office at Whitehal Zec. Bourne THat Ferguson told me that one Mr. Owen of Grays-Inn would give a hundred pound towards the Design and further he told me that he was the Author of those two Libels viz. A Letter about the Black-Box And a Letter concerning His Majesties Declaration that as he walked in the Fields at that time the Discourse was about the Black-Box it came into his mind to write about it which he did in an Ale-House in Chancery-lane and that afterwards when His Majesties Declaration came out concerning the Duke of Monmouth he finding no body took notice of it in Print he resolved to write an Answer to that which he said he did as he lay in his Bed one Morning and further told me he got one thrown on His Majesties Hat as he walked on the Tarras Walk at Windsor and another laid under his Pillar but would not tell me who it was had so disposed of them two for him and farther told me that the Duke of Monmouth gave him fifty Guinies for that piece of service and so hath done every year since Mr. Bethel that was Sheriff of London was once at my House with Ferguson and had some private Discourse with him Zec. Bourne The further Examination of Robert West of the Middle-Temple Barrister at Law THis Examinant upon further Recollection saith That at the Meetings for carrying on the Assassination of the King and Duke it was resolved that Sir Iohn Moor the late Lord Mayor of London should be killed as well as the present Lord Mayor and Sheriffs and that if the people did not pull him in pieces his Skin should be stead off and stuft and hung up in Guild-Hall as one who betrayed the Rights and Priviledges of the City And it was further resolved that Mr. Papillion and Mr. Dubois should be declared Sheriffs and Sir Thomas Gold or Alderman Cornish but this Examinant thinks Alderman Cornish was pitch'd on as the brisker Man to be Lord Mayor and that they should be forced to take those Offices upon them and if they refused should be knocked on the head And Sin Robert Clayton and Sir Patience Ward who had behaved themselves like Trimmers in their Mayoralty and neglected to repeal several By-Laws whereby they might have prevented Sir Iohn Moor from being Lord Mayor should be forced to appear publickly and own the fact or else be knockt on the Head And it was further proposed that most of the Judges should be killed or brought to Tryal for their Arbitrary Judgments and their Skins stuft and hung up in Westminster-Hall It was further said by Colonel Rumzey to the best of this Examinants remembrance that though he was not for shedding much blood there would be a necessity of taking off some of the chief Abhorrers and Addressers in most Counties otherwise they would be making head but this
New-Iersey And this Examinant further saith that Richard Goodenough told this Examinant that he had spoken to one Mr. Grange a Brewer in Westminster to try what Men could be Raised in Westminster for carrying on the last Design of Raising three thousand Men out of the City and Subburbs and also spoken to one Barnes a Hatter in Fleetstreet to try what Men might be raised thereabouts but this Examinant never spake to either of the said Parties about it neither doth this Examinant know nor hath heard what other Persons were employed by Goodenough or any other Person in that Design and further saith not Rob. West The further Examination of Robert West of the Middle-Temple Barrister at Law THis Examinant upon further Recollection saith that when the Insurrection intended in November last was resolved on and Walcot agreed to engage in it the said Walcot desired this Examinant to lend him some of this Examinant's Suit of Silk Armour viz. a Back Breast and Head piece and afterward asked this Examinant to take some Command of Horse under him and to engage some young Men of the Temple telling this Examinant he could make this Examinant a sufficient Officer in two or three days time but this Examinant refused to engage himself or his Friends either though he offered the said Walcot the use of his Armour And this Examinant further saith That when the Arms in his former Examinations mentioned were ordered to be bespoke it was also proposed that Ferguson should provide the 600 l. he pretended to have ready for that purpose to buy Horses which should be kept at Livery-Stables in the names of private Gentlemen and be always in a readiness to be made use of as an opportunity for any Assassination or other Occasion should offer and the night or two before they were to be used should seemingly be brought out of the Livery-Stables by men to be employed for that purpose but Ferguson not bringing the Money no Horses were bought And this Examinant further saith That after the Treaty with the Sctos seemed to be at an end and the 10000 l. not like to be had Ferguson told this Examinant that the Duke of Monmouth was willing to speak with this Examinant and Goodenough to consider what ought to be done in the City and Suburbs and to leave the Lords and other people by which this Examinant supposes he meant the Lords Grey and Russel Sidney and Wildman but this Examinant refused to go to the Duke or to Sir Thomas Armstrong and knows not whether Goodenough went to the Duke though he did go to Armstrong And Ferguson likewise told told this Examinant That if the English would not agree to stir it was his opinion and the opinion of many of the Duke's Friends and of the Scotch Gentlemen that were here that the Duke should go to Scotland and head the Scots there whereupon Mr. Wade who was then present said If the Duke did go thither he would wait upon him in the Expedition as a Voluntier And this Examinant further saith That at some Meeting for the carrying on the intended Assassination Ferguson said the King went frequently in the night cross St. Iames's Park in a Chair without any Attendance and that it would be easie for Two Men with Swords barely to dispatch him and make their Escape whereupon Colonel Romzey said it was a strange thing to him that the great Men who were so desirous to have the business done should not make a Purse and buy some good Office at Court for some Man whom they could trust who should roar loud of the Duke of Monmouth and the Wiggs and by that means get into reputation and trust and should observe and give an account of the King 's and Duke's Walks and Hours and any Journeys they designed and the said Colonel said he had told Armstrong so and bad him tell his Lords And this Examinant further saith that about the time the Insurrection intended in November last was carrying on this Examinant observed the Lord Howard of Escrick and Walcot to be very intimate and often together and the said Walcot told this Examinant that the Lord Howard was as right as any Man for the business and as forward to engage but this Examinant doth not remember that he ever spoke with the Lord Howard himself about that Insurrection And further saith Mr Roe told this Examinant that Gibbons the Duke of Monmouth's Servant offered to be one to commit the Assassination of the King and Duke And further saith not Rob. West The further Examination of Robert West of the Middle-Temple Barrister at Law THis Examinant further saith That after Ferguson had told this Examinant that a Sum of Money for carrying on the Assassination of the King and Duke in October last was paid to a certain Person who never returned it of which the Lord Shaftsbury complained The said Ferguson at another time a little before the Discovery told this Examinant that Richard Goodenough was the person to whom that Money was paid and that he called Ferguson Fool for returning some Money he had received for the same purpose and Colonel Romzey told this Examinant that Mr. Charleton paid that Money And this Examinant further saith that when Mr. Goodenough told this Examinant that he would speak to Hone the Joyner to be one of the Assassinates he said he would first try him whether he would undertake an Attempt upon the Duke of York before he would break the whole Business to him and as he found him willing to that he would proceed And this Examinant believes Mr. Goodenough did accordingly for that the said Hone coming to this Examinants Chamber soon after and being asked by this Examinant whether he had lately seen Mr. Goodenough The said Hone answered he had and talked with him about a Jobb upon the Duke of York And this Examinant asking him whether they were agreed Hone replyed yes but this Examinant doth not remember that Hone then mentioned the King or any Name or description implying the King And about five or six weeks since the said Hone came to this Examinants chamber about a small alteration this Examinant designing to make in his Chamber and then the said Hone asked this Examinant Master will nothing be done To which this Examinant answering he believed not the said Hone replyed if this Duke of Monmouth would be true and appear openly I could bring fifty or sixty honest Fellows from our side of the Water meaning Southwark who would be ready for business as well as my self and this Examinant asking him what business Hone replyed any business either a brisk push by which this Examinant supposed he meant a General Insurrection or the other Trick or Jobb of taking off the two Brothers the Captain and Lieutenant which were two Names used for the King and Duke And this Examinant further saith that when the Discourse was had concerning the Killing the Ministers of State Colonel Romzey said the Lord Halifax
and another whose Abilities and Qualifications did in no degree fit him for such a Province The first Meeting of these Six was about the middle of Ianuary at Mr. Hambdens House at which Consultation there was only propounded some General Heads which were afterwards upon more mature thoughts to be Debated viz. Where the Insurrection should be first made whether in the City or in the more remote parts of the Country or in both at the same instant what Counties were thought to be best disposed to and best fitted for this enterprize what Persons in the respective Counties were the most useful and most ready to be engaged what Towns easiest to be gained and the most proper for a general Rendezvous what Arms were necessary to be provided how to be got where to be disposed what sum of Money was of absolute necessity to answer publick occasions how and by what Methods such a sum of Money was to be raised so as not to draw into observation nor to administer occasion of jealousie And lastly which was the principal and thought to challenge the chiefest Care how Scotland might be drawn into a Concert with England and which Persons there fittest to be Consulted withal about this Matter This was the sum of that days Conference The second Meeting was about 10 days after at the Lord Russels House where were present every one of the foresaid Six At this Meeting it was propounded that a speedy understanding should be settled with the Lord Argyle and that in order thereunto some fit Person or Persons should be thought of to be sent to him and to be a constant medium of Correspondence betwixt him and them that care should be taken to be rightly informed of a true state of Scotland of the general Bent and Inclination of the People of the Capacities or Incapacities they were under and that some trusty Messenger should be forthwith dispatched thither to invite two or three of the most valuable Gentlemen of that County into England to the end they might be advised with about the general Design The Persons nominated to be called into England were the Lord Melvin Sir Iohn Cockran and I remember another Gentleman of the Family and Alliance of the Lord Argyle who if I mistake not was of the same Name also and a Knight but of this I retein but an indistinct remembrance Some other things were considered of but of no great moment At the Conclusion of this Meeting it was agreed that there should not be any other Meeting of this Cabal unless in case of some extraordinary Emergency until the return of the Messenger sent from hence and the arrival of the foresaid Gentlemen out of Scotland This affording a kind of Vacation I soon after went into Essex whether I was called by the Concerns of my Estate after that I went to Bath whither I was enforced to go by the Infirmity of my health so that what was done or argued on after this I can give no account but by hearsay Howard Iuly 11. 1683. A Supplement of some things which upon recollection have occurr'd to my memory since my former Information I Remember that my Lord Shaftsbury complaining of divers persons who had deserted him and fell short of their Engagements to him amongst the rest named his Cousin Charleton meaning Mr. Charleton of Totteridg who he said had promis'd and was able to bring in great assistance to him upon which he did much rely but was quite fallen from him and had so wholly attacht himself to the Duke of Monmouth and my Lord Russel that he would act only by their measure Speaking also of Major Wildman He said that he was very forward in the Work and very active in it And being told by me that amongst other things which were wanting in such Enterprize the want of some Great Guns seemed to me not to be the least He told me that they should be furnished with two Drakes by a Friend whom he did not name which two Drakes I have since thought may be those two small Pieces found with Major Wildman The Person mentioned in my former Narrative who as my Lord Shaftsbury said had offered to kill the Duke with his own hands I do now distinctly remember to be Mr. Iohn Ayloffe to whom he Answered No Jack thou shalt not kill him till we have an Arm'd Force to Iustifie it About the 10th or 12th of October after a stop put to the then intended Insurrection the Duke of Monmouth told me that he had seriously thought of it meaning the Insurrection and that after divers ways proposed and seriously considered of he was clearly of Opinion that there was nothing so easie to be accomplished nor so probable to do the Work effectually as to fall in upon the King at Newmarket with a smart party of Horse of about Forty or Fifty which he said he could soon have in a readiness To which I answered That I was of the same opinion but whether or not it would be decent for him to appear in person in an Attack to be made when the King was in Person deserved his consideration Two days after I spoke to him of it again and ask'd him what thought he had of it He answered me that it could not be brought about soon enough After which I never Discoursed more with him about it but upon reflection I am apt to think that from this time and not before the Design of Way-laying the King in his return to London was first meditated and I am the more confirmed in this Opinion from the Consideration of the behaviour of the Duke of Monmouth and Lord Grey who seemed to be very big of Expectation of some great thing to be attempted upon the day of the King 's coming from Newmarket upon which day as I have before observed Sir Thomas Armstrong was not to be found till the King's Coaches were come into Town and I do verily believe he was to have headed the Party To this also may be added That the Duke of Monmouth within few days after told me that he had that day given order to have his Horses carried into London to have been in a readiness to have Mounted upon any Emergency I do further call to mind That there is a considerable Person living in Spittle-Fields whom I very well know and have often been in his Company but cannot remember his name distinctly this Man I have been told did undertake to bring in two or three Hundred Men upon the strength of his own Interest when occasion should require He is well known to Mr. West Howard Further Information of Colonel Romzey June the 11th 1684. SIR Thomas Armstrong was at the Meeting at Mr. Shephards when I was there and was one that undertook to view the Savoy and Mâ—ws to see in what posture the Soldiers were and how easie or difficult it would be to surprize them Sir Thomas Armstrong did tell that Gibbons came to him and acquainted him that
Paper and Print Number 1500. 05 00 00 Second Impression with Altâ—rations Number 1500. 05 00 00 The Answer to the Declaration Three Sheets Number 3000. Paper and Print 18 00 00 The two Conferences Five Sheets Number 2500. Paper and Print 25 00 00 Reasons for the Indictment of the D. of Y. Number 1000. Paper and Print 02 10 00 For Bags Boxes and Portridge 01 00 00 Sum is 56 10 00 Whereof Received 33 00 00 Remains 23 10 00 Besides all the large promises when engaged in that Service viz. to be the Parliament Printer and when the Parliament sat had not one Sheet to do of all the vast Numbers done for them Also 100 l. per annum and Reimburstment for an Engine made on purpose for the Service which cost 15 l. A Former that cost 16 l. being rotted in the former Publick Service Towards all which Eight Guineas were received of Mr. Ferguson said to be his own Gift This is a Brief Account of what past under Mr. Ferguson's Order which shall be faithfully made appear to his Face if he dare stand the Test. By Sir your most humble Servant Captain Walcot's Letter To the Right Honourable Sir Leoline Ienkins Honoured Sir I Being in the Country and to my great trouble seeing my self in his Majesties Proclamation I came last Night to Town resolving to lay my self at his Majesties Feet let him do with me what he pleaseth This is the first Crime I have been Guilty of since His Majestie 's Restauration and too soon by much now If his Majesty thinks my Death will do him more good than my Life God's Will and His be done Vntill I sent your Honour this Letter my Life was in my own Power but now it is the Kings to whom I do most humbly propose That if his Majesty desires it I will Discover to him all that I know reâ—â—ting to England Scotland or Ireland which I suppose may be something more than the Original Discoverer was able to acquaint His Majesty with especially as to Ireland There is not any thing his Majesty shall think fit to ask me but I will answer him the Truth as pertinently and as fully as I can My intiâ—acy with a Scotch Minister through whose Hands much of the Business went I judge occasioned my knowing very much And I do further humbly propose That if His Majesty thinks it advisable I will follow those Lords and Gentlemen that are fled into Holland as if I fled thither and had made my Escape also and will acquaint the King if I can find it out what Measures they resolve of taking next I do assure his Majesty the business is laid very broad or I am misinformed And I am sure as to that particular if 〈◊〉 being with his Majesty and your Honour be not Discovered I shall be ten times abler to serve â—im than either Mr. Freeman or Mr. Carr for they will trust neither of them There 's scarce any thing done at Court but is immediately talk'd all the Town over therefore if his Majesty thinks what I have presumed to propose Advisable I do then further most humbly Propose That my waiting upon his Majesty may be some time within Night that your Honour will acquaint me the Time and Place where I may wait upon you in order to it and that it may be within Night also and that no body may be by but his Majesty and your Honour And if his Majesty pleaseth to Pardon my Offences for the time past he shall find I will approve my self very Loyal for the future if not I resolve to give his Majesty no further troublâ— but to lie at his Mercy let him do with me what he pleaseth I purpose to speâ—d â—uch of this Day in Westminster-Hall at least from Two of the Clock to Four I beg your Pardon I send your Honour this by a Porter I assure your Honour it was for no other reason but because I would not have a Third Person Privy to it And that I might have the better opportunity to make good my Word to his Majesty and to approve my self Your Honours most humble Servant THO. WALCOT Minutes of Walcots Confession before His Majesty the 8th of July 1683. THe first Business was spoken of in a place and at a time he does not now remember But it was agreed that Lord Shaftsbury should have the Command in London Lord Russel in Devonshire Lord Brandon in Cheshire Duke of Monmouth in Taunton and Bristol This agreement did not hold long Some coming to Town that said the Countries were not ready The last business was spoke of about a fortnight before Ash-Wednesday last Captain Walcot had no Conference about it with any Lord but with the Lord Howard of Escrick Ferguson did oblige Captain Walcot to bring him and the Lord Howarâ— together The Lord Howard and Ferguson discoursed together of the ways and means to surprize the Tower Lord Shaftsbury told him that the City was divided into twenty parts and that there was to be a Chief to every part and he was to choose fifteen Men to assist him within his Division Lord Shaftsbury told the Duke of Monmouth that the King was to be deposed Rumbald was Lieutenant of Horse in Fairfax's Army Walcot served in the same Army Richard Goodenough said the Duke of Monmouth expected six thousand Men tâ—gether in London Lord Russel and Lord Gray were to Mortgage Lands for the Raising of ten thousand pounds Lord Howard of Escrick was concerned in the Grand Consultation Captain Walcot always opposed the Assassination He will leave 800 l. a year behind him Ferguson told Walcot about a quarter of a year ago that the Earl of Essex was in this Affair A Note taken from Walcot by Captain Richardson Keeper of Newgate Iuly the 11th 1683. IF Colonel Romzey be to be spoke with I would have you speak with him to be tender of me that will do him no hurt he hath room enough to serve the King upon others and if Mrs. West would do the like to her Husband her Children On the other side Run no hazard nor speak with him before any Body if you cannot be private leave the Issue to God Two Letters from the Mayor of New-Castle Dated June the 1st 1683. To Mr. Secretary Jenkins about Pringle c. Right Honourable New-Castle Iune the 1st 1683. WE presume to acquaint your Honour there are two persons Apprehended and Committed to his Majesties Goal here with whom there are found divers Seditious Papers and Letters they were for going beyond Seas the one of them goes by the Name of Alexander Pringle the other Edward Levitson when their Papers and Writings were seized on they attempted to destroy and convey the same but were prevented We have sent by Express the Writings so seized on to his Grace the Duke of New-Castle our Lord Lieutenant to forward the same with this Letter to your Honour What Commands we receive from your Honour shall be obeyed by c.
Cochran Ierviswood Commissar Monro the two Cessnocks Montgomery of Langshaw and one Mr. Veatch where they discoursed of Money to be â—ent to Argile in order to the carrying on the Affair and tho he cannot be positive the Affair was named yet it was understood by himself and as he conceives by all present to be for rising in Arms for rectifying the Government Commissar Monro Lord Melvil and the two Cessnocks were against medling with the English because they judged them men that would talk and would not do but were more inclined to do something by themselves if it could be done The Lord Melvil thought every thing hazardous and therefore the Deponent cannot say he was positive in any thing but was most inclined to have the Duke of Monmouth to head them in Scotland of which no particular method was laid down Ierviswood the Deponent and Mr. Veatch were for taking the Money at one of these Meetings it was resolved that Mr. Martin late Clerk of the Justice Court should be sent to Scotland to desire their Friends to hinder the Country from Rising or taking â—ash Resolutions upon the account of the Council till they should see how matters went in England The said Martin did go at the Charges of the Gentlemen of the Meeting and was directed to the Laird of Polwart and Torwoodlie who sent back word that it would not be found so easie a matter to get the Gentry of Scotland to concur But afterwards in a Letter to Commissar Monro Polwart wrote that the Country was readier to concur then they had imagined or something to that purpose The Deponent as above-said having brought over a Key from Holland to serve himself and Major Holms he remembers not that ever he had an exact Copy of it but that sometimes the one sometimes the other keeped it and so it chanced to be in his Custody when a Letter from the Earl of Argile came to Major Holms intimating that the would joyn with the Duke of Monmouth and follow his Measures or obey his Directions this Mr. Veatch thought fit to communicate to the Duke of Monmouth and for the Understanding of it was brought to the Deponent and he gave the Key to Mr. Veatch who as the Deponent was inform'd was to give it and the Letter to Mr Ferguson and he to shew it to the Duke of Monmouth but what was done in it the Deponent knows not The Deponent heard the Design of killing the King and Duke from Mr. Shepard who told the Deponent some were full upon it The Deponent heard that Aaron Smith was sent by those in England to call Sir Iohn Cochran on the account of Carolina but that he does not know Aaron Smith nor any more of that Matter not being concern'd in it Shepard nam'd young Hambden frequently as concern'd in these Matters Sign'd at Edingburgh Castle the 8th of September 1684. and renewed the 18th of the same Month. William Carstares PERTH CANCELL I. P. D. Edinburgh Edinburgh Castle September 18. 1684. MR. William Carstares being again examin'd adheres to his former Deposition in all the parts of it and Depones he knows of no Correspondence betwixt Scotland and England except by Martin before-nam'd For those Gentlemen to whom he was sent were left to follow their own Methods Veatch as the Deponent remembers stayed sometimes at Nicholson Stabler's House at London-Wall sometimes with one Widow Hardcastle in Morefields The Deponent did Communicate the Design on Foot to Doctor Owen Mr. Griffil and Mr. Meed at Stepney who all concurred in the promoting of it and were desirous it should take effect and to one Mr. Freth in the Temple Councellor at Law who said he would see what he could do in reference to the Money but there having gone a Report that there was no Money to be rais'd he did nothing in it nor does the Deponent think him any more concern'd in the Affair Nelâ—hrop frequently spoke to the Deponent of the Money to be sent to Argile whether it was got or not but the Deponent used no freedom with him in the Affair Goodenough did insinuate once that the Lords were not inclin'd to the thing and that before they would see what they could do in the City The Deponent saw Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Rumsay lurking after the Plot broke out before the Proclamation having gone to Ferguson in the back of Bishop-gate-street at some new Building whether he was directed by Ierviswood who was desirous to know how things went Rumsay was not of the Deponent his Acquaintance before but they knew as little of the matter as the Deponent This is what the Deponent remembers and if any thing come to his Memory he is to deliver it in betwixt and the first of October And this is the truth as he shall Answer to God William Carstares PERTH CANCELL I. P. D. At Edinburgh the 22d of December 1684. THese fore-going Pages subscrib'd by Mr. William Carstares Deponent and by the Lord Chancellor where acknowledged on Oath by the said Mr. William Carstares to be his true Depositions and that the Subscriptions were his in presence of us Underscribers William Carstares PERTH CANCELLARIUS David Falconer QUENSBERRY George Mekenzie ATHOL Copy of the Lord Russel's Examination in the Tower My Lord Russel Asked WHether he knows of any Consultations tending towards an Insurrection or to surprize His Majesties Guards at any time and by any persons and by whom Whether he hath ever been at Mr. Shepards House and how often and when last Whether any Lords were in company and who Whether at any time the Duke of Monmouth Lord Grey Sir Thomas Armstrong Colonel Romzey Mr. Ferguson or any of them were there and how many and which of them Whether there was any discourse concerning a Rising in the West or any parts of the West or at Taunton and what the Discourse was and by whom Whether there was any discourse concerning the surprizing the Kings Guards at any time Whether the Duke of Monmouth the Lord Grey and Sir Thomas Armstrong did undertake to view the Guards to see if it might be done and in what posture they were Whether they gave any account that they had viewed the Guards and how they found them What did Mr. Ferguson say at any of those Meetings and by whom was he directed Whether he knows of any Design for a Rising in Scotland Whether he hath been at any Consultations for that end with any persons Scotchmen or others and with whom What Monies the Scotch demanded at first and whether they did not consent to take Ten thousand pounds and how was that or any part of that to be raised and by whom My Lord Russel's Answer to the preceding Interrogatories MY Lord knows of no Consultation tending to any Insurrection His Lordship knows nothing of any Consultation or Design to surprize his Majesties Guards at any time divers times His Lordship doth acknowledge to have been frequently at Mr. Shepard's House His Lordship cannot
precisely set down the time that he was there last To the two Articles relating to the Lords that were in company at Mr. Shepards his Lordship answers that he went thither with the Duke of Monmouth but as to the rest of the persons then present his Lordship conceives that he ought not to answer because there were ill Constructions made of that Meeting nor cannot positively remember His Lordship answers There was no discourse as he remembers concerning any Rising in the West or any parts of the West or at Taunton nor particularly of Mr. Iohn Trenchards Undertaking nor any discourse about Mr. Iohn Trenchard as he remembers His Lordship answers there was no Discourse at Mr. Shepards about surprizing the Guards nor of the Duke of Monmouth's my Lord Grey's nor of Sir Thomas Armstrong's Undertaking to view the Guards nor was there any account there given by the said persons of their having viewed the Guards nor how they found them Nor was there any such Undertaking elsewhere to his knowledge To the question what Mr. Ferguson did say at any of those Meetings his Lordship answers that he cannot tell what Mr. Ferguson did say there nor doth he own that Mr. Ferguson was there His Lordship knows of no Design for a Rising in Scotland nor knows any thing of the whole Article relating to Scotland nor any part of it His Lordship hath heard general discourses of many distressed people Ministers and others of the Scottish Nation that were fled and that it were great Charity to relieve them This Examination was taken the 28th day of Iune 1683. before Us L. Ienkins I. Ernle R. Sawyer H. Finch Notes of some things Confessed before His Majesty and the Council taken out of the Books of Minutes JOhn Rouse consest that Money was Collected in the City at the intimation or desire of some Parliament Men for the Kings Evidence that receiving that Money for that purpose from some of them he sent it to those Persons for whom it was design'd Bourn Confesses That Sir Thomas Armstrong used to come every day to Ferguson when he lay at his House that he has seen him since the discovery when Armstrong urged him to get some friends together to make a push and that it was better to dye with Swords in their hands Walcot Confesses That Aaron Smith was sent into Scotland by those Gentlemen that transacted the matter Bourn says That Ferguson Lodged at his Fathers House a Month or six Weeks That he left no Papers in his House and used to say he would never be hanged for Papers Shepard says Bayly told him Charlton had undertaken to raise the whole 10000 l. Romzey says The Lord Russel was about going away from Shepard's when he arrived there and that his Lordship said Trenchard was a Coward and that he would go down himself and begin the Rising Charlton confesses He had paid Oates 80 l. per quarter for his subsistance of which he had but 10. l. of my Lord Shaftsbury and was himself the rest out of Purse but that he was told a Parliament would reimburse him Shepard says That Ferguson and Bayly told him that Charlton would procure the 10000 l. himself and raise it upon a Mortgage Charlton further says He paid Oates about 400 l. in all The Information of John Rouse taken at his desire in Newgate the 19th of July 1683. THe Informant saith That the design of the Rebellion and seizing the King was begun by the Earl of Shaftsbury at his House in Aldersgate-street before the meeting of the Parliament at Oxford where the Duke of Monmouth Sir Thomas Armstrong Lord Russel Lord Grey Major Manly a Brewer at Whitechappel and others whom he saw there and as he was told likewise by his Servants frequently met there the foundation of all the Scurrilous Libels was laid particularly that of the Raree-shew That all those Clubs at Mile-end-green the Sun behind the Exchange at Russel's in Iron-Monger-lane and at the Salutation in Lumbard-street were to carry on that Design he cannot recollect all names but declares that he knows all those of Note that were at those Clubs were thoroughly acquainted with the Design These Clubs were divided into three Factions by reason of which division the Informant saith the Design went on so flow as it did and at last it fell between the Duke of Monmouth and a Common-wealth and the greater number carried it for the Duke of Monmouth because it was found upon his going into the West Châ—chester and Cheshire the vogue of the people went for him Those that were for a Common-wealth were absolutely resolved to have nothing to do with the Race of the Stuart's but they pitcht upon Richard Cromwel whom this Informant knows to be in England The longest day that was appointed for execution of this was at Midsummer-day last when the people should be at Guild-hall chosing Sheriffs Five hundred Horse were promised to be sent in from the Country who were to seize the Guards The pretence of the Conspirators was to secure His Majesty from being killed by the Papists that if he would not comply with His Parliament at Oxford then to set up the Duke of Monmouth That this was long design'd likewise before the meeting at Oxford The Informant saith That it was resolved by the Conspirators that when they should have accomplisht their Design and that the Tower and City of London was seized then they were to go to Whitehal and demand their Priviledges and Freedoms with their Swords in their hands He hath been present at many of these Clubs where these Designs have been consulted of and all the persons of any note Commons as well as Lords were consenting to the Conspiracy he saith he can prove it by many Witnesses He saith my Lord Shaftsbury and Oates were the Principal movers in all this business A particular Account of the Situation of the Rye-House THe Rye-House in Hartfordshire about eighteen Miles from London is so called from the Rye a Meadow near it Just under it there is a By-road from Bishops-Strafford to Hoddesden which was constantly used by the King when he went to or from Newmarket the great Road winding much about on the Right-hand by Stansted The House is an Old Strong Building and stands alone encompass'd with a Mote and towards the Garden has high Walls so that Twenty Men might easily defend it for some time against Five hundred From a high Tower in the House all that go or come may be seen both ways for near a Mile distance As you come from Newmarket towards London when you are near the House you pass the Meadow over a narrow Caus-way at the end of which is a Toll-gate which having Entred you go through a Yard and a little Field and at the end of that through another Gate you pass into a narrow Lane where two Coaches at that time could not go a-breast This narrow Passage had on the Left hand a thick Hedge and a Ditch on
them that supposing they should effect what they talked of it could not be expected that if the Duke of Monmouth should be Crowned but in Honour and for his own Vindication he must search out the Assassins and both Try and Execute them So that instead of expecting a Reward they must lose their Lives upon which they ceased their Discourse and went away soon after Some time after this Mr. Ferguson told me of a general Insurrection intended both in England and Scotland and in order to it that Sir Iohn Cochran Mr. Bayly Mr. Monro Sir Hugh and Sir George Cambell were come up to Treat with some of our English Men about it and that the Lord of Argile had made a Proposition That if they would Raise him Thirty Thousand pounds he would begin it in Scotland but finding no hopes of Raising that Sum the Scotch were willing to accept of Ten Thousand pounds And by means of a Letter which came as I was informed for there was no Name subscribed from one Mr. Stewart to some unknown Man which I have forgot Concluding then that it was intended to Mr. Bayly or some other of those Gentlemen having had some small acquaintance with Mr. Stewart formerly by means of his Brother who was then a Merchant in Burdeaux and one of my Correspondents I came acquainted with Mr. Bayly who told me from time to time what steps they made in 't how he Conversed with the Duke Lord Russel Major W. and as I remember Colonel Sidney and that he had divers promises of the Money and desired it might be paid into my Hands at length he told me that Five Thousand pounds they had agreed to Raise amongst themselves and that they expected the other half should be Raised in the City but finding no Monies could be got in the City that Project fell likewise and as Mr. Bayly told me all his Country-men were going beyond Sea A few days after came out the Discovery and I never saw any of them since Mr. Ferguson told me that my Lord Essex was hearty in this business and that Iohn Trenchard was a Man to be depended upon in the West They had likewise good hopes of Sir William Courtney and that my Lord Shaftsbury had sent Captain Walcot down to him who returned with a very cool Answer that he found them not what he expected but believed if it came to a Rising they would prove right enough I had almost forgot to acquaint your Majesty that both Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Bayly told me That Mr. Charleton had once promised to see the Ten Thousand pound paid Thomas Shepard Iurat coram Me June 27. 1683. SUNDERLAND The Information of Joseph How of the Parish of St. Giles's without Cripple-gate in the County aforesaid Distiller taken upon Oath before Sir Reginald Forester Baronet this 15th day of June 1683. against Thomas Lea of Old-street in the Parish aforesaid in the County aforesaid Dyer for speaking of Dangerous and Seditious Words THis Informant Deposeth and sayeth That the said Thomas Lea being at his House in White-Cross-street on Thursday last between two and three of the Clock in the Afternoon being the 14th of this instant Iune The said Thomas Lea was discoursing with him this Informant about the loss of the City Charter and other things upon which the said Thomas Lea fell into a Passion and told this Informant that he was one of the number of Ten Thousand Men which were designed to be ready at an hours warning and in Order thereunto there was Twenty Thousand pounds in Bank to carry on the Undertaking and many more did every day subscribe mony or engage their personal assistance And the first enterprize they venture upon is to go very near Windsor and for to seize the Black-Bird and the Gold-Finch and that Three Hundred Men were designed for that Enterprize And afterwards to seize the Militia Whitehal and the Tower But this Informant answered that he judged it impossible the Tower being now so very Strong but the said Thomas Lea told him that he had been round the Tower in Company with a Captain of a Ship and had found out a place where a breach might be made which is to be done by placing some Ships on the Thames side with Mortar Pieces therein to dismount the Guns and also to bring the Major part of those Seamen which were in Arrears of Pay to perform the work they being angry and in want therefore the fitter for that purpose And that for the better carrying of the Design several Meetings are held as this day for one at the Kings-head Tavern in Athist-Ally near the Royal Exchange at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon Further Informeth not Ioseph How Regin Forester June 25 1683. The Examination of Colonel John Romsey THis Examinant saith That in October or November last there was an Insurrection intended by the Earl of Shaftsbury and That the said Earl of Shaftsbury told this Examinant that Bristol was to be his Post and the Examinant being asked what Persons of Quality or Capacity to Command as Officers were named as intended to take part in this Insurrection He Answered That he heard my Lord Russel named and complained of and Mr. Iohn Trenchard named by the Earl of Shaftsbury and this Examinant further saith that Row the Sword-bearer of Bristol told him That Mr. West had acquainted him the said Row that there was an intention to Assassinate the King at His coming from Newmarket in October last the Examinant doth not remember whether the Duke was there or no but that if he were he was likewise to have been killed as the said Row told this Examinant and this Examinant further saith That about the latter end of November or the beginning of December last this Examinant having Matters of Law depending became acquainted with Mr. Robert West and employed him as his Refereé therein That the said West acquainted this Examinant with the Design to Murther the King at His coming from Newmarket in October last and told this Examinant That though it miscarried at that time it was not to be given over so and therefore desired that he this Examinant Mr. Richard Goodenough and some others which he cannot charge his Memory withal should meet at his the said West's Chamber where this Examinant and they did meet within three or four days after to the best of this Examinants Remembrance and there Discoursed about the same Design and let it fall at that time and this Examinant further saith That about the Month of February last the above-said Persons met with this Examinant at the said Mr. West's Chamber to consider how the Design should be brought to effect at the Kings return from Newmarket and Mr. West and Mr. Richard Goodenough undertook to find out Men for that purpose And this Examinant further saith That about this time the said West and Goodenough did desire that this Examinant would be acquainted with Richard Rumball of the Rye near
but that the Earl of Shaftsbury broke that Designe not consenting to pay the Money This Examinant never heard any thing of this Design until the said West Norton and Goodenough did tell him thereof And this Examinant further saith That Mr. Nelthrop and Mr. Wade did always oppose the Murthering of the King and the Duke and so did Captain Walcot but at last the said Walcot consented And this Examinant further saith That Mr. Bourn and Mr. Goodenough's Brother were at some of the last Meetings about the raising of the Men This Examinant saith That to the best of his Memory he hath here set down every thing that was said or Transacted in the Debates when he was there but he was absent from some I. Romzey Colonel Romzey's further Information THis Examinant further saith That being sent by the Earl of Shaftsbury about the beginning of November last to Mr. Shepard's a Merchant near Lombard-street where was the Duke of Monmouth Lord Russel Lord Grey Sir Thomas Armstrong and Mr. Ferguson this Examinant told them my Lord Shaftsbury had sent him to tell them it was high time to come to some Resolution about the Rising They made him this Answer by Mr. Ferguson and afterwards my Lord Grey said words to the same effect that Mr. Iohn Trenchard had promised and assured them at his first coming to Town that Term that he could in four hours time have a Thousand Foot and Two or Three Hundred Horse but now they had sent to him to know the certainty he had returned to them this following answer That Men would not be got from home on two or three days warning but that when such a thing as a Rising should be he must know it sooner that he might acquaint Men to make Provision of Settlements for their Families so they could not go on at this time any further And for this reason and that they heard Sir William Courtney would not stir my Lord must be contented This Message I returned to my Lord On this my Lord resolved to leave England This Examinant further saith That there was a Project of Government drawn up by Mr. West and Mr. Wade which they delivered to this Examinant and he gave it to Mr. Ferguson who told them that he heard Colonel Sidney had drawn one that he would compare them together and reduce them into one intire one And this Examinant further saith That Mr. Nelthrop told him that my Lord of Essex my Lord Russel Colonel Sidney and young Mr. Hamden were the persons that did Treat with the Scotch Gentlemen and so did Mr. West and I think Mr. Ferguson Mr. Nelthrop and Mr. West during the time I did not see Mr. Ferguson told me that now they were resolved to raise Ten Thousand pounds for the Scots and that next week it should all be paid in that was about a Month since But they had been with Mr. Shepard the Merchant and he told them there was none paid This Money was to buy Arms in Holland Mr. Ferguson told this Examinant the Rising must be in Scotland before Harvest or else their people would not be got together and that in four days after the Scots were up we should have the first Intelligence and that then we must Rise in this Town and in Taunton My Lord Howard was at first one with my Lord Essex and the rest but he told Captain Walcot and Mr. West what passed amongst them for which reason he was lâ—fâ— out of the meetings Further this Examinant saith that Mr. Wade and Holloway told him how they had fixed the matter for Bristol that they were sure of Three Hundred Men and that they would Post them in all the cross Streets so that none of the other party should get together in a Body or out of their Houses By this means they should be Masters of the Town without spilling one drop of Blood And this Examinant further saith that Goodenough told Wade West and this Examinant that about twenty five Hundred Arms would be wanting for the Men that would Rise here for without they were Armed that were on the first to Rise here we should be beat therefore West and this Examinant did acquaint Mr. Ferguson from the rest that did meet of the necessity of having so many Arms. He replied Money should not be wanting but how so many Arms could be bought without a discovery Mr. West did undertake that if Money were given the Arms might be had and some person of the Company did name a Gun-smith that was an honest Man that might without suspition have two or three Hundred Arms and other Gun-smiths might if enquired after be found that might lodge proportionable quantities in their Shops and the Men should be led to these Shops and Armed It was said by Goodenough that six Hundred Arms were together in the Artillery Ground which might be easily seized on Many debates we had about the Tower some proposed the taking of it by day-time by sending some Men onely with Pocket Pistols and when the Sign was given they were to fall on the Guard but this was left off as not agreeing with a Rising by night and then the other way was to clap two or three hundred Fagots to the Gates and set them on Fire which would make those within surrender and that Ships should come and lie before the Tower and batter it at the same time the Fagots were on fire I. Romzey Colonel Romzeys Letter to the Earl of Rochester concerning the Scotch Pedlars My Lord WHen the Rising was to have been in November Mr. Ferguson did say that he could promise for Three Hundred Scots in this Town that would be ready at a days warning and that there was in England Twelve Hundred that might be depended upon that Three or Four Hundred did always abide here the rest were scattered throughout England with Packs on their Backs for the Maintenance of themselves that a great many of them were Gentlemens Sons and all of them had been at Bothwel-Bridge and betook them to this way to get and carry Intelligence as well as a living J. Romzey Another Letter from Colonel Romzey to the Earl of Rochester My Lord I Do not know whether I have already in any of my Papers where I mention Mr. Roe acquainted the King of one passage he told me but I think I have that Gibbons the Duke of Monmouths Footman did tell him that nothing but taking off the Two Brothers would do the business and if he would go with him he would shew him the place to do it he carried him to my Lord of Bedfords Garden where I think he told me is a Mount to look into Covent Garden and said no place can be like this to lodge Men in to do the feat and shewed him the Garden-door where they might make a Sally on the Coach if they mist with their Fire Mr. Roe asked him but how will you bring the Men in He told him my Lord was long in
be willing to assist in their own persons or by Money Some time after we met Mr. Goodenough at the Amsterdam Coffee-house in Bartholemew-lane I told him that I had acquainted Mr. Charles Bateman and he desired to speak with Mr. Goodenough That Mr. Bateman told me I must have a care and speak at a great distance that he was willing to assist if he could see but a cloud as big as a mans hand and after I called on Mr. Bateman and went with him to a Sea-Captains and from thence to the Duke of Monmouths House in Soho Square As we went Mr. Bateman told me that the Duke had told him that he was glad that ever he came acquainted with those Protestant Lords and did assure me that the Duke was very right for the Protestant Interest and that we need not mistrust him and then we called to see Mr. Goodenough but were too late The same afternoon I went to see for Mr. Goodenough and found him at the Dolphin Tavern in Bartholemew-lane and I appointed him to come to the Kings-head in Swithens-alley in Cornhil where he came and told me that they were making ready and asked me what I had done in that matter I told him not much because I doubted they were not prepared with Money and Arms he told me that they had both I asked him what store of Money they had he told me Twenty thousand pounds and then we went into company and talked no more about that affair Some days after I met with him again and he told me that he had seen Mr. Bateman and that he hoped he would be very serviceable and asked me what that Southwark man was I told him he was very honest and willing and that I had spoken with him and he desired that he might speak with him I called him and they discoursed together alone and after that he asked me who that ancient Gentleman was I told him that he was an old Souldier and that his Name was Franks he desired me to call him and I did and discoursed the matter and he not hearing of it before was a little surprized but said that he was willing to fight for Priviledge which he thought was Invaded but not for Religion The next day I went to meet Mr. Goodenough at Richards Coffee-house at Temple-bar there I met with Mr. Hone and he had me over to the Kings-head Tavern and there told me it had been our great mischief that there had not been an understanding betwixt the Cavaliers and us that there were a great many brave men about the Temple and that the job had been done upon the Black-Bird and Gold-Finch some time before if it had not been for an accident that happened at Newmarket Soon after came in Mr. Francis Goodenough and Mr. Hone told me that I might be free with him We discoursed about the matter he said they were making all things in a readiness against their coming from Windsor and that he thought they must get Three hundred Horse to seize them coming from Windsor Some time after I met with Mr. Richard Goodenough and asked him what readiness things were in he told me that in a few days he thought he should have an account how many men they could raise I told him that I had spoken with Mr. Rous and that he could help them to Arms for a Hundred men and that a way was proposed how to raise a Thousand Seamen if they would be at the charge of a Golden Ball to be played upon Black-heath He asked me what the Ball would cost I told him I was informed about Twelve pounds He said if it were Forty they would be at the charge of it Then he desired to speak with Mr. Rous and appointed to meet him at the Kings-head Tavern in Swithings-alley and they met and went into a room apart and afterwards we went to Iosephs Coffee-house in Exchange-alley and Mr. Rous told me that he would see and get Ten Sea-Captains to manage that affair The next day I met with Mr. Rous at the Amsterdam Coffee-house there he spoke with two Captains as he told me and from thence he went with them to the Angel and Crown Tavern in Thredneedle-street but I did not go with them I saw him afterwards at the Kings-head and he told me he must have Mr. Goodenough go with him to Wapping I acquainted Mr. Goodenough with it and he told me that that business of the Tower was left to some men that understood those affairs better than himself and that they must be in a readiness to do all together I asked him what that was he told me they must Seize the Tower and take the City and secure the Savoy and Whitehall and the King and the Duke Sometime after I met Mr. Francis Goodenough in Westminster hall he had me behind Kidals Coffee-house and told me that the Countrey-Gentry were ready and said he desired it might not be delayed long The next time I saw Mr. Richard Goodenough was at the Kings-head I called at Mr. Ienkes and understood that he had almost dined and I left word that I was gone thither and he came to me and I told him I had spoke with one in Old-street and that he was willing to assist with Money and another in White-cross-street that told me that he would assist himself and had Arms for Ten men and Mr. Goodenough told me that they were about Summing up their Men and that they should be ready in a fortnight or less The Examination of Hicks living in Friday-street London taken before His Majesty the third of July 1683. WHo saith that he did hear from Wade as he thinketh that the City was to be divided into parts and that Wade told him there would be a Rising of the Papists to cut all their Throats to which he had answered that he did not believe it But that the Law of Nature taught him to stand upon his own defence And that he the Examinant further adding that this imported Evil and that he would not consent to it Wade then replied he the Examinant must perish then by himself The Examination of Robert West of the Middle-Temple Barrister at Law taken the 23 June 1683. THis Examinant saith he having a general acquaintance with those of the City of London that are commonly called Whiggs observed about Michaelmas last a general discontent amongst them by reason as he apprehends of the Elections that had gone before of the Mayor and Sheriffs and of their apprehensions of the loss of their Charter whereon this Examinant fearing that their hearts might transport them to commit some extravagancies and to prevent his own Families being ruined by them was very inquisitive to know whether any Insurrection might be designed And this Examinant after some time was inform'd by some persons who at present he cannot remember that an Insurrection was intended in November last in the City of London but the particulars of it this Examinant was never
this Examinant further saith That Mr. Rumbald told this Examinant not long since that Major Wildman had shewed him a Paper in the nature of a Declaration or Remonstrance which he intended to have Printed and Dispersed among the People at the time of the intended Insurrection and that he the said Wildman had formerly encouraged the said Rumbald in the attempt upon the King and Duke in their way to or from Newmarket but afterward seemed to discourage him And this Examinant further saith That after the Fire happened at Newmarket and this Examinant Colonel Romzey Walcot Ferguson Rumbald and Richard Goodenough had met twice and resolved to let making any Attempt upon the King and Duke alone The said Ferguson on Saturday or Sunday before the Kings return borrowed Forty Gunies of Colonel Romzey as the said Colonel Romzey and Ferguson have since told this Examinant in order to set the same on work but did nothing in it and hath since repaid Thirty Gunies if not the whole Forty Gunies to the said Colonel Romzey And this Examinant further saith That after the Kings return from Newmarket the said Colonel Romzey this Examinant Ferguson Rumbald Goodenough and Walcot as this Examinant believes met at the George and Vulture Tavern on Ludgate-hill where the Arms in this Examinants former Examinations mentioned and the Sorts and Sizes thereof were agreed upon And the said Ferguson told the Company that one was employed to see for some Convenience between Hampton-Court and Windsor to make the Attempt upon the King and Duke but he never made any Report of the Message though he was pressed to it by this Examinant and others being then wholly intent as this Examinant perceived upon Managing the Scotch Insurrection And this Examinant further saith That soon afterward there were several Meetings between all or most of the Parties abovementioned at the Castle Tavern in Fleetstreet and Green Dragon Tavern on Snow-hill but this Examinant doth not remember any particular Discourse at any of the said Meetings other than concerning the Progress of the Scotch preparation towards an Insurrection And this Examinant further saith That there was since proposed making an Attempt upon the King and Duke in their return from the Dukes Play-House in the narrow part of the Street but the same was wholly rejected and this Examinant never heard of any Attempt designed to be made upon the King and Duke at a Bull-Feast nor never heard that a Bull-Feast was to be had till about Ten or Eleven days since And this Examinant further saith That the said Ferguson told this Examinant that the Insurrection in England intended to second that in Scotland would be in this manner viz. That one Party should be up in the West at Bristol Taunton and thereabout another in Yorkshire at York another in Cheshire at Chester and if it could be done another in Devonshire at Exeter in every of which places some Persons of Quality would appear but named them not and that the main Push was designed at London and was ordered thus viz. That several parties should at once Attack the Tower the Guards and the Exchange the Mews the Savoy and White-Hall and one at Westminster should fall upon the back of White-Hall that a Party of Horse should be laid at Staines Bridge to way-lay the King and Duke if they went towards Windsor and another Party of Horse to way-lay them in their Road to Portsmouth if they went thither that the Mayor and Sheriffs should be seized but the Design was not to be Communicated till it was ripe for Action and added that he hoped the Duke of Monmouth and Lord Russel might be prevailed with to appear in London And this Examinant further saith That after the Scots were disappointed of the Money promised to them the said Ferguson would have had this Examinant to have met and discoursed with Sir Thomas Armstrong but this Examinant refused to do so and he once asked this Examinant to wait upon the Duke of Monmouth but this Examinant refused that also And this Examinant further saith That though the said Ferguson was shie of Naming Persons of Quality to this Examinant yet he always believed he meant the Duke of Monmouth Lord Russel Lord Grey Colonel Sidney Mr. Charleton Major Wildman and others but this Examinant never Discoursed with any of them himself And Colonel Romzey about two or three Months since to the best of this Examinants remembrance told this Examinant that the Lord Howard of Escrick Colonel Sidney Mr. Hampden Junior Major Wildman and others whom this Examinant hath forgotten were Managers of the Design And this Examinant further saith That Richard Rumbald was commonly called Hanibal by reason of his having but one eye and that it was usual at the Meetings above-mentioned to Drink a Health to Hanibal and his Boys and this Examinant believes the Ninety three Guineys in this Examinants former Examination mentioned to be paid to him by the said Ferguson for the Arms were given to him by Mr. Charleton for that the said Ferguson had before told this Examinant that he should have the said Money when Mr. Charleton came to Town and when the said Ferguson paid the said Guinies to this Examinant he told him he had not them in his Custody above half an hour and this Examinant met the said Charleton going from him when this Examinant came to him And this Examinant further saith That about five Weeks since after the said Treaty with the Scots seemed to be broken off this Examinant Colonel Romzey Mr. Walcot Mr. Wade Mr. Norton Richard Goodenough and Iames Holloway met at the Young Devil Tavern between the two Temple Gates where it was agreed to divide the City into several Parts and to give the several Parts to several Persons to examine what Force might be Raised in every one of them and if 3000 Men could be Raised for the first Onset it was thought sufficient encouragement to venture upon an Insurrection and it was not doubted but 20000 Men would fall in if the first Onset had any success and in order to this a large Map of the City and Suburbs was bought and hung up in this Examinants Chamber where Mr. Wade Holloway and Mr. Francis Goodenough divided the City and Suburbs into Twenty Divisions which were to be Managed thus One principal Man in each Division should employ Fourteen or Fifteen under him and give them their particular Walks so that they might not interfere one with another and be deceived in their Numbers These were to provide Ten men apiece at least so that 150 Men in each Division would make 3000 out of the Twenty Divisions and what was over might be kept for a Reserve but there was no particular Method as this Examinant remembers agreed upon to use these Men but was deferred till the Number was certain after which Division so made the said Richard Goodenough by reason of his general Acquaintance undertook to find out Men to act accordingly
it without Suspicion Then I asked him Who the Lords were He told me There was the Duke of Monmouth Lord Grey Lord Russel and Major Wildman and Col. Sidney I told him I wondred the Duke would be perswaded to take up Arms against his Father for my part I should be very unwilling to trust him He answer'd me That he had the greatest Assurance in the World of him and that I need no more be afraid of the Duke than of him He told me The Lord Argyle who was to command the Scots was of my Opinion too for he had a few days before sent a Letter to him to be well satisfied in the Point and that he had sent him such an Answer as he did not doubt would satisfie him He told me The Duke of York had Fourteen thousand Men in half pay about the Town And for his part he thought we ought to defend our selves for we could not tell but our Throats might be cut every Night I asked him How he could tell all this He told me That they had a great deal of Intelligence from the Tory Party for there were some that were willing to play a sure Game and so keep in with both Sides Some little time after this there came one Mr. Iohn Row that was Sword-bearer of Bristol with one Iames Holloway of the same Place a Merchant to enquire for Ferguson but he was unwilling to see them Then Row asked me to go and give him a Dish of Coffee which I did And Iames Holloway gave me an account of the Posture of Affairs at Bristol which I wondred at being the first time that ever I saw him viz. That they had been ready this two or three Months that there was but Eight in Bristol that knew of it that he had had some Cannon he had taken out of some Ships he was concerned in had lain there so long he was afraid they would mistrust something That he had great plenty of Powder and Bullet in his own House and that they had a couple of Ships there that would carry forty Guns a piece which they intended to seize the first Rising and fit out to Sea And then their manner of getting together was thus Some of those Eight had Houses out of Town where they would get all of the Town they thought were for their Purpose The Dissenters under pretence of a Meeting and the Others under some Colour or other And then tell them the Design and if they would not go with them they would secure or force them and that they would seize all the Head Men of the Contrary Party which were not above Thirty in all And that they would post Men at the Corner of every Street so that there should not a Man stir without they pleased And that to their Assistance they should have some Colliers out of King-Road and some Scotch Pedlers that were about the Country many of whom were of Bothwel-Bridge He said further That the King would have by the Time they begun a great many Thousand Pounds that they should seize and that there was a great many of the Tory Party that had a great Summ of Money by them which they must borrow And that there was not a good Horse within Five Miles about them but they knew where to have him That they wanted but two hundred Musqueâ—s for they thought they should have more Men than Arms which he was come up about which he hoped the Lords would help them to But if they could not Mr. Wade would lend them the Money to buy them and that he should pack them up in Parcels of Goods and send them by the Carrier to his House Mr. Wade told me himself He would do it that is lend the Money but it was some time after this Mr. Row sate by and approved what Holloway said to be true After this I went down to the Wells and staid about a Fortnight When I came Home again Mr. Wade came to me and told me I must promise Secrecy and then he had something to say me which was That Affairs were settled every where very well but in London And though the Lords had a Design to let London alone yet they saw there was a necessity that the Business must be done effectually in London for if they let that alone it was enough to maintain a War against the whole Kingdom and that their Friends here would be all ruined and that in order to the securing of it they had taken this Method by which they might know their Strength They had divided the Town into so many Divisions and had got honest Fellows to consult what Men they might expect out of every Division and that they had no Body about me that they thought could serve them and therefore desired me to think if it was not possible to get about an hundred and sixty Men out of Bloomsbury St. Giles's St. Iames's and Soho and that I might by way of Discourse ask some of my Acquaintance If there should be occasion to defend our selves whether they could not find out Ten or Fifteen or Twenty Men that would assist That they should have a Meeting again in Two or Three Days and then he would give me an Account of it and I should go to them And accordingly on Friday following being the Eighth of Iune towards Evening he came and fetcht me out and carried me to the Dragon-Tavern on Snow-Hill where I met Collonel Romzey Mr. Robert West Captain Walcot Mr. Norton Mr. Wade Richard and Francis Goodenough Then I was asked If I could not do what Mr. Goodenough had spoke to me about and was desired not to say any thing about the Business to any Body in direct terms but especially to any of the Ministers for West said They were a parcel of Rogues that had ruined the People ever since Constantine I told them I thought Mr. Mead and Mr. Lobb might be trusted and that they were if they would capable of serving them very much But they would not hear it then but the next Meeting which was on Monday the 11th Ditto at the Salutation in Lumbard-street they did think it was necessary Mr. Lobb should be spoke to but not directly which I did For the next Day I went to him and talking of the badness of the Times I said There was but one way to help our selves and that was by Arms and if we should have occasion to do so I asked him where he could find a good Parcel amongst his People that he thought would stir He told me That the Spirits of the People were low but he did believe there was a pretty many of them that would make use of an Opportunity if it was put into their Hands But he could see no Hopes of such an Opportunity as yet we were too great Cowards But I bid him not be out of hopes And so our Discourse ended for his Wife came in The next Meeting which was on Thursday the 14th Ditto
was one of the Greatest Rogues and deserved it more than any Man for he professing himself formerly of our Party knows our weakness and Divisions and hath exposed us and made the Court venture upon things which they would never have done otherwise And when Goodenough proposed that the Lord Keeper should be Hanged where Colledge was Hanged this Examinant having an Opinion that the Lord Keeper was an Enemy to this Examinant and had used him very hardly in a Cause this Examinant lately had in Chancery this Examinant desired that he might have the Custody of the said Lord Keeper a little while to make him sensible of his unkindness to this Examinant but this Examinant never designed or desired to Kill the said Lord Keeper or any other person nor would have had his Hands in any Mans Blood And this Examinant further saith that Ferguson lately told this Examinant that Mr. Cromwel Son of Richard Cromwel who usually goes by the Name of Mr. Cranbourn was so vain as to endeavour to make a Party for himself or his Father in the City and Goodenough formerly viz. about Christmass last told this Examinant that he believed the said Mr. Cromwel and Mr. Ireton the Son of Lieutenant General Ireton would assist in the intended Assassination of the King and Duke in Person And this Examinant further saith that Mr. Goodenough told this Examinant that he had spoken to one Partridge a Shoemaker and Almanack-Maker in Covent-garden to Act in this Assassination and that the said Partridge offered to joyn in it if it were to be done in Town but was not able to Ride and therefore would not joyn in the Attempt out of London And further said that the said Partridge had erected several Schemes and thereby found the Duke of York would scarce out-live March or April and that the King was under an ill Direction too and the People would be Victorious And Mr. Ryley told this Examinant the same thing as to the Schemes erected by Partridge And this Examinant further saith that Colonel Romzey told this Examinant that when Mr. Trenchard refused to go into the West and raise a Force for the intended Insurrection in November last the said Mr. Trenchard was sent for to the Duke of Monmouth's House about it and there were present the said Duke the Lord Gray and Colonel Romzey And further told this Examinant that the Lord Russel had prepared to go the then next morning to his Post which was somewhere in the West but this Examinant doth not remember the place And this Examinant further saith that after the Discovery Walcot told this Examinant Colonel Romzey Wade Norton Nelthrop Goodenough and Ferguson that notwithstanding the said Discovery he was perswaded God would yet deliver this Nation but he did not approve of the present Instruments who had undertaken it or used words to that purpose And this Examinant further saith that he having a Son lately Born desired Colonel Romzey to be Godfather who said he would not except he might name him Brutus but was afterwards prevailed with to do that Office and give the Name of Iohn to the Child being the said Colonels own Christian name Robert West The further Information of Robert West of the Middle-Temple Barrister at Law THis Examinant upon further recollection saith that Ferguson formerly viz. soon after his return from Holland told this Examinant that Dr. Owen and one Mr. Collins either and Anabaptist or Independent Preacher were the most sensible Ministers about the Town and were both of Opinion that the intended Assassination and Insurrection were both lawful and necessary and that Colonel Owen Dr. Owens Brother was Privy to them and joyned with Colonel Sidney and Major Wildman in the management of the Treaty with the Scots and that one Mr. Mead a Nonconformist Minister was zealous in the business of an Insurrection but was not for beginning it in London and Mr. Nelthrop told this Examinant the same thing of Mead and that he was able to Raise a thousand Men or more And this Examinant further saith that Mr. Nelthrop told this Examinant that in case of an Insurrection which he much desired he would go along with the Lord Russel wheresoever he took his Post and would furnish out himself and a man with able Horses and Arms and a good sum of Money And this Examinant further saith that upon a discourse with Colonel Rumzey concerning a general Insurrection the said Colonel told this Examinant that if he could have a thousand resolute Fellows to follow him and an other thousand Men to secure him at his back he would undertake to drive the King all the Court and the Guards out of Town so as they should not dare to look back till they were fled to Windsor And this Examinant further saith that the Money which this Examinant received from Ferguson amounting to something more than the Arms bought by this Examinant cost this Examinant by the direction of Colonel Romzey paid Five pounds to Mr. Wade to give to one Manning who was to have been one of the Assassinates and also in the last designed Insurrection to pay some Debts which Manning owed and the said Colonel Romzey Mr. Wade and Mr. Norton gave Manning a Guinny or 20 s. apiece more And the said Wade asking this Examinant whether he would personally engage in the last intended Insurrection and this Examinant saying his infirm Constitution was not able to bear the toyl of a Souldiers life Mr. Wade told this Examinant then he must sit out some Men that would and that this Examinant should give his Blunderbuss to Manning who was a strong stout Fellow able to carry it which this Examinant agreed to and to fit out two Foot Souldiers or do any thing else was fit for him to do And this Examinant further saith that at one of the last Meetings for Raising the three thousand Men out of the City and Suburbs Mr. Bourn reported he had communicated the business to Mr. Lobb a Nonconformist Parson who had a Congregation of poor zealous Men and that Mr. Lobb embraced it readily and promised to employ two trusty Men of his Congregation to go amongst the rest and engage as many as they could And this Examinant further saith that Ferguson had four several Lodgings during this Examinants Correspondence with him at three of which this Examinant visited him viz. at Mr. Bourns the Brewer at Mr. Owens a Lawyer living at the further end of King-street in New-Southampton Buildings and at a Cutlers over against Wills Coffee-house in Covent-garden his fourth Lodging was in St. Martins-lane in the Fields at a Dutch Doctors or German Quacks which this Examinant never was at and knows not the name of And this Examinant further saith that Colonel Romzey discoursing with this Examinant further concerning the Duke of Monmouth told this Examinant the Duke was inclinable to answer the peoples expectations and submit to be little more than a Duke of Venice but the
but I do declare I knew not the meaning of it till Mr. Lee and Mr. Rowse asked me about taking the Tower and whereas he or Mr. Lee and Mr. Rowse or both asked me about tossing up of a Ball as I take it on Black Heath I asked what they would do there They told me there was some Hundreds of Horse ready in the Country and as for Captain Blagg I heard him say that Mortar-pieces over Southwark side would be the best way for the taking of the Tower and I have heard him say as near as I can remember he could raise some Seamen but the number I have forgot and all that Mr. Lee spoke before the King and Council in my hearing was true All this I am willing to attest and for knowing of any others besides Mr. Lee and Mr. Rowse and Captain Blagg to be concerned in this Plot I know not neither can I call to mind any words spoken by any but those three William Leigh The further Information of William Leigh Shall it please your Majesty SInce I sent in my Paper I have sent something more which came in my mind since That is about getting some Seamen that might be fitting to go Commanders or Captains of Ships and as he asked if I could not get two or three sometime afterwards I did enquire what he would do with them he told me to make Masters of Ships I asked for what end He told me to put in Ships at Deptsord or Woolwich that is Men of War to make Guard Ships to stop all going and coming I did ask him what he would do with them when there was no Guns nor Powder nor Shot on board but I told him if he had the Tower then he might do something but his Answer was if not then some time after that says he Mr. Rous by Name we must secure the Tower and Whitehall both together or else there could be nothing done For says he we must take the King and then our work is done to the best of my remembrance I asked what was then his Oath of Allegiance He told me if they had the King he shou'd be King stiâ—l but fight under his Commission I do think Mr. Lee was there present Will. Leigh Information of the Lord Howard to the King the 11th of July 1682. The First Part of my Narrative being a Summary Account of all that Occurred to my Knowledg from September 29th 1682. to the time of the Earl of Shaftsbury's Death ABout the middle of September 1682. I had occasion to go to a small Estate at Tolibury in the County of Essex where I continued about a Fortnight waiting to hear of the ultimate issue and result of the long contested Election of the Sheriffs of London which was shortly to receive a final Determination by the Swearing of the new Sheriffs into their Office During which time of my continuance in the Country I received two or three Letters from Captain Walcot importing in a mysterious Stile well enough understood by me that the matters of Negotiation betwixt me and the Merchant my Correspondent were brought to a good Conclusion and that my presence was speedily desired for the better perfecting the same Upon the 29th of September being the day which put an end to the long Dispute about the Sheriffs I returned to my House at Knightsbridge where I had not been above two or three days before I received a Visit from Captain Walcot who acquainted me that the Earl of Shaftsbury had withdrawn himself from his own House into a Retirement in the City where though he was secreted from most of his Friends yet he desired to see me for which purpose his Lordship had sent him to me to shew me the way to his Lodging I presently closed with the Invitation and went along with him to one Mr. Watsons House about the further end of Woodstreet reckoning from Cheapside where I found his Lordship alone who immediately begun to advise me in this manner viz. That finding the due Election of the City frustrated by the Pseudo-Sheriffs forcibly obtruded upon them he could no longer think himself safe though Innocent in the future administration of Justice which must hereafter be expected to be wrested by such Ministers to the Humour of the Court but this Danger threatned not him only but me also and all honest Men in England in the sense whereof he had thought it necessary for him and believed it no less necessary for me to withdraw himself into the City where he had made such preparations meeting with a disposed matter that he did not doubt but in a short time he should be able to reduce things to a better posture That in order hereunto there were several Thousands I think he mentioned 10000 who were ready upon Notice given â—o betake themselves to Arms. First to make themselves Masters of the City and afterward Sally out and Attack the Guards at White-Hall that they were to be assisted with about a 1000 or 1200 Horâ—e to be drawn insensibly into Town from several adiacent parts of the Country under the Conduct of several good Officers amongst whom he made mention of Major Bremen and of him only but there was nothing hindred the putting of this into speedy Execution but the Backwardness of the Duke of Monmoâ—th and the Lord Russel to whom were affixt the Lord Grey the Lord Brandon Sir Henry Ingoldsby and several other Gentlemen who would not stir without the Duke who had unhandsomely failed him after their promise given him to be Concâ—rreâ—t with him in the like undertaking at the same time in Devonshire Sommersetshire Chesbire Lancashire and other Counties to give variety of Diversion to the standing Forces That the Lord Grey seemed to be more forward then than the rest to joyn with him with whom if he could be gained he intended to Couple me for the raising of Essex and that the Lord Hâ—rbert and Colonel Romzey would be assistant to him in the Conduct of the City Affairs together with very many Eminent Citizens who desired to have their Names spared till the time of Action with many other particulars too long to be enumerated in this short Summary To all this I answered That I was glad to hear and was willing to take it upon his Credit that the City was in as great a readiness for Action as he had exprest and that there would be so considerable a Body of Horse brought out of the Country for their Aid as he had intimated nor did I doubt but he had prudently provided for all the requisites to so great an undertaking But withal that I could not but be much surprized to hear that there should be so great a misunderstanding betwixt him and those Noble Lords whose Concurrence I thought absolutely necessary for so great a Work that if they had failed him as he had related after an appointment made they had acted very unsuitably to the Character they bore and would deservedly
forfeit the opinion was had of them that I must be allowed the â—iberty to discourse with them about it and till then to suspend as well my Censure of them as the Resignation of my self to him in the matters propounded by him upon these terms I parted from him promising to see him again within a day or two The next day I went to Moor-Park where the Duke of Monmouth then was and in short acquainted him with what I had heard as well concerning himself as the Lord Russel c. He absolutely denied that he or as he believed my Lord Russel had ever made any such appointment with my Lord Shaftsbury that they were altogether Ignorant of what was doing by the said Earl who for some time upon what Capricio he knew not had withdrawn himself from them and acted upon separate Councils of his own grounded as he feared upon the hasty Conceptions of some Hot-headed Men who might lead him into some untimely undertaking which in all probability would prove fatal to himself and all the Party For prevention of which he said he would be glad if he knew where to give him a Meeting and to resettle a better understanding with him Having had this Account from the Duke I made a sâ—cond Visâ—t the next day being Thursday the 3d or 4th of October to the said Earl to whom I communicated what had passed the day before betwixt the Duke and me and thereupon took occasion to strengthen my self with Arguments of the absolute necessity of a speedy Conâ—erence betwiâ—t him and the other Lords as well for the removing the present misapprehensions they had of each other as also for the Consolidating them into such an Union and Concert of Councils as might render them all joyntly helpful to the Common Interest by an harmonious and uniform Acting to the same end in which they did all agree however they might differ in the means This I urged upon him with all the vehemency that the nature and importance of the thing required but he still persisted in a refusal of a Meeting saying with some more than ordinary warmth That he had long discovered in the Duke a backwardness to Action by which they had lost great opportunities that he had cause to suspect that this artificial dilatoriness of the Duâ—e proceeâ—ed from a private agreement betwixt his Father and him to sayâ—â—â—ne another That People so he termed that Imaginary Army in the City were impatient of longer delays having advanced so far already that they could not safely retreat The intention of an Insurrection being commnnicated to so many that it was morally impossible to keep it from taking Air if it was not speedily brought into Act that one of his Friends whom I afterwards understood to be Rombald had drawn almost an Hundred Horse into London by small and unobservable Parties a little before Michaelâ—as Day who after they had câ—ntinued here a good while at their Expence were again retired to their respective places of Abode That such frequent Disappointments would weary the Party and flat their Spirits and make them at last resolve to sit down in a total Despondency But it was much to be feared the Duke acted with a Prospect very different from theirs he designing nothing more than the Advancing himself whilst they could not hope that ever their Liberties should be well secured for the future but under the Government of a Commonwealth That for these Reasons he was fully determined to be no longer expectant upon the Duke's Motions but would pursue his former intentions of Attempting the deliverance of his Country by the help of an honest Brisk party in the City with whom if the rest of the Lords would be co-operating they might share with him in the glory of so honourable an Undertaking but if they would not he hoped he should be able to effect the Work without them Howard Iuly 11. 83. This was the Substance of the second Confereâ—ce I had witâ— him which I reported the next day to the Duke who desired me to make one Assay more to procure an Interview This occasioned my going to the said Earl a thiâ—d time upoâ— Saturday the 5th or 6th of October at which time I did prevaâ—â— with him to give me a promise of meeting the Duke and â—y â—ord Râ—ssel the next day in the Evening but in stead of coming he sent his Excuse both to the Duke and me the next Morning by Colonel Romzâ—y and streightway removed to another Lodging where he continued to secret himself till the time of his departure out of England During the time of his Concealment divers intimations were given some to me by Captain Walcot others by others to the Duke of Days appointed for their intended Insurrections One appointment was about the later end of October at which time the Kings return from Newmarket was expected but this was prevented by the Duke who prevailed with them to put it off to a longer day in expectation of a Concurrence of the Country with them This Adjournment as I remember was for a Fortnight at which time returns from the Country gave Discouragement to the proceedings After this the second of November was made a day peremptory as I have been informed but that also was put off I know not upon what Disappointmâ—â—t which often Failures caused the said Earl to take Resolutions of Conveying himself beyond the Seas which he did accordingly Whilst these things were in Agitation I have several times had some dark Hints given me from Captain Walcot from Goodenough from West from Ferguson of Striking at the Head of shortning the Work by removing two Persons by which I did apprehend that there was a design of making some Attempt upon the King and the Duke or one of them but when and where and by whom and in what manner and place this was to be acted I never saw This ends the Transactions during the Life of the Earl of Shaftsbury the rest shall be made a Second Part. Howard Iuly 11. 1683. A Continuation of my former Narrative AFter the Death of the Earl of Shaftsbury it was considered That as there had appeared both in City and Country a very prompt and forward disposition to Action so it might justly be feared that either the minds of Men might in time stagnate into a dull Inactivity unless proper Acts were used to keep up the fermentation or which was equally dangerous that the unadvised Passions of a Multitude might precipitate them into some rash and ill-guided undertakings unless they were under the steering and direction of some steady and skilful hand For prevention of both these Evils it was thought necessary that some few persons should be united into a Cabal or Council which should be as a concealed Spring both to give and to guide the motion of the Machine The persons designed to this general Care were the Duke of Monmouth the Lord Russel the Earl of Essex Mr. Algernoon Sidney Mr. Hambden Junior
that this Io. N. was a person that past under the name of Iohn Nisbet an Englishman and stayed at one Mr. Mead's in Stepney which Nisbet was an Usher of a School at Bednal-green before That the close of the Letter bearing that things were fully as high as I tell you is meant the present intended Rebellion That by the Capital Letter B. is meant one Mr. Brake a Minister in Lewarden in Friesland and the young men are some Students who are in Holland Being interrogat what he heard of the Earl of Argile's concurring or assisting in this Insurrection Answers That he heard by report in Holland that Argile had undertaken to Raise ten thousand Men to assist in that Rebellion and that he was to furnish himself with Arms in Holland and about the time of this report which he thinks was in December or Ianuary last he heard Argile was in Holland but that he did not see him and to the best of his memory Io. N. also told him of the Earl of Argiles concurring in the Rising but remembers of no other person Being interrogat upon the little Letter from Stepney which he thinks was about the beginning of May Dated Friday at seven a Clock That the Man whom he speaks of is Mr. Mead a Minister and that by the words what my Hands find to do was meant Io. N's going to Holland and that the Declarant was to meet with Mr. Mead to let Io. N. go Further declares that Iohn Iohnston was one who at other times past under the name of Murray who is a little Man Pock-marked and wears a Periwig Sic subscribitur A Gordon Linlithgow Perth Io. Edinburgen Geo. Meckenzy I. Drummond This is a true Copy of the Original Declaration and Answer made by Alexander Gordon late of Earlestoun to the Interrogators proposed to him by the Committee of Council which is attested by me William Paterson Cls. Sti. Concilij A Copy of Alexander Gordons Examination June 30. 1683. THe said Alexander being interrogate what he knew of the Author of that Letter directed to Alexander Pringle of the date 20 of March last to be left at Alexander Hopes House in Gloss-haven Rotterdam which runs upon the Metaphor of Trade answereth That the Author of that Letter seemeth to him to be one Io. Nishet with whom he conversed a year ago at London and ordered the said Alexander to direct his Letters to Bednal-Green and since to Mr. Mead in Stepney near London and that he the said Alexander had written a Letter to this Io. Nisbet challenging him why he came not sooner over to Holland as he had promised dated about Ianuary last and that he received this Letter by the Metaphor of Trade in answer thereunto and that the venturing spoke of in the Letter was to signifie a resolution of a speedy Rising in Arms and that the Factors therein mentioned signified their Agents and Emissaries who were sent out into different corners both in England and Scotland to know the Pulse of their Complices and Parties if they were in readiness to joyn and rise with them and that they brought back accounts of their willingness so to do and readiness for an Insurrection And as to the assistance they were to have from Scotland he understood it at his last coming here and some Months before he came over in May last he heard amongst the Dutch People commonly reported that there was to be very shortly a Rising in England and that the Earl of Argile was to furnish from Scotland Ten Thousand Highland-Men for their assistance and that at his coming hither last he heard that there was a Person come from England to Sir Io. Cockram alleadging he came about the Affâ—ir of Carolina but that he had discovered himself to a Servant of the Lord Treasurers that he had come to Scotland upon other matters and that the Letters for Scotland from any Correspondents of the Party in which Earlestoun was engaged was directed to Mr. Henry Emertson written in Edenburgh and that before he came last hither in May the meeting of these Phanatical People had received a Letter from England subscribed by one I. S. whom he take to be one Murray as he named himself to Earlestoun as the other forementioned person named himself Io. Nisbet in which Letter there was the Metaphor of a Marriage anent which all things were agreâ—d and the Marriage ready to be solemnized which occasioned their sending for him the said Alexander Gordon to have his mind concerning that Affair and they interpreting that Letter signed by I. S. from England to concern the seeking of their assistance in their intended Rising there he did disswade them from it and that by the Marriage they understood a Rising to be intended in England and that it was ready to be solemnized was to signifie that an Insurrection was to be very speedily on foot and declared that these with whom Earlestoun conversed here declared that they believed that the Persons who came from England to Sir Io. Cokram were sent to manage a Correspondence in order to the design of Rising in Arms. The Relation of Alexander Gordon of Earlstoun of what he was informed of and heard as followeth ABout the time of the Election of Rich and North I heard that there were some designs of Rising in Arms of some people in England and in order thereto there was some Treating with my Lord Argile but not agreeing to the terms my Lord left them and I heard it ceased for some time and went over to Holland and when he was there I was informed of the renewing of the Treaty and agreed upon the following terms viz. That the Earl of Argile should raise Seven Thousand Men and the Treators who as I was informed were English-men were to advance the said Earl Ten Thousand pound Sterling and this was agreed to in April last The persons in England were by Information the Duke of Monmouth the Earl of Shaftsbury but after the said Earls decease I did not hear so much of the Duke of Monmouth I was also informed of Ford Lord Gray of Wark his being in the Design I was also informed that those concerned in Scotland most in the said Design were Sir Iohn Cockram Ierviswood Sessnock Elder and Younger and that Sir Iohn Cockram the one day kist His Majesties Hands the other day went to the Cabal anent the above-written Design I was also informed That no small number of the Gentlemen in the West and other places in Scotland upon their resentment of the present Government particularly as to the Test and other Papers put to them were not resolved to stand to them although they should take them but rise upon the first occasion This Information I heard from Murray alias Iohnstoune who as I heard was a West Country-man in Scotland who offered to take me along to their Cabals but upon my refusal to meddle in the designs kept himself and told no more than those generals I met with
Mr. Robert Archiebald Mr. Alexander Hasty Mr. David Williamson who also as I have said before was Captain of a Troop of Horse Mr. David Home Mr. Iohn Blâ—kater Mr. Iohn Blackloth Mr. Donald Cargil Mr. Iohn Kid Mr. Iohn King Mr. Iohn Dick Mr. Thomas Forrester Mr. Iohn Dickson Mr. Robert Sandilauds Mr. Patrick Vernatt and Mr. Iohn Harraway with some others But at this time Mr. Richard Camron and his Brother Mr. Michael with some few other Ministers were gone to Holland with Moneys to pay for Arms that were formerly brought by Kersland's Son as I was since inform'd and some other Phanaticks living there In this Council there were very hot debates betwixt Welch's Party the most considerable of the two who were content to lay down Arms upon their getting an Indulgence and Robert Hamilton's Party who would rest satisfied with nothing less than the Extirpation of Episcopacy and setting up a pure Presbyterian Government as they call'd it And the Differences were so great betwixt them that the choice of their chief Officers which was design'd to have been that Night was put off till the next day being Sunday at Ten in the Forenoon but were prevented by the King's Army coming before Sun-rising to the North-end of Bothwel-Bridge However they did that Night appoint two Commissioners viz. Mr. David Home and Captain Mackculloch to treat for them with the Duke of Monmouth On whom they waited accordingly about half an Hour before the Fight but returned without any Success The general Discourse amongst the Rebels on Friday and Saturday was That the Lord Burgany would certainly come in to them the Monday following had not the Fight on Sunday prevented him to command their Forces in chief and to appoint such Field Officers both for the Horse and Foot as he should think fit unless they had been appointed by the Council of War before his coming but in either of the Cases they were to have had their Commissions from him For it was most certain that they would not allow Robert Hamilton to be their Commander in chief The Rebels did frequently and openly express the great Confidence they had in some of their Friends about the Duke of Monmouth and particularly the Lord Melvil the Lord Newark Sir Thomas Armstrong and Sir Hamilton of Preston the Elder Brother of Robert Hamilton besides some others whom I do not now remember but could know them if I should hear their Names When the King 's standing Forces begun to pass the Bridge the chief Officers of the Rebels were consulting what was fit for them to do and it was resolved that they should all March away in good Order towards Carrick and the Ruins of Galloway until they should be furnished with Arms and Ammunition which were Landed at Borrowstenness besides what was expected from Holland but could not then be brought to them by Reason of the King's Army having been interposed between them and that Place And moreover they were in Expectation of considerable Reinforcements both of Horse and Foot which were on their March from several parts of the Country But their chief Encouragement to prosecute this Design was the Confidence they had that the Duke of Monmouth would not put any hardship upon them which I have good Reason to believe was true for when I was in Company with all the Rebels Horse about 1600. in number less than a mile from the Field of Battle marching up on a rising Ground in our Retreat I look'd over my Shoulder and saw the King's Horse at a stand after they had pursued us a little way which we look'd upon as having been done to favor our escape For if they had follow'd us they had certainly kill'd or taken us all a few only excepted who were very well mounted and we were often afterwards told that they were stopt by the Duke of Monmouth's positive Command when they were violently pursuing us after they had quite broke our Foot consisting upwards of 4000. and were within less than half a mile of the Body of our Horse running away which then was in great Consternation and Confusion However we march'd that forenoon in as good Order as we could twelve miles over a Moor to New-mills without any of his Majesties Forces giving us the least Disturbance where we separated some going towards Air others to Galloway and the rest to Nithsdale amongst which last were the most resolute of the Officers to the number of betwixt 45 and 50 who continued together in Arms going up and down the Country in Galloway Nithsdale and other places thereabouts after all the rest were scattered until a Party of the King's Forces under the Command of Claverhouse came into Galloway and then we for I was my self all along with that small remainder of the Rebels went into the West where we were most kindly entertain'd in many places though I do not remember the Names of the Persons by whom But I do well know their Habitations and I was afterwards told by Mr. Richard Camron and his Brother Mr. Michael that they and several others were sheltered and entertained by Sir Hugh and Sir George Campbells at their House of Cesnock After some stay in the West I returned to my own House Kilroy within four miles of Dumâ—reis where having staid about five or six weeks the said Mr. Richard Camron and his Brother Mr. Michael who were some short time before returned from Holland came to see me and stay'd with me two Nights They told me that they had bought four small Brass Guns with a considerable quantity of Ammunition and Fire-Arms which they had in a Readiness to have been Shipp'd at Amsterdam in Order to their having been landed at Greenock when they receiv'd the News of the Defeat at Bothwell-Bridge Whereupon they put up the said Guns Arms and Ammunition in a secure place in Amsterdam until there should be Occasion for them The Sunday after their coming to my House Mr. Richard Camron kept a Field-Conventicle within a mile of Sir Robert Dalyell's House where were about three thousand in number The Occasion of this Meeting where I was present was to see how the Countâ—y stood inclin'd and who would joyn with him From thence the said Mr. Richard carry'd with him twenty Men whereof I was one to the Laird of St. Iohn's Kirk a Cousin of the Lord Carmichael's and I suppose his Name is also Carmichael whose House is about two miles from Biggar and towards thirty from Edinburg where we stay'd four days During which there was several Conventicles kept in the House at which the Laird and his Lady were constantly present And the Sunday after we kept a Field-Conventicle on Tinto-Hill to which there was People gather'd from all Parts of the Country thereabout to the number of between three or four Thousand whereof many were well Arm'd From this Hill I went with Mr. Richard Camron aforesaid and upwards of twenty more to the Lady Gilkerscleughs's House a Widow Lady in Clidsdale
the Churches where the Sermons for Oath to bring up their Children in the true Protestant Faith and in the Discipline and Doctrine of the Kirk of Scotland according as they are obliged by the Solemn League and Covenant and at their Communions debarring always from their Sacrament all such as have not taken the Covenant and do not adhere to it But of all the Fugitive Preachers lately gone over from Scotland into Holland none is more perversely violent against the Government than Mr. Iohn Sinclair who for many years was Minister and kept a Boarding School at Ormiestoun whom about twelve Weeks ago I heard preach in the Scotch Church at Rotterdam and a great part of his Sermon was railing against the Duke and the Privy Council of Scotland saying That he meaning his Royal Highness was a Rebellious Enemy of God and had got such a Hand over those perjur'd Rogues meaning the Lords of the Privy Council as they all intended to overturn the Protestant Religion and to introduce Popery which he further said could very easily be done considering the small Difference that is betwixt them since Episcopacy was re-established and in his Prayer after Sermon I heard him pray earnestly That God might open the King's Eyes to let him see the Evil of his Ways and turn from it otherwise That God might take him out of this World from being a Curse and a Scourge to his Holy People And further prayed That God would turn the Counsels of his Councellors as he did that of Achitophel into nothing The late Earl of Argile lives now in the Province of Frisland where he has a small Estate purchased partly by his Father and partly by himself upon one of their Family or Tenants foretelling many years ago that they should be driven from their Estate in Scotland as I was often told in Holland particularly by Mr. Iohn Hog Minister of the Scotch Church in Rotterdam and Mr. Iohn Pitcairne who keeps a Meeting-house at Vtrecht The Earl of Lowdon with two Servants only and Sir Iames Dalrymple of Stair with his whole Family live at Leyden besides Mr. Douglas a Minister and some few more whose names I do not remember There are many Phanatick House-keepers in Rotterdaâ— who harbour the Rebels and Fugitives that come over from Scotland Viz. Robert Gibs Mr. Livistoune Iohn Gibbs Mr. Russell Iames Delapp Iames Thomson Iohn Greirson Iames Nory Iohn Iack George Weir all Merchants and the Widdow of the lately Deceased Iames Gordon Merchant whose House was the Common Receptacle of the chief of those Rebels and Fugitives The Gentlemen that I left at Rotterdam are Mr. Denham of Westsheills with his Family Captain William Cleland Iohn Belfour with his Family Captain William Ferguson of Caitloch with his Family Captain Andrew Story The Ministers there are Mr. Iohn Hog Mr. Robert Fleeming setled Preachers of the Scotch Church Mr. Iohn Harraway Mr. Thomas Forrester Mr. Alexander Hasty Mr. Patrick Vernat Mr. Iohn Blakater Mr. Gordon Mr. George Barclay and Mr. Iohn Sinclair aforesaid who is now settled a Preacher in the English Church at Delfe At Vtrecht I left Mr. Iames Stewart the Lawyer with his Family and his Elder Brother the Laird of Coldnesse Mr. Cochran Sir Iohn's Second Son the Lady Kersland and her Son and Six Ministers Viz. Mr. Thomas Hogg Mr. Iohn Pitcairne Mr. Iohn Ogilvy Mr. Iohn Veitche Mr. Robert Ker and Mr. Robert Menteath besides some others of less Note whose names I do not remember I left at Vtrecht three English Gentlemen who lived there for some time before and go by the Names of Esquire Packwood Mr. Smith a Merchant of London and Mr. Iones a Welsh-man but I do not believe that these are their true Names for they fled from England upon the Discovery of the late Plot as did likewise several other Englishmen whom I did often see there but could not learn their Names I did also see and speak with Sir Iohn Cochran but he and 7. or 8. Scotchmen more whose names I know not went two days after my Arrival there to Gilderland where a great many of the Rebels and Fugitives live as they think most safe and at ease amongst the Bores for they were afraid of Staying at Vtrecht as some of themselves told me by reason of the Spies that they were informed were sent thither from England to make enquiry after such of his Majesties Subjects as lived there And Mr. Cochran and Captain Cleland told me as their Friend that the report amongst our Countrymen was that I likewise was sent thither as a Spie which although they did not believe yet they advised me to be gone away privately assuring me withal that I was every hour I stayed there in hazard of losing my Life Upon this I returned to Rotterdam where my Credit with that Party continued about a week untill I was suspected by my old Captain and three of the Ministers Viz. Harraway Forrester and Sinclair who about 7 or 8 Weeks ago carried me with them to Church and there proposed as a Test of my Sincerity to the interest of the good Cause as it was commonly called that I should take the Covenant and the Sacrament with a Solemn Protestation that I am still as I have been in former times an Enemy to the King and the present Government All which I refused to do and then they debarred me for ever from their Meetings and Company Nevertheless I did often thereafter insinuate my self into both though without any Success for I could not recover their good opinion but on the contrary was daily threatned with the severest effects of their revenge White-hall 24 Feb. 1683 4. Robert Smith The Information of Zachariah Bourne taken the 5th of December 1683. THat Mr. Bayly sat up one night if not two with Mr. Ferguson and went several times in the Evening with him to the Duke of Monmouth and the cheif managers of the Conspiracy Ferguson told me he was the Cheif man for the Scots next the Lord Argile The Night he sat up with Ferguson I believe it was about the Declaration for the next day he was going to shew it me but some body came up to him and hinder'd him Mr. Bayly's great business to meet the Cheif Conspirators was as Ferguson told me to get the 10000. l. for the buying of Arms for the Insurrection in Scotland Carstares I saw often come to Ferguson but for any Discourse he had with him he never told me of or with any other but Mr. Bayly as I can at present remember Zac. Bourne The Deposition of Mr. William Carstares when he was Examined before the Lords of Secret Committee given in by him and renewed upon Oath upon the 22d of December 1684. in presence of the Lords of His Majesty's Privy-Council Edinburgh-Castle September 8. 1684. MR. William Carstares being Examin'd upon Oath conform to the Condescention given in by him and on the Terms there-in-mention'd Depones That about November or December 1682. Iames
Lords about him and Armstrong designed great Offices to themselves and will not endure to hear of Terms but cry all shall be left to a Parliament whereupon this Examinant saying to him it were but just to discover all their Intrigues but the being an Informer is an ugly thing Colonel Romzey replyed it is true our people are not worth venturing for and the other people are not worth saving besides it would give a great blow to the Protestant interest all the world over And further saith not Robert West The Examination of William Hone Ioyner taken before Sir William Turner Knight and Alderman of the City of London and one of his Majesties Iustices of the Peace the 4th day of July 1683. THis Examinant saith that about the Fire time at Newmarket Mr. Richard Goodenough came to him to Cliffords-Inn where he was at Work at one Mr. Cark's Chamber and ask'd him to go along with him and told him he wanted some Labourers This Examinant then asked him if it were honest Upon which Mr. Goodenough clucht his Fist and struck it towards his Mouth twice or thrice and told him it was to seise the King and the Duke and that there would be 20 l. apiece to buy Horse and Arms. This Examinant then told him he was well settled in his Trade and did not care to trouble himself He then further told this Examinant that they had taken care to secure the City and then they appointed to meet the next day at the Amsterdam Coffee-House where they met together and from thence they two went to one Sergeants a Cooks-shop at the Sign of the Roe-Buck at the Corner of Bartholomew-Lane where they Diaed and whilst they were there there came in one Keeling and one Rombald who had but one eye and after some Discourse Mr. Keeling said let us go and Mr. Goodenough said we want Clothes Mr. Keeling replied he had Clothes for half a dozen and further said let us make what we can and go Mr. Goodenough answered no and pointing to Rombald said there is one knows the temper of the People better This Examinant further saith that Mr. Goodenough Mr. Rombald and Mr. Keeling went from thence to a Tavern in Bartholomew-lane where this Examinant came to them but heard no Discourse at that time but drank and went his way This Examinant further saith that a Fortnight after Witsontide he met Mr. Ioseph Keeling and his Brother in Threadneedle-Street near the Exchange and they would needs Drink with him and he went with them to the Flanders Coffee-House and then Mr. Iosâ—as Kâ—eling told him his Brother was a stout Man and could bring together thirty Mâ—n for his share and then they went all three into a Room above-stairs and then Mr. Iosias Keeling said these words to him You know the business of the Rye this Examinant at that time knew the meaning of the Rye but not the place they called the Rye And they being three together they fell into Discourse concerning the King and the Duke of York and how they should dispose of them and depose the King and they being hot in this discourse this Examinant said he was for saving the Duke and securing the King afterwards the two Keelings sent this Examinant to look for Goodenough and told him they must needs speak with him presently and after this Examinant had been from place to place to find him and missing of him he returned back to the Tavern where he found the said two Keelings and Goodenough and some others who this Examinant doth not know and there the said Goodenough and both the said Keelings retired into a private Room but what passed between them this Examinant doth not know neither hath he seen them since This Examinant further saith that about Michaelmas last was twelve month as he remembers Mr. Goodenough spoke to him to make a private place between his Roof and tâ—e Ceeling Joists of his House with intent as he told this Examinant to put Mony in it because the times were dangerous So this Examinant cut the Rafters and untyled part of the House and made such a private place and made a Frame and a Door for a Man to go in and the Brick-layer Tyled it over and over the Door but what use the said Goodenough afterward made of it this Examinant knows not This Examinant saith that the Persons engaged in this Conspiracy are Mr. Richard and Francis Goodenough 〈◊〉 Robert West the two Rombalds and one Adderton a Glasier and Lee a Dyar and both the Keelings and a Crape-Weaver who lives about Chiswel-Street This Examinant saith that he hath work'd for the said Mr. West at his Chamber in the Temple and one day meeting him in Fleet-Street he asked this Examinant if the Ball were once up whether Gamesters would come in in four or five hours time This Examinant replied he thought they would And at another time being at Work at his Chamber they fell into discourse together concerning the Deposing of the King and the Duke and words to that purpose but what the particular words were he doth not well remember This Examinant saith that to the best of his remembrance as he was Drinking with Mr. Lee at the Kings-Head Tavern in Chancery-lane about a Fortnight after Witsontide last the said Mr. Lee told him there was a Captain of a Ship would appoint the hurling of a Silver Ball at Blackheath which would draw a great Company of People together and then he would give them Brandy and then they would go and seize on the Tower This Examinant further saith that he being at Work at one Mr. Percivals at Chipâ—nham where the said Adderton the Glafier was also taking order to Work the said Adderton asked this Examinant if Mr. Goodenough had said any thing to him about the Business This Examinant asked him what Business The said Adderton replied he had told Lee of it and that was all passed between them Will. Hone. Capt. Cognit coram me Die Anno praesen Will. Turner Information of William Leigh I Do declare that my first acquaintance with Mr. Roâ—se and Mr. Lee was by reason of Captain Blagg and his Business to go his Mate and the first time that ever Mr. Roâ—sâ— spoke any thâ—ng to me about the Plot was one day I met him by the Exchange He told me he had something to say to me and to the best of my remembrance he asked me presently after if I did know of any Seamen that were fitting to make Captains in Wapping I told him No but I would see what I could do and he promised he and Mr. Lee to come to the Blew Anchor by Wapping Dock next morning about Ten a Clock but came not Another day he and Mr. Lee came down and discoursed with some of Mr. Rowse's Friends that he met but they did not like his way and so parted And the first time that ever I heard of tossing up of a Ball was by Captain Blagg