I Do Appoint Robert Pawlett to Print the Tryal of Thomas Knox and John Lane and let no other person presume to Print the same WILLIAM SCROGGS THE TRYAL AND CONVICTION OF THOMAS KNOX and IOHN LANE FOR A CONSPIRACY To Defame and Scandalize Dr. OATES and Mr. BEDLOE Thereby to Discredit their Evidence about the Horrid Popish Plot At the Kings-Bench-Bar at Westminster On Tuesday the 25 th of Novemb. 1679. Before the Right Honourable Sir WILLIAM SCROGGS Knight Lord Chief Justice and the other Judges of that Court Where upon full Evidence they were found Guilty of the Offence aforesaid LONDON Printed for Robert Pawlett at the Bible in Chancery-Lane near Fleetstreet M. DC LXXX THE Tryal and Conviction OF THOMAS KNOX and IOHN LANE FOR A CONSPIRACY To Defame and Scandalize Dr. OATES and Mr. BEDLOE Thereby to discredit their Evidence about the POPISH PLOT ON Tuesday the 25 th day of November 1679 at the Kings Bench Bar at Westminster Thomas Knox and Iohn Lane were tryed for the Misdemeanour and Offence herein after in the Indictment expressed and which Tryal was in manner following Proclamation being made in usual manner for Information and the Defendants called to their Challenges the Jury were sworn whose names follow The JURY Sir Iohn Kirke Thomas Harriot Henry Iohnson Simon Middleton Hugh Squire Francis Dorrington Iohn Roberts Rainsford VVaterhouse Thomas Earsby Ioseph Radcliffe Iames Supple Richard Cooper Who being numbred the Clerk of the Crown charged them with the Indictment thus Clerk of the Crown Gentlemen you of the Jury that are sworn hearken to your charge you shall understand that the Defendants stand Indicted by the Oaths of twelve honest and lawful men of the County of Middlesex by the names of Thomas Knox of the Parish of S. Margaret's Westminster in the County of Middlesex Labourer and Iohn Lane of the same Parish and County Labourer for that whereas Edward Coleman William Ireland and Iohn Grove and other false Traitors against our Soveraign Lord Charles the Second by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King defender of the Faith c. to the Jurors aforesaid unknown the 24 th day of April in the 30 th year of the Reign of our said Soveraign Lord the King at the Parish of S. Margarets Westminster in the Country of Middlesex Traiterously amongst themselves had conspired consulted and agreed to bring and put to death and destruction our said Soveraign Lord the King and war against our said Soveraign Lord the King within this Kingdome of England to stir up and the Religion in the said Kingdome of England rightly and by the Laws of the said Kingdome established to the superstition of the Romish Church to change and alter and the Government of the said Kingdome of England to subvert for which their said most wicked Treasons and Traiterous conspiraries consultations and agreements they the said Edward Coleman William Ireland and Iohn Grove in due manner and according to the Laws of this Kingdome of England were afterwards attainted and underwent the pain of death for the same And whereas William Earl of Powis William Viscount Stafford Iohn Lord Bellasis Henry Lord Arundel of Wardor William Lord Petre and Sir Henry Tichbourn Baronet the 30 th day of Nov. in the 30 th year of the Reign of our said Soveraign Lord the King aforesaid at the Parish of St. Margarets Westminster aforesaid in the County of Middlesex aforesaid of the Treasons aforesaid were lawfully accused and thereupon according to due form of Law were committed to the Tower of London being the Prison of our said Soveraign Lord the King there safely to be kept to answer for the Treasons aforesaid whereupon they the said William Earl of Powis William Viscount Stafford Iohn Lord Bellasis Henry Lord Arundel of Wardor and William Lord Petre were in Parliament impeached by the Commons in the same Parliament Assembled And whereas Thomas Earl of Danby afterwards to wit the said 30 th day of November in the 30 th year aforesaid at the Parish aforesaid in the County aforesaid of certain Treasons and other Misdemeanours was lawfully accused and thereupon according to due Form of Law was committed to the said Tower of London there to be safely kept to answer for the Treasons and Misdeanours aforesaid of which said Treasons and Misdemeanours he the said Thomas Earl of Danby is impeached in Parliament by the Commons in the same Parliament Assembled that they the said Thomas Knox and Iohn Lane well knowing the said William Earl of Powis William Viscount Stafford Iohn Lord Bellasis Henry Lord Arundel of Wardor William Lord Petre and Thomas Earl of Danby to be accused of the Treasons and Misdeameanours aforesaid and they the said Thomas Knox and Iohn Lane being Devillishly affected towards our said Soveraign Lord the King their Supream and natural Lord and devising and with all their strength intending the peace and tranquillity of this Kingdom of England to disturb and to hinder and stifle the discovery of the said Treasons by the said VVilliam Earl of Powis VVilliam Viscount Stafford Iohn Lord Bellasis Henry Lord Arundel and VVilliam Lord Petre as aforesaid supposed to be committed and as much as in them lay to elude the due course of Law and the prosecution of Justice against the said VVilliam Earl of Powis VVilliam Viscount Stafford VVilliam Lord Petre Iohn Lord Bellasis Sir Henry Tichbourn and Thomas Earl of Danby to retard they the said Thomas Knox and Iohn Lane afterwards to wit the 30 th day of April in the 31 th year of the Reign of our said Soveraign Lord the King at the Parish aforesaid in the County aforesaid falsly maliciously and unlawfully did consult and agree among themselves Titus Oates Clerk and VVilliam Bedloe Gentleman who Informations of the Treasons aforesaid had given and whom they the said Thomas Knox and Iohn Lane the day and year aforesaid well knew to have given Information of the Treasons aforesaid against them the said VVilliam Earl of Powis VVilliam Viscount Stafford Iohn Lord Bellasis Henry Lord Arundel and VVilliam Lord Petre to scandalize and upon the tryal of the said William Earl of Powis William Viscount Stafford Iohn Lord Bellasis Henry Lord Arundel and William Lord Petre to represent them to be persons of evil conversation and Witnesses not deserving credit And that he the said Thomas Knox afterwards to wit the said 30 th day of April in the 31 th year aforesaid at the Parish aforesaid in the County aforesaid in the names and with the consent and agreement of the said Iohn Lane and one VVilliam Osborn to disgrace the Information of the said Titus Oates and VVilliam Bedlow against them the said VVilliam Earl of Powis VVilliam Viscount Stafford VVilliam Lord Petre Iohn Lord Bellasis and Henry Lord Arundel for our said Soveraign Lord the King to be given falsly maliciously subtilly and advisedly did Write and cause to be Written three Letters and those Letters so written
falsly craftily unlawfully and advisedly did direct and cause to be delivered to himself the said Thomas Knox by which said Letters falsly craftily and deceitfully it was declared that they the said Iohn Lane and VVilliam Osbourn were greatly troubled in their Consciences by reason of certain things which they well knew and had concealed concerning the nnjust contrivances of the said Titus Oates and William Bedloe in accusing the said Thomas Earl of Danby to be guilty of the Treasons and other misdemeanours aforesaid and that the said Titus Oates was a person of a wicked and vitious Life and made an assault upon the said Iohn Lane and with the said Iohn Lane to commit that detestable sin called Sodomy before that time had endeavoured And that he the said Thomas Knox the sooner and more effectually to perswade the said Iohn Lane and VVilliam Osbourn falsly to accuse the said Titus Oates and VVilliam Bedloe that they the said Titus Oates and VVilliam Bedloe unjustly and against all truth had accused the said Thomas Earl of Danby of the Treasons and other misdemeanours aforesaid and so to affirm against the evidence of our said Soveraign Lord the King upon the Trial of the said Thomas Earl of Danby for the Treasons and other Misdemeanours aforesaid to be had afterwards to wit the said 30 th day of April in the 31 th year of the Reign of our said Soveraign Lord the King aforesaid at the Parish aforesaid in the County aforesaid falsly advisedly corruptly and against the duty of his Allegiance unlawfully gave to the said Iohn Lane and William Osborn divers great sums of money and also further falsly advisedly corruptly and against the duty of his Allegiance the day and year aforesaid at the Parish aforesaid in the County aforesaid did promise unto the said Iohn Lane and William Osbourn that they the said Iohn Lane and VVilliam Osbourn within a certain time by the said Thomas Knox to the said Iohn Lane and William Osbourn propounded divers other great sums of money and other great rewards therefore should have and receive against the Duty of their Allegiance to the great retarding obstructing and suppressing of Justice in manifest contempt of the Laws of this Kingdome of England to the evil and pernitious example of all others in the like case offending and against the peace of our said Soveraign Lord the King his Crown and Dignity to this Indictment the said Thomas Knox and Iohn Lane by their Attorney plead that they are not Guilty nor either of them is Guilty of the offence aforesaid and further withal put themselves upon the Country and the Kings Attorney likewise And your charge is to inquire if they are Guilty or not Guilty c. Clerk of the Crown Make an O yes Cryer O yes If any one will give Evidence on the behalf of our Soveraign Lord the King against Thomas Knox and Iohn Lane of the Misdemeanours and offence whereof they stand indicted let them come forth and give their Evidence Then Trenchard Esq of Counsel for the King in this Cause opened the Indictment thus Mr. Trench May it please you Lordship and you Gentlemen of the Jury Thomas Knox and Iohn Lane stand indicted for a great and high Misdemeanour and the Indictment sets forth that whereas Coleman Ireland Pickering and Grove and other false Traitors did conspire to destroy the King and change the Religion established by Law to levy War against our Soveraign Lord the King and to introduce Popery and for these Treasons were convicted attainted and executed and further sets forth that the Lord Powis Lord Arundel of Warder and others were accused of the said Treasons and were committed to the Tower and afterwards were impeached for the same by the Commons in Parliament Assembled as also that Thomas Earl of Danby was impeached of High Treason and other Misdemeanours that the Defendants knowing Mr. Oates and Mr. Bedloe had given Information of these Treasons to stifle the Evidence and to scandalize them did falsly conspire to represent them as wicked persons and men of no credit And the Indictment further sets forth that the Defendant Knox with the agreement of Lane and one Osbourn did cause several Letters to be writ in which it was contrived to accuse the said Oates and Bedloe that they had conspired falsly to accuse the said Earl of Danby and that Oates was a person of a vitious conversation and had a design to attempt an assault upon the person of the said Lane with an intention to commit that detestable sin of Sodomy the better to effect which wicked designs the said Knox gave several sums of money to Osbourn and Lane and had offered great rewards unto them To this Indictment they have pleaded not Guilty and you are to try whether they are Guilty or not of this Misdemeanour Then Sir Iohn Maynard the Kings eldest Serjeant at Law persued the charge thus Mr. Serj. Mayn May it please your Lordship and you Gentlemen of the Jury this cause is of great consequence and my Lord I desire the Jury to observe that their question this day is not to inquire whether the Lords or the other persons accused and impeached in Parliament are Guilty or not but the question before them is whether the persons that stand here indicted are guilty of wicked and vile endeavours to discountenance and suppress the Evidence and scandalize their persons who were to give Evidence against these Lords we are not to give Evidence against the Lords but against these persons L. Chief Iust. You are right Brother Mr. Serj. Mayn Gentlemen something I must observe to you that is an inducement to this matter that there hath been an horrid and abominable Conspiracy against the King the Nation the Religion and the Law appears my Lord by the proceedings in Parliament wherein the Lords and the Commons have several times joyntly declared and I think 't is so publick that no body will doubt there is such a thing who is guilty that is another matter L. Cheif Iust. This Court must take notice of that because some have been tryed convicted and condemned for it by this Court Mr. Serj. Mayn Your Lordship says right But my Lord the first discovery of this Conspiracy came from a single person one that stood single and discouraged a long time and that there were endeavours to discourage his further discovery that will appear My Lord when it stood so it happened that Sir Edmondbury God frey had taken his Examination and these things will be material in the end of the Cause Sir Edmondbury Godfrey having taken the Examination of Oates then the endeavour was to suppresse this Examination that he had taken and that by no less a wickednesse then the barbarous murder of that honest Gentleman whom you all knew and they not only took away his Life but they did strive to baffle and defame him when he was dead and that will appear too and is publick and known My
before he went away Mr. S. Oates I can only speak as to Osborne as to the thing it self Mr. Attorn Gen. Did you ever hear him say which way he did intend to get this Thousand pounds Mr. S. Oates No I do not remember that but upon these scandalous things coming out I was considering what he had said and how he behaved himself in his service and upon recollection I did think of this saying of his Mr. Iust. Pemberton Ay he recollected it afterwards Mr. Williams Speak those words over again as near as you can remember Then Mr. S. Oates repeated his Evidence to the same effect Sir Francis Winnington What is that of Osborne that you can say Lord Chief Iust. What does that signifie to these Defendants Sir Francis Winnington Although he is not a party that does defend this matter yet it is all one intire Act that they three were in combination to corrupt the King's Evidence and to stifle it and though so far as it does relate of Osborne it will not convict him being absent yet it will inlighten the King's Evidence about the Conspiracy for he is mentioned in the Indictment Lord Chief Iust. Well if you think it material you may ask what questions you will about it Mr. S. Oates I was asking Osborne a little after he was let out of the Gatehouse how he came to repent himself Lord Chief Iust. Who had repented himself Mr. S. Oates Osborne Lord Chief Iust. Had Osborne repented himself of what Mr. S. Oates Of what he had given an account of before the Committee Mr. Iust Pemberton Do you know any thing of that Mr. S. Oates I know nothing but what they did say upon their examination L. C. Iust. Were you by and present at their examination Mr. S. Oates I heard nothing but what they said for themselves I was at some part of their examination M. Iust. Pemberton What did Knox and Lane say Mr. S. Oates Osborne was a saying that as we walked said he in the Cloisters of the Abbey where he did dictate what we were to do L. C. Iust. This is no evidence Shall what Osborne says at one time and apart from the rest be any evidence here Mr. Recorder No my Lord we offer it only as an evidence of the general Conspiracy L. Chief Iust. Osborne is a telling how Knox and Lane and he did conspire and contrive this business is this evidence against these Defendants I ask my Brother Maynard Mr. Serj. Maynard My Lord if this were single clearly it were no evidence but if it fall out in the evidence that we shall prove Osborne Knox and Lane were all in the Conspiracy though it is not direct evidence to convict the other yet it will inlighten that evidence we give against them Lord Chief Iust. Why did you not make Osborne a party Mr. Serjeant Maynard He is laid in the Indictment to joyn with them but he is run away Mr. Iustice Pemberton My Brother intends it thus that the business is so interwoven between them all that to make it be understood it is necessary to bring in something about Osborne Mr. Sanders I pray they may bring something against them first Lord Chief Iust. Ay the Counsel say very well on the other side first prove some fact against Knox and Lane and then prove what you will afterwards Mr. Serjeant Maynard It is an inducement to it but I beseech you in all cases that are capital are not the King's Counsel at liberty to prove circumstances as well as the substance Lord Chief Iust. The Court will direct it is no evidence against the now Defendants unless you prove the fact upon them Mr. Serj. Maynard Unless we do bring it down to Knox and Lane afterwards that they were guilty it will not be any evidence I know Mr. Holt If it be not evidence we conceive with submission to your Lordship it ought not to be heard Lord Chief Iust. Prove something first Brother against the Defendants and then urge this Mr. Recorder They need not labour it on the other side we shall We agree it is no evidence against the Defendants but only circumstantial as of the general Conspiracy L. C. Iust. But pray how can it be circumstantial evidence and yet no evidence Prove the Conspiracy or it signifies nothing Mr. Serj. Maynard If it be circumstantial to make good the evidence of the fact it will be material for us to urge it L. C. Iust. But first prove the fact Mr. Recorder We shall now prove if your Lordship please that Knox who is one of the persons Indicted hath made his applications to others that had relation to Dr. Oates to endeavour to perswade them to pick out something or other against Dr. Oates Call Thurston and Ray. Mr. Serj. Maynard My Lord we shall first go to the substance of the evidence and then the circumstantial thing will be material which before were not material L. C. Iust. Now you go right Brother Mr. Serj. Maynard We shall go this way to shew that Lane and Osborne did accuse Dr. Oates and after they had accused him they were convicted in their own Consciences and did confess they had falsely accused him and afterward did repent of that repentance and that Knox had an hand in all this L. C. Iust. I think you have not opened that clear enough before whom was that accusation Mr. Serj. Maynard Before the Lords and before Sir William Waller Mr. Recorder For they were in the Gatehouse and there they sent for Sir William Waller to come to them and there did confess the matter to him whom we desire may be sworn Which was done accordingly Sir William Waller My Lord upon the 29. of April during the Sessions of Parliament there was a Committee of Lords appointed for the taking instructions about this Plot being there attending upon the Lords this complaint of Mr. Oates was brought before them of the horrid abuse of two of his Servants And the Lords were pleased to order Mr. Warcup and my self to take their examinations L. C. Iust. What two Servants were they Sir William Waller They did belong to Dr. Oates L. C. Iust. VVhat were their Names Sir William Waller Osborne and Lane L. C. Iust. VVhat found you upon their examination Sir William Waller Upon the Examination of Osborne and Lane I did find they did agree together to a tittle L. C. I. Then tell us Lane's Evidence first If they agreed in a tittle tell it us what it was Sir W. Waller My Lord Mr. Lane did confess this L. C. I. What upon his Oath Sir W. Waller Yes upon his Oath my Lord. L. C. I. To you Sir W. Waller Yes my Lord that he had been induced by Mr. Knox to betray his Master and for to swear several things against him which Knox had drawn up and dictated to him He did not write them himself but Osborne writ them and he did Sign them There were four Letters that
VVarcup Yes Mr. Iust. Iones Was he upon his Oath the last time when he said this to the Committee Sir VV. VValler Yes my Lord I was by too I heard him L. C. I. So he swears backwards and forwards Sir Fr. VVinn Such People use to do so Mr. VVarcup That particular of the Note that Mr. Knox sent up by the Nurse I was by and did hear him confess it Sir VV. VValler But he did declare there to the Committee that it was his Voluntary Repentance and that he was exceeding sensible of the Abuses he had offered to Dr. Oats in this Design of accusing him in such a manner Mr. Iust. Iones What before the Lords Sir W. VValler Yes my Lord. Mr. Warcup Mr. Knox did say he sent such a Note up to Osborne and that the words were as I remember We always club'd and you paid two Shillings at the Sugar-Loaf Tear this L. C. I. Look you the use I see that would be made of this is that Knox in a secret way should give Intimation to this Osborne that he should not own that he had been treated by him or any money spent upon him and this Note is the cunning way of Insinuating that matter as I understand it Mr. Warcup I shall humbly acquaint your Lordship with one thing further Knox did confess that he had lain with these People in several private Places for there were Warrants out for the Apprehending them upon the Information given by Dr. Oats of this Contrivance that he had lain with them at White Fryars and Charing Cross and at other Places Mr. Iust. Pemberton That he had obscured them when they were in danger Mr. Warcup That he had layn with them at that time Sir Fran. Win. Pray upon your Oath when he had told you he had layn with them in any private Lodging Mr. Iust. Pemb. Did he say he had advised them where to lie Mr. Warcup He said he had been with them and advised them where to lie Mr. Iust. Pemb. Did he say he had taken Lodgings for them Mr. Warcup Yes he did Sir Fr. Win. Your Question Sir hath prevented mine but I would ask him a Question further Did he confess to you he paid for those Lodgings Mr. Warcup Truly My Lord unless I read the Information I cannot tell Sir Will. Waller My Lord I perfectly remember this That Knox did confess he had paid for their Lodgings but they were to pay him again but both Osborne and Lane did positively swear he did pay for all and several times at several Taverns where he treated them he bid them call for what they would and they should have it Mr. Soll. Gen. What do you know of being at the Sugar-loaf at any time Mr. Warcup I tell you what I find here he confess'd that they complaining they knew not where conveniently to Lodge this Examinant told them he would endeavour to find them a Lodging and the very self-same day he went by the direction of one of my Lord Dunblain's Servants a Coach-man to the Sugar-loaf in White-Fryers took Lodgings as for himself two of his Friends and lay there with them to the time of his going from the same Lodging which was five or six days Mr. Iust. Pemb. And he did it by the direction of my Lord Dunblain's Coach-man Mr. Warcup Yes My Lord it is so in the Information Mr. Serj. Maynard Is that Information true Mr. Warcup Yes My Lord I am sure he said it or I should not have writ it down Lord Chief Iust. Mr. Warcup had Lane recanted what he had said against Mr. Oates at that time when the Lodgings were taken Mr. Warcup My Lord it was before they came to the Lords that they took these Lodgings Mr. Iust. Pemb. Ay that 's clear it was before all came out Mr. Warcup I was commanded by the House of Peers to give my Warrant for the apprehending of them Lord Chief Iust. The Lords sent to apprehend thâ—m upon the slander of Mr. Oates and then he concealed them Mr. Recorder My Lord Sir William Waller speaks of one Rix that was sent by Lane to him to make a Discovery this is the Gentleman Who was sworn Rix. May it please your Lordship There was one Osborne that was concerned with this Lane who is since run away Osborne came first upon the Guard to me and desired me to get him into Service He desired to come into my Lord Treasurers Service and what he desired of me was to frame him a Petition to my Lord Treasurer We had no Answer till two days after and I being upon the Guard with Dr. Oates I did suppose I might get him into his Service I spoke to Dr. Oates and he entertain'd him and after he had entertain'd him a while this Lane then being a Servant with him they both told me they were going off now from Mr. Oates Lord Chief Iust. Who told you Rix. Lane and Osborne and that they should get preferment they were sworn Brothers together if one did go the other would go I asked them why they would go away oh said he I shall keep my man my self Say you so said I I have been in Town so long and I could get no such preferment Then they told me they should have 100 l. a year and 500 l. in Money Mr. Iust. Pemb. Who told you so Rix. Osborne and Lane both Mr. Iust. Pemb. What 100 l. a year and 500 l. a piece Rix. Yes So I asked them how but they would not tell me but said Osborne to me for your preferring me to Mr. Oates you shall be no loser I met him another time for Osborne came to desire me to lend him a Cravat Said he I must come down to your House to morrow morning to get a Cravat I desire I may have a good one for I am to go before one of the greatest Peers of the Realm to dine with him Where said I to which end of the Town the other end of the Town said he to me But said I why do you leave Mr. Oates oh said he let Mr. Oates look to himself for I have enough against him Then I smelt something of some design against Dr. Oates and brought it before Justice Warcup and gave in my Testimony and upon further Inquiry into it the Lords ordered him to send out his Warrant for the taking of those Fellows Knox Lane and Osborne which he assigned over to me in a short time after they were taken first Lane was taken and in a day or two Osborne and Knox and were examined and taxed with it Osborne he made a Confession before Justice Warcup and they desired me to see Knox and Lane in Prison and I did see them in Prison and when they did come there Knox said where is Osborne why don't he come to Prison as well as I I am a better Gentleman than he Oh said I he hath confessed so he was turned up into the Prison Said I to Mr.
Lane will you drink a Pot of Beer said he I don't much care if I do and said he Mr. Rix if I have not gone too far against my self if you will stand my Friend I will make an honest Confession Said I I am glad there is so much Grace in you I will then do you all the good I can Pray said he will you please to go and call Sir William Waller why not Justice Warcup said I who was first concerned in this Discovery No he would have only Sir William Waller I came and found him in the Court of Requests so I went with him to Smiths the Tobacconist near the Gate and sent for Lane the Keeper brought him I think this was about nine or ten in the Morning and from that time till about six at Night he was in Examination I went then to Mr. Oates and told him Lane had made an honest Confession I waited on Sir William Waller till the Afternoon and then he made an Order that he having made an honest Confession should have the enlargement of the Prison and not be confined as others were which he had Lane sent for me the next Day I came down in a Day or two after and his Sister was there with him they were eating Butter and Radishes and when I would have paid for the Drink Lane cry'd No by No means for Knox hath sent me in Three and twenty Shillings the other Day and that will serve me I hope till I come out but now said he I have made a Confession I believe I shall have no more Money from him and I desire you would speak for my Enlargement I came down to him another time and he told me he had received a Note which Note was put up from a Gentlewoman in the Street That if he would stand firm to his Text he should have Five hundred pounds Nay he should not want One thousand pounds but in case they would not stand firm to their Text the Lord Treasurer would never have come in and if yet they did not stand firm he would lose his Head Lord Chief Iust. Who came that Note from Sir Will. Waller He told me this That there was such word brought to him by the Nurse and she told him That a Gentlewoman very well clad came to her and desired her to speak to him to Stand fast and that Osborne and Knox would be sure to Stand fast and that they two should be too strong for the other he being but a single Evidence and more than that he should not want a Thousand pound if he had occasion for it I asked the Nurse what the Gentlewomans Name was she told me she had asked but she would not tell her Lord Chief Iust. Where is this Woman this Nurse Sir Will. Waller She was Nurse to the Gaol and was turned out upon this Discovery by the Gaoler Mr. Iust. Pemberton You had this from Lane Sir William Waller Sir William Waller Yes Rix. My Lord after this was done Lane's Father and Mother told me this at my own House That had it not been upon their Sons account my Lord Treasurer would never have come in and they told me that one Hest should come and tell them so and Lane himself told me he thanked God that now he had made an honest Confession that now his Heart was very light he had a burden upon him before but now he had confessed and his Heart was light Lord Chief Iust. What did he confess Rix. He did confess That my Lord Treasurer would never have surrendred himself if he had thought they would not have stood firm and if they did not stand firm he should lose his Head Mr. Williams You say Lane confessed this as of himself Rix. Yes and afterwards his Father and Mother told me so and he did say as of himself that he had a Note put under the door L. C. I. But from whom had he that Note Rix. From a Gentlewoman in the street he told me so Mr. Iustice Pemberton What did he say as to Knox Rix. He told me he was set on by Knox and he drew up all the Writings for him and Knox told him if you come to be Examined at such or such a thing make a stop and turn this way and that way Mr. Williams Pray acquaint the Court and the Jury did Lane tell you how he was drawn into this and who drew him in Rix. Knox was the man that drew up the Writings and promised him those Rewards he said M. Iustice Pemberton You say he told you that Knox promised them How far Knox will be concerned in this Evidence will be considered afterwards Mr. Serjeant Maynard Now we come to Knox's own particular actings What hath been said already hath been out of other peoples mouths now we come to him himself and we call Richard Slightam who was sworn Mr. Att. Gen. Pray Mr. Slightam will you tell my Lord and the Jury what you know of this Knox what offers have been made you by whom and when and for what Slightam I was offered Money to carry Notes from the one to the other Mr. Sol. Gen. Why what Office had you there Slightam I was a Prisoner there my self and under-Goaler too and I was offered Money to carry Notes between the one and the other that they might not betray one another Mr. Recorder By whom Slightam By Knox L. C. I. What did they offer you Slightam I had three half Crowns given me at one time by Knox and he promised me he would give me a considerable sum L. C. I. But he did not name the sum Slightam No. L. C. I. What did he desire you to do for that Money Slightam He desired me to carry Notes from the one to the other that they might not betray one another Mr. Att. Gen. Between whom name them Slightam Knox Lane and Osborne L. C. I. What did you say that they might not betray one another why Slightam Yes that they might not betray one another for they were fearful that they should because they could not speak together to lay their stories together Mr. At. Gen. And hark you Sir what Messages did you carry between them Sligtham None I never carryed any L. C. I No what had you your money for Slightam I told them of it below and they would not let me carry any L. C. I. But you got your money Slightam Yes I got some money Mr. Att. Gen. Knox you say gave you the three half Crowns Did you speak with Lane and Osborne Slightam Lane I spoke with every day and Lane said he hoped that the Lords would not put him in the Pillory for all he had sworn falsely L. C. I. What Lords Slightam My Lord Shaftesbury and my Lord Privy-Seal Mr. Smith What did Knox say to you after Osborne had confessed Slightam That is nothing said he if we do but stand firm together what Osborne hath given in Evidence will signifie nothing Mr. Smith
Why Slightam For two he said were better than one Sir Fra. Winn. I think you say you had three half Crowns given you by Knox pray who was the first that offered you money to carry the Notes Slightam It was Knox. Sir Fra. Winn. Ay he carried the Purse Slightam Yes I suppose he did Mr. Iust. Iones They were both in the Gate-house Prisoners at that time Slightam Yes so was I. But they were lock'd in several Rooms and none could come at them L. C. I. But you carried no Note nor Messages upon your Oath Slightam No. Mr. Williams Pray call Mr. Dewy who was sworn Pray Mr. Dewy will you acquaint the Court and the Jury what discourse you had with Knox who he came from what he came about and what recommendations he brought with him and from whom Mr. Dewy My Lord sometime in the sitting of the last Parliament that began in March about ten a clock at night a Message was sent in to me that one would speak with me from my Lord Latimer I was either in bed or going to bed and I did not think there was really any such Message because my Lord Latimer did not know me nor I him They were very pressing to come in insomuch as my man could hardly keep them out I told them there was nothing sure of so much haste but what might be done to morrow or some other time so I spoke not with them that night Either the next day or some short time after as I remember Mr. Knox came to me with another Gentleman and he brought Papers in his hands ready written he told me that they were Informations of one Lane and Osborne as I remember those were the names he mentioned then and they were against Mr. Oates Then I began to look upon it as something extraordinary the Parliament being then sitting and the Committee of each House having the Examination of this business Said I Mr. Knox you have been a Justice of Peace's Clerk for I knew him so and you know 't is very unusual to take Informations against a person without the parties being present if he may be had to cross-examine the Witnesses upon Interrogatories as the Case may be and besides this looks as if it were to take Informations against the King which we never do upon Oath So I dismissed them and directed them to the Committee of Secrecy of the House of Commons for whom it was most proper This is all I know of this business Mr. Williams Did Mr. Knox tell you any thing what was contained in those Examinations Mr. Dewy Yes he did give me some information that Osborne and Lane did repent of something but I can't give you information particularly Mr. Williams Pray tell the substance of it Mr. Dewy I can't remember what the particulars were but Lane and Osborne were the parties to be examined and I shifted them off as well as I could L. C. I. Did they come along with Knox Mr. Dewy They were not in my Room but they were without I believe L. C. I. And did he tell you at the same time that they had recanted Mr. Dewy Truely my Lord I can't well remember but he said they repented of what they had falsely accused my Lord Treasurer of L.C.I. Did they say they had falsely accused Mr. Oates Mr. Dewy No they did charge Mr. Oates with some Crime and they did speak something of false accusing I can't remember what L.C.I. Did not they say Mr. Oates Mr. Dewy I remember it now it was as if Mr. Bedloe and Mr. Oates had made a Conspiracy against my Lord of Danby Sir Fr. Win. I think you say you knew Mr. Knox a Justice of Peace's Clerk Pray Sir you are an ingenuous man from whom did he pretend to come to you Mr. Dewy He came to me from my Lord Latimer as he said Sir Fr. Win. Did he say so that the Lord Latimer wished him to go to you Mr. Dewy Yes and I wondered at it because I did not know my Lord nor my Lord me Mr. Withins When was this Mr. Dewy It was the latter end of April or the beginning of May as I take it I do not very well remember but the substance of it I remember was that they had over-heard Mr. Oates and Mr. Bedloe conspiring against my Lord of Danby L.C.I. Mr. Dewy can you remember whether they did come to give you information against Mr. Oates for abusing their Bodies or Oates and Bedloe's Conspiracy against the Earl of Danby Mr. Dewy Truely my Lord I can't be positive in it for the Parliament was then sitting and I shifted them off Mr. Iust. Pemb. You never looked into the Information at all Mr. Dewy No I did not I thought it not proper for me Mr. Recorder Call Henry Wiggins and his mother who were both sworn Mr. Att. Gen. Come on Mr. Wiggins what do you know of any endeavours of Knox or Lane or any of these persons to take off or scandalize Mr. Oates or Mr. Bedloes Testimony L. C. I. What is this mans Name Mr. Att. Gen. Henry Wiggins Wiggins About the latter end of February last Mr. Knox and I met at Charing-cross and we went in and drank together and he proposed several things to me first he desired that I would get for him a Copy of the Papers my Master had L. C. I. Who is your Master Wiggins Mr. Bedloe And especially what concerned my Lord Treasurer as also to take a Journal of all my Masters Actions and the Names of the persons that came to him for said he my Lord hears that my Lord of Shaftesbury and the Duke of Buckingham do cabal with him against my Lord. But if my Lord could but find out his Enemies he would oppose them and strive to baffle them My Lord to encourage me to this he told me he would carry me to his Lord though it were at mid-night to discourse with him L. C. I. What Lord Wiggins My Lord Treasurer and he said he should give me incouragement to go on Said I Does my Lord know of this Yes said he I told my Lord I had a friend lived with Mr. Bedloe and he gave me incouragement to go on and Treat with him And he said moreover my Lord Mr. Oates and Bedloe were two great Rogues that the King believed not a word they said and as soon as he had heard all they could say they should be Hanged Mr. Williams Pray did he propose any Reward to you Wiggins He told me his Lord should give me encouragement L. C. I. What should you do Wiggins He desired me to give my Lord the Papers and then my Lord should tell me what I should do about my Master Sir Fra. Winn. What did he say of Oates and Bedloe Sir Wiggins He said That Oates and Bedloe were great Rogues and that the King knew them to be so and when he had heard what they could say he would hang them Mr. Williams Pray upon your Oath
did he offer you any money or any reward Wiggins He offered me not any particular sum but he told me I should have satisfaction and reward or any Place in my Lords disposal I should be entertained into if I went away upon this business Mr. Williams Did he say any thing to you to invite you or incourage you to Swear against your Master Wiggins No but he told me my Lord should give me directions how to go on Mr. Recorder What say you as to Lane and Osborne Wiggins I did not know them at that time Mr. Recorder What time after was it that you did know them Wiggins I met with them a little while after and they were discoursing all together but I had no discourse with them Mr. Recorder Did Knox at any time speak to you to bring him into the Company of Lane and Osborne Wiggins No Sir Mr. Recorder This was the first time you met with him about this matter Wiggins Yes it was L. C. I. What did you promise Knox you would do Wiggins I told him I would do him any service that lay in my power but nothing that would be to my Masters prejudice and I was appointed by him to meet him at my Lord Treasurers L. C. I. And what other meetings had you besides VViggins I was but twice with him L. C. I. You never agreed to any thing VViggins I told it my Master and it was discovered soon after so that the Lords came to hear it Mr. Att. Gen. Where is Mrs. VViggins What do you know of any endeavours to corrupt this Evidence Mrs. VViggins I know no more than what my Son knows he first came to my House L. C. I. Who Mrs. Wiggins Mr. Knox and asking me where my Son was I told him he lived with Mr. Bedloe and he said he very much rejoyced at it and desired to speak with him I told him No he could not for his Master had so much employment for him that it was very seldom I my self could get a sight of him Said he I have a little concern with him and he living with Mr. Bedloe may do my Lord Treasurer great service and doing my Lord Treasurer service he does his Majesty service for his Majesty loves my Lord Treasurer above all things in the world And he would not be contradicted but he would see him Then the next day I told him he should come and we appointed to go to him but he should not see him alone without me I told him he told me he desired it not He came according to the appointment and I carried him to Charing-cross to an Ale-house and there I sent a Porter for my Son and he came and the first thing he said to him was I am mighty joyful to know you live with Mr. Bedloe you may do my Lord great service In what says my Son In letting my Lord know what company your master keeps and what Lords they are that dayly and hourly keep company with your master and Cabal against my Lord. Said I Mr. Knox that is the way to bring my Son's neck to the Stake that he shall never do But says he I will tell him a way how he shall do himself no harm at all And then he up and told him he desired him to write him Letters when he found any thing of secrecy and set no Name to it and if he came at twelve a clock at night he would let him in to my Lord Treasurer's and no body should take notice of it and he would have had him taken a Coach to have gone to my Lady Danby presently to have an assurance from her mouth of encouragement and that he should have any Place in her Lords disposal L. C. I. Were you ever with my Lady Danby Mrs. Wiggins No we deni'd it and it was discovered And besides my Lord I told him if he would lay down my Son a thousand pound he should not do it he should not betray his Trust. And then he said that the King knew Mr. Oates and Mr. Bedloe to be two great Rogues and when he had got what he could out of them he would hang them Mr. Williams Have you had any offers of late not to come here as a Witness in this Case Mrs. Wiggins No my Lord but there have been persons three times at my house to know whether I were Subpoena'd yea or no as from Mr. Knox. Mr. Williams Did ever any body perswade you not to come to give Evidence Mrs. Wiggins No. L. C. I. When was this you speak of Mrs. Wiggins In February the latter end Mr. Serj. Maynard Mr. Dewy who came in company with Mr. Knox to you Mr. Dewy One Mr. Blayden Mr. Serj. Maynard Who is that Mr. Dewy Steward to my Lord of Danby I think Mr. Serj. Maynard Here is Slightam again my Lord. Mr. Att. Gen. What have you to say more Slightam Mr. Lane told me they had many Treats and had so much money a Guiney as I think he told me to swear against Mr. Oates L. C. I. Who gave it him Slightam Mr. Osborne or Mr. Knox I can't tell which L. C. I. Where did Lane tell you so Slightam In Prison L. C. I. In what Prison Slightam In the Gatehouse Mr. Williams Call Mr. Palmer who was sworn We call him to corroborate what that young man VViggins hath said Mr. Palmer What he hath told here he discovered first to me and I discovered to his Master that Mr. Knox would have had him to take a Journal of his masters actions and to give it him every day My Lord I am one of the Yeomen of the Guard and I waited upon Mr. Bedloe and he desired me to help him to a Clerk I helped him to VViggins this young man He had not been there three weeks or a very little time when Knox came to him to tempt him and being a stranger to his master he knew not how to discover it to him and told me Such a thing is offered to me but I am a stranger to my master and I know not how to break it to him L. C. I. The use you make of this is no more but onely to corroborate what he hath said that he told it him while it was fresh and that it is now new matter of his invention now Mr. Recorder It is very right my Lord that is the use we make of it Call Thomas Dangerfield who was sworn Mr. VVilliams Pray Sir give an account what you know concerning Mr. Knox and Mr. Lane and what designs they have had against Mr. Oates and who supported them and maintained them in it Mr. Dangerfield My Lord all that I have to say in this Case is this I do think it was in the Month of Iune I was at my Lord Castlemains and he asked me if I had been imployed in a business of Knox and Lane that were Prisoneâ—â— at the Gatehouse I told him Not. His Lordship then wrote a Letter to my Lady
staid any longer there and desired to be removed So then I shewed my Lady Powis the Letter and I suppose my Lord Powis had an accompt of it also but I cannot be positive in that but I had order to remove Lane and by my Lady Powis's means I sent down one on Horseback and he discharged some Debts Lane had contracted in the House and sent him away to London and after his return to London he continued three days more at my Lord Powis's House At which time he says he was forced to lye upon the Chairs for at that time were the St. Omers Witnesses removed from Mrs. Celier's because they were afraid of being taken up by Sir William Waller who was in search for them So having some other business I did not send him away presently but I had particular order to send Lane into some other place And I did advise with Mrs. Celier where to send him and she said I think it will be necessary to send him to Peterly at one Mr. Waites's House in Buckinghamshire for said she they are Catholicks and will be sure to take a particular care of him But I told her it would be too far and I would think of some place nearer and then I thought it would be necessary to send him to Tottenham to the White Hart and there he stayed I suppose four or five Days or a Week This was after the Tryal of the Five Jesuits as I remember My Lord Powis sent to me and told me Says he I am in several doubts about this Lane and if it should be known that he is Countenanced by me or any of our people it would not be well so I leave him wholly to you do what you will with him but I advise you to send for him up to Town and give him Ten Shillings a Week to live upon So when I was at leisure I sent for him again from Tottenham and I told him Mr. Lane it will be very necessary that you do take some care for a Livelihood about Town it is not safe nor adviseable for you to be about Powis House and at that time I took care he should come there no more and that if my Lord Powis's Servants should meet him they should take no Notice of him which they did perform I suppose and as I was told But before this and before I sent Lane into the Country the second time as near as I can remember Knox was at Liberty I had been endeavouring as soon as I had got Lane out of the Gate-house to get Knox out also but I found I could not and I left that But I have been informed by Mr. Knox himself that one Mr. Nevil aliàs Paine was furnished with mony from the Lords in the Tower for the getting of Knox's Liberty and this Nevil himself did say as Mr. Knox told me that he did it by their Order and from this Knox by Mrs. Celier's perswasion I received several Papers which were Informations against Oates or at least those Papers that they had drawn up before they were in Custody These Papers were sent by me to the Tower and from thence to Mr. Nevil to enlarge upon I suppose as he thought fit and after to my Lord Castlemain and afterwards they were re-sent to me by Mrs. Celier who ordered me to draw up an Affidavit according to those Directions and get Lane sworn to the same which I did and took Lane and asked him said I Mr. Lane here is an Affidavit can you swear it yes said he I can swear it before I read it to him L. Ch. Iust. I believe so M. Dangerfield Nay said I you know not what it is so I read it to him said I do you know this to be a truth yes said he I do know it to be all true Said I I will read it again to you because you are to make Oath of it and I would not have you do any thing but what is safe and then we went to Sir Iames Butler but he was not at home then to have it sworn L. Ch. Iust. What was the purport of that Affidavit Mr. Dangerfield My Lord I cannot well remember the Words but it was about accusing Mr Oates of Sodomy L. Ch. Iust. On whom Mr. Dangerfield It was for attempting Buggery on the body of this Lane L. Ch. Iust. That was the Substance of it Mr. Dangerfield Yes my Lord And I did take this Lane to Sir Iames Butler and he did make Affidavit that it was true And it was left there before Sir Iames Butler I suppose the Affidavit may be in Court or a Copy of it So my Lord after that Lane being gone from Powis-house and I having no manner of converse with him more but only that every Saturday I took care he should have his money sometimes I went to his Mother's Lodgings and left it there for him sometimes he would come to me for it After this we were remov'd from Powis-house to Mrs. Celliers but he was always certain of Ten Shillings a Week Sometimes he would pretend that it was too little for him to live upon and sometimes I would give him Two or Three or Four Shillings more of my self but I had no Order to do that from any body This is all my Lord I do know of Lane as I remember Mr. Justice Iones What do you know of Knox Mr. Dangerfield Knox first delivered to me those Papers that were sent first to the Tower and afterwards to Nevil and afterwards to my Lord Castlemain and redelivered to me and I did deliver them again to Knox after they were inlarged upon And I believe after that Knox had prevailed with Lane to write them in his own hand L. Ch. Iust. Why do you believe so Mr. Dangerfield Because being writ in a fair Hand Knox told me when the Papers were delivered these are the main things that I am to work by and these must be produced against Oates and be writ over in a fairer hand and by that I believe he prevailed with Lane to write it in his own hand L. Ch. Iust. Whose hand were they in Mr. Dangerfield It was a strange hand I knew not and I do not believe it was Knox's hand though indeed I can't tell I know it not Mr. Justice Iones Did Knox ask you who had the perusal of those Papers and who had made Additions to them Mr. Dangerfield No he took the Papers and took no notice of any addition or inlargement Mr. Justice Pemberton Pray Sir tell the manner of the delivering of those Papers Mr. Dangerfield First by Mrs. Cellier's perswasion Knox delivered to me the Papers which imported the whole matter of the Charge against Mr. Oates These I sent to the Tower by Mrs. Cellier's hands from thence they were sent to Nevil to be enlarged upon from thence to my Lord Castlemain who was also to inlarge upon them and from thence they were sent to Mrs. Cellier again and from her
a Friend of mine saw you go in the other day But Knox did positively deny it that was all that ever I heard of his correspondence with my Lord of Danby After this when her Ladiship came to me to ask me what condition he was in to prosecute the Tryal I told her I believed his condition was very mean and it would be very acceptable if he might or could be furnished with Money Well said she I will take care of it and give an account of it to my Lord and he shall be furnished And in the mean time if Mr. Knox wants money be sure you take care and furnish him but you need not let it be very considerable till you see what is raised Some time after this Mr. Knox came to Mrs Celiers House to ask for me I was then in my Chamber but not ready he came up to me and told me said he Really I am very poor I am going to pavvn my Sword or something to that purpose can you lend me five pounds Really Mr. Knox said I I will tell you the Affidavit that you read to me I have given an account of it to my Lady Powis and I suppose some other Persons of Honour have had an account of it also I am satisfied they are and that the Lords in the Tower will take care that Money shall be raised for your prosecuting of Mr. Oates He seem'd to smile at this but said he if this should be known it would be very prejudicial to the Business and spoil it but yet however if you can furnish me with Money at this time you will do me a great kindness for I have very great occasion I told him said I I have not so much Money by me you come at an unseasonable time though indeed I told him a Lye but I thought it not safe to part with Money without further order Mr. Knox went away and I gave an account of it to Mrs. Celier who went either every day or every other day to the Tower I told her what Mr. Knox said and I do believe as she told me afterwards she told my Lady Powis of it and Mrs. Celier seem'd to be angry that I did not let him have the Money and order'd me that at what time soever after that Mr. Knox should come to me I should let him have what Money he wanted Some time after this Mr. Knox did come to me and said his condition was very mean and you told me said he that care should be taken by the Lords in the Tower to furnish me with Money Said I Mr Knox I can let you have 30 or 40 s. if that will do you any kindness I have no order for any sum at present but as soon as it comes it must come to you through my hands and it must pass as if I lent it you and you shall give me a Note for it to repay it lest any thing should come to be discovered and coming to Mr. Oates hearing should prejudice the Business though I had been too forward before in giving Mr. Knox an account that the Lords in the Tower would contribute to this Business At that time I went up stairs and fetch'd down 40 s. and gave it him He came afterwards and would have borrowed more of me at other times once or twice after that but I did not furnish him for I had received no order to furnish him any further And this my Lord is all the correspondence I had with him and as near as I can remember I have given nothing in but what is a very true account of the Transaction Sir Fr. Win. My Lord I crave one Question of him if he have done After the Papers were corrected and written fair and enlarged upon by the several persons did you read them and what were the contents of them Mr. Dangerfield My Lord I did not read them nor did I draw them but I do believe that the contents were the same for substance with the Affidavit that Lane made before Sir Iames Butler Mr. Williams Sir you mention several sums of money that you paid to Knox and paid to Lane pray where had you this money Mr. Dangerfield The 40 s that I gave to Knox it was my own money but if I must give an account where I had it I believe it came originally from the Tower Mr. Williams The Ten Shillings a week whence came that Mr. Dangerfield Sometimes from the hands of my Lady Powis at other times from Mris. Celier sometimes from Mr. Wood and sometimes from my self and I placed it to accompt Mr. Serj. Maynard If your Lordship please we will now proceed to another part of our Evidence Mr. Williams About what time were they to Endict Mr. Oates Was not this project on foot when the Presbyterian-Plot was on foot Mr. Dangerfield My Lord I don't know what time but it was by my Advice to be done this Term and so did Nevil advise too Mr. Serj. Maynard My Lord I would read some of the Memorials or Informations that they were to Swear against Dr. Oates concerning the business that you have heard Lord Chief Iustice. Would you have them read Brother Mr. Serj. Maynard Yes my Lord. Lord Chief Iustice. Who proves them Then the Iustices of Peace Swore them Mr. Justice Pemberton Sir William Waller Did he confess he left them with my Lord Latimer Sir William Waller These are the Papers that were confessed to be carryed to my Lord Latimer Mr. Warcup Osborn did Swear That the Informations marked 1 2 3 4 5 were all of his own hand-writing and were dictated by the said Knox. Mr. Just. Pemberton And he did confess That these were the Informations that he had delivered to my Lord Latimer Mr. VVarcup Yes he did so Mr. Serj. Maynard It will lie on his part to prove that they were true Mr. Just. Pemberton Which will you have read one or all of them Mr. Serj. Maynard One or Two take Knox's first Which was Delivered to the Clerk of the Crown who Read it in haec verba Numb 1. The Information of Thomas Knox sworn before me this day of 1679. THIS Informant doth upon his Oath declare that on the first of this present April there came one William Osborne to the Informant in the Painted-Chamber in Westminster and told to him the said Informant that he had somthing of moment to reveal to him and did also desire the Informant to go with him into the Abby and he would reveal it to him upon which the said Osborne and the Informant being together the said Osborne did tell the Informant that his Conscience was mightily troubled for that he found the Lord Treasurer was maliciously prosecuted by Mr. Oates and Mr. Bedlow for that he having been a servant to Mr. Oates and had often heard Mr. Oates and Mr. Bedlow consult together in Mr. Oates his Chamber in Whitehall and resolve how they might contrive a way whereby to destroy my Lord