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
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
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
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
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
head of 1000 men he would begin it presently and desired that we might meet the next night with some others and consider of things so the next afternoon we met at Richard's Coffee-House near Temple-Bar and from thence to a Tavern near I think called the little or young Devil Tavern where met eight persons viz. Colonel Romzey Robert West Captain Norton Captain Walcot Richard Goodenough Francis Goodenough Nathaniel Wade and my self this was the first time I knew Walcot When we were all fit Colonel Romzey spoke to this effect as near as I can remember the same words Gentlemen If we can raise three thousand men in and about London there is a person of Honour will appear at the head of them and begin the business which we supposed to be the Duke of Monmouth and do not well remember whether he mentioned his name or not Which proposal much surprized Mr. Wade and I that he should then question the raising of 3000 men whereas when it was first mentioned to us we thought they had been sure of many thousands in London at an hours warning Then it was considered how 3000 men might be raised and how they might do something to the purpose Then we declared what method we had concluded on for the management of Affairs in Bristol which was as followeth and they could think of no better way so it was concluded that London and the Suburbs should be divided into Twenty parts and one man made choice of in each divisiâ—n who should chuse out ten in his division that he could trust and each of those ten to find out fifteen which would make 161 in each division so that twenty divisions would produce 3220. In order to which a Map of London was to be bought the next day and each division drawn out in a particular Paper mentioning every Street and Lane of note in it with the North East South and West bounds thereof and to be brought the next Meeting two or three nights after at the first Meeting it was agreed that none should know of this Design viz. of the chief Managers till all the Men were secured and that those seven I being not to stay long in London should meet every two or three nights till all was compleated At this meeting Romzey and West would be often saying there was nothing like the lopping business meaning the taking off the King and Duke and that it might be easily done as they went to or from Windsor or to or from the Play-House but I never heard any agree with them in it Next Day a Map was bought and brought to West's Chamber in the Temple where some met to divide it and draw out the divisions against the next meeting The next place we met at I think was the Castle-Tavern in Fleet-street where some of the divisions were brought all being not done and then it was consider'd how they should be distributed being we were most strangers and agreed that Richard Goodenough who had been Under-Sheriff and so had a general Acquaintance should do it who was willing to undertake it the rest of the divisions to be ready against the next meeting which was two or three Nights after at the Green-Dragon Tavern upon Snow-Hill where when Mr. Goodenough came he told us That he had disposed of some of them and did hope it would take effect and that in a week or ten Days he should have fixed the twenty Men the consideratioâ— how things should be manag'd was deferred till they were sure of the Men only some mention'd their Opinions how the Tower Whitehal and other places might be best surprised The Tower was thought might be best gained in the Day time Whitehal and other places in the night with many such things in way of discourse Romzey was still upon the old strain of killing the King and the Duke saying at this the last meeting I was at going for Bristol next Morning that it might be done in Windsor-Park and that he would undertake it but not except every one there present would go with him to which not one conâ—â—nted I replying that I was for no such thing but seeing the other business had gone so far and was known to so many if they could bring it to bear in London and other places I rashly said rather than fail of Bristol we will undertake it at Noon-Day with an Hundred Men to which Romzey said I was a bold fellow they then promised when they were sure of the Men to advise and take care for some Arms for us at Bristol and that we should have some Great Person come down to Head us but I heard no more till the news of the Discovery came in publick Letters I remember one time when VVade and I was with Ferguson he told us that the Duke of Monmouth was brought to a low Condition all his Places being taken from him and his Tenants in Scotland being so severely dealt with upon account of their Religion were not able to pay Rent so that his Estate there which was accounted worth Ten or Twelve Thousand Pound per An. did not yield him the last Year Two Thousand Pound that he was not well pleased with the management of Affairs and desired Mr. VVade to Appoint a place where he would meet the Lord Gerrard and Sir Thomas Armstrong to discourse them to which Mr. VVade replyed he would meet none of them for such Great Men had betrayed the Nation already and ensnar'd too many Thousands to no purpose How it was to have been acted in Bristol We concluded that the only way to secure Bristol would be by a surprize which with about 350 Men 150 of which we depended on from Taunton the other 200 to be raised in and about the City might easily be done about 4 of the Clock in the Morning as soon as the watch were gone off without the Bloodshed of one Man thus dividing the City into fourteen parts so making thirteen Posts besides the main Guard which should at first have been at the Toulsey which is in Bristol as the Exchange here we supposed 20 Men might be sufficient for each Post and the remainder for the main Guard out of which might be spared 4 or 6 Files to be constantly marching about and to assist where there might be occasion The method we designed for the raising 200 Men in and about the City was thus first to find out 30 Men 2 for each Post and 4 for the main Guard who might be able each of them to procure 6 and to command them which would have made 14 for each Post and 28 for the main Guard to whom the Taunton Men should be added viz. 6 to each Post and the remainder to the main Guard who should have come in the Day before some at every entrance of the City and lodge themselves at Inns and Ale-Houses as near the Posts they were appointed for as they could Each Man being to know his Post and Commanders before
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
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
Christmass Holy-days Colonel Romzey invited this Examinant and several others to Dinner at his House in Kings-Square in Sohoe Fields where Dined this Examinant Mr. Richard Goodenough Mr. Francis Goodenough Mr. Roe Mr. Blaney and to the best of this Examinants remembrance Mr. Ioseph Tyley and some Discourse was then had of the said Design against the King and Duke and of a general Insurrection which this Examinant proposed to them being Lawyers to call and distinguish them in this manner The Design of Killing the King and the Duke Executing a Bargain and Sale which was a short manner of Conveyance And the general Insurrection By the executing a Lease and Release which is a longer Conveyance which Distinction was received and often afterwards made use of but the same Blaney was never afterward as this Examinant remembers at any other Meeting And this Examinant further saith That some short time after Christmas last this Examinant Colonel Romzey Mr. Walcot and Mr. Rumbold met at the Salutation Tavern in Lumbard-street where it was Discoursed that some Preparations ought to be made against the time that either the said Design against the King and Duke or a general Insurrection should be put in Execution And it was â—â—greed That Ferguson should be sent for Home and that Ludlow should be sent for if it could be and that Blank Commissions should be drawn up for Officers both Civil and Military and a Model of Government but there was some doubt in whose Names those Commissions should run and at last it was proposed but this Examinant does not remember by whom that they should run in the Name of the Conâ—ederate Lords and Commons of England After which Meeting this Examinant and Colonel Romzey went the same night to the best of this Examinants remembrance or soon after to a Coffee-House in Popes-head Alley to enquire for one Mr. Thomas Shepard a Merchant for Directions how to send to Mr. Ferguson then in Holland and there found Mr. Shepard And this Examinant by the consent of the said Colonel Romzey wrote a sort of Canting Letter to Ferguson to invite him over for his Health but there was no particular business in the said Letter and the said Mr. Shepard sent it But Mr. Ludlow was never sent for nor any Commissions prepared nor any Frame of Government drawn up to this Examinants knowledge or as he ever heard of And this Examinant further saith That about Christmass last he was informed to the best of this Examinants remembrance by Colonel Romzey that a design for a general Insurrection was carrying on and was managed by a Cabal or Council and that the said Cabal differed amongst themselves and the business was like to be at a stand but the persons of that Cabal the said Colonel Romzey did not then give this Examinant any account of But the said Colonel Romzey this Examinant and Nathaniel Wade agreed to draw up some few Fundamentals which they thought reasonable and the said Colonel Rumsey to present the same to the Lord Russel for him to present to the Managers or the Duke of Monmouth which they did accordingly but the same were rejected as the said Colonel Romzey told this Examinant and this Examinant hath no Copy of them And this Examinant further saith That about Hillary Term last this Examinant was informed by Mr. Ioseph Tyley and since by Iames Holloway of Bristol that there was a considerable Party in Bristol well provided for and almost impatient for Action and had laid a rational Design if they could be seconded in other places And this Examinant further saith That he was informed by Mr. Richard Nelthrop that Colonel Sidney had sent Aaron Smith into Scotland with Letters to Sir George Cambel and Sir Iohn Cochran or one of them upon pretence of a Purchase of Land in Carolina but in truth to get them up to London in order to settle matters for a Rising or used words to that effect and that the said Colonel Sidney gave the said Aâ—ron Smith Fourscore Guineys or some such Sum for his Charges And Mr. Ferguson hath since told this Examinant that the said Aaron Smith behaved himself very indiscreetly in the said Journey and run a hazard of discovering the Design And this Examinant further saith That Mr. Ferguson often told this Examinant that it was agreed between several Scots and several Persons of Quality here in England that the Scots should have 10000 l. from hence to buy Arms and then should Rise in Scotland and be seconded here by an Insurrection in England or if the English would help the Scots to 30000 l. they would attempt a Rising in Scotland without being seconded in or further assisted from England And that the 10000 l. was to be paid this day and that day but at length the 10000 l. sunk to 5000 l. but the Scots were resolved to Rise though they had nothing but their Claws to fight with rather then endure what they did And about three Weeks or a Month since the said Ferguson told this Examinant that Colonel Sidney and Major Wildman had used the Scots ill and broken with them after making them attend two Months and the reason they broke upon was That the Scots would not agree to declare for a Commonwealth and the extirpation of the Monarchy but that the said Ferguson had hopes of raising the Money otherwise but would not tell this Examinant how neither could this Examinant ever be certainly informed whether any part of the said Money has been paid to the Scots And this Examinant further saith That Mr. Iohn Roe hath told this Examinant that he the said Roe was acquainted with some Scotchmen here in London who informed him that there were 2000 or 3000 Scots many of them Bothwel-Bridge Men who were Journey-men and Pedlers in and about England and were under the order and management of ten or twelve Scotchmen in London who could in a Month or six weeks time draw in all up to London and that the Earl of Shaftsbury had a great command of these men And this Examinant further saith That about three Months since or thereabouts this Examinant being upon the Exchange met with Major Wildman who told this Examinant for News that the Marquess of Huntly and Earl of Dowglas two eminent Papists were reported to be made General of the Forces and Governour of Sterling Castle in Scotland and that a Resumption or Repurchase of the Abby Lands was going to be made there Whereupon this Examinant told the said Major Wildman That he this Examinant had a Plantation in America where the Churchmen never had Footing and would go thither if he was driven from hence To which the said Major Wildman replied Keep here and don 't talk of being driven out drive them out hence And this Examinant saying He did not see how that could be done The said Major Wildman returned it may be done and must be done and shall be done or used words to that effect And
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.