Chillington the like for Horse To Sir James Symmons of Ashton in Staffordshire the like for Horse This Informant saith that be also saw Sir Robert Throgmorton fill up a Lieutenant Collonel's Commission to his own Regiment and deliver it to one Sir Charles Neale who accepted the same and kiss'd it upon his Knees And that he this Informant also was present and saw Sir James Symmons deliver a Captains Commission to Mr. William Fowler of St. Thomas near Stafford And also when Sir Thomas Gifford deliver'd a Captains Commission to Mr. Augustin Gifford and also to Capt. Gowre the like Captains Commission and to Bazil Brooks Esq the like Captains Commission and to Mr. John Pursel a Cornet's Commission and to Thomas Pursell a Warrant for Quarter Master and to several other inforiour Officers and the several Collonels aforesaid This Informant saith that all these Collonels Commissions with the Blanks as aforesaid were deliver'd by Mr. Lunt in the presence of this Informant And this Informant saith he knows they were such Commissions because he saw them and heard most of them read at the time of the delivery to them And for the Lieutenant Collonel and other inferiour Officers Commissions he this Informant saw most of them fill'd up by the Superiours and deliver'd to the inferiour Officers as aforesaid And this Informant further saith that at the same time aforesaid he this Informant saw the aforesaid Mr. Lunt deliver to my Lord Molyneux a seal'd Paper which he this Informant saw him the Lord Molyneux open and read which to the best of this Informants Memory was purporting a Commission and Instructions for the Care and Government of Liverpoole This Informant also saith that he was at a Meeting at Sir John Lawsons in York shire about the Month of March then next following with Mr. Lunt where were the Gentlemen Mr. Lunt names in his Information where he this Informant then heard most of them publickly own that they had receiv'd Commissions by Mr. Thrillfall some time before from King James and would then have oblig'd this Informant and Mr. Lunt to have engaged with them the Gentlemen of the Country c. This Informant further saith that about the beginning of the Year 1691 he this Informant heard that Mr. Lunt was employ'd in and about London to list Men And this Informant saith that some short time after several Men came into Lancashire as from London and said they were listed by the said Mr. Lunt and sent down to serve under the Command of some of the Officers aforesaid and he this Informant saith that as fast as they came down he was order'd by my Lord Molyneux Sir Thomas Clifton Coll. Molyneux Coll. Tildesley Coll. Townley Sir William Gerrard and his Son and several ther 's the Officers aforesaid to take Care of them and prouide Quarters or Lodgings for them which the said Informant did accordingly and that at several Times this Informant had and did receive Money from my Lord Molyneux Coll. Tilâ—desley Coll. Townley Sir William Gerrard and sime others to pay the said Souldiers for their Subsistance And this Informant saith he did pay and distribute the Money he so receiv'd amongst them which this Informant saith in the whole did amount to to the best of his Mneoy about 3 or 400 l. the Names of many of the Soldiers this Informant yet remembers and a List of them was deliver'd into the House of Commons when the Plot was examin'd there And this Informant saith that he is very well assured that the said Mr. Lunt did at several other times before and after List a great many more than those named in the List aforementioned This Informant further saith that about the Month of February 1691 he this Informant was at a general Meeting of several Gentlemen at Coll. Walmesley at Dungan-Hall in Lancashire many of whom he yet remembers viz. Coll. Townley Coll. Tildesley Coll. Molyneux Coll. Dalton Sir William Gerrard Mr. Gerrard Mr. Dickingson Mr. Stanley Mr. Shuttleworth Mr. Tildesley of Stansare Mr. Massey of Buddington Mr. Langton of the Loe Mr. Gerrard of Inch Sir Thomas Clifton Mr. Blundell of Crosby Coll. Westby of Mobrick Coll. Parker and others the said Coll. Walmesley being then lately come out of France he the said Coll. then produc'd publickly in the said Meeting several Commissions Declarations Grants or Patents that he had then lately brought from King James of several Gentlemens Estates of that Country to other Gentlemen there that were King James 's Friends 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coll. Tildesley Lord Molyneux Coll. Westbey of Mobrick Coll. Townley of Townley Sir Thâ—â—as Clifton Sir William Gerrard Coll. Molyneux Mr. Gerrard of Inch Mr. Langton of Loe and sâ—â—e others This Informant further saith that above a Fortnight after he this Informant was at the like Meeting at Philip Draycots of Painesley-Hell in the County of Stafford Esquire of most of the aforesaid Gentlemen and others as Mr. Bazill Brooks Sir James Symonds Sir Richard Fleetwood and his Sons William and Rowland Cary of Cary Esquire and others where were produc'd several of the like Grants and Patents as aforesaid brought over by the Lord Stafford and there also given out to those they did belong to this Informant further saith that at this Meeting aforesaid Coll. Parâ—â—â— being also there and was then also lately come out of France he the said Coll. did then publickly produce and deliver to one Capt. George Penny then in the Company a Commission from King James for the said Penny to be a Major of Horse which he said Capt. Penny accepted of with many Thanks and promis'd to do the King the best Service be could And this Informant further saith that at another Time being at a Meeting with the said Coll. Parker at the Sign of the Star an Inn in Holywell in Flintshire and about twenty Gentlemen more he this Informant there saw the said Parker deliver one Commission from King James to one Mr. Pew of Pendrell to be a Captain of Horse and at the same time he the said Parker deliver'd in the presence of this Informant to one Mr. George Davies of Treloughnel and to several others and that the said Parker did there and at several other times as well as at the aforementiond Meetings order direct and desire all the Officers to take Care to have their Men ready at an Hours warning with a Pound of Powder and Ball proportionable to each Man for that he expected News of the Kings Landing every day c. This Informant saith that about the beginning of the Year 1689 he this Informant was order'd and employ'd by Mr. Massey Sir James Symonds Sir Thomas Gifford and Capt. Fowler to List as many Men as be could in Staffordshire and North-Wales for King James's Service under their Command and that he this Informant had Money of the aforesaid Gentlemen for that Purpose and this Informant saith that he did at that Time that is to say within the space of three
there also from England expecting to meet his Majesty and brought over with him an Account of the Condition and Readiness of his Friends the Papists and Jacobites there but more particularly in London Sussex and Kent and in Staffordshire Lancashire Cheshire and Yorkshire and from them all desired of his Majesty Commissions for the several Persons of Quality hereafter named with Blanks for their Inferior Officers which accordingly the late King caused immediately to be issued forth both for England and Scotland And because Bromfeild was so well known and it might be dangerous for him to come back himself he desired the King to advise of a proper Person or Persons whom he might trust to bring them over and distribute them here in England according to his Majesty's Orders amongst others he this Informant was recommended to him by my Lord Thomas Howard who told him the said King James he would engage Life for Life for him this Informant that he would not betray him in the Service and that if he were taken would rather die upon the spot Upon which this Informant was sent for to my Lord Melfort's Office where he found my Lord Thomas Howard Dr. Bromfeild and my Lord together in his Closet whither he was carried to them and then and there they asked this Informant Whether he would venture to undertake to carry Declarations Papers and Commissions and other things for his Majesty's Service to England They told him it was a hazardous thing that he should think well of it for if he should happen to be taken his Life was certainly gone but if he would and did escape be should be sure of and they promised him in the King's Name very great Preferments and Rewards when the King should come into England Upon which he this Informant undertook it and my Lord Melfort gave an Account of it whereupon to blind the business and to take off any Thought of his this Informant's being imploy'd or sent any where my Lord Melfort told him the King had thought fit to order the Officer of the Guards who was a Frenchman to casheer him and that he might say to any one that asked him the reason that he knew none but was resolved to get his Pass as soon as he could and go for England About a Week after this all things were got ready both for England and Scotland and one Mr. Thrillfall of the Ashes in Goosner in Lancashire Gentleman and this Informant were dispatched for England and one Mr. Gourdon who was this Informant's Comrade and cashiered as he was went for Scotland This Informant and Mr. Thrillfall brought with them Declarations Commissions and other Papers and Landed at Cockram within four Miles of Lancaster in or about the beginning of June 1689 upon our Landing we had like to have been wholly surprized by some Custom house Officers but we escaped and brought off the most Material of our Business only lost some Commissions Blanks and one of the King's Declarations two Case of Pistols of this Informants that the King gave him and some Clothes of this Informant's c. The greatest part of the Commissions and most of the Blanks in several Bundies were saved and this Informant delivered them as fast as he could one after another as followeth viz. in Lancashire To my Lord Molyneux's Son William a Colonel's Commission for a Regiment of Horse with Blanks for all his Inferior Officers to be filled as he should think fit To Thomas Tildesley Esq the like for a Regiment of Dragoons To Dalton of Thurnham Esq the like for Dragoons To Sherbourn of Stonyhurst Esq the like for Horse To Townley of Townley Esq the like for Horse To Girlington of Girlington Esq a Colonel's Commission To Westby of Mobrick Esq the like for Dragoons This Informant farther saith that he delivered my Lord Molyneux himself a Paper of Instructions where amongst other things He was to be Governour of Liverpool and this Informant took notice of it because my Lord Melfort and Dr. Bromfeild both told him this Informant saw and shewed it him in the Paper before they Sealed it Cheshire To Peter Legh of Lime Esq a Colonel's Commission with Blanks for his Inferior Officers To Sir Thomas Stanley of Aldersley Protestant the like for Horse To Mr. Chumley of Vale-Royal Protestant the like for Horse To Sir Rowland Stanley Protestant the like for Horse To my Lord Brudenell a Colonel's Commission for Horse with Blanks for his Inferior Officers To Sir Throgmorton the like for Horse This Informant farther saith That to these two Gentlemen last above written he delivered four other Colonel's Commissions for four Gentlemen whose Names he was not to know because as he did then conceive they were Protestants for they told him this Informant they were honest Gentlemen and Protestants Besides all these before mentioned this Informant delivered to one Mr. Jackson in Castle-street near the Meuse two Bundles of Commissions with a King's Declaration and two other Papers Sealed up with each with Orders to him to deliver one of them with a Declaration and Sealed Papers immediately to my Lord Griffin and the other to Mr. W. Pen the Quaker which this Informant supposes he did for in his sight he took Coach and said he would And besides all these which he this Informant so as aforesaid delivered Mr. Thrillfall undertook to deliver several Bundles of the same to several Gentlemen in York-shire This Informant farther saith That every Colonel had with his Commission Blanks for double his Inferior Officers and that all the Colonels had the Liberty to raise Foot Horse or Dragoons but Horse was more especially recommended This Informant farther saith That after the dispatch of these Commissions and other Business he had the ill luck to be made a Prisoner for a considerable time upon the Accusation of the Captain that brought him over out of Ireland This Informant farther saith That during the time he was a Prisoner under Bail that is to say about the beginning of the year 1691 he this Informant by the Order of Colonel Tildesley Col. Townley Col. William Molyneux Mr. Gerrard Col. Dalton and others Listed in London several Men for Soldiers to serve as Horse or Dragoons to be under the Command of the said Colonels or any other as they should dispose of them to Here he names about a hundred of the Soldiers Listed and the Pay they was to receive This Informant farther saith That being discharged of his Imprisonment in the Month of November 1691 he this Informant was desired by several of the Gentlemen that he had delivered of the Commissions aforesaid to viz. Lord Molyneux Col. Molyneux his Son Sir William Gerrard and his Son Mr. Dickinson of Wrightington John Harrington of Heightonhay Esq Col. Townley Col. Tildesley Col. Dalton and others to go into France to give King James an Account in what condition they were and to bring his Majesty's Commands how they might be serviceable to him which this Informant did
Things were upon this Foot honest Mrs. Sarah * The Descent Dolton's Match would not be now to make See how the Jacobites are bartering with France for England and there is no Question to be made if the Charge of a Descent must be out of the F K 's Pocket all the three Kingdoms must be in his Power till the Debt is cancell'd Which will never be till our Claims are extinguish'd in our Blood and Ruin and yet upon this Foot would the Jacobites have their native Country invaded I will trouble the Reader but with one Letter more before I produce the Scheme for the Invasion and that was dated March 1694. and sent by Mr. Bolton and directed to Mr. * Crosby James Clynch I Had yours of the 26th of January and Mr. Nihil * Mr. Neale Lord Melfort's Secretary shew'd me one of yours of the same date to Mr. May * Melfort who has writ at large to you by this Pacquet we are all pleased with the hopes you give us of uniting all Interests if this could be improved to a Degree of collecting all their Sentiments from time to time into one Letter written by their Directions it would have wonderful Effects here and make all Answers expeditious and satisfactory Here are Directions how Crosby and his Accomplices are to proceed in order to form a Descent from France and an Insurrection and Rebellion in England all Parties must be cajol'd Factions humour'd and such Promises made as were never intended to be perform'd That 's the true English of the Words uniting all Interests for according to the Jacobites settled Decrees if they could Re-inthrone the late King James none but the Papists must be sharers in the Government or in their Kings Affection or Bounty for they equally hate all Protestants under what Denomination soever as I will prove by their own Words and Matter of Fact It being one of their own deliberate berate Advices at a Consult and sent to the late King James as a Rule to govern himself by viz. That he should make use of the Whigs but never trust them See Crosby's Papers they might it seems be imployed in promoting his Designs and their own Ruin but the Administration and Advantages of it must be given to the Papists Now since the Dissenters Hopes are all lopt off at one blow sure there remains great expectation of Favour and Bounty to the Church of England Men * Vid. same Paper No they were the Papists first and most formidable Enemies at the Revolution as having the Law on their side and must also be thrust behind the Door nay they so load them with Reproaches now for deserting a Popish King and their Doctrin of Passive Obedience together that they can hope for no Mercy As is plain from the Epithets given them in a Letter directed to Philips dated the 4th of May and sworn to be found in his Custody by two Witnesses which among others have these Words Let Lord Middleton Toncroft know I meant the Church of England by the pack of Rogues and the Bishop of N. the Clergy-Man that was his Enemy their Characters now I will not venture to send him being so various in their Politics This is the true and undisguised Language of Popery among themselves which I will make no other use of than to perswade all Protestants of what Denomination soever to Love fervently and Unite inseparably against these common Enemies of our Nation and Religion In the last Letter produced Crosby had Orders from France to inform himself of the Sentiments of the whole Party and digest them into one Letter For this purpose he frequented all their Meetings and was carressed and assisted in this Undertaking by all that bore a Figure or Name amongst the Jacobites both in City and Country and this great and finishing Stroke being given at their several Consults he only waited for a Wind to waft himself and his Scheme into France to be put in Practice but Heaven crost their Designs and threw into the hands of Justice both the Plotter and the Papers some of which are these that follow and contain the Scheme for an Invasion of his Majesties Dominions Why 't was fitting to be attempted then the ways of accomplishing it and the Names of some Persons from whom as the Jacobites say Assistance might be expected directed to Mr. Toncroft Lord Middleton Sir AS we are sensible of your very great Goodness and Zeal in promoting his Majesties Interest so we are in a special Manner for your Favour in opening us a way whereby we dare freely and impartially impart our Thoughts to you and that at a Time when there never yet offer'd a fairer Opportunity for his Majesties Restoration nor a greater Concurrence of Causes At a Time when the Government is under the greatest Contempt for it's Miscarriages abroad and Mismanagements at home When the Nation is fully sensible their Representatives are of a Party against them and so bribed into false Notions of their Interest that every of them seems to be at Work to dig the Kingdoms Grave When the whole Army to defend us is not above twelve Thousand and that dispers'd into the several Corners of the Kingdom so that not above seven or eight Thousand can be drawn together into the Field and the Garrisons left provided and many of them justly suspected not to be ill inclined to their Lawful Soveraign and none to be expected from abroad without eminently exposing our Allies Egregiously false in every Particular When the Fleet cannot possibly be out till the beginning of May at soonest the Preparations in order thereunto moving slowly notwithstanding the pressing Instances of the Court for want of Funds the Stores in bad Conditions and the best Ships and Seamen gon with the Merchants Fleet Convoys to the Streights The difficulty of getting other Seamen to supply their Places greater than ever from the hardships they were made to endure from ill Payment and the frequent deluding them with Proclamations of great Promises and no Performances All which may give his M. C. Ms. Fleet an Opportunity of being out earlier then ours and to profit of this our Condition by possessing himself of such a Station as may prevent the Junction of our Portsmouth and Chattam Fleets and the Transportation of Troops from Flanders if they could be spar'd from thence or what else might be thought proper What Pains the Jacobites take to perswade the French to be beaten a second Time When the Militia are in such hands as will make little Opposition and at the worst of no use in Winter The Exchequer in the lowest Ebb and very much in Debt The lendable Money of the Nation from twelve hundred thousand pounds reduced to Six and not above one in the Exchequer to answer all the Exegencies of State a great part of the Funds now to be given already anticipated and no Credit to be had till the Parliament
what the grand Plotters in France thought would be the most expeditious and effectual Project to restore the late King James viz. Killing King William for which Action there would quickly be sent a Commission from the late King to command the doing of it and an Order to all his General Officers which were then in England to be aiding and assisting in the Enterprize And that in the mean time all things ought to be so well adjusted among themselves here that there might be no time lost nor nothing to do when the Commission came but to put it in Execution At this Juncture comes Major Crosby also from France March 20. 1094. with Assurance That he saw the Commission sign'd and under Seal in France that it was sent away before him and if not already come he was certain it was upon the Road and would be here in a few days This was communicated to all the Assassinates in order to cut off his Majesty before he went to Holland but that God that design'd him for a further Blessing to England prevented their Treachery and convey'd him safe to his Army in Flanders Now If the Jacobites enquire how I prove this Plot upon the King's Life so early as to be laid in January and February 1694 and to be executed in the beginning of April 1695 that was say they scarce heard off till a twelve Month after they may please to know that besides my being told of it by Captain Blaire Mr. De la Rue swears it at Mr. Charnocks Tryal p. 37. And Sir John Fenwick when living was one of the Kings Evidence in this Matter and declar'd it in a Paper annexed to the Lady Mary Fenwicks Petition praying a Repreive for Sir John Fenwick deliver'd into the House of Lords January 22th 1696 * Vidahe Lords Journal in these Words The beginning of the Weck the Parliament was prorogu'd I was walking in the Court of Requests and there came to me Sir William Perkins Mr. Porter and Mr. Charnock * * Mr. Waugh was there also with the same Company but Sir John names him not and ask'd me if I did not know of an Order come from King James directed to those that had been General Officers under him I answered them I knew nothing of any Order from him and ask'd for what purpose it should be They told me they had for some time expected a Commission from King James to seize King William and that Mr. Crosby was newly come over and requir'd of them if they had not receiv'd such a Commission They told him they had not he said he wonder'd at it for he saw it sign'd before he came away from St. Germains and also an Order to the General Officers to be aiding and assisting to them I told them I believ'd what Crosby said was False that it was a Scandal upon King James and I was sure he never would give any such Commission or Order for so base an Action That they could intend no less by seizing the King than to Murther him upon which Sir W. Perkins said the Parliament would be Prorogu'd on Friday next and then the King would go for Flanders and that Saturday was the only day they had left to do it and tho' the Commission was not come they would not loose the Opportunity of attempting it as he return'd from Richmond that Night and swore he should never go out of England alive Mr. Porter and Mr. Charnock said they were resolv'd of it and tho the Commission was not yet come Crosby assur'd them it must be upon the Road for it was come away before him I used all Arguments against it and told them what Injury they would do King James and bring certain Ruin upon all his Friends here that if it was upon the Road as Crosby said it might be here on Saturday and with much Perswasions prevail'd with them to dine with me that day at Twelve a Clock at the Fountain-Tavern by the Temple-Gate and got them to Promise they would do nothing in it till they met me there that day We met accordingly And I kept them there discoursing upon the business and shewing them the baseness of the Action and the impossibility of their succeeding for none of King James 's Friends would back them in it till it was too late to make any such Attempt The King went for Flanders next Morning early this I attest for Truth and for this Reason I suppose they did not acquaint me with their Last Design John Fenwick Tho' the main end for which this Paper was design'd would admit of many severe Reflections as wanting that Sincerity which might be expected from one in Sir John's Circumstances and naming none of the Persons that manag'd that Treasonable Discourse in the Court of Requests but what are either Dead or in the Government when he knew what a large share Mr. Waugh had in it I shall content my Self and I hope satisfy my Reader only in observing three things as the natural Consequence of what the Paper acquaints us with Viz. That there was a Design to assassinate King William in the Year 1694 and 1695. That the late King James not only knew of it but commanded it That Sir John Fenwick knew of it but did not discover it and therefore no Objection lyes but that he might be acquainted with the last Design also The Parliament was prorogu'd the 3d of May 1695 and the King set forward for Flanders the day following so there being no hopes of Executing their barbarous Design till his Majesties Return they resolve so to employ the Summer that Winter might find them ready to perform what they had so long and unsuccessfully resolv'd on And that the Invasion might still accompany the Assassination they revive the Latter that it might be in a readiness to follow the Former as soon as the fatal Stroke had made way for it For this Purpose several Meetings are appointed and particularly one was held in May 1695 at the Old Kings-Head in Leaden-Hall-street London where met the Lord Aylesbury the Lord Mountgomery Sir John Friend Sir William Perkins Sir John Fenwick Mr. Charnock Mr. Cook Captain Porter and Mr. Goodman who came in after Dinner * See Mr. Porter's Deposition in Sir W. Perkins Tryal p. 14. there they consulted of the best way to restore the late King James and all agreed to send a Messenger over to the late King to desire him to procure of the French King ten thousand Men viz. 1000 Horse 1000 Dragoons and 8000 Foot Mr. Charnock was the Person appointed to Manage this Affair who said he would not go on a foolish Errand and therefore would know what the Company would do if Forreign Forces could be procured whereupon they all unanimously promised if the late King would come over with such a Number of Men as was defired they would meet him at the Head of two thousand Horse where-ever he would appoint At the latter
concern'd my Health is well enough I am interrupted and so can say no more now engage Sir John Lowther the New Lord who hath more Interest than any Body Let my Lord Scarsdale engage Overkirk for me speak to my Lady Arlington if my Tryal would be put off till the King comes back there would be more Opportunity to sollicite him This Letter was brought to the Lords Justices and at his first Examination before them in which he deny'd every Thing he was charg'd with their Excellencies told him he was not of that Mind when he wrote that Letter which was then shew'd him to which Sir John Ferwick made no Reply but laid it down and was utterly silens'd by such a violent Presumption or rather ingenious Confession of his Guilt attested under his own Hand FINIS THE APPENDIX Affidavits of the Ships-Crew about Lunt's Coming from Ireland The Informations of John Preston of Cockeram Mariner who upon Oath saith THAT about a year ago John Cawson Part-owner of the Pink or Vessel called the Lion of Lancaster hired this Informant as a Mariner to serve in the said Vessel the Burden whereof is twixt 40 and 50 Tun and he hath ever since served in that Employment and the said Vessel in that time hath performed four Voyages to Dublin in Ireland one of which Voyages was about Christmass last and since Christmass last to wit about a Mouth ago she loosed out of Loyne or Lune River for the Isle of Man having then on Board only three Passengers viz Mr. Edmund Thrillfall and two Strangers who this Informant never saw before or since which said Thrillfall when he was on Board shewed Charles Cawson Master 〈◊〉 the said Vessel the Earl of Derby's Pass for the said Voyage And this Informant and others of the said Mariners made for the said Island but before they could compass it the said Owner proposed to this Informant and the rest of the Mariners so make for Ireland which they did accordingly and landed in Ireland and there continued about three Weeks during all which time the said Master continued a Shore and returned not Aboard till she was ready â—o sail And this Informant further saith That the said Vessel went out of Loyne in the night-time-without any Cocket or Certificate from the Custom-Office and without Fraught or any on Board save the three Passengers aforesaid and the said Master and five Mariners and a Boy And at her Return had nothing Aboard save a Tun and a half of Iron-pots and half a Tun of Iron Barrs and nine Barrels of Beef and two Passengers viz. the said Mr. Thrillfall and a young short Man wearing his own hair which said Passengers had two Cases of Pistols and one Sword and the said Thrillfall had a Hair Port-mantle Trunk which he took on Shoar with him And he further saith That on Thursday morning last the said Vessel came to Anchor in Loyne aforesaid a little before Sun-rise and by the Cock-boat belonging to the said Vessel sent the said Thrillfall and the other Passenger ashore at the Crook being on the South side of the said River before the Custom-house Boat came up to them And the said Passengers or the one of them left behind them in the said Vessel two Leather Baggs with Writings which the Custom-Officers when they came on Board took into their Possession And further saith not John Preston Jurat apud Preston in Com Lâ—ne ' xviiâ— Junii 1689. Corum me C. Brandon The Information of Henry Knowles one of the Seamer in the Pink or Vessel called the Lion of Lancaster Who upon Oath saith THAT he is a Pepist and hath been a Mariner or Seaman in the said Vessel in several Voyages betwixt England and Ireland and more particularly in two Voyages since Christmass last And he further saith that this day five Weeks last past about two a Clock in the Morning the said Vessel weighed Anchor from the River Lune being designed as this Examinant and the other Mariners on Board understood for the Isle of Man without any Fraught or Persons on Board her saving Mr. Thrillfall and two other Passengers who this Examinant knows not besides Charles Cawson the Master five Mariners whereof this Examinant was one and a Boy But in the Voyage and before they did reach to the said Isle Mr. Thrillfall proposed that they should go strait for Dublin in the Kingdom of Ireland where the said Mr. Thrillfall pretended he had business to this the Master readily consented saying he also had business at Dublin to get in some Debts which Voyage they performed accordingly and Landed at Dublin the Saturday following and there continued at Anchor some days above three Weeks during which stay this Examinant several times saw the said Mr. Thrillfall in Dublin And in order for their Return to England there was brought on Board the said Vessel at Dublin only one Tun and a half of Iron pots half a Tun of Iron Barre and nine Barrels of Beef and upon Monday was seven night the said Vessel set sail from Dublin for England no Persons being in her besides the said Ships-Company the said Mr. Thrillfall and one other Person to this Examinant unknown who brought with them into the Vessel only a Trunk Portmantle covered with Hair that this Examinant knows of And this Deponent saith that the said other Person was low of stature wearing his own Hair and went under the Name of Mr. Lunt who pretended to come to an Uncle of his in England And this Examinant further saith That the said Vessel about two or three a Clock last Thursday Morning came to an Anchor in the River Lune in that County And the Master immediately after their coming to Anchor Ordered the Cock-boat to be let down and appointed this Examinant and Richard Whiteside another of the said Seamen to set the said Mr. Thrillfall and Mr. Lunt on shore upon Cockeram side which accordingly they did and carried with them which they delivered to the said Thrillfall the said Trunk and as this Examinant and the said Whiteside were rowing the Boat back towards the Vessel the said Lunt called back of them that he had left his Baggs on Board but said that he and the said Mr. Thrillfall would go to refresh themselves at Cookeram and desired this Examinant to bring his said Baggs thither to him But before this Examinant was return'd to the Vessel a Boat with some Officers belonging to the Custom-house were come up to the Vessel who searching the Vessel did after this Examinant's Return to her find in the Hold of the said Vessel two Leather-baggs with several written and Printed Papers in them as this Examinant afterwards saw which this Examinant believes to be the said Lâ—nâ—'s Baggs And this Deponent further saith that he believes the said Vessel had no Cocket when she went for Ireland And hath heard that the said Mr. Thrillfall gave ten Pounds for her that Voyage Henry Knowles Capt ' Jurat '
Thomas Fox a Servant to the said Mr. Standish was appointed to go with the said Rigby as a Guard to the said Mr. Townley's of Townley And this Informant further saith that about the Year 1691 or beginning of the Year 1692 there came to the said Standish-Hall one who went by the Name of Mr. Green in public Company but privately in the said Mr. Standish's Family was call'd Coll. Parker who kept two Servants his Gentleman who went by the Name of Gandy a French-Man and one Thomas Merrick his Groom and further saith that he hath several times seen in Company together at the said Standish Hall the Lord Molyneux's Son Sir William Gerrard's eldest Son William Dickinson of Wrightington Esq Mr. Blundell of Crosby Mr. Townley of Townley the said Mr. Green or Coll. Parker the said Mr. Standish and divers others and heard it discours'd amongst them that they would all be ready upon King James 's landing in England with Men and Arms to serve him And this Informant further saith that he knows John Womball very well and hath seen him several times at Standish-Hall aforesaid amongst the Gentlemen last mention'd who seem'd to be very familiar with him and hath heard it discours'd at the said Standish-Hall that the said Womball us'd frequently to carry Arms from London to the said Standish-Hall for the Roman Catholic Gentlemen in Lancashire And this Informant further saith that the said John Sharp Servant to the said Mr. Standish was imploy'd by his said Master Standish and others to list Men for the late King James 's Service and the said Sharp in pursuance of his said Orders did List several Men for the said Service at Preston Legh Wiggan the said Standish Town and other Places gave them one Shilling to each Man listing Money and promis'd them half a Crown a Day when they serv'd under the respective Officers they were listed under and the Men so listed us'd frequently to meet the said Sharp at the said Standish Town And this Informant further saith that about the 24th June 1695 one Roger Emer of Standish told this Informant that he had then in his Custody several Swords Pistols and Saddles and two Kettle Drums which Drums were brought to the said Emer by Thomas Smith of Park Brooke in the said Parish of Standish all which Arms Saddles and Kettle Drums were Mr. Standish's of Standish aforesaid and remov'd from Standish-Hall for fear of being seiz'd by some of the Kings Messengers when the Lancashire Gentlemen were taken up about two Years since And this Informant further saith that in or about November last a little after he had given in an Information before Coll. Kirby and two other of his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the said County of Lancaster the said John Sharp came to this Informant who was then a Prisoner in Lancaster-Castle and seem'd to be very angry with him and told this Informant that he had discover'd some of their Designs to a deal of Rogues but before May last either the late King Jam's or some one else would come into England and then this Informant and all the Rogues else should be cut off And this Informant further saith that in August 1695 at the Assizes then held at Lancaster-Castle at which Assizes Mr. John Lunt Wilson and Womball were try'd upon an Information of Perjury and this Informant seeing one Thomas Hatton in the said Castle-Yard a little before the said Tryal ask'd him how he thought the Tryal would go Who answer'd that all Things would go very well for that Sir John Fenwick who as this Informant was told was then in Lancashire would take Care that Lunt Wilson and Womball should all be convicted of Perjury and the Lancashire Gentlemen all clear'd And this Informant further saith that within 3 or 4 Days after he had given in his Information before three Justices of the Peace as aforesaid there came to him into Lancaster-Castle he being then a Prisoner there for Debt one John Rigby an Inhabitant of the said Parish of Standish and told this Informant that the Gentlemen naming no particular Person had taken Care that his Debts should be Paid and be released out of Prison provided he would go with him to such a private Place as the Gentlemen would appoint where this Informant his Wife and Children might privately live out of the Way and the Gentlemen would take Care they should be well maintain'd to the intent he might not be found by the Government to justify what be had upon his Oath deposed in the said Information And that he had brought a Horse for this Informant for that purpose aforesaid And this Informant further saith that the said Rigby further told this Informant that he had a Letter from one Mr. John Haddock a Rich Quaker in the said Standish Parish who us'd to supply the said Mr. Standish and others with several Sums of Money upon Purchase and Mortgages to his Friend one Henry Coward a Shop-keeper in Lancaster the Purport of the Letter as the said Rigby told this Informant was to let Rigby have what Money he pleas'd in order to give this Informant in case of his Acceptance of the Gentlemens said Offer but this Informant denying to go with the said Rigby who staid three Days in Lancaster for the said purpose within two Hours was immediately after his so denying put in Fetters by the Gaoler of the said Lancaster-Castle that now is And this Informant further saith that in December 1694 when the Lancashire Conspiracy was under Examination before the House of Commons he was sent for by the said Mr. Standish of Standish who desir'd this Informant to go to London with some of his Servants who were to be Evidence in the said Affair before the Parliament to the intent he might Coroberate what they said Withal telling this Informant that he needed not be any ways afraid what he said in the House of Commons in the said Matter for that he was not to be upon his Oath And this Informant further saith that a little after the House of Commons sent a Messenger for the said Mr. Standish he the said Standish told this Informant that his Wife had given the said Messenger a Mare and Money so that the said Messenger was return'd to London without effecting his Message Edward Brown The Information of Mr. John Lunt given the Fifteenth Day of June 1694. THIS Informant upon his Oath saith That when King James left the Kingdom upon the Arrival of the Prince of Orange in the Year 1688 he this Informant went then immediately after him into France and upon his Arrival at St. Germains was introduced to kiss his the said King James's Hand in his Closet by the Lords Thomas and George Howard that from thence he was about the beginning of March then next following ordered with the rest of his Guards to go for Dublin that immediately upon his Arrival there about the latter end of May 1689 one Dr. Bromfeild came
and gave his Majesty the said Account He the said King James commanded him to return for England and then amongst other things that he this Informant should tell them from him that he did not doubt but in the Spring following to be in a condition to come for England And at this Informant's coming away he was ordered by my Lord Melfort himself to go to Captain Griffith in the Meuse as soon as he this Informant should come to London and deliver him the said Griffith a Paper from his Lordship it was Sealed this Informant did not know what it was and to advise and receive Orders from him the said Captain Griffith This Informant saith that he arrived in London about the latter end of December 1691 and that he went immediately to Captain Griffith and delivered him the said Paper and that the said Griffith read the said Paper and told him this Informant he did not question but this Business meaning that in the Paper mentioned as this Informant then supposed will be accomplished in a little time and then he disclosed to this Informant what it was he meant which was the cutting off of the Prince of Orange at some proper time when he was a Hunting and then he put it to this Informant Whether he was willing to make one and be concerned in it This Informant first desired to know the Persons engaged in it He the said Griffith then told him he was not to tell him their Names but he would at any time bring this Informant into the Company of several of them that were engaged in it and about two days after this Informant came to him again and went with him into the Company of several Gentlemen at the Queens-head in White-Hart-Yard in the Strand where and with whom the said Captain Griffith and this Informant discoursed the Method of doing it and all agreed it was to be the easiest done when he should be a hunting or some time late when he went to or come from Kensington This Informant saith there was in Company at that time about Nine or Ten three or four or more of them this Informant knew three of which are since dead Captain Griffith then told this Informant and the Company he had about Sixty brave Fellows engaged in the Business who he did not at all doubt but would one way or other effect it Several of the principal of them as Whitney the High-way Man and several others happened to be sometimes after taken and secured which was the only reason that this Informant knows of that it was not attempted This Informant farther saith That about the same time abovesaid that he this Informant came last out of France viz. about the latter end of December 1691 there came several English Gentlemen of Quality viz. Lord Stafford Mr. Stafford Col. Parker Col. Walmesley a French Lieutenant-General whose Name this Informant doth not remember and others with Commissions Declarations Grants and Patents for themselves and others and for their Inferior Officers from King James This Informant farther saith that in the Months of March and April 1692 he this Informant was imployed by and assisting to several private Gentlemen and Tradesmen in or about London to list Men buy Horses Arms and Sadles and that the said Men Horses and Arms were to be imployed in the Service of the late King James And this Informant farther saith That by the Defeat of the French Fleet their design of Rising being wholly disappointed they fell upon other measures and this Informant remained in several Parts of this Kingdom and was at several of the like Meetings as aforesaid until the last Summer and then about July 1693 was desired with some others to go to France by several of the Gentlemen that this Informant has before mentioned to have delivered Commissions to in Lancashire that is to say by my Lord Molyneux Col. Molyneux Sir William Gerrard Mr. Gerrard Mr. Standish Mr. Dickinson Col. Townley and several others of that Country to give the King an Account of the Condition they were in and to bring them back an Account of what hopes and when he thought he should be in a condition to come for England and this Informant went accordingly to St. Germains and spake with the King and delivered him what he had in charge from the Gentlemen in England and my Lord Melfort being at that time with the King in his Closet bid him this Informant go to Captain Griffith who was then at St. Germains the Captain ordered him this Informant to speak with Dr. Bromfeild who told him this Informant when he came to him that if he would undertake to carry a Signet with him into England and show it to such Persons as he would direct him this Informant to that were concerned in a Design and would engage to make one with them in the same he this Informant should receive the same Reward that was intended for them which design he then told him this Informant was to cut off the Prince of Orange by any such way or means that the Vndertakers amongst themselves when they came together should agree upon Whereupon he this Informant promised and engaged to them the said Bromfeild and Griffith to make one in the Business and was then forthwith dispatched with the Signet and other Matters for England where he arrived and landed at Dover in December last and there he this Informant met with those that the said Dr. Bromfeild and Captain Griffith had directed him to which were viz. Captain Nowell Captain Walton Mr. Pepper Mr. Preston and Captain Roberts who were in the Design of cutting off the Prince of Orange as this Informant was told and that there were in all Sixteen Persons concerned but there he this Informant met Four of them only who were as followeth Captain Nowell Serjeant of the Admiralty and one of the Principal Gunners as this Informant was told who told him this Informant He had his Son and two more ready for the occasion Captain Walton of Foulston a Custom house Officer there who told him this Informant he had Six more engaged in the Business who with us together he said Walton was very confident might in a Month or two's time do the Business effectually with little hazard Mr. Pepper of Dover a Custom house Officer as this Informant was told or some place there worth about Three hundred Pounds per Annum and Mr. Preston of Feversham one of the Militia Officers were the other Two of the Four before mentioned This Informant farther saith That the said Dr. Bromfeild and Captain Griffith did order this Informant to assure the said Nowell Walton Pepper and Preston from them and in the Kings Name that every one concerned in the Action should have the Reward of Five hundred Pounds per Annum each which was the same made to him at St. Germains by the said Dr. Bromfeild and Captain Griffith and my Lord Melfort told him this Informant after he had kissed
Cheshire where there were and this Informant is very confident yet are lodg'd secur'd and kept great Quantities of Arms and Warlike Equipage of all Sorts with great Numbers of Horses fit for Service And this Informant saith that if he were Authorized and Impower'd thereunto he this Informant would undertake to Seize and Secure them The Examination of John Kelly taken upon Oath the 23. and 27. days of February THIS Informant saith that he came over to England in the Irish Army about Michaelmas last was twelve Months since which time he hath wander'd up and down from one Gentlemens House to another and was entertain'd in the Lord Molyneux's House about twelve Days before Christmas during which time he was there he saw a Letter from Queen Mary which came from St. Germaint directed to the young Lord Molyneux which Letter this Informant heard read the Contents of which Letter was that with good Hopes of the Encouragement they had from other Countries and that the Queen had got from the French King a Grant of assisting them with Arms to the Number of eight or nine Thousand as near as he remembereth and my Lord Molyneux on receipt of this Letter sent to several Sadlers to prepare Saddles Bridles and Holsters and as fast as they were made this Informant saith they were convey'd to secret Places under Ground And farther this Informant saith That he was at the House of one Esq Tildesley at a Place call'd the Lodge in Lancashire near to a Town call'd Preston where he saw many Commissions which came from King James out of Ireland which said Commissions were to raise two Regiments of Horse and three of Foot which Regiments were to be at an hours warning when King James sent any Assistance out of Ireland into England or when King William should go into Scotland one of which Regiments of Horse was to be Commanded by the young Lord Molyneux another Regiment of Horse was to be Commanded by Esq Townley of Townley in Lancashire aforesaid one other Regiment of Foot was to be Commanded by Mr. Standish of Standish Hall in Lancashire aforesaid and the other Regiment of Foot was to be Commanded by Sir James Pool of Pool Hall within six Miles of West-Chester And this Informant farther saith that Mr. Standish sent one Lieut. Burke from his House with Letters to King James into Ireland who gave the said Lieut. Burke forty Guinea's which this Informant saw deliver'd to the said Lieut Burke which said Letters were sent immediately after the Receipt of the said Commissions from Ireland And farther this Informant says he was sent by the Lord Molyneux with a Letter to my Lord I**t of I**t-Hall aforesaid and also he was sent with several other Letters from Place to Place to several other Gentlemen the Contents of which Letters this Informant believes was to be in a Readiness for the rising aforesaid and they were to repair to the Castle of Liverpool which they did conceive might easily be surpriz'd where were many Barrels of Gun Powder and Arms that so thereby they might be furnish'd with Ammunition and Arms and further this Informant saith that he was sent now and then a Foot and then a Horseback from one Gentleman to another who were Confederates and was kindly receiv'd by all with Plenty of Provisions and Money and further this Informant says he knew several other Persons sent upon the same-occasion and further this Informant says that he himself does know Irish Souldiers to the Number of five Hundred now lying in Lancashire which lye to be ready at an hours warning if there should be any Insurrection to assist King James And this Informant saith Mr. Thomas Tatlock of Symons-Wood near the Parish of Sefton in Lancashire did for near a Month together harbour about three Score Irish Men who had serv'd King James and were then listed under other Gentlemen to serve King James again and that Arms and Furniture for them-were hid in that Wood. He further saith that Mr. Molyneux of Morbrow did harbour about twenty Irish Men for the Service of King James and that Arms Saddles Bridles and Holsters for them were conceal'd in a Cellar under a Tower at the Entry of the House at Mr. Blundell of Inch in the Parish of Sefton That John Holland of Prescot and his Partner made Saddles Bridles and Holsters for them and was privy to the Design and that a Sadler in Legh was imploy'd by the Popish Gentlemen for that Service That all the Officers and Soldiers were to be ready at the Time they should have Notice from King James from Ireland That Arms Saddles Bridles Holsters c. were also hid in Cellars and under Ground in the Parish of Prescot and Parish of Legh and other Parishes by Gentlemen and the Sadlers that live there J. Kelly Taken and Sworn this 27. Febr. before us whose Names are here under Written Thomas Yarnold Mayor of Evesham Bellemont James Rushout William Bromley Edmund Letchmore Richard Dodswell Mr. William Wybrants Information ABOUT the Time when the Lancashire Gentlemen were brought Prisoners to Town I met Mr. Taffe I told him I met Capt. Cottingham who hop'd that you were not concern'd in the Plot especially against Mr. Legh of Lime for he heard he was a very honest Gentleman after which Mr. Taffe pressed me two or three Times to speak to Capt. Cottingham if he could bring him acquainted with any Friend of Mr. Legh of Limes some time after I met him in the Temple where he told me he was mightily disgusted for that Mr. Baker and Mr. Smith who was then walking in the Temple did use him barbarously for they would not give him any Money not so much as would pay his Horse-hire into the Country but he would be even with them and spoil the Plot and several Words to that effect I ask'd him to be Ingenious with me and tell me whether he was concern'd in the Plot for I heard it would come to nothing He told me he was no Evidence nor knew any thing of the Plot But he knew there were very good Evidence and enough to hang them all and immediately afterward he ask'd me whether I could help him to a Friend of Mr. Legh of Lime for he was in the Tower and there was no getting to speak to him but if he could get to speak to a particular Friend of his he could make his Fortime and get a good Sum of Money by it for he could put them in a way to save their Lives I ask'd him how could that be when just before he told me the Evidence was Good and enough to hang them all he answer'd that was no Matter for he could contrive a way But when he found I was not inclinable he said now I think on it he would not be concern'd in it for it would look ill for him to be concern'd against the Government who had appear'd so much for it William Wybrant Sworn before the Houses of Lords and
Commons when the Plot was examin'd there I can also aver that when I was concern'd as one of the Commissioners for the forfeited Estates in several Counties of Ireland he on Oath gave in his Name to be John Taffe but since going into Ireland and making Enquiry after him there are several Hundreds that will make Affidavit that his Name is Thomas O Mullen William Wybrand A Letter from Three of Their Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Lancaster Dated at Middleton April 9. 1690 and directed to a Minister of State My LORD WE have received your Lordships of the Fifth Instant and make bold to acquaint you that at the same time that we sent out our Warrants for Byra◠Burton Boardman and Ellam who are now in Lancaster Castle we did also send our Warrants for apprehending of Mr. Molyneux Mr. Standish young Townly John Holland Edward his Partner and Mr. Blundel of Ince for High Treason and ordered them to be carried to Lancaster Castle but none of the last mention'd Persons can as yet be apprehended as we are inform'd though search'd for and will still be searched for with what diligence we can we indeed much question the apprehending most of them they having been search'd for by the Militia for mear Twelve Months past and have notwithstanding so conceal'd themselves in this County or elsewhere that they could never yet be apprehended We have also sent out our Warrants for many of the Persons mention'd in Kelly's Information for High Treason which are judg'd by us to be dangerous Papists and also against others to bind them to the Assizes who are not positively charg'd with High Treason in the Examinations and upon apprehending any of the Great Ones We shall impart the same to your Lordship and in all things demonstrate our willingness to be Serviceable to Their Majesties and their Government to our Power and to approve our Selves Middleton Apr. 9th 1690. My Lord Your Lordships most Faithful and Obedient Servants Ralph Ashton Jos Horton Jos Yates A Letter from May Melfort to Clinch Crosby Dated March 30. 1694 and should have been inserted in the Body of the History after Crosby's Scheme for the Invasion Page 97. at the End of the first Paragraph MR. Crosby having now Collected the Sentiments of the whole Party is by the late King James's Order commanded to hasten into France with the Scheme before recited as appears by the following Letter from the Lord Melfort Dated March 30. 1694. SIR The Affair you went about being near done it is Mr. Kemp 's K. James positive Order that you return immediately hither that he may consider what further will be fit for him to do upon such Information as you can give him which he desires may be as full as you can get them I shall be glad to see you And am SIR Your most Affectionate Servant Ja. May. A Letter to Mr. Crothy while he was a Prisoner in Newgate directed to Mr. Hutchinson in Bishops Gate-Street London 'T IS impossible to express the great 〈…〉 are in here upon the Notice of your Person and your Papers falling into the Hands of our Enemies Mr. Vandeleur King James and his Queen and Mrs. Kemp are so sensibly afflicted with it they refuse all Comfort and almost despair of Success in any Attempt for the Future Elizabeth Francklin French Court. reads our Discontents in our Faces though we don't declare our Misfortunes by our Words for fear they should quite desert us seeing we are betray'd in all our Projects And truly such a Blow was never given to our Manufactory as this that at once has discover'd the Secrets of our Trade and confin'd the best of all our Factors We have now but one Project more left and if that miscarry also we must give up our Hopes of supplanting the Interlopers and wait with Patience till they ruin themselves by dividing their Interests and their Stock◠in setting up for themselves singly as they have once done already All Care here shall be taken to supply your Wants and our Friends with you must use all endeavours to delay your Audit for in that particular lye our Hopes and your Safety God Almighty Comfort you and grant the hearty Wishes of SIR your c. J. M. Dated August 12. 1694. and directed to Mr. Clynch under Mr. Hutchinsons Cover Having now I hope sufficiently Prov'd what I promis'd in the Preface and shew'd my Vouchers for all I have related in the Body of the History I thought fit before I take my leave of the Reader to acquaint him That if this Undertaking gives Satisfaction to the Public another Volum of the most secret Intreagues and Letters of Correspondence between our English Jacobites and those at St. Germains and other Places shall speedily be Printed and put into his Hands as the best Answer I could think of to the Argument against a standing-Army FINIS ERRATA PAg. 4. Lin. 11. instead of preswasions read perswasions p. 64. the last lin for come r. came One of Mr. Crosby's Letters which should have been inserted at the bottom of pag. 97. being omitted by the Printer is put in the last Page of the Appendix Pag. 119. in the Margent for depition r. deposition P. 145. l. 11. after more r. to p. 207. l. 18 for next r. Rest In the Appendix p. 225. last line for Cyre r. Eyre P. 254. l. 15. for Mneoy read Memory P. 255. last lin after he r. the.
of Man About the beginning of May 1689 the Pink called the Lyon of Lancashire Charles Cawson Master being ready to sail Mr. Edmund Thrillfall and two Strangers yet unknown came on board the Vessel shew'd the Master and Marriners the Earl of Derby's Pass and then the Pink with her Passengers and five Marriners and a Boy * Jo. Preston Hen. Knowles Ja. Tompson Jo. Barrowe Ri. Whiteside in the Night time without any Cocket or Certificate from the Custom House or any Lading loosed out of Lune Road near Lancaster and as all the Saylors believed were bound for the Isle of Man * See John Preston's Affidavit sworn before the now Earl of Maclesfeild Jun. 17. 1689. but before they could compass it Mr. Thrillfall propos'd Sayling to Ireland to which the Master readily consented saying he had some Debts to get in there accordingly they went to Dublin and continued there three wekes All which is proved by the Oaths of the whole Ships Company whose Affidavits are to be found in the Appendix Now are the Commissions preparing or the Northern Conspirators Thrillfall and Lunt are brought acquainted and instructed in the Affair they were ingag'd in And Passes provided for each of them under the Hand and Seal of the Lord Melfort one of which was ready to be produc'd at the Tryal at Manchester but Sir W. W. for reasons best known to himself would not suffer it All things being ready in the three weeks time the Pink continued at Dublin Thrillfall and Lunt went aboard the same Vessel there the former carryed with him a Portmantle Trunk cover'd with Hair and a Sword and a pair of Pistols the latter only a pair of Leather Baggs and Sword and Pistols and arrived in Lune * See the Affidavit of the Ships Crew River near Cockram in Lancashire in the beginning of June 1689. As soon as the Pink came to an Anchor Lunt and Thrillfall pressed to be set on Shoar and the Master was no less concerned to be quit of them least they should be seis'd by the Officers of the Customs who come on board every Vessel as soon as it comes into Harbour To escape this Danger the Offenders make such hast that Lunt leaves his two Bags wherein were some Commissions Declarations Blanks and other written and printed Papers behind him in the Ship Which Lunt missing when he landed he desired the Boats Crew to fetch them and bring them to him at Cockram * See the Depositions of Hen. Knowles and Ri. Whitride who rowed the boat ashore but before the Cock-loat could reach the Ship the Officers of the Customs came on board the Pink seised the Papers and finding them of dangerous consequence pursue Thrillfall and Lunt but not overtaking them deliver the Commissions Declarations and the other written and printed Papers into the hand of Authority These Papers being further enquir'd into Charles Cawson conscious of his own guilt absents himself but his Father and the Ships Crew viz Preston Knowles Whiteside Thompson and Barrow being call'd to account they all of 'em deposed either in the whole or in part all that is related in the six foregoing Paragraphs This early and open Design against their Majesties and the Government making no small Noise in Lancashire the Matter came also to be examin'd at Manchester by the then Earl now his Grace the Duke of Devonshire the now Earl of Macclesfeild the Earl of Scarbrough and the Lord Wharton All these noble Peers being at that time in Lancashire to view and regulate the Army And their Lordships all agreed that the Earl of Macclesfeild as Lord Leiutenant of that County should immediatly issue out his Warrant against Lunt and Thrillfall which was done accordingly Thus far you have found Lunt's and Thrillfall's bringing Commissions into Lancashire from the late King substantially and credibly prov'd and where Interest or Prejudice can no way suspect any Collusion I shall therefore proceed in the next Place to shew you how they dispos'd of ' em Thrillfall and Lunt having escap'd the Officers of the Customs they hasten to Mr. Tildesly's of the Lodge * vid John Wilson's Depositions and there divided their Pacquets The Commissions directed to Gentlemen in Yorkshire the Bishoprick of Durham c. were taken Care of by Mr. Thrillfall Who having a Guide provided for him began his Journey thither as soon as he had refresh'd himself The rest of the Commissions appointed for Lancashire Cheshire Staffordshire c. were committed to the Care of Mr. Lunt Thrillfall pursuant to the late Kings Orders having delivered his share of the Commissions and what else he had in charge to the more Northren Gentlemen he privately returned to his own House at Goosner in Lancashire and having notice there that his treasonable Practices were discover'd by Mr. Kelly Mr. Dodsworth and the Commissions left in the Ship he took all imaginable Care to secure himself there till he could find an Opportunity of returning to the late King in Ireland But this Designincounter'd a severe disappointment and he with the Reward of his Treachery For it being whisper'd among the Party that he was return'd it quickly took Air and a Warrant as I said before being out against him from the Lord Lieutenant he was sought after by a Party of the Militia and found by the Corporal in a hollow Place made for that purpose in a Stack of Turffs As soon as he was discover'd the Corporal attempting to seize him Thrillfall violently snatcheth the Musket out of the Corporals hand and knock'd him down with it but the Corporal recovering himself and finding his own Life and the Prisoners Escape in such apparent Danger he drew his Sword and run Mr. Thrillfall through the Body of which wound he died immediatly And what but the Sense of his own Guilt and the Dread of the shameful Death that he knew must attend it could have forc'd him to such a desperate Resistance of lawful Authority For tho' we allow him to be a Man onever so great Courage yet we can not suppose he would have thrown away his Life as he did if he had not known his Crimes were so great and the Proof of 'em so plain that 't was impossible for him to escape the Punishment inflicted for Treason if he should have been apprehended and brought to a Tryal When Mr. Lunt and George Wilson his Guide had deliver'd his * Vid. Lunt's and Wilsons Depositions in the Append. share of the late Kings Commissions to the Gentlemen whose Names and Places of Abode they give you a List of in their Depositions Lunt was sent by the Conspirators to London to buy Arms list Men and send them into Lancashire to be subsisted at the Charge of the Conspirators till they had occasion to imploy them in the Service of the late King And this Lunt perform'd as appears upon the Oaths of the several Persons whose Names are in the * El. Langley Mr.
Thomas Yarnol Mayor of Evesham in the County of Worcester Richard Earl Bellemont Sir James Rushout William Bromly Edmund Letchmore and Richard Doldswel Esquires Justices of the Peace for the County of Worcester viz. That there was a design on foot to raise a Rebellion against the King and Queen in Lancashire That divers Persons in that and the adjoyning Counties had receiv'd Commissions from the late King to raise two Regiments of Horse two Regiments of Dragoons and three Regiments of Foot that great numbers of Irish Souldiers and Arms for them were privately kept in divers Places in that County Particularly that Mr. Thomas Tatlock of Simmondswood * Ferguson in his Letter to the Lord chief Justice Holt Printed 1694. near Sefton did harbour above threescore Men for the Service of the late King And that Arms for them were hid in that Wood. That Mr. Molyneux of Marborow did harbour above twenty Irish Souldiers for the same Service And that Arms Saddles Bridles Holsters and other Necessaries for them were hid in a Cellar under a Tower at the Entry of the House of Mr. Blundel of Ince in the Parish of Sefton That John Holland of Prescot and his Partner and a Sadler in Legh made Saddles and Holsters for them and were privy to the Design And that he saw and heard read a Letter in the Hands of the Lord Molyneux 's Son from the late King James 's Queen incouraging the Insurrection intended in Lancashire and giving Assurance of Assistance from the French King of Men and Arms. This Information caus'd many of the Lancashire Papists to be Imprison'd but others who tacitly confest their Guilt by flying and were look'd upon to be dangerous Persons absconded * See the Justices Letter from Middleton and would not be found till they had also prevented the Punishment by removing Kelly into another World I suppose by private Murther for as soon as it was known that Mr. Dodsworth had also discovered the Conspiracy that the King might not have two Witnesses to prove the Treason Kelly was made away and could never be heard off to this time His Fate continues a Mystery but whether he was kill'd or carry'd away 't is certain the Conspirators from that very time began to resume their Courage which was extreamly sunk upon the notice of Mr. Dodsworth's discovery And that these were the Artifices by which they conceal'd the Plot so long and frighted others from discovering it for fear they should meet the like Fate is too plain to he deny'd In December 1689. the Lancashire Plot was discover'd also by Mr. Dodsworth to his Kinsman Roger Kirkby of Kirkby Loinsdale Esq and Governour of Chester Castle and on the 27th of March 1690 to the Right Honourable the Earl of Macclesfeild which his Lordship laying before One of his Majesties Principal Secretaries of State Mr. Dodsworth was sent for to London to declare his Knowledg of the whole Matter and on May the 16th 1690. gave Information upon Oath of this Conspiracy before the Lord chief Justice Holt. And the Clamour that was made upon several Persons of Note being seised and Search made after others brought it to be examin'd before the Honourable the Commons assembled in Parliament The substance whereof was That certain Roman Catholic Gentlemen and others in the County Palatine of Lancashire and Parts adjacent of whose Names and Dwellings he gave a List into the House of Commons where the Original still remains were entred into a treasonable Conspiracy to make War against the King and Kingdom with design to reinthrone the late King James and in order to accomplish these Designs had receiv'd Commissions from the late King James brought over from Ireland by Mr. Thrillfall to raise some Regiments of Horse and Dragoons To furnish which Ammunition was provided Arms and other Necessaries bought and hid in divers Places by the confederated Collonels Which Troops were to be joyn'd by the late Kings Forces from Ireland whilst the French that were to be landed in Cornwal gave the King Diversion there and the Duke of Berwick in Scotland And all to be kept close and still till the late King arriv'd in Lancashire which according to the late Kings Promise should be in a Month or two at the farthest With this Discovery the Honourable House of Commons were so well satisfied that they recommended Mr. Dodsworth to the King for a Reward of his Service to the Public His Majesty gratify'd him with a present Reward in Money and recommended him to the Lords Commissioners of his Treasury for what Employment he was capable of but Mr. Dodsworth being a Papist and consequently uncapable of any Place under his Majesty was too long forgot and had no other Reward but what was given him by the Jacobites to stop his Mouth for ever viz. Murthered for as soon as that Party who have their Spies and Intelligencers in all Places heard there was a Correspondence between Dodsworth and Lunt and that it was whisper'd that Lunt would also discover Mr. Dodsworth was Murther'd by Mr. Deane a known and profess'd Jacobite Mr. Edward Robinson also made a Discovery of this Conspiracy on the 17th day of March 1690 before Richard Wright Esq One of his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Lancaster in Substance thus That Mr. Fitzakerly at Spello House in Lancashire shew'd this Deponent a Commission from the late King James for the raising Men for his Service and Arms wrap'd up in Straw and hid under the Tyles of the House That Mr. Fitzakerly had promis'd all his Tenants that would serve under him in the Service of King James that upon the Death of any of them he would renew their Leases to their Children That they heard from the late King James very often and that he had sent them Word by a Servant of the Lord Molyneux 's that he would be with them in two Months That John Harrington of Egboth Esq told this Deponent that he also had receiv'd a Commission to be a Captain under King James and that Mr. Moore then in the House who had been a Captain of Dragoons in the late Irish Army was to be his Lieutenant Thus have I proved without any help from Mr. Lunt Mr. Wilson or Mr. Womball that there was a Conspiracy against the King and Government form'd by Mr. Bromfeild and the Lancashire Papists his Confederates as early as the latter end of the Year 1688. That Commissions were sent from the late King James to the Conspirators in June 1689. That Arms were provided and Souldiers listed and maintained by the Lancashire Papists to be ready at the Invasion in August 1690. That at the same time the Duke of Berwick was to invade Scotland and the French England and give the King Diversion in the West while the late King was doing the like in the North. And now he that disbelieves the Lancashire Conspiracy after he has seen it thus separately and singly prov'd by Persons at
great distance from and utter Strangers at the times of their Discoveries to one another his Incredulity carries such dangerous Symptoms with it that I despair of seeing it ever confuted by a Miracle Objection But perhaps some will object if the Discovery of the Conspiracy was so True and Manifest why was not the Prosecution and Conviction of the Offenders as Public at the same time Answer I answer because the Jacobites were too nimble for the Kings Prosecutors and Murther'd the Kings Witnesses before the Conspirators could by the Formalities of Law be brought to a Tryal Objection If the late King intended to invade England in August 1690 what was the Reason he came not All the Duke of Schombergs Forces were not able to hinder him Answer Because King William landed in Ireland * June 14. 1690. in June routed the late King James's Army at the Boyn and drove him out of Ireland in July * July 1. 1690. and that was the Reason he came not into Lancashire in August as he solemnly promis'd The News of this glorious Victory was no little Mortification to all the Jacobites as well as the Lancashire Papists Yet still persisting in their restless Designs of destroying King William and restoring the late King James the Lancashire Plot must sleep while another is devised and that was to gain Assistance from France * Vid. Lord Preston 's Tryal pag. 50. to invade England and to compass this End the Heads of the Jacobites in all Countys immediatly repair to London and there consult what new Measures were to be taken after this fatal and unexpected Disappointment by the Victory at the Boyn Now Clubs are set up in all quarters of the Town for finding they could make no Archievements in the Field of Honour like Moles they endeavour to undermine the Government by working deeper and darker And because the Conspirators were then generally speaking but of one Faction and they such as made no great Figure in England it was resolved that the Plot to restore the late King should be laid wider extended farther and more Interests be united in private Cabals of their most considerable Friends Lords and Gentlemen both Whigs and Tories * See the Result of a Controversy between some Lords and Gentlemen both Whigs and Tories in order to restore the late King Lord Prestons Tryal p. 49. and 56. and that at every Meeting they should propose and debate the most effectual ways to restore the late King and when come to a Resolution they should transmit their Sentiments to the Royal Club so called in Covent-Garden and they select the most Rational among the various Opinions and digest them into such Methods for Practice as should govern the whole Party This Stratagem gratify'd all the Jacobites by making their Persons and Opinions considerable in what they thought so Great and Glorious a Work and took so mightily that in two or three Months all were agreed to ruin their Native Country by their unanimous Consent to these two Proposals First that the Jacobites being unable to reinthrone the late King by their own strength they should endeavour to obtain Assistance from * Lord Preston's Tryal p. 49 and 60. France who had formerly made them such Promises Secondly since delays were dangerous sending Letters into France hazardous * Lord Preston's Tryal p. 50 and 56. the Court at St. Germans Factious and Treacherous that some Men of Quality and known Ability should go over into France to transact that Matter for the whole Party Now Every Cabal being Ambitious of the Honour of sending some Member of their own Club on this promising Enterprise it took up more time to adjust this particular then to agree the other Preliminaries At length viz. in December 1690 all centred in the Nomination of the Lord Preston Mr. Ashton and Mr. Elliot some would have had their number increased but were over-rul'd by this standing Maxim among them * Lord Prestons Tryal pa. 55. viz. Choose well but have to do but with a few for a Multitude may give but can never keep Counsel These Gentlemen thus appointed by the Party were not long before they were ready for their Voyage And having hired a Vessel of Mrs. Jane Pratt of Berkin in Essex to go into France * See her Depos Lord Prestons Tryal pa. 30. and 31. they went on board her near Battle Bridge in December the 30. 1690 and were all taken by Captain Billup the same day a little below Gravesend In Mr. Ashton's Bosom was found * See Cap. Billups Aiffidavit in Lord Prestons Tryal pa. 38 and 39. a Pacquet of Letters and Papers which declar'd they were going to France to promote the treasonable Designs of that Party against the King and Queen To invade the Realm subvert the Government and to restore the late King by the Assistance of French Forces So that the Invasion Plot did still continue only that from Ireland is translated into one from France which is but shifting of Hands for the Conspirators are still the same Persons In January 1690 the Lord Preston and Mr. Ashton were brought to their Tryals And being found guilty of high Treason receiv'd the Sentence of Condemnation Mr. Ashton was Executed and the Lord Preston discovering the Design upon Oath had his Life given him but how well he deserv'd that Favour let his future Demeanour justify However it quash'd the Conspiracy and all hopes of an Invasion and Insurrection are laid aside for the Present till the Jacobites could meet with a more lucky Opportunity to revive them And this concludes the Jacobites Conspiracies and Disapointments from the Years 1688 to the Year 1690. And ingages our Thanks to God and the King for our Deliverance Now who would not believe but that after all these Disappointments our Enemies should have been reconcil'd to their own Quiet and the Kingdoms Tranquility but instead of giving Demonstrations of their peacable Tempers like sworn Enemies of their own and our Happiness they begin the Year 1691 with fresh Attempts to destroy the King and subvert the Government And to accomplish these horrid Designs are continually sending Intelligence to and receive Advices from France by such hardy Persons as were thought qualifi'd to undertake it And the Courrers by the Assistance of Mr. Shelton of Canterbury Mr. Nowel and Paul Peper of Dover and Hunt of Rumny-Marsh for some time pass'd to and fro with the greatest Security Not to name every little Runner on these detestable Errands some of the chief of them were Coll. Parker Mr. Bromfield and his Son Mr Waugh Mr. Charnock both the Crosbies Johnson the Priest Mr. David Lloyd Sr. Sympson a Scotchman who pass'd by the Name of Jones Mad. Sackvile Ingram Mrs. Alred and many others of both Sexes who upon occasion can be named All which in their several Turns perform'd their Parts with great Applause of the Party By this means the Court at St. Germans kept up
in Flanders who had their good Wishes while they were busying themselves about what was to follow namely the Invasion The Scheme of this Descent was laid in France and Parker and others sent over to communicate it to the Party here * Vid. Captain Blaire's Depositions before the Councel This he did by calling their General Officers and Collonels together and acquainting them but very privately That their old Master had now obtain'd * of the most Christian King thirty thousand effective Men and that when the Spring was a little more advanc'd the late King who was already marching into Normandy would be wafted over with them into England with Assurance * Vid. Blaire's Dopositions in the Secretaries Office that if that Number was not great enough to reduce his rebellious Subjects France would spare him thirty thousand more Therefore desir'd all to be in Readiness with the greatest Speed and Secresy imaginable To Captain Blaire he address'd himself more particularly at the Instance of Johnson the Priest telling him he was going to his Command in Lancashire but intended to move Southward at the late Kings Landing and therefore desir'd Capt. Blaire to join him in Regard his own Men were raw and the Captains for the most part were all old Officers and Souldiers When Parker went into Lanashire he took with him Blaire's Depositions in the Secretaries Office several good Officers some of which stay'd with him in Lancashire and others he dispos'd of in Yorkshire and the Bishopric of Durham His head Quarters were at Mr. * Vid. Depositions of Geo. Wilson and Oliv. Pearson Walmsley's at Dungan-hall and from thence issued out necessary Ordens for that County And because their Arms were for fear of Discovery hid in Woods and Grounds buried between Walls and in Cellars and Out-houses he order'd them all to be taken out and forthwith distributed * Jo. Womball's Affidavis in the Appendix among their Officers For now the late King and his Army of English Scotch Irish and French Papists * Ap. 1692. were at la Hogue imbarking for England This Allarm being early given among the Party all the Officers are rallying together the Souldiers they had under Subsistence and listing others Among the rest Mr. James Fountain as Lieutenant Coll. to the Lord Montgomery had rais'd a Regiment of Horse in London and was ready to have join'd the late King if he had landed His usual listing Places were three Ale-houses in Fullers Rents and at Redman's at the Bottle in Devoreaux Court near the Temple To the Truth of which tho I need call no other Witnesses than Mr. Day Mr. Cousins Mr. Willoughby Mr. Holmes the Japanner and Mr. Symms who were all Officers under him and brought Men to him to be listed yet having by me an Authentic Affidavit be pleas'd to take the Contents of it as followeth M. Seaton maketh Oath That James Fountain was Captain in the Lord Montgomery's Regiment of Foot and thereafter Major to the said Regiment At the Revolution he follow'd the late King James into France thence into Ireland where he was made Lieutenant Coll. to Coll. Cannons Regiment From Ireland he went into Scotland and joyn'd the Viscount Dundee and a little after the Highlands were reduc'd he came to London and lived Incognito but when the French were at la Hogue in order to invade England Fountain did buy a considerable Number of Horses and Accoutrements for Horses and Riders he had provided for them and did keep the said Riders under Pay and Subsistence to serve King James and joyn him and the French at their Landing Jurat 2 Julij 1694. Coram me James Vernon M. Seaton Collonel Holman was at the same time raising and had almost compleated another Regiment to joyn the French at their Landing And to subsist those that were actually listed he paid fifty Pounds one Week fifty Pounds the next Week and thirty Pounds the Week following to Captain Brice Blaire * See Mr. Blair's and Mr. Bertram's Depositions in the Secretaries Office who distributed it among the Souldiers by the Hands of Mr. Bertram as appears by their Depositions in the Hands of the Government but after the Defeat at la Hogue Mr. Holman would pay no more To these Instances of the Jacobites Attempts to ruin the Government add but the Share that Sir John Friend Sir William Perkins and the Persons of Quality in other Parts of the Kingdom mention'd in Crosby's Papers had in it * See Crosby's orginal Papers page and then tell me whether the Enemies of the Government and their repeated Conspiracies ought to be so much flighted and despis'd and reckoned so inconsiderable in their Numbers and weak in their Power and Interests as some out of no good design I fear would have them thought to be For all these wicked Confederacies and those mention'd by Crosby are but Branches of the Lancashire Conspiracy which at first was thought but the Capricio's of light Heads but you now see it spread almost over the whole Kingdom And justly rous'd the Government to prosecute the first Contrivers of so much intended Mischief to the King and Kingdom Nor were these Preparations for the Invasion the only part of the Plot against England for whilst the English Jacobites are bandying together to joyn their old Master at his Landing the Kings Enemies beyond-Sea are as hot and forward in their cursed Design to Murther his Majesty in Flanders that so the Invasion might find us all in a Confusion and for want of a King and a Government scatter'd like Sheep without a Shepherd and consequently the easier Prey to our Foreign and Intestine Devourers For now Granvalle returning from Paris where he had ingag'd one Leefedale to joyn with Dumont in the Murther of King William appoints a Meeting at Uden whither Dumont was to come from Hanover and both to go from thence into Flanders Where as soon as the Murther was committed Mounsieur Chandlois with a Party of 300 Horse from the Duke of Luxemburg's Army was to be posted at the advanc'd Guards to rescue the Murtherers and perswade the World the Assassination of King William was a Stratagem of War but God Almighty confounded their hellish Politics Dumont and Leefedale discover'd the Conspiracy Granvalle was taken and receiv'd the Reward of his Villany after he had made without being put to the Torture a full Confession of his Crimes At his Execution he seem'd very Penitent and declar'd with some Resentment that he was ruined by the Authors of that detestable Project Matters being thus setl'd by the Kings Enemies on the other side of the Water for his Assassination in Flanders and the Invasion carrying on by the Conduct of Collonel Parker and the rest of the confederate Collonels and other Officers in England and every one acquainted with the Design all Jacobite Eyes were fixt upon the Weather-Cocks and the first Salutation was how 's the Wind which standing long in a Protestant
Quarter of Heaven some of them were silly enough to curse it saying 't would serve them as Treacherously now as it did at the Revolution However that nothing might be omitted on their Part they send an Express to the Lord Melfort by Captain Lloyd acquainting his Lordship that they had corrupted many of our English Sea Commanders who would go over to the French and with that Notice a true List of the Number and Rates of the English Fleet and how long it would be before it was possible they could be joyn'd by the Dutch Praying his Lordship to lay it before the most Christian King and procure his Command to Mareschal Tourville to seek and immediatly sight the English before they could be joyn'd by the Dutch And now the Jacobites thought they had nothing to do but to kill and take possession And therefore were as Insolent and Unsufferable in their Behaviour before the Ingagement as their Fears ' and Cowardise were apparent after it Whilst the Jacobites were pleasing themselves with the hopes of approching Wealth and Opulence the great thing that put a damp upon their Mirth was the various Reports abōut the joyning of the English and Dutch Fleets Once they had notice they were joyn'd but being contradicted the next day least that Report should have Influence upon the French they send over Sir Adam Blaire to assure the French they were not joyn'd But so it happened before that Gentleman could reach Dover they had good Assurance that the Fleets were joyn'd indeed and therefore * Mr. Clark is now in England and I appeal to him for the Truth of it Mr. Clark better known by the nickname of Count Cl. is posted into France to acquaint them with this fatal Junction but the Count was so far from gaining Credit to his Report Sir Adam Blaire averring the contrary that Mr. Clark was imprison'd as a spreader of false News till the late King owning him and their being beaten procured his Liberty But whilst the Queen's Majesty of blessed Memory was taking such measures as might frustrate their wicked Designs and secure the Nation and all Men gazing in dubious Expectations of the Event comes the happy 20th of May 1692 with the joyful News that through the Providence of our good God and the Valour of our couragious Seamen the French Fleet was beaten off la Hogue and their Majesties victorious Navy was pursuing burning and sinking those that by flying endeavour'd to escape And not long after to make our Joy compleat was brought the Notice of Granval's Execution Both great and miraculous Deliverances For This Year the ultra Marine and English Jacobites were resolv'd to play all their Engins at once The French King was to be in Flanders Namure was to be besieged King James was to land in England and his Majesty was to be murther'd all about the same time Here are Plots with a Witness and all so substantially prov'd that the very Thought so crushes me with Horror and Amazement that I tremble to think what the Consequences of them would have been if they had succeeded for 't is much more easy to imagin then express what a dismal Scene of Barbarity and Cruelty of Blood and Horror must have follow'd in England and the greatest Part of Europe but the Snare is broken and we are delivered for which we ought to be Eternally thankful This is the fifth Disappointment of the Jacobian Plot began in Lancashire in 1688. First by Kelly's and Dodsworth's Discovery in 1689. Then by King William's Victory at the Boyne in July 1690. Next by seizing the Lord Preston and Mr. Ashton in December 1690. Fourthly by Dumont's Disappointment And Lastly by the detecting of Granvalle and beating the French at la Hogue in 1692. However that they might prove themselves such as neither Mercies not Judgments could effect about Michaelmas 1692 these Malecontents through the Clemency of the Government assum'd the Confidence to cabal again to find out some new Conspiracy or rather to revive those two old ones of Assassination and Invasion by some more secret Methods than they had hitherto found out And that they might not commit the same Solecisms again like grave Politicians they first enquire into the former Miscarriages and particularly that at la Hogue And 't was agre'd among them that Mareschal Turville's not fighting the English before they were join'd by the Dutch was the Cause of the Overthrow that happen'd afterwards That it was originally if not designedly the Lord Melfort's Fault In not giving the Notices which he receiv'd from England time enough to the French Court viz. to fight the English before they were join'd by the Dutch but suffering the Time prefix'd by his English Advices to be worn out ' ere he communicated what he had in Charge to deliver immediatly Hereupon great Complaints are made to the late King against the Lord Melfort's Ministry and in plain Terms they tell the late King unless Melfort be remov'd they will concern themselves no * Vid. Letters against Melfort in Crosby's Papers more in his Affairs The Popish Jacobites defend Melfort with their utmost Art and Interest and lay the Miscariages at la Hogue * Vid Letters on Melforts behalf upon the Protestant Compounders and so far ingage the Court of Rome in their quarrel that the late King's Pension from the Pope was taken off for siding with Heretics But the Protestants who had gain'd some Papists to their Party against Melfort making use of Sir Sympson a Scotch Knight then and still residing at St. Germans by the Name of Jones between whom and Melfort there was an old Grudg he stagger'd the Lord Melfort in the Opinion of the late King and the French Court and when Sir James Montgomery came over he threw him quite out of Favour insomuch that he was forc'd to leave St. Germans and retire to In the mean time two such strong Parties were form'd at St. Germans that the late King according to his usual Politics of altering his Measures according to the Variety of his Circumstances took the Lord Middleton into his Counsels and employ'd both him and the Lord Melfort by Turns as his Affaris requir'd And these Transactions made an end of the Year 1692. Both the Jacobite Parties being now seemingly pleas'd in having each their Favorite at the Helm for Sir James Montgomery was not yet come into France the Murther of King William and the Invasion of England are again revived The Management of the Invasion is committed to Sir Sympson Major Crosby Captain Lloyd and Mr. Walter Crosby Sympson and Lloyd came and went over several times about it in the beginning of the Year 1693 continued so doing till June following and then having laid the Plan for an Invasion return'd into France in August following Major Crosby as he was commonly call'd came into England about Michaelmas 1693 staid in London a while went down into Lancashire and from thence return'd into France Mr. Walter
Hopkins at Crosby's Tryal to be found either in his Pockets in his Chambers or in the House of Office and were all mark'd by the Messengers at their first Seizing the Names in Cant are explain'd by a Key found among Crosby's Papers for that purpose who seldom was call'd by his own Name in England but by these that follow viz. Philips Williamson Traveller James Clynch Thompson and Jack Crue I will next shew whither he was going the Company he kept and what he had been doing and then produce the Scheme for an Invasion Mr. Crosby had a Chamber at Mr. Pugson's house a Taylor in German-street who gave the Information following That he believes Philips Crosby was going beyond Sea and had waited some considerable time for a Wind for that he reported he was going a Journey and would be often inquiring about the Wind which was then Easterly and many that inquir'd if Philips was gone would immediatly look upon the Wind. One particularly wonder'd Philips was not gone for the Wind was then shifted from the East and fair for him The same Imformant saith that most of the Persons that visited Philips brought him letters and Pacquets Among others that came to him he remembers Mr. Simon Harcourt used to bring Writings to him pretending they concern'd a Suit of Madam Elliot's he the said Harcourt came to Philips immediatly after Sr. James Montgomery was taken and carry'd himself as if he had been stark Mad. He was also often visited by Bromfeild the Quaker Lady Slaney Daughter to Sir Patrick Trant and Lady Philips lately come out of France Sir Andrew Forrester Captain Waugh of Brentford Mr. James Urwin in Kingstreet Doctor Smith late Fellow of a Colledge in Oxford Doctor Sherridon late Bishop of Kilmore the Lady Griffin who lodg'd in Pel-Mel sent Letters often to Philips by her Yallow hair'd Boy And Coll. Oglethrop by his maid Servant An Indian Boy brought Letters often from Mr. Nay Smith Gentleman of the Horse to the Duke of Norfolk So did Captain Charnock and Penelope Higgins who this Informant believes were privy to all Philips Affairs These and Collonel James Graham come often to him and were long with him and further this Informant saith not Pugson In Mr. Crosby's Custody was found a Letter from Mr. Symon Har**â— Cl of the P for the County of Mid x. Desiring to see Mr. Philips at his House at eight this night and desires Cousin Molly an intreaguing Female to let him know so much if she can I have sent saith he also to his Coffee-house to signify so much I am Madam your most Humble Servant S. Har**t directed to Mrs. Mary Jones at Mr. Pugsons over against the Coffee-House in German-street dated 13 Ap. 94. In the same Chanber was also found a bantering Letter against the Government written by Sir John Knight of Bristol directed to Mr. Symon Harcourt and desiring him to tell Mr. Philips Crosby that he had very earnest Business with him and must of necessity speak with him at Harcourts House at his first Leisure J. Knight dated April 2d 1694. You see Mr. Crosby is invited by both these Gentlemen to a Conference the Place where and Time when but about what they met I will leave my Reader to judge when I have told him that Mr. Crosby was taken by the Kings Messengers with his Pockets full of Treasonable Papers knocking at Mr. Har**t's Door in Lincolns-Inn-Fields about eleven at Night I shall make no Reflections on it but methinks it is a Jest all over that after this and many other Instances of their Aversion such Men should still enjoy such great Places of Trust and Profit under the present Government In Mr. Crosby's Chamber was likewise found among Scores of others a Letter of the same Date directed to Mr. Hatton desiring to speak with Mr. Phillips Crosby before he took his Journey and sign'd Cl***n Another directed to Mr. * Crosby Phillips dated April 6. 1694. Mr. Cole * * Mr. Noseworthy at whose Lodgings I din'd has receiv'd several other Letters for you from Ruth Goodall * * King James's Queen and he will bring them to morrow Morning to the House where I saw you last he will be there exactly at ten I am Yours C. Temple * * Tempest To Mr. Phillips March 28. 1694. In hopes Elizabeth Franklin * * The Court of France will give her Consent to a Marriage with Peter East * * England I have sent you the Grounds on which his Relations promoted the Match with Assurance * * Money Abraham Munson shall be really to attend it and defray the Expences and Bales of Woollen * * Troopers and Linnen * * Foot-Souldiers shall not be wanting when both Parties are agreed and Writings interchanged for a Settlement However you will be so kind to send Word where the Wedding must be kept that those who have so long expected it may be all in a Readiness of which they shall have Notice from Sir Your humble Servant J. Micklethwaite * * Mollyneux Fergusen calls these Papers for which Crosby was apprehended Baggatells and Stories of Robin Hood and little John but if this be not such there is none in Prince Butler's Petition against Pamphylius but if you explain the Canting Original by the Notes in the Margin which are all taken from Crosby's Copy you will find it a plain Indication how ready the Lancashire Conspirators were for a Rebellion which was then carried on by Coll. Parker Crosby Johnson and their Accomplices I shall next present you with brief Heads of a Letter written into France in Crosby's own Hand and found in his Pockets when taken at Mr. Har**t's Door directed to the late Queen Mary Wife to the late King James which gives Assurance of his utmost Endeavours in order to accomplish the late King's Restauration complains of keeping * Melfort Mills in the Ministry who has ruin'd all the late King's Affairs in England That two of * Melfort Mills's Friends viz. My Lord Alis and Sr. Robert Ham assur'd him there was no need of it he had writ to Mills * Melfort to withdraw himself for some Time and therefore hopes the late Queen will take better Measures for the future Another Letter dated March 1694 and directed to Mr. James Clynch * Crosby says I receiv'd yours of January the 26th with that inclos'd for Mr. * Melfort May which was very full and satisfactory he order'd me to make a fair Copy of it to send to Elizabeth * The French Court. Ferguson Franklin that which our Friend * Robin writ did not a little quiet my Spirit if some Persons had not rendred every thing falsly to Mr. * French King Knowles we should not have wanted to supply all the Manufactories wherein it is as plain to him as us he could not lay out his Money to a more considerable Advantage For if
Classes of his Friends in answer to his late Instructions and of many considerable Men in his Interest unknown to each other As to the properest Place the Time the Number requisite and the Concurrence to be expected from hence upon a Descent But because the best and most solid Conclusions are drawn from an Union and Harmony in Opinion we think it not amiss to explain our selves upon that Head to the end that if ours agree with those you have already before you it may have the greater weight with you First then as to the Number it 's our Opinion and that of all we converse with that 30000 Men or 25000 in England and 5000 in Scotland would carry the King through all difficulties will be a sufficient shelter for his Friends and an Encouragement to others to come into him and declare for him that such an Army or a much less according as the Army here rises or falls as the Person who conveys this and has concerted it with us will be able further to explain unto you seconded with an agreeable Ministry and the Kings late gratious Declaration would meet with little Opposition is most certain and may be intirely relyed upon but it ought not to be forgot at the same time that some particular Assurances be emitted suitable to the Constitution of some Shires as will be further explained to you and the present Condition of the Army Thirdly As to the Place proper for such a Descent that must be left to the Wind Weather and Season If it could be early the nearer London would be the better for the whole Kingdom would follow the Fate of that City which would make no manner of Resistance if a Descent were made near it and at the same time would give an Opportunity to 5000 Foot and 1500 Horse all formed Troops and Remains of the old Army to joyn the King besides what 〈…〉 would go in of the greatest Consideration we now speak within the narrowest Compass Fourthly If later then in our Opinion Bristol is the properest Place which is a great Town well affected to his Majesty lies in the heart of the Kingdom and that and the Counties about it is capable to furnish all Necessaries for such an Army as he shall think fit to bring besides a great many other Advantages which have been already explain'd to you and will be further by this Gentleman Fifthly Upon a Descent in that Place his Majesty may depend upon a great Concurrence of the Nobility Clergy and Gentry from the adjacent Counties Cities and Towns Gloucestershire Worcestershire Monmouth-shire will move with the D. of B**rt Mar**ss of W**ter his Son and my Lord N**ry who immediatly upon the Kings Direction to them will change the Lieutenancy of those Countries and bring the whole Militia into the King as is concerted and agreed upon North Wales and South Wales are honest and will be influenc'd by the D. of 〈…〉 c. It 's concerted there amongst the chief Gentry that those who were in the Lieutenancy in the late Kings Time will re-assume their Posts as before upon his Landing and bring the whole Militia to joyn him as will be further explain'd to you by the Person that conveys this to you The Gentry of Dorsetshire are the same particularly the Towns of Dorcester ond Weymouth Sommersetshire will be altogether influenc'd by my Lord P**t Lord Bishop of B. and W. Sr. Fr**s W*r Sr. Ha**ll T*t Sr. Wm. P**n Mr. A**ll Mr. L**y Mr. St'd who have concerted immediatly upon the Kings Landing to call all the Gentry of the County together and prevent them from raising the Militia and upon his Majesties Directions will re-assume their Places as before when his Majesty was upon the Throne From Devonshire his Majesty will be joyn'd by the Honourable J. Gr**ll Sir Ed. Se**r Sr. Bo. W*y Sr. Sy. Li*h Sr. P. Co***n who have great Interest in that County From Cornwall by my Lord Ar***l of Tr**e Lord Mo**n Capt. Mo**n his Uncle Lord La**n Lord Bishop of E***r Sr. Wm. Co***n Sr. J. Ar***l Sr. Jos Te***m Sr. Wm. Go***n Sr. J. St. Au**n Sr. J. M**h Sr. J. A**y In a Word that whole County is honest and intirely devoted to the King but particularly the Miners who are chiefly influenc'd by Go***n St. Au**n J. K*p H. T**n J. K*n Hen. Vi**t who may bring together a Body of 8 or 9000 of them to joyn the King upon an Occasion and if mix'd with some regular Troops and headed by a good Officer would settle that part of the Country for the King the Free-holders there are tired with Taxes no Fish taken Tin low scarce worth the working Wool and Yarn very low so that some particular Promises and Assurances to that County would have great Effects among the Tin Miners That should be his Majesties particular Care to enhaunce the Price of that Commodity c. which since his Time is fallen from 4. l. to 50. s. at which Price 't is now Wiltshire will move with my Lord We**h and Ay**y From Shropshire the King may expect to be joyn'd by most of the Gentry The City of Shrewsbury is honest From Warwickshire by my Lord Fe**s Lord B*r Lord L*h Lord D**h Lord D**y who with those that have been in the Lieutenancy will reassume their Posts and bring the Militia of that County to joyn the King Northamptonshire Lord E***e who has lately offer'd the King he will come at the Head of 3000 Horse with the chief Gentry of the County to joyn him Lord Gr**n and his Son Derbyshire and Leicestershire by Lord C***d Lord H***n Lord R**d Lord S**le Who will in that County as in others reassume the Lieutenancy upon the Kings Directions and make it serviceable to his Majesty Cheshire Sir F. E***n Sir P. E***n Mr. C**y of V*e R**ll Mr. Ro t Ch**y of H**d Sir Wm. M***ll Mr. Ar**n Mr. M**ll Mr. Lo*s M r. B*h Coll M**ll Mr. Fr***lls Mr. Br*ks of Norton Sir T. S*ley with a great many of the Clergy and City of Chester is well inclined Oxfordshire Lord A***n Lord N**s his Son Lord L**d Sir T. Cl**is Sir W. his Son Lord T***t the Honourable Henry B***s Sir E. N**s Sir E. R*d Sir Wm. W**s Lincolnshire by the Earl of L**y his Br. and the greatest Part of the Gentry So much as to the Places adjacent to Bristol now it 's most certain that while the Kings Western Friends are imployed his Northern Friends and those in London will not be Idle if his Majesty will but send them Directions There are actually in the North above 4000 Men * * Compare this account with that of the Discoverers and they exactly agree listed ready to march upon occasion and will be headed by Men of great consideration all the North being generally well inclined his Majesty has particular Assurance from thence and a true State of those Parts before him so that there is no need we should lay it down here but this it
it was not disbelieved at Court but now quite fall'n to the ground The Jacobites say there was never a better Disposition in all generally to receive King James and give their Reasons for it Which are the same contain'd in the foregoing Papers which having briefly repeated the Letter proceeds the rest regard their own more then any King's Interest and will not hazard any thing for either if the Practice now in Design don't engage all the Presbyterians Lord Ca***n laid aside M***ne to succeed S***y solicited to be Secretary Lord Mar***h to be General of the English Foot Lord S***e ruling Minister behind the Curtain Lord B*h turn'd out of all he with many other Offenders would have King James restored if they thought their Crimes could be pardoned nothing can hinder raising Money but an Invasion Bristol declares mightily for King James Worcester disaffected but if any Disturbance should happen we have some thousands of Hugonites in this Town privately subsisted on whom we depend not a little As to what Business Mr. * K. James Vandeleur and you may have I will be deligent in it but what may relate to any of the Trading Ships being taken Prizes there is one Mr. Anselme who was Secretary to the Admirals last Year * Crosby and understands the Business very well but will not be mercenary in it and with his Help something may be done 't will therefore be necessary that he see something from Mr. Vandeleur or by his Order to that purpose Some of Mr. Anselm's Letters falling into the Hands of the Government he was sent for from on board and discharg'd The Jacobites knew him their own before but since his Discharge treat with him above-board as you may see by the foregoing Letter and another from Philips to Mr. Abraham Anselm dated May 5. 1694. I must needs see you before I go into the * Into France Country which will be to morrow you will hear of me at Barnsley's Coffee-house to night at 11 or to morrow at 7 in the morning let me see you that we may settle some Matters Philips Thus they endeavoured to corrupt the Officers of the Fleet Army and Militia and tamper'd with the Clerks and. Secretaries of those who either were or had been imploy'd in eminent Posts under the Government that by their assistance they might get Intelligence of what they wanted to know thus they obtain'd an Account of the Naval Forces of one a List of the Army of another and transmitted them into France that the Enemy might take his measures accordingly so that nothing is more apparent than that the whole Design against the Government was always carry'd on by Men of no essential Honour or Vertue but by such a confused Medley of disaffected Persons as were the Creatures of the late Reign who had lost either their Imployments or Expectations by the Revolution or Disbanded Officers and Soldiers who delight in Tumults and Insurrections I have now done with Mr. Crosby and his Papers by which the Reader will soon find that the Plot for an Invasion Insurrection and Rebellion was carryed on by the Jacobites in General in the Year 1693 and part of the Year 1694 and since the Lancashire Gentlemen instead of Blessing their Stars for so strange a Deliverance have aggravated their guilt by indeavouring to represent the legal Prosecution of some of their Party as a State-trick a Sham-Plot and the Contrivance of some little Ministers to enrich themselves by the Ruin of others I shall descend to the particular shares which they and their Friends had in the whole Conspiracy to subvert the Government to Destroy the King and reinthrone the late King James and then leave the Reader to judge what little Reason they had to raise such loud Clamours for bringing Criminals to Justice and because I have hitherto proceeded Annually and given an Account of the several Conspiracies in order of time as they were discover'd I hope the Reader will think it no impertinent Digression to refresh his Memory with a brief Rehearsal of their Proceedings till they were discover'd in 1694 as they occasionally occur in the following Depositions In June 1694 Lunt made this Discovery viz that he * Vid his whole Depos in the appendix taken before Sir John Trenchard fellowed the late King James into France thence into Ireland from Ireland was sent into England with Commissions from the late King James to certain Gentlemen in Lancashire Cheshire c. To raise War against King William and Queen Mary that he and George Wilson his Guide delivered those Commissions to whom they were directed whose Names you have in his Narrative that at the Instance and proper Costs of those Gentlemen to whom he had delivered Commissions he bought Arms and listed and subsisted many Soldiers for the Service of the late King James in order to an Invasion and Insurrection in that Country that he was twice sent by those Gentlemen into France to the late King to signify their Readiness and receive his further Commands Tho' I don't question but the Reader has had already sufficient Reason to believe what is above rehearsed I think it not amiss to shew him for confirmation sake something that Lunt discovered in 1694 that hath since proved it self he says in one part of his Depositions That when he was in London besides his Imployment of buying Arms and listing Souldiers he help'd some Jacobites over to France and secur'd others that came from thence who all of them told Mr. Lunt that generally Sr. John Friend furnished Money for those Expeditions and paid Subsistence Money to them as Souldiers Which was the Crime he dyed for in 1696. And no doubt was one of the things that enrag'd the Party so much against him knowing that that Hint might in Time be attended with a fuller Discovery George Wilson deposeth Taken before Sir John Trenchard That he keeping an Inn in Redland near the City of Chester there came a Stranger to his House whose Name he afterwards understood was Dr. Bromfeild recommended thither by Mr. Fitz Herbert of Wapra in Flintshire where Bromfeild had been conceal'd some time for a Passage into Ireland that Bromfeild bought a Vessel to transport him which Vessel was seized by Mr. Morston an Officer in the Government and Bromfeild escap'd into Lancashire and thence into Ireland He further deposeth That being known to be accessary to * See Mr. Edwards's Affidavit in the Appendix Bromfield's Escape and harbouring and furthering the Escape of many of the late King James's Friends he was sought after by Souldiers from Chester and the Civil Officers of the County insomuch that he was compell'd to fly from his own House and never durst return but after having hid himself in Woods got at length into Lancashire whither his Wife and Family followed him and was receiv'd into the Houses of the Lord Mollyneux Mr. Tildesly Mr. Standish Sr. Rowland Standley Sr. James Pool Sr. Wm.
only Witnesses enough to take away all the Prisoners Lives but these Witnesses were good ones and very Honest Men and being told by Mr. * See Mr. Wybrands Depositions in the Appendix Wybrand that it look'd like a Contradiction or an Impossibility to save Mens Lives accused of High Treason and that Treason by his own Confession proved against them by several creditable and substantial Testimonies Taffe alias O Mullen reply'd it was no matter for that if the Gentlemen would give him Money to make his Fortune he would contrive a way to do it Again if Conscience had been the Motive why did he go so far in it Why was he so active in seizing of Arms and apprehending the Conspirators If he knew it to be a Piece of Roguery he must know it to be so from the Beginning for he introduc'd Lunt to the Earl of Bellemont read Lunt's Depositions taken before Mr. Secretary Trenchard And knew the Transactions of the whole Matter why then did he not relate it before Why did he not declare it to the Lord Bellemont Mr. Secretary Trenchard Mr. Attorney General Mr. Aaron Smith or some other proper Officer This had been the honestest and easiest Way to have put a Stop to all Proceedings And had been fair candid and upright Dealing as well on the behalf of the Government as the Gentlemen But alass this would have quite spoil'd the making of his Fortune Again if what Taffe says in relation to Mr. Lunt's Evidence had any kind of Truth in it it no way answers the End for which it is design'd for the Truth of the Plot does not as I have said before depend only upon Lunt's single Evidence but upon the Discovery of Mr. Kelly Mr. Dodsworth Mr. Robinson Mr. Cawson and the Ships Company the Custom-house-Officers and several Persons of Quality and others in Lancashire whilst Lunt was acting in it nor was the Discovery from Manchester the Act of any single Person who might be liable to be impos'd upon but the premeditated Act of the whole Bench of Justices at their Sessions in Manchester as appears by the Letter to his Grace the Lord Duke of Shrewsbury which was also seconded by several others of his Majesties Justices of the Peace in their Session from other * See the Letter from Middleton in the Appendix Parts of the County as well as from many private Gentlemen So that Taffe must say something to disprove all these Matters of Fact attested by so many Honourable Persons and others of known Reputation before he or any of that Party can hope to gain Credit to what they said against Lunt But this was the subtile Trick of the Conspirators and their Multinominal Friends to leap over all former Discoveries and fall foul upon Lunt and endeavour to perswade the World that he invented and contriv'd the Plot in May and June 1694. Whereas Lunt and all the rest of the Kings Evidences depose the Plot begun in the latter end of the Year 1688 and in the Year 1689 and by several Progressions continu'd till 1694. So that what Taffe says must of necessity be false both as to the Fact and Time Besides What Taffe says without reflecting upon his former vile and lewd Conversation in being a Renegado Irish Popish Priest changing his Name and being manifestly guilty of Felony and Perjury is only his own naked Affirmation procured by Bribery but what Lunt has sworn as to the Plot in general nay almost in every Particular is confirm'd by the best and surest Testimonies in the World But since what Taffe had the Impudence to affirm has made so much Noise abroad and seem'd the only Reason why Sr. W. W threw up the Tryal I will sum up both their Evidences and leave the Reader to judge which of them is most reasonable to be believ'd among the sober and unprejudic'd Part of Mankind Father Vincent * All these Names be went by alias Thomas O Mullen alias John Taffe says but not upon his Oath There was no Truth in the Plot but that the Whole was a Contrivance between him and Lunt in or about May 1694 but has no Evidence or Circumstance to confirm what he so boldly affirms nor has any thing to say further in the Whole Mr. Lunt deposeth that he follow'd the late King James into France and from thence into Ireland and confirms it by a * Which is now among the rest of the Papers in the Custody of the Clerk of the Parliament Pass under the Hand and Seal of the Lord Melfort Lunt deposeth that in France and Ireland he was acquainted with Bromfeild who negotiated Affairs in Order to a Rebellion between the late King James and the Lancashire Gentlemen But being discover'd the Vessel he had bought taken and himself in great Danger he thought it not safe to go any more thither but having brought word that the Gentlemen had embrac'd the late Kings Commands and only wanted Commissions the Carriage of the Commissions was to be perform'd by Mr. Thrillfall and himself and this he confirms by the Oaths of Mr. John Edwards See their several Depositions in the Appendix George Wilson John Wilson Elizabeth Langley Elizabeth Hearst and the Master of the Vessel and five Seamen Lunt deposeth that in or about June 1689 he and Mr. Thrillfall of Goosner in Lancashire sailed from Ireland in Mr. Cawson's Ship landed at Cockram in Lancashire brought over several Commissions to the Lancashire Gentlemen some of which were left in the Ship and taken by the Officers of the Customs and are now in the Hands of the Government this is prov'd by Mr. Cawson the Master of the Ship that brought Lunt and Thrillfall out of Ireland all the Seamen in the Ship and by the Officers of the Customs that seized the Commissions besides the Noble Peers aforenamed that examin'd the whole Matter in Lancashire and the Commissions themselves seen by Mr. Robinson and are now in the Custody of the Clerk of the Parliament Mr. Lunt deposeth that after he delivered the Commissions above named the Lancashire Gentlemen having formed a Rebellion employ'd him and others to list Men and send them into Lancashire which he did and subsisted them at the charge of the Gentlemen accused in order to be ready for the Service of King James when called for and this is prov'd by the Affidavits of John Wilson Lawrence Brandon Robert Bradly Elizabeth Hearst Elizabeth Langley and many others as also virtually confirm'd by the Letter from the Quarter Sessions at Manchester sign'd by eight Justices of the Peace See the Letter in the Appendix dated 18th October 1689 where they desire his Grace the Duke of Shrewsbury to acquaint the Kings Majesty That there hath been some modelling of Officers and Men preparatory to their hopes of an Invasion or Insurrection and tho' our Goals say they are full of Irish Papists yet we have frequent Account of many others at Popish Houses Mr. Kelly in his
Information See his Information in the Appendix tells you also that to his own knowledg Mr. Thomas Tatlock of Symonds-Wood in the Parish of Sefton Lancashire did for above a Month together harbour threescore Irish Men who had been Soldiers to the late King James and disbanded at Hounslo-Heath and were then listed under Gentlemen in Lancashire for the same Service that Arms and Furniture fitted for them were hid in that Wood and that Mr. Molyneux of Mosbrow did harbour about twenty Irish Men for the Service of King James Nay some of the very Persons accused by Lunt 1694 were inpeach'd by Mr. Kelly in the Year 1690 and were then looked upon as very dangerous Persons to the Government as appears by a Letter to a Minister of State dated at Middleton April 9th 1690 * Se the Letter from Middleton in the Appendix and signed by five Gentlemen to which we add that Crosby's Papers * in the Appendix affirm there were four Thousand Men actually listed in the North for the Service of that King there needs no more be said in the Matter So that the Plot in Lancashire against the King and Government could not be a Contrivance of Taffe and Lunt in 1694 it being thus credibly discovered and Search made after the Conspirators in 1690 whilst Mr. Lunt was acting in it and had been prosecured with effect then if the Jacobites had not provided for their own Safety by removing Mr. Kelly into another World as not long after they served Mr. Dodsworth by Murthering him as soon as they heard of * this Correspondence will be proved by Mrs. Dodsworth who was privy to it a Correspondence and Letters passing betwixt him and Lunt Now were not the whole Proceedings in behalf of the Conspirators so plainly prov'd to be made up of Fraud Fallacy Bribery and Barbarity a Man would wonder with what Face they could impose Taffe's Lies upon the World or endeavour to baffle Lunt's Testimony which hath so many undeniable Witnesses to confirm it But Sir W.W. laying so great stress upon what was said by Taffe as to refuse to proceed further in the Tryal at Manchester I beg his Worships Leave to ask him a few modest Questions viz. When the Master of the Vessel brought Lunt and Thrillfall out of Ireland was apprehended and carrying up to London for so doing and by accident hearing of Lunt's being a Prisoner in Coventry charged him to be one of the Persons that brought those Commissions from the late King James which were found in his Vessel Whether that was of Taffe 's Contrivance When Lunt was committed to Newgate upon the Oath of Mr. Cawson and the five Seamen for bringing over these Commissions and afterwards in great Danger of Hanging committed to Lancaster Goal for high Treason where he lay three Assizes Was that of Taffe's contriving When Mr. Thrillfall having delivered the late King James's Commissions in Yorkshire and being accused for it by Mr. Dodsworth and like to be apprehended by the Lancashire Militia chose rather to be kill'd than to be taken Was that Mr. Taffe's Contrivance Was the Discovery of the Kettle-Drums that were bought by C. P. by Order of Coll. Parker and sent to Standish-Hall of his contrivance The first hiding and than finding and seizing wall'd up in a Garret all the Arms and Saddles aforementioned Was that also of Taffe's Contrivance If so I assure you Sir W.W. he is a very Wagg and for ought I know that the Gentlemen when accused of high Treason and Prisoners in the Tower had by their Friends frequent Consultation with and Advice and Directions from one that was then of the Kings Council Before they consulted with Sir Bartholomew Shower might be of his Contrivance also Nay since Taffe is so excellent at contriving the very procuring Sir W.W. to be the sole Manager of the Tryal at Manchester from which many honest Men foretold what happen'd might be of his Contrivance too and if it was the Lancashire and Cheshire Gentlemen are more oblig'd to Taffe for that peice of excellent Service than for all that he swallow'd in London or disgorg'd at Manchester For if all the Kings Witnesses might have been heard what Taffe said there would have signifi'd nothing However a Contrivance there was and tho' it does not effect Lunt as they would have it in forging the Plot. It lies very close and heavy on Mr. Dickinson Mr. B*ks and Mr. B***ford for bribing Taffe to say so And also Sir W.W. who upon Taffe's Evidence would proceed no further in the Tryal at Manchester but sat down like a winning Gamster unwilling to tempt his Fortune and positively refused any more of the Kings Witnesses to be heard tho' at the same time he knew there were many whose Names were in his Breviat more especially one that was a Prisoner for the same Treason with the Gentlemen which could have cleared all the seeming or pretended difficulties in the whole Matter might he have been heard This Politick Piece of Chicanery strongly amazed the Kings Prosecutors that one of the Kings Council should so far influence the rest as all but one should refuse or neglect to let all the Kings Witnesses he heard whereupon Mr. Bale the Kings Prosecutor being put upon it by Captain Baker prayed Sir W. W. twice that the rest of the Kings Witnesses might be called and being refused by Sir W.W. Mr. Bale addresses himself to the Court insomuch that my Lords the Judges urged the Witnesses being heard that had not yet depos'd But all was to no purpose Sir W. W's having gained the Point for the Prisoners and knowing he could not proceed further without eminent Danger would not condescend to open but kept his mouth as close as if his Lips had been seal'd with cross Scepters till Richard Knapp Esq who was also of Council for the King at the Tryal desir'd Sir W. W. that the rest of the King's Witnesses whose Names and what they could swear was in his Breviat might be called and heard and then in great Passion but with little Decency Sr. W. W. reply'd He would not suffer it and none but a Knave or a Fool would desire it * Sworn by Mr. Knapp in the House of Lords Thus the Session ended and if this was not a horrible Contrivance against the Government certainly there never was one in the World Yea so open and bare-fac'd was this Lancashire Juggle that some of the Jacobites themselves were asham'd of it and Mr. Upton who was one of the Councel for the Prisoners banter'd Mr. Aaron Smith with it at Manchester saying If the Judges intended to try Mr. Legh at Chester Mr. Legh resolv'd to retain Sr. W. W. for his Councel for he believ'd none of his own Councel could do his Business so effectually Sr. W. W. having thus gratify'd his old Clients Friends and Neighbours with an unexpected Deliverance to compleat the Scene for Malice is like one of the four Things
Deponent that at his Landing in Lancashire from Ireland he had lost his Linnen and several other things which if they were taken would cost him his life and then desired this Deponent to bring him some Linnen the next Morning to the Cock and Dolphin-Inn in Grays-Inn Lane and that she would enquire for him by the Name of Beunet and the next Morning she this Deponent did go to him accordingly to to the said Inn and as the said Lunt and this Deponent were there discoursing together she asked what those things were that she laid her hand upon in the said Bag the day before when they sat together in the said Coach and the said Lunt answered that they were Commissions and Declarations which he had now disposed off to several Gentlemen in and about the Town according to his Directions from the said late King James and the Lord Melfort and he then shewed this Deponent one Printed Declaration which as he said was all that he had left for that he had disposed of all the rest and he read it to her but this Deponent doth not remember the Contents but did observe it to be in the name of James Rex and about a Month or five Weeks after she heard that the said Lunt was a Prisoner in Newgate for High Treason and a little before Christmas in the year 1689 he the said Lunt came to this Deponent and told her that he was Bailed out of Prison and was then going into Lancashire And this Deponent doth believe that he did then go into that Country for within a Week or ten Days after this Deponent did receive a Letter from the said Lunt bearing date from one Mr. Tildesley's of the Lodge in Lancashire and in February next after the said Lunt returned to London and sent for this Deponent to an Ale-house in Great Queen-street known by the Name of the Hole in the Wall who did presently go there and found the said Lunt in a Room with 10 or 12 Men Strangers to this Deponent and a little while after the said Men departed and this Deponent did ask the said Lunt who they were who answered they were Irish Men and was to be Listed for King James's Service and then he desired this Deponent to bring him to the said Hole in the Wall in two or three days some Linnen which she did accordingly and when she was shewing him the Linnen the Master of the House came and told the said Lunt that there were three Men in the House thaâ— waited to speak with him and the said Lunt told him that they might come to him iâ— they pleased and then they did immediately come into the said Room to the said Lunâ— and be asked them what they came about and they told him about the Concern that he knew of and that they were sent to him by one Mr. Whitfield a Card-maker and then asked them if they were willing to serve King James their Lawful King as Soldiers and they answered they came to him for that Intent and then the said Lunt gave every one of them a Shilling and set down their Names in a Paper where there were the Names of many more two of their Names the said Deponent doth remember to be Thomas Burk and Patrick Lacy and he told them that Care should be taken of them and that they should have Money to carry them into Lancashire and when they came there all possible Care would be taken of them and that they should choose what Officers they pleased to serve under Naming Col. Tildesley the Lord Mollyneux and several others whose Names this Deponent doth not remember that as he said were to be their Officers and he then Ordered them to be there at ten a Clock the next Morning for that there was to be several of their Country-men to meet him there at that time that were to go with them on the same Account into Lancashire And in a day or two this Deponent went to the said Lunt to the Hole in the Wall aforesaid and found in his Company the said Whitfield the Card maker and several others who this Deponent did not know and when she went into the Room where they were Whitfield whispered with the said Lunt and Lunt spoke aloud and said there was no danger of her And two or three Days after this Deponent came to the said Lunt at the House aforesaid in the Evening and there found the said Lunt and another Man putting into Boxes Sword-Hilts Belts and Bagonets with Flacks and Carteridges for Powder and when they had put those things they intended into Boxes they directed three of the Boxes to Mr. Tildesley of the Lodge and to be left at Preston in Lancashire and the others to several persons that this Deponent doth not remember the Names of And the said Lunt and the other Man with him put three Boxes into a Coach that was waiting at the Door and they put into a another Coach a Hair Trunk and three other Boxes And by the said Lunt's Directions this Deponent went into one of the said Coaches to the Swan with two Necks in Lad-Lane and delivered the three Boxes that she had in the Coach to one Knowles a Carrier as sent from her self And the said Lunt and the other Man aforesaid came in the other Coach at the same time and delivered the said Trunk and three Boxes to the said Carrier and in a Week after the said Lunt came to this Deponent and told her he was going into Lancashire and she doth believe he did go accordingly for in a Month or five Weeks after she did receive a Letter from him bearing date from Lancaster Castle And this Deponent farther saith that in the beginning of the year 1691 the said Lunt did in the Presence of this Deponent list about twelve or fourteen Men for the Service of the late King James at the said Hole in the Wall by the Assistance of one Mr. Rogers a Taylor who at that time brought them to the said Lunt to be Listed as aforesaid And this Deponent further saith that in or about the Month of November in the year 1691 the said Lunt came to this Deponent's Lodging and told her That he â—as then going in all haste possible into France to his Old Master King James and that he must return in a Months time And about a Month or five Weeks after he the said Lunt returned to this Deponent's Lodging and told her He had been with the said King James and seemed to be in great hast for he said He was to be in Lancashire in two or three days and withal told her that he did not doubt but that in the Spring following she this Deponent might see him the said Lunt at the Head of a Troop of Horse of his own and this Deponent doth believe that he did then go into Lancashire for she did receive a Letter from him the said Lunt bearing date from Townley in Lancashire in a Week
Trenchard Lawrence Brandon 's Affidavit LAwrence Brandon of Pennington in the County of Lancaster maketh Oath that he knows William Standish of Standish-Hall in the said County Esq and his Son commonly called the Young Lord of Standish and that about May in the year 1691 this Deponent being invited by one James Leightagh to go with him and several other Persons to dine at Standish-Hall aforesaid and upon such Invitation this Deponent and the rest did go to Standish Town in the way to the said Hall and being at the said Town it was agreed on between the said James Leightagh and the rest of the Company rather to dine at the said Town of Standish then to go to the Hall because there seemed some difference like to arise between the said Leightagh and John Neyler on the one part and John Sharp Servant to the said Mr. Standish and James Hayes on the other part concerning the Places of Quarter-Master and Corporal of a Troop of Horse to be raised by the said Mr. Standish for the Service of King James which was promised to the said Leightagh and Neyler and the said Sharp and Hayes pretended unto the same Whereupon the Deponent and the rest of the Company did dine at Standish Town at the Charges of the said Leightagh and John Neyler and after Dinner they went from thence to Standish-Hall where in the Kitchen the said Leightagh and Neyler met the said Sharp and Hayes and after some Discourses on both sides concerning the Places aforesaid the said Sharp and Hayes were contented to quit their Pretensions to the same and consented that Leightagh and Neyler should have the same Upon which Agreement the said Leightagh and Neyler desired to speak with Mr. Standish and bid this Deponent and the rest of the Company to follow them which they did and were conducted into a Parlour where the Young Lord of Standish was and being told by the said Leightagh and Neyler that they had broughe Men to be Listed under his Command he wellcomed this Deponent and the rest and made them sit round the Room and made them drink and told them that the Nation had a great deal of wrong done by Banishing King James that was their Rightful King and that the design in hand was to do no Body wrong but only to bring in their lawful King and that some Aid for that purpose was shortly expected to come out of France and Ireland into England and that they did design upon the News of the Landing of any Foreign Forces to make a general Rising of such Forces as they could procure for the said Service and hoped they were willing and would be ready to serve their King and Country on this Occasion and assured them that they should go no further than he would lead them And that upon their consenting and promising to be ready at his Command the said Young Lord of Standish went out of the Room and soon after returned with a Horseman's naked Sword and bending the Blade thereof by way of Trial shewed it to the Company and told them they should be furnished with no worse than that and should have Pistols Holsters Saddles and all other Accoutrements fit for Troopers And having some farther Consultation with the said Young Lord what course they should take to provide Horses in case they should be called suddenly to meet it was agreed that such as had Horses of their own should make use of them and those that had none should take the first they could meet with and immediately upon any Alarm or notice come to Standish-Hall to rendezvous That after Directions about the Horses were given some of the Company being apprehensive that Mr. Standish the Father might be offended in case they should agree to go under the Command of his Son without his Consent desired to speak with him to be satisfied therein Whereupon they sent to speak with him and he came to them into the Hall where being asked the question aforesaid he told them all it was indifferent to him whether they choose to go under the Command of himself or his Son and such as were not willing to go with his Son should be welcome to go with him for their design was all one and that was to bring again King James or words to that effect Whereupon about twelve of the Company among whom this Deponent was one made choice to go with the Young Lord and the Remainder being to his remembrance the greater number did resolve to go with Mr. Standish the Father and then the Company divided and this Deponent and those that had made their Election went again into the Parlour to the young Lord and drank some short time and at their taking their leaves of him he gave them a word by which they should know one another which was Go thy way old Trip and then they parted from the said House to Wigan in the way whither the said John Neyler overtook this Deponent and his Company and told them he had brought some Money from Standish-Hall to be drunk by them and carried them to the House of James Green in Wigan aforesaid where he staid with them some time and drank the Health of King James and their Captains and then left them And this Deponent farther saith that at his this Deponents Return to his own House his Wife being informed that he had Listed himself a Soldier for King James would not let this Deponent rest or be at quiet until he had promised not to concern himself any farther in the matter Upon which he this Deponent never went near them any more Lawrence Brandon Jurat ' 11. Feb. 1695 Cor'me Tho. Rokeby Robert Bradley 's Affidavit RObert Bradley of Chippin in the County of Lancaster maketh Oath that he knows John Lunt and became acquainted with him about the latter end of the year 1689 by the means of one Mr. Thrillfall who brought him to his House he this Deponent keeping an Inn in Chippin aforesaid and that at that time the said Lunt went by the Name of Jackson and that about a quarter of a year afterwards there came into that Country several Irish Men who said they were sent by Lunt from London and that when they wanted Money they said they were to have Money of Lunt and amongst the said Irish there used to come to this Deponent's House several English Papists and frequently used to drink their Old Master King James's Health and threatened this Deponent being a Protestant to hang him when King James came in often affirming he would come into England at such and such times and Lunt often told this Deponent that he had Listed not only the Irish but several of this Deponent's Neighbours besides Thirty that he had Listed at Wiersdale and amongst the Neighbours named Clerkson Hodgkinson and Hearst and that one Cottam was to be Quarter-Master And this Deponent saith that Lunt desired one Sharpless where the said Lunt Tabled to be Listed as the
to bring him back an Answer to Dungan Hall and accordingly this Informant did return with his Message to Dungan-Hall and then and there he this Informant saw in Company with Mr. Lunt viz. Mr. Charles Harris Robert Holden and several other Gentlemen that this Informant did not know and this Informant after a little stay there did see a Gentleman they call'd Mr. Walmesley come down Stairs into a Room at the foot of the Stairs where the said Lunt and the other Gentlemen were and a little time after he came into the said Room he saw the said Lunt pull a Paper out of his Pocket and deliver it to the said Walmesley who receiv'd the same which this Informant doth believe was a Roll of Men listed for King James 's Service because the next Time he this Informant met with and saw the said Lunt which was about a fortnight after he told him that the Paper he saw him deliver to Mr. Walmesley was a Roll or List of the Names as aforesaid John Wilson Jurat ' 5. die Oct. 1694. Coram me G. Eyre Ann Elliot's Affidavit ANN Elliot late of Chippin in the County of Lancaster now living in London maketh Oath that about the beginning of the Year 1691. She this Deponent then living in Chippin aforesaid knew John Lunt who then went by the Name of Jackson and this Deponent saith that about that Time there came into that Country several Irish Men who said they were come from London and sent down by Lunt and that they were listed at London by the said Lunt for the Service of King James And this Deponent saith that the said Irish Men call'd Lunt their Lieutenant and at all times when they were together that they could be free own'd him and obey'd his Commands as their Lieutenant and in this Deponents hearing promis'd to be ready to rise in Arms with the said Lunt to bring in their old Master which they said was King James And this Deponent further saith that several Roman Catholic Gentlemen and others contributed towards their Subsistence and amongst the rest this Deponent her self And this Deponent saith that Lunt receiv'd the Money for the use of the said Irish And this Deponent saith she hath heard one Mr. Lock who went under the Name of an Irish Man complain that Lunt had brought him down from London to his Prejudice because he did not find what was promis'd was perform'd Nevertheless he would be ready with the rest for the said Service And this Deponent saith she set up many Nights to wait on the said Irish Men sometimes by 12 in a Company or more And this Deponent saith she hath often question'd whence they would have all those Arms they pretended to have who answer'd we know very well whence to have them Ann Elliot Jurat ' 11. die Febr. 1695. Coram me Tho Rokeby The Information of George Wilson THIS Informant upon his Oath saith that in or about the Month of April 1689 one Doctor Bromfeild came to William Fitzherbert Esq at Wapra near West-Chester in Flintshire where he the said Bromfeild lay conceal'd for some time for a Passage into Ireland from whence he was recomended to this Informant to assist him who then liv'd near the Sea-side at a Place call'd Redland where after the said Bromfeild had stay'd about a Week this Informant did assist him in the buying of a Boat of about 25 Tun which said Boat being victuall'd and ready to Sail was seiz'd by Mr. Morston and Bromfeild escap'd to Mr. Crosby's in Lancashire from whence by the Assistance of Mr. Peirce Morston Mr. Winn of Gop Mr. Lloyd of Greith Mr. Robert Brierwood of West Chester Mr. George Pennant Mr. Pue of Pendall and this Informant he afterwards got over in a open Boat This Informant farther saith that being search'd for by Troopers from West Chester and other Soldiers and by the Civil Officers of the Country was forc'd to leave his House and Family and hid himself in the Woods for many Days and could never return to his House again but got into Lancashire whither his Wife and Family follow'd him where he this Informant was receiv'd and entertain'd by Lord Molyneux Coll. Tildesley Mr. Standish of Standish Sir Rowland Stanley Sir James Pool Sir William Gerrard Coll. Townley and others sometime at the House of one Gentleman and sometimes at anothers This Informant saith that about Midsummer 1689 he this Informant and others were ordered and directed by the Gentlemen asoresaid and others to look out about the Sea-coasts thereabouts for any Gentlemen that should arrive from Ireland for at that time he this Informant was told they expected some Friends and News from Ireland which he this Informant did and about the beginning of June 1689 Mr. Edmund Thrillfall of the Asheâ— in Goosner and one Mr. Lunt arrived at Cockram and came immediately to Col. Tildesley's with several Bundles of Papers where this Informant was then attending their coming c. This Informant saith that upon their coming to the said Coll. Tildesley's the said Thrillfall and Mr. Lunt immediatly open'd their Cloakbags and took out several Commissions Declarations Blanks and seal'd Papers from King James to several Persons and Gentlemen of Quality in that Country and York shire and divided them those for York-shire Mr. Thrillfall put up and undertook to deliver and had a Guide immediatly provided the others for Lancashire Cheshire Staffordshire and Parts thereabouts Mr. Lunt took to himself to deliver and had this Informant with him from Place to Place to Guide and Assist him in the Delivery of them and after they had left and deliver'd to Coll. Tildesley his Commission for being a Collonel which he the said Coll. receiv'd upon his Knees and kiss'd it with the Blanks for his inferiour Officers they proceeded and went to the Lord Molyneux his House and deliver'd one Collonels Commission to Mr. William Molyneux his Son for a Regiment of Horse with Blanks for his inferiour Officers he the said Coll. Molyneux immediatly filling that Blank for the Lieutenant-Collonel deliver'd it in the Presence of this Informant to Mr. William Gerrard who was with the said Coll. Molyneux when he this Informant and Mr. Lunt came in This Informant further saith that he this Informant was present and did see Mr. Lams deliver to Mr. Sherbourn of Stonyhurst a Collonel's-Commission with Blanks as aforesaid for a Regiment of Horse To Mr. Townley of Townley the like for Horse To Mr. Girlinton of Girlington Esq a Collonel's Commission To Mr. Westby of Mobrick Esq the like for Dragoons To Mr. Legh of Lyme Esq a Cossonel's Commission with Blanks as aforesaid To Sir Tho. Stanley of Alderley the like for Horse To Mr. Chumley of Vale Royal the like for Horse c. To Sir Rowland Stanley the like for Horse c. To Sir Robert Throgmorten the like for Horse c. To Sir Henry Titchbourn he being then at the Lord Molyneux the like for Horse To Sir Gisfard of
the King's hand and was coming down Stairs That if the Design that Griffith and Bromfeild had engaged him this Informant in took effect the King would soon be in England Upon this he this Informant came for England and in travelling being somewhat troubled in his thoughts with what he had undertaken he called upon several Priests that were his Friends and Acquaintance and Relations in France as he came along and did tho' not in plain terms acquaint them with what he this Informant was engaged in some were positively against it as damnable and others for it as meritorious which difference amongst them gave him this Informant more disturbance so that as soon as he came into England he resolved not to be one in it and to prevent it if he could but this Informant did not resolve then to discover it until he was perswaded thereunto by a Taffe Friend by whom after he had often times discoursed the Matter with him he this Informant was at length prevailed with to discover it This Informant further saith that being at Sr. Germains in the Months of October and November 1693 the Lord Melfort Capt. Griffith and some others then told him this Informant that there was a Design laid by their Friends the Protestants engag'd with the Roman Catholics there for the seizing the Tower of London Tilbury Fort Sherness the Ports and Coasts c. the Manner viz. That some of the Officers within the Tower who were sure and firm to King James's Interest whose Names this Informant knoweth not they being kept as a Secret to the Chiefs only were to be ready to receive several Gentlemen and others that were to pass as private Persons some in the Habit of private Gentlemen with good private Arms others with the same Habit as the Horse Guards do wear and others in the Habit of Foot-Soldiers all arm'd accordingly and some like plain Country-Men until there was a sufficient Number with the help of those within to have secur'd the Gate and Brig when on a Signal given those without who were in great Numbers to have been lodg'd about the Tower-Hill St. Katherines East-Smithfield Thames-Street and Places adjacent a great many that were to be walking carelesly about the Gates and upon the Wharf provided for that Purpose who were to have made to the Gates secured the Guns and all within by cutting them off and making them Prisoners and for Tilbury Fort by the help of some within much after the same Manner and that for Sherness they did not doubt but to have secured by some Officers of the Fleet and for the Ports of Dover and Foulston and the Coast upon Rumney Mash those they said were undertaken to be made theirs by those Officers of King William that this Informant hath named above viz. Nowell and the rest with the Correspodents they pretended to have in those Parts and that Hull also and all those Parts in the North were at the same time provided for in the like Manner This Informant farther saith that some time after his Arrival at London which was in December 1693 he was at a Meeting at the Queens Head in white Hart-Yard in the Strand where was the Lord Griffin the Lord Baltimore the Lord F was gon before this Informant came there the rest this Informant saw there and Capt. Tozier Mr. Whitefield Mr. Tasbrough Mr. Kingsley and some other Gentlemen told this Informant they had consulted and agreed of the Method abovesaid with those Lords for the securing the Tower and the other Places and that there would be no doubt of accomplishing it c. with a great deal of case but still that they the said Lords and Gentlemen had a great dependence and assurance from those Gentlemen and others in Commission as aforesaid for that they were well assur'd they had an Army listed and Officer'd and ready well Arm'd and Accoutr'd at all Points at twenty four Hours warning to the Number of at least thirty Thousand Horse Foot and Dragoons in the North Parts besides those here in and about London and Parts adjacent which were under the Command Care and Conduct of Lord Fe***m Lord Griffin Coll. Griffin his Son Col. Porter Col. Holman Coll. Sir William Go**g Coll. Bernard H**d Coll. T**n Lieut. Coll. B*s and some others This Informant farther saith that in March last about the middle or latter end of that Month he this Informant was at a Meeting at my Lord Str e's of about twelve or sixteen Protestant and Popish Gentlemen some of which this Informant knew as Mr. Basteen of Dover Capt. Roberts Dr. Clark Mr. Lee Capt. that lives two Miles from Sir Bazill Dixwells The Meeting was to consider and agree to be all ready for securing that Country and the Ports and Coasts there upon any Occasion for the Kings Landing or otherwise and to compute what their Strength they might depend upon might amount unto and it was then agreed amongst themselves that they had between five and six thousand Men well Arm'd and Disciplin'd besides what they might reasonably expect would come in upon their rising whose Numbers they did not doubt would be very considerable This Informant further saith that in his frequent passing to and again from the Ports to and from London at his Inn in Rochester kept by one Alderman Cross of that City he was well known to him the said Cross who several Times and Nights that he has lain in his House did introduce him this Informant into the Company of several Commanders who being by him the said Cross satisfy'd what this Informant was were extreamly civil and kind to this Informant entertaining him and inviteing him Aboard their Ships and otherways And this Informant saith that in December last he did bring from my Lord Melfort a Paper seal'd to that Inn-Keeper this Informant did not see what was in it but he the said Cross told this Informant that it was for some honest Gentlemen that did belong to the Sea This Informant further saith that about six Weeks since Capt. Tozier and Mr. Kingsley a Gentleman that then lately came from St. Germains told him this Informant Mr. Whitfield and another Mr. Kingsley being present that since there was an Account given there that the late Kentish Design upon the Life of King William was by some Traytor or other prevented it was there resolv'd to try another way upon him in Flanders which was by causing several resolv'd Gentlemen and others of the English Scotch and Irish Nations and some French of seeming Quality to desert from the French Army in Flanders as early this Campaign as they could that would undertake to watch and take the first Opportunity they could in their several Posts to attempt upon his Life This Informant further saith that he is very sure that he this Informant can point to and carry and Body to the very Place some he believes in or near the Town but more particularly in several Parts of Yorkshire Lancashire Staffordshire and