VVebber at Rumney in Kent ready to go over-Sea and was Committed and is still a Prisoner Ambrose Rookwood was Taken Tryed Condemned and Executed The Earl of Aylesbury was taken and committed to the Tower where he is still a Prisoner Goodman was taken and made an Ingenious Confession Bertram was taken and confess'd Robert Charnock was taken Arraign'd Condemned and Executed the deserved Reward of his horrid Treasons VVilliam Berkenhead who has gone by the several Names of East VVest South Fish and Baker was taken but since made his Escape out of Goal Charles Cranburne was Taken Arraign'd Condemn'd and Executed Sir George Barclay fled and with-drew from Justice upon the first Discovery and is Out-law'd Sir Thomas Row upon the first Discovery shot himself into the Head of which Wound he the same Day died Besides these there are several others secured which must not expect to be dismiss'd but by due Couse of Law Wherefore to return to what happen'd shortly after the Discovery His Majesty having now receiv'd irresistible Proof of the Certainty of the Wicked and Unnatural Design that the World might have the like Conviction resolv'd speedily to bring some of the most Notorious Malefactors to a fair and open Tryal The Persons who were first put upon justifiying themselves were Robert Charnock Edward King and Thomas Keys on the 11 th of March 169â— against whom divers Witnesses were produced who in their Depositions first gave some distinct Account of the Plot in General and then of the particular Share each Person at the Bar had in it As to what Concern'd Charnock Capt. Porter first depos'd That the said Charnock himself and others did meet at the Globe-Tavern in Hatton-Garden the Nags-Head in St. Iames's Street and often in other places where they did consult and contrive the Design for Assassinating His Majesty's Person agreed upon it and the Ways and Methods for Carrying it on That he with the rest did agree it should be done on the 15 th of February in the Lane coming from Brentfort to Turnham-Green and Horses and Arms were provided and that he did Personally ingage and bring 6 or 7 Men more to act in the Design that he went into France to invite the late King Iames to England with a Foreign Force The next was Mr. De la Rue who Swore That he the said Charnock was at several Places with divers of the Conspirators and where the Matter was discours'd concerning the Assassination and that some time after the first Disappoinment he ask'd him How the thing went and he answer'd he was afraid it would come to nothing Then Mr. Prendergast swore That Charnock sent a Note to Capt. Porter to Countermand the Order for the 15 th of February subscribed by the Name of Robinson Next Mr. Bertram swore That he the said Charnock ask'd him if he would be one in the Design in taking off the Spark meaning King VVilliam but he answer'd He was otherwise ingaged And after the second Disappointmâ—nt he this Deponent met him again who told him he heard VVarrants were out against them Therefore would have had him come to his Lodging where with others to have gone to Kensington to put their Design in immediate Execution and assur'd him there would be Safety in so doing Against King First Capt. Porter deposed That the said Edward King went with him and Knightly to view the Ground And was with the other Conspirators at most of their Meetings particularly at his Lodging in Maiden-lane the same day they were to execute their Design where were Discourses of that Nature And also at the Blew-Posts in Spring-Garden That he was present when Word was brought of the Disappointment The next was Mr. De la Rue who Swore That the said Edward King told him on the 7 th of February that he was going out Town about something in order to the Design with Knightly Durance and others to see whether the King went to Richmond or Hounslow and That sometime after he told this Deponent he did ride out with his Friends and that there was the Rarest Place for the Execution of the Design against King William that was possible or had they studied never so long for a Convenient Place they could not have had such another And that he was with him on the 15 th and 22 d of February at Porter's Lodging and the Blew-Posts in Spring-Garden where they had Discourses concerning putting their Purpose in Execution And that he had seen him at divers other Times and Places Mr. Bois swore That King was the first that ever told him of the Assassination it was at his own Chamber in this manner That there was a great undertaking in hand that he had put his Name into the List and That if he would make one he should have a Horse and gave him 20 s. to buy Boots He told him several were come over from France That the late King Iames would Land very Speedily Against Keys Capt. Porter first deposed That he the said Keys was present at most of the Consultations he hired Horses for the Captain to be imploy'd in the Business That he was at the Blew-Posts in Spring-Garden with him and the other Conspirators where word was brought of the Disappointment both the 15 th and 22 d of February and That he agreed to be one that should be Personally concern'd in the Assassination Mr. Prendergast swore That he the said Keys was at Capt. Porter's Lodging in Maiden-lane the 25 th of February where were divers others whose discourse chiefly tended to the Execution of the Assassination and afterwards on the same day they met again at the Blew-Posts in the Spring-Garden where with others he did agree to act in the Design Mr. De la Rue deposed That he the said Keys was one of those that met at the Blew-Posts in Spring-Garden on Saturday the 22 d of February and he was the only Man told him of the Meetings That when Word was brought of the Disappointment he went to the Mews-Gate to learn the reason if he could of the King 's not going abroad for two Saturdays together and that he brought in word The Guards were come back in a Foam and the King's Coach to the Mews-gate and by People's Muttering he fear'd a Discovery But the whole Evidence against Charnock King and Keys being clear and positive Testimony and what they pleaded for themselves being only their own single Affirmation and Negation without any support of Witnesses the Jury brought them in Guilty of High-Treason Accordingly to which Sentence they were Executed the 18 th of the said Month. At the time of their Execution each of them deliver'd a Paper to the Sheriffs wherein they own'd themselves guilty of the Crime for which they stood Condemn'd and that they were for Killing the King and the Guards The next Criminal Arraign'd was Sir Iohn Friend who was brought to his Tryal March the 23 d of that Year Against him Capt. Porter deposed That about the latter end of May or beginning of Iune 1695 on a Monday the Lord Aylesbury the Lord Mongomery Sir Iohn Friend Sir William Parkyns
Sir Iohn Fenwick Mr. Charnock one Cook and this Deponent met at the old King's-Head in Leadenhall-Street and at one Mrs. Monjoy's Tavern in St. Iames's street sometime after At both these Meetings it was consulted and agreed to send Charnock over to France to invite the late King Iames to England and to prevail with the French King to furnish him with 10000 Men 8000 Foot 1000 Horse and 1000 Dragoons and each did promise to meet him at his Landing with 2000 Horse and Sir Iohn Friend did say he would be as forward in his Assistance as any And not long after the second they had a third Meeting where were Sir William Parkyns Sir George Barclay Sir Iohn Friend one Holmes Mr. Ferguson and this Deponent Capt. Blair swore that 2 or 3 Years ago Sir Iohn Friend produc'd a Commission he had from K. Iames to be a Colonel of a Regiment of Horse which he was to raise and to appoint what Officers he thought fit That he read the Commission it was seal'd at the Top Iames Rex and counter-sign'd Melford That he promised this Deponent he should be his Lieutenant Colonel and told him he should get as many Men as he could that Mr. Fisher was to be his first Captain and Vernatti was to be another and Mr. Sclater should be Captain of a Troop of Non-Swearing Parsons and that for ingaging and contracting with Men to come in to be of his Regiment and to caress and keep them together and to carry on the Design he had expended a great deal of Money And that he laid down 100 l. to facilitate Col. Parker's escape out of the Tower That he had wrote a Letter to King Iames and gave it this Deponent to read who told him 't was well penn'd and that he believed Mr. Ferguson did pen it To this Sir Iohn Friend makes an Objection against the Credit of the Witnesses that they were not to be believed upon this Account because they are known to be Roman Catholicks and he a Protestant their Consciences as to Oaths are somewhat large especially when they swear against Protestants and therefore says he they are not to be allow'd against Protestants as Witnesses and that their Credit was not sufficient to induce a Jury to believe them At first he alledged there was a Statute that disabled them from being Witnesses but that was proved to him to the Contrary Then he insisted upon it that Blair was not to be look'd upon as a Witness and that because he denyed he knew any thing of the Plot The Occasion of that was this when he was in the Gate-House there was News in the Flying-Post or Post-Boy where it was alledged that Blair had confess'd all and that thereupon Blair said he was Innocent but Blair being called into Court again swears he did not say he knew nothing of a Plot but deny'd being privy to or concern'd in the Assassination so that he did not deny wholly to be in the Plot but in the Assassination Another thing he insisted upon to be a Matter of Law in the Statute of the 25. Edw. 3. which was over-rul'd by the Court. So that what he had to say for himself proving no way material then the Jury withdrew and return'd after a short time and brought him in Guilty of High-Treason As touching the Paper he deliver'd to the Sheriffs at the time of his Execution he said he died in Charity with all Men and a Member of the Church of England he no way denyed the Fact for which he stood Condemn'd but rather Justified it and made some groundless Reflections on the legal and regular Proceedings against him concluding with a Prayer which could be dictated by none but a fierce Jacobite It was in truth a Prayer more proper for their Treasonable Meetings at the Old King's-Head in Leadenhall-streei c. than to be used as the last Words of a Gentleman dying in the Profession of the Church of England The next Offender that came under the stroke of Justice was Sir William Parkyns who came to his Tryal the 24 th of March the same Year Amongst the several Witnesses that was produc'd Capt. Porter was the first who has been a Witness hitherto against several upon the like Occasion he swore That about the latter end of May or beginning of Iune 1695 Sir Iohn Fenwick Sir Iohn Friend Sir William Parkyns and this Deponent with divers others Met at the Old Kings-Head in Leadenhall-street and some time after at Mrs. Monjoy's at both which Places they did consult how they might again Restore King Iames in order to it they thought it very necessary to send Mr. Charnock who was at that Meeting to King Iames and invite him to England with a French Force viz. 8000 Foot 1000 Horse and 1000 Dragoons if he could solicit the French King to lend him so many and that each of them did send their promise to meet him where he should appoint to Land at the Head of 2000 Horse And further as to the Assassination he swore That about the latter end of Ianuary or beginning of February Sir George Barclay was sent over with a Commission from the late King Iames whereupon Sir George Barclay Sir William Parkyns this Deponent with divers others had several Meetings particularly at the Globe-Tavern in Hatton-Garden the Nags-Head Tavern in Covent-Garden the Sun-Tavern in the Strand and other places Where it was resolved to undertake to Assassinate King William that Sir William did consent to it and said he thought it necessary to be done to facilitate the Restauration of King James and offer'd to Lend 5 Horses to engage in it three to be mounted by Men as he would get the other two by Capt. Porter That he told Charnock in this Deponents hearing He had a Commission from King James for the raising a Troop of Horse and that he had seen and read the Commission Sir George Barclay brought over which was to Levy War against the Person of the Prince of Orange and that he would not Personally engage in the Assassination because he had a Regiment to look after Sweet swore That he the said Sir William Parkyns told him about Christmas last That King James would come he ask'd him How he knew it He told him He had his Word for it and that he had a Troop which consisted of Old Soldiers he had Thirty Sadles and besides there would be some Volunteers which were old Officers That he was to go into Leicester-Shire and did it was about the latter end of Ianuary and Scudamore went with him and one Yarborough and a Parson that came out of York shire met him there And that he found the West was as well inclin'd to King James 's Interest as the North and a Lord's Brother was concern'd That Sir William sent for him out of
an Hours stay return'd and brought him in Guilty of High-Treason The next Person that was call'd to the Bar to justify himself was Charles Cranburne the 22 d of April 1696. Against him Capt. Porter deposed That he made the said Cranburne acquainted with the Design of Assassinating His Majesty King VVilliam the Day before they were to execute it and he engaged to be ready and make one On Saturday the 22 d of February he came to my Lodging in Maiden-lane and I sent him to Sir William Parkyns for a Note for two Horses that I was to mount of his He came back and told me he knew where to have them and that Capt. Charnock was afraid we should not have our Complement of Men and desir'd me to send him an account what Men I could bring which I did by Mr. Cranburne and being to go to the Blew-Posts order'd him to bring it to me thither and he did bring it back to me to the Blew-Posts with Capt. Charnock's List underneath And notwithstanding word being brought of the Disappoiotment we parted not till we had drank the Healths to the Restoring the late King James the Prince of Wales c. Then Mr. De la Rue swore That he the said Cranburne the 22 d of February the day on which they the second time thought to put the Design in Execution was sent with a List by Capt. Porter of his Men and whilst I and Capt. Porter was at the Blew-Posts in Spring-Garden he brought to Capt. Porter the List from Charnock with an addition of Names And after word was brought of the Disappointment the Company began to drink very Disloyal Healths as to the Restoring the late King James the Queen the Prince of Wales and the French King Then Capt. Porter having an Orange in his Hand squeez'd it and drank a Health to the squeezing the rotten Orange which was Pledg'd by all and particularly by Mr. Cranburne Mr. Prendergast depos'd That he was with Mr. Cranburne the 14 th of February and there was a Discourse of going in pursuance of this Design the next day and Mr. Cranburne agreed to it and when they were disappointed the 15 th being at the Blue-Posts in Spring-Garden they then agreed to pursue it the next Saturday and that Cranburne was one of them that agreed to it To all this Mr. Cranburne and his Council offer'd very little finding the Evidence so positive so the Jury withdrew to consider of their Verdict a quarter of an Hour and return'd into Court having found him guilty of High-Treason On VVednesday the 22 d of April 1696 Robert Lowick was brought to the King's-Bench Bar for Conspiring to Assassinate his Majesty King VVilliam Against him Mr. Harris swore That between the 15 th and 22 th of February he met Mr. Lowick in Red-Lion-fields and discoursed with him there about the Assassination and told him what a barbarous and inhumane thing it was that we should be the Murderers of the Prince of Orange and that it would render us odious to all the World and that we should be a continual Reproach to our selves he did agree it was so but would obey Orders that he said Sir George Barclay he was sure would not do it without Orders which he repeated twice On Saturday the 22 th he this Deponent and Mr. Lowick din'd at a Cooks at the End of Red-Lion-street and being there together he this Deponent was in a Sweat and Lowick ask'd him the Reason he told him he had been about to get ready Rookwood's Party that were to seize the King says he you need not grudg to do it you have six Shillings a day and I have nothing and yet I brought a couple of Men at my own Charge Then Mr. Bertram swore That he the said Robert Lowick came to him about the Beginning of February last and ask'd him if he would espouse a thing with him that might be for his Advantage He told him he thought he might espouse any thing that he thought fit to engage in he answer'd it was well and desir'd him to ask him no more Questions On the 14 th of February he desired him to be at his Lodging at 12 a Clock he went when he came there he took him up into his Chamber and told him he believed they would ride out in some little time and that the King was to be seiz'd in his Coach and he gave him a Guinea to buy him Necessaries To this he and his Council had little to offer in their Defence the Evidence being so full and positive against them which being summ'd up to the Jury they withdrew for a short time and return'd into Court having found him guilty of High-Treason according to which Sentence he was Executed and Rookwood and Cranburne with him On VVednesday the 13 th of May in the said Year 1696 Peter Cook Gent. was Indicted for endeavouring to procure Forces from France to invade this Kingdom and Conspiring to levy War in this Realm for assisting and abetting the said Invasion in order to the Deposing his Sacred Majesty King William and Restoring the late King Iames. The first Witness produced was Mr. Porter who swore That the Lord Ailesbury my Lord Montgomery Sir Iohn Fenwick Sir VVilliam Parkins Sir Iohn Friend Mr. Charnock Mr. Cook and himself Mr. Goodman came in after Dinner had two Meetings the first was in May at the old King's Head Tavern in Leadenhall-Street in order to consult about an Invasion In this Meeting it was consulted which was the best Way and the quickest to restore King Iames and hasten his Return into England several Discourses and Proposals there were At last in was agreed to send Mr. Charnock to the late King to borrow of the French King 10000 Men 8000 Foot 1000 Horse and 1000 Dragoons to be sent over into England to assist the late King's Restoration Says Mr. Charnock thereupon This the King can do without your sending and I would not go upon a Foolish Errand What will you do in this Matter The Company desir'd him to promise King Iames That if he would send word where he landed they would be sure to meet him at his Landing with a Body of 2000 Horse And all of them that were there present was ask'd by Charnock Whether he might assure the King of what they had told him Every one said Yes you may And when Mr. Cook was ask'd he kneel'd upon a Chair and said Yes you may The 2d Meeting was about the latter end of May or beginning of Iune at Mrs. Montjoy's Tavern at St. Iames's where were present at that time my Lord Aylesbury Sir Iohn Friend Sir William Parkyns and Mr. Charnock and Mr. Cook and himself they did assure Mr. Charnock that they kept to their former Resolution and would abide to what was agreed upon at their first Meeting And that accordingly Mr. Charnock did go to France and he did return and bring back King Iames's Thanks to them and he had
share of the Complement Then Mr. Goodman swore That about the middle of the Month of May Mr. Porter acquainted him there would be a Meeting of some of King Iames's Friends at the Old King's-head in Leadenhall-street that tho he could not dine with them he would come to them after Dinner which he did when he came there Mr. Porter brought him into a Room where was my Lord Montgomery my Lord Aylesbury Sir Iohn Fenwick Sir Iohn Friend Sir William Parkins Mr. Charnock and Mr. Cook after we were set down there was a Consultation that considering the French King's Wars retarded the Affair of sending back King Iames and the means of restoring him to the Crown it was thought fit after some Debate to send Mr. Charnock into France to King Iames to prevail with the French King to furnish Ten Thousand Men whereof 8000 to be Foot 1000 Horse and 1000 Dragoons That we would meet him at the Head of 2000 Horse When our Resolution of the Thing and the Number was thus fixed Mr. Charnock ask'd whether it were with all our Consents And that he might assure the King that this was our Resolution Whereupon we all rose up and said to him Yes you may Yes you may every one particularly that at the same time Mr. Cook kneel'd upon the Chair when he said Yes you may and his Elbows were upon the Table There was another Meeting as Capt. Porter told me but I had Business in the City but whatever he promis'd on my behalf as to the Quota of Men I would be sure to make it good but was not at the second Meeting So that after a Long Tryal and hearing Council both for the King and Prisoner the Jury with-drew to consider of their Verdict about three quarters of an Hour they return'd into Court and brought him in Guilty of High-Treason As for the Persons Out-law'd my Lord they having by Law the space of a whole Year allow'd to surrender themselves before they are to be look'd on as Men absolutely to be condemn'd it 's hoped before that Time 's expired that some of them will voluntarily come in and stand a legal Trial and if possible prove themselves innocent but if not they must not think the Evidence against them will be any longer suppress'd there being to be found in the Informations given in upon Oath abundantly sufficient to convict every Man of them either of the intended Insurrection or Assassination both which are made out with as much Clearness of Testimony and Strength as any Humane Affair is capable of And his Majesty is deeply sensible and hath publickly acknowledg'd how he has once more been preserved by the immediate Hand of Heaven from the Rage and Violence of blood-thirsty and cruel Men cannot but look on himself as a-fresh oblig'd to manifest his Gratitude to Heaven by promoting the Glory of his Preserver in continuing to consult above all things the Welfare of his Church and the Peace and Happiness of this great People committed to his Charge And since my Lord the Divine Favour has so marvellously put into his Hands this new Advantage he will improve it not in Acts of Severity and Revenge which your Lordship knows his Nature utterly abhors but by imitating the Divine Goodness in a regular Course of strict Justice to all obdurate Impenitents so which he much rather desires in his usual Method of Mercy and Kindness to as many as shall give sincere Proofs of Penitence and Reformation of their pail Crimes Vertues which we have too much Reason to believe his Enemies have been hitherto little acqâ—ainted with Before I conclude my good Lord let me entreat your Lordship's Patience whilst I address my self to those misguided English-men who after all this persevere to be disaffected to his Majesty and the Government whom I would willingly perswade to cease doting on their old Bondage and hankering after a Perjur'd Prince who when amongst us broke his Coronation Oath and studied nothing more than subjecting us to Popery Slavery a Despotick and Arbitrary Government Did he not assume to himself a Power to suspend and dispence with the Execution of the Laws enacted for the Security and Happiness of the Subjects and thereby rendred them of none effect And did he not in order to the obtaining a Judgment in the Court of King's-Bench for declaring the Dispensing Power a Right belonging to the Crown turn out such Judges as could not in Conscience concur in so pernicious a Sentence And after having pack'd Judges for his Purpose he obtain'd the Judgment he requir'd What Can no King please them but him who set up a Commission of Ecclesiastical Matters against express Laws to the contrary which were executed contrary to all Law Can no one content them but a Prince who values nothing in the World so much as the overturning our Religion and in order thereto Did he not send the Archbishop of Canterbury and six other Bishops to the Tower for setting forth in a Petition their Reasons why they could not obey the Order requiring them to appoint their Clergy to read the Declaration for Liberty of Conscience Finally Can nothing please them but a King who Arbitâ—ally and against Law turn'd the Fellows of Magdalen College in Oxford out of their Freeholds and put the College into the hands of Papists Did he not bring his Army of Irish Cut-throats by whom we went in danger of being Murder'd every Moment Or if the Experience of Time past so dearly bought can prevail nothing with them let them but seriously reflect on their present Condition Who may if they will Securely enjoy Peace Plenty Liberty and the best Religion under the best of Princes whilst many Misguided Gentlemen both English and Scotch who have abandon'd their Families and Estates to follow that Unhappy Prince to St. Germain's where a considerable Party being Protestants they only desir'd a Chappel from the late King Iames for the Exercise of their Worship according to the Church of England and propos'd Dr. Granvile Brother to the Earl of Bath formerly Dean of Durham as a fit Person to be their Chaplain They urged the great Incouragment such a Toleration would give to his Adherents in England and what Satisfaction it would be to such Protestants as followed him but tho' common Policy and his Circumstances made every body believe that this request would be easily granted yet it was positively denyed and Dr. Granvile obliged not onely to retire from Court but also from the Town of St. Germains to avoid the daily Insults of the Priests and the dreaded Consequences of the Jealousies with which they possess'd King Iames's Court against him Dr. Gordon a Bishop of Scotland the only Protestant Divine that then was there met with a worse Treatment still than Dr. Granvile and was reduc'd to the necessity of abjuring his Religion for want of Bread with which he could not be supplyed but upon those hard Terms Let them examine
Iames's Park with that remarkable Knight Sir Iohn Fenwick who Disappear'd for some Months but was after taken at Rumney in Kent and with a certain nameless Earl on that very Sunday before Noon February 23. when their Party waited for the much long'd for News of His Majesty's Assassination But to pass on Not only the Pulpit but the Press was imploy'd for promoting this barbarous Design as I shall demonstrate to your Lordship by a few Touches out of some envenom'd Libels The Clergy says one of their Incendiaries see on what Terms they stand with their renown'd Deliverer and what great and glorious Designs he has to devour them so soon as he has Power and Opportunity He has as good a Will to the Church-Lands as to his Father's Crown But he durst never put it to the Issue lest it should discover the weakness of his Interest for the Eyes of the Nation are open'd They see themselves Cheated and Abus'd and instead of Liberties and Privileges find themselves made Tools to insatiable Ambition and a Morsel for execrable Parricide And it was the most unaccountable Infatuation to have expected otherwise that he who had Stomach enough to devour his Father would ever Stick at preying on the Wealth the Rights and Vitals of the Nation Read this envenom'd Author a little farther I entreat your Lordship The whole Nation proceeds he must be sacrificed to revenge that generous Pity and Compassion which has been shewn by the King of France to an oppressed Prince whom we have infinitly wrong'd 'T is not his Oppression but his Piety is the Ground of this Immortal Hatred and 't is manifest to all that the Noble Princely and Christian Succour he has afforded our Injur'd King is more provoking than all the Oppressions in the World Another of their Emissaries says he Challenges the whole World to produce such an Instance of Injustice and Violation of Promises as this pretended Saint and Mirror of Justice has afforded us Our Constitution both of Church and State are revers'd and quite disjointed our Liberties and Properties most unjustly invaded and more Instances of Arbitrary Power daily committed than in several of the former Reigns I proceed says this venemous Libeller to address my self to those of my Country-men who has had the misfortune to be misled that since they have had all their Expectations decceiv'd themselves gull'd out of all those real Blessings of Government they formerly enjoy'd Peace Plenty Liberty and Property and all that could render a People happy by one whom a Man would be tempted to think could never have been procreated of Human Race void of all sence of Religion Justice Honour and every Qualification that is apt to conciliate Love or Veneration from Mankind who has really forfeited the Crown by his own Act having violated the very Instrument of Government he Subcribed One who has been the Occasion of shedding more Christian Blood than has been spilt in the ten Persecutions meerly upon a sham Pretence of Religion to us That it is their Interest and indispensible Duty if they have any sence of Goodness remaining to free these Nations of such a Plague and Curse and if possible to redeem all those Blessings which have been withheld from us by his Means by atoning God Almighty by doing Justice to their highly injur'd King and Queen to themselves and to all Europe and averting those dismal Plagues which otherwise e're long will fall upon their Heads Otherwise let 'em do what they can be as obstniate malicious and revengful as they please if they be resolv'd yet to act wickedly they shall be consumed both they and their King All this was evidently with design to shake the Crown and undermine the true Protestant Religion The Truth is to such a Heighth of Arrogance were things grown on their Side that who ever shall Indifferently reflect on the Dangerous Devices Slanderous Reports and Writings and other Violent Emotions of the whole Party that Winter in the City and throughout the Kingdom they will have just cause to conclude that the Course of their Proceedings was a daring Struggle for Victory and a Decisive Contention for Mastery over the Government Yet however cunningly the Train was laid it took no effect but on themselves the Noise and Rage of all their Mutinous Routs vanished into Air. Sir Iohn Houblon the Lord Mayor together with the whole Body of the Greater Wiser and Richer Citizens understood rightly and stuck Unmovable to the Nation 's and their own true Interest Which the Conspirators perceiving many disaffected Lords and others withdrew from their Houses redoubling their Exclamations of Usurpation Tyranny Oppression and what not and still apply'd themselves with all Diligence to expedite the Rebellious Work before projected fancying that yet the whole City and Kingdom would be at the French King's Beck and upon the holding up his Finger would presently rise in Arms to extirpate the two Brothers Liberty and Property The French King had set on foot a Treaty with the Disaffected in England and sent the Duke of Berwick privily to London who held divers Meetings with the Confederates who offer'd that if that King would furnish 10000 Men they would make a Sturdy Commotion here About that time also both ways of destroying these Kingdoms were brought under their Consideration the general way of an Insurrection and the more compendious way as they call'd it of Assassinating the King in his return from Hunting The Assassination was Instantly promoted on all Hands in Town and Country immediately after which the Insurrection was to follow At last it was thought adviseable to send one to France to acquaint the late King Iames with the result of their whole Proceedings desiring him to prevail with the French King to lend him 8000 Foot 1000 Horse 1000 Dragoons and they would meet him at his Landing at the Head of 2000 Horse and knowing no one fitter to employ in such a Concern they desir'd Mr. Charnock would be the Man because they knew him to be of a fluent Tongue and subtile Brain and one of the Chief Contrivers and Managers of the whole Design he readily consented to their Desire and immediatly provided for his Departure after he had advised and encourag'd each of them to be hearty in the Cause Though Charnock was gone for a while yet the Impressions of Mischief he had left behind on the Minds of the Confederates would not so easily vanish They soon reflected on his last advice that so many having been made Conscious to the Design they should certainly find more Safety in pushing it on boldly than in too late a Retreat Upon this immediately they recover'd their Spirits and Resolutions which his Departure had somewhat damp'd thenceforth they renew'd their Consultations 'till his Return which was soon after with the Answer That the French King's Affairs being in such a Posture he could not at that time comply with their Demand which for the present
a little farther and they will find the Lord Chief Justice Herbert a Person both well qualified to give Advice in English Affairs and of an unspotted Reputation in his Country interceding in behalf of the Protestant Party's Demand Upon which an Information was trump'd up against the Chief Justice by Mr. Comptroller Skelton and Sir William Sharp of having said that K. Iames's Violent Temper would ruin himself and all that Follow'd him My Lord own'd the Words but made so ingenious an Explanation of his meaning that King Iames was satisfied Shortly after they charged him with another Plot of corresponding with the English whereupon he and a Worthy Lady with whom he Boarded were confined and Broomfield the Quaker committed to the Bastile Thus was my Lord Chief Justice for no other reason but his adhering to a Protestent Interest excluded from all share of Management of Affairs in King Iames's Court tho' his Capacity and Sufferings were sufficient in the Eyes of all reasonable Men to have intituled him to a share in that Prince's Favour and Secrets If my Lord Chief Justice Herbert was so used I would fain know upon what Ground any of our Iacobites should flatter themselves of a better Treatment Sir Andrew Forrester Sir Theophilus Oglethorp and Mr. Fergus Graham these Gentlemen by their Capacities as well as Services were encourag'd to go over and offer their Assistance to King Iames at whose hands they were unkindly used and the Reward of their Service only a Pass to return for England again where 't is expected they will Plot no more If there can still remain any well-meaning Men in their Party led away by the specious Delusions of good Words abused to the worst of things let them instead of hearkening to what Wicked and designing Men under the most deceitful Colours Suggest to them for Sinister Ends guide their Opinions by their own plain and sensible Observations Let them but fairly and indifferently compare the present State of all Nations round about them with their own And then let them if they can refuse to Bless God and King William for their inexpressible Advantages above all others Henceforth therefore let no vain pretence of Liberty and Property push them on to the same desperate Designs by fomenting Jeasousies between the King and his People or throwing in Sparks of Discontent and endeavouring to blow them up into Flames of Mutinies and Rebellions Be advised to consider what you are doing and run not headlong to Destruction by helping forward your Countries Ruine by labouring to Subject it to its most avowed Enemies the securing whose Interest here in England was the Devilish Design so long on Foot Wherefore let me conjure them to look back on their past Actions which gave us the dismal Prospect of Slavery in our Persons Consciences and Estates if the Divine Goodness had not miraculously appear'd for our Deliverance Let us seriously consider if the Direful Stroak which was Levell'd against His Majesty had taken effect what the Consequence would have been assuredly we must have bid adieu to our Religion Law and 〈◊〉 at once for Popery Tyranny and Oppression pour'd in upon us like a Mighty 〈…〉 Wives and Daughters Ravished 〈…〉 our Faces our selves ransack'd and plunder'd if not knock'd on the Head and if spar'd 〈◊〉 to live in the most extream Misery and at last 〈…〉 with the utmost Cruelty Therefore since it has pleased God to bless us with the Surprize of a Deliverance from so great Evils Let us be perswaded to become a Loyal and Quiet People 〈◊〉 to Obedience which is the hearty Wish of a 〈…〉 of his Country and My LORD Your Lordship 's Humble Servant FINIS ERRATA PAg. 7. lin 17. dele 〈◊〉 after that p. 13. l. 12. reâ—d 〈◊〉 p. 14. l. 23 r. principal p. 15. l. 3. r. disappâ—inted p. 20. l. 9. r. Repreâ—eâ—tation p. 23. l. 2. r. have had p. 30. l. 2. r. giving ibid. l. 3. dele in p. 37. l. 1. r. 〈◊〉 p. 38. l. 12. dele Comma after 〈◊〉 ibid. l. 23. r. 〈◊〉 p. 43. l. 11. dele Comma after others Pag. 1. Pag. 2. Pag. 4. Pag. 5. Pag. 6. Pag. 7. Pag. 9. Pag. 10. Pag. 11. Pag. 12. Pag. 13. Pag. 14. Pag. 20. Pag. 21. Pag. 22. Pag. 23. Pag. 24. Pag. 25. Pag. 26. Pag. 27. Pag. 28. Pag. 29. Pag. 30. Pag. 31. Pag. 32. Pag. 33. Pag. 34. Pag. 35. Pag. 37. Pag. 38. Pag. 39. Pag. 41. Pag. 24. Pag. 43. Pag. 45. Pag. 51. Pag. 52. Pag. 53. Pag. 54. Pag. 55. Pag. 56. Pag. 57. Pag. 58. Pag. 59. Pag. 60. Pag. 61. Pag. 62. Pag. 63. Pag. 64. Pag. 65. Pag. 66. Pag. 67. Pag. 68. Pag. 69. Pag. 70. Pag. 71 Pag. 72. Pag. 73. Pag. 74. Pag. 75. Pag. 79. Pag. 81. Pag. 82. Pag. 58. Pag. 86. Pag. 87. Pag. 88. Pag. 89. Pag. 91. Pag. 92. Pag. 94. Pag. 9â— Pag. 96. Pag. 97. Pag. 9â— Pag. 1â—0 Pag. 171 Pag. 173 Vide A View of the Court of St. Germains
THE Rye-house Travestie Or a True Account and Declaration Of the Horrid and Erecrable CONSPIRACY AGAINST His Majesty King WILLIAM and the Government Collected out of Original Papers and unquestionable Records whereby the whole Narration has undeniable Clearness and Strength In a LETTER to the Right Reverend Father in God Dr. Thomas Sprat Lord Bishop of Rochester from his Lordship's most Humble Servant THOMAS PERCIVAL Mutato nomine vestra Narratur Fabula LONDON Printed for A. Bell at the Cross-Keys in the Poultry 1696. A True ACCOVNT of the Horrid and Execrable Conspiracy against His Most Sacred Majesty King WILLIAM III. and the Government In a LETTER To the Reverend Father in God THOMAS Lord Bishop of ROCHESTER My Lord TO remind the Nation of the Rise Progress and mischievous Designs of our Blood-thirsty Iacobites I think sit to lay open and declare to your Lordship and the World an exact Account of the late accursed Conspiracy which was actually form'd and carried on in France against His Sacred Majesty's Life and against the Peaceable and Flourishing Government of His Majesty's Kingdoms as far forth as hitherto the Particulars of it have come to my knowledg by the Voluntary Confessions and undeniable Convictions of divers of the Principal Conspirators And I shall here faithfully present the Plain matter of Fact whereby I doubt not but wholly to put to silence the Malicious Insinuations of Factious Men who have hitherto had the Artifice to support and encourage their Party by Impudent Slanders and Falshoods against the clearest Light and most evident Proof And I heartily wish that this may tend to confirm the Loyalty and good Affections of His Majesty's Subjects at Home and to establish Abroad the Reputation and Honour of his Royal Justice And moreover which I hope your Lordship and I shall ever regard this publick and lasting Testimony will be given of our sincere thankfulness to Almighty God for that Miraculous Deliverence from a Danger which came so near His Majesty's Sacred Person and was so far spread in the Ruin it threatn'd to all his People It is well known what Mischievous Arts of late Years have been used and what Treasonable Courses taken to whithdraw these Nations from their bounden Duty and Allegiance and to expose His Majesty's most Just and Merciful Goverment to Calumny and Contempt This Rebellious Design has been apparently carried on by Male-contents whose Crimes or Wants whose furious Zeal or unbounded Ambition inclin'd them to wish for a Disturbance of the Peace and Prosperity of these Nations To this wicked purpose many the very same fatal Methods and specious Pretences which had heretofore involved these Kingdoms in Confusion and Blood were again reviv'd and by many of the very same Persons Men of Crafty restless and implacable Spirits Impenitent after the most Gracious Pardons whom long Experience had made skillful in seducing weak and unstable Minds by Counterfeiting the Plausible Names of things in themselves most Excellent but most Dangerous when abused By these wretched Instruments was His Majesty's most Gentle and Benign Government reproch'd Sedition was every where promoted to destroy our present Tranquility Desperate Speeches such as Sir Iohn Knight's of Bristol and others Infamous Libels Traiterous Books swarm'd in all Places and the worst of all unchristian Principles were put in practice From these Preparations to a Rebellion the Party began by degrees to proceed to Action Distinctions of Sides were made Names and Tokens of Seperation were given Illegal Conventicles were maintain'd in Defiance of the Laws of God and Man Tumultuous Feasts and Factious Clubs were set up in City and Country Close and Seditious Meetings haunted Frequent Cabals appointed and by Men of High degree with the lowest Great Stores of Arms provided by private Persons Insolent Progresses made through divers Countries thereby to glory in their Numbers and to carry far and near the the Terrour of their Power and even to Muster their Party for some sudden Blow and General Insurrection All these and many more such Personal Indignities and Publick Assaults on the Government his Majesty long endured with the same Mildness and Clemency wherewith he had already forgiven the highest Crimes against himself His Royal Goodness still patiently expecting and wishing that in time the most obstinate of his misguided Subjects would see their Error and return at length to a sense of the Duty they owe him by all the strongest Bonds of Nature and Laws Religion and Gratitude that can possibly oblige Subjects towards a Sovereign But when His Majesty was abundantly convinc'd that all those dark Consultations and open Tumults of unruly Men were but so many Infallible Signs and Fore-runners of Rebellion or some extraordinary Commotions then at last in a tender respect to his People's Safety more than to his own was his Majesty constrain'd to awaken his Authority to try what good Effect the Vigour of his Laws would have on those Offenders with whom his repeated Mercy and Indulgence had so little prevailed And such was His Majesty's good Fortune that the disaffected had been found impotent in their repeated Attempts to set up Sheriffs of London and Middlesex to pack Juries to serve their purpose so that whilst his Majesty carefully endeavoured to distribute Impartial Justice to all his Subjects he very happily obtained the same Right himself and the Number of his Enemies was found very inconsiderable in those very places where their Desperate Enterprizes against the Government were likely to be most sudden and pernicious Amongst divers other famous Examples of this Nature was that of Charnock King and Keys for these Criminals were very considerable for their audacious Forwardness in carrying on the execrable Design against His Majesty's Life for which they were brought to a fair and Legal Tryal and His Majesty procured Justice to be done without removing the Process into another County for here the Jacobite Party being no way powerful that old Damnable Opinion and Practice of the Lawfulness of Equivocating and even of Perjury for the Support of their Good Old Cause had not prevailed over the Old and Honest English Principles of Truth and Honour Thus His Majesty's Justice got the better at this time and is in little danger of being defeated in a greater and more important Instance should even any Peer of the Realm not only be reasonably suspected but in the Issue manifestly discovered to have been an Author or Manager of those Traiterous Contrivances against His Majesty's Crown and Life for even such a Person will find he is not under the Protection of Juries of his own Appoinment or Approbation and therefore may not presume that he stands out of the reach of His Majesty's just Indignation for should he be Legally Indicted of Crimes of the Highest Nature on clear and positive Evidence he will undoubtedly be brought to a Lawful Tryal by his Peers and the Indictment not be Stifled by a shamful Ignoramus for at this
Providence of God in it and at the same time Declare our Detestation and Abhorrence of so Villainous and Barbarons a Design And since the Safety and Welfare of Your Majesty's Dominions do so intirely depend upon Your Life We most Humbly Beseech Your Majesty to take more than Ordinary Care of Your Royal Person And we take this Occasion to Assure Your Majesty of our utmost Assistance to Defend Your Person and Support Your Government against the late King James and all other Your Enemies both at Home and Abroad hereby Declaring to all all the VVorld That in case Your Majesty shall come to any Violent Death which God forbid we will Revenge the same upon all your Enemies and their Adherents And as an Inâ—nce of our Zeal for Your Majesty's Service we will give all possible Dispatch to the Publick Business And we make it our Desire to Your Majesty to Seize and Secure all Persons Horses and Arms that Your Majesty may think fit to Apprehend upon this Occasion To which His Majesty gave a gracious Answer to the effect following viz. My Lords and Gentlemen I Thank you heartily for this kind Address On my Part you may be assured that I will do all that is within my Power for the Conservation of this Kingdom to which I have so many Obligations I will readily adventure my Life for the Preservation of it and recommend my self to the Continuance of your Loyalty and good Affections The House of Commons also the same Day resolved upon the following Association to be signed by their Members Whereas there has been a Horrid and Detestable Conspiracy Formed and Carried on by Papists and other Wicked and Traiterous Persons for Assassinating His Majesty's Royal Person in Order to Incourage an Invasion from France to Subvert our Religion Laws and Liberty We whose Names are hereunto Subscribed do Heartily Sincerely and Solemnly Profess Testify and Declare That His Present Majesty King William is Rightful and Lawful King of these Realms And we do Mutually Promise and Engage to stand by and assist each other to the utmost of our Power in the Support and Defence of His Majesty's most Sacred Person and Government against the late King James and all his Adherents And in case His Majesty come to any Violent or Vntimely Death which God forbid We do hereby further Freely and Vnanimously Oblige our Selves to Vnite Associate and Stand by each other in Revenging the same upon his Enemies and their Adherents and in Supporting and Defending the Succession of the Crown according to an Act made in the First Year of the Reign of King William and Queen Mary Intituled An Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Settling the Succession of the Crown There was also an Association agreed upon by the House of Lords which was carried by a Majority which appears to be of a Comfortable Importance Their Lordships Association differs so little from that of the Commons that I do not transcribe it but shew you how they vary Instead of the Words King William is RIGHTFVL and Lawful King their Lordships insert That His Present Majesty King William hath A RIGHT BY LAW to the Crown of this Realm and that neither the late King James nor the pretended Prince of Wales nor any other Person hath any Right whatsoever to the same c. Ninety six of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal that was then present subscribed their Association and others who were at first absent come in daily it hath been refused only by 15. The House of Commons having as I told you agreed upon the above-written Association ordered it to be engrossed to be Signed by their Members and near 400 of that August Assembly which consists of 513 have already with great Alacrity subscribed it On Tuesday the House ordered that their absent Members as they come to the House do come up to the Table and sign the Association or in their Places declare their Refusal so to do and On Thursday it was ordered that the Association and the Subscriptions thereunto be entred upon the Journal of the House and Resolved that it should be presented to His Majesty by the Speaker and the whole House before the end of that Session It was also the same day ordered that such Members who had not already should by Monday Fortnight Sign the Association or declare their Refusal Now a day or two before the Conspirators final Seperation the King and his Council began to be convinc'd of the truth of Prendergast and Dela Rue's Evidence by a full knowledg of the Witnesses Characters and by the firmness and constancy of their Testimony besides many other concurring Circumstances Wherefore His Majesty ordered Warrants should be Issued out against the Persons accused whereof some absconded others were taken of these last divers confirm'd what Prendergast and De la Rue had sworn and Named others as Partakers in the Treason Whereupon more and more appearing every day to have been engaged Proclamations were Published in England and Scotland for their Speedy Apprehension By this means through the Providence of God so many of them were either Seized or Delivered themselves up as have irrefragably confirmed every part of the foregoing Account What became of the several Conspirators will appear by the Following List. The Duke of Berwick presently fled beyond the Seas from the Coast of Sussex Capt. Porter Mr. Prendergast and Mr. Keyes was taken at Letherhead in Surrey and were brought up to Town the last mention'd received the deserved Reward of his horrid Ingratitude and Treasons the two former largly confessed Capt. Harris surrender'd himself to Mr. Secretary Trumbull and largly confess'd Capt. Bois was taken and freely Confess'd Mr. â—ela Rue came in and Confess'd what was done and said at the Trayterous Meetings at Capt. Poter's Lodging c. Sir Iohn Friend fled froÌ„m his own House to hide himself at Quaker's in Stratton Ground where he was Taken Arraign'd Condemned and Executed Sir VVilliam Parkyns was Taken at Mr. Castlemain's Chamber in the Temple he was likewise Arraign'd Condemn'd and Executed he confest enough to shew his Crime but not his Repentance Mr. Bryerly taken and Confess'd Peter Cook Gent. taken March 17 th and committed to Newgate Arraign'd and Condemn'd but not as yet Executed Christopher Knightly was taken disguised in Womens Clothes Arraign'd and Condemn'd but as yet not Executed Sir Roger L'Estrange was taken up and dismist upon Bail Edward King was taken Arraign'd Condemned and Executed Capt. Stow taken the 6 th of March in a Spunging-House near Smithfield he having caused himself to be Arrested upon a Sham-Action of 300 l. under the Name of Smith Mr. Blair was taken examin'd and confess'd Mr. Robert Ferguson was seiz'd in Gray's Inn-lane hid under a Bed Lowick was seiz'd in Alley in Golden-lane very much disguis'd Arraign'd Condemned and Executed Sir Iohn Fenwick with-drew upon notice there was a Proclamation out against him was taken with one
the Country the second time the King was to be Assassinated and that he had designed to have used him in the business but that he had Compassion on his Family Eubank swore That he in Ianuary last waited on Sir VVilliam into Leicester-shire where several resorted to him particularly one Yarborongh and a York shire Parson that afterwards he ordered him to bring three Horses to London and he brought them up the 14 th of February and Sir VVilliam told him he thought to go out of Town on the Morrow being Saturday but his mind altered 'till Monday following when he went to his House in VVarwick-shire and return'd the Friday after which was the 21 st of Ianuary and brought up four Horses more The next Day being Saturday this Deponent was sent on a Message to Kensington the Answer he brought back was writ in his Almanack which he shewed to Sir William who thereupon bid him go to his Inn and get his Horses ready to go out of Town in the Afternoon which he did on the Monday following he received a Letter from Sir William to go to his Fellow-Servant Evans that after reading the Letter they went with a Cart and Horses to one Haywood's House to fetch some Chests there were three large Ones out of which were taken seven or eight smaller which they carried to Sir William's House and buried them in the Garden Then Thomas Watts was sworn who deposed That after the breaking out of the Plot he did search Sir William Parkyns's House where in the Garden he found buried several Boxes or Chests there was in them four Dozen of Swords Thirty two Carbines Twenty five Brace of Pistols There are more Substantial Concurring Evidence which I think two tedious to mention but shall refer any inquisitive Person to the Tryals Sir VVilliam Parkyns says for himself that he does admit and agree what Porter says is very positive and full but that is but the Evidence of one Witness And that by the Law no Person ought to be convicted of High-Treason upon the Testimony of one Witness But then it was answer'd as to the Matter of Law he is to the right no Man ought to be convicted of Treason upon the Testimony of one single VVitness But it was prov'd he with others did send Charnock into France To which if you add the Testimony of Sweet who swore Sir VVilliam told him King James would come that he had a Troop had bought Saddles his having such a quantity of Arms of his going into Liecester-shire If all which be understood in pursuance of the Design against His present Majesty then there are at least Two Witnesses to several Overt-Acts of the same Treason But then it was objected by Sir VVilliam That Sweet does not prove any Overt-Act that what he said being only words and words are not Treason But then it was answer'd they are words that relate to Acts and Things That he had a great quantity of Arms beyond what he as a private Man could have occasion for or use Sir VVilliam pretended he found them at his House when he first went thither all rusty but account was given these were bright and fit for use By this plain evidence of the several Stages of his Journey his Treasonable Intercourse with the Men of the North his agreeing with others to send Charnock to France his providing such a considerable quantity of Arms his engaging to lend 5 Horses and 3 Men to act in the Assassination c. was made out beyond all possibility of Confutation After a full hearing on both sides the Jury with-drew and after a very short time return'd and brought him guilty of High-Treason According to which Sentence he was Executed the 3 d of April following At the time of his Death delivered a written Paper to the Sheriffs wherein he acknowledg'd his being concern'd in the Design against the King's Life On the 21 st of April 1696 was Ambrose Rookwood brought to Tryal Against him Capt. Porter first deposed that at several Meetings for the carring on this Design against His Majesty Mr. Rookwood was present more particularly at the Globe-Tavern in Hatton-Garden where Sir George Barclay Mr. Charnock Sir VVilliam Parkyns this Deponent and others discours'd which was the best way and method That and first Mr. Rookwood said 't was a very desperate thing and seem'd not very willing to engage in it whereupon Sir George Barclay told him he should command his Party he reply'd in French There 's an end of it and consented And farther that on Saturday Morning the 15 th of February there met at his this Deponent's Lodging in Little Rider-street Sir George Barclay Rookwood and several others where word was brought by Durance the King did go abroad and it was resolv'd by all the same Day to put their Design in Execution The next Witness produced was Captain Harris who swore That on Saturday Morning the 15 th of February the first Day when this Assassination was design'd to be committed he went to the Lodging of one Burk where Mr. Rookwood was with others and he found them all in great Disorder and thereupon ask'd them what was the matter and what they were going to do And Rookwood bid him go to one Counter and he should know of him what was the matter Accordingly he went and Counter told him and those who were with him That they must get ready to go to Turnham-Green and at the same Time and Place he this Deponent met Sir G. Barclay and after some Discourse of attacking the Coach Sir G. Barclay at the first said They were his Ianizaries and afterwards going out he came in again and said They were Men of Honour and that they were to go abroad to attack the Prince of Orange He further depos'd That upon Saturday the 22 d of February the second time it was to have been put in Execution Mr. Rookwood gave this Deponent a List of Men that he was to Command that Mr. Rookwood's Name was at the Top and this Deponent's counterfeit Name which was Ienkins and Hare's counterfeit Name which was Guinea and that he told this Deponent He was to be of his Party and that he should be his Aid-du-Camp and they were to make ready to go to Turnham Green to attack the Prince of Orange Then the Council for the Prisoner endeavour'd to take off the Credit of Mr. Porter and opened very great Crimes that he should be guilty of which must render him a Person not to be believed but did not prove any thing No Witness that they call'd against Mr. Porter said any thing against him to invalidate his Testimony or to introduce any one to disbelieve what he has said Then they said in Point of Law there is no Overt-Act proved of any Design against the King's Life that affects Mr. Rookwood there were other Objections started which were over-rul'd by the Court The Jury went forth to consider of their Verdict and after a quarter of