to avoid the Soldiers taking any notice had invited them into his House with Drink and Tobacco Thus sometimes Girald and Prance and sometimes Kelly and Green carried him up towards So-ho Fields hard by the Grecians Church and there Hill attended with an Horse and they set the body up before him and clapt the Sedan into an House that was Building there but unfinish'd till they came back and then Girald the Priest said I wish we had an hundred such Rogues as secure as we have this Then Prance because he was a House-keeper returned home and the other four went away with him one leading the Horse Hill riding and holding the Body and the other two walking by They carried him into an obscure place about two miles out of Town towards Hampstead near a place call'd Prim-rose Hill and there in a Ditch they left his Body Girald having run Sir Edmonds own Sword through him and left it in but the Scabbard and his Gloves they laid on the Bank at a small distance In the mean time Sir Edmund-burys Servants first and then his Friends and at last the whole Town were not a little concern'd for his abscence and there was once a Proclamation ordered to discover him but Countermanded by reason of false Information given by some Papists that he was living and well and there were several persons that went up and down to Coffee Houses to spread false Reports that he was gone into the Country to be Married to such a Lady whom they took upon them to name that they saw him at such or such a place c. That Saturday the 12th of October the very Evening that Sir Edmund-bury Godfrey was so Murthered did Father Harcourt the Jesuit lately Executed send away a Letter to Father Ewers a Priest at the Lord Astons in Stafford-shire wherein were these words This night is Sir Edmund-bury Godfrey dispatcht This Letter was received there on the Munday and shown to Mr. Dugdale as he hath since made See the Tryal of Whitebread c. p. 26. Oath at several Tryals which is further confirmed by Mr. Chetwin a worthy Gentleman who being then in that Countrey heard a report of it there by means of that Letter on the Tuesday which was before ever there was any discovery of it at London For here was no tidings to be heard what was become of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey till on the Thursday following being the 17th of Octob. and then two men passing over the Fiâ—â—ls by chance spied the Gloves and Scabbard and as they came back going to the place discovered the Body in the Ditch The 20th of Octob. the King Issued his Proclamation Commanding all his Officers and Subjects to use their utmost diligence to find out and discover the Murtherers of the said Sir Edmund-bury Graciously promising 500 l. Reward to any that should make such discovery and if any one of the Murtherers should discover the rest he should not only be pardon'd but likewise have the said Reward But this Royal offer could not prevail with any of them to come in for the present but they seem'd more hardned in their wickedness by its success for about a Fortnight afterwards there was by them a Narrative of See Pran Narrative p. 18. this Heroick fact drawn up in Writing which Vernatti read in a Triumphing manner at a meeting they had at the Queens-Head at Bow and said that the same was drawn up to be shew'd to the Lord Bellasis and some other great persons that were the original Designers and Promoters of the business for their satisfaction and possibly it may since be sent to Rome and there finds as great approbation and causes as great Joy as the News of the Murther of King Henry the Third of France did upon which Pope Sixtus the Fifth made a Panegyrical Oration calling it the Work of God and preferring the Vertue Courage and Zeal of the Fryar that did it before that of Eleazer in the Macchabees or of Judith killing of Holofernes The 21th of Octob. the Parliament met to whom his Majesty in his Speech took notice of the Plot in these words I now intend to acquaint you as I shall always do with any thing that concerns me that I have been informed of a design against my Person by the Jesuits of which I shall forbear any Opinion lest I may seem to say too much or too little but I will leave the matter to the Law and in the mean time will take as much care as I can to prevent all manner of practices by that sort of men and others too who have been tampering in a high degree with Foreigners and contriving how to Introduce Popery amongst us October the 24th 1678. Mr. Oates was Examined in the House of Commons six or seven hours and about Nine a Clock at Night the House sent for the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs and he took Mr. Oates's Examination upon Oath and in the House ‑ Sealed 26 Warrants against several Lords and others that Mr. Oates had Sworn against whereupon the five Lords viz. The Lord Powis the Lord Stafford the Lord Arundel of Wardour the Lord Petre and the Lord Bellasis and Sir Henry Tichburn Baronet were taken into Custody and shortly after Committed to the Tower and about the 30th of Novemb. the Lords were Impeached of High Treason The same day James Corker was Committed to Newgate by Sir Charles Harbord and Sir Thomas Stringer for a suspected Priest who afterwards appeared to be one charged with the Plot And the 26th Matthew Medburn formerly a Player was likewise sent thither by the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs for High Treason who died in Custody the 19th of March following The 30th of October the Parliament having by an Address desired that Papists might be Banish'd the Town his Majesty set forth a Proclamation declaring that there was a Bloody Traiterous design of Popish Recusants against his Majesties Sacred Person and Government and the Protestant Religion commanding them all except settled House-keepers that would take the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy which the Justices should be Impowered by Special Commission to Administer to depart the Cities of London and Westminster and all places within 10 Miles distance of the same In pursuance of this Proclamation many Papists pretending they could not in Conscience take the said Oaths did go out of Town with great Lamentation leaving their Trades and Dwellings But within a Week or two their Ghostly Fathers had fitted them with Dispensations as appears by the sequel and then they generally return'd again and freely without any Keckings of Conscience offered to swallow the said Oaths or indeed any other Test that could be tendred them Octob. the 31th Upon the further perusal of Mr. Colemans Papers and the Examination of Mr. Oates taken upon Oath it was Resolved by the House of Commons Nemine Contradicente That there has been and is a Damnable and Hellish Plot contrived and carried on by the Popish
Coach and Horses in the same Street both Irish men were Engaged in the same Design that Father Gifford promised this Examinate One Hundred Pounds for to carry on the Work and told him He was to have the money from the Church That the said Gifford Clinton Flower and He did use to meet in St. Jame's Feilds in the dark of the Evening and there to discourse of these matters and that the several Informations that he had given to the said Elizabeth Oxley he had from the said Father Gifford He further said That the said Flower and Clinton told him the said Stubbs That they would carry on the said Fire and that they had Fireballs for that purpose and that they would fire other Houses in Holborn at the same time He confessed he was at the Fire in the Temple but was not Engaged to do any thing in it That Gifford told him that there were English French and Irish Roman Catholicks enow in London to make a very good Army and that the French King was coming with 60 Thousand men under a pretence of a Progress to shew the Dauphin his Dominions but it was to plant them along the Coasts at Diep Bulloign Calais and Dunkirk to be presently ready to be Landed in England when there was an opportunity which he doubted not but might be by the middle of June for by that time all the Roman Catholicks here would be ready who were all to rise and with the Assistance of the French Forces to cut off and utterly destroy the Hereticks that then the Papists were to be distinguish't by marks in their Hats and that the said Father Gifford doubted not but he should be an Abbot or a Bishop when the work was over for the good Service he had done who frequently told this Examinate and the said Flower and Clinton That it was no more Sin to Kill an Heretick than to knock a Dog o' th head and that they did God good Service in doing what mischeif they could by Firing their Houses That it was well Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was Murther'd for he was their devilish Enemy That Coleman was a Saint in Heaven for what he had done c. That the Examinate was fearful he should be Murther'd for this Confession the said Father Gifford having sworn him to Secrecy and told him he should be damn'd if he made any discovery and should be sure to be Kill'd but gave him leave to take the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance because he was an House-keeper and it was necessary that he should stay in Town to help to promote the work of Burning therefore the taking of such Oaths to him should be no sin April the 15th That worthy Patriot Sir Thomas Player giving the House of Commons information concerning this matter of Oxley and Stubbs the Examinations were transmitted to the Lords and the Lords sent them to the secret Committee to make a further inspection and progress therein but they had their hands so full of Business that it was thought fit to appoint a Special Committee for this very purpose before whom the Parties were again Examined and gave them such satisfaction that the House became Suitors to his Majesty that they might both have his gracious Pardon which was granted and a Proclamation but not till the 4th of May set forth Reciting That whereas due Information hath been given that Morrice Gifford a Popish Priest Roger Clinton Derby Molraine alias Flower and several other Persons of the Romish Religion have out of their detestable and barbarous Malice conspired and agreed together to set on Fire the City of London the Suburbs thereof and the places thereunto Adjacent and have in prosecution of such their devilish and wicked Design procured divers Mansion Houses within the said City Suburbs and parts adjacent at sundry times and in divers places to be set on Fire and Burnt The King 's most Excellent Majesty at the humble desire of the Commons in Parliament Assembled doth Command the said Gifford Clinton and Flower who are fled from Justice to render themselves by the 10th of May instant and is pleased to promise 50 l. Reward to any that should apprehend any of them or if any of themselves should come in and discover his Accomplices so as any of them may be taken and Convicted he shall not only have his Pardon but the 50 l. also for each Incendiary As this ingenious Confession of Oxley and Stubbs was a grand Confirmation and undeniable proof of the restless Malice of these bloody Priests so 't is a notable Corroboration of the Truth and sincerity of Mr. Bedloes Evidence for how was it possible if what he says were not certain Truth but only contrived Stories as Papists calumniat How is it probable I say That Stubbs should happen so exactly to accuse the very same man which Mr. Bedloe had done for the Instigator to these barbarous Attempts of Firing for at that time Mr. Bedloe though he had given in such his Informations to the Committee of Secrecy yet had not published the same abroad so that Stubbs could not then have any notice thereof On the 20th of April happen'd an extraordinary Change at Court no less unexpected than grateful to the people who by such alteration of Ministers did hope to find considerable improvements in the management of the publick Affairs for his Majesty having caused his Privy Council to be extraordinarily summon'd was pleas'd by the Lord Chancellor to dissolve them and to declare his Pleasure That for the future their constant Number should be limited to that of Thirty whereof Fifteen to be of his chief Officers who shall be Privy Councellors by their Places Ten others of the Nobility and Five Commons of the Realm whose known Abilities Interest and Esteem in the Nation shall render them without all suspicion of either mistaking or betraying the true Interest of the Kingdom These Fifteen Officers to which the Quality of a Privy Councellor was hereby annext are The Arch-Bishop of Canterbury The Bishop of London The Lord Chancellor One of the Lord Cheif Justices The Admiral The Master of the Ordnance The Treasurer and Chancellor or First Comissioner of the Exchequer The Lord Privy-Seal The Master of the Horse The Lord Steward The Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold The Groom of the Stole Two Secretaries of State And that there shall be a President of the Council when necessary and room for the Secretary of Scotland when any such shall be here The Names of the New Privy Council then Establisht were as follows His Highness Prince Rupert William Lord Arch Bishop of Canterbury Heneage Lord Finch Lord Chancellor of England Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury Lord President of the Council Arthur Earl of Anglesey Lord Privy-Seal Christopher Duke of Albemarle James Duke of Monmouth Master of the Horse Henry Duke of New-Castle John Duke of Lauderdaile Secretary of State for Scotland James Duke of Ormond Lord Steward of the Houshold Charles Lord Marquess
of Winchester Henry Lord Marquess of Worcester Henry Earl of Arlington Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold James Earl of Salisbury John Earl of Bridgewater Robert Earl of Sunderland one of his Majesties principal Secretaries of State lately made in the room of Sir Joseph Williamson Arthur Earl of Essex first Lord Commissioner of the Treasury John Earl of Bath Groom of the Stole Thomas Lord Viscount Faulconberg George Lord Viscount Hallifax Henry Lord Bishop of London John Lord Roberts Denzil Lord Holles William Lord Russel William Lord Cavendish Henry Coventry Esq one of his Majesties principle Secretaries of State Sir Francis North Kt. Lord Cheif Justice of the Common-Pleas Sir Henry Capel Kt. of the Bath first Commissioner of the Admiralty Sir John Earnley Kt. Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Thomas Chicheley Kt. Master of the Ordnance Sir William Temple Baronet Edward Seymour Esq Henry Powle Esq The 30th of April His Majesty made a Speech to both Houses of Parliament wherein he recommended three things to them The prosecution of the Plot The disbanding of the Army and the providing a Fleet which was followed by a larger signification of his Majesties mind by the Lord Chancellor That His Majesty had considered with himself That 't is not enough that his Peoples Religion and Liberty be secure during his own Reign but thinks he ows it to his People to do all that in him lies that these Blessings may be transmitted to Posterity And to the end that it may never be in the power of any Papist if the Crown descend upon him to make any change in Church or State his Majesty would consent to limit such Successor in these points 1. That no such Popish Successor shall present to Ecclesiastical Benefices 2. That during the Reign of such Popish Successor no Privy Councellors or Judges Lord Leiutenant or Deputy Leiutenant or Officer of the Navy shall be put in or removed but by Authority of Parliament 3. That as it is already provided That no Papist can sit in either House of Parliament so there shall never want a Parliament when the King shall happen to die but that the Parliament then in Being may continue Indissoluble for a competent time or the last Parliament Re-assemble c. But it seems all these Provisions were not thought a sufficient Fence for such dear and precious things as Religion and Liberty and that in the progress of their Debates upon this most important Subject they could not resolve upon any certain Expedient of safety less than the Exclusion of his Royal Higness For on Sunday April the 27th 1679. It was Resolved by the House of Commons Nemine Contradicente That the Duke of York being a Papist and the hopes of his coming such to the Crown hath given the greatest Encouragement and Countenance to the present Conspiracies and Designs of the Papists against the King and Protestant Religion And on Sunday May the 11th the better Day the better Deed we use to say but whether it will hold here will be the Question they Ordered That a Bill should be brought in to disable the Duke of York to Inherit the Imperial Crown of this Realm which was brought in accordingly and twice read in the House the preamble thereof being to this effect That forasmuch as these Kingdoms of England and Ireland by the wonderful Providence of God many Years since have been delivered from the Slavery and Superstition of Popery which had despoiled the King of his Sovereign Power for that it did and doth advance the Pope of Rome to a Power over Sovereign Princes and makes him Monarch of the Universe and doth with-draw the Subjects from their Allegiance by pretended Absolutions from all former Daths and Obligations to their lawful Sovereign and by many Superstitions and Immoralities hath quite subverted the Ends of the Christian Religion But notwithstanding That Popery hath been long since Condemned by the Laws and Statutes of this Realm for the detestable Doctrine and Traiterous Attempts of its Adherents against the Lives of their lawful Sovereigns Kings and Queens of these Realms Yet the Emissaries Priests and Agents for the Pope of Rome resorting into this Kingdom of England in great numbers contrary to the known Laws thereof have for several Years last past as well by their own Devilish Acts and Policies as by Counsel and Assistance of Foreign Princes and Prelates known Enemies to these Nations contrived and carried on a most Horrid and Execrable Conspiracy To destroy and Murther the Person of his Sacred Majesty and to Subvert the ancient Government of these Realms and to Extirpate the Protestant Religion and Massacre the true Professors thereof And for the better effecting their wicked Designs and encouraging their Uilainous Accomplices they have Traterously Seduced James Duke of York Presumptive Heir of these Crowns to the Communion of the Church of Rome and have induced him to Enter into several Negotiations with the Pope his Cardinals and Nuntio's for promoting the Romish Church and Interest and by his means and procurement have advanced the Power and Greatness of the French King to the manifest hazard of these Kingdoms That by the descent of these Crowns upon a Papist and by Foreign Alliances and Assistance they may be able to succeed in their Wicked and Uillainons Designs And forasmuch as the Parliaments of England according to the Laws and Statutes thereof have heretofore for great and weighty Reasons of State and for the publick Good and common Interest at this Kingdom directed and limited the Succession of the Crown in other manner than of Course it would otherwise have gone but never had such important and urgent Reasons as at this Time press and require their using of their said Extraordinary Power in that behalf Be it therefore Enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons in this Parliament Assembled and by the Authority of the same And it is hereby Enacted accordingly That James Duke of York Albany and Ulster having departed openly from the Church of England and having publickly professed and owned the Popish Religion which hath notoriously given Birth and Life to the most Damnable and Hellish Plot by the most gracious Providence of God lately brought to light shall be Excluded and is hereby Excluded and Disabled c. On the 19th of May the House of Commons attended his Majesty with this following Address Most Dread Sovereign WEE your Majesties most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects the Commons in Parliament Assembled do with all humble gratitude acknowledge the most gratious assurances your Majesty hath been pleased to give us of your constant Care to do every thing that may preserve the Protestant Religion of your firm resolution to defend the same to the utmost and your Royal endeavours that the security of that blessing may be transmitted to posterity And we do humbly represent to your Majesty That being deeply sensible that the
greatest hopes of Success against our Religion in the Enemies thereof the Papists are founded in the execrable Designs which they have laid against the Sacred Person and Life of your Majesty which it is not onely our Duty but our Interest with the greatest hazards to preserve and defend We have applyed our selves to the making such provision by Law as may defeat these Popish Adversaries their Abettors and Adherents of their hopes of gaining an advantage by any violent attempts against your Majesty and may utterly frustrate their expectation of Subverting the Protestant Religion thereby in time to come And further to obviate by the best means we can all wicked practices against your Majesty whilest any such Lawes are in preparation and bringing to perfection It is our resolution and we do Declare That in defence of your Majesties Person and the Protestant Religion we will stand by your Majesty with our Lives and Fortunes and shall be ready to Revenge upon the Papists any violence offered by them to your Sacred Majesty in which we have your Majesty will gratiously please to be the more assured as We our Selves are the more encouraged in that the Hearts of all your Majesties Protestant Subjects with the most sincere affection and zeal joyn with us herein But this Zeal of the House of Commons running to so high a pitch touching the Succession together with some unhappy misunderstandings arising between them and the House of Lords concerning the Tryal of the Popish Lords and Earl of Danby as shall be related in the next Chapter His Majesty to allay the same was pleased first to Prorogue and then to put a period to them by a Dissolution of that Parliament by a Proclamation dated at Windsor the 12th of July 1679. But therein graciously declaring that a New one should be called to begin and be holden on Tuesday the 7th which was afwards altered to Friday the 17th of October CHAP. XVII The Proceedings against the Popish Lords in the Tower WE have before related the Commitment of these Lords to the Tower for High Treason after which followed this Vote in the House of Commons in the old Parliament Decemb. 5th 1678. Resolved That the House do proceed by way of Impeachment of High Treason and other High Crimes and Misdemeanours against the Lord Arundel of Warder Lord Powis Lord Petre Lord Bellasis and Viscount Stafford and a Committee appointed to draw up Articles of Impeachment against them Which Vote was Communicated to the House of Lords and the several Lords Charged by several Members in these words The Commons in Parliament having received Information of divers Traiterous Practices and Designs of a great Peer of this House Henry Lord Arundel of Warder have Commanded me to Impeach the said Henry Lord Arundel of Warder of High Treason and other high Crimes and Misdemeanours They have further Commanded me to acquaint your Lordships that they will within a convenient time exhibit to your Lordships particular Articles of the Charge against him Thus standing Impeached they continued in the Tower all the Interval of Parliament and as soon as the next Parliament was settled to Business they forgot not their Lordships For March 20th 1678. it was Ordered That a Committee of Secrecy be appointed to take further Evidence and prepare Articles against the Lords in the Tower who stand Impeached of High Treason and take such further Informations as they shall receive touching the Plot in general and the Death of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey and that this Committee have power to send for Persons Papers and Records and that they sit de die in diem and the Quorum to be Three The Articles at last Exhibited were as follows Articles of Impeachment of High Treason and other high Crimes and Offences against William Earl of Powis William Viscount Stafford Henry Lord Arundel of Warder William Lord Petre and John Lord Bellasis now Prisoners in the Tower THat for many Years now last past there hath been contrived and carried on a Traiterous and Execrable Conspiracy and Plot within this Kingdom of England and other places to alter change or subvert the Antient Government and Laws of this Kingdom and Nation and to suppress the true Religion therein established and to Extirpate and destroy the Professors thereof which said Plot and Conspiracy was contrived and carried on in divers places and by several ways and means and by a great number of Persons of several Qualities and Degrees who acted therein and intended to execute and accomplish the aforesaid Wicked and Traiterous Designs and Purposes That the said William Earl of Powis William Viscount Stafford Henry Lord Arundel of Warder William Lord Petre and John Lord Bellasis together with Philip Howard commonly called Cardinal of Norfolk Thomas White aliàs Whitebread commonly called Provincial of the Jesuits in England Richard Strange late Provincial of the Jesuits in England Vincent commonly called Provincial of the Dominicans in England James Corker commonly called President of the Benedictines Sir John Warner aliàs Clare Baronet William Harcourt John Keines Nicholas Blundel Pole Edward Mico Thomas Beddingfield Bazil Langworth Charles Peters Richard Peters John Conyers Sir George Wakeman John Fenwick Dominick Kelly Fitz Gerald Evers Sir Thomas Preston William Lovel Jesuits Lord Beltamore John Carrel John Townely Richard Langhorn William Foggarty Thomas Penny Matthew Medbourn Edward Coleman William Ireland John Grove Thomas Pickering John Smith and divers others Jesuits Priests and Fryars and other persons as false Traitors to his Majesty and this Kingdom within the time aforesaid have Traiterously consulted contrived and acted to and for the accomplishing of the said wicked pernicious and Traiterous Designs and for that end did most wickedly and Traiterously agree conspire and resolve to Imprison Depose and Murther his Sacred Majesty and to deprive him of his Royal State Crown and Dignity and by malicious and advised speaking writing and otherwise declared such their Purposes and Intentions and also to subject this Kingdom and Nation to the Pope and his Tyrannical Government And to seize and share amongst themselves the Estates and Inheritances of his Majesties Protestant Subjects and to Erect and Restore Abbies Monasteries and other Convents and Societies which have been long since by the Laws of this Kingdom supprest for their Superstition and Idolatry and to deliver up and restore to them the Lands and Possessions now Invested in his Majesty and his Subjects by the Laws and Statutes of this Realm And also to Found and Erect new Monasteries and Convents and to remove and deprive all Protestant Bishops and other Ecclesiastical Persons from their Offices Benefices Preferments and by this means to destroy his Majesties Person extirpate the Protestant Religion overthrow the Rights Liberties and Properties of his Majesties good Subjects Subvert the Lawful Government of this Kingdom and subject the same to the Tyranny of the See of Rome That the said Conspirators and their Complices and Confederates Traiterously had and held several Meetings
precipitate to Ruine as aforesaid consult and use all Arts to exclude him from the Succession To this purpose Father Parsons Cardinall Allen and others contrive a mischievous Book under the counterfeit Name of Doleman wherein divers Titles are started and 't is laid down as a Fundamental Maxime That none but a Roman Catholick how near soever in Blood ought to be admitted King and therefore therein by forged devices the Title of the Infanta Isabella of Spain is preferred before the indubitable Right of the said King James and all the English in the Spanish Seminaries were compell'd to Swear to maintain the same And Tho. Winter and Tesmond a Jesuit were sent over Anno 1601. into Spain to manage this Design in that Court by the Assistance of Father Croswel Legier-Jesuit there 2. In Farther pursuance of this Pope Clement the Eighth sent privately over to Father Garnet the then Proâ—incial of the Jesuits two Bulls one to the â—aiety directed to the Nobles and Gentlemen of England that were Catholicks the other to his Beloved Sons the Arch-Priest and the rest of the English Catholick Clergyâ— the effect of both was That whoever after the death of Queen Elizabeth whether by course of nature or otherwise should claim the Crown of England though never so directly and nearly interessed therein by Descent and Blood-Royal yet unless he were such an one as would not onely Tolerate the Catholick meaning Romish Religion but would likewise take an Oath to promote it with all 〈◊〉 might and endeavours they should not admit or receive him for their King but oppose his Entry and Claim with all their power Which in plain English was meerly designed and directly tended to obstruct King James though not particularly named and Exclude him and his Family from the Crown And was not this a sufficient tast of the Popes good-will a notable earnest of the Papists Loyalty to him 'T is true when the Conspirators saw him so unanimously Proclaimed the State setled and a Peace with Spain so far advanced that that generous Monarch began to refuse them the expected Assistances then and not till then Garnet as himself alleadged burnt the said Bulls and quitted the Project but why onely because they despaired of effecting it 3. The more to prepossess the minds of the English against the said King James that they might keep him out or at least that themselves might have some colour for their future intended Conspiracies if he should come in Watson a Priest having some time heretofore got access once or twice to His Majesty at Edenburgh did with the Arch-Traitor Piercy and others of the Popish Crew most falsely devise and divulge a scandalous Report as if His Majesty had promised that whenever he should come to the Crown of England He would Establish or at least Tolerate the Popish Religion Than which nothing was ever more remote from or contrary to his Royal Thoughts And Watson himself but two days before his death confessed it to be a Lie of their own forging spread abroad meerly that they might kill two Birds with one stone viz. bring an odium upon him from the Protestants for making such a promise and the like from the Papists on pretence of breaking it In which latter respect it took effect though not in the former for Sir Everard Digby at his death and other Gun-powder Traitors made use thereof alleadging that they were exasperated to that horrid Attempt because the King had not kept his promise with Catholicks SECT 2. These were the good Officer of the Pope these the dutiful respects of the Priests and Papists paid to King James before he was actually Estated in the English Throne Whence we may judge how little welcome they were like to afford him at his Entry and of this the worthy Authour of a Treatise published in the beginning of King James's Reign before the Gun-powder-Treason Intituled A Consideration of the Papists Supplication gives us a notable instance from his own Experience and Observation in these words p. 3. My self can testifie that here in Oxford at what time His Majesty was proclaimed King of England c. a man might easily have traced and culled out every Papist within this City by his extraordinary howling and sobbing for grief that their hopes were frustrated and their expectation all in vain some of the simpler sort crying out in express terms Alas alas How shall the poor Catholicks do now we are all undone we are undone whereas all the rest of His Majesties Liege and Loyal Subjects by manifold Tokens declared their extraordinary rejoycing Their demeanor afterwards was suitable to these beginnings for soon after his arrival at London the said Watson and Clark two Secular Italianated Priests wheadled in several of the Nobility and Gentry as the Lords Cobbam and Gray Sir Walter Rawleigh Sir Griffin Markham George Brooke and others into a dangerous Conspiracy to have surprized the Kings Person and his Son Prince Henry and to keep them Prisoners in the Tower or Dover Castle till by Duress they had obtained their ends viz. A Toleration of Religion and some other Projects and then having obtained their Pardons they were to share amongst them the grand Offices of the Realm just as their Successors Whitebread Coleman c. had lately designed viz. Watson was to be Lord Chancelour the Lord Gray Earl Marshal of England George Brooke Lord Treasurer Sir Griffin Markham Secretary of State c. But though several were found guilty onely Watson Clark and Brooke were then Executed and Sir Walter Rawleigh on the same Conviction many years after 'T is observable that Watson though a Secular Priest had yet learned the art of Equivocation as well as the Jesuits For he insisted that this Conspiracy was no Treason against the King and being at last put to explain himself gave this doughty reason That a King was no King before he was Anointed and the Crown solemnly set on his head and King James being not yet crowned therefore they might lawfully conspire against him without commitring any Treason Amongst other things which Watson Confessed one was that he had endeavoured to draw in several of the Society of Jesuits into this Plot but they declined it saying They had another of their own then on foot and that they would not mingle Designs with him for fear of hindring one the other Vide Watsons Confession What such their Design was though he could not yet time in few years after did discover for in the next place appears that horrid never-to-be-forgotten Popish Powder-plot a Treason that as it exceeded all that had ever been before in the World so it was believed it would have surpassed in its mischievous Design Extent and Cruelty all that teeming Hell and Rome could have bred at any time afterwards had not this last Internal Conspiracy of the same Bloâ—â—y Tribe against our present Gratious King Charles the Second and the Establisht Religion and Government of England vut-gone it in
the King and inform'd him of the Business Whereupon conjecturing as well he might that they meant himself he privately got away with speed and absented himself from his Lodging in Drury-Lanâ— that night and returning thither next night for some necessaries was like to have been Assassinated by one Stratford On the 9th at Night he met Mr. Kirkby and Dr. Tonge at the Flying-Horse in Kings-Street Westminser whither for the present he had retired and then for his security went over with Mr. Kirkby to Fox-Hall where he and Dr. Tonge continued During this time Dr. Oates wrote fair Copies of his Informations and Dr. Tonge in vain sought to give in farther Informations to the Treasurer but were both and Mr. Kirkby also much perplexed with apprehensions of the danger they were in and discouragements they had met with Till on the 27th at Night one of the Treasurers Servants meeting Mr. Kirkby acquainted him he was come for Dr. Tonge to go to the Council who with Mr. Kirkby immediately went but the Council was risen before they came and order given them to attend next day Whereupon they resolved next Morning to get two more Copies Sworn unto that each man might have an Authentick Copy which accordingly they did being 28th of Sept. before Sir Edmund-bury Godfrey who would needs keep one of them having never before perused the said Informations Then first Dr. Tonge and Mr. Kirkby and afterwards Dr. Oates being sent for attended the Council who upon Examination of Dr. Oates were pleased to order both him and Dr. Tonge Lodgings in White-Hall for their Security and proceeded to examine and enquire further into the matter Post varios Casus post tot Discrimina Rerum Tendimus adversus Latium CHAP. VII The nature and scope of the Plot in general laid open SECT 1. THE design in general was by Fire and Sword when all other means fail'd to subvert the Establisht Government and Religion of these Kingdoms and to reduce the same to Popery so as no Toleration should be given to any Protestant but all to be Extirpated Root and Branch The chief Conspirators that design'd and were to carry on this were 1. The present Pope Innocent the Eleventh who in the Congregation de propaganda fide consisting of about 350 persons held about December 1677. Declared all his Majesties Dominions to be part of St. Peters Patrimony as forfeited to the Holy See for the Meresie of the Prince and People and so to be disposed of as he should think fit 2. Our English Cardinal Howard whom in pursuance of such Declaration his Holiness appointed as his Legate to take Possession of England in his Name he likewise made him Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with an augmentation of Forty-thousand Crowns a year for the maintenance of his Legantine Authority He had also Constituted Bishops and Dignitaries for all or most of the Sees and Ecclesiastical promotions in England As Perrot Superior of the Secular Priests to be Arch-Bishop of York Corker Bishop of London Whitebread of Winchester Strange of Durham Dr. Godden of Salisbury Napper a Franciscan Fryar of Norwich c. Removing all the Bishops in possession from their present Dignities 3. Johannes Paulus de Oliva Father-General of the Jesuits Society residing at Rome who was to give directions to the Provincial of the Jesuits in London how to proceed in this affair 4. Pedro Jeronymo de Corduba Provincial of the Jesuits in New Castile who was to assist with Counsel and Money and to mis-represent the Actions and Intentions of his Majesty of Great Britain in the Spanish Court to create Jealousies and Feuds between the two Crowns which likewise was to be done by a Jesuit that is Confessor to the Emperour in Relation to England and that Court 5. Le Chese a Jesuit Confessor to the French King with whom Coleman holding Correspondence discover'd to him all the Secrets of State he could and by his means endeavour'd to obtain a Pension from the French King for his good Services in betraying his Native Countrey 6. The Provincial of the Jesuits for the time being in England which of late was first Strange and then Whitebread 7. The Benedictine Monks at the Savoy ' where they had erected them a Colledge to such a degree of Confidence were they arriv'd 8. Jesuits and Seminary-Priests of whom there were about that time in England the number of Eighteen-hundred and were generally privy to the main design though perhaps not all acquainted with particulars 9. Several Lay-persons of Quality drawn in out of Zeal Ambition Covetousness Revenge c. to joyn with them to Command the Forces they were to raise and execute the great Offices of the Realm As the Lord Arundel of Warder to be Lord Chancellor of England The Lord Powis Lord Treasurer Sir William Godolphin Lord-Privy-Seal Edward Coleman Secretary of State Lord Bellasis General Lord Peters Lieutenant General Sir Francis Ratcliff Major General John Lambert Adjutant-General Langhorn Advocate-General c. who had Commissions sent them Sealed by Paulus d' Oliva from Rome The work was so great and in their apprehension so glorious that the most Eminent of the Popish Clergy in Europe were engaged in it so that it cannot be said to be an Act or Contrivance of any few particular persons but an Vnanimous undertaking of their whole Church and so it must be Recorded to Posterity to their everlasting shame SECT 2. The means whereby they resolv'd to accomplish it were 1. By Killing the King finding they could not work him to their purpose and therefore to remove him they laid several distinct Plots and all to be kept unknown to each other As 1. Grove and Pickering to Shoot him 2. Conyers and Anderton Benedictine Monks and four Irish Russians to Stab him 3. To Poison him for which purpose 5000 l. was entred in their Books as paid to Sir George Wakeman in part of 15000 l. Reward which he was to have for that Horrid work by vertue of a Contract made with him in the presence of Coleman and Dr. Fogarthy As for the Duke of York they concluded to make use of his Name and Interest if he would comply with them 1. To accept of the Three Kingdoms as a gift from the Pope and hold them in Fee of him 2ly If he would Confirm their Settlement of the Church and State 3dly If he would Exterminate all Protestants 4thly If he would Pardon the Murtherers of his Brother the Murtherers of the People and those who should Fire the remaining part of the City and Suburbs 2. For that was the second particular of their work to Fire London and Westminster and places adjoyning thereunto as also other the chief Cities and Towns of England immediately on the Killing of his Majesty and lay the whole load both of the Murther and Firing on the Presbyterians and Fanaticks thereby provoking the Episcopal men to joyn with them to cut them off that so Protestants being weakned by their own Feuds they might
Jesuit Preach a Sermon on the 13th of August to 12 persons in disguise supposed to be of eminent quality wherein he asserted That Protestants and other Heretical Princes were ipso facto deposed because such and that it was as lawful to destroy them as an Oliver Cromwel or any other Vsurper with several other Traiterous words and discourses from divers of the Conspintors at several times and places therein specified till the time of his making the Discovery as aforesaid CHAP. VIII Some proceedings immediately following the Discovery and the true manner and circumstances of the Murther of Sir Edmund-bury Godfrey SECT 1. THE Discovery was made to the Council on Saturday the 28th of Septemb. being Michaelmas Eve as aforesaid in the Morning where Dr. Oates was a long time under Examination In the Afternoon the Council sat again and Dr. Oates was imploy'd with a Guard that Night to search after some Jesuits whom he took On Sunday in the Afternoon the Council sat again very long and then he was Re-examin'd and when they rose he was sent abroad all that Night to Search the Lodgings of several Priests and find out their Papers which he did seize upon On the said Sunday Sir George Wakeman the Queens Physician before mentioned was summoned to attend the Council but was dismiss'd being told by Sir Ph. Lloyd that his Majesty would have the hearing of his business next day himself On Monday Morning the Council sat again and Dr. Oates was further Examined and by reason of so long watching and running up and down for two days and nights together continually without any respit and in bad rainy weather he was reduced to such extream weakness and disorder of body that he could hardly stand or speak Then it was that Sir George Wakeman again appeared and behaved himself so strangely that the whole Council were amazed at the manner of it for he did not seem to deny what he was charged with so positively as one that was Innocent would have done but used many boasting expressions of his great fidelity and Loyalty to the King and required Satisfaction and Reparation for the Injury done to his Honour Dr. Oats did then set forth that he had seen a Letter from Whitebread to Fenwick mentioning that Sir George had undertaken the Poisoning of the King for 15000 l. of which 5000 l. had been paid him by Coleman But a question arose afterwards at his Trial Whether he then mentioned another Letter which afterwards he insisted upon written from Sir George himself to Father Ashby Sir George denying that he then said any thing of it but on the contrary declared he had not any thing further to charge him with and then endeavour'd to Invalidate his after-Evidence whereas Dr. Oates alledged the Council did not press him to his knowledge and that the Omission of mentioning that Letter if he did omit it as to the best of his memory he did not was to be attributed to his Weakness at that time which the King and Council were so sensible of that his Majesty himself had like to have sent him away once or twice before because he found him so Ill. See Wakemans Trial p. 55 56 59. It not being improbable that a man under such Circumstances might forget to mention that which at another time he might well know and remember However it was things were so manag'd that Sir George was not Committed at that time nor till above three weeks afterwards When Dr. Oates acquainting the House of Commons with that Letter under Sir Georges hand they thereupon sent a Message to the House of Lords wondring why he was not Confined Whereupon their Lordships upon Examination of the matter Committed him As for Priests Jesuits and Conspirators about this time secured there were On the 30th of September Committed to Newgate by Order of the Privy Council for High Treason Dr. William Fogarthy Since dead in Goal William Ireland John Fenwick Thomas Pickering All since Executed John Grove John Smith Tho. Johnson Still in Newgate Untry'd On Sunday the 30th of Septemb. Mr. Colemans House was Search'd and some of his Papers seiz'd On Munday the first of Octob. he voluntarily rendred himself to Sir Joseph Williamson then Secretary of State hearing there was a Warrant out against him But there were so many other Prisoners under Examination that he was not call d till After-noon where he seem'd to hear these lewd things charg'd upon him with Scorn and Indignation insomuch that though a blank Warrant was fill'd up to send him to Newgate he was only for the present Committed to a Messenger and a special Warrant granted to the Messenger to secure him against the said first Order On Tuesday the 2d of Octob. his Majesty went out of Town to New-Market and a Committee being appointed to Examine several Papers and Mr. Colemans amongst others there were found in a Deal-box some of such dangerous Consequence as moved the Lords forthwith to Sign a Warrant for his Commitment to Newgate dated the 4th of October On the 7th Mr. Richard Langhorn the Elder a Councellor of the Temple and on the 10th Mr. Edward Peters lately living at Sir Charles Shellies in Sussex who Married the Lady Abergaveny were both Committed to Newgate by the Council Hitherto the weight of this mighty work lay wholly upon Dr. Oats's shoulders and Reputation and the design he mentioned was in it self and its tendency so Horrid and Bloody that good men who are always Charitable could scarce perswade themselves of its reality The fashionable men of the Town that pretend to wit and humour did but make a Jest of it having long since learn'd to turn all things though never so serious and sacred into Drol and Ridicule and on the other side the Conspirators with Impudence lies noise number and the powerful Interest they had did not doubt but to over-bear and crush his testimony and upon this Confidence no doubt it was and consideration that at worst he being but a single Evidence they could not by our Law be Convicted of Treason for any thing he could say that so many of them stood so long by it without flying that at last they fell into the hands of Justice which Indiscretion these men who are excellent at turning Objections into Arguments would afterwards have made an advantage of as a sign of their Innocence when in truth it was only a symtom of their Presumption SECT 2. But now the adorable Providence of God was pleased to take the Crafty in their own Net and so far Infatuate these Romish Achitophels that themselves mortally wounded their own Cause and became Accessary to promote a further Discovery and Confirmation by venturing upon a Bloody Enterprize which immediately Alarm'd the whole Nation and left no room any longer for doubt whether or no there were a Plot. This was the Murther of that worthy Magistrate Sir Edmund-bury Godfrey whose memory shall be dear to Posterity as a Martyr for our
Poison And at another time did say to Fenwick at the said Fenwicks Chamber in Dr. Oates's hearing that he had found a way to Transmit 200000 l. to carry on the Rebellion in Ireland 4. That in the same moneth of August Mr. Coleman knew of the four Irish Ruffians sent to Windsor to Kill the King and in his pag. 24. hearing askt Father Harcourt at Wild-House what care was taken for those four Gentlemen that went lastnight to Windsor who reply'd that there was 80 l. ordered to be sent them which he saw there on the Table most of it in Guinies and that Mr. Coleman was so Zealous to promote the work that he gave a Guinny to the Messenger who was to carry this Reward to expedite the business 5. That in July 78. Mr. Coleman was privy to the Instructions brought by Ashby sometimes Rector of St. Omers from Father pag. 25. Whitebread to Impower the Consulters to propose 10000 l. to Sir G. Wakeman to Poison the King provided Pickering and Grove fail'd to do the work That he read and Copied these Instructions and transmitted them to several others of the Conspirators who were gathering Contributions about the Kingdom and would thereby be the more encoâ—rag'd to give largely both because hereby they were assured the business would be soon dispaâ—cht and that they might see they had assistance from beyond the Seas and that Mr. Coleman was so far from disapproving this Treason that he said it was too little and advised to add 5000 l. more to it that they might be sure to have it done 6. That in May New Stile April Old Stile 78 he saw Mr. Colemans Patent or Commission to be Secretary of State from pag. 27. Paulus de Oliva General of the Society of Jesus by Vertue of a Brief from the Pope and that in Mr. Fenwicks Chamber in Drury-Lane he saw Mr. Coleman open it and heard him say it was a good exchange meaning to come from being the Dutchesses Secretary to be Secretary of State This was the substance of Dr. Oates's Testimony but by our merciful English Laws no man can be Condemned by a single Evidence But here was sufficient proof for in the next place Mr. Bedloe Witnessed 1. That Sir Henry Tichbourn told him he brought a Commission for Mr. Coleman to be principal Secretary of State when he brought pag. 27. over the rest of the Commissions for the Lords and others from the principal Jesuits at Rome by Order of the Pope 2. That in April 75. he carried over a large Packet of Letters from Mr. Coleman to Monsieur Le Chese about carrying on the Plot and brought back an Answer And May 24. or 25. 77. he received another Packet of Colemans to carry to Paris to the English Monks 3. That upon his return with Answers to the last Letters which were delivered to Coleman by Harcourt he heard Mr. Coleman at pag. 39. his House behind Westminster-Abbey at the foot of the Stair-case say That if he had an hundred lives and a Sea of blood to swim through to carry on the cause of the Church of Rome and to establish that Church in England he would venture it all and if there were an hundred Heretical Kings to be Deposed he would see them all destroyed This was the Oral Testimony in confirmation whereof in the next place were produced several of Mr. Colemans Papers taken at his House by Mr. Bradley the Messenger by vertue of a Warrant from the Council the 29th of Septemb. at which time he was not to be found but surrendred himself next day as aforesaid The Messenger Swore he seiz'd them there and Seal'd them up and brought them to the Clerks of the Council who Swore these were the same Papers and they were all that were made use of proved to be his own Hand-writing by Mr. Boatman his Servant and Mr. Cattaway a Sub-secretary that used to write many things for him and were both well acquainted with his hand and also by his own Confession so that it was impossible there could be any firmer proof And if there had been no other Evidence in the Cause his own Papers were as good as an hundred Witnesses to Condemn him Where also note by the way that one of these Servants acknowledged upon his Oath that a Packet of Letters from beyond the Seas was directed to Mr. Coleman two or three days after he was made Prisoner and that his Master kept a large Book of Entries for his Letters and News which he saw on Saturday the 28th of Septemb. but not since nor knew what was become of it by which it appears both that he still maintain'd a Correspondence beyond the Seas even to the time of his Commitment and that he had made away with most of his dangerous Papers however through hast or inadvertency he had left these behind which probably being old and long since laid by he might forget The first Paper read was the draught of a long Letter to Monsieur Le Chese dated the 29th of of Septemb. 1675. Subscribed thus Your most humble and most obedient Servant but no name This did contain a deduction of a three years History of his former Traiterous Negotiations for the most part with Father Ferrier the Predecessor of Le Chese by means of Sir William Throckmorton and has many insolent and dangerous exprssions as pag. 44. of the Tryal in which it is inserted Verbatim The fatal Revocation of the Kings Declaration for Liberty of Conscience to which we owe all our miseries and hazards p. 45. I pressed all I could to persuade his most Christian Majesty to use His utmost endeavours to prevent that Session of our Parliament and proposed Expedients how to do it pag. 46. That it was his Royal Highnesses opinion that if his most Christian Majesty would make the same proffer to his Majesty of England of his Purse to dissolve this Parliament which he had made to his R. H. to call another he did believe it very possible for him to Succeed with the Assistance we should be able to give him here p. 47. Logick in our Court built upon Money has more powerful Charms than any other sort of Reasoning again speaking of the 300000 l. that he would have had of the French King he says Thereby the Condition of his R. H. and of the Catholick Religion which depends very much upon the Success of his most Christian Majesty would thereby have been delivered from a great many frights and real hazards p. 53. he says He would willingly be in everlasting disgrace with all the World if by the assistance of 20000 l. to be obtained from the French King he did not regain to the Duke his Master his former Offices and especially that of being Admiral of the Fleet. p. 54. If we can Advance the Dukes Interest one step forward we shall put him out of the reach of Chance for ever then would Catholicks be at rest and his
he gave in this Information first to the House of Lords and afterwards to the Commons upon Oath as by the Narrative thereof Printed by it self more at large appears It may here be noted That afterwards viz. but in August last the before-mentioned Sir Robert Walsh taking advantage of the Liberty of the times adventured to Print some Papers which he pretended to be an Answer to this Narrative but it being found to consist of nothing material but only certain Scurrilous and causeless Reflections on Mr. Everards Person the same upon Complaint was Ordered by Authority to be suppress'd As for other Occurrences the most material were as follows Decemb. 30th The Parliament was Prorogu'd till the 4th of February and before that time viz. Jan. 24th Dissolv'd by Proclamation as aforesaid January the Third was an Order of Council made to Reinforce the Proclamation of the 30th of October To keep Papists out of London and 10 Miles distance January the Eigth A Proclamation Commanding the immediate Return of all his Majesties Subjects who were in any Foreign Seminarles and forbidding any Releif to be sent to them About this time Come in Herefordshire was discovered to be a College of Jesuits and Mr. Stephen Dugdale formerly Servant to the Lord Aston in Staffordshire came in and made a considerable Discovery whereupon on the 15th of January a Proclamation was set forth against Francis Evers aliàs Eurie aliàs Ireland of Tixal in the County of Stafford John Gaven late of Wolverhampton in the same County Vavasor aliàs Gifford late of Boscobel Edward Levison late of Wilnot in the same County All Jesuits and Broadstreet late of Hore-Cross in the same County a Popish Priest being charged upon Oath to be guilty of the Plot and a promise of 100 l. to any that should Apprehend Evers and 50 l. for each of the rest Of these Gaven was soon after taken into Custody and since Executed but the rest absconded January 17th The Judges gave their Opinions in the Points following relating to Recusants May it please your Majesty We have met and considered of the Questions proposed to us and do hereby humbly return our Opinions To the First We are of Opinion That Foreigners being Popish Recusants and exercising ordinary Trades but not Merchants are not excused from taking the Oaths or finding Securities To the Second That Foreigners though certified by Ambassadors to be their Servants except they are menial Servants are not excused To the Third That Foreigners though settled House-keepers being no Travellers or Foreign Ministers Servants are not excused To the Fourth That the King 's Native Subjects are not excused form taking the Oaths by being menial Servants to Foreign Ministers To the Fifth We find no Law that excuses a Feme-Covert being a Papist from taking the Oaths though her Husband be a Protestant To the Sixth That a Popish Recusant having taken the Oaths is not bound to find new Sureties unless upon a new tender of the Oaths he shall refuse to take them All which with great Humility we submit to your Majesties judgment Will. Scroggs Fran. North. W. Mountagu W. Wylde Tim. Littleton Hugh Wyndham Robert Atkyns V. Bertie Fr. Bramston Tho. Jones W. Dolben At the Sessions in the Old-bailey the 16th and 17th of January One John Ayleworth aliàs Adland Committed to Newgate as a Preist on the 23th of Novemb. before was Indicted of High Treason upon the Stat. of 27 Eliz. cap. 2. And upon full Evidence of his having frequently said Mass received Confessions given Absolutions and performed all other Priestly Functions and that he had often appeared in her Majesties Chappel in Priestly Vestments amongst the rest of the Preists he was found guilty and Condemned But his Majesty treading the merciful steps of his Ancestors being most unwilling to punish any for their Religion or that any Preist though even upon this odious provocation of their Parties plotting against his Life should suffer purely for being a Priest or meerly for their presumption and disobedience for coming into his Dominions contrary to that Law was graciously pleased to grant him a Repreive CHAP. XIII A Design of the Papists to suborn Witnesses to oppose and vilifie the Evidence of Dr. Oats and Mr. Bedloe THE Papists finding all their Plot was like to be unravel'd unless some speedy Course were taken to overthrow the Evidence resolv'd to spare no Charge for so necessary a work and to this purpose one James Nettervile an Irish Papish Prisoner in the Marshalscy Tutor'd by Dominick Kelly one of the Priests that Murther'd Sir Edmundbury Godfrey being for some time his Fellow-prisoner and holding some Correspondence with the Lords in the Tower attempted to corrupt and suborn two Gentlemen for great Sums of money to Swear what should be dictated and prescribed unto them to oppose the Testimony of Dr. Oats and Mr. Bedloe and to scandalize them with odious Crimes and charge the Plot on dissenting Protestants as wholy contrived and pretended by them to cut off the Papists that they might the more easily accomplish some ill intentions they had against the King and Government But the Persons they happened to tamper with were of greater worth and integrity than to engage in or conceal so base a Business The one of them was Captain Bury dwelling in Ireland and Son of Sir William Bury of Grantham in Lincolnshire The other Mr. William Brooks one of the Aldermen of Dublin who being in London for the prosecution of their private concerns they were oft times with this Nettervile who had been formerly a Clerk in the Court of Claims at Dublin and did now pretend he could be serviceable to them and knowing that their attendance here had been very chargeable was so far infatuated as to think them profligate enough to entertain such a wicked proposal for money and so broke the matter to them severally the one not knowing of the others being concern'd till after they had both discovered it For about the 13th of January See the Narrative of this design P. 1 2. Nettervile having sent for Captain Bury to the Marshalsey told him in private after some preparatory discourses That there was a Design on foot to amuse those that had Impeached the Lords and those concern'd about the Plot and to turn the Game an other way as he expressed it and that the said Captain might do himself a kindness if he pleased and that if he would prove some certain things against Mr. Oats and Mr. Bedloe and that they held such and such Correspondencies and particularly with Mr. Blood c. he should have 4 or 500 l. The Captain seem'd to adhere to his discourse and learn'd of him that one Russel a rank Papist and an Irish man who Married Madam Rowse the Dutchess of Portsmouth's Gentlewoman was appointed to manage the affair and pay the money and after two or three meetings it was concluded That the money should be put into a third persons hand and that a paper
should be drawn up and delivered to him containing the particulars that he should swear And promised him no small Interest amongst the Papists for this good Service besides the money For says Nettervile to to him If we can but turn off this Plot there is no danger of effecting our Business For said he most impudently The King will beleive nothing of it Ibidem P. 4. But in the mean time Captain Bury first acquainted Colonel Blood and afterwards the Secretary of State from time to time of these proceedings Nettervile also told the Captain They had got one in that Prison which was one Brewer a desperate indigent Papist that would swear that the very morning the Proclamation came out concerning Sr. Edmundbury Godfrey Mr. Bedloe came to his Chamber and askt him If he had ever seen Sr. Edmundbury Godfrey for said he If I knew what a like man he was I could easily get 500 l. and however I am resolved to hazard my Neck but I will have it As also that he would have had this Brewer gone with him to Somerset-house to view the Rooms that he might make his Story probable With much more false stuff to the same purpose The manner of Alderman Brooks being dealt with was more remarkable for going to see this Nettervile about 23th Decem. at the Marshelseys he desired him to carry a Note for a Fellow-Prisoner of his to one Peirce Butler that lived in Jermainstreet this Prisoner was Kelly the Priest who had been taken up in Surry only as a Recusant they then knowing nothing more of him who was so strangely infatuated though under such desperate Circumstances as guilty of Sr. Edmundbury Godfrey's Murther yet to send it unseal'd however the Alderman for the present did not read it but carrying it to the place found Butler gone out of Town upon the Proclamation against Papists and about two days after having occasion for wast Paper happened to read it and found it to this effect That being Committed thither by the name of Daniel Edmonds as a Recusant he desired him to come to him and in so doing he would oblige him Friend Subscribed Dominick Kelly Soon after this the Alderman happening on a Paper at a Coffee-house wherein it was said that Mr. France had named one Kelly a Preist for one of the Murtherers of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey he suspected this might be the man whereupon he went over to Nettervile and by the by inquired after him who told him he was a Priest but had got Bail whom he hired for 10 s. apeice and was got out and then the said Nettervile told the Alderman that if he would but assist to villifie the Evidence of Oats and Bedloe he should have money enough c. But afterwards Alderman Brooks meeting Captain Bury they discovered to each other in discourse some of these transactious and then the Alderman went likewise to the Secretary Captain Bury still holding on his Correspondence with Nettervile endeavouring to have the money paid in to see the Depositions he must swear seize Russel c. But all this was prevented by an unhappy Accident for Mr. Brooks being to meet with Mr. Loman and Mr. Glover the Keeper and Clerk of the Marshalsey to consider some way for the discovering those that had been Bail for Kelly happned to give some hints of the Captain 's Information whereby Dr. Oats coming to have some notice thereof and knowing nothing of what progress had been made towards discovery did with Mr. Bedloe and Sir William Waller go to Nettervile and with some threatnings mixt with a promise of pardon made him confess the discourses he had had with Captain Bury he intruth imagining the said Captain had sent them Thus by an untimely process the proceedings were spoil'd which otherwise in short time might have produced a more notable discovery and Russel having notice absconded himself Conformable to this wicked design of charging this horrid Plot upon the Ibidem P. 16. Protestants about the same time there were several Popish Emissaries imployed to go to the Houses of some Nonconformists well known in the City of London to pray their charitable Contributions towards the maintenance of Mr. Oats and Mr. Bedloe upon this specious but most false suggestion That his Majestics Allowance was not sufficient for their Encouragement But the Parties to whom they thus Addressed themselves supposing their Intentions were to abuse their King and Countrey and get money for themselves or some worse Design rejected them and checkt them for their Insolence And happy it was that they did so for other wise who knows what advantage they might have made thereof in order to the promoting their wicked Enterprize Which as Originally it was to lay the Odium of their Treason on the Dissenters if they could have effected it so ever since the discovery they have endeavoured by all Arts to play the same Game and would have been glad of such a pretence as this to render it more probable CHAP. XIV The Proceedings against Robert Green Henry Berry and Lawrence Hill for the Murther of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey with Hill's pretended Speech at Execution ON the 28th of December it was Ordered by the House of Commons That Sir John Earnly do immediately carry an Address of that House to his Majestie That his Majesty would be pleased to issue out a Commission of Oyer and Terminer for the Tryal of the three Persons last taken for the Murther of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey Which being done the said Sir John Reports That he had waited upon his Majesty and that his Majestie was pleased to Answer That he would immediately issue out his Commission for their Tryal Accordingly on Wednesday the 5th of February 1678 9. The said three Persons viz. Robert Green Henry Berry and Lawrence Hill were Arraigned and pleaded Not Guilty at the Kings-Bench-Bar Westminster and a Rule of Court entred for their being brought to Tryal on the Friday following being the 10th of the same Month at which time the Jury sworn was as follows Sir William Roberts Bar. Sir Richard Fisher Bar. Sir Michael Heneage Kt. Sir Thomas Bridges Kt. William Avery Esq Charles Vmphrevile Esq John Bathurst Esq Richard Gowre Esq Thomas Henslow Esq John Sharp Esq John Haynes Esq William Moyle Esq Dominick Kelly and Girald the two Preists and Philip Vernatti stood charged in the same Indictment for the Murther but they were fled and could never yet be taken the Evidence was manag'd in this Order 1. Dr. Oats Swore That after he had sworn his Depositions before Sir Edmundbury Sir Edmundbury did tell him He had received affronts from great Persons for being so Zealous in that Business of the discovery of the Plot and that the Week before his Death he again complained that several Popish Lords some of them since in the Tower had threatned him and askt him what he had to do with it and seeming to be much concerned did declare He went in fear of his Life by
strangers nor any persons of Quality to come into Somerset-house on the 12th 13th and 14th days of October that is the day Sir Edmund was Murthered and the two days following and particularly that Prince Rupert did come in that time and he did refuse him and sent him back again Now as to the defences they offered for themselves 1. They all denied the Fact very stoutly but that is of no value against plain Evidence and doe but aggravate their Crime 2. Hill would have invalidated Mr. Prance's Testimony because he had once denied it and said They were innocent But that the Court vindicated for the Reasons before reciâ—ed that it could no ways legally take off his Evidence for he was no ways perjuâ—'d but rather excusable under the Circumstances aforesaid 3. The said Hill to evade the Charge brings several Witnesses all of his own Religion to aver he was never from his Lodgings after Nine a Clock at Night but these did it so mineingly and generally that no stress could be laid upon them it being proved that they had several Keys to the door and that Hill might go in and out without their knowledg and one of his Witnesses makes a palpable mistake of an whole Month P. 55. and two of Greens Witnesses a whole Week P. 66. So ill had they calculated the time which they were brought to speak to 4. On the behalf of Berry The Soldiers who were placed at the Gate Sentinâ—l say They saw a Sedan come in so far they agree with the King's Evidence but then they confidently aver That they saw none go out all night But what was this to the matter of Fact and to the Murther committed sworn in all Circumstances so punctually The Sentinel might be from his Post and Mr. Prance who best knew the contrivance tells us that Berry had inveigled the Sentinel in to drink and so he might not see the Sedan go out and then the Sentinel knowing he had committed a dangerous fault by so doing might be so wise though not very honest to conceal it and say there was no Sedan went out This was all the defence they could make which in every part appeared so weak that as well the Jury as all other impartial Auditors were fully satisfied to bring them in guilty of the Murther On Tuesday the 11th of February they were brought again to the Bar in order to receive their Sentence which after a grave speech was pronounced by Mr. Justice Wild to whom it apperrained as being second Judg in the Court. In pursuance of which Sentence Robert Green and Lawrence Hill were Executed at Tybuâ—ne on the 21th of February and Henrry Berry on the 28th of the said Month. They all three did at their deaths deny the Crime and used that Expression That they were as Innocent as the Child new born But we may justly fear they were under an horrid delusion and so charm'd and bound up by so many Oaths and Sacraments by their Gostly Fathers the Jesuits and Preists that they durst not acknowledg the Truth but on the contrary thought by concealing and denying the same they should do great Service to the Romish Church by keeping it from scandal and be Sainted for it in Heaven That there was some such Artifice used to seal up their Lips is plain by this notable Circumstance When Hill and Green were hang'd and dead Captain Richardson Keeper of Newgate and many others present saw the Executioner amongst other things take a Paper out of Hill's Pocket purporting to be the form of speech that he should use to the People at the Gallows which being very remarkably Penn'd I shall here insert the same verbatim as follows I now come to the Fatal Place where I must end my Life and I hope with that Courage that may become my Innocence I must now appear before the great Judge who knows all things and judges rightly and I hope it will be happy for me a Sinner that I am thus wrongfully put to death I call God Angels and Men to Witness that I am wholy ignorant of the Manner Cause or Time of the Death of Justice Godfrey although on that account by the malice of wicked men brought to this shameful Death which I hope will give me a speedy passage to Eternal Life In this hope I die chearfully because of my Innocence and the benefit of the precious Wounds of my Blessed Saviour by whose Merits I hope for Salvation I die a Roman Catholick desiring all such to Pray for me And I beseech God in his Justice to discover this Horrid Murther with the Contrivers thereof that my Innocence may appear And though from my heart I forgive my Accusers yet I Cite all such as have had a hand in this Bloody Contrivance before the greâ— Tribunal of Gods Justice to answer for the wrong they have done the Innocent and particularly the Lord Cheif Justice and the Brothers of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey with Jury Witnesses and all their Partakers Oh Lord bless and preserve his Majesty and be merciful to this poor Nation and lay not Innocent Blood to its Charge So I bid you all Farewel in Jesus Christ into whose hands I commit my Spirit This Paper is no small Evidence of the ill Arts used by the Jesuiâ—s and Popish Preists to make their People persist in denial of their Crimes at their Death and keep up the Credit of their Church though with never so certain an hazard of their own Souls For 't is certain these were not Hill's own words but prepared by some other for See the Animadversions Printed thereon P. 2. him to say and what need was there of so much skill in a matter where only Truth and not Art was necessary For if Hill knew himself guiltless he could have told the people so which would have been more Credible out of his mouth from his heart then out of this Paper from his memory But they were afraid he would either confess the whole matter or that the power of Truth would over-bear his Tongue in some Circumstance or at least that he would not deny it so resolutely and in such a taking manner as might fix a suspicion and odium upon the Witnesses Judg and Jury in the minds of the people which was the great thing they aimed at and therefore some Preist drew up this form of what he should say that every word might be according to their mind how remote soever it was from his Thoughts or the Truth Nor is it any wonder that they should teach their Proselytes to make Speeches just as they do Prayers Opere Operate â— without any understanding or attention or consent of the mind to the words they use For that the words were fram'd by another for him to Con by heart is most evident for that he never had Pen Ink nor Paper all the while he was in Newgate and his Wise Testified that it was not of his hand writing nor did she ever see it
Mr. Bedloe had from time to time communicated this Intrigue and from them took his measures of proceeding in it inform'd the House of Commons that they had something of moment lately come to their knowledg wherein they desired the Assistance of the House hereupon it was immediately Ordered That all Persons who were not Members should be put out of the Speakers Chamber and that no Person should be suffered to go out of the House and that the Keys be brought in and laid upon the Table which being done and the business discovered and debated it was Ordered That Mr. Speaker immediately issue out his Warrant against Nathaniel Reading Esquire who being then walking in the Lobby for he had much Practice in Soliciting Causes in Parliament and commonly attended there was taken into Custody and the Secret Committee Ordered to take his Examination which being dispatch'd and Reported the House on the 8th of April made the following Address to the King for bringing him to his Tryal May it please your Majesty WEE your Majesties most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects the Commons in Parliament Assembled having according to our Duty made equiry into the Damnable and Hellish Plot against your Majesties Sacred Person and Government and for the Extirpation of the Protestant Religion have upon examination discovered that Nathaniel Reading Esq hath Industriously and against the Duty of a Loyal Subject held frequent Correspondencies with several Lords and other Persons that stand Committed for High-Treason and also used his utmost endeavours to prevent and suppress your Majesties evidence and as much as in him lay to stifle the discovery of the said Plot and thereby to render the same Fallacious and of no reality and by such undue means to prevent the Malefactors from coming to Justice Therefore We your said Commons do most humbly beseech your Majesty that you will be Gratiously pleased to command That a Commission of Oyer and Terminer do immediately Issue forth for the Tryal of the said Nathaniel Reading for the said Offence that he may be brought to publick Justice Accordingly a Commission was granted and on Thursday the 24th of April Mr. Reading was brought to his Tryal before Sir Francis North Lord Cheif Justice of the Common Pleas and most of the other Judges except the Lord Cheif Justice of the Kings-Bench who was in the Country and several other Persons of Quality in the Commission named at the Kings-Bench-Bar at Westminster When the Jury came to be Sworn Mr. Reading desired the Liberty of a Peremptory Challenge which the Court could not allow he standing Indicted only for a Misdemeanour not Treason then he replied with a great deal of Submission and Eloquence seeming to urge that the nature of the Crime as it was laid was Treason and thence descended to crave the Opinion of the Court whether he might not be Indicted again for Treason for the same matter but in this the Court refused to gratifie him only telling him that the laying of it but as a Misdemeanour was a favour and ought so to be by him accounted and so proceeded to Swear the Jury as follows Sir John Cutler Kt. Joshuah Galliard Esq Edw. Wilford Esq Thomas Henslow Esq Thomas Earsby Esq John Serle Esq Thomas Cass Esq Rainsford Waterhouse Esq Matthew Bateman Esq Walter Moyle Esq Richard Pagett Esq John Haynes Esq The Effect of the Evidence 1. Mr. Bedloe set forth how he came acquainted with Mr. Reading whom he employed in some Concerns See Reading's Tryal P. 15. That he never went about to have him stifle the whole Plot but only to make him easie towards some particular People that he Solicited for to which purpose he would tell him it was not for his safety to run at the whole Herd and if he could do a kindness he should be well gratified 2. That the cheif Persons he Solicited for were the Lord Petre the Lord Powis the Lord Stafford and Sir Henry Titchborn in whose name he promised great Rewards both in money and Estate for shortning the Evidence and bringing them off from the charge of High Treason and particularly that he made him easie towards Whitebread and Fenwick when they were first Arraigned which was to be an Assurance that he would accomplish what he promised and an example what kindness might be done wherein the Witness was willing to comply to carry on the Intreigue with the Lords till it might properly be discovered he esteeming that of greater Consequence then two old Priests whom he might charge further another time 3. He did not know but Reading had laid a Trap for him and therefore discovered these Conferences to Prince Rupert the Earl of Essex Mr. Kirkby and others and Mr. Reading being to give him a meeting at his Lodgings on the 26th of March he had planted one Mr. Speke a Gentleman of good Quality behind the hangings and making an hollow place in the Bed laid his man there cover'd over smooth with a Rugg as if it had been new made that they might over-hear what passed and not be descryed There he agreed to bring the Final Answer of the Lords and told him That he had Authority to draw blank Deedes both for Sums and Estates which they would settle on him and that the Lord Stafford was Felling of Timber to sell to raise money for him c. 4. That the Monday following the Witness and the Prisoner drew up a Paper of what the Witness had to charge the aforesaid Lords with which was carried to the Lords and then return'd by Reading in his own hand writing but minc'd so as not to signifie any thing material against them This paper Mr. Reading own'd and it was read in Court 5. Mr. Speke sets forth the Conference between Mr. Bedloe and Mr. Reading which he over-heard and that Mr. Ibidem P. 28. Reading said The Lord Stafford would settle an Estate in Glocestershire on Mr. Bedloe and Sign and Seal a Deed thereof within ten days after he should be discharged and several other discourses plainly proving the matter of the Indictment too long here to be recited And the same was sworn by Henry Wiggins Mr. Bedloes man 6. Mr. Bedloe swore positively That Mr. Reading had given him several Sums of money amounting in all to 56l or upwards and all to dispose him to this matter To all this Mr. Reading had very little to say in his own defence that was pertinent or material but only endeavoured with a multitude of fine words to cloud the matter and asperse the Evidence yet in the process of his discourse he did in effect own the whole matter of Fact he stood charged with but would have had it beleiv'd that Mr. Bedloe first proposed it to him and that all that he did was not in the least to shorten lessen or stifle any thing of Truth which Mr. Bedloe had to say but only to prevent him from the guilt of Perjury and Innocent Blood c. All which being sufficiently
how he should drink Milk in Town and onely general instructions by the by touching the Bath but when he was just a going then he might cause more particular instructions to be writ by his man Or which is most probable knowing what stuff he had intermint with his former directions unfit to be shewed to any Apothecary he therefore was obliged on that very score to repeat his directions of the number of strokes at the Pump what Pills he should take c. So that in all this there is nothing worth the Juries taking notice of but onely to observe that it was nothing to the purpose 2. Sir George's next Exception to Mr. Oates's Testimony is That before the House of Lords he should say that he thought that before-mentioned Letter to be of Wakemans writing onely because it was subscribed George Wakeman But this the Knight was not able to prove and Doctor Oates gives another account of his words there to the best of his remembrance and refers to the Record So that this caâ—il too signifies nothing 3. But then was started an Objection which though very little in it self yet was made very much of by good management and that was That Doctor Oates did not charge Sir George so fully before the King and Council but rather denyed that he knew any thing against him but what he had seen in other peoples Letters And to this purpose Sir Philip Lloyd did say p. 55. but not upon Oath being produced by the Prisoner That Mr. Oates did their say he had seen a Letter from Whitebread to Fenwick that Sir George was to poison the King and to have 15000 l. for it whereof 5000 l. had been paid by Coleman and Sir Philip farther added That Sir George did then carry himself as if he were not concerned at the Accusation and that Mr. Oates being called in again and askt whether he knew any more against him did lift up his hands and said No God forbid that I should say any thing against Sir George Wakeman for I know nothing more against him In Answer to this 1. Doctor Oates did now upon his Oath deny that he to his remembrance spake any such words but believed Sir Philip was mistaken 2. That he was then so weak and weary with watching and hurrying up and down that he was not in a condition to make Answer Sir Thomas Doleman upon Oath saith of Sir George's behaviour then before the P. 59. Council that in his opinion and in the opinion of others he did not deny the Crime so positively as one that was Innocent would have done which is somewhat contrary to Sir Philips opinion 4. The same Sir Thomas confirms Dr. Oates's Apology and swears he seem'd at that time to be in such great weakness and disorder that he believes he was scarce able to give a good Answer Now suppose Doctor Oates through weakness forgetfulness or some other good reason did not at that time charge Sir George so home it being enough then to give a general Charge does it follow that he was now tyed up in his Evidence and may not afterwards charge him farther Was not Whitebread and Fenwicks Jury with-drawn one time because one of the Witnesses did not swear home and yet afterwards that Witness admitted to enlarge and thereupon the Prisoners Convicted and Executed Besides in Mr. Oates's Depositions at that time exhibited to the King in writing Article the 37. it is more than probably intimated that Doctor Oates could Charge Sir George Wakeman further but prudentially for some reasons perhaps that he might not all at once stir too many and mighty Enemies forbore to do it For speaking there of the 15000 l. proposed to Sir George he adds But whether Sir George hath been treated with about that concern the Deponent cannot inform here in this Article And so much touching his Evidence against Wakeman Against Mr. Bedloes Testimony Sir George objected onely 1. That it was not likely he should let P. 40. him be privy to so so great a secret being but a stranger To which Mr. Bedloe answers That Harcourt had told Sir George who he was and that after he knew he was his Confident and engaged in their grand design he might well be free before him 2. He solemnly swears he never saw Mr. Bedloe before in his life Ibidem But this Mr. Bedloe does also confute making it out by Circumstances that he had taken Physick of him at the Bath three years ago and that acquaintance Wakeman could not deny onely calls him Rogue c. And thus as to any thing material stood Sir George Wakemans Case Then as for Corker and Marshal Doctor Oates swears positively that they P. 31. both knew of the design of killing the King for that they did both of them in his hearing express their dislike not of the Treason but of one of the persons chosen to do it saying that Pickering was no fit person for that service because being commonly attendant on the Altar he might thereby miss of an opportunity and therefore they declared their opinion that a meer Lay-man would be more proper He farther saith p. 35. That Marshal went half with Conyers who laid a wager That the King should eat no more Christmas-pies and that both of them were privy and consenting to the Consult of the Benedictines for raising 6000 l. for carrying on the design Marshal being actually present at the Consult at the Benedictine Convent in the Sauoy either the day before or after the Feast of the Assumption which is the fifteenth of August and Corker though he were not there but gone as he said to Lamspring in Germany yet he sent a Letter dated the latter end of August to signifie his consent which was necessary because he was their President and this Letter Doctor Oates by comparison of hands prov'd to be his Writing and farther that he had a Patent from the See of Rome to be Bishop of London which Doctor Oates saw in his hands and was told by him p. 34. That he hoped it would not be long ere he exercised his Episcopal Function And lastly That Marshal was present at another Consult 21 of Aug. where he agreed to the sending of Commissions into Ireland to raise Forces there and to the poysoning of the Duke of Ormond Then Mr. Bedloe as to these two swears P. 38. That though he never heard any thing from Corker that did positively relate to the Murder of the King yet he hath heard him talk much of the Design and carrying it on about raising an Army what Interest he had in the people what Letters they had received from beyond the seas and how forward they were in their proceedings here And as to Marshal that he used to carry Letters to and fro concerning the Plot amongst the Plotters and that he knew what was the effect of such Letters and the Answers being one of the Club and Consult that saw all
they ought to acquit him 2. That as to Sir George Wakeman Corker and Marshal there had two sorts of Evidence been given General and Particular the General by Mr. Dugdale Mr. Prance and Mr. Jennison 'T is true neither of them so much as name any of the Prisoners but they prove the Plot That there was a Conspiracy to bring in Popery by killing the King This his Lordship observ'd was a circumstantial Evidence against the Prisoners and might answer their Objection when they said the Jury were not to credit positive Oaths without probable Circumstances or something else to guide them by And especially his Lordship noted to the Jury Mr. Jennison's Testimony concerning Ireland and how clear it was made appear that the said Ireland died with a Lye in his mouth 3. Then as to the particular Evidence first against Wakeman That Mr. Oates had sworn he saw a Letter to Ashby subscribed George Wakeman in which were the Treasonable words before-mentioned but saith he had never seen his hand before but afterwards saw him writing as he thinks writing and looking on that Paper when he was gone while it was wet the Character to the Witnesses thinking was the same with the Letter Now his Lordship observed that supposing this to be true 't is something hard for one having never been acquainted with a mans hand before by seeing it afterwards thus to recollect backwards and know that what he saw before was the same hand-writing 2. That in Harcourts Chamber he saw a Book kept by the Jesuits wherein was written This day specifying a certain day agreed with Sir George Wakeman for 15000 l. to which he consented and under it a Receipt for 5000 l. part of 15000 l. by order of Mr. Coleman subscribed George Wakeman which Receipt Mr. Oates by comparison of hands believes to be the same hand which he had so seen twice before and that he did not charge Sir George with any positive thing farther to the best of his Lordships memory Here Sir Robert Sawyer interposed saying Yes my Lord he says he saw his Commission Whereupon his Lordship proceeded That indeed he does say he saw a Commission in his hands to be Physician-General to the Popish Army and that he denyed ten thousand and would have fifteen thousand pounds the truth his Lordship would leave with the Jury and then expressing a just tenderness of shedding Innocent Blood and that probabilities of things were truely to be weighed proceeded to Mr. Bedloe's Testimony which having shortly repeated he declared that if the Jury believed what was sworn by him then there were two Witnesses against Wakeman but his Lordship would leave it with them hoping his Brothers if they remembred any thing farther would observe it to them 4. As to Corker his Lordship observed That Oates says he saw a Letter under his hand that is his Name as his Lordship supposes was to it wherein he consented to raise 6000 l. for carrying on the Plot but his Lordship does not find that he proves he knew Corkers hand And whereas Oates swears Corker was President of the Benedictines and therefore his consent necessary his Lordship takes notice That Corker contradicts him therein by two or three Witnesses that he was not President but one Stapleton And for Oates saying that Corker excepted against Pickerings killing the King and that they had better have chosen another He did not prove that he was at the Consultation but onely that he knew of it and proves no fact but these words and for what Bedloe says it is less than what Oates says c. 5. That against Marshal there was rather less than against Corker That Oates onely says that he consented to raise the 6000 l. and excepted as Corker did against Pickerings being employed to kill the King and Bedloe says That he knew he carried Letters concerning the Plot and was present at the Consults where they were read and answered 6. Then as to the Prisoners defence his Lordship summ'd it up particularly as why Oates did not take them before why he did not accuse Wakeman further at the Councel c. adding That if it were possible they had almost undone themselves in their Defences by insisting upon trivial things but his Lordship declared he would discharge his Conscience to the Jury telling them plainly That it lay upon the Oaths of those two men meaning Dr. Oates and Mr. Bedloe And so having descanted once more upon Mr. Oates's weakness before the Council and declared that what had been proved of that nature by Sir Tho. Doleman was to his Lordship no answer and also that it was well observed that Oates was a begging at the Savoy and how strange it was they should use him so when he knew of so great a design on foot his Lordship concluded Upon which Mr. Bedloe said My Lord my Evidence is not right summed up but it appears by the Printed Tryal that there was no farther notice taken thereof than by this Answer from his Lordship I know not by what Authority this man speaks And immediately the Jury withdrew who after about an hour 's in Consultation returned into Court desiring to know if they might not find the Prisoners guilty of Misprision of Treason and being told by Mr. Recorder the Judges being gone off That they must either Convict them of High-Treason or acquit them they immediately gave in their Verdict Not Guilty of all the Four Prisoners And the same evening Sir George Wakeman and Rumley were discharged out of Newgate but Corker and Marshal being Priests and so liable to another Indictment on that account were continued in custody And Sir George Wakeman whether conscious of guilt or apprehending prosecution for some new matter we cannot say did shortly after think fit to get out of the Land being furnished as 't is set forth by Mr. Dangerfield See Colonel Mansels Narrative p. 43. with 500 l. by a very great person for his Transportation and by a Chaloup ordered from Calice was taken in about six miles from Dover and so escaped and landed at Newport being 't is said splendidly entertained and caressed by the Papists especially the Jesuits and those under their influence in all places that he comes to CHAP. XXII Of the farther Discovery made by Mr. Robert Jennison and Mr. John Smith a quondam Priest AS this unexpected Acquittal of Sir George Wakeman and the rest tryed with him seemed some discouragement to the Kings Evidence so Protestants in general were much surprised thereat and not a few odd rumours and surmises spread abroad on that occasion some thought it strange that the veracity of Doctor Oates and Mr. Bedloe should be more questioned or their Testimony less regarded now than heretofore at the many precedent Tryals since no contradiction or other sufficient matter was thought to have been assigned that might so invalidate their Credit Others fancyed it an Excess of good-nature that when Sir George could not but give himself up as
Lord Gray Lord Howard of Escrick Duke of Monmouth Duke of Buckingham Sir Will. Waller c. which he did so well that he thought then His Majesty believed him being pleased to order him forty pound which he received fol. 35. And the more to possess his Majesty he sent him a Letter to New-market signifying he had discovered a great Correspondence between the Presbyterians and the Dutch fol. 36. 13. That pursuant to his undertaking with the Lords he went twice to Murder the Earl of Shaftesbury armed with a short French Dagger given him by Mrs. Celier who said there had been three of them left her by Rigaut pretending business as directed by Celier and the Lady Powis but was both times prevented by peoples coming and his own guilty fears for which the Countess called him Coward and Mrs. Celier said I will go and let the world know that some of our Sex are brave and more daring than the men whereupon she went pretending business but was prevented of an opportunity 14. Now the Countess put him on enquiring out Col. Mansels Lodgings delivered him Papers to plant there which under pretence of taking Lodgings in the same House and seeing all the Rooms he pin'd behind the Beds-head and then having informed two Officers of theCustom-house to come there to search for Prohibited Goods of Two thousand pound value on Wednesday the twenty second of October in the Colonels absence they came and he and one Bedford that lay with him the night before went in with them who finding nothing he directed them to remove the Bed and at last going himself behind it discovered the Papers and as the Devil would have it or rather the providence of Almighty God to detect the villany before they had well lookt into any of them cryed out Here is Treason The Officers carryed the Papers to the Custom-house which were ordered to be returned but the Colonel in the mean time having notice and that such a man who then and for some time before had gone sometimes by the name of Thomas and sometimes Willoughby had been concerned in the matter strictly enquiring after him found he lay at Mrs. Celiers House and there apprehended him and on the twenty third of October brought him before the Councel where accidentally he met with and abused one Mr. d'Oiley o◠the Tower that had formerly prosecuted him 〈◊〉 uttering false Guineys who much helped to give an account of his former ill conversation yet he persisted stifly in charging Mansel and justifying his own innocency but on hearing all circumstances attested by the Searchers and other Witnesses produced by Colonel Mansel it apppearing that the Papers were laid by Dangerfield in the Colonels Chamber out of a malitious design he was committed to a Messenger whereupon he writ a Note to acquaint the Lady Powis therewith to be sent by his boy but the Messenger would needs see it and thereby the Correspondence between them was discovered 15. The twenty seventh of October Dangerfield was committed to Newgate by the Council on a full hearing though he had endeavoured all he could to defend himself by certain notable instructions received from the Lady Powis in the Stone-gallery in Whitehall which he particularly sets forth fol. 49. 16. On the twenty ninth of October Sir William Waller to whose indefatigable pains and courage this Nation and the Protestant Religion in general under God in an high measure owes its preservation searching Celiers House most providentially found hid in a Meal-tub the Paper-book tyed with red ribbons containing the Model of this designed Plot against the Protestants the matter whereof was dictated by the Lady Powis the grand Solliciness from the Lords in the Tower as aforesaid and proved by her maid to be hid there by her order It purported to be onely Remarks or chief Heads of things and persons to be charged As amongst the rest there were named the Lords Hallifax Shaftsbury Radnor now President of his Majesties Privy-Councel Essex Wharton the Duke of Buckingham and others to be of Counsel in this pretended Conspiracy the Duke of Monmouth General the Lord Grey Lord Gerard and his Son and Sir Tho. Armstrong Lieutenant Generals in this Rebellious Army Sir William Waller and others Major-Generals Colonel Mansel Quarter-Master-General To which was added Lists of particular persons usually meeting at four principal Clubs about the Town too tedious here to repeat 17. In the Papers foisted into Col. Mansels Chamber there were likewise long Lists of Names that were to be rendred obnoxious to this present Plot but no particular Copy or Account can thereof be given the Original Papers being so lodged that the same are not easily procurable till Authority shall think fit to divulge them See Col. Mansels Nar. fol. 104. 18. Mr. Dangerfield by this last Discovery at Mrs. Celiers finding himself trapt had not the confidence to stand out longer but on the last of October made application to the Right Honourable Sir Robert Clayton Lord Mayor before whom and other persons of Quality he made a candid Confession on Oath transmitted the next day to His Majesty and the Councel Whereupon and on farther Examination of the several persons concerned the Earl of Castlemain was Committed to the Tower whence he had not long since been Bayled as having been charged by Doctor Oates on the former Popish Plot Mrs. Celier and Mr. Rigaut to Newgate and Mr. Gadbury the Almanack-maker who though bred a Taylor hath for some years written himself Physician to the Queens most Excellent Majesty and formerly published a Figure which he called his Majesties Nativity in Print and constantly of late in his Calendar hath left out the Gunpowder-Treason-day to the Gate-house And on the fourth of November the Lady Powis being farther Examined and divers notable Circumstances which she had denyed being proved against her by other persons besides Mr. Dangerfield she was by order of the Board committed to the Tower for High-Treason in conspiring the death of the King And the said Dormer formerly Committed on suspition of being a Priest and Bail'd being found discoursing with her in the Lobby was upon other new matter charged on him by Doctor Oates taken into custody The Lord Castlemain twice in Michaelmass-Term brought his Habeas Corpus to be Bayled in the Kings Bench but was told by the Judges of that Court that though formerly when there was but one witness against him they had afforded it him yet having made such ill use of his Liberty and being now charged directly by two Witnesses for High-Treason they could not allow it and so was re-manded to the Tower By this whole contrivance it most evidently appears that though the Popish out-cries and clamours ran onely upon the Presbyterians and Fanaticks yet their aim was to ruine all that were true Protestants or honest Assertors of the Liberties and Property of the Subject As their naming his Grace the Duke of Monmouth the Duke of Buckingham the Earl of Essex
Mayor of London and opposed all that should have proclaimed the Duke of York Mrs. Celier though both pretended to be kept close Prisoners he in the Gatehouse and she in Newgate yet being now brought up confirmed in substance the same Story only adding that they were to murder the Lord Mayor destroy all Episcopists set up a Commonwealth and to that purpose allowed Pensions to several old Officers of the late Rebellious Army All these things and words Sir R. Peyton absolutely denied yet was by Warrant from the Council committed to the Tower for High-Treason for Conspiring to raise Arms against the King a close Prisoner though the Five Popish Lords directly charged upon Oath and Impeach'd by Parliament for a Designe to Murder the King and Subvert the Government were admitted mutual Converse and free access of Visitants yet no body without special Warrant being admitted to visit him In the mean time both Gadbury Celier were flusht with hopes of procuring their respective Pardons but that being stopt upon divers weighty Considerations by a most judicious and Honorable Peer Gadbury began to relent and on the 14th discovered the whole contrivance of this Sham-Plot that he knew no harm by Sir Robert but was drawn in by Mrs. Celier c. to testifie such things against him c. whereupon there was an Order that Celier should be kept close Prisoner and 't is supposed Gadbury will at last make a full honest Discovery On Saturday the 17th of January at the Sessions in the Old-Bayly were Arraigned eight persons as Popish Priests viz. David Joseph Kemish Lionel Anderson alias Mounson William Russel alias Napper James Corker and William Marshal Two Benedictine Monks formerly tryed for the Plot with Wakeman George Parris alias Parry Henry Starkey and Alexander Lumsdel Of whom the first that is Mr. Kemish being very antient and sickly was upon his humble request after Arraignment referred to another time for Tryal when he might be better able to make his defence The other seven being severally tryed the chief Witnesses that gave Evidence against them were Dr. Oates Mr. Bedloe Mr. Prance Mr. Dugdale and Mr. Dangerfield The particulars of their respective Charge and Defence are too tedious here to be set forth the sum was that they were severally proved by the Witnesses some speaking as to some of the Prisoners others to others to have said Mass consecrated and administred the Eucharist and frequently performed such Functions as no Lay-man in their Church is allowed to meddle with Particularly it was proved by Mr. Dangerfield that Anderson alias Mounson having scowr'd his Kettle that is took his Confession and given him Absolution and ordered him to receive the Sacrament which he did accordingly did yet the same day perswade him to endeavour to get some secrets out of Stroud then a Prisoner with them in the Kings-bench against Mr. Bedloe and to do it by drinking hard with Stroud and the Witness seeming to be a little scrupulous of being drunk the same day he had Received this holy Father said he might venture without danger it was no harm if he were drunk since he did it for the good of the Cause The Defences made by them were either silly or else rather subtle than solid alleadging that there was no way to convict them of being Priests unless the Witnesses saw them actually take Orders Which if true the Statute would be vain and its whole force eluded None of them had either so much zeal as now to own himself a Priest though one of them had confest it before to the Court which he now denied but rather all seeming to deny it lying at catch with the Witnesses words and urging them to name the very days they heard them say Mass that they might by their Gang prepared to affirm any thing contradict them Which appear'd evidently in that Marshal was not ashamed openly to declare That let Mr. Oates name any time or place whatsoever he would bring Witnesses to disprove him This Marshal was their great Orator who made long Speeches but to very little purpose there being nothing of weight or matter in what he urged Starkey was an Old man that said he had been a Major in the late King's Army and 't was proved that he had boasted that he had said Mass twenty and twenty times in that Army and of late the Witnesses had divers times and at several places heard him say Mass c. After a full and fair Tryal the Jury brought in Six Guilty who thereupon received Sentence of Death But Lumsdel being a Scotchman was left upon a special Verdict it being doubted whether he were within the Statute of the 27 Eliz. cap. 2. on which they were Indicted So that he must lye till the Judges have determined that Point FINIS