out of this World before their times by what means and by whom he gave an account how the last Rebellion begun and what the Jesuits were concerned in the death of the Late King how they Fired the City in 66. what Persons managed every street what Ingredients the Fire-works were made of and where they were made he further giveth an Account of the Firing St. Katharines and Southwark and that lately at Limehouse and several other places in the Country he acquaints them that the Rector of St. Omers gives the French King an account of the Transactions here and relates these Correspondencies in Town he tells this Conspiracy hath been hatching ever since King James's time only the Measures and Instruments have been altered according to the several ages he names the Jesuits that are in Scotland under the Character of Presbyterian Ministers to Preach up Rebellion there he saith that the French King hath already Landed a great Army in Ireland being those Forces that left Messina and it is to make them up 25000. which are to joyn with the Irish Papists in a second Massacre to Fire the City of Dublin and destroy the Duke of Ormond and his Adherents and that part of the Conspiracy was managed by Coleman and that the King was to be killed by Three persons whom he named any of them to take an Opportunity and use all means they thought most effectual that there was a Fire to be begun without Temple-bar and to be carried on to Charing-cross several Porters being assigned to manage it he saith the Cyphers used for the Kings Name in all their Breviates was 48. for the Nation 66. for the Parliament they called them Barly-broth he tells them there was such and such Jesuits in Holland to stir up Animosities among the people and to set them against the Prince of Orange The Examination of Titus Oates before the Lord Chief Justice October 24 1678. This Examinant saith that in the Moneth of May last he saw a Patent under the Seal of the Father General of the Society of Jesuat Rome called Johannis Paulus de Oliva at the Chamber of Mr. Langhorn wherein it was expressed that by vertue of a Breviat from the Pope he did constitute the Lord Arundel of Warder Lord High Chancellor of England which Patent was sent to the Lord Arundel of Warder by a Messenger who was the Son of Mr. Langhorn and this Examinant saith that he saw a Letter subscribed by the Lord Arundel of Warder as he believed wherein he acknowledged the receipt of the same Patent and accepted of the same and promised to ask acceptation of the Society This Examinant saith that in June last he saw the Patent wherein my Lord Powis was Constituted Lord Treasurer of England which Patent was carried by one Parsons Secretary to the Lord Powis from one Sanders's house in Wildstreet to be delivered to the Lord Powis and at the delivery of the Patent 300 l. was paid by Parsons to one Fenwick and Ireland to carry on the design of the Jesuits which was to rase Rebellion in the Three Kingdoms and destroy the King In the Month of July this Examinant saw a Letter subscribed Powis directed to Fenwick wherein his Lordship did own the receipt of the said Patent and did accept of the same and said he had 300. Men and Horse ready for the design and that he would venture his life and fortune for the Affair In the Month of August last This Examinant saw a Letter directed to Mr. Langhorn by the outside but within to the Society of Jesuits wherein Sir William Godolphin acknowledged he had received the like patent to be Lord Privy Seal and he accepted thereof and in July 1677. This Examinant saw the same Patent in the hands of the Arch-bishop of Evan at Madrid in Spain This Examinant saith in July last Mr. Coleman acknowledged and confessed to John Fenwick in this Examinants presence that he received the like Commission or Patent to be Secretary of State this was a good exchange This Examinant saith that in May June July and August last this Examinant saw Two Letters Signed Stafford whereby it did appear that my Lord Stafford was in the Conspiracy against His Majesty and that he had returned several Summs of Mony to the Jesuits to carry on the design these Letters were directed to Fenwick and Ireland And in August this Examinant saw another Letter directed to the same persons signed Stafford wherein my Lord writ that although he hath sent his son to Lisbone yet he would be never the worse friends to the Jesuits and this Examinant conceives the reason of that Letter was because there was a difference between the English Colledge at Lisbone and the Jesuits In July last this Examinant saw in the hands of Fenwick a Commission directed to my Lord Bellasis from the persons aforesaid to be General of the Army to be raised in England against his Majesty and in the same Month this Examinant saw a Letter directed from my Lord to Fenwick wherein his Lordship acknowledged the receipt thereof and thanked the Society for the same and he accepted of and would do what in him lay to answer their exspectation in May last this Examinant saw a patent in the hand of Mr. Langhorne to make the Lord Peters Lievtenant General of the Army and in June last this Examinant did hear my Lord Peters in the presence of Mr. Langworth his Confessor acknowledge the receipt of the same and that he accepted thereof and his Confessor presently wished him much joy thereof This Examinant in July last at the Phesant in Fullers-rents on a Sunday did give one Penny a Commission to be a Captain of Foot this Pennys Sister is Servant to the Queen as Penny said the like Commission for Mr. John Carrol to be a Captain of Horse at my Lady Dramants in July last and gave the Examinant Twenty Shillings that is to say Four new Crowns This Examinant saith he delivered a Commission to one Mr. Townly at the Red-Posts in Wildstreet to be Captain of Foot this was delivered in July or August This Examinant saith that in July last he saw Mr. Fenwick fill a blank Commission which he informed this Examinant was a Commission to Sir George Wakeman to be Physician to the Army and this Examinant saith that he knoweth that Sir George Wakeman is Physician to the Society of Jesuits and hath seen his Patent This Examinant saith that in August last there was a Consultation at which Sir George Wakeman William Herrent John Fenwick Nicholas Blundel John Keines Thomas Jenison Edward Coleman and Dr. Foggarly was present and that 15000 l. was proposed to Sir George Wakeman to Poyson the King who accepted thereof and then received of Coleman 5000 l. in part this Examinant not being well was not present at that Consultation but was informed of it by Foggarly Fenwick and Blundel and this Examinant saw the Levy thereof with Fenwicks hand and Foggarlie told this Examinant that he told Sir George Wakeman if he had such Interest at Court as Wakeman had that he would have undertaken it himself and so he told this Examinant that he would have done it Sworn before me by Titus Oates William Scrogs This following Examination taken upon Oath before us Sir Edmund Windham Sir Thomas Stringer and Sir Gilbert Gerard. AS to the circumstance of time and place this Examinant saith he cannot certainly depose as to such particulars but saith in the Moneths of June or July last this Deponent did in Wild-garden deliver to Sir Francis Ratcliff Baronet a Commission to be Major General of the Army in the presence of his Eldest Son who at the same time received from this Examinant a Commission to be Captain in the said Army and at the delivering of the said Commission Sir Francis Ordered his Son to give this Examinant Three Ginneys which he did accordingly this Examinant never saw Sir Francis Ratcliff before then other then his Son who he was very well acquainted with who told this Examinant that Sir Franois was his Father This Examinant saith that in June last he saw in the hands of Fenwick a Commission or Patent to John Lambert to be Adjutant General to the Army and in July after this Examinant saw a Letter directed to Fenwick wherein Lambert confessed the receipt of the said Commission and accepted of the same and this Examinant is well acquainted with Lamberts Hand This Examinant saw Mr. Langhorn to have a Commission to be Advocate General in his Own hands in May last This Examinant in May last saw a Commission to the Eldest Son of the Lord Arundell of Warder to be Commission General of the Army and heard he accepted of the same at the same time his Father received it This Examinant in June last saw a Commission in the hands of Fenwick to my Lord Baltimore to be Colonel of Horse in the Army and Fenwick delivered it to Groves and this Examinant went with Groves to my Lord Baltimores door and Grove carried the Commission into the house and told the Examinant he delivered it to my Lord and this Examinant within Two or Three days after saw a Letter from my Lord wherein he acknowledged the receipt of it There was a Commission to Colonel Thomas Howard delivered him by this Examinant to be Colonel in the Army but he is since dead this was delivered in June and July last in Wild Garden This Examinant in August last delivered a Commission to Mr. Leshley to be a Colonel of Horse in the Army to be raised against His Maiesty this was delivered in a house in the Strand near the Savoy and this Leshley gave this Examinant a Ginney the same time Another Commission delivered in the same Moneth to one Roper to be a Colonel by this Examinant and another to Ropers Son to be a Captain and the Father gave this Examinant Ten shillings In June or July last he delivered on to Matthew Medborn to be a Captain this was delivered at his house in Plough-yard in Fetter-lane and at the same time he gave his Examinant a Black Hat for a White one This Examinant in August last delivered a Commission to one Winter or Wittor to be a Colonel of Foot FINIS
him Three Blows with his Stick and a Box on the Ear and charged him with being with the King and a Minister with him whom he suspected to have informed the King of these things because that Benningfield had related in a Letter to Blundel that the Duke of York had suggested some such thing to him and did therefore Judge that it must be so by the Deponent that must have been drawn in by some person to the same but at last the Provincial told the Deponent he was willing to be reconciled to him if he would discover who the person was his Name and place of abode to the end he might be secured of him and were resolved to kill him and in the mean time the Deponent was ordered to make himself ready to go Beyond-Sea within Fourteen days as the Provincial said and that the Deponent might not cheat them they were to pay for his Coach-hire and ordered him entertainment at Sittingborne and other places on the Road to Dover and there Mr. Coniers at the Kings-head was to pay for his passage to St. Omers where the said Deponent was to remain till further Orders from the Provincial and R. Blundel was to take care of carrying on the Fire at Wapping in the Deponents Room 78. Item on the Sixth of September Pickering told the Deponent that Coniers was gone to Windsor and he said after Ten days stay he would go to the Lord Brudnels House 79. Item That about Night the Deponent attending the Provincials door and about to go in he heard White and some others whom the Deponent supposes by their Voices to be Father Micho and one Mr. Pool consulting about the disposing a person he supposes to be himself their words were these this man has betrayed us and therefore we will give a Coach-man Twenty Pound to take him up and carry him directly to Rochester to Esquire Leeds house who lives near the Town and from thence to Dover by some by way because he was acquainted at Sittingbourn and said if they could get him beyond-sea they would torment him till he had confessed to them who it was that had been with the King and informed him of the business when the Deponent heard these words he made hast away and durst not lie that night in his own Lodgings 80. Item That the Seventh of September at Night the Deponent returned to his Lodgings where he intended not to lye but only to take some necessaries for his use the next day but meeting one Grigson a Papist at whose house he had formerly lodged near the Read-Lion in Drury-lane the said Grigson told him that the Jesuits were displeased with him because he answered not their expectations in being true to them and that the Jesuits are dangerous persons and would ruin him if they could and said further that the said Grigson had known their Rogeries this Twelve or Fourteen years and the Deponent being through discourse detained by him was forced to lye in his Lodging in Drury-Lane and when the Deponent was laid down in his Bed one Stratford a person utterly unknown to the Deponent discoursed with or any otherwise provoked endeavoured to break into the house where the Deponent lay and broke down a door to get into his Lodging but was forced back because he apprehended himself to be observed by the Servants and when he saw he could not come at him to Assassinate him as he verily believes he reviled him The Deponent and brake several Quarrels of Glass in a Window under his Lodging the Deponent being therefore verily perswaded that Stratford was set on by the Jesuits to do him a mischief made his escape thence easily on Sunday Morning but durst not return thither again because that Stratford threatned to kill him now the House where the Deponent lay is a School where Blundel usually Catechized every Sunday in the Afternoon 81. Item September the Eighth whilst this Deponent was going to attend Gods worship in the City of London a Papist who goes by the Name of Nevil met him in the Strand and told the Deponent there was great murmuring amongst the Jesuits against him because a complaint was made against them by some persons of whom he was suspected one The said Nevil did tell the Deponent that it was reported he must ruin the Jesuits or they him telling him moreover that the Bishop of Rochester was made acquainted with it and said he would lead them such a Dance as they never followed since the Fool their Founder came into the World to which this Deponent made no reply but taking this person to be a Trapan when asked for his Lodging gave no account The Names of the Conspirators and where they are Jesuits THomas White Provincial England Richard Strange late Provincial England Richard Ashbey alias Thimbleby England Mr. Hartcourt Mr. Jenison in England John Keines in England William Wright in England Richard Blundel in England Gregory Pool in England Micho in England Benningfield in England Langworth in England Morgan in England Richard Peters in England Dorrington in England Lacy in England Vaughan in England Every in England Sir Thomas Preston at Leige Sir John Warner at Watton Thomas Stapleton at St. Omers Thomas Farmor at St. Omers Mr. Egglestone at Watton Mr. Sanders at Leige Edward Hull at St. Omers Coniers in England Launell and Christopher Peters at St. Omers Jenison at Watton Marsh at Ghent John Peters in England Blake alias Cross in Spain Munford in Spain Wilkinson in England Woolfe in England Nevel in England Sabrand at St. Omers Walker at St. Omers Roper at St. Omers Constable at St. Omers Canny at Rome Crane at Watton Benedictines Howard at Doway Hilchcock at Doway Anderton in England Coniers in England Rumly in England Cocker in England Skinner in England Crosby in England Mr. Reeves at Doway Carmelites Doctor Hanson in England Mr. Trevers in England Mr. Kemball in England Franciscans Mr. Napper in England Doctor Armstrong in England Dominicans Joseph David Kinmash in England Dominick in England Collins in England Vincent in England Hidden in England Mansell in England Lynsdale in England Captain Busby in England Cooper at Rome Secular Priests Perrot in England Morgan in England Willmot in England Doctor Godden in England Jones Senior in England Jones Junior in England Woolfe in France These Seven only by Information Gerrard in England Herick in England Fisher in England Jackson in England Piâ—kerd in England Sharpe in England Doctor Preston in England Scotch Jesuits Lovell Saunders More Twelve Jesuits whose Names I know not lately gone into Scotland but their Persons I know Secular persons Doctor Foggerly Sir George Wakeman Mr. Coleman John Groves Assassinates Four Irish Pickering Lay-Brothers Smith Lay-Brothers Talbot and Lynn Arch-Bishops Jerom Sinman Sir William Godolphin Lord Embassador in Spain The Examination of Titus Oates before the Parliament WHo begins his Account from King James's Reign and tells them that he and His Son Prince Henry were both dispatched
THE DISCOVERY OF THE Popish Plot BEING The several Examinations of TITUS OATES D. D. Before the High Court OF PARLIAMENT The Lord CHIEF JUSTICE Sir EDMUND-BURY GODFRY And several other of His MAJESTY's JUSTICES of the PEACE London Printed 1679. Titus Oates D. D. his Journal and Affidavit of his Discovery of the Conspiracy before Sir Edmund-Bury Godfry Septemb. the 27th 1678. IMprimis Richard Strange Provincial John Keines Bazil Longworth John Fenwick and Mr. Hartcourt Jesuites did Write a Treasonable Letter to Father Sinman an Irish Jesuite at Madrid in the Kingdom of Spain in which was contained their Plotting and Contriving a Rebellion in Scotland of the Presbyterians against the Episcopal Government in order to which they have imployed one Matthew Wright William Morgan and Mr. Ireland to go and Preach under the Notion of Presbyterians and give the disaffected Scots a true understanding of their sad States and Conditions which they were in by reason of Episcopal Tyranny exercised against them and withall to tell them now they had a fair opportunity to Vindicate their Liberty and Religion and that it could be done by no other way but the Sword and that now the King was addicted to his Pleasure that he would and could take but little care of that Concern In the said Letter it was expressed they had gotten an Interest in His Royal Highness but they deal with him as they think fit and that they were resolved by all means to weaken the King of England's Interest by informing his Friends of his intent to betray them into the Hands of Forraign Powers viz. to send them to fall by the Sword in the French King's Service against the Confederate Princes which Letter bares Date April 19 27 1677. 2. That the Persons abovementioned gave the Deponent 10 l. to carry the said Letter to Father Sinman into the Kingdom of Spain to Madrid the said Sinman being the Provincial General for the Kingdom of England and Ireland and in order to which Message the Deponent Embarked himself in the Ship called the Bâ—sca Merchant whereof Luke Bath-Roch was then Master to go for Bâ—lboa and there took Mules for Valladolydd but staying a day at Burgos in Spain the Deponent broke open the said Letter and found these Contents in the same 3. That they of the Society of Jesus in the English Seminary at St. Omers sent a Mission of Twelve Students into the Kingdom of Spain viz. Eight to Valladolydd and Four to Madrid there being English Colledges in both places in order to Study Philosophy and Divinity which Missioners were sent by Richard Ashbey Richard Peter Nicholas Blundel and Charles Peter by the Patents of the several Missioners by which they had power to demand Admission into the respective Colledges to which they were sent which Missioners were obliged by the Jesuits of the Colledges to renounce their Allegiance to His Majesty of Great Britain in the hearing of the Deponent and those of Valladolydd were taught by Daniel Armestrong a Jesuite Minister of the English there That First the Oath of Allegiance is Heretical and Anti-christian and Divellish and that Charles Stuart King of England is no Lawful King but comes of aspurious Rase and 〈◊〉 his Father was a Black Scotch-man and not King Charles the First This was delivered in a Sermon the 29th of Sept. 1677. to the Students there which Sermon the Deponent did hear and in this Sermon the said Daniel Armestrong in plain words did say that the King of England was a Bastard now that Daniel Armestrong goeth in Spain by the Name of Joseph Munford in Spanish by John Montefortio 4. That the said John Munford alias Armestrong did bring Letters from St. Omers to the English Colledge at Valladolydd to the Father there in Latin by reason they were Spaniards in which was expressed and related from the Fathers at St. Omers that the Fathers of the Society of London hath procured one Father Beningfield to be Confessor to His Royal Highness but if they saw that His Royal Highness did not answer their expectation they would dispose of him as they did intend to dispose of His Brother the King which they hoped to effect within a year which Letter bares Date June 1677. and Subscribed by Richard Ashbey alias Shimbleby Rector of the English Jesuites at St. Omers Richard Peter Minister Edward Nevil Prefect of the Studies Ch. Peters Prefect of Sodality John Farmor Prefect of Manors which Letters the Deponent saw in the Month of September 1677. at Valladolydd in the Kingdom of Spain 5. That Father Sinman above mentioned Writ to the English Colledge and the Fathers there said that the King of England was Poysoned to the great Joy of the English Fathers and that they would serve King James so if he did not give them a good assurance of bringing in the Catholick Religion and of rooting out the Protestant this Letter bore Date July the And was seen and read by the Deponent at Valladolydd near the latter end of July 1677. 6. That one Father John Blake alias Cross who went with the Four Students to Madrid did bring Letters from Richard Strange Provincial of the Jesuits and one Father Gray a Jesuit and John Keines to Father Sinman above mentioned in which was specifyed the great diligence was used by the said Richard Strange Father Gray and John Keines to procure such persons to dispatch the King and to put a period to his dayes which Letter bore date June the 10. 1677. Stilo Novo And the Deponent being sent to Madrid in August read it in Father Sinmans Chamber he shewing it also at the same time to James Arch-Bishop of Tuam of the Kingdom of Ireland 7. That the said Father Sinman received another Letter July the 20. 1677. Stilo Novo from Richard Strange Father Gray John Keines Bazill Longworth John Fenwick Father Ireland and Father Hartcourt in which they did manifest they were very sorry for informing him that he might assure himself that the business was done there man William being faint harted could not then do it though he had 15000 l. promised for his pains of which Letters the English Missioners by one information that at Madrid by John Cross alias Blake and those of Valladolydd by Daniel Armestrong Jesuit which Letters the deponent saw in the Chamber of Mr. Synman at Madrid at the same time that he saw the Letters of the _____ June mentioned in the fore-going paragraph or number 8. That on the 3. of November Stilo Novo Father Petro Jeronymo de Cordela Provincial of the Jesuits in New Castle did write to Richard Strange and John Keines that if the business of dispatching of the King of England could be effected they should have 10000 l. which Letter the deponent brought from Valladolydd to Bilboa and imbarked in a Ship within 5 dayes after his Arrival thither and in five dayes more arrived at a little Town near Exeter and in five dayes more at London and delivered
in which it was ordered that if the said Father Confessor should not be ready to comply with the said Stapleton that Messengers should be forthwith sent to Father Sinman at Madrid to inform His Majesty of Spain of the said concern and to make the same relation of the business to the Arch-Bishop of Tuam in the Kingdom of Ireland now at the Court of Madrid That he the said Arch-Bishop and the said Sinman might jointly give an account to the King of Spain of the motion made or to be made to the said Father Confessor to the Duke De Villa Hermosa and also to advise the Spanish King to Seize the Estates of the English Merchants in several Factories in this Kingdom For that they have endeavoured to Transport them to England which would tend highly to the prejudice of Spain and for the Confirmation whereof they procured Letters from one Fausica sometimes an Agent in London to attest the same To which the said Fausica willingly condescended and sent his Letters to St. Omers to be sent to the Court of Spain that the Fathers might give their approbation which Letter was long and large with attestations therein made against the Merchants residents in their several Factories concerning the matter of Faith before mentioned and also other Letters to Daniel Armstrong at Valladolidd and John Armstrong at Madrid which they were ordered to Confirm this affirmation made or to be made by the Fathers in England and of the English Seminaries at St. Omers Or if the said Stapleton together with that of Fausica the above mentioned Spanish Agent now lives at Bruges in Flanders All which Letters bore Date the First Second of January 1678. Stilo Novo and were seen by the Deponent at St. Omers and in the Letters to the Two Fathers Armstrong and Cross in Spaein was contained a special Order that if the fermer could go to Madrid he should send his Attestation to Don John of Austria and to carry on which 200 l. was made over by Father Sinman and the English Fathers 16. That when the Lords came from England about the business before mentioned to St. Omers Edward Nevil and Thomas Farmer did say that they would not let this Black Bastard go so to His Grave in peace meaning the King of England for that he had cheated them so often and that now they resolved to be served so no more That this Deponent standing by said if the Duke prove slippery they both replyed that his Pas-Port was ready when ever he should appear to fail them These words were heard by the Deponent on the Third of January in the Afternoon in the Library of the Jesuits at St. Omers 17. That on the Fourth of January 1678. Stilo Novo Letters were sent from Richard Ashbey Edward Hall Edward Novil Christ Peters William Busby James Junior Thomas Farmer Michael Constable Jesuits of the English Seminary at St. Omers as also from Father Williams Rector of Watton and Master of the Novices there Sir Jo. Warner Barroner alias Clare Franois Samby alias Ditz-Biling to the Father-Confessor of the Emperours Majesty That His Majesty of Great Britain hath treatherously been the ruin of the Confederates especially of the Germain Empire and of his Catholick Princes under him and has under hand stirred up the Hungarian Rebellion against his Imperial Majesty and found them Money to go on in their Rebellion His design being not to keep any Alliance with his Imperial Majesty but only in shew that he might advance the Prince of Orange his Nephew and make him absolute and therefore prayed the States of Holland might have notice of it Which Letter was seen and perused by the Deponent it being writ in the Latine Tongue All which Letters were sent away by a Lay Brother who was a Dutch Man and when these Letters were sending away one of the Lay Brothers whose name was George did say the Prince of Orange was more fit to Roban Orchard than to be a General of an Army 18. That Letters bearing Date the 1. of January Stilo Novo arrived at St. Omers January the 20. from Arch-Bishop Talbot Arch Bishop of Dubline wherein it was expressed that the Fathers of the Society in Ireland were very vigilant to prepare the people to rise for the defence of their liberty and Religion and to recover their estates and if the Parliament that was to fit in England shall joyn with the King in declaring war against France and should put His Majesty to ingage in a War with France that a place in Ireland should be open to receive the French Kings Army when His Most Christian Majesty should think fit to Land one their And in the Letter he advised the Fathers of St. Omers to advertise Father Leshee of the same and other Jesuits that had an interest in the French King and that His Majesty of Great Britain was brought to that pass that if any Male content amongst them should not prove true to their designs His Majesty would never give ear to their information and prayed them to be diligent for now was the time or never Which Letter this Deponent saw and read and in order to the Fathers Compliance with the said Arch-Bishops Letters to Father Leshee to Paris and appointed Edward Nevil and William Busby to carry and deliver them to the said Leshee which Letters were answered with all speed by the aforesaid Messengers Jesuits as above The one of them being Prefect of Studies and the other Procurator for the Seminaries and by them writ Letters to Thomas White Provincial to the Rector of St. Omers viz. Richard Ashbey but of that to the Provincial the Deponent can give no account but of that to Ashbey the Deponent faith there was expressed in it that the General of the Society of the Jesuits would Contribute 500000. Crowns to be paid in June next coming and that his Holiness the Pope would not be wanting to supply them when they had made some progress in that glorious attempt 19. That another Packet arrived at St. Omers directed to Richard Ashbey Rector there the Date whereof is not well remembred by this Deponent but as near as he doth remember it was about the beginning of the Parliament for then came the Kings and Lord Chancellors Speeches and Votes of Parliament which were put into ridiculous Phrases in contempt of the King and both Houses of Parliament and for the Fathers and Scholars to Laugh at and then Translated into French and given to the Governor of St. Omers who sent them to the French King his Master and in the Packet was contained the account of the attempt of one Pickering a Lay Brother that waited on the Jesuites lying at Sommerset-house to Shoot the King as he was Walking in St. James's Park when he was at some distance from his Nobles and Attendants but the Flint of his Pistol being loose he did defer the Action till another opportunity and if he had done it and had
the Deponent did not see 33. Item that in the Moneth of July Richard Ashbey came to London with instructions from the said Thomas Whitebread or White that the 10000 l. procured by Father Leshee and in the hands of the Society in London should be sent into the hands of one Worsely their Banker and that the said Richard Ashbey with other Fathers should agree with Sir George Wakeman about the Poysoning the King and if that he would undertake it he should have 10000 l. which the said Richard Ashbey told the Deponent shewing him the said instructions by way of memorandum in writing in the which memorandum was contained an Item given by the said Thomas Whitebread to the said Richard Ashbey for the assassination of the Right Reverend Father in God Herbert Lord Bishop of Hereford and for that the said had been educated in the Popish Religion and was fallen and they were resolved that they would not spare any Apostate from the Roman Faith the said Richard Ashbey asked the Deponent whether the said Bishop was a forward man against Catholicks to which the Deponent not knowing the said Lord Bishop said he could not tell and the said Ashbey did say the times now being ready to Change they would be ready to punish Apostates but all those Hereticks that had obstinately opposed the proceedings of the Society and their Agents in propagating the Faith and interest of the Church of Rome a just reward for their obstinacy and Apostacy and though the Parliament had taken away the Act for Burning Hereticks yet they should not escape the vengeance of Catholicks 34. Item That in the Moneth of July 1678. Richard Strange late Provincial of the Jesuits came to the Lodging of Mr. Richard Ashbey who before he went down to the Bath lay in the new Provincials Lodgings at Mr. Saunders his house and finding the Deponent with the said Ashbey did desire him the Deponent to meet him at his Chamber at Mr. John Groves in York-street and after a very short stay with him took his leave of the said Ashbey and the Deponent took his leave also and followed the said Strange and got to his Chamber presently after him where the said Strange did encourage the Deponent to go on in assisting the Society in carrying on the design and thereupon told the Deponent that they got 14000 l. by the Fire in London in 1666. the Deponent asked the said Strange how they came to Effect that great and famous Work the said Strange replyed that himself one Gray one Pennington and one Burton Jesuits and some others with one Kinmash a Dominican Joyned with one Green that met at one Mr. Wests house at the Green Dragon at Puddle-Dock the said West was a Taylor whom they imployed to make them some Cloaths and there they did debate the manner about the Firing the City and where they should begin and did attempt it in February 1664 5. But then not being provided with assistance enough lost that good opportunity because Downe and he being afraid to be killed ran away This was the greatest Plunder of one sort they got as the said Strange informed the Deponent there was a 1000. Carrats of Diamonds rapt in several Papers for several Goldsmiths but they were conveyed by the first opportunity to St. Omers The Deponent asked Strange how One Man should trust them with so much Goods and never One Man had so much Jewels at once The said Strange said he could not tell that but certain it was they met with them and sold them for 3500 l. sterling in Flanders and had a Fish Dinner into the Bargain at the Salutation Tavern in Holbourn at the return of the Money The Deponent asked Strange how the Fire began The Deponent farther asked Strange how many servants the Society imployed and he said about 80. or 86. he could not tell which he the said Strange said farther that indeed they were resolved to have Cut off the King when at work in Person about the Fire but then they were not got secure of the Duke who was then but a well-wisher of theirs and besides they seeing the King so Industrious they could not find in their Hearts do it Whilst this discourse in hand a Gentlewoman knockt at the Door and so we broke off being Nine of the Clock and ended at almost Eleven in the Forenoon and the Deponent went to his Lodging in Drury-lane 35. Item That Richard Ashbey the day before he went down to the Bath which was in July had a Conference with Father Hartcourt Father Fenwick Father Ireland Father Keines Father Strange Father Jenison Father Blundel and others of the Society by Order of the Provincial to send new Messengers into Scotland to promote the Commotion there and to informe the People of the great Tyranny they lye under by reason of their being denied the liberty of their Consciences and that not to be procured but by the Sword they must take that course to purchase their Liberty by which means said the Fathers thus assembled we shall weaken both the Presbyterian and the Episcopal party at which Conference the said Deponent was present and heard these words 36. Item That in July the said Richard Ashbey went down to Bath in Order to his being Cured for the Gout and the Morning that he went away the Deponent being in the Chamber to take his leave of him Father Hartcourt Rector of Londâ—n came to him and told him that if after he left the Bath he would make a little progress into Sommersetshire to informe those of the Society of the design it would do well and withal desired the said Ashbey to hasten to Town after he had finished the said Information which the Deponent did hear 37. Item That on the First of August Letters from Thomas Whitebread bearing Date the 22. of July to John Fenwick in which it was expressed that if 10000 l. would not do he would have 15000 l. should be proposed for the effecting of the Kings death and that 150000 l. should be proposed to Sir George Wakeman if he should refuse the 10000 l. But whether Sir George hath been Treated about the Concern the Deponert cannot as yet inform in this Article but Sir George was divers times in Ashbey's Company as the Deponent was informed by the said Ashbey and saw the Letters sent to John Fenwick Three days after which was the Fourth of August 1678. Item That Letters arrived in London bearing Date the Fifth of August 1678. from Thomas White Provincial to John Fenwick from St. Omers in the which he did inform the Fathers that he had made his Visit within his promise and that he Ordered Twelve Jesuits to go for Holland and Inform the Dutch that the Prince of Orange did intend to Assume the Crown of a King and that he was resolved to bring them under another Government which Missioners took their leave of the said Thomas White on Ignatius's day the 31. of July but got
no further than Watton by reason of a Mischance they met withal in the way by which Missioners the said Thomas White did design to beget in the Dutch an evil Opinion of the Prince of Orange and to cause a Commotion there against the Prince Which Letter the Deponent saw and read in Fenwicks Chamber the Eleventh of August 1678. 39. Item That another Letter of the Master of the Augustins came to Blundel and because the Thames was Frozen over and the Sickness coming on they altered their purpose and in January 1675 6. they met with this Green again who closed with them in their design and that they might Ingratiate themselves the more with him furnished him with Thirty Pound he being Poor yet they found him an Active Man and fit for their purpose and the more to ingage the said Green they pretended to hold many Fifth-Monarchy Mens Principles which when Green perceived Judging them too zealous brought them acquainted with Eight others who were zealous in the business The aforesaid Jesuits were earnest to have the business done in February before the return of the Inhabitants to London But the said Green intreated them to suspend that resolution because that they should be the sooner discovered and such a design must have an uproar and besides that the King would not be much in Town if at all until the Plague was more abated whom the said Green did say must be Cut off too when the People were in a hurry by reason of the Fire and this Motion pleased the Jesuits and Dominicans well and it was put off in a very little time after the said Green and the rest of the Fifth-Monarchy Men together with those Four Jesuits above named and the Dominicans were suspected by the said West that kept the house at Puddle-dock and were forewarned the said house and presently after Green and his Eight acquaintance were clapt up in Prison But for what the said Strange did not tell the said Deponent upon the Imprisonment of these Nine Persons The said Jesuits did go to St. Omers and remain there till May after the Execution of Eight of these aforesaid Persons Green dying in Newgate one Fitz-Gerard an Irish Man and Jesuit and one Neal of White-Chappel did write to this Strange as the said Strange informed the Deponent that none of the Fathers names were mentioned in the business of these men and thought they might safely return so In the latter part of May they set forth for England and got to London the beginning of June and then concealing their Names and Lodgings they began afresh to consult about this Fire which was still carried on by the Jesuits in London in the absence of the said Persons and it was plotted by them in the Fire-time to Cut off the King that the number of the Beast might be accomplished in the uttering of which words the said Strange broke out into a great Laughter but said the said Strange To be short we got 50. or 60. Jesuits to ply the work and one Everard was very diligent in preserving the Fire-Balls which they had made and put into Granada-shells and the more to Palliate this they procured this Everard a Place in the Kings Service to look after the Ammunition that was to be carried down to the Fleet it being in the time of the First Dutch War and the said Strange told the Deponent that great Attempts we made at the Tower but without effect But said Strange to the return ordering our Affairs we were also in Fee with several French men who also were faithful in the business and all things being ready and the place pitched upon Strange removes his Quarters and got to lye in a house in Fanchurch-street and went by the name of Walker this he did in August 1666. and with him he took the aforesaid Kinmash the Dominican together with Pennington and Purton who lay at an Apothecaries house in Shooe-lane c. Fitz-Gerrard lay at Neales in Whitechappel but Neale was one to see the Fire carried on through Thames-street and so to the Tower In a word the said Strange told the Deponent they spent 700. Fire-Balls and when the Fire-Merchants were at work then others both Men and Women were at work to Plunder what they could and that they had a Ware-house in Wildstreet where some things so plundered were laid and other things they concealed in Sommerset-house as Holland Cambrick Fine Cloth and some considerable quantities of Plate and a Box of Jewels the Owners gave their Men to carry away and ordered his Servant to go along with him but they having increased their number ordered the Servant to be knocked down by the Fathers in London for not giving an account of what progress they made or to be made in the proposals to Sir George Wakeman and how he refused it if made and if not to do it for it would not be convenient to deferr it and told them that Ireland was safely arrived at St. Omers Who only told that the King was very secure and therefore he the Provincial admonished them to be very vigilant which Letter the said Blundel shewed the Deponent the 19. of August 1678. 40. Item That another Packet of the 15. of August from St. Omers from Thomas White Provincial to Father John Fenwick in the which were Letters inclosed to Father Jenison Father Hartcourt and others which Letters he did not see but that to Fenwick the Deponent saw and read and in it the said Thomas White did write that he hoped that the Figure 365. should lie as low as ever 666. did and that if Poyson did not take the King away Fire should for the Catholick Religion would never flourish unless I. H. S. took its Course Now the Deponent saith that the Figure 365. is meant Westminster and by 666. London it being the Character or Cypher for those places and the Letters I. H. S. Jesuits they using it always 41. That the Deponent was informed by John Fenwick and others of the Society then in his Chamber that the Jesuits had 60000 l. per annum good Rents and 100000 l. in Bank that he and the rest of the Society have in the name of their several Trustees lent Money out at 5 l. per cent the improvement of which Money in Bank is used about these practices and that it costeth them 400 l. per annum for intelligence besides their dayly Messengers on which vast summs of Money are spent and besides an other part is transported beyond-Sea by Bills of Exchange which the Deponent in a very great part knoweth himself to be true and of the rest they themselves have informed him several times all which tends much to the dammage of the Kingdom 42. Item That on Munday 5 15 of August Father Hartcourt John Keines John Fenwick and another of the Society whose names the Deponent remembers not did say they intended to raise a commotion in England and Wales which also did appear by
he lived till Christmas he should see a good change of things either that 48. should be taken from the World or the World especially that little World he was concerned in should be taken from him and that one that was a Catholick should play such a Game as never was play'd since the Conquest All which the said Fenwick told the Deponent in his Chamber and the Deponent asked the said Fenwick who this Catholick was and the said Fenwick said it was the _____ and the Deponent said 48. is put for the King 51. Item on the 21. of August in the Evening the Deponent went to the Lodging of John Keines where he found another Jesuit with him whose name this Deponent remembers not in whose presence the said John Keines told the Deponent that his Provincial had taken great care for keeping alive the differences between the disaffected Scots and Duke Lautherdale and that the Affairs in Ireland went on with great expedition and that meanes was now used to create a difference between the Dutch and Prince of Orange and if it could be effected there was no question to be made but that the Protestant interest would fail in Holland and that 48. would not last long in England for that it was high time to hinder 49. from being effected that Barley Broath trade should grow dead and Twelve be cut off that Mum and Chocholate should be put down and the order of Magpies should be turned into their first institution and habit now the Deponent saith these words to hinder 49. to be effected is an odd expression amongst them for the cutting off the King before he be 49. Years Old compleat Barly Broath is the House of Commons which shall be turned out and sit no more Mum and Chocholate is Protestant persons which if not destroyed shall never have any vote in the House of Peers after this Kings death and by the Magpies they understand the Bishops whose habit in Parliament is Black and White which shall be turned into Purple whilst the said Keines and the other Jesuit entertained this Deponent with these Treasonable discourses and expressions Mr. Jenison came to the said Keines and told him he lost a Letter which he had received from Thomas White the Provincial of St. Omers in a Walk he took to Islington and would give Ten Pound to any friend that would give it to him and was afraid some inconveniencies would follow if found by some Heretick which words put the said Keines into such a Consternation that he asked him if he had a mind to ruin them all but then the said Jenison bad the said Keines to be quiet for none could understand it which word this Deponent did likewise hear 52. Item That Mr. Keines was on the Twelfth day of August determined to go to Windsor in Order to settle business therein and towards the dispatching 48. at Windsor if the King should go thither and it was Judged the said 48. would in few days go to Windsor to make his abode there for some Weeks but the said John Keines told this Deponent he might chance to fall short of his return again these words were spoken to the Deponent by John Keines in his Chamber but the said Keines did not then go down to Windsor so soon as afterwards appeared to the Deponent 53. Item That Smith within mentioned that lyeth in Drury-Lane at one Mr. Lowdes house a Taylor in Cock-pit Alley in the aforesaid Lane and is also imployed to go from House to House to see how the Catholicks stand affected and Mr. Jenison did say that if the Catholicks had Courage enough they might Rise and Cut the Throats of 100000. Protestants in London of which expression of Jenison the said Smith did tell the Deponent asking his Opinion also of the same he answered that Mr. Jenison talked like a Person that had more heat than light The said Smith did at the same time tell the Deponent that the Society gave him Five Pound per cent for his Intelligence he getteth at Court of the Kings Actions words and Council and transmits the same to John Fenwick who doth the like to St. Omers where it is Translated into French and so goes to Father Leshee the Confessor to the French King which daily Intelligence the Deponent did daily see from the said Smith he Lodging in the same house with the Deponent and the said Smith at the same time did tell the Deponent he was a Lay Brother of the Society of Jesus of the Order of Politicians as they term it and attends Father Blundel to Newgate in Order to Convert the Prisoners there All which the said Smith did tell the Deponent the 12. of August and likewise the said Blundel did tell as much to the Deponent who hath seen the said Blundel and Smith go to Newgate together 54. Item That one Matthew Medbourn a Player in the Dukes Theatre one Mr. Penny Mr. Mammock Mr. Sharpe Mr. Shedon and one Willim Smith a Schoolmaster at Islington one Edward Everard and others meeting in a Club on Thursday and Sunday Nights with one Jones a Priest and one Kinmash within mentioned All these Persons are employed by the Jesuits to Villifie the House of Commons and to go about the City of London to Incense the people against them and against the Bishops of the Nation and they delivered this Treasonable Position that the Commons Assembled in Parliament are the Devils representatives and not the Nations which Treasonable and detestable words this Deponent did hear at the said Club which is kept in Fullers Rents near Grays Inn in the Month of August and the Deponent was Ordered by the Jesuits in London to give the said Persons great respect and in their Names to thank the Club for their faithfulness to them in that Particular 55. Item That Mr. Jenison on the Twelfth of August did say and did boast that he had put several out of Love with the Kings Interest and would so continue if that the King did not Turn Roman Catholick and if the King did not become Roman Catholick he would not be Charles Rex long 56. Item That a Pacquet 10 20. August arrived in London from Thomas White Provincial Mr. Stapleton Mr Nevil Mr. Peters Mr. Busby Procurator and Master of the Humanity Schools to John Fenwick in which it was specified that the Twelve Jesuits were gone into Holland and would use their skill and interest to make a Commotion there and that the Apple-tree which the Deponent saith is meant the Prince of Orange should not be Great and they hoped the Fathers in London would follow their business closely which Letters this Deponent saw and read 57. That a Packet went from London 12 22 August in which the Provincial was informed by John Fenwick and the rest that the Court was gone or going to Windsor and the Fathers and honest William were ready to attend the Court as this Deponent was informed by John Fenwick 58. That on August