Mr. Sheridan's speech after his examination before the late House of Commons on Wednesday the 15th of December 1680
         Sheridan, Thomas, 1646-ca. 1688.
      
       
         
           1681
        
      
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             Mr. Sheridan's speech after his examination before the late House of Commons on Wednesday the 15th of December 1680
             Sheridan, Thomas, 1646-ca. 1688.
          
           4 p.
           
             Printed for Jo. Hindmarsh,
             London :
             1681.
          
           
             Caption title.
             Reproduction of original in the Harvard University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Sheridan, Thomas, 1646-ca. 1688.
           Popish Plot, 1678.
        
      
    
     
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           M
           
           r.
           
           Sheridan's
           Speech
           after
           his
           Examination
           before
           the
           late
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           on
           Wednesday
           the
           15
           th
           of
           December
           ,
           1680.
           
        
         
           T
           Is
           ,
           I
           confess
           Sir
           ,
           a
           great
           misfortune
           to
           fall
           under
           the
           Displeasure
           of
           the
           Honourable
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           Burden
           that
           no
           man
           ,
           tho'
           never
           so
           great
           ,
           is
           able
           to
           bear
           ;
           It
           cannot
           then
           be
           a
           wonder
           ,
           if
           so
           inconsiderable
           a
           Person
           ,
           and
           of
           so
           little
           strength
           as
           I
           ,
           should
           stoop
           under
           the
           weight
           ;
           Not
           that
           I
           fear
           any
           Danger
           to
           my
           Person
           ,
           but
           grieve
           for
           the
           wounds
           it
           gives
           my
           Reputation
           ,
           which
           I
           have
           always
           valu'd
           above
           my
           Life
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           might
           be
           preserv'd
           spotless
           ,
           I
           have
           ever
           made
           it
           my
           study
           to
           
             keep
             a
             good
             Conscience
             ,
             void
             of
             Offence
             ,
             towards
             God
             and
             towards
             Man
          
           ;
           and
           therefore
           I
           little
           expected
           to
           be
           brought
           as
           a
           Criminal
           to
           this
           Bar
           ,
           or
           any
           Tribunal
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           am
           convinc'd
           ,
           Innocence
           is
           no
           security
           against
           the
           Darts
           of
           Envy
           or
           Malice
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           who
           will
           hazard
           his
           Body
           or
           his
           Soul
           ,
           may
           take
           away
           the
           Life
           and
           Fame
           of
           any
           one
           at
           pleasure
           ;
           't
           is
           to
           men
           of
           such
           principles
           I
           owe
           my
           present
           Trouble
           :
           I
           do
           not
           say
           this
           to
           reflect
           upon
           any
           Member
           of
           this
           Great
           and
           Honourable
           Assembly
           .
           My
           Evil
           is
           from
           without
           Doors
           ,
           and
           I
           know
           the
           Authors
           and
           the
           Contrivance
           so
           well
           ,
           that
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           convenient
           ,
           I
           cou'd
           name
           them
           ,
           and
           trace
           the
           whole
           Chain
           ,
           Link
           by
           Link
           ,
           to
           the
           very
           first
           ,
           hammer'd
           by
           Prejudice
           ,
           and
           particular
           Interest
           .
        
         
           I
           do
           not
           wonder
           that
           ,
           in
           the
           present
           circumstances
           ,
           you
           shou'd
           have
           an
           ear
           open
           to
           all
           reports
           that
           any
           way
           relate
           to
           the
           publick
           ,
           this
           is
           due
           to
           your
           Station
           ,
           and
           to
           your
           Prudence
           ;
           and
           because
           Justice
           and
           your
           Honour
           require
           it
           ,
           I
           as
           little
           doubt
           your
           reserving
           the
           other
           ear
           for
           the
           Pleas
           and
           Defences
           of
           the
           Accus'd
           ,
           or
           that
           you
           will
           condemn
           any
           man
           unheard
           :
           Upon
           this
           assurance
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           bold
           to
           beg
           ,
           with
           all
           due
           respect
           and
           reverence
           ,
           that
           I
           may
           have
           liberty
           to
           speak
           for
           my self
           without
           interruption
           ;
           If
           you
           are
           pleas'd
           to
           grant
           me
           this
           favour
           ,
           I
           will
           use
           it
           as
           fully
           and
           briefly
           as
           I
           can
           ,
           for
           your
           satisfaction
           and
           my
           own
           vindication
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           been
           represented
           (
           I
           hope
           without
           offence
           I
           may
           say
           ,
           traduc'd
           ,
           for
           so
           I
           can
           make
           it
           appear
           )
           for
           a
           person
           of
           no
           Fortune
           ,
           a
           Papist
           ,
           a
           second
           Coleman
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           more
           ridiculous
           ,
           tho'
           not
           more
           false
           ,
           a
           Jesuit
           ,
           and
           the
           Duke's
           Confessor
           .
        
         
           In
           clearing
           my self
           from
           these
           Aspersions
           ,
           I
           must
           be
           forc'd
           to
           say
           something
           ,
           which
           nothing
           but
           necessity
           ,
           that
           either
           has
           none
           ,
           or
           breaks
           all
           Laws
           ,
           can
           excuse
           from
           vanity
           .
           As
           that
           I
           was
           born
           a
           Gentleman
           ,
           of
           one
           of
           the
           antientest
           Families
           ,
           and
           related
           to
           many
           Considerable
           ,
           in
           Ireland
           ;
           in
           one
           County
           there
           is
           a
           Castle
           ,
           and
           a
           large
           Demean
           ,
           and
           in
           another
           a
           greater
           tract
           of
           Land
           for
           several
           Miles
           together
           ,
           yet
           known
           by
           our
           Name
           ,
           I
           need
           not
           say
           who
           was
           the
           head
           or
           chief
           ,
           't
           is
           too
           much
           that
           my
           Grand-father
           was
           the
           last
           who
           enjoy'd
           the
           Estate
           ,
           and
           that
           my
           Father
           left
           an
           Orphan
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           King
           
           Iames's
           Reign
           ,
           soon
           found
           himself
           dispossess'd
           and
           expos'd
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           whole
           County
           ,
           with
           five
           others
           ,
           being
           intirely
           escheated
           to
           the
           Crown
           .
           My
           Parents
           Protestants
           ,
           my
           Mother
           a
           Gentlewoman
           of
           England
           ,
           of
           good
           Fortune
           ,
           a
           Foster
           ,
           who
           for
           my
           Fathers
           sake
           quitted
           her
           Country
           and
           her
           Relations
           ,
           both
           fam'd
           for
           honesty
           ,
           for
           their
           Loyalty
           and
           Sufferings
           in
           the
           
             late
             Rebellion
          
           ,
           when
           my
           Father
           scap'd
           twice
           narrowly
           with
           his
           Life
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           was
           forc'd
           to
           fly
           ,
           for
           relieving
           and
           protecting
           both
           the
           Fortunes
           and
           Persons
           of
           very
           many
           English.
           
        
         
           To
           my
           Birth
           I
           had
           a
           suitable
           Education
           ;
           I
           have
           some
           slender
           pretence
           to
           Letters
           ,
           am
           not
           altogether
           a
           Stranger
           to
           the
           Civil-law
           ,
           nor
           the
           Laws
           of
           England
           ,
           the
           means
           intended
           for
           my
           Livelyhood
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           without
           my
           seeking
           or
           knowledge
           ,
           some
           Friends
           procur'd
           for
           me
           the
           Collectorship
           of
           the
           Customs
           of
           Cork
           ,
           and
           the
           management
           of
           most
           of
           the
           Inland-Revenue
           of
           that
           Country
           :
           This
           Employment
           ,
           and
           the
           Accidents
           attending
           it
           ,
           together
           with
           that
           of
           the
           East-India
           Prizes
           ,
           and
           others
           in
           the
           last
           War
           with
           Holland
           ,
           put
           into
           Kinsale
           ,
           enabl'd
           me
           to
           bring
           for
           my
           own
           proportion
           of
           Advance-money
           ,
           for
           the
           present
           Revenue-Farm
           of
           Ireland
           ,
           9532
           l.
           as
           appears
           upon
           Record
           in
           the
           Chancery
           of
           England
           ;
           and
           being
           by
           a
           Brother
           of
           mine
           ,
           then
           here
           ,
           without
           my
           privity
           or
           desire
           ,
           engag'd
           in
           this
           undertaking
           ,
           and
           a
           stranger
           to
           all
           the
           Partnership
           ,
           excepting
           one
           ,
           Iune
           last
           was
           3
           years
           I
           sold
           my
           Interest
           for
           4000
           l
           ,
           profit
           .
           This
           Money
           I
           employ'd
           in
           Corporation
           and
           Church-Leases
           ,
           in
           Mortgages
           and
           other
           securities
           ,
           at
           10
           
             l.
             per
             Cent
          
           ,
           the
           Interest
           of
           that
           Kingdom
           .
           And
           after
           this
           account
           ,
           if
           I
           have
           no
           visible
           real
           Estate
           ,
           I
           hope
           no
           man
           can
           doubt
           but
           that
           I
           may
           live
           independently
           ,
           tho'
           besides
           I
           happen
           to
           be
           a
           younger
           Brother
           ,
           so
           far
           from
           being
           a
           prejudice
           ,
           that
           it
           's
           possible
           to
           prove
           my
           advantage
           ,
           being
           defign'd
           the
           Heir
           of
           two
           elder
           Brothers
           ,
           who
           neither
           have
           ,
           nor
           are
           like
           to
           have
           any
           Children
           .
           The
           Bills
           of
           Exchnge
           drawn
           and
           remitted
           to
           and
           from
           Ireland
           ,
           by
           Sir
           
             Iohn
             Frederick
          
           and
           Company
           ,
           Mr.
           
             D.
             Arthur
          
           and
           other
           known
           Merchants
           ,
           will
           shew
           my
           proper
           Fond
           ,
           and
           no
           man's
           Bounty
           supported
           my
           Expences
           ;
           and
           therefore
           ,
           because
           I
           can
           with
           great
           Truth
           ,
           I
           do
           the
           more
           freely
           declare
           ,
           That
           I
           neither
           have
           ,
           nor
           ever
           had
           any
           Relation
           to
           the
           Duke
           or
           Dutchess
           of
           York
           ,
           as
           a
           Servant
           or
           Dependent
           ,
           a
           Sallary-man
           or
           Pensioner
           ,
           and
           was
           so
           far
           from
           succeeding
           Mr.
           Coleman
           ,
           that
           his
           Employment
           never
           enter'd
           into
           my
           Thoughts
           taken
           up
           with
           Affairs
           of
           a
           far
           different
           nature
           .
           My
           journey
           to
           Flanders
           was
           no
           way
           criminal
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           the
           effect
           of
           curiosity
           ,
           having
           before
           seen
           very
           little
           of
           that
           
           Country
           ,
           Holland
           or
           Germany
           ;
           and
           as
           I
           went
           not
           with
           the
           Duke
           ,
           so
           my
           return
           in
           his
           Train
           was
           purely
           accident
           .
        
         
           For
           my
           Religion
           ,
           as
           I
           was
           born
           of
           Protestant
           Parents
           ,
           so
           I
           was
           all
           along
           bred
           a
           member
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           and
           (
           by
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           )
           will
           live
           and
           die
           in
           this
           Profession
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           not
           so
           much
           owing
           to
           the
           chance
           of
           Education
           ,
           as
           to
           my
           choice
           ,
           being
           satisfi'd
           by
           Reason
           ,
           by
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           the
           Laws
           of
           my
           Country
           ,
           no
           inconsiderable
           Argument
           ,
           that
           of
           all
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           most
           purely
           Christian.
           
        
         
           Since
           I
           was
           seventeen
           years
           of
           Age
           I
           have
           gone
           duly
           to
           Church
           ,
           and
           several
           times
           in
           every
           year
           receiv'd
           the
           Sacrament
           ;
           I
           did
           so
           twice
           while
           in
           Flanders
           ,
           as
           Dr.
           Lake
           and
           Dr.
           Doughty
           (
           the
           Duke's
           Chaplains
           )
           and
           others
           can
           witness
           ;
           and
           I
           have
           done
           so
           six
           times
           since
           my
           return
           thence
           ,
           there
           are
           in
           this
           Honourable
           House
           that
           can
           testifie
           some
           part
           of
           this
           Truth
           .
           I
           have
           taken
           the
           Oaths
           of
           Allegiance
           and
           Supremacy
           eleven
           times
           ,
           am
           ready
           to
           submit
           to
           all
           further
           injunctions
           of
           Law
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           have
           in
           Disputes
           encounter'd
           ,
           tho'
           unwillingly
           ,
           with
           many
           of
           the
           several
           Orders
           abroad
           ,
           remain'd
           unshaken
           in
           my
           Principles
           ;
           This
           at
           Ghent
           ,
           putting
           a
           Jesuit
           (
           more
           zealous
           than
           the
           rest
           )
           into
           great
           passion
           ,
           made
           him
           pronounce
           me
           obstinate
           ,
           and
           declare
           ,
           
             He
             cou'd
             sooner
             bring
             over
             ten
             of
             the
             most
             rigid
             Phanaticks
             of
          
           England
           ,
           
             than
             hope
             to
             make
             me
             a
             Proselyte
             .
          
           Now
           if
           all
           this
           be
           not
           sufficient
           to
           wipe
           off
           the
           imputation
           of
           Popery
           ,
           I
           confess
           I
           am
           to
           seek
           for
           a
           defence
           .
        
         
           Among
           others
           't
           is
           objected
           ,
           That
           by
           my
           Interest
           in
           his
           R.
           H.
           I
           got
           my
           Brother
           made
           a
           Bishop
           ,
           in
           opposition
           to
           the
           Lord
           Lieutenant
           of
           Ireland
           ,
           and
           contrary
           to
           Merit
           .
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           ,
           That
           my
           Brother
           has
           been
           as
           much
           ,
           and
           as
           injuriously
           ,
           though
           not
           so
           publicly
           defam'd
           as
           I
           ;
           that
           he
           came
           off
           with
           Honour
           ;
           that
           a
           peak
           between
           two
           Great
           Lords
           of
           that
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           one
           of
           the
           greatest
           of
           this
           ,
           did
           not
           only
           prevent
           his
           being
           sooner
           promoted
           ,
           but
           was
           the
           occasion
           of
           his
           being
           bespatter'd
           with
           many
           falshoods
           and
           calumnies
           ;
           that
           few
           in
           Ireland
           deserve
           it
           better
           ;
           that
           what
           he
           enjoys
           ,
           he
           obtain'd
           not
           in
           opposition
           to
           ,
           tho'
           without
           the
           recommendation
           of
           the
           chief
           Governour
           ,
           nor
           by
           the
           mediation
           of
           the
           Duke
           ,
           but
           of
           a
           great
           Minister
           ,
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           my
           Lord
           Bishop
           of
           London
           ,
           from
           the
           King
           's
           immediate
           Grace
           openly
           shewn
           in
           Council
           ,
           and
           with
           a
           particular
           mark
           of
           His
           Royal
           Favour
           .
        
         
           I
           hope
           't
           is
           no
           Crime
           to
           honour
           and
           revere
           the
           Duke
           as
           he
           is
           a
           Prince
           ,
           or
           if
           a
           private
           man
           to
           love
           and
           value
           his
           innate
           Worth
           and
           Qualities
           ;
           or
           to
           have
           said
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           reported
           (
           I
           wish
           nothing
           else
           had
           been
           with
           less
           Truth
           )
           That
           I
           wou'd
           hazard
           my
           Life
           and
           Fortune
           to
           do
           him
           any
           lawful
           and
           just
           Service
           ;
           If
           it
           be
           a
           Crime
           ,
           as
           I
           can
           no
           ways
           apprehend
           of
           the
           Brother
           of
           my
           King
           ,
           while
           publickly
           pray'd
           for
           in
           all
           the
           Churches
           of
           the
           three
           Kingdoms
           ,
           I
           confess
           my self
           guilty
           ;
           But
           I
           am
           not
           so
           wedded
           to
           his
           Interest
           ,
           as
           to
           espouse
           or
           pursue
           them
           ,
           if
           he
           can
           have
           any
           such
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           Duty
           I
           owe
           ,
           and
           ever
           will
           pay
           my
           Sovereign
           ,
           my
           Country
           ,
           my
           Religion
           and
           my
           God.
           
        
         
           And
           I
           do
           here
           most
           solemnly
           protest
           ,
           as
           I
           hope
           for
           Heaven
           ,
           if
           I
           knew
           him
           in
           any
           instance
           a
           Conspirator
           or
           a
           Traitor
           ,
           I
           wou'd
           not
           only
           detest
           ,
           but
           endeavour
           to
           bring
           him
           to
           publick
           Justice
           ;
           and
           if
           ever
           he
           can
           be
           prov'd
           a
           Criminal
           of
           this
           nature
           ,
           I
           will
           have
           no
           more
           respect
           nor
           regard
           ,
           but
           less
           ,
           for
           him
           ,
           than
           I
           wou'd
           for
           any
           common
           Offender
           .
           And
           therefore
           ,
           without
           the
           hopes
           of
           reward
           ,
           or
           the
           fears
           of
           punishment
           ,
           I
           declare
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           the
           Almighty
           ,
           If
           I
           knew
           any
           part
           of
           the
           Popish-Plot
           ,
           or
           the
           persons
           concern'd
           in
           't
           ,
           I
           wou'd
           long
           since
           have
           reveal'd
           the
           whole
           Contrivance
           .
           But
           none
           in
           their
           senses
           can
           believe
           ,
           that
           a
           known
           Protestant
           cou'd
           be
           made
           privy
           to
           such
           a
           Conspiracy
           ;
           to
           which
           ,
           if
           necessary
           ,
           might
           be
           added
           ,
           that
           I
           was
           in
           a
           Country
           remote
           from
           that
           ,
           where
           the
           Design
           is
           said
           to
           be
           hatch'd
           .
        
         
           I
           own
           my self
           of
           so
           extensive
           a
           Charity
           ,
           to
           love
           the
           persons
           of
           all
           honest
           Men
           ,
           notwithstanding
           their
           differing
           from
           me
           in
           opinion
           ,
           about
           the
           Modes
           and
           Circumstances
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           for
           Liberty
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           when
           consistent
           with
           the
           safety
           of
           the
           state
           ,
           to
           all
           quiet
           and
           peaceable
           Dissenters
           ;
           But
           when
           't
           is
           urg'd
           and
           made
           use
           of
           to
           other
           ends
           ,
           or
           as
           a
           Cloak
           for
           Rebellion
           or
           Treachery
           ,
           I
           abominate
           all
           such
           Indulgence
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           will
           no
           longer
           dwell
           on
           this
           Subject
           ,
           than
           to
           mind
           you
           of
           Collonel
           
           Mansel's
           mistake
           or
           forgetfulness
           ,
           when
           he
           informs
           this
           Honourable
           House
           ,
           
             That
             in
             or
             about
          
           July
           ,
           1678.
           
           
             I
             din'd
             at
             his
             Treat
             for
             a
          
           German
           
             Lord
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             a
             Design
             of
             his
             upon
             a
             Foreign
             Command
             ,
             and
             that
          
           2
           or
           3
           
             days
             after
             ,
             I
             shou'd
             advise
             him
             against
             it
             ,
             telling
             him
             the
             Duke
             wou'd
             very
             soon
             have
             occasion
             for
             such
             Officers
             .
          
           First
           ,
           I
           do
           say
           ,
           to
           have
           said
           so
           was
           no
           Crime
           ;
           But
           I
           easily
           see
           through
           this
           Artifice
           ,
           't
           is
           to
           serve
           as
           an
           argument
           ,
           that
           I
           understood
           somewhat
           of
           the
           Plot
           ,
           of
           which
           I
           am
           as
           ignorant
           as
           any
           man
           living
           ,
           beyond
           what
           I
           have
           since
           learnt
           from
           the
           Prints
           and
           public
           Fame
           .
           In
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           I
           do
           utterly
           deny
           I
           ever
           said
           the
           words
           ,
           because
           I
           do
           not
           know
           the
           Duke
           had
           any
           such
           Design
           ,
           and
           am
           certain
           I
           cannot
           invent
           .
           Besides
           ,
           by
           many
           circumstances
           ,
           needless
           here
           to
           mention
           ,
           that
           Dinner
           was
           after
           the
           Courts
           return
           from
           Windsor
           ,
           and
           consequently
           after
           the
           breaking
           forth
           of
           the
           Plot.
           I
           desire
           the
           Gentleman
           wou'd
           recollect
           himself
           ;
           at
           that
           time
           he
           was
           very
           great
           and
           intimate
           with
           a
           Roman
           Catholick
           ,
           
             H.
             N.
          
           from
           whom
           if
           he
           heard
           not
           the
           words
           ,
           as
           I
           am
           not
           apt
           to
           imagine
           ,
           I
           am
           confident
           he
           dream'd
           them
           .
           He
           cannot
           be
           ignorant
           that
           I
           knew
           why
           he
           was
           disbanded
           in
           Ireland
           ,
           &c.
           and
           that
           I
           always
           declin'd
           ,
           not
           only
           as
           having
           no
           Interest
           ,
           but
           as
           unwilling
           for
           other
           reasons
           ,
           to
           introduce
           him
           to
           the
           Duke
           ,
           as
           he
           often
           press'd
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           made
           his
           application
           to
           others
           ,
           but
           with
           as
           ill
           success
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           give
           me
           leave
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           Mr.
           Speaker
           ,
           to
           answer
           an
           Objection
           ,
           that
           I
           
           have
           prescrib'd
           a
           way
           how
           the
           King
           shou'd
           live
           without
           Parliaments
           :
           I
           am
           so
           far
           from
           entertaining
           such
           a
           thought
           ,
           that
           I
           ever
           esteem'd
           the
           Constitutions
           of
           England
           by
           King
           ,
           Lords
           and
           Commons
           the
           happiest
           kind
           of
           Government
           in
           the
           world
           ;
           and
           if
           the
           discourse
           called
           ,
           
             The
             Rise
             and
             Power
             of
             Parliaments
             ,
          
           &c.
           be
           mine
           ,
           of
           which
           many
           will
           have
           me
           the
           Author
           ,
           the
           reading
           it
           ,
           would
           be
           of
           this
           a
           sufficient
           Confutation
           :
           In
           that
           ,
           Parliaments
           are
           magnifi'd
           ,
           their
           power
           rather
           enlarg'd
           than
           lessen'd
           ,
           and
           their
           frequent
           meetings
           recommended
           as
           most
           convenient
           .
        
         
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           whatever
           Character
           my
           Adversaries
           have
           given
           of
           me
           ,
           I
           am
           not
           a
           Protestant
           in
           Masquerade
           ,
           I
           can
           neither
           Lie
           nor
           Dissemble
           ,
           I
           am
           really
           what
           I
           profess
           ,
           and
           as
           the
           word
           is
           commonly
           taken
           ,
           no
           lover
           of
           Arbitrary
           Government
           ,
           in
           any
           single
           or
           complicated
           body
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           Letter
           Subscrib'd
           by
           Fitz-Iames
           ,
           I
           do
           sincerely
           protest
           I
           have
           no
           Acquaintance
           with
           any
           of
           the
           Name
           ,
           nor
           ever
           saw
           the
           Hand
           before
           ,
           nor
           the
           intended
           Messenger
           C.
           who
           not
           finding
           me
           ,
           left
           it
           with
           the
           Maid-servant
           :
           But
           in
           this
           there
           is
           nothing
           Criminal
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           Computations
           ,
           they
           are
           a
           Transcript
           from
           a
           Paper
           of
           Sir
           
             Peter
             Petts
          
           ,
           containing
           the
           number
           of
           Conformists
           ,
           Non-Conformists
           and
           Papists
           throughout
           England
           ,
           taken
           by
           the
           Bishops
           order
           ,
           in
           ,
           or
           about
           the
           time
           of
           the
           General
           Indulgence
           and
           by
           him
           produc'd
           presently
           after
           the
           Plot
           ,
           upon
           the
           talk
           that
           there
           were
           fifty
           thousand
           Papists
           ,
           able
           to
           bear
           Arms
           ,
           within
           Temple-Bar
           and
           about
           Westminster
           ;
           a
           number
           near
           double
           to
           what
           ,
           at
           the
           taking
           this
           survey
           ,
           they
           were
           found
           men
           ,
           women
           and
           children
           in
           the
           whole
           Kingdom
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           Copy
           of
           my
           Cousin
           Wilsons
           Writing
           ,
           I
           confess
           it
           the
           only
           thing
           I
           endeavour'd
           to
           evade
           ,
           having
           ingenuously
           and
           without
           reserve
           answer'd
           all
           other
           questions
           .
           That
           individual
           Paper
           I
           never
           saw
           before
           the
           preceding
           night
           ,
           when
           meeting
           it
           in
           the
           Drawer
           of
           my
           Bed-Chamber
           ,
           (
           always
           open
           ,
           whether
           I
           am
           at
           home
           or
           abroad
           )
           I
           laid
           it
           uppermost
           with
           purpose
           of
           Inquiring
           how
           he
           came
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           whether
           he
           knew
           the
           Author
           ;
           But
           not
           seeing
           him
           till
           next
           day
           in
           presence
           of
           the
           Members
           sent
           to
           search
           my
           Lodgings
           ,
           I
           cou'd
           not
           ask
           him
           ,
           and
           was
           surpriz'd
           to
           have
           so
           Indiscreet
           and
           Reflective
           a
           Paper
           found
           in
           his
           hand
           ,
           and
           among
           mine
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           that
           about
           three
           Weeks
           before
           ,
           I
           found
           another
           of
           the
           same
           Contents
           ,
           in
           an
           Old
           Crabbed
           hand
           ,
           to
           me
           unknown
           ;
           which
           after
           I
           had
           Read
           ,
           and
           concluded
           it
           might
           possibly
           be
           left
           by
           some
           of
           my
           Acquaintance
           in
           their
           Visits
           ,
           and
           being
           unable
           to
           guess
           at
           the
           perso●●
           not
           knowing
           how
           long
           it
           had
           layn
           there
           ,
           being
           Dated
           above
           a
           Month
           before
           I
           immediatly
           threw
           it
           into
           the
           fire
           .
           Yet
           in
           this
           Paper
           ,
           which
           has
           made
           so
           great
           a
           noise
           ,
           there
           is
           neither
           Felony
           nor
           Treason
           ;
           and
           being
           the
           Act
           of
           another
           ,
           and
           never
           by
           me
           publish'd
           ,
           having
           neither
           Sub
           ,
           nor
           Superscription
           ,
           nor
           Writ
           to
           ,
           nor
           for
           from
           me
           ,
           nor
           Copi'd
           by
           my
           Order
           ,
           cannot
           ,
           I
           presume
           ,
           be
           a
           Libel
           ,
           nor
           I
           hope
           imputed
           to
           me
           ,
           to
           whom
           it
           came
           perfectly
           by
           Accident
           :
           If
           it
           were
           lawful
           to
           speak
           ones
           guesses
           from
           the
           Contents
           ,
           it
           shou'd
           seem
           to
           have
           come
           from
           a
           Learned
           Gentleman
           ,
           one
           of
           your
           own
           Members
           ,
           then
           in
           the
           Country
           Skill'd
           in
           the
           Spanish
           Tongue
           ,
           to
           which
           both
           my
           Cousin
           and
           I
           are
           perfect
           strangers
           ;
           nor
           was
           either
           of
           us
           out
           of
           London
           then
           ,
           or
           for
           sometime
           before
           :
           If
           I
           cou'd
           as
           well
           hit
           upon
           the
           person
           ,
           as
           his
           Quality
           ,
           I
           wou'd
           give
           a
           more
           Satisfactory
           account
           of
           this
           matter
           ;
           and
           I
           hope
           this
           Honourable
           Assembly
           will
           the
           sooner
           Credit
           me
           ,
           when
           they
           reflect
           ,
           that
           upon
           seeing
           another
           Paper
           of
           my
           Kinsmans
           writing
           ,
           I
           wou'd
           not
           by
           a
           lie
           deny
           this
           to
           be
           his
           hand
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           my
           Writing
           to
           Mr.
           Gadbury
           ,
           I
           refer
           my self
           to
           the
           Letter
           in
           Sir
           W.
           Waller's
           hands
           :
           I
           have
           told
           you
           the
           accidental
           occasion
           ;
           I
           desir'd
           from
           him
           ,
           (
           whose
           Acquaintance
           I
           knew
           large
           ,
           even
           among
           the
           Members
           of
           that
           Parliament
           )
           the
           most
           material
           of
           public
           News
           ;
           I
           neither
           ask'd
           for
           Schemes
           or
           Figures
           ,
           I
           have
           ever
           Laugh'd
           at
           the
           idle
           and
           ridiculous
           Art
           of
           Judicial
           Astrology
           ,
           invented
           ,
           at
           least
           practis'd
           ,
           to
           Impose
           upon
           ,
           and
           Pick
           the
           Pockets
           of
           the
           Ignorant
           and
           the
           Credulous
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           as
           to
           the
           Cause
           of
           my
           Commitment
           :
           The
           story
           Dr.
           D.
           told
           me
           as
           News
           ,
           of
           
             Peter
             Norris
          
           his
           knowing
           as
           much
           of
           the
           Plot
           as
           any
           man
           in
           England
           ,
           his
           going
           ,
           or
           being
           gone
           into
           France
           to
           fetch
           a
           Priest
           to
           be
           a
           Witness
           .
           I
           can
           only
           say
           ,
           as
           near
           as
           I
           remember
           ,
           I
           gave
           the
           same
           account
           to
           Mr.
           Secretary
           ;
           not
           as
           an
           Informer
           ,
           but
           as
           News
           ;
           for
           not
           being
           look'd
           upon
           as
           such
           ,
           I
           was
           not
           desir'd
           to
           Swear
           ,
           nor
           cou'd
           I
           to
           a
           hear-say
           .
           In
           this
           I
           call
           Heaven
           to
           witness
           I
           had
           no
           Sinister
           design
           ,
           but
           an
           Honest
           intention
           of
           having
           the
           full
           Truth
           brought
           to
           Light
           :
           Nor
           do
           I
           know
           ,
           nor
           have
           I
           any
           reason
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           Mr.
           
           Secretary's
           after
           proceedings
           were
           from
           any
           other
           principle
           .
           Upon
           my
           telling
           him
           the
           Name
           of
           Norris
           ,
           and
           his
           saying
           he
           had
           never
           before
           heard
           it
           ,
           and
           commanding
           me
           to
           send
           the
           Doctor
           to
           him
           ,
           or
           the
           others
           Description
           ;
           As
           soon
           as
           I
           met
           with
           the
           Doctor
           ,
           which
           was
           several
           dayes
           after
           this
           Discourse
           ;
           and
           he
           as
           not
           knowing
           Mr.
           Secretary
           refusing
           to
           go
           ,
           I
           desir'd
           from
           him
           the
           Description
           ,
           which
           some
           time
           after
           he
           brought
           me
           ;
           I
           gave
           or
           sent
           to
           Mr.
           Secretary
           ,
           for
           I
           cannot
           tell
           whether
           .
           But
           of
           this
           I
           am
           certain
           ,
           that
           all
           I
           knew
           of
           the
           Affair
           ,
           was
           from
           the
           Doctor
           only
           ;
           and
           that
           I
           never
           communicated
           it
           to
           any
           ,
           but
           Mr.
           Secretary
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           what
           I
           writ
           under
           the
           Description
           ,
           appears
           to
           be
           near
           a
           Month
           after
           Norris
           his
           departure
           ,
           and
           consequently
           cou'd
           not
           be
           design'd
           to
           stop
           his
           Journey
           ,
           or
           prevent
           the
           Priests
           coming
           over
           ,
           or
           obstruct
           the
           fuller
           discovery
           of
           the
           Plot
           ,
           which
           no
           man
           living
           desires
           more
           than
           my self
           ,
           believing
           it
           the
           Interest
           of
           every
           honest
           Subject
           and
           Protestant
           ,
           (
           out
           of
           which
           number
           I
           cannot
           be
           excluded
           )
           to
           have
           all
           in
           't
           ,
           from
           the
           highest
           to
           the
           lowest
           punish'd
           according
           to
           merit
           ;
           and
           that
           tranquility
           it
           has
           so
           long
           disturb'd
           ,
           re-settl'd
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           :
           And
           now
           I
           hope
           none
           
           of
           the
           Members
           of
           this
           Honourable
           House
           can
           imagine
           I
           cou'd
           be
           guilty
           of
           so
           Horrid
           a
           Crime
           ,
           as
           having
           any
           knowledge
           of
           the
           Priests
           being
           poison'd
           ,
           as
           is
           suspected
           ,
           or
           given
           out
           he
           might
           be
           .
           I
           am
           so
           ignorant
           of
           this
           ,
           or
           any
           part
           of
           the
           Conspiracy
           ,
           that
           I
           do
           not
           so
           much
           despise
           ,
           as
           decline
           ,
           because
           not
           needing
           it
           ,
           the
           generous
           offer
           of
           Mr.
           Speaker
           ,
           or
           other
           Membe●s
           Intercession
           for
           my
           Pardon
           :
           I
           acknowledge
           ,
           as
           I
           ought
           ;
           the
           Favour
           with
           all
           fitting
           respect
           ;
           but
           I
           thank
           God
           ,
           I
           am
           so
           Innocent
           ,
           that
           I
           dare
           ,
           as
           now
           I
           do
           ,
           challenge
           the
           whole
           world
           ,
           to
           make
           out
           one
           particular
           ,
           where
           in
           Word
           or
           Action
           ,
           in
           the
           whole
           course
           of
           my
           life
           ,
           I
           have
           done
           or
           spoken
           falsly
           ,
           or
           unjustly
           ;
           and
           yet
           no
           man
           ever
           suffer'd
           more
           Calumnies
           ,
           without
           any
           cause
           ,
           or
           the
           least
           shadow
           of
           Truth
           ,
           beyond
           the
           witty
           malice
           of
           those
           ,
           whose
           Eyes
           are
           blinded
           ,
           and
           Consciences
           sear'd
           by
           Envy
           and
           Interest
           ,
           who
           from
           pretended
           Friends
           are
           become
           my
           real
           Adversaries
           ,
           contrary
           to
           Reason
           and
           Justice
           .
           But
           further
           ,
           none
           can
           believe
           I
           cou'd
           keep
           any
           dangerous
           Correspondence
           ,
           when
           it
           s
           well
           known
           that
           for
           these
           three
           years
           and
           a
           half
           all
           my
           Letters
           were
           no
           otherwise
           Directed
           ,
           than
           for
           me
           at
           the
           
             Royal
             Coffee-house
          
           .
        
         
           Besides
           it
           appear'd
           at
           the
           Committee
           by
           Norris
           his
           own
           Papers
           ,
           that
           this
           Priest
           Dowdall
           ,
           (
           whose
           Name
           I
           never
           heard
           before
           )
           died
           September
           last
           was
           twelve
           Months
           ,
           eight
           Months
           before
           I
           heard
           there
           was
           such
           a
           man
           in
           the
           world
           as
           Norris
           ,
           and
           at
           a
           time
           when
           I
           was
           in
           another
           Country
           .
           And
           since
           you
           have
           thought
           fit
           to
           acquit
           Dr
           D.
           who
           was
           my
           Author
           and
           Principal
           ,
           and
           who
           own'd
           himself
           a
           
             Roman
             Catholick
          
           ;
           I
           hope
           you
           will
           not
           think
           it
           equal
           ,
           that
           I
           a
           known
           sincere
           Protestant
           ,
           and
           but
           an
           Accessary
           ,
           shou'd
           stand
           Committed
           ,
           and
           Committed
           after
           such
           a
           manner
           ,
           as
           neither
           Felon
           nor
           Traitor
           ,
           not
           only
           Accus'd
           ,
           but
           Convicted
           ,
           cou'd
           suffer
           a
           Closer
           Confinement
           .
        
         
           And
           here
           ,
           Mr.
           Speaker
           ,
           I
           intreat
           your
           leave
           to
           ask
           Pardon
           ,
           if
           at
           the
           Committee
           my
           behaviour
           has
           offended
           any
           of
           the
           Members
           of
           this
           Honourable
           House
           ,
           and
           to
           say
           ,
           whatever
           heat
           I
           express'd
           ,
           was
           the
           effect
           of
           Passion
           ,
           to
           which
           I
           was
           mov'd
           ,
           by
           hearing
           several
           of
           them
           in
           public
           ,
           as
           at
           Locketts
           and
           other
           Eating
           and
           Coffee-houses
           ,
           had
           call'd
           me
           Papist
           ,
           and
           a
           second
           Coleman
           ,
           with
           other
           Aspersions
           I
           cou'd
           not
           bear
           without
           resentment
           :
           To
           this
           was
           added
           my
           being
           commanded
           a
           Messenger
           for
           :
           Dr.
           D.
           an
           office
           beneath
           me
           ,
           and
           wherein
           I
           cou'd
           not
           expect
           to
           be
           s●ccessful
           ,
           not
           knowing
           whether
           he
           wou'd
           appear
           without
           Compulsion
           .
           I
           hope
           it
           will
           not
           be
           accounted
           an
           unexpiable
           Crime
           for
           a
           Gentleman
           of
           more
           Years
           and
           Discretion
           ,
           than
           I
           can
           pretend
           to
           ,
           to
           shew
           himself
           disturb'd
           at
           a
           conceiv'd
           Indignity
           or
           Affront
           ;
           and
           in
           hopes
           it
           may
           not
           be
           accounted
           so
           hainous
           ,
           I
           do
           once
           more
           withall
           due
           Submission
           beg
           pardon
           .
           There
           is
           one
           thing
           more
           I
           cannot
           without
           trouble
           touch
           upon
           ,
           the
           Reflections
           the
           Written
           Votes
           ,
           very
           different
           from
           the
           Printed
           ,
           bring
           upon
           my
           Reputation
           ;
           In
           those
           't
           is
           said
           ,
           it
           appears
           that
           I
           have
           succeeded
           Mr.
           Coleman
           ,
           than
           which
           there
           never
           was
           a
           more
           groundless
           ,
           false
           ,
           or
           malicious
           invention
           :
           And
           also
           that
           I
           question'd
           your
           Authority
           ,
           and
           said
           your
           Proceedings
           look'd
           like
           the
           late
           Rebellion
           .
           However
           Sir
           
             William
             Roberts
          
           came
           to
           make
           the
           Report
           ,
           my
           words
           were
           to
           Sir
           
             Iohn
             Morton
          
           in
           another
           Room
           ,
           and
           to
           him
           I
           appeal
           ,
           whether
           they
           were
           not
           thus
           .
           Upon
           his
           advising
           that
           I
           shou'd
           fare
           the
           better
           ,
           if
           I
           freely
           shew'd
           my
           Papers
           ,
           I
           told
           him
           I
           wou'd
           not
           hid
           one
           ,
           nor
           dispute
           their
           power
           ,
           thò
           I
           had
           heard
           others
           did
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Seizing
           Closets
           and
           Writings
           ,
           was
           not
           only
           Illegal
           ,
           but
           look'd
           upon
           as
           one
           of
           the
           Causes
           of
           the
           last
           Rebellion
           ;
           thereupon
           he
           wish'd
           I
           had
           not
           said
           the
           Words
           :
           I
           reply'd
           ,
           I
           meant
           no
           harm
           by
           those
           Objections
           ,
           and
           notwithstanding
           my
           mentioning
           them
           ,
           they
           shou'd
           find
           in
           me
           a
           readiness
           to
           obey
           ,
           and
           an
           intire
           submission
           ;
           and
           added
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           offensive
           ,
           I
           unsaid
           them
           ,
           and
           ask'd
           his
           pardon
           ,
           as
           I
           now
           humbly
           do
           from
           the
           whole
           House
           ,
           if
           I
           am
           thought
           herein
           to
           have
           offended
           .
           And
           to
           do
           Sir
           Iohn
           Justice
           ,
           he
           was
           pleas'd
           to
           promise
           he
           wou'd
           take
           no
           notice
           of
           the
           Discourse
           ,
           unless
           commanded
           ;
           to
           whom
           with
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Committee
           I
           refer
           my self
           ,
           whether
           of
           my
           own
           accord
           I
           was
           not
           going
           along
           with
           them
           ,
           when
           I
           met
           your
           Messenger
           .
        
         
           If
           I
           had
           been
           guilty
           of
           any
           Crime
           ,
           I
           had
           not
           only
           Warning
           ,
           but
           Threats
           and
           Advices
           to
           fly
           many
           days
           ,
           some
           weeks
           before
           ,
           when
           I
           was
           told
           by
           Letters
           from
           unknown
           hands
           ,
           and
           by
           several
           persons
           of
           Honour
           and
           Quality
           ,
           that
           I
           was
           design'd
           to
           be
           brought
           into
           trouble
           ;
           I
           need
           not
           in
           this
           place
           say
           ,
           for
           what
           reason
           .
           And
           here
           I
           cannot
           by
           the
           way
           but
           take
           notice
           of
           a
           Report
           made
           by
           Justice
           Warcup
           at
           this
           Bar
           ,
           and
           spread
           at
           Coffee-houses
           ;
           that
           he
           shou'd
           have
           Search'd
           Mr.
           Sheridans
           Lodgings
           ,
           and
           there
           found
           only
           a
           Parcel
           of
           Popish
           Books
           ,
           whereas
           he
           never
           was
           in
           mine
           ,
           but
           at
           Mr.
           Brunetty's
           House
           ,
           an
           Italian
           Merchant
           ,
           whose
           Books
           those
           must
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           hope
           this
           was
           some
           Clarks
           ,
           rather
           than
           his
           mistake
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           since
           no
           man
           can
           be
           plac'd
           beyond
           the
           reach
           of
           Malice
           ,
           and
           the
           devices
           of
           the
           wicked
           ,
           and
           that
           I
           happen
           to
           be
           brought
           hither
           as
           a
           suppos'd
           Criminal
           ,
           I
           am
           extreamly
           pleas'd
           ,
           I
           have
           the
           good
           fortune
           to
           meet
           with
           so
           wise
           and
           equal
           Judges
           ,
           as
           compose
           this
           August
           and
           Honourable
           Assembly
           ;
           where
           I
           am
           so
           far
           from
           fears
           ,
           that
           I
           do
           not
           doubt
           ,
           but
           upon
           an
           exact
           Scrutiny
           ,
           and
           an
           Impartial
           Examination
           ,
           my
           having
           been
           so
           infinitely
           traduc'd
           ,
           and
           so
           wrongfully
           expos'd
           to
           the
           publick
           ;
           will
           be
           so
           far
           from
           gratifying
           my
           Adversaries
           unjust
           desires
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           not
           only
           be
           defeated
           ,
           but
           my self
           greatly
           advantag'd
           ;
           and
           therefore
           I
           leave
           my
           Cause
           at
           the
           Footstool
           of
           your
           Justice
           ,
           and
           willingly
           submit
           to
           your
           Pleasure
           and
           Determinations
           ,
           praying
           no
           other
           favour
           ,
           than
           what
           I
           am
           sure
           you
           wou'd
           grant
           without
           asking
           ;
           your
           full
           Consideration
           of
           the
           whole
           Matter
           ,
           your
           speedy
           Condemnation
           or
           Acquittal
           ,
           as
           I
           shall
           be
           found
           Guilty
           or
           Innocent
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Io.
             Hindmarsh
          
           ,
           Anno
           Domini
           ,
           1681.