THE Rye-house travesty: Or, a True Account and Declaration Of the Horrid and Erecrable CONSPIRACY AGAINST His Majesty King WILLIAM and the Government. Collected out of Original Papers and unquestionable Records, whereby the whole Narration has undeniable Clearness and Strength. In a LETTER to the Right Reverend Father in God, Dr. Thomas Sprat, Lord Bishop of Rochester, from his Lordship's most Humble Servant THOMAS PERCIVAL.  
— Mutato nomine vestra  
Narratur Fabula,—  
LONDON, Printed for A. Bell at the Cross-Keys in the Poultry. 1696.   

A True ACCOUNT of the Horrid and Execrable Conspiracy, against His Most Sacred Majesty King WILLIAM III. and the Government. In a LETTER To the Reverend Father in God, THOMAS Lord Bishop of ROCHESTER.  
My Lord,  
TO remind the Nation of the Rise, Progress and mischievous Designs of our Bloodthirsty jacobites, I think sit to lay open and declare to your Lordship, and the World, an exact Account of the late accursed Conspiracy, 
Pag. 1.  which was actually formed and carried on in France against His Sacred Majesty's Life, and against the Peaceable and Flourishing Government of His Majesty's Kingdoms; as far forth as hitherto the Particulars of it have come to my knowledge, by the Voluntary Confessions and undeniable Convictions of divers of the Principal Conspirators.  

Pag. 2.  And I shall here faithfully present the Plain matter of Fact; whereby I doubt not but wholly to put to silence the Malicious Insinuations of Factious Men, who have hitherto had the Artifice to support and encourage their Party by Impudent Slanders and Falsehoods, against the clearest Light and most evident Proof: And I heartily wish that this may tend to confirm the Loyalty and good Affections of His Majesty's Subjects at Home, and to establish Abroad the Reputation and Honour of his Royal Justice.  
And moreover (which I hope your Lordship and I shall ever regard) this public and lasting Testimony will be given of our sincere thankfulness to Almighty God, for that Miraculous Deliverence from a Danger which came so near His Majesty's Sacred Person, and was so far spread in the Ruin it threatened to all his People.  
It is well known what Mischievous Arts of late Years have been used, and what Treasonable Courses taken, to whithdraw these Nations from their bounden Duty and Allegiance; and to expose His Majesty's most Just and Merciful Government to Calumny and Contempt.  
This Rebellious Design has been apparently carried on by Malcontents, whose Crimes or Wants, whose furious Zeal or unbounded Ambition inclined them to wish for a Disturbance of the Peace and Prosperity of these Nations.  
To this wicked purpose, many the very same fatal Methods and specious Pretences which had heretofore involved these Kingdoms in Confusion and Blood, were again revived: and by many of the very same Persons; Men of Crafty, restless and implacable Spirits; Impenitent after the most Gracious Pardons; whom long Experience had made skilful in seducing weak and unstable Minds by Counterfeiting the Plausible Names of things in themselves most Excellent, but most Dangerous when abused.  
By these wretched Instruments was His Majesty's most Gentle and Benign Government reproached; Sedition was every where promoted to destroy our present Tranquillity; Desperate Speeches (such as Sir john Knights, of Bristol and others); Infamous Libels, Traitorous Books swarmed in all Places, and the worst of all unchristian Principles were put in practice.  
From these Preparations to a Rebellion, 
Pag. 4.  the Party began by degrees to proceed to Action; Distinctions of Sides were made; Names and Tokens of Separation were given; Illegal Conventicles were maintained, in Defiance of the Laws of God and Man; Tumultuous Feasts and Factious Clubs were set up in City and Country. Close and Seditious Meetings haunted. Frequent Cabals appointed, and by Men of High degree with the lowest; Great Stores of Arms provided by private Persons. 
Pag. 5.  Insolent Progresses made through divers Countries; thereby to glory in their Numbers, and to carry far and near the the Terror of their Power, and even to Muster their Party for some sudden Blow and General Insurrection.  
All these and many more such Personal Indignities and Public Assaults, on the Government, his Majesty long endured with the same Mildness and Clemency wherewith he had already forgiven the highest Crimes against himself; His Royal Goodness still patiently expecting and wishing, that in time the most obstinate of his misguided Subjects would see their Error, and return at length to a sense of the Duty they owe him, by all the strongest Bonds of Nature and Laws, Religion and Gratitude that can possibly oblige Subjects towards a Sovereign.  
But when His Majesty was abundantly convinced that all those dark Consultations and open Tumults of unruly Men, were but so many Infallible Signs and Forerunners of Rebellion, or some extraordinary Commotions, then, at last, 
Pag. 6.  in a tender respect to his People's Safety, more than to his own, was his Majesty constrained to awaken his Authority, to try what good Effect the Vigour of his Laws would have on those Offenders, with whom his repeated Mercy and Indulgence had so little prevailed.  
And such was His Majesty's good Fortune, that the disaffected had been found impotent in their repeated Attempts to set up Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, to pack Juries to serve their purpose; so that whilst his Majesty carefully endeavoured to distribute Impartial Justice to all his Subjects, he very happily obtained the same Right himself, and the Number of his Enemies was found very inconsiderable, in those very places where their Desperate Erterprises against the Government, were likely to be most sudden and pernicious.  
Amongst divers other famous Examples of this Nature was that of Charnock, King and Keys, for these Criminals were very considerable, for their audacious Forwardness in carrying on the execrable Design against His Majesty's Life, for which they were brought to a fair and Legal Trial, 
Pag. 7.  and His Majesty procured Justice to be done, without removing the Process into another County, for here (the Jacobite Party being no way powerful) that old Damnable Opinion and Practice of the Lawfulness of Equivocating, and even of Perjury, for the Support of their Good Old Cause, had not prevailed over the Old and Honest English Principles of Truth and Honour.  
Thus His Majesty's Justice got the better at this time and is in little danger of being defeated in a greater and more important Instance, 
Pag. 9  should even any Peer of the Realm, not only be reasonably suspected, but in the Issue manifestly discovered to have been an Author or Manager, of those Traitorous Contrivances against His Majesty's Crown and Life, for even such a Person will find he is not under the Protection of Juries of his own Appoinment or Approbation; and therefore may not presume that he stands out of the reach of His Majesty's just Indignation; for should he be Legally Indicted of Crimes of the Highest Nature, on clear and positive Evidence; he will undoubtedly be brought to a Lawful Trial by his Peers, and the Indictment not be Stifled by a shameful Ignoramus, for at this Day His Majesty has gained this very considerable Advantage, that he plainly perceives the strength of all his Enemy's Arrogance lies not now, as heretofore, in their extravagant Power to pack the City Juries. Therefore now may not even a Lord Securely project, 
Pag. 10.  or a Ferguson write, or a Confederacy act against the Government; they not having Sheriffs and a Settled Club at hand, with their Corrupt Panels to indempnify, and to second and applaud their most Villainous Practices; And His Majesty seems resolved, at length, after a many intolerable Provocations, to strike at that which he has now found to be the very Root of the Faction, and not to suffer an ill Party of Men to destroy his Government, as they might have done, 
Pag. 11.  had they been suffered to go on never so little farther uncontrolled; and it is not to be doubted but the Righteousness of His Majesty's Cause will meet with an answerable Success; and that so many guilty Persons will not escape unpunished, 
Pag. 12.  who were just at the point of bringing their devilish Purposes to a quick Issue, and once for all to strike boldly at the Heart of the King and Kingdom.  
But to proceed to the History of the Times; this Conspiracy was resolved upon by the French King, and the late King james, in january last: and for the carrying of it on, the Duke of Berwick and others were sent into England, to concert the grand Point of the Assassination. Their Party thenceforth gave over all their quieter and more plausible Arts of Sedition, and betook themselves to more precipitate Erterprises: inflaming some to Insurrections, others to Assassinations. They proudly bragged throughout the Nation that, the late King james would be here within a Month, Nay they offered to lay Wagers, that within that time we should have a New Lord Keeper, and Mr. F. was to be the Man. They bought up Horses and Arms in all Parts of the Kingdom, at the same time using innumerable Deceits to alienate the minds of His Majesty's Subjects from His Government. Their pretended Protestant Clergy, both jurors and Non-Iurors, talked, at this time, very impertinently of the horrid Murder of King Charles the First, insinuating the Abdication of james the Second to be of the same Complexion: They ridiculed the Popish Plot in 1678, that theirs of 1695 might be less credited; They took occasion to exclaim against the Rebellion in 1641, and of the Duke of Monmouths, not sticking to represent the Prince of Orange's glorious Expedition parallel thereto. At other times under Umbrage of great Loyalty to King William, many of them declaimed of the Divine Right of Kings, and of their unaccountableness on this side Heaven, from whence this wicked Inference was made, that the late King james still remains their rightful King.  
Such Practices as these were found by evident Proof, to have been the Principal Rise and Occasion of ripening the horrid Conspiracy in this Nation. 
Pag. 13.  As for his Majesty's Kingdom of Scotland, it is Notorious there has been long Sheltered in it a desperate Faction of furious Zealots, that under the Notion of Prelatists were growing up by degrees to a Violation, at last, not only of all the Rules and Institutions of true Religion, but of Common Humanity. Have they not proceeded to all the execrable Rage of Rapine and Violence? 
Pag. 14.  Their Principles are not yet entirely extinguished, though their Force has been Vanquished in open Field, by God's Provindence prospering His Majesty's Arms. It is certain also, the Peace of that Kingdom has been much endangered by other Factious and Seditious Spirits, who, though at first they would not venture to encourage publicly the Treason, yet stuck not secretly to favour and foment their Cause, and would soon have owned and headed the furious Traitors, had the Plot prospered.  
By this brief Recollection of the Troubled State of Affairs, 
Pag. 20.  and the tumultuous temper of ill Men's Minds, in His Majesty's Kingdoms of England and Scotland, about the time when this Treasonable Conspiracy was in Agitation, the Impartial World may perceive from what destructive Seeds of Sedition, private Passions and Animosities, under the disguise of Religion and the Public Interest, so Monstrous a Birth was produced.  
In the wonderful Discovery of which detestable Confederacy, and in the happy prevention of its dire Effects; as all who have heard of it must acknowledge, that a signal care of God's Providence has appeared for His Majesty and these Nation's preservation: so it must be acknowledged by all, that nothing has been done on his Majesty's Part, but what was agreeable to that Royal Benignity and Natural Candour of his whole Life whereof all the World, even his Enemies, have had such undoubted Experience  
Much of the Evidence was delivered in His Majesty's own presence. The Examinations were taken by Men of unquestionable Reputation and Honour. The whole proceedings has been managed with all imaginable Integrity. There has been no straining or extorting of Accusations to blemish the Fame of the Innocent: 
Pag. 21.  No Temptations of Rewards proposed: no Pardon assured beforehand, for discovering or aggravating the Crimes of the Guilty.  
Some Witnesses who offered themselves, of whom there might have been any colourable Suspicion, were wholly rejected: Lest it should once again happen that the blasted Credit or needy Condition, or Profligate Lives of the Persons deposing, should derogate from the strength of their Depositions, and administer any the least doubt of Subornation.  
Those Witnesses His Majesty admitted had been generally Men strongly prepossessed in Conscience, Zeal and Interest for that Party; Men whose former avowed Hatred of the Government, was reason sufficient to gain them an absolute Trust with any who studied to overthrow it. They were not of desperate Fortunes, nor despicable Men; for the most part they separately and singly brought in their Discoveries. Divers of them had little or no Conversation or Familiarity one with another. There was no shadow or possibility of a Combination between them all to discover; 
Pag. 22.  yet such is the prevalence of self Conviction, and so great the Power of Truth, that all their several Discoveries did perfectly agree with themselves and with each other, in all Material Parts and Circumstances.  
It was therefore in the Year 1695, a time when all His Majesty's Dominons enjoyed a settled Peace and profound Security, whilst the greatest part of the Neighbouring World was involved in Wars and Combustions; that his Majesty and his Council were suddenly awakened with the surprising Knowledge of this dreadful Conspiracy, which had been laying very deep and broad for many Months before.  
The Man whom God chose to make the first Discoverer was Mr. Prendergast, a Person of good Credit in his Conversation, but otherwise a most perverse Papist, and fiercely addicted to their Cause, and one of the busiest Sticklers against the Government. He by his approved Activity and Violence for the French Interest, was Judged by the Chief Conspirators fitly qualified to be admitted into their most private Consultations; 
Pag. 23.  and accordingly thereafter they trusted him as one of their surest Confidents. Insomuch that he was invited to make one of those 40 Miscreants, whose proper part it was to Assassinate his Majesty's Person.  
Of which Number, after he had freely consented to be, and had met and acted jointly with therest for some time, to prepare the cursed Work for a speedy Execution; It pleased the Divine Goodness so to touch his Soul with the Horror of so amazing a Crime, 
Pag. 24.  that he determined to discharge his Conscience of the Hellish Secret.  
Wherefore he immediately resolved to prevent the Mischief of the following Day, by giving his Majesty timely Notice: accordingly he went and acquainted the Earl of Portland with the Design, who communicated the whole Matter to His Majesty, who at his return told him the King would speak with him.  
On Friday Night the 14 th' of February, he went to Kensington, and was introduced to His Majesty by the Earl of Portland, and laid before him his whole Knowledge of this Diabolical Conspiracy.  
But the intended Assassination, upon the first disclosing of it, appeared to be so prodigious a Barbarity that His Majesty for some time gave but very little Ear and slow Credit to this Information, as little suspecting as deserving such Usage from the worst of His Subjects.  
Which generous Caution, that His Majesty took not to be imposed upon by new Rumours of Plots, and His Gracious Tenderness not to believe so ill of his very Enemies, but upon certain Demonstration, was one of the Chief Occasions that the Duke of Berwick and divers others of the principal Agitators and Managers of the whole Business took the Alarm, 
Pag. 25.  and got time to scatter and withdraw beyond the Seas.  
However, by God's Providence continually watching over His Majesty's and these Nation's Safety, so many of the Traitors soon after fell into the Hands of Justice, who did voluntarily acknowledge their being Partakers of the Treason, or were convicted of it by evident Proof, that henceforth whoever shall pretend not to believe the Truth of the whole, they must either be such as were Parties in the Design, or so monstrously unreasonable as to believe there never can be a real Plot against any Prince or State, but what does actually succeed and take effect.  
Thus much is certain of this Conspirary, and it is so remarkable and extraordinary, that perhaps the like cannot be affirmed of any other mentioned in all History, that there was scarce a man Attainted or Executed for it, who did not more or less add some new light to the several parts of the Dark Contrivance, either by a plain confession of it, or by the very manner of dening it, and by the weakness of the Subterfuges, whereby they endeavoured to palliate their Crimes.  
Upon the whole matter, though it is not doubted but the Treasonable Infection was in some degree or other spread into most parts of these Kingdoms, 
Pag. 26.  amongst the Ring leaders of the Jacobite Clubs, and lawless Conventicles in Town and Country. Yet I declare an utter Abhorrence that bare Suspicions, though never so probably grounded, should prevail to conclude any Man guilty, and therefore resolve to make no reflection on the Fame of any, but only Such whose Part in it was made out by positive Testimony.  
And in the Kingdom of England the Persons who are already Judicially found to have been deeply concerned as Actors, some in the Insurrection part, others in the Assassination, divers of them in both together, are these.  

Pag. 27.  The Duke of Berwick, who, not only by Extraction but Education has been long corrupted, and alienated from his Duty to his Native Country, and now 'tis evident his Frenchified Mind is poisoned with unjust and forbidden Hopes.  
The Earl of Aylesbury, who for some Years had been engaged in the most furious Designs of the Faction, and of late especially.  
Capt. George Porter, who had always been a busy Promoter of Popish and Slavish Projects for overturning our Church and State; and was therefore for a time a great Favourite of the Disaffected: 
Pag. 28.  Whilst he was imprisoned with Capt. Goodman, Maj. Matthews, Capt. Shevery, Rhoads, a Trumpeter, and the rest of the Drury-Lane Traitorous Riotors, in june 1695. Nor did they ever make any Objections against the Honesty of his private Life till he came to the Honestest part of it.  
The late Sir Thomas Roe of Islington, whose dark and turbulent Spirit and insatiable Ambition had carried him on to be one of the Principle Persons engaged in this Hellish Conspiracy. It being well known that this Unhappy Gentleman not long before the Discovery, was heard to say that he should be at the Head of a Reginment of Horse, and in the first place would cut the Throat of Mr. Keck a Master in Chancery. But finding the Hellish Design to be dispointed and Discovered, on Sunday the 23 d of February (the Day after the Fatal Blow was to have been given,) God permitted him to become his own Executioner, and he shot himself into the Head, not venturing to give His Majesty time to make use of the excellent Goodness of his Nature.  
Sir William Parkyns, a Person carried away beyond his Duty and Allegiance into this Traitorous Enterprise, by a vain Air of Popish Principles; whereby he was the more easily seduced by the Wicked Teachers of that most Unchristian Doctrine which has been the Cause of so many Rebellions, and was so conformable to his Antichristian Education, That it is Lawful to cut the Throat of a Protestant Prince.  
Sir john Friend, who ever since this happy Revolution had professed himself an Enemy to the Government of his Country, and had acted accordingly. As he Lived, so he Died, a Stubborn Assertor of the Jacobite Cause.  
Capt. Robert Charnock, a Popish Debauchee, who was a most active Instrument to promote the Hellish Design against His Sacred Majesty, 
Pag. 29.  under colour of an affected Zeal of Conscience and pure Religion.  
Leiut. Edward King a furious Papistical Bravo; who had often laid Designs for the King's Murder, which God as often prevented by his signal Providence.  

Pag. 30.  Thomas Keys, a desperate and bloody Raviliac, he was a Trumpeter in the late King's Army in the West against Monmouth: He was actually engaged in this Horrid Conspiracy, and has received the just Reward of his Treason.  
Major Robert Lowick, a furious Roman Catholic and great Confident of the late King james, by whom he was recommended to Sir George Barclay to make one in the Assassination.  

Pag. 31.  Peter Cook, Gent. a mighty Jacobite, one of those, who with an Hypocritical Zeal would have passed for the most forward Reformers of Church and State: whilst they themselves both in their Practice and Opinions, were the greatest Corrupters of Virtue and all Good Manners.  
Charles Cranburne, a Person whose resolute boldness recommended him to Capt. Porter as a Person fit for his turn in any desperate Attempt, 
Pag. 32.  and at his Death Confessed enough to show his Crime though not his Repentance.  
Brigadier Rookwood, a notorious Enemy of the Established Government in Church and State, and was actually to engage in putting the Hellish Conspiracy in Exectuion.  
— Goodman,— Harris,— Knightly,— Bertram, and Bois, 
Pag. 33.  notorious Papists, their Hatred to the Government transported them to be Factious: These were all Men of crafty Heads, and nimble Tongues; restless spreaders of False News, bold Talkers in seditious Clubs; where according to the Corrupt Fashion of the Times, the most Profligate Persons of all Conditions were wont openly to Arraign the Monarchy, and Vilify the Church, under the fair Shows of amending both and a tender Concernment for the Public Good. However these five last mentioned did in some measure expiate their Gild, by their Ingenious and Voluntary Confessions.  
Sir George Barclay, 
Pag. 34.  a Scotch Man, and a Lieutenant in the late King's Guards, and egregiously disaffected to the present Government, and therefore of considerable Interest with the Court of St. Germain's and the French King, who are the most professed Enemies of these Kingdoms, by whom he was sent into England with about 20 Troopers, under the disguise of being turned out of Commission to bring to pass his Master's Devilish Contrivance. And he was known to be one of the Chief Actors in the whole Conspiracy.  
Brice Blair, 
Pag. 35.  a furious Roman Catholic, he was fitted for such a Design by his hot and fiery Temper, and was a most desperate Enemy to the Government of these Kingdoms.  
But of all the Conspirators, 
Pag. 37.  the Man to whom belonged the Chief Place and Precedence in the whole Diabolical Design, was Robert Ferguson, a Scotch Man; he had long brandished his poisonous Tongue and virulent Pen against the Government. He is manifestly convicted to have had a hand in the most Scandalous Libels of these Times, and was particularly cherished and magnified by the Party, for his peculiar Talon in aspersing the Government and reviling His Majesty's Person; so that upon all Accounts of his restless Spirit, fluent Tongue, 
Pag. 38.  subtle Brain, and Hellish Malice, he was perfectly qualified to be the great Incendiary and common Agitator of the whole Conspiracy; and it cannot be denied but he was the Life and Soul of all, especially for the carrying on of the whole Design.  
These Persons appear hitherto, to have been the Principal Contrivers or Instruments of the whole Treason in the Kingdom of England and Scotland.  
Divers others there are, concerning whom more than conjectural Proofs may be given of their having been engaged in it, but I choose to spare particular Names, as far as may stand with the necessary and just Vindication of the Government.  
It may suffice, that of these here mentioned the World is abundantly satisfied that the several Shares they undertook in this Conspiracy, were very agreeable to their former well-known perverse Principles and declared Disaffections to the Government.  
It is therefore certain, that in the Year 1695, a time when the French King's Affairs were reduced to the height of Desperation, this Diabolical Design of Assassinating His Majesty came afresh to be agitated, 
Pag. 39  and the whole Factious Interest, in and about the Town, nay throughout the three Kingdoms, prepared to employ the main of their Power and Craft for overturning the Government.  
All which time nothing was omitted by the Disloyal Citizens, who were no way Numerous, and a Multitude of Strangers unduly mingled with them in their Clubs, to terrify the Loyal, and gain over the timorous Members of the City; and a new and Devilish Invention was much in Vogue, by which they made the Swearing to the Government to be only an Instrument for the promoting their ungodly Designs.  
All sorts of Arms, never before known to be procured in such quantities by private Persons, such as Blunderbusses, etc. were carefully sought after and bought up. The most improbable and villainous false Rumours, wherewith too many of our Pulpits, with equal Industry and Malice designed to poison our unthinking People, filled every Street.  
My Lord (for though I have insensibly slid into a tedious Letter, I may not forget to whom I address this) I take the freedom to reflect on the Style of Modern Sermons, which, my Lord, you know, are or aught to be serious Things, and, to be confined to the Rules of strict and sober Truth. When the Clergy find or make occasion to discourse of Princes, one would think the Subject Matter should teach them Moderation and Temperance, Decorum and Decency; but I shall evince that some have little regarded Truth or Manners: and for the performing it, shall not ransack many Sermons, but give your Lordship a Taste of the Fraternity's Goodly Method of disparaging and reproaching His Majesty, and of their fine knack at Representation and Character, and that from your Lordship's next Neighbour, and a Prebendary of your Church of Westminster, I mean the Famous Dr. Birch, who with his effronted Forehead (though then His Majesty's Chaplain) began, and that very early, to sound the Trumpet to Rebellion; and that before the August Assembly of the Nation's Representatives, in his lewd Harangue on the 30 th' of january 1693, for which, by surprise, Sir T. D. obtained an Order of the House of Commons, that he and Mr. H. (who was soon after expelled for Bribery) should return the Doctor Thanks, and desire him to print his Sermon; which they accordingly did; and so the World became Obliged by these high and extraordinary Flights.  
We (quoth His Majesty's Chaplain) are still threatened in their Turn, either with no Church at all, or the worst among Christians. Are not our very Blessings turned into a Curse? Our Boasted Freedom is now only a Liberty to bite and devour one another. Our long cried up Liberty of Conscience, proves one of Impiety Licentiousness, and Error, and at best serves for a Step to Dominion more than Devotion. Our Laws are indeed open, but to the continual Conspiracies of false Witnesses against the Lives and Fortunes of the Innocent. Ours (proceeds the Doctor) is the first State-Schism known in the World.  
We have (says he) entailed upon us Disputed Titles; and for aught yet appears endless Wars. We are fallen into those Dregs of Time, wherein Hypocrisy and Profaneness seem to divide the World between them; and all true and unaffected Piety is out of Countenance; wherein all the Sacred Ties to our King and Country appear as lose as our Manners. If then we dare own discouraged Virtue, and would stand in the Gap to save the whole from Destruction, the true way is not to follow a Multitude to do Evil, or to join in those Fashionable Flatteries that are ruin to the Embracers.  
My good Lord, I appeal to You whether this vile Discourse is not stuffed with the most audacious Reproaches of a Crowned Head, that were ever heard among Christians; Are such rare Men as this, I beseech your Lordship, fit to be trusted with our Consciences? Now if I have not here set this bold Clergyman in his true light, I hope I shall do it to purpose, when I tell yonr Lordship, that this very Doctor was seen walking in St. James' Park, with that remarkable Knight Sir john Fenwick, who Disappeared for some Months, but was after taken at Rumney in Kent; and with a certain nameless Earl, on that very Sunday before Noon (February 23.) when their Party waited for the much longed for News of His Majesty's Assassination. But to pass on,  
Not only the Pulpit but the Press was employed for promoting this barbarous Design, as I shall demonstrate to your Lordship, by a few Touches out of some envenomed Libels.  
The Clergy (says one of their Incendiaries) see on what Terms they stand with their renowned Deliverer, and what great and glorious Designs he has to devour them, so soon as he has Power and Opportunity. He has as good a Will to the Church-Lands as to his Father's Crown: But he durst never put it to the Issue, lest it should discover the weakness of his Interest, for the Eyes of the Nation are opened, They see themselves Cheated and Abused, and instead of Liberties and Privileges, find themselves made Tools to insatiable Ambition, and a Morsel for execrable Parricide. And it was the most unaccountable Infatuation to have expected otherwise; that he who had Stomach enough to devour his Father, would ever Stick at preying on the Wealth, the Rights and Vitals of the Nation.  
Read this envenomed Author a little farther, I entreat your Lordship. The whole Nation (proceeds he) must be sacrificed to revenge that generous Pity and Compassion which has been shown [by the King of France] to an oppressed Prince, whom we have infinitely wronged. 'Tis not his Oppression but his Piety, is the Ground of this Immortal Hatred: and 'tis manifest to all, that the Noble, Princely and Christian Succour he has afforded our Injured King, is more provoking than all the Oppressions in the World.  
Another of their Emissaries says, he Challenges the whole World to produce such an Instance of Injustice, and Violation of Promises, as this pretended Saint, and Mirror of Justice has afforded us. Our Constitution both of Church and State are reversed, and quite disjointed, our Liberties and Properties most unjustly invaded, and more Instances of Arbitrary Power daily committed, than in several of the former Reigns. I proceed says this venomous Libeler, to address myself to those of my Countrymen who has had the misfortune to be misled, that since they have had all their Expectations decceived, themselves gulled out of all those real Blessings of Government they formerly enjoyed, Peace, Plenty, Liberty and Property, and all that could render a People happy, by one whom a Man would be tempted to think could never have been procreated of Human Race, void of all sense of Religion, Justice, Honour, and every Qualification that is apt to conciliate Love or Veneration from Mankind; who has really forfeited the Crown by his own Act, having violated the very Instrument of Government he Subscribed: One who has been the Occasion of shedding more Christian Blood, than has been spilt in the ten Persecutions, merely upon a shame Pretence of Religion to us: That it is their Interest and indispensible Duty, if they have any sense of Goodness remaining to free these Nations of such a Plague and Curse, and if possible to redeem all those Blessings which have been withheld from us by his Means, by atoning God Almighty, by doing Justice to their highly injured King and Queen, to themselves, and to all Europe, and averting those dismal Plagues which otherwise e'er long will fall upon their Heads: Otherwise let 'em do what they can, be as obstniate, malicious and revengful as they please, if they be resolved yet to act wickedly they shall be consumed both they and their King.  
All this was evidently with design to shake the Crown and undermine the true Protestant Religion; The Truth is, to such a Height of Arrogance were things grown on their Side, that who ever shall Indifferently reflect on the Dangerous Devices, Slanderous Reports, and Writings, and other Violent Emotions of the whole Party that Winter, in the City and throughout the Kingdom, they will have just cause to conclude that the Course of their Proceedings, was a daring Struggle for Victory, and a Decisive Contention for Mastery over the Government.  
Yet however cunningly the Train was laid, it took no effect but on themselves, the Noise and Rage of all their Mutinous Routs, 
Pag. 41.  vanished into Air. Sir john Houblon, the Lord Mayor, together with the whole Body of the Greater, Wiser and Richer Citizens understood rightly, and stuck Unmovable to the Nation's and their own true Interest.  
Which the Conspirators perceiving, many disaffected Lords and others withdrew from their Houses, redoubling their Exclamations of Usurpation, Tyranny, Oppression, and what not: and still applied themselves with all Diligence to expedite the Rebellious Work before projected; fancying that yet the whole City and Kingdom, would be at the French King's Beck, and upon the holding up his Finger, would presently rise in Arms to extirpate the two Brothers, Liberty and Property.  
The French King had set on foot a Treaty with the Disaffected in England, and sent the Duke of Berwick privily to London, 
Pag. 24.  who held divers Meetings with the Confederates, who offered, that if that King would furnish 10000 Men they would make a Sturdy Commotion here.  
About that time also both ways of destroying these Kingdoms were brought under their Consideration; the general way of an Insurrection, 
Pag. 43.  and the more compendious way, as they called it of Assassinating the King in his return from Hunting. The Assassination was Instantly promoted on all Hands in Town and Country, immediately after which the Insurrection was to follow.  
At last it was thought adviseable to send one to France to acquaint the late King james with the result of their whole Proceedings, desiring him to prevail with the French King to lend him 8000 Foot, 1000 Horse, 1000 Dragoons, and they would meet him at his Landing, at the Head of 2000 Horse; and knowing no one fitter to employ in such a Concern, 
Pag. 45.  they desired Mr. Charnock would be the Man, because they knew him to be of a fluent Tongue, and subtle Brain, and one of the Chief Contrivers and Managers of the whole Design; he readily consented to their Desire, and immediately provided for his Departure, after he had advised and encouraged each of them to be hearty in the Cause.  
Though Charnock was gone for a while, yet the Impressions of Mischief he had left behind on the Minds of the Confederates, would not so easily vanish. They soon reflected on his last advice, 
Pag. 51.  that so many having been made Conscious to the Design, they should certainly find more Safety in pushing it on boldly, than in too late a Retreat. Upon this immediately they recovered their Spirits and Resolutions, which his Departure had somewhat damped; thenceforth they renewed their Consultations till his Return, which was soon after, with the Answer, That the French King's Affairs being in such a Posture he could not at that time comply with their Demand, which for the present broke all their Measures.  
But upon the Arrival of Sir George Barclay, who after having declared to the Disaffected Party the Occasion of his coming, produced a Commission authorising them to perpetrate the Parricide, he withal told them that the late King was retired from St. Germains to Calais, where lay a considerable Body of Troops under his Command, that the French King had given Orders to Bouffleurs to draw together immediately to Embark, as soon as the Signal was given that their Hellish Contrivance for Assassinating His Majesty's Person had taken effect: Whereupon they renewed their Cousultations with more Vigour than before. The Principal Managers having their frequent Meetings, as also the Inferior Instruments theirs, whilst some of each number gave secret Intimations to the other of what was passing in their separate Assemblies.  
Of the great Council; 
Pag. 52.  the Consults that have been hitherto plainly testified and sworn to, were those, at the old King's-head in Leadenhall street, and Mrs. Montjoy's in St. James'- street. The Subordinate Cabals were kept in divers other Places in and about the City of London; as in january, in that Year, at Capt. Porter's, and at Mr. Charnock's Lodgings in Norfolk-street: Or in common Taverns, as at the Nag's-Head in Covent-Garden, the Sun in the Strand, the Globe in Hatton-Garden, etc. As also on February the 14 th', the very Day the Discovery was made, at the Blew-Posts in Spring-Garden; and on the 15 th' and 22 d, at Capt. Porter's Lodging in Maiden-lane, being both the Times agreed upon to put the Design in Execution.  
Their Meetings being so generally in places of public Entertainment; therefore to prevent the Observation of Drawers and Servants, they often discoursed of their whole Bloody Business in a Canting Language of their own making.  
The King was sometimes called the Spark, the Prince of Orange, 
Pag. 53.  the Little Gentleman, etc. Provision of Arms, as Bluuderbusses, Muskets, Pistols, etc. were talked of under disguised Names. The Insurrection was styled the General Point, the Assassination taking off the Spark, and striking at the Head. And because several or most of the Conspirators were notorious Papists, it was sometimes agreed that their wicked Intentions against the King and Government should be veiled under the terms of taking off the Insupportable Yoke.  
But for the most part when they were free and among themselves, 
Pag. 54.  they did discourse of the whole Contrivance in plain Language, and without Reserve; their common Healths were such as these, To the Restoring the late King James, the Health of the Prince of Wales, the late Queen, and the French King.  
But when Harris, Lowick, and others, who were less hardened in Cruelty, expressed some kind of Consternation and Dread of the Consequences of so dire a Stroke, 
Pag. 55.  readily declared themselves willing to join in the Insurrection, but shrunk a little at first at the Horror of the Assassination; they said though it was a Barbarous Work, yet they would obey Sir George Barclay's Orders.  
In these their private Cabals, the Matters they promiscuously treated of, were either a general Insurrection or the Assassination of the King's Person. 
Pag. 56.  Of the Assassination divers ways were consulted, till they fixed on that Lane coming form Brentford to Turnham-Green. The Insurrection was proposed to be made at the same time in England and Scotland. The adjusting that part of it which related to Scotland was chiefly under the Care and managed by Commissioners appointed for that purpose, by the French King and the late King james, as well as this in England; all which Particulars are Circumstantially set forth, so often repeated, and demonstrably confirmed in the ensuing Evidences, that it will be sufficient here only to direct the Reader's Observation by given a brief Summary of the whole.  
Towards an in Insurrection throughout England, they laid the greatest Stress on the City of London; not doubting but if that was once secured to them, the rest of the Nation would of Course fall in.  

Pag. 57  For the increasing their Numbers, and drawing in New Converts this one General Rule was carefully prescribed, that the bottom of the Design should in the beginning be warily concealed from all Persons with whom they treated. First their Inclinations were to be tried by gradual Insinuations, and plausible Discourses at a Distance, till they had gained a full assurance of their Fidelity. They were to be asked, If they would be concerned, in Easing them from the Yoke that laid upon 'em? Meaning to murder King William; when it was Answered, They would readily assist in any thing of that Nature: Then it was next to be demanded, Whether they would contribute the Assistance of their Persons or Purses, or both? That being also determined, It was to be farther inquired, What Furniture of Arms, Horses, and Money they had in readiness? What Friends they could engage? And if these Questions were resolved according to their Minds, 
Pag. 58.  than the whole Mystery of the Villainy was to be frankly disclosed. They were to be told in downright Terms, That their Design was to Assassinate the Person of King William in order to fix King james again in the Throne, to which if they would lend their Assistance it would answer their Expectation. He having already sent over several Men and Money to buy Horses to help to do the Work.  
The way being thus made to sound and prepare the Dispositions of ill Men for any Violent Enterprise; the next thing came under deliberation was Money. 
Pag. 59  For that several of the Conspirators declared, they had considerable sums of their Own, or deposited with them, which were ready, and might be called for on Occasion. That Sir George Barclay subscribed Money, enough to furnish 40 Horses, likewise Sir john Friend offered if the late K. james would give order for it, to disbursed 3000 l. that the Cause might not be lost. Neither was Sir W. Parkyns, with many others slack in making provision for a sudden Push, for they if the Business succeeded were in Hopes to satisfy their thirsty Appetites and enrich themselves with the Blood and Estates of just and honest Men.  
The next necessary Provision they debated on was Arms. And it is notoriously known, the whole Party had been gathering great abundance of all sorts. 
Pag. 60.  All probably with the same prospect and in the same proportion for their parts in the Conspiracy as Sir William Parkyns had done for his, though they happened not all to be so manifestly detected; for not long after the Conspiracy was discovered to His Majesty and His Ministers: the said Sir William Parkyns was found to have by him, hid underground by his Garden-Wall, several Chests of complete Arms, belonging as he pretended to his Countryhouse, where no thought of Robbery or Assault could be feared; and by consequence, there could not be the least shadow or pretence that they were laid in there for his own lawful use or defence.  

Pag. 61.  But besides these Stores, which they had every one made for themselves, it was resolved, at the very first News of the late King James' Landing with his Cutthroat Army to be in readiness, some to attempt the public Magazines in and about the City, whilst others in the remote Parts, were to use their utmost Diligence to form themselves into a Body and join the Invasion.  
Many Thoughts were also spent how to engage the Seamen to their Side: Tho it must be said that their Practices with them met with the least Success of any. Nor is it imaginable, the brave Race of English Mariners should ever prove false to His Majesty, who has cherished, encouraged and promoted that Profession more than all the Kings of England have done since the Conquest: 
Pag. 62.  His Majesty well understanding that the Safety, Riches and Honour of this Kingdom depend most on its Maratime Greatness.  
However, the Conspirators not in the least doubting but they should have sufficient Numbers, as soon as their Friends were arrived from France, to make a Stand, and give time to others to come in, and declare; their Rendezvouses were appointed in most of the convenient Posts of London and Westminster; whence they might at once attack the Bridge, the Exchanges, the Guards, the Savoy, Whitehall and the Tower: And they had ready in Town and Country a considerable number of Officers to head and govern the mixed Multitude as soon as they should appear in Arms.  
At the same time, a Party was to be ready to scour the Streets, and immediately Barricadoes were to be made: The Horses of Hackney-Coaches, and other Strangers, were to be seized on: The Horse-Guards not actually Mounted to be surprised in their several Stables: For which end a Committee was chose, who undertook to view the Posture of their Quarters, and reported back to the Principals that the seizing 'em was a thing very feasible.  
Ferguson had also often assured them he could promise for a considerable Number of Men to be ready at a day, 
Pag. 63.  and that he would make one of the same Party himself.  
Upon supposition of this Strength, their principal aim being to surprise the Tower, as a Place most able to annoy them, and where there lay great Magazines of Stores of Ammunition to furnish them; they had many Debates on that Subject. 
Pag. 64.  And it is very well known they had brought an Officer in Trust therein to be of their Party, who was to deliver the Tower into their Hands.  

Pag. 65.  Besides securing to themselves by these means the Cities of London and Westminster, which was their greatest Care; they had also under Consideration the raising Commotions at the same time in divers other Parts of England: Especially those Counties of the West and North, in which they believed the jacobite Party to be most Numerous, and most inclined to their Factious Interest.  
In every County some one Great Man was to put himself at the head of the Rebellion, and divers of them had their proper Stations appointed.  
In the North they depended on a numerous Assistance, having been informed, by Sir William Parkyns, who had made a Journey into that part of the Kingdom, that the North was as well inclined to their Party as the West.  

Pag. 66.  Most Seaport Towns of any considerable Strength was to be attempted, particularly Portsmouth, by some going into the Town on pretence of seeing the Place, at the same time another Party coming in on the Market-day, disguised like Countrymen, and both together were to fall on the Guards.  
At the same time when they were making these Preparations for an Insurrection, the other Design of Assassinating His Majesty kept equal Pace with it.  
It is manifest that the French King and late King james, had often devised his Majesty's Murder; it being indeed a Talon peculiar to them both to murder Princes, and lay their Nations in Blood and Confusion. That of all Men living they can most easily turn themselves into all Shapes, and comply with all Dispositions, to get Agents to compass their Damnable Purposes; having by long practice, got the skill to cover their Hooks with Baits fitting every Humour. The Covetous, who are no small Number of their jacobite Party, 
Pag. 67.  those they feed and deceive with hopes of Wealth and new Sequestrations: The Ambitious, with Praise and Vainglory: The Church of England, with Promises of Liberty and Religion: Sometimes not refusing to stoop lower, and even to serve and assist the Pleasures and Debauches of Men that way inclined, if they find them any way useful for their purposes.  
And now also upon this Occasion, 
Pag. 68  divers Ways of performing the Assassination were debated; one was to make the Attempt on His Majesty, as He came from Richmond by the Road.  
Another when He was upon Horseback at Cue.  
Another to Surprise Him by Ambuscade as He was diverting Himself with Shooting or Hunting in the Park by Richmond.  
But of these Propositions Sir George Barclay approved of none like the last mentioned, in order to which he desired Capt. Porter to go with Mr. Knightly to View the Ground; accordingly they went, and Mr. King with them: At their return made their Report: That the Lane between Brentford and Turnham-Green to be much more Feasible to dispatch the Business, or do the Trick, as they called it.  

Pag. 69.  The Account they gave of the Commodiousness of the Lane for any such desperate Enterprise soon encouraged them to fix it there. It being a Place lonely and retired, with a River on one Side and Pales on the other, which would afford all Advantages imaginable to the Assailants, and give as great Inconveniences to the Persons Attacked.  
The Place being agreed on, it was first questioned, Whether the Stroke should be struck upon His Majesty's going to, or coming from Hunting: But it was thought more expedient to defer it till His Majesty's return.  
That Point being over, they had several Meetings, to consult of all the Circumstances of the Parricide.  

Pag. 70.  The number of the Men to be Personally engaged, were Forty at least, of which Number Sir George Barclay was to make up about Twenty. Mr. Charnock was to furnish Eight, Capt. Porter Seven, Sir William Parkyns Three Men and 5 Horses. To that end 2 or 3 Lists of Names were drawn up, out of which choice was made of Two which were called Ordely Men, and Quartered at Kensington, to give Notice to the Rest when His Majesty went a Hunting.  
The Arms to be used were Blunderbusses, Muskets, Pistols, etc. The several Parties were to be dispersed at the Inns at Brentford and Turnham-Green, that they might be in a readiness against the approach of the Fatal Hour.  
On the day the Design was to be executed, the Attempt was agreed to be made in this Manner: Some one or two, were to be at the Ferry, to give Notice when His Majesty Landed, first to Sir George Barclay, then to the rest.  
Upon Warning given of the King's being near at hand, all were to be in a readiness, to Issue forth in a Moment, some on Horseback, some on Foot.  
Immediately, 
Pag. 71  upon the Coach's coming within the Lane, they were to shut the Gate, and the Conspirators were to divide into three Parties: Some before in the Habit of County-men were to throw down the Pales, afore sawn asunder for the same purpose, in the narrowest Passage, so to prevent all possibility of Escape: Then Mr. Charnock with his Party were to attack the Guards in the Rear, and Rookwood and Porter with another Party in two Wings were to attack both sides of the Guards. The other Party to Aim only at His Majesty's Coach, which Party consisted of 8 Persons, and was to be under the Particular direction of Sir George Barclay; the Villian declaring beforehand, Mr. Prendergast was to have a very good Blunderbuss, which carried 7 or 8 Bullets, to be of his Party, and to Shoot into it. King at the same time telling him, He hoped he would not be afraid of breaking the Glass-Windows.  

Pag. 72.  It is indeed a thing prodigious to tell, and were it not for the undeniable Proofs of it, very difficult to be believed, that not only One or Two such Furies should rise up in a whole Age, but that so great a Number of Men should, be found so void of all Humanity, as not only to imagine and contrive so Horrid a Fact, but to discourse of it in so many Meetings, so sportfully and merrily as they did, as if the Cruelest Tragedy, which Wicked Men or the Devil ever invented, had been only a Matter of Common Past-time and loose Raillery.  

Pag. 73.  The execrable Deed being thus supposed by them to be feasible, without much Opposition, they then farther considered the several Ways of their escaping afterwards. Sometimes they thought if it were possible to take the King alive and carry him to France, whether they intended to bear him Company. But if not, another way was proposed by Sir George Barclay, after the Fatal Blow was given, to get privately into the City before the News of what was done could possibly get thither. It was concluded at the same time, That those Lords and Principal Men of their Party should be ready to Head the Faction upon the first arrival of the News that the late King james was Landed.  
Thus Saturday the 15 th' of February being come, the first day pitched upon for executing their Hellish Design; 
Pag. 74.  whilst they were thus wholly intent on this Barbarous Work, and proceeded securely in its Contrivance without any the least doubt of a prosperous Success, having prepared every thing in order to have perpetrated this Villainous Work; Behold! on a sudden God miraculously disappointed all their Hopes, by Chamber's bringing word, about Noon, the King went not Abroad that day.  
Yet notwithstanding they being disappointed at this time, which made them look one on another in much disorder, yet they could not part till they had drank their accustomed Healths: And to add to their Villainny, Capt. Porter took an Orange in his Hand, and began a Health to the Squeezing the rotten Orange, which having gone round, they took leave of each other for that Time.  
Presently after, 
Pag. 75.  at their next meeting, their Discourse first tended to doubting whether the Design had not been discovered; but than 'twas immediately answered, If it had, they should not have been there, but taken up. Whereupon they resolved, notwithstanding the former Disappointment, to Excecute the Devilish Design the next Saturday following.  
The Result of this their Consultation they imparted to their inferior Agents who were to act under them and ordered all things to be ready against that time.  
The late King for preparing a Declaration to facilitate his Re-accession to the Crown ordered divers of his Agents in England to send him their Conceptions, out of which Collection a Complete Remonstrance was gathered. The main Drift of the whole was to amuse the People's Fancies for a Time with new Chimaeras of Freedom from Taxes, and Advantages for Trade: Then to calumniate and asperse King William as a Tyrant and Oppressor, 
Pag. 79.  and accuse all his Faithful Subjects, as Servile Instruments of Arbitrary Power, and Betrayers of their Country: Whilst he and his Party were to be magnified as the only Asertors, and Restorers of Liberties, and Properties; who it is notoriously known have ever acted the contrary. His and their Design in all this being the same that has been put in Practice by all Promoters of Popish and Slavish Principles, Sedition and Treason in all Ages; who have always thought they have done more than half their Business, if they can but once appropiate to themselves all the good and pleasing Words of things plausible and popular, and fasten on His present Majesty's Government the Names and Titles of things vulgarly odious, or contemptible.  
But in their particular Heads of Discourse in which the Conspirators chiefly delighted, 
Pag. 81.  and were wont in their Meetings most amply to enlarge their Inventions, was concerning their resolutions of several kinds of Vengeance to be executed on those Eminent Persons of all Professions, whom they thought most capable and willing to oppose their Bloody Enterprise.  
Their Passions in that part indeed transported them beyond all bounds of common Prudence even to the highest degree of ridiculous Vanity, and extravagant Ostentation of their full assurance to succeed in the dire Attempt.  
Having first gloried in the Imagination of imbruing their Hands in Royal Blood, they scrupled not to profess they would continue the Assassination on all the Principal Officers of the Crown, and Ministers of Justice; and spitefully projected all Circumstances imaginable which they thought might aggravate the Terror or Ignominy of their Punishment.  
The Lord Mayor, and the Sheriffs of that Year, were concluded fit to be Murdered. All others were doomed to the like Destiny, who might think they deserved well of the Faction by their Moderation: But they resolved that Neuters should be treated as ill as their most avowed Enemies.  
They made no Distinction of Opinions, the Soberest and Richest of the Church of England, together with the Presbyterians and orher Dissenters they hated and despised in general, 
Pag. 82.  as Men whose Interest could not be divided from King William, as knowing they must fall with him, and undergo the same Fate.  
In this furious manner they proceeded to lay about 'em in their common Discourses, with all the Infernal Malice that is so agreeable to their Principles and inseparable from them: There never having yet been found, in all Records of Time, any Popish Plot but it was always most certainly attended with a fierce Spirit of Implacable Cruelty.  
As it cannot be imagined that either of the Cabals was altogether unacquainted with what the other were doing, during all this time; so it is manifest, some of their great Men understood the dark Hints that were sometimes given them, of taking off the Spark, removing the Yoke that lay so heavy upon them; and knocking him on the Head: And also that the inferior Instruments proceeded on assurance, That when they came to Action they should be Headed by Men of much higher Quality and Condition than as yet openly appeared amongst them.  
Wherefore of the Debate and Resolutions of the French King and the late King james; in France it was thought expedient for the farthering of their Design, that a small select Number of the most eminent Heads of the Party, in and about London, should be united into a close Cabal, or secret Council; who might have their frequent Assemblies, and be ready on all Occasions, to guide and direct the motions of the lower Agents.  
The Persons who undertook this Universal Care and Inspection, were the Duke of Berwick, sent from France for that purpose, Sir William Parkyns, Sir john Friend, Sir George Barclay, Sir john Fenwick, Mr. Charnock, Mr. Porter; and some others, were admitted, as occasion served, on some particular Debates.  
After their Arrival from France, they had several Meetings in january, particularly at the Globe-Tavern in Hatton-Garden, and at the Sun-Tavern in the Strand, where some General Heads were propounded of things to be resolved on, 
Pag. 58.  in their more mature Thoughts, as where the Insurrection should first be made, in City, or Country, or both at once: what Countries were most disposed for Action: What Places would be most proper for their Rendezvouses: What Arms were necessary, how to be provided, where to be laid in, so as to administer no Ground of Jealousy: And how and by what means a Disturbance might be made in Scotland, at the same time.  
The last was looked upon as a Principal Point, and therefore the managment of that Affair was left to the French King, who had appointed a Considerable Body of Men to disturb the Peace and Tranquillity of that Kingdom: 
Pag. 86.  And who delivered this as his Opinion, That the Plot was so close and deeply laid, it was passed the Power of Men and Devils to hinder the Fatal Blow.  
The late King james, that nothing should be wanting on his part, deputed some of his Confidents hither, to attend the Issue of their Debates, to represent their Proposals; and to assist in the Assassination.  
The first Day appointed for the accomplishing this wicked Design was the 15 th' of February, 
Pag. 87.  which being over, and they by the Singular Mercy of God disappointed; yet so great was their Thirst after Royal Blood, that they did resolve to go on and execute it. And the next Saturday, which was the 22 d of February, was pitched upon for the time of Execution; and accordingly, on Friday the 21st of February, the day before, they met at the Nagshead in Covent-Garden, where they had some discourse among them that they were in doubt, because of the first Disappointment, whether there had not been some Discovery, but that Doubt was soon over; for it was said it could not be so, for than they should not have been there together. That seemed probable, and the Disppointment was imputed to some Accident which gave them new Assurance to go on, and they resolved to go on and do the Business they had formerly resolved on, the next day, which was Saturday.  
Thus, on the 14 th' of February, 
Pag. 88  was the whole Conspiracy going on in a full Career, when Mr. Prendergast made his Discovery: But finding that His Majesty and His Ministers, were exceeding diffident of his single Intelligence, in a business of so vast a Moment; therefore, whilst he was considering which way he might best strengthen his Evidence, Mr. De la Rue, on Friday Night, the 21st of February, was introduced to His Majesty by the Earl of Portland, who discovered to him the Hellish Designs of his Implacable Enemies.  
Upon Saturday the 22 d of February in the Morning, which was the 2 d time appointed for the Execution of this Bloody Design, 
Pag. 89.  they Met together at Porter's Lodging, and resolved to go on with it and put it in Execution, where they had Notice from Chambers that the King did go a Hunting that Day, and there was great Joy among them all, thinking themselves sure; and so they ordered all things to be got ready. From thence they went to the Blew-posts in Spring-Garden, where. News was brought about one a Clock, That the King did not go Abroad, for the Guards were all come back in great haste, their Horses being all in a Foam, and the King's Coaehes to the Mews-Gate.  
They at first received the News with various Apprehensions and Motions of Mind, 
Pag. 91.  looking on one another with much Astonishment and Confusion; and immediately parted in great Disorder, being fully assured the thing had taken Air, and was discovered.  

Pag. 92.  His Majesty, with inexpressible Surprise, found by undoubted Evidence that many of his misguided Subjects had deeply engaged themselves to imbrue their Hands in His Royal Blood, went on Monday the 24 th' of February to the House of Lords, and in His Speech acquainted both Houses, 
That he was come on an extraordinary Occasion, which might have proved fatal if it had not been disappointed by the singular Mercy and Goodness of God.  
That he had received several concurring Informations of a Design to assassinate him, and that our Enemies were very forward in their Preparations for a sudden Invasion of the Kingdom.  
That His Majesty had not been wanting to give the necessary Orders for the Fleet, and that he hoped there was a Strength of Ships, and in such a Readiness, as would be sufficient to disappoint the Intentions of our Enemies.  
That he had dispatched Orders for bringing Home such a Number of our Troops, a might secure us from any Attempt; and exhorted them to do every thing which they should judge proper for our Common Safety, etc.   
Upon this astonishing News the House of Commons (Nemine Contradicente) resolved to address His Majesty to congratulate his happy Deliverance, and to give him their Thanks for imparting the Horrid Design to the House, and to desire His Majesty to take more than ordinary Care of his Royal Person, assuring him that they will stand by, assist, and defend His Majesty with their Lives and Fortunes, against the late King james and all other His Enemies both at Home and Abroad; and that in case His Majesty should come to any violent Death (which God forbid) they would revenge the same upon all his Enemies an their Adherents, etc.  
The House of Lords also unanimously agreed upon an Address to His Majesty, to which they desired the Concurrence of the Commons; who made some Amendments thereunto, to which the Lords agreeing: The same Evening both Houses attended His Majesty therewith. You have here a Copy thereof.  
WE your Majesty's most Loyal and Dutiful Subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons in this present Parliament Assembled; having taken into our serious Consideration, what your Majesty hath been pleased to Communicate to us this day, think it our Duty in the first place, to give Your Majesty most Humble Thanks, for having acquainted Your Parliament, with the great Danger Your Sacred Person hath been so nearly exposed to, and the Design of an Invasion from our Enemies Abroad; We heartily Congratulate Your Majesty's Happy Preservation, and thankfully acknowledge the signal Providence of God in it; and at the same time Declare our Detestation and Abhorrence of so Villainous and Barbarous a Design: And since the Safety and Welfare of Your Majesty's Dominions do so entirely depend upon Your Life, We most Humbly Beseech Your Majesty to take more than Ordinary Care of Your Royal Person: And we take this Occasion to Assure Your Majesty of our utmost Assistance, to Defend Your Person, and Support Your Government against the late King James, and all other Your Enemies, both at Home and Abroad; hereby Declaring to all all the World, That in case Your Majesty shall come to any Violent Death, (which God forbid) we will Revenge the same upon all your Enemies, and their Adherents. And as an Inence of our Zeal for Your Majesty's Service, we will give all possible Dispatch to the Public Business: And we make it our Desire to Your Majesty, to Seize and Secure all Persons, Horses, and Arms, that Your Majesty may think fit to Apprehend upon this Occasion.  
To which His Majesty gave a gracious Answer to the effect following, viz. 
My Lords and Gentlemen, I Thank you heartily for this kind Address: On my Part you may be assured, that I will do all that is within my Power for the Conservation of this Kingdom, to which I have so many Obligations. I will readily adventure my Life for the Preservation of it, and recommend myself to the Continuance of your Loyalty and good Affections.   
The House of Commons also the same Day resolved upon the following Association to be signed by their Members.  
Whereas there has been a Horrid and Detestable Conspiracy, Form and Carried on by Papists, and other Wicked and Traitorous Persons, for Assassinating His Majesty's Royal Person in Order to Encourage an Invasion from France, to Subvert our Religion, Laws, and Liberty: We whose Names are hereunto Subscribed, do Heartily, Sincerely, and Solemnly Profess, Testify and Declare, That His Present Majesty King William is Rightful and Lawful King of these Realms. And we do Mutually Promise and Engage to stand by and assist each other, to the utmost of our Power, in the Support and Defence of His Majesty's most Sacred Person and Government, against the late King James and all his Adherents. And in case His Majesty come to any Violent or Untimely Death (which God forbid) We do hereby further Freely and unanimously Oblige ourselves, to Unite, Associate, and Stand by each other, in Revenging the same upon his Enemies, and their Adherents; and in Supporting and Defending the Succession of the Crown, according to an Act made in the First Year of the Reign of King William and Queen Mary, Entitled, An Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject, and Settling the Succession of the Crown.  
There was also an Association agreed upon by the House of Lords, which was carried by a Majority, which appears to be of a Comfortable Importance.  
Their Lordship's Association differs so little from that of the Commons, that I do not transcribe it; but show you how they vary: Instead of the Words [King William is RIGHTFUL and Lawful King] their Lordships insert.  
That His Present Majesty King William hath A RIGHT BY LAW to the Crown of this Realm, and that neither the late King James, nor the pretended Prince of Wales, nor any other Person hath any Right whatsoever to the same, etc.  
Ninety six of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, that was then present, subscribed their Association, and others who were at first absent, come in daily; it hath been refused only by 15.  
The House of Commons having, as I told you, agreed upon the above-written Association, ordered it to be engrossed, to be Signed by their Members; and near 400 of that August Assembly, which consists of 513, have already (with great Alacrity) subscribed it.  
On Tuesday the House ordered that their absent Members, as they come to the House, do come up to the Table, and sign the Association; or, in their Places, declare their Refusal so to do: and  
On Thursday it was ordered that the Association, and the Subscriptions thereunto, be entered upon the Journal of the House; and Resolved that it should be presented to His Majesty, by the Speaker, and the whole House, before the end of that Session.  
It was also, the same day, ordered that such Members who had not already, should by Monday Fortnight Sign the Association, or declare their Refusal.  
Now a day or two before the Conspirators final Separation, the King and his Council began to be convinced of the truth of Prendergast and Dela rues Evidence, by a full knowledge of the Witnesses Characters, and by the firmness and constancy of their Testimony, besides many other concurring Circumstances. Wherefore His Majesty ordered Warrants should be Issued out against the Persons accused, whereof some absconded, others were taken; of these last divers confirmed what Prendergast and De la Rue had sworn, and Named others as Partakers in the Treason. Whereupon more and more appearing every day to have been engaged, Proclamations were Published in England and Scotland for their Speedy Apprehension. By this means through the Providence of God, so many of them were either Seized or Delivered themselves up, as have irrefragably confirmed every part of the foregoing Account. What became of the several Conspirators will appear by the Following List.  
The Duke of Berwick presently fled beyond the Seas from the Coast of Sussex. 
Pag. 94.   
Capt. Porter, Mr. Prendergast and Mr. Keyes, was taken at Letherhead in Surrey, and were brought up to Town; the last mentioned received the deserved Reward of his horrid Ingratitude and Treasons: the two former largely confessed.  
Capt. Harris surrendered himself to Mr. Secretary Trumbull, and largely confessed.  
Capt. Bois was taken, and freely Confessed.  
Mr. ●ela Rue came in, and Confessed what was done and said at the Traitorous Meetings at Capt. Poter's Lodging, etc.  
Sir john Friend fled fromm his own House to hide himself at▪ Quaker's in Stratton Ground, 
Pag. 9●  where he was Taken, Arraigned, Condemned and Executed.  
Sir William Parkyns was Taken at Mr. Castlemain's Chamber in the Temple; he was likewise Arraigned, Condemned and Executed; he confessed enough to show his Crime, but not his Repentance.  
Mr. Bryerly taken, and Confessed.  
Peter Cook, Gent. taken March 17 th'; and committed to Newgate Arraigned and Condemned, but not as yet Executed.  
Christopher Knightly, was taken disguised in women's Clothes, Arraigned and Condemned, but as yet not Executed.  
Sir Roger L'Estrange, was taken up, and dismissed upon Bail.  
Edward King was taken, 
Pag. 96.  Arraigned, Condemned and Executed.  
Capt. Stow, taken the 6 th' of March, in a Spunging-House, near Smithfield; he having caused himself to be Arrested upon a Sham-Action of 300 l. under the Name of Smith.  
Mr. Blair, was taken, examined, and confessed.  
Mr. Robert Ferguson was seized in Gray's- Inn-lane, hid under a Bed.  

Pag. 97. — Lowick was seized in Alley in Golden-lane, very much disguised, Arraigned, Condemned and Executed.  
Sir john Fenwick withdrew, upon notice there was a Proclamation out against him; was taken with one Webber, at Rumney in Kent, ready to go over-Sea, and was Committed, and is still a Prisoner.  
Ambrose Rookwood was Taken, Tried, Condemned and Executed.  
The Earl of Aylesbury was taken and committed to the Tower, where he is still a Prisoner.  
— Goodman, was taken, and made an Ingenious Confession.  
— Bertram was taken, and confessed.  
Robert Charnock was taken, Arraigned, Condemned and Executed; the deserved Reward of his horrid Treasons.  
William Berkenhead, who has gone by the several Names of East, West, South, Fish and Baker, was taken, but since made his Escape out of Goal.  
Charles Cranburne was Taken, Arraigned, Condemned and Executed.  
Sir George Barclay fled, and withdrew from Justice upon the first Discovery, and is Outlawed.  
Sir Thomas Row, upon the first Discovery, shot himself into the Head, of which Wound he the same Day died.  
Besides these there are several others secured which must not expect to be dismissed but by due Couse of Law. 
Pag. 9●.   
Wherefore to return to what happened shortly after the Discovery. His Majesty having now received irresistible Proof of the Certainty of the Wicked and Unnatural Design; that the World might have the like Conviction, resolved speedily to bring some of the most Notorious Malefactors to a fair and open Trial.  
The Persons who were first put upon justifiying themselves, were Robert Charnock, Edward King and Thomas Keys, on the 11 th' of March 169●, against whom divers Witnesses were produced, who in their Depositions, first gave some distinct Account of the Plot in General, and then of the particular Share each Person at the Bar had in it.  

As to what Concerned Charnock.  
Capt. Porter first deposed, That the said Charnock, himself, and others did meet at the Globe-Tavern in Hatton-Garden, the Nagshead in St. James'- Street, and often in other places, where they did consult and contrive the Design for Assassinating His Majesty's Person, agreed upon it, and the Ways and Methods for Carrying it on; That he with the rest did agree it should be done on the 15 th' of February, in the Lane coming from Brentfort to Turnham-Green, and Horses and Arms were provided, and that he did Personally engage and bring 6 or 7 Men more to act in the Design, that he went into France to invite the late King james to England with a Foreign Force.  
The next was Mr. De la Rue, who Swore, That he the said Charnock was at several Places with divers of the Conspirators and where the Matter was discoursed concerning the Assassination: and that some time after the first Disappoinment, he asked him, How the thing went? and he answered, he was afraid it would come to nothing.  
Then Mr. Prendergast swore, That Charnock sent a Note to Capt. Porter, to Countermand the Order for the 15 th' of February, subscribed by the Name of Robinson.  
Next Mr. Bertram swore, That he the said Charnock asked him, if he would be one in the Design in taking off the Spark? meaning King William, but he answered, He was otherwise engaged. And after the second Disappointment, he this Deponent met him again, who told him, he heard Warrants were out against them: Therefore would have had him come to his Lodging, where, with others, to have gone to Kensington to put their Design in immediate Execution, and assured him there would be Safety in so doing.   

Against King.  
First, Capt. Porter deposed, That the said Edward King went with him and Knightly, to view the Ground: And was with the other Conspirators at most of their Meetings, particularly at his Lodging in Maiden-lane, the same day they were to execute their Design; where were Discourses of that Nature: And also at the Blew-Posts in Spring-Garden, That he was present when Word was brought of the Disappointment.  
The next was Mr. De la Rue, who Swore, That the said Edward King told him, on the 7 th' of February, that he was going out Town about something in order to the Design, with Knightly, Durance, and others, to see whether the King went to Richmond or Hounslow, and That sometime after he told this Deponent, he did ride out with his Friends, and that there was the Rarest Place for the Execution of the Design against King William that was possible, or had they studied never so long for a Convenient Place they could not have had such another. And that he was with him on the 15 th' and 22 d of February, at Porter's Lodging, and the Blew-Posts in Spring-Garden, where they had Discourses concerning putting their Purpose in Execution. And that he had seen him at divers other Times and Places.  
Mr. Bois swore, That King was the first that ever told him of the Assassination, it was at his own Chamber in this manner; That there was a great undertaking in hand, that he had put his Name into the List, and That, if he would make one, he should have a Horse; and gave him 20 s. to buy Boots. He told him several were come over from France; That the late King james would Land very Speedily.   

Against Keys.  
Capt. Porter first deposed, That he the said Keys was present at most of the Consultations, he hired Horses for the Captain to be employed in the Business. That he was at the Blew-Posts in Spring-Garden, with him and the other Conspirators, where word was brought of the Disappointment, both the 15 th' and 22 d of February, and That he agreed to be one that should be Personally concerned in the Assassination.  
Mr. Prendergast swore, That he the said Keys was at Capt. Porter's Lodging in Maiden-lane, the 25 th' of February where were divers others, whose discourse chiefly tended to the Execution of the Assassination: and afterwards, on the same day, they met again at the Blew-Posts in the Spring-Garden, where, with others, he did agree to act in the Design.  
Mr. De la Rue deposed, That he the said Keys was one of those that met at the Blew-Posts in Spring-Garden, on Saturday the 22 d of February, and he was the only Man told him of the Meetings. That when Word was brought of the Disappointment, he went to the Mews-Gate, to learn the reason if he could of the King's not going abroad for two Saturdays together; and that he brought in word. The Guards were come back in a Foam, and the King's Coach to the Mews-gate, and by People's Muttering he feared a Discovery.  
But the whole Evidence against Charnock, King and Keys being clear and positive Testimony; and what they pleaded for themselves being only their own single Affirmation and Negation, without any support of Witnesses, the Jury brought them in Guilty of High-Treason.  
Accordingly too which Sentence they were Executed the 18 th' of the said Month.  
At the time of their Execution each of them delivered a Paper, to the Sheriffs, wherein they owned themselves guilty of the Crime for which they stood Condemned, and that they were for Killing the King and the Guards.  
The next Criminal Arraigned was Sir john Friend, who was brought to his Trial, March the 23 d of that Year.  
Against him Capt. Porter deposed, That about the latter end of May or beginning of june 1695, on a Monday, the Lord Aylesbury, the Lord Mongomery, Sir john Friend, Sir William Parkyns, Sir john Fenwick, Mr. Charnock, one Cook, and this Deponent, met at the old King's-Head in Leadenhallstreet, and at one Mrs. Monjoy's- Tavern in St. James'- street, sometime after. At both these Meetings it was consulted and agreed, to send Charnock over to France to invite the late King james to England and to prevail with the French King to furnish him with 10000 Men; 8000 Foot, 1000 Horse, and 1000 Dragoons, and each did promise to meet him at his Landing with 2000 Horse, and Sir john Friend did say, he would be as forward in his Assistance as any. And not long after the second they had a third Meeting, where were Sir William Parkyns, Sir George Barclay, Sir john Friend, one Holmes, Mr. Ferguson, and this Deponent.  
Capt. Blair swore, that 2 or 3 Years ago Sir john Friend produced a Commission he had from K. james, to be a Colonel of a Regiment of Horse, which he was to raise, and to appoint what Officers he thought fit; That he read the Commission, it was sealed at the Top james Rex, and countersigned Melford, That he promised this Deponent he should be his Lieutenant Colonel, and told him he should get as many Men as he could, that Mr. Fisher was to be his first Captain, and Vernatti was to be another, and Mr. Sclater should be Captain of a Troop of Nonswearing Parsons, and that for engaging and contracting with Men to come in to be of his Regiment, and to caress and keep them together and to carry on the Design, he had expended a great deal of Money. And that he laid down 100 l. to facilitate Col. Parker's escape out of the Tower; That he had wrote a Letter to King james, and gave it this Deponent to read, who told him 'twas well penned, and that he believed Mr. Ferguson did pen it.  
To this Sir john Friend makes an Objection against the Credit of the Witnesses that they were not to be believed, upon this Account, because they are known to be Roman Catholics, and he a Protestant, their Consciences as to Oaths, are somewhat large, especially when they swear against Protestants, and therefore, says he, they are not to be allowed, against Protestants, as Witnesses; and that their Credit was not sufficient to induce a Jury to believe them. At first he alleged there was a Statute that disabled them from being Witnesses, but that was proved to him to the Contrary.  
Then he insisted upon it, that Blair was not to be looked upon as a Witness, and that because he denied he knew any thing of the Plot: The Occasion of that was this; when he was in the Gatehouse, there was News in the Flying-Post or Post-Boy, where it was alleged that Blair had confessed all; and that thereupon Blair said, he was Innocent; but Blair being called into Court again swears, he did not say he knew nothing of a Plot, but denied being privy to, or concerned in the Assassination: so that he did not deny wholly to be in the Plot, but in the Assassination.  
Another thing he insisted upon to be a Matter of Law, in the Statute of the 25. Edw. 3. which was overruled by the Court.  
So that what he had to say for himself, proving no way material; then the Jury withdrew, and returned after a short time, and brought him in Guilty of High-Treason.  
As touching the Paper he delivered to the Sheriffs, at the time of his Execution, he said, he died in Charity with all Men, and a Member of the Church of England; he no way denied the Fact for which he stood Condemned, but rather Justified it, and made some groundless Reflections on the legal and regular Proceedings against him; concluding with a Prayer which could be dictated by none but a fierce Jacobite. It was in truth a Prayer more proper for their Treasonable Meetings at the Old King's-Head in Leadenhall-streei, etc. than to be used as the last Words of a Gentleman dying in the Profession of the Church of England.  
The next Offender that came under the stroke of Justice, was Sir William Parkyns; who came to his Trial the 24 th' of March the same Year: Amongst the several Witnesses that was produced Capt. Porter was the first, who has been a Witness hitherto against several upon the like Occasion, he swore, That about the latter end of May or beginning of june, 1695, Sir john Fenwick, Sir john Friend, Sir William Parkyns, and this Deponent, with divers others, Met at the Old Kings-Head in Leadenhallstreet, and some time after, at Mrs. Monjoy's; at both which Places they did consult, how they might again Restore King james: in order to it they thought it very necessary to send, Mr. Charnock, who was at that Meeting, to King james, and invite him to England with a French Force, viz. 8000 Foot, 1000 Horse, and 1000 Dragoons, if he could solicit the French King to lend him so many, and that each of them did send their promise to meet him, where he should appoint to Land, at the Head of 2000 Horse.  
And further, as to the Assassination, he swore, That about the latter end of january, or beginning of February, Sir George Barclay was sent over with a Commission from the late King james; whereupon Sir George Barclay, Sir William Parkyns, this Deponent, with divers others, had several Meetings, particularly at the Globe-Tavern in Hatton-Garden, the Nagshead Tavern in Covent-Garden, the Sun-Tavern in the Strand, and other places. Where it was resolved to undertake to Assassinate King William, that Sir William did consent to it, and said, he thought it necessary to be done, to facilitate the Restauration of King James: and offered to Lend 5 Horses to engage in it, three to be mounted by Men as he would get, the other two by Capt. Porter; That he told Charnock, in this Deponents hearing, He had a Commission from King James for the raising a Troop of Horse, and that he had seen and read the Commission Sir George Barclay brought over, which was to Levy War against the Person of the Prince of Orange, and that he would not Personally engage in the Assassination, because he had a Regiment to look after.  
Sweet swore, That he the said Sir William Parkyns told him about Christmas last, That King James would come; he asked him, How he knew it? He told him, He had his Word for it; and that he had a Troop which consisted of Old Soldiers; he had Thirty Saddles, and besides there would be some Volunteers which were old Officers: That he was to go into Leicester-Shire, and did, it was about the latter end of january, and Scudamore went with him; and one Yarborough, and a Parson that came out of York shire, met him there: And that he found the West was as well inclined to King James 's Interest as the North; and a Lord's Brother was concerned. That Sir William sent for him out of the Country the second time the King was to be Assassinated, and that he had designed to have used him in the business, but that he had Compassion on his Family.  
Eubank swore, That he, in january last, waited on Sir William into Leicester-shire where several resorted to him, particularly one Yarborongh, and a York shire Parson; that afterwards he ordered him to bring three Horses to London, and he brought them up the 14 th' of February, and Sir William told him, he thought to go out of Town on the Morrow, being Saturday; but his mind altered till Monday following, when he went to his House in Warwickeshire, and returned the Friday after, which was the 21st of january, and brought up four Horses more. The next Day, being Saturday, this Deponent was sent on a Message to Kensington; the Answer he brought back was writ in his Almanac, which he showed to Sir William, who thereupon bid him go to his Inn, and get his Horses ready to go out of Town in the Afternoon, which he did; on the Monday following he received a Letter from Sir William, to go to his Fellow-Servant Evans; that after reading the Letter, they went with a Cart and Horses to one Haywood's House to fetch some Chests; there were three large Ones, out of which were taken seven or eight smaller, which they carried to Sir William's House, and buried them in the Garden.  
Then Thomas Watts was sworn, who deposed, That after the breaking out of the Plot, he did search Sir William Parkyns' House, where, in the Garden, he found buried several Boxes, or Chests; there was in them four Dozen of Swords, Thirty two Carbines, Twenty five Brace of Pistols.  
There are more Substantial Concurring Evidence, which I think two tedious to mention; but shall refer any inquisitive Person to the Trials.  
Sir William Parkyns says for himself, that he does admit and agree, what Porter says is very positive and full, but that is but the Evidence of one Witness: And that by the Law no Person ought to be convicted of High-Treason upon the Testimony of one Witness. But than it was answered, as to the Matter of Law, he is to the right, no Man ought to be convicted of Treason, upon the Testimony of one single Witness: But it was proved he, with others, did send Charnock into France. To which if you add the Testimony of Sweet, who swore Sir William told him King James would come, that he had a Troop, had bought Saddles, his having such a quantity of Arms, of his going into Liecester-shire. If all which be understood in pursuance of the Design against His present Majesty, than there are at least Two Witnesses, to several Overtacts of the same Treason.  
But than it was objected by Sir William, That Sweet does not prove any Overt-Act, that what he said being only words, and words are not Treason. But than it was answered, they are words that relate to Acts and Things. That he had a great quantity of Arms, beyond what he, as a private Man, could have occasion for, or use: Sir William pretended he found them at his House, when he first went thither, all rusty; but account was given, these were bright and fit for use.  
By this plain evidence of the several Stages of his Journey, his Treasonable Intercourse with the Men of the North, his agreeing, with others, to send Charnock to France, his providing such a considerable quantity of Arms, his engaging to lend 5 Horses, and 3 Men, to act in the Assassination, etc. was made out beyond all possibility of Confutation. After a full hearing on both sides the Jury withdrew, and after a very short time returned, and brought him guilty of High-Treason: According to which Sentence he was Executed the 3 d of April following. At the time of his Death delivered a written Paper to the Sheriffs, wherein he acknowledged his being concerned in the Design against the King's Life.  
On the 21st of April 1696, was Ambrose Rookwood brought to Trial. Against him Capt. Porter first deposed, that at several Meetings for the carring on this Design against His Majesty, Mr. Rookwood was present, more particularly at the Globe-Tavern in Hatton-Garden, where Sir George Barclay, Mr. Charnock, Sir William Parkyns, this Deponent, and others, discoursed which was the best way and method; That, and first, Mr. Rookwood said, 'twas a very desperate thing, and seemed not very willing to engage in it, whereupon Sir George Barclay told him, he should command his Party; he replied in French, There's an end of it, and consented.  
And farther that on Saturday Morning the 15 th' of February, there met at his, this Deponent's Lodging, in Little Rider-street, Sir George Barclay, Rookwood, and several others, where word was brought by Durance, the King did go abroad; and it was resolved by all, the same Day to put their Design in Execution.  
The next Witness produced was Captain Harris, who swore, That on Saturday Morning the 15 th' of February, the first Day when this Assassination was designed to be committed, he went to the Lodging of one Burk, where Mr. Rookwood was, with others, and he found them all in great Disorder, and thereupon asked them, what was the matter, and what they were going to do? And Rookwood bid him go to one Counter, and he should know of him what was the matter. Accordingly he went; and Counter told him, and those who were with him, That they must get ready to go to Turnham-Green; and at the same Time and Place, he this Deponent met Sir G. Barclay, and after some Discourse of attacking the Coach, Sir G. Barclay at the first said, They were his janissaries; and afterwards going out, he came in again, and said, They were Men of Honour, and that they were to go abroad to attack the Prince of Orange:  
He further deposed, That upon Saturday the 22 d of February, the second time it was to have been put in Execution, Mr. Rookwood gave this Deponent a List of Men that he was to Command; that Mr. Rookwood's Name was at the Top, and this Deponent's sergeant Name, which was jenkin's, and Hare's counterfeit Name, which was Guinea; and that he told this Deponent, He was to be of his Party, and that he should be his Aid-du-Camp, and they were to make ready to go to Turnham Green to attack the Prince of Orange.  
Then the Council for the Prisoner endeavoured to take off the Credit of Mr. Porter, and opened very great Crimes, that he should be guilty of, which must render him a Person not to be believed; but did not prove any thing: No Witness that they called against Mr. Porter said any thing against him, to invalidate his Testimony, or to introduce any one to disbelieve what he has said.  
Then they said in Point of Law, there is no Overt-Act proved of any Design against the King's Life, that affects Mr. Rookwood; there were other Objections started, which were overruled by the Court. The Jury went forth to consider of their Verdict, and after a quarter of an Hours stay returned, and brought him in Guilty of High-Treason.  
The next Person that was called to the Bar to justify himself, was Charles Cranburne, the 22 d of April, 1696. Against him Capt. Porter deposed, That he made the said Cranburne acquainted with the Design of Assassinating His Majesty King William, the Day before they were to execute it; and he engaged to be ready and make one. On Saturday, the 22 d of February, he came to my Lodging in Maiden-lane, and I sent him to Sir William Parkyns. for a Note for two Horses that I was to mount of his: He came back and told me he knew where to have them, and that Capt. Charnock was afraid we should not have our Compliment of Men, and desired me to send him an account what Men I could bring, which I did, by Mr. Cranburne; and being to go to the Blew-Posts, ordered him to bring it to me thither; and he did bring it back to me, to the Blew-Posts, with Capt. Charnock's List underneath: And notwithstanding word being brought of the Disappoiotment, we parted not till we had drank the Healths, to the Restoring the late King James, the Prince of Wales, etc.  
Then Mr. De la Rue swore, That he the said Cranburne, the 22 d of February, the day on which they the second time thought to put the Design in Execution, was sent with a List, by Capt. Porter, of his Men, and whilst I and Capt. Porter was at the Blew-Posts in Spring-Garden, he brought, to Capt. Porter, the List from Charnock, with an addition of Names. And after, word was brought of the Disappointment, the Company began to drink very Disloyal Healths, as to the Restoring the late King James, the Queen, the Prince of Wales, and the French King. Then Capt. Porter, having an Orange in his Hand, squeezed it, and drank a Health, to the squeezing the rotten Orange; which was Pledged by all, and particularly by Mr. Cranburne.  
Mr. Prendergast deposed, That he was with Mr. Cranburne the 14 th' of February, and there was a Discourse of going in pursuance of this Design the next day, and Mr. Cranburne agreed to it: and when they were disappointed the 15 th' being at the Blue-Posts in Spring-Garden, they then agreed to pursue it the next Saturday, and that Cranburne was one of them that agreed to it.  
To all this Mr. Cranburne and his Council offered very little, finding the Evidence so positive; so the Jury withdrew to consider of their Verdict a quarter of an Hour, and returned into Court, having found him guilty of High-Treason.  
On Wednesday the 22 d of April 1696, Robert Lowick was brought to the King's-Bench Bar, for Conspiring to Assassinate his Majesty King William. Against him Mr. Harris swore, That between the 15 th' and 22 th' of February he met Mr. Lowick in Red-Lion-fields, and discoursed with him there, about the Assassination; and told him what a barbarous and inhuman thing it was that we should be the Murderers of the Prince of Orange, and that it would render us odious to all the World, and that we should be a continual Reproach to ourselves; he did agree it was so, but would obey Orders; that he said Sir George Barclay, he was sure, would not do it without Orders; which he repeated twice.  
On Saturday the 22 th' he this Deponent and Mr. Lowick dined at a Cooks at the End of Red-Lion-street; and being there together, he this Deponent was in a Sweat, and Lowick asked him the Reason; he told him he had been about to get ready Rookwood's Party that were to seize the King: says he, you need not grudge to do it, you have six Shillings a day, and I have nothing, and yet I brought a couple of Men at my own Charge.  
Then Mr. Bertram swore, That he the said Robert Lowick came to him about the Beginning of February last, and asked him if he would espouse a thing with him that might be for his Advantage? He told him, he thought he might espouse any thing that he thought fit to engage in; he answered it was well, and desired him to ask him no more Questions. On the 14 th' of February he desired him to be at his Lodging at 12 a Clock; he went: when he came there, he took him up into his Chamber, and told him, he believed they would ride out in some little time, and that the King was to be seized in his Coach; and he gave him a Guinea to buy him Necessaries.  
To this he and his Council had little to offer in their Defence, the Evidence being so full and positive against them; which being summed up to the Jury, they withdrew for a short time, and returned into Court, having found him guilty of High-Treason: according to which Sentence he was Executed, and Rookwood and Cranburne with him.  
On Wednesday the 13 th' of May, in the said Year 1696, Peter Cook Gent. was Indicted for endeavouring to procure Forces from France to invade this Kingdom, and Conspiring to levy War in this Realm for assisting and abetting the said Invasion, in order to the Deposing his Sacred Majesty King William, and Restoring the late King james.  
The first Witness produced was Mr. Porter, who swore, That the Lord Ailesbury, my Lord Montgomery, Sir john Fenwick, Sir William Parkins, Sir john Friend, Mr. Charnock, Mr. Cook, and himself, (Mr. Goodman came in after Dinner) had two Meetings; the first was in May, at the old King's Head Tavern in Leadenhallstreet, in order to consult about an Invasion. In this Meeting it was consulted which was the best Way, and the quickest, to restore King james, and hasten his Return into England; several Discourses and Proposals there were: At last in was agreed to send Mr. Charnock to the late King, to borrow of the French King 10000 Men, 8000 Foot, 1000 Horse, and 1000 Dragoons, to be sent over into England, to assist the late King's Restoration. Says Mr. Charnock thereupon, This the King can do without your sending, and I would not go upon a Foolish Errand. What will you do in this Matter? The Company desired him to promise King james, That if he would send word where he landed, they would be sure to meet him at his Landing with a Body of 2000 Horse. And all of them that were there present, was asked by Charnock, Whether he might assure the King of what they had told him? Every one said, Yes, you may: And when Mr. Cook was asked, he kneeled upon a Chair, and said, Yes, you may.  
The 2d Meeting was about the latter end of May, or beginning of june, at Mrs. Montjoy's Tavern, at St. James'; where were present, at that time, my Lord Aylesbury, Sir john Friend, Sir William Parkyns, and Mr. Charnock, and Mr. Cook, and himself; they did assure Mr. Charnock that they kept to their former Resolution, and would abide to what was agreed upon at their first Meeting: And that accordingly Mr. Charnock did go to France, and he did return, and bring back King James' Thanks to them: and he had share of the Compliment.  
Then Mr. Goodman swore, That about the middle of the Month of May, Mr. Porter acquainted him there would be a Meeting of some of King James' Friends, at the Old King's-head in Leadenhallstreet; that though he could not dine with them he would come to them after Dinner, which he did; when he came there, Mr. Porter brought him into a Room where was my Lord Montgomery, my Lord Aylesbury, Sir john Fenwick, Sir john Friend, Sir William Parkins, Mr. Charnock and Mr. Cook: after we were set down, there was a Consultation, that considering the French King's Wars retarded the Affair of sending back King james, and the means of restoring him to the Crown; it was thought fit after some Debate to send Mr. Charnock into France, to King james, to prevail with the French King to furnish Ten Thousand Men, whereof 8000 to be Foot, 1000 Horse, and 1000 Dragoons: That we would meet him at the Head of 2000 Horse. When our Resolution of the Thing and the Number was thus fixed, Mr. Charnock asked, whether it were with all our Consents? And that he might assure the King, that this was our Resolution? Whereupon we all rose up, and said to him, Yes, you may; Yes, you may; every one particularly: that at the same time Mr. Cook kneeled upon the Chair, when he said, Yes, you may, and his Elbows were upon the Table.  
There was another Meeting as Capt. Porter told me, but I had Business in the City; but whatever he promised on my behalf as to the Quota of Men, I would be sure to make it good, but was not at the second Meeting.  
So that after a Long Trial and hearing Council both for the King and Prisoner, the Jury withdrew to consider of their Verdict about three quarters of an Hour; they returned into Court, and brought him in Guilty of High-Treason.  
As for the Persons Outlawed, my Lord, they having by Law the space of a whole Year allowed to surrender themselves, 
Pag. 1●0  before they are to be looked on as Men absolutely to be condemned, it's hoped before that Time's expired, that some of them will voluntarily come in, and stand a legal Trial, and, if possible, prove themselves innocent: but if not, they must not think the Evidence against them will be any longer suppressed, there being to be found in the Informations given in upon Oath, abundantly sufficient to convict every Man of them, either of the intended Insurrection or Assassination; both which are made out with as much Clearness of Testimony and Strength as any Humane Affair is capable of.  
And his Majesty is deeply sensible, and hath publicly acknowledged, 
Pag. 171  how he has once more been preserved, by the immediate Hand of Heaven, from the Rage and Violence of bloodthirsty and cruel Men; cannot but look on himself as afresh obliged to manifest his Gratitude to Heaven, by promoting the Glory of his Preserver, in continuing to consult, above all things, the Welfare of his Church, and the Peace and Happiness of this great People committed to his Charge.  
And since, my Lord, the Divine Favour has so marvellously put into his Hands this new Advantage, he will improve it, not in Acts of Severity and Revenge, which your Lordship knows his Nature utterly abhors, but by imitating the Divine Goodness, in a regular Course of strict Justice to all obdurate Impenitents; so, which he much rather desires, in his usual Method of Mercy and Kindness, to as many as shall give sincere Proofs of Penitence, and Reformation of their pail Crimes: Virtues, which we have too much Reason to believe, his Enemies have been hitherto little acquainted with.  
Before I conclude, my good Lord, let me entreat your Lordship's Patience whilst I address myself to those misguided Englishmen, who, after all this, persevere to be disaffected to his Majesty and the Government; whom I would willingly persuade to cease doting on their old Bondage, and hankering after a Perjured Prince, who when amongst us, broke his Coronation Oath, and studied nothing more than subjecting us to Popery, Slavery, a Despotic and Arbitrary Government. Did he not assume to himself a Power to suspend and dispense with the Execution of the Laws, enacted for the Security and Happiness of the Subjects, and thereby rendered them of none effect? And did he not, in order to the obtaining a Judgement in the Court of King's-Bench, for declaring the Dispensing Power a Right belonging to the Crown, turn out such Judges as could not in Conscience concur in so pernicious a Sentence? And after having packed Judges for his Purpose, he obtained the Judgement he required. What, Can no King please them but him who set up a Commission of Ecclesiastical Matters, against express Laws to the contrary, which were executed contrary to all Law? Can no one content them but a Prince who values nothing in the World so much as the overturning our Religion? and in order thereto, Did he not send the Archbishop of Canterbury, and six other Bishops, to the Tower, for setting forth, in a Petition, their Reasons why they could not obey the Order requiring them to appoint their Clergy to read the Declaration for Liberty of Conscience? Finally, Can nothing please them but a King who Arbit●ally, and against Law, turned the Fellows of Magdalen College in Oxford out of their Freeholds, and put the College into the hands of Papists? Did he not bring his Army of Irish Cutthroats by whom we went in danger of being Murdered every Moment?  
Or if the Experience of Time past, 
Pag. 173  so dearly bought, can prevail nothing with them, let them but seriously reflect on their present Condition, Who may, if they will, Securely enjoy Peace, Plenty, Liberty, and the best Religion under the best of Princes, whilst many Misguided Gentlemen, both English and Scotch, who have abandoned their Families and Estates to follow that Unhappy Prince to St. Germain's where a considerable Party being Protestants, 
Vide A View of the Court of St. Germains.  they only desired a Chapel from the late King james, for the Exercise of their Worship according to the Church of England; and proposed Dr. Granvile, Brother to the Earl of Bath, formerly Dean of Durham, as a fit Person to be their Chaplain: They urged the great Encouragement such a Toleration would give to his Adherents in England, and what Satisfaction it would be, to such Protestants as followed him; but tho' common Policy, and his Circumstances made every body believe that this request would be easily granted, yet it was positively denied, and Dr. Granvile obliged not only to retire from Court, but also from the Town of St. Germains to avoid the daily Insults of the Priests, and the dreaded Consequences of the Jealousies with which they possessed King James' Court against him. Dr. Gordon a Bishop of Scotland, the only Protestant Divine that then was there, met with a worse Treatment still than Dr. Granvile, and was reduced to the necessity of abjuring his Religion for want of Bread, with which he could not be supplied but upon those hard Terms.  
Let them examine a little farther, and they will find the Lord Chief Justice Herbert, a Person both well qualified to give Advice in English Affairs, and of an unspotted Reputation in his Country, interceding in behalf of the Protestant Party's Demand: Upon which an Information was trumped up against the Chief Justice by Mr. controller Skelton and Sir William Sharp, of having said that K. James' Violent Temper would ruin himself and all that Followed him. My Lord owned the Words; but made so ingenious an Explanation of his meaning, that King james was satisfied. Shortly after they charged him with another Plot of corresponding with the English, whereupon he, and a Worthy Lady with whom he Boarded, were confined; and Broomfield, the Quaker, committed to the Bastile. Thus was my Lord Chief Justice, for no other reason but his adhering to a Protestent Interest, excluded from all share of Management of Affairs in King James' Court; tho' his Capacity and Sufferings were sufficient, in the Eyes of all reasonable Men, to have entitled him to a share in that Prince's Favour and Secrets. If my Lord Chief Justice Herbert was so used, I would fain know, upon what Ground any of our jacobites should flatter themselves of a better Treatment.  
Sir Andrew Forrester, Sir Theophilus Oglethorp, and Mr. Fergus Graham, these Gentlemen by their Capacities as well as Services, were encouraged to go over and offer their Assistance to King james; at whose hands they were unkindly used, and the Reward of their Service, only a Pass to return for England again; where 'tis expected they will Plot no more.  
If there can still remain any well-meaning Men in their Party, led away by the specious Delusions of good Words abused to the worst of things, let them instead of harkening to what Wicked and designing Men under the most deceitful Colours Suggest to them for Sinister Ends, guide their Opinions by their own plain and sensible Observations. Let them but fairly and indifferently, compare the present State of all Nations round about them with their own: And then let them, if they can, refuse to Bless God and King William for their inexpressible Advantages above all others.  
Henceforth therefore let no vain pretence of Liberty and Property push them on to the same desperate Designs by fomenting Jeasousies between the King and his People, or throwing in Sparks of Discontent, and endeavouring to blow them up into Flames of Mutinies and Rebellions. Be advised to consider what you are doing, and run not headlong to Destruction by helping forward your Country's Ruin, by labouring to Subject it to its most avowed Enemies; the securing whose Interest here in England, was the Devilish Design so long on Foot.  
Wherefore let me conjure them to look back on their past Actions which gave us the dismal Prospect of Slavery in our Persons, Consciences and Estates, if the Divine Goodness had not miraculously appeared for our Deliverance.  
Let us seriously consider, if the Direful Stroke which was Levelled against His Majesty had taken effect, what the Consequence would have been; assuredly we must have bid adieu to our Religion, Law and 〈◊〉 at once, for Popery, Tyranny, and Oppression poured in upon us like a Mighty 〈…〉 Wives and Daughters Ravished, 〈…〉 our Faces, ourselves ransacked and plundered, if not knocked on the Head, and if spared, 〈◊〉 to live in the most extreme Misery, and at last 〈…〉 with the utmost Cruelty.  
Therefore since it has pleased God to bless us with the Surprise of a Deliverance from so great Evils, Let us be persuaded to become a Loyal and Quiet People, 〈◊〉 to Obedience; which is the hearty Wish of a 〈…〉 of his Country, and,  
My LORD, Your Lordship's Humble Servant.   
FINIS   

ERRATA.  
PAg. 7. lin. 17. deal 〈◊〉 after that. p. 13. l. 12. re●d 〈◊〉. p. 14. l. 23 r. principal. p. 15. l. 3. r. disappointed. p. 20. l. 9 r. Representation. p. 23. l. 2. r. have had. p. 30. l. 2. r. giving. ibid. l. 3. deal in. p. 37. l. 1. r. 〈◊〉. p. 38. l. 12. deal Comma after 〈◊〉. ibid. l. 23. r. 〈◊〉. p. 43. l. 11. deal Comma after others