ABOUT February, in the Year 1677, being then resident in London, and out of Employment, I went to one Walter Jones a Priest, formerly be­longing to Wild-House, being a per­son with whom I had been acquaint­ed from my Childhood, desiring him to help me to some Employment. An Army being then upon raising for Flanders, Mr. Jones went with me to one Grove, since Executed for Treasons re­lating to the Plot, but then living at the Golden-Ball in York-Street in Covent-Garden. At whose House, after some little discourse, the said Grove appointed Mr. Jones and my self to go to the Wind-Mill Tavern in Bridges-street, in the aforesaid Parish, and promi­sed to come to us, which he accordingly did. There Mr. Jones acquaints Grove that I was his particular Friend, and a Roman Catholick, and that he knew a great many of my Relations, who likewise were Roman Catholicks, and how at that juncture of [Page 2] time I wanted an Employment, desiring him to lay out for one as much as in him lay. To which Grove replyed, that he would do for me as much as lay in his power, desiring me to call upon him at his House, and put him in mind of his promise. Which accordingly I did several times. The chief of our Discourse was still concerning the then present Estate of the Roman Catholicks in England, and he would be often wishing that that Religion might be well established in England.

After about four Months acquaintance with Grove, the aforesaid Mr. Walter Jones came to see me; I then acquainted him I had not been at Confession a long time; Mr. Jones advised me to go to Father Har­court, (since Executed for Treason,) to Groves House, where Mass was commonly said.

In or about the Month of May 1678. I went to Groves House, with Mr. Jones, where there was an Altar set up in a Room one pair of Stairs. There I was Confessed by the said Harcourt; and as we were just going to Mass, Grove took an occasion to speak to me, (Whitebread, Harcourt, Fenwick, since Executed for the same Treasons, and all the rest of the Company looking another way, as not seeming to take any notice of the discourse between Grove and my self,) and in that discourse this Communi­cation past between us. Grove said to me, that if I would be ruled by him, I should be made for ever. I replyed I would submit my self to him. Then Grove took up a Pistol which lay on the left side of the Al­tar saying, This is that which must do the business, or words to that effect, but I will not reveal it to you, till you have taken the Sacrament to be secret; which I did upon his Request, at the same time with Pick­ering [Page 3] and himself, Harcourt being the Person who Administred. After Mass was ended, and the Altar removed, (for that was the usual custom in that place,) all the Company sat down at the Table in the Room, and I among the rest. Then Grove said, the business is to kill the King. To which I made answer, How! to kill the King! for what? Then Grove and most of the Company said, The King is a Heretick, and it is no Sin to kill him, or any other, to propagate the Roman Catholick Religion. They asked me, whether I knew the Lord Stafford, and the Lord Peters? I answer'd, yes: Then Grove, scratch­ing his Head, seemed to be somewhat concern'd, and askt me again, whether I knew the Lord Powis, Lord Arundel, and Lord Bellasis? I answered, I did not. Then most of the Company told me, if I would venture as far as Pickering and Grove, I should have at least one thousand pounds for a Reward, and that some of the best persons in England would engage their Honours for the true payment of the Money to me, after the business was effected; and that I should be safely conveyed either into France, or where I pleased; or if I would choose to tarry in England, I should have a Commission in the Catholick Army, which in a short time should be raised; with much more discourse to that effect.

After this, Jones and I took our leaves, Grove de­siring us to call upon him the next day (as I take it) which we did, and went with him from his House to the Plough-Alehouse, near Somerset-House in the Strand, where we found Harcourt, Pickering, and five or six more. At that Meeting Grove urged the business to me very home. I replyed, I had bought a Horse, and was to go into the Lord of Oxford's Guard, which I lookt upon as a Settle­ment; [Page 4] so that now, said I, should I go with you, and miscarry, I should be ruin'd. To which Grove replyed, Fear it not: and then the rest seconded him, and directing their speech to me, said, Grove and Pickering shall go with you. I told them I had nothing but their bare words for my Gratuity. Whereupon Grove drew out of his Pocket a pair of Beads and a Manual Book, and solemnly vowed, holding them in his hands, That one of the best Persons in England should ingage himself for what was promised me. As to that, I told them, they might bring me a person I knew not, who might probably be no such person of Quality as they pre­tended. Then Grove, holding his Beads and Ma­nual in his hands, as aforesaid, vowed it should be a Person of Quality; and desired me to meet him the next morning between nine or ten of the clock at Somerset-House-Chappel, but if the Chappel Doors were not open, that I should walk by the Coach-Houses, and he would be certainly there.

Thus we parted, and the next morning I went, and met Grove, as he had appointed; who told me, that the Person of Quality could not then come, but wish'd me to meet him at four of the Clock that Afternoon, assuring me that the person of Quality would be there at that time. Accor­dingly I did; and then Grove brought me into Somerset-House Garden, where were also Harcourt, Fenwick, Pickering, and some four or five more.

About two Hours after my first coming into the Garden, there came a Person of Quality, who asked which was the man? Then Grove pointed to me, standing then under the Piazza, or Arched place in the said Garden, upon which the said Per­son [Page 5] of Quality took me by the hand, and led me away a part from the rest of the Company, and then began to speak to me in these following words, or to this effect: viz.

I am sensible you know what you are to do. I answered, my Lord, what am I to do? His Lord­ship said, You are to go with Grove to Assassinate the King, and you shall have, when the business is effected, fifteen hundred pounds upon my Honour for a Reward; and if you like tarrying in England, you shall have a Commission in the Catholick Ar­my, which will be suddenly raised; or you shall safely be conveyed into France, or where you please.

His Lordship gave me a Guinny, and bid me be rul'd by Grove, and so went away. Now Grove and the rest, had informed me before, that that same Person of Quality who should be ingaged for my Reward, was to be the Lord Bellasis: But I found it to be the Lord Arundel. When I was ex­amined by the House of Lords, concerning this matter, their Lordships asked me what Lord Arun­del I meant? I answer'd their Lordships, I knew him not by his Title. Then being asked what man­ner of Person the said Lord was? I Replyed, he was Squint-Eyed, and had a kind of a Wart upon his Nose.

When the said Lord Arundel was gone from the place where he spoke to me in Somerset-House-Gar­den, Grove asked me if I was satisfied? I said yes, and withal repeated to Grove, and the rest, what the Lord had said to me; not taking notice in the least, but that it was the same Person they had menti­oned to me, viz. the Lord Bellasis. Harcourt told me, if I would not be contented to stay in Eng­land [Page 6] after the business was effected, I should be con­veyed to France, or elsewhere, or to Florence, where the said Lord had great interest.

After some more discourse of this Nature, we parted, and in some short time after that, I went with Jones to the Plough-Alehouse, where Whitebread, Harcourt, and five or six more were met, at which time there was in their Company a tall, lusty I­rish-Man, black Hair'd; who, as I understood after­wards, was to be imployed to kill some Person of Quality; but the main of our discourse then was concerning the Number of Prosselites they had Converted, since the first time the last Toleration for Liberty of Conscience had been granted; ex­pressing their sorrow for it's being repeal'd, never­theless they doubted not, but very suddenly to have more freedom in England than ever they had since Queen Mary's Days; much applauding Father Patrick for being a main instrument in bringing over the Duke of York to the Catholicks.

Another time I went with the said Jones to the aforesaid Plough-Alehouse, where was Harcourt, White-bread, and one Kelly a Priest, as Jones told me, and the tall black Irish-man, with three or four more, whose Names I cannot remember, but believe I should remember their Faces if I saw them. The substance of their discourse was, that if some Per­sons were not suddenly removed, it would prove very detrimental to the business, giving some hint of a faint-hearted Person, whom they had imploy­ed, but feared he would not effect his work. Thereupon as if it had been to supply that defect, they asked me if I would be imployed? To which I readily gave my Compliance, as being thereun­to before-hand desired by Jones, believing as I sup­pose, [Page 7] that it might be an incouragement to the aforesaid Lusty Irish-Man to do the same, and at the same time repeating their former Position, and alledging that it was no sin to kill any Heretick to propagate the Catholick Cause.

This strange discourse being over, we agreed to meet again the next Morning, at the White-Horse-Tavern in the Strand, and so we parted. Neither did I go the next day to meet them at the White-Horse according to my promise. For being much troubled in Conscience, for such a voluntary Ob­ligation of my self to secresie, by taking the Sacra­ment, not knowing what it was I was to do, un­til I had taken it, I presently resolv'd not to have any further Conferences with those People, but sold my Horse, and went to Oxford.

When I thus was gone from London to Oxford, I chang'd my Name, and went by the Name of Winter, for fear of being pursued by the Malice of the Complotters, for declining their Proposals; and not only so, but I also desired my Acquaintance that they would know me by no other Name than that of Winter, for Reasons best known to my self.

From Oxford I went to Bristol, and in about eight Weeks after my first departure from London, I re­turn'd again, and soon after that the Plot was detect­ed. But before that, I well remember, I saw Grove come out of the House where Captain Lavalline lay in Leicester-Fields, and I asked Grove where he had been? who reply'd, he had been with the said Captain Lavalline, but did not tell me his business. I have also seen Captain Lavalline once or twice go into Groves House.

After my return to London, I became intimately acquainted with one Richard Thomson, who lived over against Somerset-House, being one that sold Beads and Popish Books, and was for villyfying of Doctor Oates, committed to the Gate-House-Prison in Westminster. I found by the said Thomsons discourse, that he believed there was no Plot, and much desired to have the Kings Evidence blasted. Whereupon I proposed to him a way whereby Captain Bedlows Evidence might be rendred invalid. This design presently took with him, and therefore he desired me to draw up in writing what I had to propose; saying, he would send it to some of the best Per­sons in England to peruse, and that if it were liked by them, I should not want incouragement to pro­ceed. Accordingly I drew up my design in Paper, and he sent it by one of his Daughters to another Daughter of his living at the Lord Bellasis Ap­partment in the Tower; and this was the substance of the said Paper, viz.

I will go to Bedlow, with whom I was formerly intimately acquainted, and I will make him believe that I was one at the killing of Sir Edmund-Bury-Godfry, and that I would become an Evidence there­in, to Corroborate his. Provided Mr. Bedlow would first upon Oath accuse me to be one that was actual at the said Murther; which if he would do, I would retract my former promises, and produce Witnes­ses to prove my self to be in another place both be­fore, at, and after the time of the said Murther. This Paper being delivered by means of the conveyance already mentioned, the said Thomsons Daughter brought her Father word, that the said Paper was sent to the Duke of York, directing him to go to St. James's-Court for an Answer, to one Mrs. El­liots the Dukes Nurse, as Thomson told me himself. I saw him go in to the said S. James's-House, and tarryed for him, according to his appointment in the Pall-Mall [Page 9] whither in some short time he returned, and gave me five Guineys, desiring me to proceed with all care and diligence, saying; If I could effect what I had proposed, I should never want; for he that sent me the five Guineys, would be the best friend to me of any man in England: I asked him who sent them? He answered, No less man than His Royal Highness.

In Order to the effecting of the said Proposal, I went in some short time after, with a Resolution to give Mr. Bedlow a visit, who then hapned not to be within. Whereupon I returned to the said Thompson, who was then in Whitehall, with one Nevill, alias Paine, who was privy to the business. I told them Captain Bedlow was not within; upon which it was resolved, that I should make enquiry in all places we could imagin where Mr. Bedlow had lodged, with an intention, by that means, to find out whither he had not been in England, when he sware himself to be in Flanders, about carrying on the Plot. With this Design I went accord­ingly to several places where I thought he had lodged, and likewise to several Prisons, but could not find any thing material, until I went to the King's-Bench Prison, where I found that one of the Name, and a Welsh-man, had been there a Prisoner, and by all description I did verily believe him to have been the same Captain Bed­low. For that reason I took a copy of his Causes, and went immediately to the said Thompson, and made him acquainted with what I had done: And indeed we thought we had made a great progress; for that having perused a Narrative of Coleman's Tryal, we found there­in, That the said Captain Bedlow had sworn how he had been with Father Harcourt, at Mr. Coleman's House, where he received a Packer of Letters, as I take it, in May the 24th or 25th, 1677. to carry into Flanders, [Page 10] and in the said Copy of Causes, we found he had been a close Prisoner at the same time, in the aforesaid Prison of King's-Bench.

Thompson was so transported with the good News, as we then took it to be, That he went immediately to St. James's Court, and delivered the said Copy of the Causes, inclosed in a Letter of mine (directed to him) to the said Madam Elliott, as he himself told me. Which having done, he returned to me to the usual place, in the Pall-Mall, where he appointed me to tarry for him; and from thence we immediately went to Whitehall, upon his saying, That Madam Elliot had appointed him so to do. Being got to Whitehall, we went into the Stone-Gallery in Whitehall, where I saw a pretty lusty elderly Gentlewo­man speak to the said Thompson, which Gentlewoman I understood afterwards by him the said Thompson, to be the said Madam Elliot, who ordered him to tarry till she came down (for she went up to the Duke's Appartments.) In about half an hours time she returned, bidding him carry the said Letter to the Lady Powis, the Duke having kept a Copy of the Causes. All which I had from Thompson's own mouth.

This was on the night before the Dissolution of the first Parliament. Posting from Whitehall, we went to Lincolns-Inn Fields, to the Lady Powis's House, and there Thompson delivered the said Letter to the Lady Powis herself, who ordered him the said Thompson, to call the next day for an Answer, as he said, for that she the said Lady Powis would first acquaint the Lords in the Tower concerning the business, which was at large mentioned in my said Letter. Thompson went according to that Order to the Lady Powis the next day, and returned in a short time to me. But I found by the event that some [Page 11] others had been to enquire at the King's-Bench, where it appeared upon a more strict Enquiry, that it was not Captain Bedlow, but that it was his Brother, who had been then a Prisoner at the time mentioned in the afore­said Copy of Causes. By which mistake of mine I was laid aside, and looked upon as one that had a design upon them.

About the time the five Jesuits were executed, I went with one Theophilus Dalton, an Irish Gentleman, be­longing to one Squire Loftus, to Knightsbridge, to visit one who went by the Name of Churchill, and there sheltered himself under the Notion of a Dr. of Physick, but really was a Priest. With him I had some dis­course concerning what I proposed to Thompson, relating to Captain Bedlow. Upon which he desired me to in­form him what it was, and if he liked it, he would send or go himself to the Lords in the Tower, from whom I should have incouragement to proceed. I told him, it was then too long to Rehearse, in regard it was late. However, at his Request, I promised to wait on him next morning, and accordingly I went to his Lodging in Knightsbridge, at a Roman Catholicks House at the Sign of the Red or Golden Lion, where I found him so dis­guised, that at first sight I hardly knew him, notwith­standing I had been almost an hour in his company but the day before. After a little discourse, I made him acquainted with the whole Concern; who thereupon made answer, That he would see what could be done in it, fur­ther saying, There was a business on foot of far greater Im­portance, which he hop'd would take effect. I desired to know what that business might be, he said, as best occurs to my present memory, That there were Endeavours using to procure that all the Arms, belonging to the Militia in London, should be brought and kept in a general Magazine, and then [Page 12] the City would be easily surpriz'd with Six thousand men, notwith­standing the Plot was discover'd. After a little more dis­course, he asked me if I would go with him? To which I readily consented. Whereuppon we went to the Tower together; and being come to the Lord Arundel's Lodgings, he desir'd me to tarry below for him (which I promis'd to do) till he went up. He had been there but a very short time, before there came forth a person, who, as I believe, was sent to give Intelligence to the Lords, of the said Churchill's being there: For upon the aforesaid Persons Return, I saw the Lord Petre, Lord Arundel, Lord Stafford, with several other Persons go in where the said Churchill went in before.

About an hour after that, Churchill came to me, and going back towards Knightsbridge, between Clarendon House and Hide Park, he bad me be of Courage, for there were great hopes, That all things would go well, for that the Lords in the Tower had given him an Ac­count of their great hopes, that the said Arms would be disposed of as aforesaid, and then the City should be surprized with six thousand men, and all disaffected Per­sons of Quality, and interest should be disposed of as the Roman Catholicks pleased. I asked him how it was possible such a thing could be effected? He replyed, that the Popish Plot would in a little time be turned into a Presbyterian Plot, saying, there were Instruments at work to make the People believe, that the game of Forty one, was playing over again, and that there was a List taken of all the Names of those who were most forward in Prosecuting the Roman Catholicks: all which Persons he stigmatized by the name of Presbyterians. There was likewise another List of all the names of those who were reputed Presbyterians, and had Considerable Estates; all which should be Confiscated, that thereby such [Page 13] Sums of mony might be raised, that there might be no need of a Parliament, until such time as things were bet­ter setled. I asked him whether he could help me into an Imployment? He said, he would go to the Lady Powis and discourse her Ladyship concerning me, and desir'd me to call in a day or two for an Answer. In this manner we parted for that time, and according to his desire I went about two days after to the aforesaid place at Knightsbridge, but found him altogether reserv'd and shie to let me know any thing more of his secresies, excusing himself, that he was just going into the Country, but would be glad to see me at his Return; which coldness of his was the reason that I never saw him since. For I believe the Lady Powis had rendr'd my Endeavors, re­lating to Captain Bedlow, as a design against them, which made him so extreamly caustious.

About the same time, I became acquainted with one Mrs. Holbey, alias Brinknell (who in the following Rela­tion is often mentioned) much after the same manner as I did with Mr. Thompson. This Mrs. Holby I went to visit some time after Mr. Dangerfield had detected the Sham Presbyterian Plot, and the contrivers thereof. Among the rest of our discourse, I told her, that the Lady Powis and others, who had imployed Mr. Dangerfield, were serv'd by him in their own kind. To which she reply'd, that I had been made use of, as to my former Proposals, had not there been a Presbyterian Plot upon discovery, so that I knew no more of their Transactions, as far as I can remember at present, until I became a Prisoner in the Marshalsey, which was in August 1680. I had not been in that Prison above three days, before one Mr. John Zeale, became likewise a Prisoner in the same place, who at the drinking of a Bowl of Punch, let some words fall, how he was like to become an Evidence in the Plot. I took little notice of his words then, until we were in Bed together, at what time I ask'd him how he was likely to [Page 14] become an Evidence in the Plot. He answered, That a certain person, whose name was Masson, a Victualler, living in the Strand, had endeavour'd to suborn him to swear High Treason against Sir Francis Ratcliff, whom formerly Mr. Zeale had served, in the nature of a Page; and how he was brought by the said Masson to Dr. Oates, & by him to the Earl of Shaftsbury. For both the said Earl and the Dr. did at first really believe that Masson had brought a true and real Evidence to them. But his Lord­ship, upon a strict Examination of Mr. Zeal, found that he knew nothing material of the business; and so Masson was lookt upon as a knave for his pains. For a further account of which, I refer the Reader to Mr. Zeale's own Relation.

Having heard Mr. Zeale declare thus much, I ask'd him whether he had any thing else of importance to dis­cover? for that then I would send for some friends of mine to have them come, that he might be examined; to which he answer'd, he had.

Next morning I writ a Letter, and sent it to Mrs. Hol­bey, in which I acquainted her, that there was a person in the Marshalsey, that could make out several things of im­portance against the Earl of Shaftsbury, and Dr. Oates, which might prove advantagious to the Innocent. Withal I de­sir'd her to communicate the same to some friends, and let me have a speedy Answer. Mrs. Holbey came to me, and brought with her a Gentlewoman, who, as Mrs. Hol­bey told me, was Mrs. Cellier, which afterwards I under­stood to be true by Mrs. Cellier her self. I acquainted them, that there was a Gentleman, who was my Bed­fellow, who could make a discovery against the Earl of Shaftsbury, and Dr. Oates. Mrs. Cellier made answer, Let me have whatever he can say, under his own hand wri­ting; and when I see it, if it be of Consequence I will bring a Justice of the Peace or two, and have you both out to a Tavern to have Zeale Sworn. Upon which [Page 15] words of hers, I promised to perform her desire:

At that time Mrs. Cellier brought two or three Books with her, Intituled Malice defeated, or the Mystery of the Meal-Tub; and while she stayed with us, she sent one of those Books by her Foot-boy, as I understood him to be, to a Justice of the Peace in Southwark, but at that time I neither knew the said Justice, nor could I remember his name for some time, though I had heard Mrs. Cellier & her Friend make mention of it in the Room. But upon his coming to Examine Mr. Zeale, I begged leave to ask his Worship a Question, which he freely granted me, and promised to answer if he could. I then asked him, whether he could remember that a Boy came to him, with a Book from Mrs. Cellier, and whether he refused it or no, saying to him, I believed it was an Idle Pam­phlet? To which he answered, that such a Boy did come to him, and brought him such a Book; but that he did not receive it.

At the same time also, for a farther encouragement Mrs. Cellier gave me a Crown-piece to drink a glass of Wine with Mr. Zeale, assuring me, if he had anything material to discover, we should not tarry in Prison long; and so she departed, leaving one of the aforesaid Books for us to peruse, saying, it was a Book that would Instruct us how we should not Err, or words to that ef­fect; whereupon both Mrs. Holbey and Mrs. Cellier took their leaves, and went away.

The next Morning early, I borrowed a Pen and Ink, and after I had done with it, I laid it in the window of my Chamber, and going out of the Room, I saw the said Zeale rise out of his bed in his shirt, and make to­wards the window. When I came into the room again, I found him in bed, where I heard a noise like the folding of paper, which I then did not much regard: but in a little tsme after the said Zaile was up, shewed he me a Paper, saying, Here are the Heads which I have kept by [Page 16] me, and what I can swear against the Lord Shaftsbury, and Dr. Oates; when I had viewed it, and read it, I told him; If this be all, it will a vail nothing. Then Recollecting my self that the noise of the folding of paper about the bed was made by Mr. Zeal, and that the Paper was very clean, and the words but newly written, (which he af­terwards confessed to be true) he then told me he had more to declare, but was loth to trust me, being a stran­ger. However at length with much persuation, I got him to write a second Paper. Which he had no sooner finished, but in came Mrs Cellier into my Room, and Mr. Zeal at my request went out. Presently I shewed her the aforesaid Paper, which after she had taken and read, she told me, she would go into the Barrough, and shew it to a Friend that tarryed for her. With that she went avvay, and in an hour; time return'd again, and then desired me to transcribe a certain Paper vvhich she had brought back along vvith her; but vvhich vvas not of Mr. Zeals hand vvriting, and to vvhich much more had been added than vvas in the paper, vvhich she re­ceived from me, and carryed out along, vvith her a lit­tle before; at her request I did transcribe it, but took no notice to Mrs. Cellier, that I perceived the matter to be en­larg'd.

When I had done, she desir'd me to get Zeale to tran­scribe it; telling me that the next morning, Mrs. Holbey should come for it; vvithal giving me this caution, to take no notice to Mrs. Holbey, that the said Mrs. Cellier had been vvith me.

Accordingly Zeal did Transcribe the said enlar­ged paper, and Mrs. Holbey came and received the same, and at the same time made great promises of a very large gratuity to Mr. Zeal. After vvhich, she desir'd him the said Mr. Zeal to put his hand to some other Paper; vvhich he accordingly did; vvhich being done, Mrs. Holbey vvent avvay, telling me she would go to Mrs. Celliers vvith the said Papers.

After this Mr. Dalton coming to me to the Prison, I desired him to go to Mrs. Holbey, to know how the business succeeded; which accordingly he did, and was by Mrs. Holbey upon that Accompt brought to Mrs. Cellyers, and so returning back, he brought me another Paper, containing in it more than that which I had given to Mrs. Cellyer before. Upon the Delive­ry, said Mr. Dalton Mrs. Cellyers desires to have this Paper also transcribed by Mr Zeal, and I will call the next Morning for it. When Mr. Dalton was gon, I shewed it to Zeal, telling him, that there was more in that Paper than was in the former; and ask'd him, whether he could Swear to it? To which Zeal replied, I can, for ought they know. Whereupon I told him, that I could not believe Mrs. Cellyer had been such a Woman. Upon these Words, Mr. Zeal came close to the point, and told me, that if I would be faithful to him, he would be true to me, and we will agree to try what this Woman would be at. To which I con­sented. Mr. Dalton according to his promise, called the next morning, and had the Paper transcribed to his desire, by Zeal. Away he went with it, but in less than an hour return'd with it again, because it was not Sign'd; whereupon Zeal did likewise Signe it and gave it to Dalton to carry to Cellyer. She upon sight of the Paper which Dalton earried her, ask'd him, as he told me, for the Original, which he left with Zeal and me. Whereupon he came back the same day, and told us, he must have it; and gave us for his Reason, for that Mrs. Cellyer said, she would not have the hand writing seen by any means, in regard it was well known by most persons of Quality at Court.

Mr. Zeal at first was very loath to part with it; however, I thought it not convenient at that time to disobliege her; and therefore over perswaded Mr. Zeal to give it the said Dalton.

Upon the delivery of the Paper, Mr. Zeal told the said Dalton, that if he parted with the said Paper, he should not know what to swear to; for that he had no Copy of the same, and therefore he desired to have a Copy in another hand sent by Mrs. Holbey. To which Mr. Dalton made Answer that it was torn, be­cause it wos sound to be impertinent. In the mean time I found by Zeal, That he mistrusted all this to be a contrivance of mine: upon which I promised him he should be fully satisfied to the contrary, if he could propose any way to effect the same, whereby such a satisfaction might be brought to pass.

Thereupon we consulted both together, and at length agreed, That when Mrs. Celyer came again, Mr. Zeal should get into a little Colehole adjoining to the Chamber where we lay, and from whence he might hear all the Discourse which should pass be­tween her and my self.

In a very short time after, Mrs Celyers came again, and then in the first place gave me many thanks for my Care and Diligence in the Business; urging what great Distress the Roman-Catholicks were in, saying, that his Majesty was resolved to have no com­passion of them, and further adding, that it was better to die by endeavouring to advantage their Cause, than to die or be utterly ruined by lying still, with some more Discourse to the same purpose; end so promi­sing to come again in a day or two, she took her leave and went away.

When she was gon, Zeal accused me for not being as good as my promise. To which I answered, that she came unexpected, and therefore could not find any op­portunity to get him where we agreed, assuring him withal, that she was suddenly to come again.

Soon after Mrs. Celyers did come again according to her Promise, and I gave Zeal the Sign by laying my Fin­ger to my Nose; and the opportunity by holding her in the Yard in Discourse, until I Judged he was got into the Cole-hole. When I thought him hid, I brought her into my Chamber, where we had this following Dis­course to the best of what I can possibly at present re­member, viz.

Mrs. Cell. Mr. Lewis, are you resolved to do your self and all the Roman Catholicks in England good?

Lewis. Yes, If I can with safety. Then she look­ed every way about the Room, and under the Bed with a careful Eye, and then not believing any body within hearing, she sate down and went on.

Cell. I understand you can do any thing with Mr. Zeal, pray let me desire you to ask him what Ship his Father is Purser of, and likewise know of him what number of Ships there may be where the Ship to which his Father belongs doth lye.

Lewis. Madam, I will give you the best satisfaction I can.

With that I went out of the Room, pretending to go to Zeal, who was then really in the Cole-hole, and having staid some time without, I brought her word the Ship was called the Princess, as I formerly had written to Mrs. Holbey; and told her moreover, that the Ship lay at Chatham; where there Rode almost half the Navy. Upon that she again repeated to me the miserable Condition in which the Roman Catho­licks were, and how that it was not possible to live more miserable under any Prince in Christendome than they were like to do under this King.

Now Mr. Lewis, said Mrs. Celier, if you will after I have procured your Liberty, go with Mr. Zeal and set the Ship to which his Father belongs on Fire, and as [Page 20] many more as you can. I will give you fifty pounds to effect the same, and I will make that fifty three hun­dred, after the business is accomplished; and there shall be the like Order taken for the rest in other Har­bours. And to this purpose, when you are out, I will bring you to those persons who shall engage for what I have promised you; and they shall give you your Instructions how to proceed, and dispatches shall be sent into France, to be in a readiness to give Assistance. To which I replied, Madam, why will you impart such a secret as this to me? especially before you have the Answers to those dispatches?

You are very curious, said she, but for your satisfa­ction, there are Answers come already for ought you know.

I replied, can there be no better way, than to set the Fleet on Fire? To which she answered, there was not. For said she, we have tried all other ways we can think of. Then falling into other Discourse, she discovered what great hopes the Roman-Catholicks had, when Sir Robert Payton was committed to the Tower, That he would have impeacht the Rotten Mem­bers of Parliament, meaning those that were disaffect­ed to the Roman-Catholicks, and particularising the Earl of Shaftsbury, that so they might have been com­mitted to the Tower; expecting that when they were so committed, the People in general would have been glad that an Act of Indempnity should have passed, by which means the Lords in the Tower, and all others concern'd in the Plot should be discharg'd without exceptions.

She further also said, she was to receive in four or five days time, a considerable sum of mony from the Duke of York, but for what use I cannot tell, out of which sum I should have my three hundred pounds for [Page 21] burning the ships, saying, she would take speedy care to have both me and Zeal suddenly out of Prison; in Confirmation whereof she then gave me a broad piece of Gold, took her leave and went away.

In some short time after, Mr. Dalton came by Mrs. Cellyers direction, to take Copies of our Actions, which then could be no less then a hundred and twenty pounds, in Order to have us discharged, but the next News I heard was that Mrs. Cellyer was not only in Prison, but Convicted for Printing her Pam­phlet. Thereupon not hearing from her, as I was wont to do, I intreated Mr. Dalton to go see her, which he accordingly did; and as he told Mr. Zeal and my self, she desired him to encourage Mr. Zeal, and I was not to flinch, for she hoped that all things would go well, notwithstanding the hard measures she had; for that she doubted not, but they who put her upon Publishing the said Book, would stand by her.

In some short time after, Dalton went to see Mrs. Holbey, who as he said, delivered him a Letter, which she had received from Cellyers, after her Imprison­ment in Newgate, directed to Captain Hill a Prisoner in the Fleet, Holbey, desiring him to go with the said Letter to Hill, which he promised to do; but before he went with it, he brought it to me, telling me withal how he came by it, thereupon I opened it, and found the Contents thereof to be to this ef­fect, to the best of my Remembrance.

Sir, Pray let me know how much it will cost to remove two poor Gentlemen from the Marshalsey to your Prison. They are to become Evidences alike with you, keep them steady; for I hope all things will go well very speedily, Subscribed E. Cellyer.

After I had Read it, I sealed it up, and Mr Dalton [Page 22] went with it, he being gone, I made Zeal acquaint­ed with the said Letter, whereupon he writ to Hill, being formerly acquainted with him, to let him know how he was suspected by the Roman Catholicks, and therefore desired him to satisfie them better concern­ing of it. Which I believe the said Hill did do; for soon after, came two Women from Hill, and from the Sun Eclipst, though not so much Clouded, but that they hoped he would Shine again, (under which Denomination Mrs. Celiers often sent to us) and brought with them a Letter from Hill, to desire Zeal to send him by them in writing, the particulars of what he had to swear, which Zeal promised to do, and had done it, but that he was by me disswaded from it. One of the said Women told me why Zeal had not Money sent him, in particular, was because he was not sworn, upon which one of the said Women took an occasion to ask him, whether he would be sworn? For that then they would get some Justices to come to him; to which Mr. Zeal seemed unwilling, saying, he was to go before the King and Council, where he was to be put to his Oath, which would be much beter.

Now Mrs- Celiers having formerly ordered me to im­portune Mrs- Holbey, by Letters for Money, because as she said, she would not have her to know any thing of the Concern (but since I rather, believe by that Po­licy, she intended to have something to produce a­gainst us, in case we should Confess any thing against her) I writ a Letter to Mrs. Holbey according to my order, to desire her to speak to the Sun Eclipst, to lend me some Money towards my inlargement and then I would follow the business, and get other Evidences to Confirm Mr. Zeal, or to that effect; but really intending by that means, to discover more of their designs, if possible, to make things more plain­ly appear.

Soon after the sending of that Letter, Mrs. Holbey, on a Saturday in the Evening, came and sent for me to the Under Clerks House of this Prison, where I went, and found her in Company with an other Woman. Mrs. Holbey told me, she had shewn my Letter to the Sun Eclipst, &c. saying, the Sun Eclipst, meaning Mrs. Celiers, desired me to have patience for three weeks or a Month longer, by which time we should both be certainly discharged, adding fatther that the Reason why I was not Released sooner, was, because the Sun Eclipst did not Judge Zeal wise e­nough to manage the business against the Lord Shafts­bury and Doctor Oats, and they were resolved to Re­lease neither of us until Zeal was sworn.

Now the substance of the so often mentioned Pa­per, relating to the Earl of Shaftsbury, and Doctor Oats, and so often Corrected and Advised by Mrs. Celyer, and intended for a Deposition was, that the Lord of Shaftsbury had subornd Zeal to swear high Treason against the Duke of York, and the Lord Peterborough, and that Docter Oats had suborn'd him to swear high Treason against Sir Francis Ratcliff.

When I had delivered the foregoing Information to the Right Honourable the House of Commons, I was ordered up into the Speakers Chamber; and Sir Tho­mas Stringer and Collonel Warcup, another of his Maje­sties Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex and Liberties of Westminster, took my Affidavit upon Oath, of the Truth of what was therein contained. And being then demanded by the said Justices of the Peace, whether or no I knew what Justices of the Peace they were, proposed by Mrs. Celier to take Mr. Zeal's Examination. I made them Answer, that I would tell them all that I could remember concerning the Business. Upon that, I was remanded back again [Page 24] to the Bar of the House of Commons a second time, where I made this farther Information by word of Mouth, viz.

That when Mrs. Celier came to me to the Marshal­sea, she entered into a debate, in what manner, and by what persons, as fittest for the purpose, it would be most proper to get Mr. Zeal examin'd. There­upon, I delivered my Opinion to her, that it would be the most convenient way to have the said Mr. Zeal over the Water, to the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, who as I understood by the Roman Catholicks was their friend. But Mr. Celier would by no means yield to that, alledging for her reason, that if he should take the Examination, it would come to be known, which might probably render him uncapable to do the Roman Catholicks any farther good services. Then I judg'd that the Recorder of London Sir George J [...]fferies would be a proper person. To which she answered to the same effect, as she had done before in reference to the Lord Chief Justiee: and then concluded her self, that Mr. Foster and Mr. Har­vey, both in Commission of the Peace for the Coun­ty of Surrey, would be the most proper persons for that purpose, and that she would have them come and take the said Zeals Examination. But they did not come, in regard that I disswaded her from it. Alledging that it would be better to have him first discharged, for that otherwise the whole business would look with such a face, as if what he did, were the effects of his necessity, and to procure his Li­berty.

I further inform'd the Right Honourable House, that I had a Brother who was a Menial Servant in the Portugal Embassadors House, that ilv'd then in Great Queen-street, and that the acquaintance which I had [Page 25] with others of the Family, call'd me often thither, by which means I knew the said Embassador personally. That I did see the said Embassador go into the House of the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs in Chancery-Lane. But what His Excellencies business was, I know not, nor any other particulars in any kind whatsoever, against the said Lord Chief Justice, but onely what I have already declared, and that I had heard many Ro­man Catholicks esteem and speak of him as their Friend.

I must acknowledge that I never receiv'd a greater inward satisfaction from any thing that ever I did, than when by disburthening my Conscience of that unfor­tunate Load that lay upon it, I had made this full Dis­covery of what I knew. The apprehension of Crimes which I had consented to, and undertaken to carry on, so horrid in the Contrivance, and so dreadful in the Com­mitting, did so strangely disturb and disquiet my thoughts, that the more I endeavour'd to struggle with those apprehensions, and throw off their uneasie weight from my mind, the more I saw my self entangl'd in those fears and jealousies, to which a Design of wicked craft and contrivance, and the dangerous consequences thereof had expos'd me.

This put me into a deep Consultation with my self, what course to take. Among all the ways I could propose to my self, none seem'd so honest nor so safe, as that of a full Discovery. To this purpose my first thoughts directed me to throw my self at the feet of the Right Honourable the Earl of Shaftsbury, as being a person whose Life was so much aimed at in the Con­trivance I had to reveal. But then I found that my Im­prisonment deny'd me the Opportunity of personal Address. For remedy of which misfortune, I wrote a Letter to a Relation of my own, to the effect as follows.

This Letter (the Lady not being at home to whom it was directed) was brought back again to me. So that being at a stand what to do, I resolv'd to take the ad­vice of a Gentleman, who was also a Prisoner in the same House for Debt, who, we observ'd, had long had a jealousie of our proceedings, and had pry'd all he could into our Actions, but all to no purpose, till I made him privy to my Design of Discovery. He being one that had bin formerly in Publick Employment, and by that means a person that had had the Honour to be known to the Earl of Shaftsbury, undertook to send to his Lordship the Letter which I had written to my Re­lation; which the said Gentleman did accordingly, en­closing the same in a Letter of his own directed to his Lordship, in these words:

Upon the receipt of those Letters, the next morning two Gentlemen came to me from his Lordship, as I af­terwards understood, to the Prison, desiring to know what it was I had to say? Further adding, That if I were not willing to disclose the particulars to them, they would, if I thought fitting, bring some Justices of the Peace to the Prison, to take my Examination. To which I readily consented. Thereupon the said two Gentle­men, took their leaves for that time, and in the After­noon of the same day returned again with two of His Majesties Justices of the Peace for the Country of Surrey, viz. Sir Richard How, and Peter Rich Esq;, both Mem­bers of Parliament. The first of these took the Exa­mination of one Mr. Hayter, the Gentleman before mention'd, who had had so long a jealousie of our pro­ceedings, [Page 28] touching several dangerous words that he had heard Mr. John Zeale utter at several times against some Persons of great Honour.

Then both the said Justices of the Peace took my Examination relating only to Mrs. Celliers, the Popish Midwife, because it was very late, and I did not think fit to disclose any more at that time, believing it most convenient to discover the secret of burning His Ma­jesties Fleet in the first place, not knowing how soon it might be attempted by others, who, as Mrs. Celliers had told me, were to be engag'd in the same Design, though they were unknown to me.

In short time after this, I was sent for to the Coun­cil, where I gave my Information to the same effect, as I had given it before to the two said Justices of the Peace. Which I had no sooner done, but Mr. Peter Rich was called for in, and there delivered my Information in writing taken before him and Sir Richard How. Which being read, I was order'd to withdraw, and re­manded back to Prison.

Soon after, I was order'd to attend the Lords of the Secret Committee, in the Lord Privy Seal's Chamber, near by the Lords House, where I was further examin'd, and so remanded, but heard no more of the business in seven or eight days.

In the mean time, one night, as Mr. Zeale and I were a-bed together, I told him I had something of great Consequence to say against the Lord Arundell, but was resolv'd not to declare it till I was brought before the House of Commons, which I daily expected; and wondring I was not sent for by them in all that time, which was about three weeks time from my first Dis­covery. [Page 29] A thing that very much perplex'd me, con­sidering the great guilt under which I lay for con­cealing the Treason so long, and not having my Pardon.

Upon which Mr. Zeal, the next day, as I afterwards understood, sent to Mr. Rich, before mentioned, to intreat him with all speed to come to him: Which he accordingly did; to whom the said Mr. Zeal then disclosed what I had told him the night before, con­cerning the Lord Arundel; all which was done with­out my knowledge.

Upon which a Messenger came, and acquainted me, that Mr. Rich would speak with me in the Pri­son. I presently waited upon him: (Mr. Lowman the Keeper being then in the Room with him) But when I understood the business, I was not a little surpriz'd at Mr. Rich's Question, finding there­by how Mr. Zeal had dealt by me. However Mr. Rich ask'd me, whether I were willing to declare my whole knowledge to him? Which I was really un­willing to do, and beg'd his pardon for such my unwillingness. Who thereupon desired me to tell him the name of the Lord, against whom, as I had intimated to Mr. Zeal, I had something to say. Upon which I nam'd the Lord Arundel.

The next morning early, being the 12. of Novemb. I wrote a Letter to the said Mr. Rich, desiring him not to harbour any ill Opinion of me; for that the reason I refus'd to be examin'd the Night be­fore by him, was not out of any disrespect, or distrust of him, but by reason I would not have the secret divulg'd, there being then another Person in the Room.

The same Morning I received an Answer from him, that he would harbour no ill Opinion of me; telling me that he would be with me in the Afternoon, and advising me to be ready to discover the whole Truth of what I knew.

In the mean time came a Messenger from the House of Lords, with an Order for me to be immediately brought before the House. Where, at the Bar, I acquainted their Lordships that I was surpriz'd, not expecting to be call'd to any Exami­nation before the Afternoon: However if their Lordships commanded to do it, I would deliver it in the best manner that I could remember, which should be nothing but the Truth; which was then done in reference to the Lord Arundel, referring my self for the rest to my Examination taken by the aforesaid Justices of the Peace.

Upon that I was ordered to withdraw; and im­mediately after, I again gave the same Information, relating to the Lord Arundel before Sir Timothy Bald­win, Mr. Rich, and Mr. Warcup. This was upon a Saturday; and the next Munday I was order'd to at­tend again by ten of Clock: Which I did accor­dingly, at the Bar of the House; where while I con­tinued, the Information aforesaid, taken by the three Justices of the Peace before mentioned, was read to me: The Earl of Radnor at the same time asking me, whither I did own that Information or no, by Vertue of the Oath which had been already given me by the said House? To which I answered in the Affirmative. And so was remanded, and heard no more of the business, nor of my Pardon till three or four days after. At what time I was hurried out [Page 31] of my Bed, by vertue of a Rule of the Court of Kings Bench, to give Evidence to the Grand Jury against Mrs. Cellier; which I did that morning.

Which being done, and being very apprehen­sive of the danger I was in, I made my Address to John Arnold Esq; now a Member of the Honour­able House, representing my condition to him, how it had been above three Weeks since my first Discovery, and that I could not be heard before the House: Whereupon he went and acquainted some of the Members with what I had said. The Effect whereof was, that in less than an hours time I was called to the Bar of the House of Commons, where I first delivered my Information by word of Mouth, and then in Writing, as I have in these Sheets declared and published the same.