THough I cannot but imagine I stand so highly condemned in your Lordshippes and many persons thoughts, that any thing of vindication from me must come with all the disadvantage and prejudice that may be; yet (my Lord) being conscious of my owne integrity, and confident that I shall be jud­ged by your Lordshippe by no other Rules but those of justice and reason, I cannot doubt but when I have discovered the grounds and reasons of my Actions, that it will appeare to your Lordshippe that what I have done hath been agreeable to the severall duties I stand ingaged in, as I am supposed to have acted contrary before I am heard.

Not to detaine your Lordship in circumstances, I shall make this Protestation, that as no other thing but the danger of the Kings life could in reason ex­cuse such attempt: So I doe protest that no infe­riour [Page 4] considerations did or could have moved to such an action: But my Lord having had such particular and well grounded information, that so horrid a de­signe was intended and moved from those that could when they pleased have had the power to put it in execution; I hope I shall not be censured for having post posed all other considerations to that Loyalty which cannot be questioned but I owe to the King.

But not to leave your Lordshippe unsatisfied with this generall account, the intelligence I speake of, con­cerning this designe, I received from Captaine Rolfe, a person very intimate with the Governour, privy to all Counsells, and one that is very high in the esteem of the Army; he may Lord, informed me that to his knowledge the Governour had received severall Letters from the Army, intimating they desired the King might by any meanes be removed out of the way, either by poyson or otherwise; And that ano­ther time the same person perswaded me to joyne with him in a designe to remove the King out of that Castle to a place of more secresie, proffering to take an Oath with me, and to doe it without the Gover­nours privity, who he sayd would not consent for losing the allowance of the House, his pretence to this attempt was, that the King was in too publique a place, from whence he might be rescued, but if he might be conveyed into some place of secresie, he sayd wee might dispose of his person upon all occa­sions as wee thought fit; and this he was confident wee could effect without the Governours privity. My Lord considering all these pregnant circumstan­ces, [Page 5] I thinke it will appeare that there were, if there are no such intentions concerning his Majesties per­son, as may well justifie my indeavours that have beene made for his remove from so much danger: and for my owne part, my Lord, I must be so plaine as to declare concerning my owne actings in relation to this businesse, that had I done this (having such grounds) I must believe I had then verified all those aspersions of disloyalty and breach of Trust, which I am contented to suffer from those whose interest is perchance opposed to my indeavours to prevent such damnable designes.

My Lord, I have spoken nothing heere but what I shall be ready to testifie upon Oath when ever I shall be called to it, with promise of Freedome and security, till then I must be content to support all cen­sures and satisfie my selfe with the vindication I re­ceive from my owne conscience.

I Did by a Letter of the first of Iune ac­quaint my Lord Wharton with what I send here inclosed, expecting it would before this have been communicated to both Houses: what should be the reason of concealing a businesse of this nature I know not, except it be to give those time that are concerned in it better to thinke of some stra­tagem to evade this discovery.

I humby desire your Lordship upon sight of [Page 7] this relation, to communicate it to the House of Peeres; which I shall be ready to attest upon Oath in every particular, when ever their Lordships shall please to allow me that freedome and security which ought to be afforded to any Gentleman, and Christian, in witnessing a truth.