THat on or about the last day of October 1678, I was at Kill­mac Thomas in the County of Waterford, in the company of one Richard Power Gent. and Thomas Samson Gent. Seneschal and Steward to the Earl of Tyrone, where after Breakfast, &c. The said Samson told me, That the Earl of Tyrone desired him to pray me to come to him that night or the day following; and that his Lordship had some Concerns to confer with me about, which he the said Samson knew not what they were (as he told me.) I accordingly went the same night to the Earl his house at Cur­roghmore with the said Samson, who went into the Parlor to the said Earl, and acquainted him therewith; and the said Samson reurning to me, told me that his Lordship was at Supper with Strangers, and could not speak with me that night; but desired me to come the next morn­ing: which I accordingly did. After wellcome, &c. His Lordship ask­ed me what News? I told his Lordship, I presumed that he had the best correspondency in that part of the Countrey, and that for my part I had none worth his Lordships hearing. I have (saith he) received Intel­ligence out of France, where I understand that the French are very powerful; and that Parlez vouz Francoize will be plentifully heard here ere long. I asked his Lordship what great Exploits the French King had done? Done (said he) Hath done Wonders, and we may with­out doubt, call him Defendor of the Faith: He best deserves it, and I am sure the hand of God is with him. My Lord, said I, a man would be apter to think, that if the French were intended that way, he would rather venture on England first, than come hither.

I have received a Letter, saith he, from one Robert Power, who studies the Law at one of the Courts at London, That the French have a great stroke in England already; and (says he) before you are half a year older the French will subdue both England and Ineland, and little harm thereby; for they in England have no Faith in them: For they no sooner grant a thing, than recall it again, just as they have dealt with me about the Lands of Deaces: but, said he, before they enjoy it, Be­gog I will lose the best blood in my Body. Then my Lord, said I, if the French come hither, they will kill all us poor Subjects. As for that, saith he, I have made my Conditions for this side of the Countrey; and if you will joyn with me, I will put you in a ready way to get an E­state. I told his Lordship that I wanted it much, but could not tell how to come at it. With that his Lordship drew out of his Pocket a [Page 2]great quantity of Papers roled up, and desired me to sign unto it; where upon a sudden glance I could read the Names of Paul Strong, Richard and John Power; and do believe there were the Names of One hundred Subscribers. I desired his Lordship to excuse me for the present, and that I was unfit to be employed in such matters: And moreover, that I never heard of any of my name that proved Traitors to their King, and I would not begin. With that his Lordship called me Coward, and drew his Sword almost out of his Scabbard to kill me; but he espied a Gentleman coming, which was Sir John Ponsoby's Son. Then my Lord went to greet him, and after he had ushered him into his house, his Lordship goes himself unto the Bridge at Cur­roghmore, and called to William Power a Brogmaker, and desired him in all haste to call John Daniel unto him, to inform against me; for that I had beaten the said Daniel in my own defence half a year be­fore, for which the said Daniel forgave me, before four Witnesses; yet the said Daviel was forced to inform against me. And the Earl threatned that if he did not, he should lose his Ears: On which I was disarmed, and by a Mittimus sent to VVaterford Gaol. And it being Saturday late at night, the Constable took my word to meet him at a certain place the Monday morning following. In the mean time I pro­cured Bail, and brought them to Curroghmore; which Bail the Lord of Tyrone refused: and his Lordship also sent to several Justices of the Peace, that they should not bail me on any account: And his Lordship said further, That if I did not starve in Prison, he would hang me the next Assizes. Then going towards Waterford Gaol, I wrote a Letter to VVilliam Smith Esquire, that he would speak to my Lord in my be­half, to take Bail for me; who promised he would: but his Lordship refused to do the same, when again Bail was tendred. And then I was sent to VVaterford Gaol the beginning of November, and there remain­ed until the 14th of March following, although there were five Let­ters written to his Grace the Duke of Ormond, by me complaining to his Grace of the Misusage I had received, and containing what farther I had to say. Which Letters either miscarried, or were taken up at the Post Office at VVaterford, that the Lord Lieutenant never recei­ved them, nor no account given to his Grace of them; as his Grace was pleased to say.

WHo further saith, That after I was sent for by his Grace the Lord Lieutenant and Council in March following, and was ordered to attend the Court of the Kings Bench, and the Earl of Tyrone to answer, I accordingly appeared there, and was charged by the Earls People, his Attourney Mr. Buckner, his Sollici­tor Thomas Cowdall, and one Mac Carty Deputy Clerk of the Crown for Munster Circuit; where the fore-mentioned persons brought an Indictment against me for Stealing of Horse out of the County of [Page 3] Cleare, which, as they pretended, was about three years before. Which was but a Contrivance (as it was found upon Trial) by the Judges of the Kings Bench, thereby to render me infamous; that my Evidence against the said Earl might be of no value: where I was bound to prosecute the said Earl at Waterford Assizes next ensuing.

Note, That this Cowdall was the foresaid Powers man, and Mac Carty one who was under promises to discover all secrets to the Earl, that he knew as Clerk of the Crown.

But being bound to prosecute the said Earl at Waterford, I was dis­couraged from appearing there, several people telling me that I should never return from thence; in regard the said Earl had procured one of his own Council to be Judge of that Assizes, and his own Tenants and Relations to be Tryers of the Matter, and that at his own Door and Countrey. All which so affrighted me, that I chose rather to hazard my Recognizance and forfeiture of my Bonds, than to endanger my Life; which I understood was sought for.

Yet notwithstanding all Threats, I went to Waterford Assizes, but finding the said Earl of Tyrone and his Cozen, Lieuten. Thomas Power, lodging and dietting in the same house with the Judges; and being told in Waterford, that if I opened my lips against the said Earl of Tyrone; that I should not sleep that Night following, unless I slept to Eterni­ty. Which Threat daunted me much, also wanting John Mac Namara his Assistance of his Testimony, which by promise of Reward by the said Earl, he was kept from affording me.

And not having then forced Mr. Thomas Samson to bring in his Testimony, nor Mr. Edward Ivie his; all which I knew could disco­ver much in this matter, was the Cause why I left the Court and ab­sented my self, thinking it would be better at the Kings-Bench, by which time those Persons before-mentioned would be brought in.

Further, In order thereunto, I wrote a Letter to the Lord Chief Justice Keeting, and Sr. Richard Reynolls, the Judges then at Water­ford, That I was not then prepared to proceed, the Witnesses being not brought in, with such like Excuses; but fearing the Letter should not be delivered, and not daring to go to the Judges Chamber, by reason of the Earls being there, and his Friends and Servants, I went into the Court; where as soon as I appeared, the Lord Chief Justice called, as I thought unto the Gaoler, to take me into Custody; which affrightened me so, that I went away out of the Court, and such a Hue and Cry was made after me, by the Gaoler, Constables, and Bailliffs, that I was glad to go into one Mr. Fullars Tann-house near Watersord, and there to stay all that night. In the mean time the Gaoler goes where my Horse was, and told the people he was ordered by the Judges to secure my Horse. The next morning by break of day I hired a Boat, to ferry me over to the Slip house in Killkenny side and County, and went into one Mr. William VVilkenson's house, an Inn­keeper, who about four of the Clock in the afternoon told me that it was not safe for me to stay in his house, in regard there was so great a search and inquiry made after me in VViterford. Whereupon I took Mr. VVilkenson's advice, and went two miles on foot towards Killken­ny; intending to go to his Grace the Lord Lioutenant, who was then there, and to acquaint his Grace with the proceedings; but Major Ri­chards his Coachman, one who lived with the said Earl not long be­fore, overtook me in the way, and rid before me to an Alehouse, [Page 4]where he writ a Letter to the Earls Coachman William Finch, that he the said Finch should acquaint his Lord of my going towards Killkenny; which Letter I accidentally discovered: which caused me to leave the Road, and to go to a place called the Gurteenes, and there to stay four or five days, until John Mac Namara, who had discoursed the Matter with the said Earl of Tyrone, sent a Letter unto me, in which he said that the said Earl swore and dam'd himself to Eternity that he owed me no ill will at all, praying me to come to his House; but being so afraid of my safety, I told him that I could not.

I then writ a Letter in few days after unto the said Mac Namara for my Linnen and other things that were at his house, who returned the Messenger to me with a Letter without my Linnen; wherein he menti­oned that he would meet me the next morning at Waterford, and have my things there with him, and that he had several things to impart unto me concerning the Earl of Tyrone, which he durst not write: so meeting accordingly the said Mac Namara, his Wife and Father-in­law Teege Finiean at Mrs. Jarvies her house, I told him that I was ready to go on Ship-board for England. Never trouble your self farther, faid Mac Namara, for I will get you a good Consideration and Liberty to stay in Ireland; the aforesaid Finican also promised me 20 s. and one Barrel of Beer he had at home, and he would lend me his Horse to ride to his house to drink part thereof; the said M. Namara telling me that I was not in case at present to take such a Journey (meaning to England) and so they flattered me home with them: Which I still understood by their Discourse, that it was on the Earls accompt that they invited me.

Two days after my coming to M. Namara his House, he went and informed the said Earl therewith, and told me, coming home from the Earl of Tyrones, that the said Earl presented his Service unto me, and desired me to give Major Butler and Mr. John Rouan a meeting at a certain place, in order to agree with me; which thing I imparted to Mr. Edward Ivie, he living in the same Town where the said Mac Namara dwelled. Mr. Ivie desired me to be wary, for fear they should intrap me; on which I told Mr. Ivie I would go and see what they would be at: In order to which resolution, Mr. Mac Namara and my self, met them the said Major Butler and Rouan, about four Miles from the said Mac Numara his house, where Ale was sold; and reasoning the matter together, the said Major Butler desired me to desist troubling the said Earl of Tyrone any further, and the said Earl would give me a good Farm and Stock, and the said Earls Favour for evermore, than ever his Lordship shewed to any before; and willed me to name any Sum of Money that I pleased, and he the said Butler, would be bound for the payment hereof, on Condition that I the said Bourke, would not any more trouble the said Earl; but that I would say, that Esq; Villiars, Capt. Nicholls, Mr. May, Mr. Bradly, and Mr. Peter Anthony, were my Assistants and Promoters in this Discovery and Design against the said Earl.

To which I answered, That neither of the Parties mentioned, ever spake a word to me concerning such things in all their lives, and if they had, I would not be prompted to such an unjust Action by any of them; and that I never charged the said Earl with any thing, but what the said Earl was pleased to tell and shew unto me himself.

After they had kept me there until it was almost night, then Ma­jor Butler sent Rouan home unto the Earl of Tyrone, and Major But­ler [Page 5]came himself with me, and Mc. Namara, home to Mc. Namara his house; where the said Major and my self lay that night together: all which Discourse of our meeting afore-mentioned, I acquainted Mr. Ivie with. Then I resolved to go into England, but Mr. Ivie told me that it that it was not safe to go, before I had the Lord Lieutenant his Pass. Now upon that saying I knew not what to do, for want of a con­veniency to apply my self unto the Lord Lieutenant; and also being a­fraid to go alone, I then went to Waterford, where I met one of the Earl of Tyrone's Servants, named John Whelen, who told me before Mrs. Jarvis and her Servants, that it stood me instead to run away at the Assizes, for if I had stayed, the Judges were resolved at least to crop my Ears; and Mr. Wilkenson afore-named, told me that the Judges were resolved to take me along the Circuit with them, and to indict me at Ennis, and hang me if they could.

I also writ a Letter to the Earl of Orrery, which the aforesaid Edward Ivie was to carry to the said Earl, the said Ivie having occasion of his own into those parts. (Which Letter the said Ivie read before it was sealed.) The contents of the said Letter was to pray the Earl of Orre­ry to send for and examine the aforesaid Mr. Samson, who was then at Youghall (near the said Earl) and to write to his Grace the Lord Lieu­tenant, desiring him to send for the said Mr. Samson, Mr. Ivie, and my self; but Mr. Ivie being busie in ordering his Harvest, could not go so soon, as he intended, to the Earl of Orrery's: In the mean time, when the Earl of Tyrone could not by Bribes or otherwise, prevail with me to desist, he then petitioned the Lord Lieutenant against me, and there­upon a Pursivant was sent to the Earl of Tyrones first, and told him that he was ordered to take his Directions for the securing of me; and being taken, I should be brought before the said Earl first: And the said Earl, to cloak his knowledge where I lay (as if he was ignorant of the same) sent several of his Servants to search after me; who all knew where I was, having often sent unto me before; who coming into the afore­said Mac Namara his house about Ten or Eleven of the Clock at night, the said Earls Servants apprehended me and bound me with Ropes; but when I saw the Pursivant, I asked him, Whether he had a Warrant? Who told me that he was but a Spectator, and they (meaning the Earls Servants) were the Officers; and withal he bad me take leave and last farewel of my Friends.

Then they brought me away from Mr. Mac Namara his house four miles that night, and next morning they carried me tied with Ropes (out of the way we were to go) to Waterford, until they came to the Cross there; and then they went into Mr. Guddridge his house, an Inn­keeper, and there stayed me until all the Earls Friends in the Town, and all the Officers in the Town came to see me in that Case. And then they procured a lame unshod little Garren for me to ride on, and tied my Legs under the Horses or Garrens Belly, and so carried me out of the way, thorow the Town to the other end thereof; having many Spectators: and then carried me back to the said Earls House at Cor­roghmore (so bound) where the Earl had many Friends gathered toge­ther to see me come in that manner; and so left me to the Earls plea­sure.

After they had stayed me at the said Earls, after the manner afore­said, about two hours, then they carried me on the way to Carigme­sure; and Thomas Power, the Earls chief Gentleman, rid before us to [Page 6] Crehanah, to Major Butlers House, to desire him to meet me in the way, which accordingly he did; and asked me, as if he had not known what was the matter? I answered him that I did not know. Said the Major to me, Can I speak with you in private? I told him that there was no fit place for him to stay, for I was wet and dirty with riding so far in dirty ways without Boots with my Leggs tied. Then the said Butler followed me to Carigmesure, and brought with him John Rou­an aforesaid and Quarter-master Ely; No question but he knew the rest, being all Papists. the said Ely saying, That he knew the rest of the Company, but me he knew not. I answered him that he knew me too, if he would acknowledg it, but I was indiffe­rent whether he would or not. I know you so well, said Ely, that one rope is too little for you. Then Major Butler and Rouan fell again to the old way of corrupting me by turns, and the Major promised me that if I would do as he before desired, that he would follow me next Morning to Killkenny, and get me rid of any further trouble; if I would take their former proffers, and accuse the fore-named Gentle­men: and that there were a People before me at Killkenny, that would be very glad that these Gentlemen aforesaid, should be brought in to the saving of the Earl of Tyrone.

But I refused and scorned their offers, notwithstanding the great shame and pain they put me to. Major Butler then took me by the hand, and said Old Friend farewel now for evermore. Then Quar­ter-master Ely began a Health, to the Prosperity of the Earl of Tyrone, and to the confounding and utter Subversion of all his Enemies; and forced the Health to go round.

This Ely is the Lord Lieutenant his Quarter-master, and charged by the aforesaid Mac Namara, in his after Examination, of being in the Plot, and to be a Major under the Earl of Tyrone for the French King, and confessed that he was a Papist heretofore, when questioned by the Lord Lieutenant upon the aforesaid Mr. Samson's telling him before the Lord Lieutenant and Council, that he had a Crucifix about his Neck, and afterwards was committed to the Marshal for abusing the said Sam­son, where he continued for one week, and then returned to his Com­mand.

The Examination which follows is Mr. Ivie's, touching the know­ledge he had of Mr. Mac Namara, which was before spoken of to be concerned with the Earl of Tyrone in the Plot; and who afterwards in his Examination confesseth he was to be an Officer under the said Earl: who promised me before the said Mr Ivie, to discover the same at the Assizes; but through Bribes did not appear: but managed the Earls Designs with me, to bribe me to desist my prosecuting the said Earl; and offered me large Bribes to throw the Accusation on others. But on Mr. Ivies confronting him before the Lord Lieutenant and Coun­cil, and petitioning the Board to have him kept from the said Earl of Tyrone's Friends and Agents, and from Quarter-master Ely, who fur­nished him with Money and Horse, and promised him Bail on occasi­on: He then being kept close, according to the said Ivie's Petition, he then confessed the Truth, and discovered the whole Plot; as you may see in his Examination following Mr. Ivie's.

WHo saith, That about Michaelmass last was Twelve-month, John Mac Namara of the County of Waterford Gentleman, brought unto me James Power the Father, and his three Sons, Richard, William, and James Power; the said Mac Namara desiring me to take them as Tenants on the Lands of Dunhill, in the said County of Waterford; which accordingly I did, the said Mac Na­mara assuring me that they were honest men: who after that they had been there some time, I observed together with my Servants and Neigh­bours, a great recourse to them of persons, being private in the said Power's house by day, and going away at night; having several strange horses at day, and gone away at night. I also observed the said Powers and the aforesaid John Mac Namara providing Bridles, Saddles, Swords, and other Arms.

In the mean time a Warrant was sent from his Grace the Lord Lieu­tenant, to apprehend the said Powers and Mac Namara: The Pow­ers being apprehended, made their Escape out of the Constables hands; which the Countrey took much notice of: Mac Namara be­ing also taken, was committed to Waterford Gaol, and in few days bai­led out; on which he returned home, and some days after told me, that he had made his application to the Earl of Tyrone to assist him in this his trouble: And finding the said Earl in fear, on Bourke's charging him for Treason, so that he did not answer the said Mac Namara's ex­pectation; he the said Mac Namara returned home in great passion, and concluded that his Father-in-law and Brother-in-law should go to Dublin to get his Pardon; which accordingly they did, and applied themselves to Sir John Cole for their Assistance: And as they told me, they met at Sir John Cole's the Lord Chief Justice Keeting, on which they concluded to get no Pardon; for that the Lord Chief Justice had promised to be kind to the said Mac Namara, and would stand his Friend at the Assizes. Upon which they returned home, and acquaint­ed the said Mac Namara with what they had done. But the said Mac Namara concluded himself not safe, in their not bringing his Pardon, and therefore broke out into a great passion, and told me that seeing the said Earl had drawn him into such dangerous Designs, and had now left him, he would no more look after Pardons, nor trust no more to promises, but he would discover the whole Truth, which the Earl [Page 8]of Tyrone was carrying on against the King; and further said, That Bourke was but a Fool, and knew nothing of the Plot, in comparison of what he knew; and that at the Assizes he would make a full Disco­very thereof.

The said Mac Namara further told me, that the said Earl was pri­vy to all the Horses and Arms provided for the Plot, which when the said Bourke came into the Countrey, I acquainted him with; and there­upon the said Bourke wrote a Letter to the Judges, wherein he menti­oned, that the said Mac Namara and others were concerned in the Plot, and therefore he could not appear till they appeared: The said Mac Namara hiding himself, until he had received an Account of Mr. Bourk's Proceedings and of the return of the Letter sent to the Judges, in order to his coming in to discover; that he might be secu­red. To which purpose the said Mac Namara received a Letter from a Friend of his, That Bourke had not yet spoke with the Judges, and therefore advised the said Mac Namara to continue private where he was, until he heard further from him. At this time Mac Namara had promised Bourke to confess, but desisted on the Earls Promises of Re­wards.

The said Earl of Tyrone hearing of the said Mac Namara's Intenti­ons, several Letters was posted after the said Mac Namara, in order to get him to Waterford; with promises of being prorected from all things which was lain to his Charge. Upon which promises the said Mac Namara came to Waterford, and there was privately secured in the house of Mr. Fitz Gerrald a Papist and Merchant, and the same night, or the night after, was conveyed up to the Earl of Tyrone's Lodgings; where, he the said Mac Namara told me, being before the said Earl, he the said Earl told him, That he little thought his Fathers Son would serve him so as to betray him; and that if he would desist discovering what he knew of the Plot, he the said Earl would excuse him, as to his troubles, and save him from appearing at the Court: and that he had so ordered Matters with the Judges, that the same Bail should stand till the next Assizes without his appearing; which accordingly was done, to the admiration of all that heard it: And assured him, that he the said Earl, would against the next Assizes, write to or speak with Mr. Morris (who said the Earl) is my Friend and your Prosecutor, and order the Matter so, that against the next Assizes, he the said Mac Namara should be freed.

After the Assizes Mac Namara returned home, and Bourke being gone away, sent a Letter to Mac Namara for his Linnen and other things left with them: saying in his Letter that he was going for England, and that the Ship was ready to sail. Mac Namara knowing that it was to inform against the said Earl, made all haste possible to him; whom as Mac Namara told me, the Earl ordered to send for Bourke, to prevent his going into England. Upon which Mac Na­mara and his Father-in-law went to Waterford, where they found Bourke, and told him, that they had a Barrel of Beer which he must take part of, and Twenty Shillings in Money for him, but whether the said Bourke had the Twenty Shillings, he best knows. Vpon which the said Bourke came to Mac Namara's house, of whose come­ing he made haste to acquaint the said Earl; and Mac Namara re­turning home, told Bourke that the Earl of Tyrone desired to be re­membred unto him; and did assure him that the said Earl was not an­gry with him: with many other kind Greetings.

And being my self at a Christening, in company of Mac Namara, Bourke, and others, the Priest called Mac Namara out, and asked him what was done as to the Business of the Earl of Tyrone at the As­sizes? And seeing them go privately under a Bank (to Confessing) I asked him what they did there? Mac Namara told me that the Priest resolved in Things he doubted of and was troubled about.

The next day the said Mac Namara acquainted the said Bourke from the Earl, that he had appointed Major Butler and John Rouan to treat with the said Bourke; and that the Earl would give him a Farm and Stock, and what Money he pleased, if he would charge Mr. Villi­ars, Mr. May, Captain Nicholls, Mr. Bradly, and Peter Anthone, for imploying him the said Bourke, and feeing him unjustly to accuse the said Earl; and so to declare that he knew nothing against the Earl, but charged him thorow the instigation of the Gentlemen aforesaid: and that thereunto was by them subborned, in promises of great re­ward. Hereupon I asked the said Mac Namara what would become of Bourke then if he should do so? He answered that then the said Earl would be in the same Capacity, or greater than he was before; and then no man could harm him the said Bourke: and that the Earl would defend him from any person that should endeavour to harm him.

After which, I talking with Bourke concerning the proffers made him, I advised him to be just, to which he answered, That he would rather die than to be unjust, but notwithstanding he would meet the said Gentlemen, to see what they would be at. Mac Namara also told me, That he would requite me, if that I would but intrap Mr. Sam­son the Earls Steward that was; who had been privy to the Earls Concerns, and might discover much against the said Earl, if not pre­vented.

Some days after Mac Namara, Bourke, and I met, being that morning, they went to meet the aforesaid Major Butler and Rouan, I being with them at one James Finican's house, I again charged Bourke to be just, and abuse no man, but to speak the truth; which accordingly he promised me to do. And so they went from me to the place appointed, where they met the said Butler and Rouan; who used great Reasonings to perswade Bourke to charge the Gentle­men aforesaid, but could not prevail; as Mac Namara, Butler, and Bourke told me at their return; who came and lay all together that night at Mac Namara's house.

The next morning I having some occasions at Waterford, and Ma­jor Butler going that way, we went together; Major Butler telling me that they had treated with Mr. Bourke about the Earl of Ty­rone's Business, but could not bring him to any thing; the Major wifhing that the Earl had never been born, to intrust such a one as Bourke with a Secret of that importance. I then asked the said Major Butler what he thought then would become of it? Who answered that he hoped yet to prevail with Bourke to do as be­fore.

And then Bourke writ a Letter to the Earl of Orrery, desiring me to carry the same; which I received, having business that way: In which Letter the said Bourke mentioned the several Treasons he had to discover, but the losing his Horse, and the danger he was in of his life, made him uncapable of waiting on the Lord Lieutenant, [Page 10]and therefore prayed the Earl of Orrery to acquaint the Lord Lieu­tenant of it. Before this Letter was sent, the Pursivant seized the said Bourke, and Mac Namara seized the said Letter and carried it to the Earl of Tyrone, who acknowledged that he received the same. Whereupon I went to Nicholas Osbourne Esquire, one of his Maje­sties Justices of the Peace of the said County of Waterford; who took part of this Examination which I have now made; and advised me to go to the Earl of Orrery to impart the whole.

Vpon the Examination before-mentioned, I advised Judge Keeting, who took part of my Examinations, that if he sent privately and apprehended the said persons, there would be found in Mac Nama­ra his Pocket, a Letter which would confirm the subject matter of my Examination, provided the Warrant was committed to — the Execution of a Trusty Person; but instead thereof the Warrant was sent to Quarter-master Ely, before-mentioned, who gave it to the Earl of Tyrone's Servant; who instead of searching him, assist­ed him, by the said Earls Order, with a Horse and Necessaries for his Journey to the Earls House, where he had from the Earl Mo­ney and Instructions for the Concealing the Treason; with great pro­mises of Rewards from the Earl and the said Ely: which accordingly the said Mac Namara did for sometime do.

WHo saith, That William Bradly Esq; one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Waterford, in the Year 1678, gave me the said Mac Namara an Oath of Se­crecy touching the Plot intended and designed in Ireland, by the Earl of Tyrone and the rest of the Confederates, against the Kings Majesty: At Which time he imparted to me, That the Earl of Tyrone had re­ceived a Commission from the French King to be a Collonel of Horse in the County of Waterford; and that he the said William Bradly, was to be his Lieutenant Collonel, and desired me to provide my self with Horse and Arms, and to procure as many as I could of those I dare trust; [Page 11]and that I should have a Command of being a Captain under the said Earl and him.

Whereupon I did provide my self, and spoke unto John Folio, James Finican, and Dennis Mac Namara, to provide themselves with such necessaries as were requisite for that purpose; informing them also that Mr. Bradly did impart such matters unto me, and who knew that I the said Mac Namara had imparted such matters to the said John James and Dennis, who afterwards did confess the same to his Grace the Lord Lieutenant and Council, and before I had liberty to speak with them, or they with me, I being then kept close Prisoner from any one of the Kings Evidence.

The Precedent Examination I gave, when on a Petition preferred by the rest of the Evidences, I was kept from any of the Earls Friends, and from Quarter Master Ely, who was always with me before, and not denied to be with me but on the Petition of the aforesaid Gentlemen: Then it was ordered that I should be kept close and not to have any to come unto me; I was then very fearful to discover my mind, because of the Guilt that was upon me, being concerned: Which after a Promise of Pardon (if I spake the truth) I then resolved to discover so far as I knew, though against my self; upon which I freely declared my mind in this following Examination.

After the aforesaid William Bradly did impart to me the aforesaid Treason, I met with the said Earl of Tyrone on the Lands of Gave­stown in the County of Waterford, with two of his men, viz. Tho­mas Power his Gentleman and Garret Mac Teege his Fowler, and another whose name is Luke Power; I having in company with me one William Power and Baustice Clancy, being then abroad hunt­ing with my Dogs: the said Earl knowing me at a distance, called unto me, on which I went unto him. The said Earl taking me aside from the company, asked me whether Mr. Bradly had imparted to me any matter of Secrecy? I replied, He had. The said Earl then told me, That I must be very private, and discover it to none but those I was very sure of. After which the said Earl drew a List out of his pocket, and shewed me the Names of several persons that were to be Superiour Officers, both in the County of VVaterford, County of Corke, County of Keery, County of Limbrick, and County of Cleere, which I took special notice of, and knew several of the Persons; and amongst the rest, the Earl entred my name with my own Pen and Ink in the List; the said Earl telling me he had his Commission sent him from the French King under Hand and Seal to be a Collonel of a Regiment of Horse in the County of VVaterford; and said that there was hardly a County in Ireland (save one) but per­sons were appointed by the French King for that purpose; and na­med in the County of Limbricke Collonel Pierce Lacy, the Lord Brittas, Sir John Fitz-Gerrald, David Fitz-Gerrald, and several o­thers; This Mac Na­mara is the Ex­aminants own Name-sake and Cozen. and in the County of Cleere John Mac Namara and several o­thers; and in the County of Keery Sir Turlo Mac Mahan, and seve­ral others; and others in the County of Corke: And that the said Earl of Tyrone was to be Collonel in the County of VVaterford, and Mr. Bradly to be his Lieutenant Collonel, Quarter-Master Ely his Major, Mr. John Butler Senior his Captain, with the Names of several others [Page 12]of that County which he did not read unto me. The said Earl saying that they were to raise several Hundreds of Men in every County, and that the Superior Officers were to meet on purpose to return an exact Account of their Forces to the French King; on which the said King would land many Thousands of Men at the River Shannon, This River San­non runs many miles into the Countrey thorow three of the fer­tillest Counties in Ireland; namely, Keery, Limbrick, and Cleare, unto the City of Lim­brick, and will carry great Ships to the same from the West Seas. and as soon as they were landed, the next business was to go to the City of Limbrick with five Hundred Men, and divide them into two parts; the one party to enter the City at Candle-light, and that at several Gates, and such as best knew the City were appointed to set on the Guards, and put them all to the Sword, the rest to be hard by the Ci­ty, and to enter in immediately when the Allarum was given, and the Body of the Army to draw up as fast as they could.

By which said the Earl we do not question, but to possess our selves of the City and Kings Castle, and to banish the English very soon; and indeed said the Earl, 'tis the Providence of God to bring some downfall on that unjust King the Duke of Ormond and his Children, that wronged me in so high a Nature on the Account of Villiars. There­fore said the Earl go home, lose no time, but make your selves ready; for we know not how soon occasion may require your Assistance, and speak to as many Friends as you can. Which accordingly I did, and provided Arms and Horses for that purpose.

After discovery being made hereof by Hubart Bourke, as you may read in his Information, who partly knew the proceedings, and having discovered the same, was bound by Recognizance to prose­cute the said Earl at the next Assizes at Waterford; he did for want of mine and others Testimonies, absent himself from the Assizes un­to which he was bound, and for other Reasons mentioned in his Examination.

But in a short time after, the Earl hearing that Mr. Bourke was go­ing for England, to make his Application to the King and Parliament; the said Earl commanded me to write unto the said Bourke, which ac­cordingly I did, and signified in my Letter, that I would very willing­ly speak with him; but he answering not my Expectation, I went my self to him at Waterford, and courted him to go along with me home unto my House; which I prevailed with him to do.

I then hastned to the said Earl, and gave him an account of my pro­ceedings, which the Earl liked very well. Whereupon he ordered Major Butler and John Rouan and my self, to confer with the said Bourke, and at the Mill of Carygumier we met, and according to the said Earls Order, did offer the said Bourke a Farm stockt, together with a Sum of Money; so as that he would charge Mr. Villiars, Captain Nicholls, Mr. Bradly, and others, with subborning or prompting the said Bourke to prosecute the said Earl, and that he should acknow­ledge it, and Mr. Bradly aforesaid should confess the same; and that so Bourke and Bradly should be committed Witnesses against Villi­ars and Nicholls: Upon which the said Earl would bring his Action of. Scandalum Magnatum against Villiars and Nicholls of 40000 Pounds; which thing was contrived by Mr. Andrew Linn and Mr. Bradly, the said Earls Friends: Unto which the said Bourke refused to consent.

Here it is to be observed that Mr. Villiars and Captain Nichols were at Law with the said Earl, and therefore the Earl did suppose the world would sconer believe what was lain to their Charge upon the Earls account, though falsely alledged against them.

Bourke not accepting the aforesaid proffers, the Earl then petitioned the Lord Lieute­nant and Council, who sent a Summons for the said Bourke, and brought him to Dublin, and being examined of several matters, He gave in his Information, and got also Mr. Sam­son and Mr. Ivie to be summoned up, and to be examined, upon whose examination; A Sum­mons was issued out against Quarter Mr. Ely, John Ronan, Maior Butler aforesaid, and Lau­rence Swillivant and my self; who were all sent for to the Council Board. Quarter Mr. E­ly went first to the Earls House to have Instructions touching the management thereof, the Earl also sent his Gentleman Mr. Power for me; I being then in Waterford, the said Power came to me and told me, that the Earl of Tyrone and Quarter Mr. Ely sent for me to the in­tent I might repair to Doublin, and having no horse with me at Waterford, the said Power the Earls Gentleman provided me with a horse, on which I went with him to Curringmore to the Earls house, where I met the said Earl and Quarter Mr. Ely together.

Upon which the said Earl and Quartermaster Ely took me into the Garden, and there did agree to send for John Ronan. Who came immediately, at which time the Earl and Qua­termaster Ely did instruct us what we should say, when we came to Dublin before the Coun­cil; and told me the great danger, if I should discover any thing of the matter, but prof­fering an Oath unto us, and finding us unwilling to swear what they would have us to swear the said Earl then told us that we should be absolved by Dean Power his Cousin, This Dean Power is a Pa­pist. Dean secured by the Earl. and the rest of the Clergy, and after instructing us in the Garden for a considerable time, the Earl gave me a horse, and gave John Ronan, Lawrence Swillivant and my self money to bear our char­ges to Dublin. And when we came there we were maintained at the Earls charge, with pro­mises to get bail for me, if imprisoned: And we were there always accompanied with the Earls Friends, who promised me great rewards if I would conceal what I knew. I also had Money from Quartermaster Ely, whilst I was in the Pursivants hands, and several Mas­ses were said in the Country for the Earl and me, whilst I contained from discovering, but since have excommunicated me.

But at length Mr. Ivie and Mr. Samson petitioned the Lord Lieutenant and Council to have me kept close Prisoner, and to keep the Earls Friends and Sollicitors from me, which accordingly was done. Now being by my self and considering the Evil Case I was in, God so touched my Conscience that I confessed the Truth.

Several other things there are relating to the Powers, concerning Stealing of Horses and providing of Arms for the same purpose, which you will find treated of in Mr. Ivies Exa­minations and in James Finicans, which Powers were examined on Oath by Sir John Davies and since bailed out of Goal by means of Captain Morris the Prosecutor, who now goes armed and mostly accompanied with the Earls Friends and Kindred.

James Finican was solicited by Mr. Bradly not to confess any thing against him the said Bradly, for which the said Bradly promised him a good reward in money, and was before the Committee, and did for some time continue to conceal the matter, but being kept from the said Bradly for a Season in the Marshals hands, told the said Marshal that he would not be in Trouble for concealing others Treasons, he the said Finican desired to be carried a­gain before the Committee confessed the whole matter, saying that if Mr. Bradly were put where he was, he would confess the Truth too. This astonished the said Bradly, for as much the said Finicans promise to the said Bradly of concealing made him the said Bradly to tell the Committee, that he would be saved by the said Finicans Testimony.

You may observe also, that whilst I denyed to confess the Truth, and to conceal the Plot, the Earls Friends got a petition writ against Mr. Ivie, to be preferred to the Lord Lieute­nant and Council, viz. That the said Ivie was a man of ill Fame, and a dishonest man, and that he knew nothing of those Treasons, and Briks before mentioned, which petition they gave me to send unto, or deliver unto the Lord Lieut. and Council, in the mean time I being kept from them, my Conscience forced me to confess the Truth; I then shewed the Petiti­on unto the said Mr. Ivie, of which they were much ashamed, and would have denyed it, but that I justifyed it, and told who brought it unto me, naming Mr. Michael Row, the hand also being known. Which way J observed they always made use of to endeavour to clear them­selves, by calling in question the reputation of their Accusers.