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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	know_v	lord_n	word_n	1,989	5	3.9376	3	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A25883	The arraignment, trials, conviction and condemnation of Sir Rich. Grahme ... and John Ashton, Gent. for high treason against ... King William and Queen Mary ... at the sessions ... holden ... on the 16th, 17th and 19th days of January, 1690 ... : to which are added two letters taken at Dublin the 4th of July, 1690.	Preston, Richard Graham, Viscount, 1648-1695, defendant.; Ashton, John, d. 1691.	1691 (1691)	Wing A3768; ESTC R22452	178,632	142

he had had more reason to complain than now he has for he has now and you see he uses it and wisely enough too the Advantage that happened to him upon my Lord Preston's Tryal and he has had time since Saturday to prepare for this days Work so that there is no hard Point upon him as to that Matter but he has had pretty good Fortune therein Next he does insinuate that he is a Protestant Gentlemen the Law does not distinguish between a Protestant Traytor and a Papist Traytor if he has committed such an Offence as by the Law is High Treason the Law does not distinguish nor may we And Protestants may serve Papists Designs though they do not directly intend it Therefore the Evidence to prove him a Protestant is nothing before you for the Matter is only whether he be guilty of this Crime or not In the Tryal of my Lord Preston then the Labour was that My Lord was not the Man that was concerned as the Bearer of this Pacquet of Letters or Writings wherein the Treason is contained but then it was Mr. Ashton the Pacquets were found about him but now it is not Mr. Ashton but my Lord Preston and this is now the Question before you that he stands upon But if so be they were all concerned in the Carriage and transporting of this Business then they are all alike guilty of Treason and therefore they cannot shuffle it from one to another Now there appears some Reason why they would not all agree to be tryed together for now it is but turning it from My Lord Preston upon Ashton and Mr. Ashton upon my Lord Preston and Elliot upon either of them and so by this means all might escape if this were sufficient to serve their turn But the Question before you is whether all these Persons are not all in all equally concerned and 't is the Evidence that must be your Guide and ours for it is not Mr. Ashton's Affirmation that he had Business to go into France and he happened unluckily to fall into these Mens Company that will be a sufficient Excuse unless he prove it It had been an easie matter for him to have proved if he had been going into France upon Business for Colonel Worden but at length that is turned off and then the pretence for going is to recover some Mony he had owing to him there and that he had payed for another Person Had he Paper of Instructions of this kind Had he any one Witness of this thing The Merchandize that he carryed out with him is of another import Where were the Notes or Bonds that he was to recover Where is the Accompt that he had to make up with any body beyond Sea There is no manner of Evidence of any such thing Next Gentlemen do but consider if the Man were so innocent as he would insinuate as if he had not gone with the rest upon this Errand how came the Man to have so heavy a Concern upon him Why should he go to take up these Papers if they were not his Brats Why should he clap them into his Bosom if he knew nothing what was in them Why was his concern so great to have them thrown overboard Gentlemen if you expect that the Hearts of Men should be proved otherwise than as Men guess by one anothers meanings by their Actions 't is impossible to convict any Man of a Crime for if his own Affirmation shall be a Defence he will never want a Defence to keep himself from being convicted But that is not what the Law gives credit to it must be Proof and Evidence that you are to judg upon But of all he pretends to he proves nothing How came he acquainted with my L. Preston Sure he was a Man sufficiently known in the World Why should he go with him and Mr. Ellyott Are they not all known Are they not Persons much of the same Disposition and much in the same Imployment He had been taken a little before he says himself and was hindred from going and he had strange ill luck if there was nothing else in the business than what he pretends Gentlemen in short if you do find by the Evidence that he was going upon a good and an honest Design and that he knew nothing of the Danger that was in these Papers and that these Persons were in by reason of these Papers and yet would go about to have these Papers concealed and endeavour to have them thrown away without knowing what was in them These are Evidences that will be good for you to go by if you have any such but to take his Affirmation because he says it when he proves nothing that is no Evidence to go by I leave it to you as my Lord has done If you are satisfied upon that Evidence that he is guilty I doubt not you know and will do your Duty and will find him so and if you have no such Evidence or any to prove the contrary that he is not guilty then you ought to find him so too Mr. Ashton I beg your pardon for one word L. Ch. J. Holt What would you say Mr. Ashton My Lord I shall reckon it a particular Favor if you will pardon me one word after your Lordship has given the Charge L. C. J. Holt Well what say you Mr. Ashton I think with Submission that there is no proof I knew or was privy to the Contents of any of these Papers L. C. J. Pollexfen Pray Mr. Ashton shew any Man any Reason if you can why did you go down and catch up these Papers if you did not know what was in them they might be for your Advantage to be shewn for any thing you pretend to know Mr. Ashton I did it for my L. Preston's Sake whose Hand was proved and he stands convicted as the Bearer of those Papers Mr. J. Eyres But you forget one thing that was plainly proved Mr. Ashton that when you importun'd Capt. Billop to throw away the Papers you used this as an Argument It would do him no good to injure three honest Gentlemen Mr. Ashton I did not say so my Lord that I know of tho indeed he has sworn it L. Ch. J. Holt Look you Mr. Ashton you have been heard as long as you did desire to speak and were askt over and over again whether you had any more You are not now saying any new Matter if you could urge any thing that had been omitted which made for your Advantage I believe the Court would indulge you tho it 〈◊〉 ●gainst the Course Mr. Ashton My Lord I say 〈…〉 ●●thing under my Hand there is no Privity proved does Supposition 〈◊〉 a Man And is there any thing but Supposition against me There is not my Hand proved in any of the Papers I beseech your Lordship and the Jury to observe that L. Ch. J. Holt Your being in the Company and being so concerned and importunately endeavouring to have them thrown

to know whether Captain Billop Signed that Paper or no. L. C. J. Holt No he did not sign half of them but unless it be proved you ought to take it for granted that it is not Signed by him Lord Preston My Lord I think it fit the Jury should be satisfied in any scruple they raise L. C. J. Holt They asked this Question Whether Captain Billop did sign the Paper and I told them Capt. Billop did not say so and therefore they are to take it for granted that he did not Juryman My Lord We take this last Paper that was read to be a Paper that was delivered in the Bundle taken from Mr. Ashton to my Lord Nottingham but not Signed by Capt. Billop L. C. J. Pollexfen Then you take it right Mr. Sol. Gen. Then the next Paper that we produce is a List of the English Fleet that these Gentlemen were carrying over into France Lord Preston That is printed and to be found in every Coffee-House Mr. Serj. Tremain Shew that Paper to Capt. Billop Which was done Can you take it upon your Oath Captain That that Paper was in the Pacquet that was taken in Mr. Ashtons Bosom C. Billop That Paper I have marked and that Paper I swear was in the Pacquet I took away from Mr. Ashton aboard the Smack L. C. J. Holt You are sure of it C. Billop Yes my Lord. L. C. J. Holt Then read it Clerk of the Peace Reads SHIPS Rates Ships In Repair Not Building 1 8 5 3   2 12 11 1   3 35 34 1   4 38 34 4 4 5 14 14   1 6 9 9     Fireships 25 25   8 Bomb. Vessels 1 1     Ketches 1 1   8   143 134 9 21 Brought in by Admiral Russel to the House of Commons Decemb. 24th 90. the Fleet whereof 60 Dutch Memorandum The new Ships Building are Expected will be ready to be lanched by the end of March. Mr. Serj. Tremani Pray shew this Paper to Capt. Billop Which was done Pray was that Paper there among the others that were taken with these Gent. Capt. Billop Yes it was Mr. Sol. Gen. Can you take it upon your Oath that that Paper was in the Pacquet that was in Mr. Ashton's Bosom Capt. Billop Yes my Lord I can Mr. Serj. Tremani Pray shew him that Paper too Which was done Mr. Sol. Gen. And can you take upon you to say That that was one of the Papers in the Pacquet C. Billop Yes it was Mr. Sol. Gen. My Lord We desire these may be read Clerk of the Peace Reads New-Years Eve And it is directed for Mr. Redding Sir Though the Bearer of this will do us the Justice to assure you we are as full of Duty as unfeignedly and unconcernedly yours as your self could wish yet this Gentleman has undertaken You will forgive the Presumption if I do my self the Honour to give you this fresh assurance in a few words which I hope we do by our Accounts I shall omit no Occasions not neglecting the least and making Zealous Wishes for the greatest to shew our selves such as we ought to be Sir I speak in the Plural because I write my Elder Brothers Sentiments as well as my Own and the rest of the Family though lessened in Number yet if we are not mightily out in our Accounts we are growing in Our Interest that is in yours He that delivers this will I hope intirely to your satisfaction represent us and me in particular as with all the Devotion imaginable and unchangeable Affection Yours God grant the happiest New Year Mr. Serj. Tremani Read the other Paper Cl. of Peace This is dated Dec. 31. 1690. I must not let this Bearer depart Madam without assuring you Mr. Sol. Gen. Hold Sir Don't Read that yet Here shew this Paper to Captain Billop Which was done What say you Captain Billop Is that one of the Papers taken from Mr. Ashton Capt. Billop Yes This is one that I read and marked Mr. Sol. Gen. Then Read it Cl. of Peace Reads This is Directed for Mrs. Redding As 't is impossible for me to express that Extraordinary great satisfaction it gave me this time Twelve Month when I had the Honour to receive that Mark of your Favour and Goodness under your own hand So I have lived in some pain for an Opportunity to write you my humblest acknowledgments and truest Duty from which by the Grace of God I am no more capable of swerving than of renouncing my hopes of Heaven I say this in behalf of my Elder Brother and the rest of my nearest Relations as well as for my self You may intirely depend upon us not only for a constant adherence to so well chosen a Principle but for our utmost Activity to promote your Interest which are inseparable from our own I need come to no particulars by this Bearer who can and will tell you our whole heart and I wish you could see them how sincerely they are devoted to your Service God grant you a most happy New Year and many very many and very happy Our young Master hath all our best Wishes he daily gains more Friends and we get ground of his Adversaries New-Years-Eve Mr. Sol. Gen. Now read your other Paper of the 31. Dec. 1690. Cl. of Peace Reads December 31. 1690. I must not let this Bearer depart Madam without assuring you of my best respects I have written by him to a Friend of yours but depend upon you to give my Note credit Though my Creditors were no Friends to the Match which has been so long in treaty for your Relations have been very hard upon me this last Summer yet as soon as I could go safely abroad I persued the business and do beg you to believe that no Endeavours of mine shall be wanting to perfect the Settlement You once put me in hopes of seeing you before this Christmas Your Friends are sorry for the Disappointment Pray lose no more time than is of absolute necessity The Bearer will tell you all things may be now easily sittled if the right way be taken I long to hear how your young Daughter does she will find many Friends and I hope her Portion will be well secured God send you a happy New-Year and that I may be merry with you before it be far spent and I beseech you keep me in the good Opinion of your Friend I will always make good what I promised to you It is directed for Mrs. Charlton Juryman My Lord I desire to know what that is directed to Cl. of Peace 't is Directed to Mrs. Charlton Mr. Serj. Tremani Shew Capt. Billop those two Papers Which was done What say you to them Captain Capt. Billop My Mark is on the outside but there is nothing written in that I believe it is taken of from the Inner Paper Lord Preston Pray my Lord is this any proof I beseech you for Gods sake to have a Regard to a Mans Life Mr. Sol. Gen. Pray

that one Mrs. Pratt that had the management of the Smack which belonged to her Husband she by Burdett's means was brought to Burdett's House where met Mr. Ashton the Prisoner at the Bar and they had some Treaties about the hiring of a Ship the purpose declared by the Prisoner then was to hire a Ship to go to any part of France and he would give a considerable Reward for it he said it was for himself and Three more They did not come to any conclusion about hiring the Ship then but there was an Appointment made to have the Master of the Ship to meet with them at the Wonder Tavern in Ludgate-street and in order to that Paseley that is the Master and the Woman came there and met with Mr. Ashton but because Mr. Burdett was not there they came only to this proposal one Hundred and Fifty Pound was demanded for the Hire of this Vessel but there being no conclusion then made they thought it better to do it at Burdett's House and about a day after they came to Mr. Burdett's and then it hapned that Ellyot one of the Persons that is Indicted but not one before you came thither too and at that time it was agreed to give one Hundred Pound for the Hire of the Ship Ninety Three Guineys were deposited in Mrs Burdett's Hands and there was a Token past betwixt them by the breaking of a Sixpence one part whereof was to lye with Mr. Ashton and the other with Mrs. Burdett and whenever the Master of the Vessel brought back the broken piece of Sixpence that Mr. Ashton had then was she to pay the Money that being the sign that they had attained their Ends and were safely landed in France The next step they take is this They appoint to meet at the Seven Stars in Covent-Garden thither the Master of the Vessel and the Woman were to come and that was near the time that very day that they designed to go dow● and there was Mr. Ashton and Mr. Ellyot but the other Person did not appear as yet there the Sea-men were Ordered to go along with them and thence they went down to the Water side to Surrey Stairs and the Waterman was called and in the mean time came my Lord Preston and his Man to them and they four did go in that Boat by the Direction of the Master and were carryed on Board his Smack After they came on Board for I would note the particular Circumstances they were very apprehensive of Danger for they knew what they went about their own Guilt gave them Reason of Fear and when they came near a Man of War which lay at Anchor in Long-Reach in the River they desired the Master to hide them that they might be safe from any Search and they were hid and put close under the Hatches for some time afterwards when they came to another place of Danger it was by the Block-Houses at Graves-end as they apprehended there they desired to be hid again and so they were put in that place where they were in very difficult Circumstances under the Hatches and there they remained till a Pinnace that had been sent to enquire after them came and Boarded this same Vessel Upon its Boarding of them the Captain made a search and found these Gentlemen My Lord Preston Mr. Ashton and Mr. Ellyot and I suppose his Man also all hid under the Hatches Then the next thing which is observable Gentlemen and the Great Matter that will shew where the Treason was is this there was a Bundle of Papers that was on Board ready prepared if they had not been surprized but could have had an Opportunity for it to have been cast Over-Board and there was Lead fixt to it to have sunk it and Mr. Ashton the Prisoner at the Bar was the Person that concealed this Bundle of Papers betwixt his Body and his Coat and from thence it was taken by the Captain that took them When they were so taken the Captain according to his Duty was bringing the Prisoners to Whitehall they desired to go on Shore at Graves-End but the Captain did not think that so fit but carryed them on Board the George Frigot and then you will hear these Gentlemen did fall into a Treaty with the Captain to suppress these Papers and one Instance I remember they did tell him that since there were a parcel of Papers that he had taken out of my Lord Preston's Pocket he might take off the Lead and fix it to those Papers and sink the others and what should he have for it they promised him great Rewards they told him he might be a Great Man he had an Opportunity of making his Fortune and when that would not do they used many Threatnings to him all which will appear in the several Circumstances that the Witnesses will tell you of I come Gentlemen in the last place to shew you That all the whole Conspiracy all this Treason did lye hid under this Bundle of Papers that were taken from Mr. Ashton and so he might very well be afraid of having them opened for there you will find a formed Design to alter this Government by a French Power and Assistance and they contain so many Particulars that in regard I would not do the King's Evidence injury on the one hand nor the Prisoner on the other I will forbear repeating the Particular Instances Gentlemen You will have all the Letters and Papers Read but in the General I must needs say you will find it manifest that there is a black and wicked Conspiracy to introduce a Foreign Power to Establish the Protestant Religion and that by a Popish Interest and to settle our Laws Liberties and Properties by a French Army And let them pretend what they will for the Protestant Religion when you hear these Papers read no body will imagine it was to any other purpose if the Plot had taken Effect but to have what Religion what Laws the French King had pleased to impose upon us If the Prisoner be Guilty Gentlemen of these Matters I know you will do your Duty but if he be not Guilty God forbid that you should find him Guilty L. Ch. J. Holt. Call your Witnesses Brother Mr. Serj. Thompson We begin with Mrs. Pratt She was Sworn Sir W. Wil. Look you Mrs. Pratt here is now another Gentlemen at the Bar to be Tryed against whom you are called as a Witness Mrs. Pratt Yes my Lord. Sir W. Wil. Pray hear what we ask you Pray do you give the Court and the Jury an account what Treaty you have had with that Gentleman about a Vessel to go to France and what was done in it Mrs. Pratt If it please you my Lord I was sent for to Mr. Burdett's House in Queen-street by Cheap-side to know whether he could have a Smack to go for France I told him yes I could help him to one he told me there were two or three Gentlemen bound for France as Merchants to

with you Mr. Ashton I had not seen Mr. Ellyott of Three Months before I went into the City to hire the Boat L. C. J. Polexfen Why would you have my Lord Preston go with you Mr. Ashton Why would I have my Lord Preston go with me My Lord I hop'd to have got my Passage free with a Person of my Lord's Quality L. C. J. Holt Then you hired this Vessel for my Lord Preston Mr. Ashton No my Lord. L. C. J. Holt. Was it my Lord's Money or your own that you paid Mr. Ashton The Money I paid but how I should be repaid I cannot tell L. C. J. Holt Would you for your own Convenience pay a Hundred Pounds for a Boat to go to France and yet hope to get your Passage free by taking in my Lord Preston Mr. Ashton Truly my Lord I cannot tell how it would have been at the utmost we could but have paid our share of it L. C. J. Holt But you can tell me if you will I ask you how it was agreed among you Mr. Ashton Truly my Lord as I hope to be saved I cannot tell L. C. J. Holt Then there is another thing why did you desire one of the Sea-men to say That you were to go to Flanders and not to France and give him Half a Crown to say so Mr. Ashton I presume your Lordship knows that it is a Fault though it be not a Treasonable Fault to go into France L. C. J. Polexfen But Mr. Ashton Truth is the thing that we are enquiring after and that is the thing we would have prevail and I hope shall in all Cases If you are not Guilty we hope it will prevail of your side if you are guilty we hope it will prevail on the other side Now how likely is it that you should get into this same Company by chance without a Previous Agreement you sent something from Burdet's a Hamper and a Trunk and afterwards some other things went from Rigby's who is your Father-in-Law Mr. Ashton No There was nothing at all carried from Mr. Rigby's L. C. J. Holt Yes the Leather Bag I believe but another thing is this That if it be possible you will do well to give an answer to why did you enquire for a hiding Place Why did you ask the Master of the Ship whether there was a convenient Place to hide in Mr. Ashton As to that Matter my Lord I had heard of diverse People that actually had Passes and were going to Flanders yet were stopp'd and brought to Town again I believe my Lord Nottingham has bail'd many a One and your Lordship knows it to be so and has bailed many your self and therefore I had great reason upon that account to endeavour secrecy as much as I could L. C. J. Polexfen Mr. Ashton as I remember you said your self you were once before a going over and had the Misfortune to be stopt now to venture the Second time without a Pass was something strange why had you not gone and applied your self to the Secretary for a Pass Mr. Ashton I had made all the Application I could to my Lord Nottingham I cannot say in my own Name because I was sure before hand I should be denied but I did by other hands endeavour to have got a Pass to have gone into Flanders because it was of extraordinary consequence to me as I tell your Lordship to go quickly L. C. J. Holt. If you had such an occasion to go and had made it out to the Secretary and given Security you might have got it sure L. C. J. Pollexfen One word further Why should you be so much concerned to have these Papers thrown Over-board Mr. Ashton Perfectly out of Friendship and had I been Travelling with your Lordship or any Man else that had been so unfortunate I would have done the same L. C. J. Pollexfen Well Have you any more to say for your self Mr. S. Tremain Mr. Ashton call what Witnesses you will and speak as long as you will for your self you shall be heard at large Mr. Ashton Mr. Serjeant I thank you heartily I have no more to say at present L. C. J. Holt. Then the King's Council desire to speak a Word to the Jury Mr. S. Thompson May it please your Lordship and you Gentlemen of the Jury It falls out to be my Duty to Sum up the Evidence that has been given I opened the Cause at the beginning to you and I opened it at large and many Particulars there were mentioned and truly I do not think we have failed in the Proof of any one I know you are Men of that Observation that I need not nor shall take upon me to repeat all the Particular Circumstances but as near as I can I shall touch upon the Heads of the Evidence and do it with as equal regard to my Duty and as much tenderness to the Prisoner as any one can do Gentlemen In the First place you see what the Indictment is for 't is for a High-Treason of a very Great Nature no less then the Deposing the King and Queen and Subverting this Government and that by a French Power and Interest If Inviting an Invasion and giving an Account of the Weakness and where the Strength of the Government lay carrying Papers to Sollicite the French to come and to incite this Nation into Rebellion that so they might depose this King and set up the late King James again If these be High-Treason as doubtless they are then Gentlemen how far forth the Prisoner at the Bar had a share in it I must refer to you from what we have proved He is the Man it seems that made the first step for you may remember it was proved that he met this Woman at Burdet's in the City for the hiring of this Ship and after Two or Three Meetings more they come to a Conclusion and 93 Guinies and Six Pence are deposited to make up a 100 l. which was the Price agreed upon and that was actually paid by Mr. Ashton this is Sworn to be so The next thing is to what purpose this Money was paid and the Ship hired that is directly Sworn it was to carry Mr. Ashton and Two or Three more of his Friends not naming of them and they were to go to France one of the Witnesses says to any Port in France it was not directly declared to what Part. This I say was the purpose for which the Money was paid and the Vessel hired and this was to carry you Mr. Ashton and Two or Three more Friends of his into France It is true Mr. Ellyott afterwards did meet Mr. Ashton and I think was by at the Bargain making or at leastwise when the Money is paid I will not be positive in that because I would do him no wrong he being to make his Defence hereafter Mr. Ashton No he was not by I made the Bargain my self Mr. S. Thompson Then afterwards I remember one Circumstance when he hired

opening to my Lord President My Lord President says he lockt them up unopened in a close Cabinet in his Closet-room where no body comes there they were that Night and the next Day he carried them intire to the King and some of them were read by the King in the Presence of my Lord President and they were all taken away again by his Lordship no more nor no less and my Lord President brought them all to the Cabinet-Council where they were read and were delivered to my Lord Sidney My Lord Sydney swears these Papers now produced are the same Papers he had from my Lord President and my Lord President swears that they are the same he received by Billop from my Lord Nottingham and my Lord Sydney markt them So that there can remain no doubt of these being the same Papers that were contained in the Pacquet that was taken out of the Bosom of Mr. Ashton Then as to the Matter of the Papers I think it is plain beyond all contradiction that the Import of them is Treasonable They shew a Design of invading the Kingdom by a Foreign Force and of Deposing the King and Queen from the Government and of setting the late King upon the Throne It is agreed as it is mentioned at a Conference between several Noblemen and Gentlemen that were of the Whigg and Tory Party as they call them that the late King was to be restored though by a French Power It was impossible for them to effect it by going plainly to work and saying in plain Words the French should invade us It was to be done in this manner The French King must pretend by all means to be our Friend and a Mediator betwixt the late King and the People of England and this was out of design plainly to get a Party of the Kingdom to joyn with them the most credulous and inconsiderate sort of People who when they should be seduced into a Belief of the French King 's great Kindness It was not doubted but there would be a Conjunction between them and the French Forces to restore the late King And to procure such a Perswasion in the People the French King was to shew himself kind to the English Protestants to appear and act another part than he had formerly done he was to permit them the Exercise of the Protestant Religion thereby to perswade many that his Persecution of his own Subjects the Hugonots was not out of any Aversion to the Protestant Religion but only to their Antimonarchical and Resisting Principles Then an Inconvenience is to be removed for they complain that they are too full of Bigottry at St. Germains and too bare-faced For they make an open Profession of Popery and speak truly what they do intend but say they if they will have the Design take effect they must be more Close and Secret For the Folly and Bigottry at St. Germains was a very great Obstruction Therefore they proposed that some Persons might be substituted as Agents to Correspond here that understood the Temper of the Nation and what would easiliest prevail with the People And a Model was to be framed at St. Germains the Protestants are to be seemingly caressed Seven or Nine to be of the late King's Councel that so we might believe that he was ours in Interest again and that we have a Relation to him And if things were carried with such cunning and subtilty they hoped to delude a great many People over into the Interest of the late King but if they went bare-faced it would cause such great Jealousies that they must totally despair of Success Yet they did not hope by these Artifices to obtain so many Friends here as might have been sufficient to accomplish their Design but they must have recourse to a forreign Force particularly a French Force For says one of the Papers Vse Foreigners to expel Foreigners that is Use French Foreigners to expel Dutch Foreigners who are our Allyes and are falsly accused by them to have trampled upon the Rights and Liberties of the Nation There is one Argument used to encourage People to assist the French in the Invasion of their own Country which I cannot omit namely That as soon as the French with a considerable Expence of Men and Mony had restored the Protestant Religion the late King to the Crown and the People to their Liberties then he would withdraw all his Forces and reap no Profit or Advantage by his Success I must confess this carries so little of Persuasion in it that it is ridiculous to think thereby to impose upon any number of Men. But notwithstanding the weakness of their Arguments it is apparent they were in good earnest the Papers give an account to the French in what state and condition our Forts were Portsmouth not man'd with above 500. and Gosport how weakly fortifyed It was a happy juncture between this and the first of March when Advice is given to make use of the Opportunity For Men cannot give but Men may use Opportunities and something was to be done forthwith and the Goods must be got in readiness particularly the Linnen and the Copper are mentioned which are mysterious and dark Expressions and you may put a Construction upon them as well as I for they are written in a style of Trade as if there were a Correspondence between two Tradesmen and the Linnen and the Copper are ordered to be brought before the 10th of March But however obscure some of these Expressions are there are others that are more plain That the French Fleet must be out in April at farthest and are to come before the Conjunction between the English and the Dutch and Jennings Strickland or Trevannian are to come from St. Mallo's in one Night and to fight the English Fleet in the Chops of the Channel and not to come so high as Beathy where they came the last Year And there is an account given in what condition and state our Navy was how many Ships what Rates how Man'd and who the Officers and then as the French were to be in readiness to come in April so they say our Fleet was not to be out till June Gentlemen There are a great many other Particulars but these are enough nay half of them were enough to make any Man guilty of Treason that was concerned in them or that had a hand in carrying or making use of them Besides there are other Letters which can import nothing but the Writer was of the late King's Interest one directed to Mr. Redding the other to Mrs. Redding and these were to go to France to let them know how zealous he was in his Duty and how the interest of the young Master increased The Letters have these Expressions That though the Family were decreased yet our Interest is increased which is yours and I speak in the Plural Number because I speak the Sentiments of my elder Brother and the rest of our Relations and desire them to