if the worst happened he might with the more facility give an account thereof as well in order to his Masters satisfaction as in its due time to the accusing of such who were the authors of so great a neglect to his greatness in favour of his mortal enemy He therefore left those Gentlemen at the house where Scot lay and went himself to speak with the Aman to dispossess him if possible of that Goblin that as he thought frighted him from owning a good work encountring with him upon the way to his house the Aman after a civil salute readily throwing down the Boot of his Coach and inviting Capt. Comb in asked him whether he had the Letter he sent him He answered him Yes and am very sorry to see you repenting of a good action The Aman answered Sir you are abused the Protection that this man hath here could never ansvver the notorious guilt of such horrid crimes as you mark him with for I cannot believe that so great a Statesman so eminent a person so pious a Christian as he from whom I have my discharge is universally judged to be should ever be brought so much to derogate from himself as in his bosom to shrowd a man who had himself so far extmguisht the Laws of Charity that for him to hope any protection from a man of honor seemed a new crime And therefore Sir added he as it is an over-sight in you it would be a notable fault in me to believe it and you cannot do better then in consideration of the fright and disgrace you have brought the Gentleman to who by the Protection he hath appears to be an innocent man to repair what hath rashly been done to his prejudice by some civil acknowledgement which is no more said he then I believe your own inclination will advise you to To this was opposed the circumstance of this mans leaving England in this conjuncture of time his close lurking in Bruxels with his hants onely to such as maugre their shews of piety and splendid greatness were for many years not without sufficient ground highly susspected of the greatest disservice to the King of England but above all the honor and integrity of Sir William Persal who said Capt. Comb if you will please to make a visit to any English in town you will find not to be a man falsely to brand an innocent neighbor with such scandalous and dangerous imputations The Aman coldly replyed That having already his discharge from one whose greatness was too formidable to suffer him to contest with he was not minded to take any further trouble upon himself nor to put any more upon him Capt. Comb then seeing him balk in good earnest entreated him that for the prevention of such disorders that he had hinted to him at his first visit as well as for his own honor he would be pleased to suffer the Guards to continue till himself went to Trerence where the Marquess of Caracena who was Governor of those Provinces and to whose Authority the state of the business did more immediately appertain was at that time by reason of the death of one of his children retired which the Aman most willingly consented to telling him That he was very glad he had thought upon it and that he would in this stretch his Authority to its utmost bounds and to shew how much he was a servant to the King of Great Britany do in that more then he was wel able to justifie Thanks being duely returned Capt. Comb after he had taken order for securing him afresh hastened to the Marquess of Caracena where he found White walking in the Court-Hall with some Irish Gentlemen expecting the time of audience White seeming somewhat surprized at his arrival thither began to court him to a conference but he openly in presence of Sergeant Major Geraldin and two more Irish Gentlemen told him that being now upon a business so important to his Majesties service he should have care enough not to blemish himself by entertaining any proposals from one whom the King had already an ill mark upon he told him further that he might upon his Masters score to which effect he well knew he was sent thither pursue the Liberty of the most abominable Traytor but that he should have a care not to do it with any dis-respect to himself who came thither for his Maj. vindication that therefore he was notwithstanding his Masters great credit and his own silken ship to suffer him in time of audience to speak both before and after him or to indure the worst affront that possibly he could invent to cast upon him in the face of the Court White answered That he would in no wise interrupt him in it but that he might do well not to be so far transported The time being come Capt. Comb prest for audience in the first place and having performed his respects to the Marquess he told him that he came to petition his Excellency in the behalf of all the King of Englands Subjects in those parts in a matter which he doubted not would by himself be judged well beseeming their Allegiance a fit subject for his favor But when he had made a short Narrative of the business the Marquess seemed so astonisht that he was seen by way of admiration to cross himself two or three times crying out Is it possible Such a man at Bruxels Yes Sir answered Capt. Comb and more he hath your Excellency's Pass Whereat the Marquess hastily stepping back asked How so It is Sir said he upon a false Name procured for him by a mighty man within your Excellencies Jurisdiction who hath since which seizing him at Bruxels endeavored his Release might and main now hath sent to protect him with your Excellency Who said the Marquess should protect such a man There Sir said he is his Instrument pointing to White that doth it It is Don Allonso de Cardenas But I have reason to hope less hard measure from your Excellency then to be discountenanced in my endeavours to nearly relating to my Masters service This Traytors Liberty is said he repugnant to the spirits of all such that wish his Majesty well that had I not applyed much industry which I did rather for fear of displeasing your Excellency then for any safety I intended him his case had since Don Allonso's opposing his Arrest been already concluded but I am most glad that I have found time to expect his sentence from your Excellency which I doubt not if favourable to his Majesty his Fortune being not answerable to his inclination will be bountifully repaid humbly beseeching him to take it into his serious consideration The Marquess answered That for his part he never intended either Pass on Protection to such a man that if he had by surprize obtained one in another mans Name he should be very much obliged to the English in those parts that every one of them would have the same sence of
Scot remained silent What course said Capt. Comb did those Villains omit better suiting to have wrought despair in his late Majesty then what they took in case his Royal soul had not been fortified with Divine Grace Surely added he their malice aimed at his eternal as well as his temporal destruction whereunto he received no answer But now urged he further upon this turn of the Kings Fortune Do any of those insulting Wretches falling into his Friends hands deserve any favor Whereat Scot began to look untowardly but replyed not till having itterated the same three times he peremptorily asked him the 3 d. time What his sence was of them And then Scot answered Truly they deserve none Truly then replied Capt. Comb your self must expect no Here Scot judgeth himself greater a measure for you are accused by a man of Honour within this City to be one who hath been as prodigal of that detestable malice that wrought the ruin of his Royal Person and the whole Kingdome as any in England I have here said he an Order to seize you and there is a Guard in the street but because my Opinion of the man of this House induces me to believe that had he known you he would never have suffered your breath within his doors for fear of a contagion I contented my self to come in onely accompanied by this sole Gentleman but you are my Prisoner sit stil and make no disturbance Scot so soon as he could recal his Reason which was leaving him to shift for himself asked who he was there taken for and was answered For oue Scot of the number of those imparaleld Rebels who qualified themselves with the title of being Judges to their natural Prince Oh Sir answered he upon my word you are abused upon my word you are my Name is not so neither do I know the man And being asked his Name he said his Name was Allison his Countrey was Essex born he was at a place called Durmow and his Profession a Merchant and that by reason of shipwracks and some other crosses that he had sustained he was now become so far short of his wont that he was constrained to keep himself close which he judged the onely thing that had there brought him into suspition but he thankt God he came not into those parts without a Pass which he was ready to produce The passe being demanded was produced accordingly and indeed was signed by the Marquess of Caracena Capt. Gen. of those Countreys for Allison a Merchant freely to have egress and regress in and out of the Ports and Cities of that Jurisdiction without any let or disturbance but he was like to fal into a second trance For the space of six Months when Mr. Comb told him that his Pass being surrepted upon a false Name from the King of Spain's Ministers would onely by the forfeitures he had incurred in the surreption of it be useful to furnish him with a Gallows there if he failed of one in England but howsoever he strugled out this Answer Well Sir proceed legally and I fear not to clear my self To which was returned I shall indeed I will not do by you as you did by your Master Sir William Persal is the man who justifies you to be Scot and will presently be here with you face to face During this debate Scot having his Quarter in the Jews Street as near to Don Allonso as the conveniency of his Scot lodged in the Iews street near to Don Allonso a sine Embâ—cdeâ— â— close visits to him did require Capt. Comb is of opinion that his man perceiving his Masters restraint ran over to give information to the said Don Allonso thereof for immediately came the foresaid White from him in vindication of Scot deeply protesting him not to be the man But when he saw that no perswasion was of use and that nothing but the hand of Authority would ever be able to remove what was so well founded he betook himself to entreaties that he That upon his Masters and his parole for his forth-coming might not be stirred from his lodging Whereunto Captain Comb well knowing the Embassador's power there answered That since his Excellency thought the Prisoner worthy his consideration he would that night leave him in his lodging but that he hoped he would be no wayes offended with him if he took care of his security And thereupon leaving the Centinels with such instructions as were fitting the man of the House likewise engaging that the Prisoner should not stir he went in search of Sir William Persal whose task was a very hard one indeed to perswade a Traytor to know himself at his coming thither though his Discourse was constant and consonant to what he first deposed remembring Scot of Particulars as his committing him at such a time from such a place after he had examined him upon such and such points Scot would in no wise be Scot but still a broken Merchant whose onely crime was mis-fortune and therefore Combs troubled himself with nothing more that night then to take care of what he had promised the Embassador and not exasperate him by seeming over-hot in the prosecuting what was so little pleasing to him but on the morrow early in the morning he coming accompanied by some Officers of his Maiesties Regiment of Guard now resolved to send Scot to a place where less care and trouble might be responsible for him he found this following Letter written by the Mediation of the Embassador from the Aman of Bruxels unto him in revocation of the permission and order he had already granted him To Capt. Combs belonging to the Regiment of his Majesty of Great Britany Bruxels this 8th of June 1660. SIR I Understand that the man which you desire to stop in this Town came into those parts with a Passe from his Excellency so that he is not arrestable I am likewise credibly informed that the said person is not he whom you take him to be wherein you have been abused Hereupon I find my self obliged to revogue the Permission I gave you to seize him in this Town for the Reasons you were pleased to declare unto me which I do hereby revogue together with the Order I gave you for the Masters of the Urunt and Steenport I pray be pleased to regulate your self accordingly otherwise you will offend his Excellency and incur his indignation Kissing your hands I remain Sir your humble servant George de Brimen Hereupon the Traytors heart began to bloom and thinking as indeed he had reason that Don Allonso's patronage the revocation of the Order for his arrest together with Whites activity was subject enough for him to receive some impression of comfort he began to feast himselfe at the surprize of his honest Enemy finding so powerful a support in an abominable friend Comb notwithstanding would not yet release him revolving with himself that by how much the more he strugled in the difficulty
A TRUE NARRATIVE IN A LETTER Written to Col. B. R. and Honorable Member OF PARLIAMENT OF THE APPREHENSION Of the Grand TRAYTOR Thomas Scot Wherein is shewn His Arrtifice and subtil Endeavours to shun his Apprehension and wherein he hath judged himself not worthy of any Mercy for that detestable Murder of His late Majesty of everblessed Memory Published by AUTHORITY LONDON Printed by Matthew Inman and are to be sold by James Magnes in Russel Street in Covent Garden 1660. To the ever honorable Col. B. R. an honourable Member of the House of Commons SIR THe Discourse we held at our last interview wherein by your words I discovered a sense of some honourable Member of the House of Commons seeming to mittigate the penalty due to the guilt of that impious Villain SCOT by his pretence of rendring himself to his Majesties Resident in Brabant according to the tenor of the Proclamation made to that effect hath obliged me to make diligent search after Capt. Comb whom I understood by several persons of Honour to have been the first man that apprehended him and who coming for England to inform his Majesty thereof received a most gracious reward and thanks for his service therein And the relation of the whole business which I here sent you I have both his Faith and Honour not to exceed in the least circumstance the truth of the passage thereof and the good qualities I find in him especially his marvellous zeal to his Majesties service so perfectly well answering the Character I had before received of him gave me confidence enough to believe that the publishing of this Relation to the view of all might somewhat conduce to the dis-abusing of that promptitude which in some persons might have raised a propension against the common cry for Justice in vindication of God's glory his Majesties Honour and the satisfaction of the whole Kingdom upon one of the bloodiest Monsters that nature hath produced in many ages Upon the fifth of Iune last past according to the calculation of those Countreys the said Scot was discovered by an honourable Knight called Sir William Persal walking in the Park at Bruxels to take the evening air and as it is to be believed that that Hell which he carryed within him as never wanting attendant to such notorious consciousness was always active to make him circumspect whom he met he no sooner perceived Sir Williams eye to be fixed upon him but to divert his acquaintance which could not but be troublesom he turned himself to gaze upon the Trees an action better suiting to confirm a man who by the inconveniences he had received in the knowledge he had of him in England knew him but too well then to distract the notice he had taken of him in an other Countrey where he had no power to harm him Sir William very skilfully accepted this feint but with a resolution to answer it with another which might wound Scot to the heart and therefore passing on his way without any stop or seeming surprize so soon as he perceived Scot to hasten towards the Park Gate he accosted a certain Dutch man and gave him a piece of money to dog that man pointing at him to his lodging with promise of as much more to come and inform him of it at his lodging This was readily undertaken and as effectually performed He having received this Light from the Dutch man imparted this his discovery to some Officers of his Majesties Regiment of Guards at that time and 〈◊〉 residing in Brabant who considering the difficulty that might arise in so important an undertaking thought meet to communicate it to Capt. Comb as a man by his long service in that Countrey in all likelyhood to be better versed in what Method was most fit to be taken for the carrying on of a design which promised something of difficulty to them themselves This was done accordingly and upon their consult with him their first resolution was with all possible skill that very night to endeavor to pry into his hants and the time of his arrival thither whereof they found means to be satisfied from the Maid of the House where he lodged but in such sort as she could not gather any the least sign of design against him His arrival unto that place was about six dayes before all the visits he made to Don Allonso de Cardenas the Spanish Ambassador who had so long resided here in England and all the Company he kept was one White a servant to the said Embassador and his sworn spye into all places especially into England having immediately before been employed by him to the backing of Lamberts traiterous design in his last attempt which to his eternal confusion and the general joy of all Christendom was so succesfully and timely crusht Scot was at that instant upon a visit to this preposterous Embassador and was seen by Capt. Comb and another Gentleman to come forth of his house at eleven of the Clock that night and to go into his own lodging accompanyed by the said White The business being thus far carryed on without any noise before the opening of the Gates next morning such order was taken by placing secret Centinels in every corner of the street that Scot was in a net without dreaming of his misfortune while Capt. Comb by reason of what they all might justly apprehend possibly to occur in an illegal proceeding made his Addresses to the * He bears the same Authority there as the Recorder doth in London Aman of Bruxels who being a Gentleman that upon all occasions had testified sufficiently his zeal unto his Majesty of England his service when he resided in those parts perswaded him hee might hope from him if no assistance yet so much connivance as might be necessary in that case to avoid any popular tumult the onely obstruction to be feared for the ruining of the design the whole matter being opened to the Aman he answered that he had always been and was still most ready and ambitions of any service wherein he might be thought worthy to employ his endeavours for the satisfaction of his Majesty of Great Britany but that he might be called to a sure account if he did him any to the prejudice of his Masters Authority by whose onely power he was to act and by whose rules and no others they were all to live that although from his heart he did abhor and would gladly see brought to condigne punishment all those that combined and more especially those that acted his late Majesty of Englands destruction Yet he knew not how this Fugitive who was accused to be one should become responsible in that Countrey for crimes he committed in another And upon Capt. Comb his answer that he desired him not at all to act therein but that his connivance onely was that he petitioned for which will be so grateful and so well received said he by the King my Master that in all occasions where
his acknowledgement might be expected you shall never sail to find a return He replied that that would yet prove more irregular for I had rather said he answer an error commited where my Authority was mistaken then the suffering of another which hath no pretence in my Jurisdiction and in my view to execute what immediately is contingent to my charge and that except there were command from the higher Powers which neither was likely there being no Embassador of the King of England's as yet to move the Court in such a business with that credit and skill that might well be thought suiting to the expedition requisite thereunto He knew no way of proceeding but what was too hazardous either to undertake or to connive at and therefore seemed very much troubled by being necessitated to the denial he gave him Capt. Comb after a little pause with much earnestness represented that he could never likely expect a more just occasion to testifie his desire of gratifying the King of Great Britain then that which so highly concerned his Honour that when there were difficulties which himself was likewise sensible of that his endeavours in that act would bear proportion unto them by the sence his Majesty would entertain of the service done and that he referred the conduct thereof unto his prudence which he doubted not if well apply'd would be able to dissipate whatsoever-impediments seemed most obvious adding That he conceived little danger in securing this Monster for a time who at worst might he releast if Higher Powers should interpose in his favor But when he received his final Answer that the first motion in such a case must be from those Higher Powers and that himself as an inferior Magistrate durst not attempt to restrain any man suspected of falseness to a forreign Prince to the Prejudice of those with more vehemency then before he resolutely told him That himself was the last to be valued of many Gentlemen now present in town who were resolved rather to run the hazard of racks and Gibbets then to suffer the Murderer of their Prince to be un-interrupted in a Countrey where they had any being and that the same sence which bore the English Nation with the hazard of their Lives and Fortunes to dis-involve themselvs from the fetres which held their King and Countrey in slavery would furnish them with such Resolutions against this Traytor that perhaps might lay an unhappy ground of a fatal mis-understanding which God forbid between the two Crowns there wanting not spirits on both sides too prone to such distempers as might endanger the happiness to be hoped for in their mutual friendship and therefore since nothing said he is of consideration in your Office but the service of the King of Spain your Master for the prevention of such inconveniences which might possibly turn to his disservice give me onely under your hand a permission to seize him and secure him in some of the Town-Prisons till further Order and I engage my self unto you there shall be no outrage offered him The Aman revolving in his thoughts that what was inferred bore shew enough not to be thought impossible and making a short reflection upon what happened at the Hague in Holland and at Madrid in Spain upon the persons sent thither by that treacherous Conventicle their Master to avoid what inconveniency might arise there by the like forces disorder consented to give him this ensuing License the Original whereof I have yet in my hands and which my self translated out of the French word for word The Copy of the Order for the seizing of SCOT I Under-written give leave unto Capt. Comb belonging to the Regiment of his Majesty of Great Britany to apprehend for some Reasons he hath declared unto me a certain English man in this Town and to send him to what prison he shall think meet commanding the Masters of the Urunt and Steenport to receive the said English man into their prison respectively when by the said Capt. Comb they shall be required so to do Dated at Bruxels this sixth of June 1660. Signed George de Brimeen Amen de Bryard Capt. Comb being well satisfied with the permission he had thus wrested from the Aman hasted to his friends but upon his communicating unto them the fruits of his negotiation he found some of them a little distracted in their resolutions having been by some there perswaded and were already bent to proceed after another manner telling Cap. Comb it was but just to defer the apprehension of this man til they knew his Majesties pleasure which they were already considering hovv to procure he knovving them all to be such who were as jealous of his Majesties Honor as any men living was not a little amaz'd at this their change but remembring that this Imp of Hell might as well learn Witchcraft as Rebellion from his infernal Master he onely told them that he was now more concern'd then any and that having remov'd the main obstacle he now was not to fear lesser ones therefore leaving them all a little abruptly he invited one Major Shaw a very ancient man and no less zealous towards his Majesties service to accompany him and so upon pretence of speaking with a Gentleman who lodged in the same house where Scot did leaving two Souldiers in the street he entered with the said Sergeant Major and found Scot at dinner The Gentleman to whom he excused his boldness upon so slender an acquaintance after he had caused them both to fit told him he was to take notice of that Gentleman which was Scot a Countrey-man said he of yours whereupon being right over against him at the Table he gave him him a Salute telling him he was glad to see any of his Countrey Scot seemed little taken with the Discovery and answered little or nothing But the Captain who had more business with him then he was yet sensible of was willing to hear him speak a little plainer and that he might began to congratulate this our happy late deliverance which would said he make us all friends now whereas for these 19 years past we have all groaned under such intestine quarrels as have raised defiances betwixt the nearest relations Scot coldly answered It is so He asked him Whether there was any Immediatly upon 〈◊〉 defeat preparation for his Majesties reception before his coming over To which Scot answered That he had been * twenty dayes out of England but that there was speech before his departure of preparing White-Hall St. James and Hampton-Court Captain Comb answered that those indeed were very famous Houses but that they had been prophaned by most vile actions and such that were it his case as it was the Kings he knew not whether he should ever delight to live in them because said he in the one they kept his Royal Father Prisoner and before the Gate of the other to the astonishment and horror of the whole world so barbarously butchered him To which
it as himself assured him that he would take such course therein that his Majestey of Great Britain should have a good account thereof and that he would immediately think of it Mr. Comb according to his first intention to speak last was well contented to break off here as well knowing that White must have audience having bin sent from the Embassador out of consideration to whom the Marquess might chance to totter into some remissness which the more opposed would in all likelyhood prove the less valued to give way to others withdrew himself a little The Prince of Barbanson the Earl of Walfeuse and Monsieur de Bascourt having imperfectly taken notice of his pretence with the Marquess invited him so soon as he was withdrawn to give them a more perfect relation of it he was very willing to satisfie their curiosity and not doubting that the more it was noised in the Court the more detestable it * Compliance with the Rebels would by detecting Don Allonsoes make him in the eye of all was well pleased to give them this satisfaction which done he protested it would have drawn tears from any honest English mans eyes to consider in the earnestness of this Prince and these Lords what influence his Majesties Royal beams had wrought upon the hearts of strangers abroad whilst our frantick Sectaries depriv'd us of that felicity at home having expended his just pursuance of what they all concluded to be so important to the King of England they offered him all the assistance that in them lay and notwithstanding that Don Allonso's Greatnes was considerable enough to such as were less then himself to be sparing of too much freedom in delivering their sence against him yet the strength of his Majestie 's interest did so oversway that retentiveness which humane policy might have furnish't less noble souls with that they frankly enveigh'd against the vileness of his proceeding therein White after he had delivered his letters from the Embassador and seconded them with all possible importunity in the behalf of Scot retir'd with as little satisfactionas in the judgement of those who stood at a distance Spanish shougs frowns could afford him Cap Comb giving way to tvvo or three more to take their audience of purpose to give his Excellency time to cool approached once more telling him that he doubted not but he vvould think this obligation a very vvorthy one to be added to the number of those his Master had already to his Catholique Majesty to his Excellency and the State of that Countrey and therefore having already the honor of a favorable audience he came now to kiss his hands receive the confirmation of his favor the Marquess ansvver'd that he vvas sorry that in a matter of that nature vvhich himself vvas sensible vvas of consideration to the King of Great Britain it did not so directly depend upon him as he thought both himself others would judge the whole affairs of England being by the Counsel referr'd to Don Allonso Mr. Comb reply'd We are all the more unfortunate his Majesty the more dis-obliged Is there any one said the Marquess hath an ill sence of Don Allonso To which was returnd I have not most Excellent Lord what sence the Court of Spain hath of him neither am I of sufficiency to be his accuser but from any that relate to his Majesty of England I never heard any words but what savoured of the greatest distast it he most notorious disservice to their Master could animate them with all against him therefore your Excellency under correction cannot employ your Authority more nobly said he then by interposing it for the rectification of other Ministers errors to prevent a mis-understanding which might unhappily produce inconveniences There is said the Marquess but one thing to be done of two either to deliver him into the King's hand or to banish him the countrey the first I know not vvhether vvithout my ovvn Masters command I may dare to do to vvhich Cap. Combs a little hastily ansvver'd Oh Sir be onely pleased to have him penned till the King be inform'd thereof and I dare engage that his Majesty will never expect his delivery upon any terms that may bring prejudice to you Whereupon the Marq. laying his hand upon his assur'd him he vvould do vvhat lay in him and that he vvould that night send about it This being all he vvas able to obtain he hastned back to Bruxells where having reported the Marquesse's promise to the Aman he conjured him to suffer the guards yet four and twenty hours assuring him that in that time there would be some order issued out the Aman embracing him in his arms most curteously answered Sir you would pity the clamors that I have endured since upon the retarding of this mans liberty you went to Trereure but to shew you how I value his Majestie of great Britains satisfaction above my own repose I assure you that for twice 24 hours they shall not be disturbed but then when it appears that I have done more then I well could you will pardon me if I excuse my self from attempting my absolute ruine M. Combe with very many thanks acknowledging the assistance he really had found from him took his leave This is all he is able upon oath to averre it being unknown to him whether the Marquesse perform'd his promise or not or if he did whether Don Alonso smothered it so as the Aman could have no news thereof However the Aman punctually perform'd his insomuch as for 2 days and 2 nights longer Scot to his no little astonishment still remained under custody but the third night at or about eleven of the clock the guards were removed and he guarded as it was certified to Captain Combe by one of the town Officers at that time of the night out of the gates towards the principallity of Liege this last is onely his presumption drawn from the report of another but whether he were only removed to another lodging or upon an escape to another Country by the help of the convoy given him by Don Alonso imports not much since nothing is more certain then that in all this time Scot had never either spoken to or so much as seen Sir Harry Deuick his Majesties Agent there and it is in no wise to be thought that such a clamor of running riding negotiating and threatning was necessary to be imploy'd for the liberty of a man who had a mind to render himself Captain Combe hereupon had no other course left unattempted but to publish in every place as well in Don Alonso's house as else where his intention to come and inform his Majesty of the outrage done him which to effect he with all speed prepared for his journy and ere he arrived at London Scot was delivered up to the said Sir Harry Deuich his Majesties Agent and so sent over therefore not tendred himself according to Proclamation Sir Your most humble servant C. H.