him I would then said he You shall neither want Money nor Friends from the City for the business is left in part to my management for the raising of Money for the encouragement of the Evidence that stand with us And upon the 4th of August Mr. Harrinton met me in Fetter-lane and delivered me this following Subpaena Mr. John Zeal YOu are by vertue of His Majesties Writ of Subpaena personally to appear before His Majesties Justices of Goal-delivery for the County of Oxford at the City of Oxford upon Wednesday the 17th day of August about 8 of the Clock in the Morning to testify the Truth between our Soveraign Lord the King and Stephen Colledge who is Indicted of certain High Treasons in the said County of Oxford Of this you are not to fail upon pain of 100 l. Dated the 22d of June 1681. On the part of Stephen Colledge by the Court. Sir COme to the Cross-Keyes-Tavern in Holbourn on Munday next by Eight of the Clock in the Morning According to which I appeared and found several persons Subpaena'd upon the same account and amongst the rest I met with Mr. Everad and Mr. Harrington to whom I declared that notwithstanding I appear'd I would not go in the Garb I was in at which they reply'd It would be much better for me to stay till I came back and then I should be furnished with all things saying That if I should go to Oxford in New Cloathes it would be thought by the Kings Party I had them upon the account of Subornation from the City Notwithstanding their perswasions I was fully resolved not to go without New Cloaths upon which Mr. Everard seeing my resolution so fix'd Bid me go to the Taylor and let him bring them with all expedition imaginable to the said Tavern which was done and Mr. Everard engaged to pay for them the same time I told Mr. Lewis I wanted Linnen upon which he went into another Room and presently came out again and told me He had got 30 s. of one Mr. Harris a Quaker the same Harris Lewis told me supplyed him with the 20 l. for bringing over Mrs. Fitz-Harys in to the City From thence we took Coach for Oxford where being come Mr. Everard came to me the night before the Tryal and desired me to Accuse all the Witnesses that appeared against Colledge of Subornation further saying That if we could clear him our business would be as good as accomplished against the Court Party and when a Parliament sits said he no doubt but all of us shall have good Rewards And that day at the Tryal I was examined in the Court to which I refer my self to Colledges Tryal and coming out of the Court in the Hall Doctor Oates and Hethrington came to me And ask'd me how it went I told them I thought it would go very hard with the Prisoner if no body confronted Mr. Turbervile's Evidence at which they ask'd Why I had not done it I replyed would you have me Accuse a Person who I know no ill of Yes said Doctor Oates where a mans Life is concern'd I reply'd if it be your principle it 's not mine Therefore you may do it when you are call'd in he told me so he would to some purpose without my advise and after we came to London I met Mr. Everard at Johns Coffee house in Bartholomew lane where he told me that Provision was making for Dyet and Lodging for those Witnesses that stood by the City further telling me that he would take particular care for my accommodation But said he you must be sure to accuse Justice Warcup of Subbornation of Perjury and the rest of the Witnesses that appeared on behalf of the King against the Earl of Shaftsbury and those of the City when they shall be Indicted which as he said would be the next Sessions And then you shall have Money to pay all your Debts I ask'd Mr. Everard who was at the Charge of the seven or eight Coaches full of Witnesses besides Horse-men that went to Oxford in behalf of Colledge He answered those that were at the charge would not see me want if I would accuse the Court-Party But about the time of Colledges Tryal Mr. Lewis's Brother Lodging with me Ms. Lewis came one morning about four a clock and called his Brother out upon which I mistrusted there was some new Intreigue on foot neither could I be satisfied till I knew something of it within a night or two after I came in late finding Lewis's Brother in Bed and in Drink being fast a sleep I trespassed so far as to search his Pockets where I found a Paper written by William Lewis's own hand as I do verily believe which was a Recantation of his Brother Daniel Lewis for his swearing against Sir William Scroggs which was to this effect as near as I can remember viz That the said Daniel Lewis never knew directly or indirectly of any Sum or Sums of Money that was ever carried from the Portugal Embassador to Sir William Scroggs or of any thing in that nature but that it was all false and fictitious and that his Brother and Colledge the Joynor forced him to swear the same before the Recorder they snatching the Paper out of his hands and would not let him see what he swore to The said Daniel Lewis hath several times Cursed his Brother both in Bed with me and elsewhere telling me his Brother had brought him out of a good Service to Swear and now will not allow him Money to spend declaring to me that he had a great mind to discover all that he knew against his Brother saying that Sir John Moreton whom his Brother Served had endeavoured to take away his Brothers life for Robbing him to a considerable value further adding that the said Sir John did Imprison his Brother and had him from London into the Countrey but could not prove it against him because he had Rob'd him so dexterously About a fortnight after I came from Oxford I went to Mr. Harrington's Chamber in Black-Fryers where he desired me to draw up an Information to this effect That Mr. Fitz-Gerald some months since would have perswaded me to endeavour to bring over Mr. Smith Mr. Dangerfield Mr. Dugdale Mr. Haynes c. from the City to the Court and by that saith he it will be all prov'd fictitious and a Court countenance I promised I would draw it up which accordingly I did and within a day or two I went to his Chamber and shew'd him the said Paper there being a Barber or some such like person in the Room he read it privately to himself once or twice over and smilling told me he lik'd it very well and said that it would do the business when a Parliament sat he desired me to be Sworn privately to the same And the Sessions following Mr. Harrington sent me a Note desiring me to appear at Hicks's-Hall against the Witnesses for the King who would all be
Indicted upon Subbornation of Perjury as he inform'd me accordingly I appeared and that day Mr. Baldron was taken by a Constable and carried into Court from thence committed to New-Prison Baldron desired me to go to the Earl of Shaftsbury and acquaint them how it was with him and desired them to procure him Bail for his Enlargement I accordingly at his request went where I found Mr. Everard Mr. Harrington and several others at Dinner in Mr. Stringers Chamber I acquainted them of the matter which struck them into a great dump notwithstanding they told me that Bail should be had immediately after Dinner so I took my leave and going down Stairs Mr. Harrington came after me and desired me not to declare to any person living where I had been or who I saw together and the next day according to appointment we all met at the Castle-Tavern without Newgate and being at Dinner News was brought us that Mr. Baldrone was carried before the King and Council and had discovered the Intregues in the City at which they were all at a stand so Mr. Everard desired us to go to the Old-Baily and swear to the Indictments which were drawn up against Justice Warcup and several of the Witnesses for the King which accordingly we did Sherift Bethel conducting us into Court where one Mr. Whitton Councellor Smiths Clerk preferred the Indictments desiring the Witnesses might be Sworn but the Court rejected it upon which the said Mr. Witton and one Mr. Sangar who belonged to the Earl of Shaftsbury desired us all to go out of the Court upon which we did and went to the Dog-Tavern within Sudgate where I ask'd Mr. Witton why he desired us to come away so suddenly he replyed he saw some of the Kings Messengers in Court and he fear'd that there might be Warrants against some of us further declaring that if we should desert them their business would be at a great loss desiring us that appeared for Witnesses to take other Sodgings that night for fear of being surprized so then Mr. Langar gave us Crowns a piece to lodge where we would and also gave us Notes to meet at the Queens-Arms Tavern in Newgate street the next morning which accordingly we did there the said Mr. Whitton desired me to accuse Justice Warcup of Subornation of Perjury so that a Bill might be preferred against him at the Old Baily but that was not effected that day Mr. Everard told me that evening that money would be very sppeedily produced for my supply therefore desired me not to be dismaid but have a little Patience and within a day or two after I met Sheriff Bethel coming out of the Amsterdam Coffee-house who ask'd me what News there was stirring I told him all that I knew was that all those that stood by the City were so much slighted that they had not wherewithal to subsist he reply'd that it should be otherwise very speedily saying that if I would print my Information given into the Lord Mayor and other Papers that I could produce I should not want Money Besides saith he it will be good service to the Cause now in hand I answered him Sir I know not who will stand by me he said We will all stand by you and I my self will assist you to the utmost of my Power and Ability telling me That he himself was in danger of being Sworn against He also desired me To Accuse the Lords of the Councel that I was examined before I ask'd him what I should Accuse them of he said Of suborning you to Swear against the Protestants I told him that I had cleared their Honours in my Information against Mr. Ivy he said that was no matter further saying That the Information lay in their own hands and that they would insert what was most to their own advantage if I would consent thereto he like wise said That there was no worse men in the Nation to the Protestants then most of His Majesties Privy-Councel further adding That they were very odious in the eyes of a Parliament and when one met they would find it so I told him that I had revealed my self to a Member of Parliament a week before the Earl of Shaftsbury was Committed to the Tower Sheriff Bethel desired of me to know who it was I told him that it was Justice Rich How said he you could not have reveal'd your self to a worse man I desired to know the reason he reply'd That he was a great enemy to all persons that opposed the Duke of York's Interest I told him I was very sorry for that he reply'd It was very true Therefore said he I must desire you and Mr. Lewis to appear against him at the next Election of Southwark and incense the People against him so that he may no more be chosen to serve in Parliament and I will stand by you upon all occasions About the same time I met with Mr. Dangerfield at the Amsterdam-Coffee-House who told me That it was now come to pass what he himself was put upon I desired to know what it was He told me That the King Himself offered him almost two years before what Money or Preferment he would desire if he would Swear to a Presbyterian Plot and stand by it I replyed is it not enough for you to Accuse the Duke but you must Accuse the King likewise at which he answered Damn me I have my Pardon and I will declare nothing but what a Parliament shall like for it is them that will stand by the Evidence and not the Court you may plainly see it And in Bartholomew-fair time one Mr. Shewen Mr. Lewis and my self went to the Castle-Tavern in Fleet-street where Shewen treated us and there declared That he had been a considerable time in private with a Secretary of State we asked upon what account he was there he said For nothing as he knew but that Sheriffe Bethel had often desired him to swear that a Secretary of State would have perswaded him to Swear against the Protestants in the City and about the same time one Mr. Lune told me That he was hired by Mr. Hoskins that belonged to the Earl of Shaftsbury to go down to Oxford to make provision for the Witnesses that appeared for the City And Mr. Lune hath also supply'd me with Money and several other such like practices were continually us'd in the City during my correspondency with them in so much that I was resolv'd not to conceal those evil practices any longer but discover them in the Right of the King And one day in my Chamber being then drawing up an Information of what I knew Mr. Lewis came in and desired to know what I was writing I told him nothing but the Intrigue of the City Why said he do you intend to discover them I told him yes if I liv'd he reply'd If you be so resolved that you will do it make an end of them and let me carry them to Collonel Rich I told
he found that Mrs. Celiers and Mrs. Holeby did not supply him with moneys as he expected he resolved to lay the contrivance of the said Paper wholly upon them which he did as appears in his Narrative and at that time I was much indispos'd and told one Sir Edward Butler a fellow Prisoner for Debt and then in my Chamber that Mr. Lewis was an ill man and endeavoured to Suborn me to swear false things and if I knew how to send for a Magistrate or two I would declare the truth of what I knew to which the said Sir Edward told me that he would set down the day of the month and what I had told him concerning Mr. Lewis and that he would justify the same upon Oath if ever required And Sir Edward Butler also desired me to write to some Justices of the Peace to come thither and take my Information which I did and soon after came one or two Justices but Mr. Lewis and Mr. Haytor being in consultation in Haytors Chamber and understanding what I had done they came down and told the said Justices it would not be a proper business for them to concern themselves in there being some Members of Parliament appointed to come and take my Examination and Mr. Lewis and Mr. Haytor desired me not to declare one word to the said Justices upon which they took their leaves and look'd upon it as an affront as I was inform'd and that night came other Justices and examined Mr. Lewis and Mr. Haytor who told me he was by This said Haytor was him that writ Mr. Lewis's Information and mine that we gave in to the last Parliament at Westminster and the next day came Justice Rich and Justice Reading and took my Information also upon Oath and after they were gone Mr. Lewis told me that now Mr. Zeale we may expect to be call'd before the House of Commons speedily This continued for several days insomuch that Mr. Lewis began to doubt whether there would be any notice taken of his Information or not And one Morning about three of the clock he wak'd me and said Zeale here is no notice taken of us you see but in every days Votes of Parliament there is Addresses made for Dangerfield and others for their Pardons and Allowances Therefore I must discover something that is greater or else we are like here to continue I ask'd how or what he would contrive let me alone for that said he you shall go in the Morning betimes to Mr. Haytors Chamber and tell him that I did discover to you strange things about three of the clock insomuch that I would not let you rest until I had revealed it But said he take no notice that I know of your going to Haytor but pretend you came unknown to me and then said he Haytor will certainly write to the Earl of Shaftsbury immediately after you have told him what I can discover Then I ask'd him again what it should be He replyed that one of the Lords in the Tower would have hired him to have kill'd the King I ask'd him what Lord it should be He replyed do not you tell Haytor his name but it shall be the Lord Arrundel of Warder for he is the remarkable'st man of them all he 's squint-ey'd and hath a Wart on his Nose and I have seen him several times at the Tennis-Court therefore he shall be the man that I pitch upon and I 'l warrant you this will fetch me up before either the House of Lords or Commons if Haytor should ask you why I had not discovered this before in my first Information tell him to sham him that I doubted my Pardon and that was the reason which will satisfy him well enough to believe it's true And in the Morning I did rise and go to Haytors Chamber and told him as aforesaid not taking the least notice to him that the said discovery was false and contrived by the said Mr. Lewis upon which the said Haytor replyed that he doubted the truth of it yet notwithstanding said he I will write to the Earl of Shaftsbury of it so it will be a good service to the Protestant Party the said Haytor did accordingly write to the Earl of Shaftsbury concerning the same and soon after there came an Order from the House of Lords for Mr. Lewis to be brought up which accordingly he was whereas he told me he swore the same and withal at the same time swore Damn him what was an Oath It was only laying a mans Hand on a Book and kissing it upon all which I have taken the blessed Sacrament according to the usage of the Church of England the fourth day of February last as will appear by my Certifitate that all this is false and Fictitious and contrived on purpose to get his enlargement Some time after he was called before the House of Commons where he delivered his Information in writing and the 19th of November I also delivered my Information in writing And within few days after he sold his Narrative to one Mr. Combs a Coffee-man in the City for 50 l. which money or part of which procured his Liberty I remaining still a Prisoner till near Christmas and upon the 5th of November there came a Letter to the Marshalseas directed to Mr. Loman the Keeper which is here incerted verbatim Sir THere is this day an Order of the House of Lords that Mr. Zeale attend the Attorney-General so he desires that he may attend him in the Morning at the House of Lords or in the Afternoon before three at his Chamber in Grays-Inn desiring you not to fail herein I am Grays-Inn the 25 of November You Servant Charles Clare In Obedience to which Order I did appear at the Attorney-General's Chamber where he was pleas'd to ask me whether I knew Mrs. Celier which I declared I did not he ask'd me if I thought I knew her if I saw her from any other Woman I told him I could not say it for the World and several other questions he was pleas'd to ask me relating to the said matter which I to the best of my knowledge truly answered He also ask'd if I ever were in Newgate I reply'd I was he desired me to give him an account for what I told him I was introduc'd by a Gentleman of my acquaintance into the company and acquaintance of Mr. Dangerfield who told me he was an Officer lately come from Flanders and being one day in the company of Mr. Dangerfield at Hackney where he exchang'd a false Guiney and for which he was apprehended and I with the said Gentleman was also apprehended with him for being in his company at that time and being all carried before a Magistrate all three were committed to Newgate where in few days it appeared that the said Dangerfield made it his general practice to utter false Coyn for several years before for which he had been several times Imprisoned and suffered the Law and during my
but such things I am now Treated and admired by all Companies that I come into Congratulating me with Thanks for my Service done to the Protestants I told him I was glad to hear that and that I my self wanted nothing by the Blessing of God and Mr. Loman's assistance and others belonging to the Prison who supply'd me with what I desired or Moneys could procure without Imbrewing my hands in Blood which I never had nor would do at which he went away in a Huff And about a Week or a Fortnight before Christmass 1680. Mr. John Cooms who bought Lewis's and several other such like Narratives came to the Marshalseas and Mr. Lewis with him where he the said Mr. Coombes engaged to Mr. Loman the Keeper for what I owed him upon which I had my Liberty After that time I took Lodging in the City where I became acquainted with several Citizens at Mr. Coombs's and the Amsterdam Coffee-Houses both of them I daily frequented and several Persons ask'd me whether I had any Allowance from the King according to the Address made by the House of Commons to His Majesty on my behalf I reply'd I had not received any they answered It was very hard measure further adding That if the King took no care of the Evidence they knew no reason to the contrary but that They might and thought themselves bound to do it for those who had preserved their Lives and Liberties from the Blood-thirsty Papists And this or to the like effect was their common Discourse in all publick places where I was amongst them for four or five Months together And about the Parliament at Oxford Mr. Lewis told me That he had occasioned another great Discovery I ask'd him what it related to he said I should know as soon as he had fully accomplished it also telling me He wanted but one Witness to effect it and then he could Print a Narrative that should far exceed his first which would be great satisfaction to the Parliament and what they had long expected to be discovered He also said That had he an Order for the same he would have it in Print with all Expedition further declaring to me That if he should Print it without an Order the Press being free any person may Reprint the same which would be a great loss to him And about a day or two after I met with one Mr. Edward Ivy in Moor-fields who ask'd me Where I had been all that time he had not seen me I reply'd It was not so long since I saw him Oh said he but you lie still and let Mr. Lewis find out all the great Discoveries I desired to know of him what new things were on foot now At which he told me That Mr. Lewis had brought his Brother in to Swear that he went with great sums of Money to Sir William Scroggs late Lord Chief Justice from the Portugal Embassador I said that was great Service indeed if it were true and sometime after there was a Common-Councel call'd in the City at which time some of the Evidence had prepared a Petition to be preferred to the said Common-Councel to make their Condition known to them of their great wants of Moneys or to that effect as Mr. Lewis told me I reply'd Do you think that they will supply us with Money Yes said he those that have signed the Petition will be supplyed I ask'd him why I was not one that sign'd it Because said he you have not made a large Discovery of the Popish Plot And the same day that the Common-Councel sat I had Moneys before any of them for Mr. Kidd at the Amsterdam Coffee-House in Bartholomew-lane the same day in Guild-hall did slide a Crown into my hand and also the same day in the said Hall I ask'd Colledge the Protestant-Joyner how he thought things would go He reply'd Very well he did not doubt further saying That he had made several of the Common-Councel of the Witnesses side in order to their Supply with Moneys further adding If that will not take we will find out some other way to Supply you But said he why do you not Swear positively that you know Mrs. Celier that she might be brought to a Tryal and then you shall not want Moneys All which he bid me consider of And I should find it would be for my good I promised him I would and so we parted Soon after I came acquainted with one Mr. Rowse belonging to Sir Thomas Player who told me That he had undertaken to raise Moneys for the Supply of the Evidence until a Parliament should be call'd And upon the Tuesday in Whitson-week 1681. I being in the Amsterdam Coffee-House Mr. Rowse came to me and desired me to go and Drink Glass of Wine with Mr. Kidd and himself and to the best of my knowledge there was a person or two with them who were altogether strangers to me we went to the Crown Tavern behind the Royal-Exchange where after a little time Mr. Rowse gave me a Guiney telling me withall That that was the first but should not be the last that I should have from him if he lived and did well And then they ask'd me many questions viz. Whether I had Printed any Narrative or not I reply'd I had not They ask'd me the reason why I told them it was for want of Money to get out the Copies of my Papers that then lay in the hands of Mr. John Coombs the Coffee-man in Bartholomew-lane at which Rowse and Mr. Kidd both reply'd You shall not want Moneys nor Friends to assist you in this Affair Mr. Rowse also told me That my best way would be to go to the Earl of Shaftsbury and desire his Lordships advice They also desired to know If I had Accused the Duke of York or not I told them I had though really I had not at which they reply'd It was pity that such a Discovery as mine should lie hid and not published for the satisfaction of all True Protestants Then Mr. Rowse pull'd out his Pocket-Book and declared that he had gotten above 30 eminent Citizens to Subscribe their Names to his said Book for the Supply of the Evidence and that some of them had subscribed to give 20 Guineys and some 30. He further declared He did not doubt but to have as many more Hands before the Saturday night following He again advising me to go to the Earl of Shaftsbury concerning getting my Papers out of the hands of Mr. Coombs and so for that time we parted And soon after I went to the said Earl's to know how I should get the Copy of my Informations out of his hands His Lordship sent me out word That I should go to Sir Thomas Player in his Honours Name who would direct me what to do in that matter Which accordingly I did and coming to Sir Thomas's House I sent him word up that I came from the Earl of Shaftsbury to him about earnest business upon which he immediately
by the Votes of that day There came up several persons and desired of me If I could not call to mind the Duke's coming to the Crown suddenly Which in my apprehension was putting men in mind what they would have them to Swear But I do declare that I never spoke one word to his Royal Highness in my life notwithstanding I have been put upon so often to Accuse him And before the last Dutch-War I was preferred to Sir George Downing as one of his Pages who then went Ambassador to Holland for which I had his Certificate which is as followeth viz. March the 3d. 1672 3 THese are to Certify whom it may concern that Mr. John Zeale served me Faithfully as a Page during my late Embassage in Holland George Downing The Testimonies of several Credible Persons in the Confirmation of many Remarkable Occurrences mentioned in this Narrative The Confirmation of Mr. William Banks MR. Zeale came one day to my House and told me That there were some person or persons that were Tampering with him to give Evidence against Sir Francis Radcliffe of High Treason and that he was to have a sum of Money for the same Besides he desired me To inform Sir Francis of the same which I did This is the whole Truth and nothing but Truth as witness my Hand and that it was about the time Sir Francis was last in Town William Banks The Confirmation of Mr. John Smith AT the Request of Mr. John Zeale I do herein declare that the said Zeale about two years agoe told me That one William Lewis who was a Prisoner in the Marshalsea and at Newgate Pillored and Burned in the Hand for his Generous Exploits was the worst of men to his knowledge which he in time would convince the World of his Wicked and Treacherous Practices adding That he verily believ'd the said Lewis exceeded all mankind in Villany and wicked Contrivances against the King's Interest The said Zeale also told me in the presence of Justice Warcup Mr. John Macknamarra and Mr. Stephen Dugdale That the said William Lewis when he was a Prisoner in the Marshalsea taking upon him the Title of Lord Chancellor there contrived and framed a most horrid Design against the Lord Arundel of Warder viz. How the said Lord would Suborn him to Swear many things against the Kings Interest and also Engage him to Murder the King for which he was to have 1500 l. from the said Lord Arundel The said Zeale also told me How the aforesaid Lewis prevailed with his Brother who was a Footman to the Portugal Embassador to Swear against the Lord Chief Justice Screggs that he received several Thousands of Guineys from the aforesaid Ambassador to save Sir George Wakeman's Life and that to his knowledge the said Lewis had a Pension from the City for giving them Intelligence of what he could learn at Court though at the same time he pretended to Inform the Court of what passed in the City All this Mr. Zeale told me in presence of many John Smith The Confirmation of Mr. Robert Elmes I Robert Elmes doth declare That upon the third day of February last past being at the Bufflers-head-Tavern near the Gate-house Westminster John Hankyson one of the Turn-Keys of the said Prison brought one Mr. Lewis to me who desired me To go and Arrest a person who was then at the St. Johns-head-Tavern commonly called Heaven in the Old-Pallace-yard I demanded of the said Lewis if he had any Writ or Warrant against him whether it was his own Debt or not he answered No telling me Any piece of Paper will afright him and if I would undertake it he would give me a good Gratuity The said Turn-key also perswaded me to undertake it telling me That he was a Friend of his and would not put any thing upon me but what he would bear him out in or to that effect I ask'd the Persons Name whom they would have Arrested they told me One Mr. John Zeale a person who I never saw in my life to my knowledge till that time I told them I would not undertake it assuring them that I never did any thing in that nature without a Lawful Warrant neither would I then begin And finding nothing would prevail upon me they departed I perceived it was a piece of Malice and Roguery I sent my Man to the said St. Johns-head Tavern to acquaint the above-mentioned Mr. Zeale of the design there was against him least any other Officer should undertake it Robert Elmes The Confirmation of Mr. John Harris ON the 23d day of March 1682 3 Mr. John Zeale being very sick and not expecting to live he sent for me and told me He did not know whether he should live or die and desired me if it should please God to take him out of the World that the Papers which he did intend to publish was all true as he might answer before the great God He also desired me to get them printed to satisfie the World what Roguery there has been acted I told him That it was a Justice of Peace's business and if he thought convenient I would go to one and get him to come and give him his Oath but he recovered of that Sickness which prevented my bringing a Justice of the Peace to him All which I am ready to make Oath if it shall be required John Harris FINIS