and had been with the Earl of Shaftsbury concerning the same he was very desirous to be my Bed-fellow which in a night or two he accomplished and continued in my Room till his enlargement In few nights after he came to be my Bed-fellow he began to tamper with me concerning the Earl of Shaftsbury telling me if I would accuse his Lordship he would send to those that should soon procure my liberty and also supply me with Moneys in which time I found him to be a notorious Papist yet through his many perswasions I did consent to the drawing up of an Information against the Earl of Shaftsbury whereupon one morning the said Lewis came to my bed-side and brought me Pen Ink and Paper desiring me to draw up an Information according to my own sense against the said Earl which I accordingly did containing one side of a sheet and when it was done he desired to see it I gave it him he read it and told me it all signify'd nothing But said he I will go and draw it up in another kind of method and you shall copy it with your own hand for said Mr. Lewis I have sent for a Gentlewoman to come to me and have assured her in my Letter that there is a Gentleman my Bed-fellow that can discover strange things against the Earl of Shaftsbury and I am certain as soon as she receives my Letter she will come with all expedition to us Therefore said he let us make what speed we can to get it ready which accordingly we did Within a day or two after there came two women and a Foot-boy with them and enquired for him as he told me When they were gone I ask'd him who they were he said one of them was Mrs. Cellier and the other Madam Holeby and not long after there came a Gentlewoman which proved to be the said Madam Holeby who desired to have it attested under my hand that the Paper that was given to them against the Earl of Shaftsbury at their last being there was true desiring me also to give under my hand that I would swear to it all which Mr. Lewis perswaded me to do and I did give under my hand that I would swear it Then Mr. Lewis told me we should soon be released out of Prison and not long after the said Paper came with an addition to it and written by another hand being brought by one Mr. Dalton Mr. Lewis then desired me to draw it up with my own hand as fair as I could I reply'd there was a great deal more stuff in that than was in the other which was sent them Lewis answer'd That 's no matter as long as it is for our enlargements by which perswasions I at length consented As soon as it was done Mr Dalton came for it and took it away but not long after he brought it again and told me I must set my hand to the bottom of every side which I did Some weeks after this contriv'd Paper was sent to the Secretary of State as I afterwards heard without my knowledge or consent whereupon Mr. Fanshaw one of the Masters of Requests and another person with him came to the Marshalsea and enquired for me when I came to him he desired me to go up with him into a Room and accordingly I went which Mr. Lewis perceiving and being jealous as he afterwards told me came under the window and listened to our discourse Mr. Fanshaw pull'd the said Paper out of his pocket and desired to know of me if it was my hand or whether I would own it I told him I would and would also swear it when I should be thereunto required upon which he departed and when they were gone Mr. Lewis came to me and told me in these words Now Mr. Zeal I dare trust my life in your hands for I find you are true to your Trust further telling me that he heard every word that pass'd between Mr. Fanshaw and my self the next news I heard came a Messenger with an Order of Council for me to be brought up the Wednesday following which was accordingly done but I was not call'd in at that time but ordered to be brought up the next Council day and so I was carried up five several times And being brought back from the Council un-examined Lewis urged me to swear to the said Paper taking a Glass of Beer and drinking to me wish'd eternal damnation both to Soul and Body if he did believe the Duke of York to be in the least concerned in any contrivance against the King or Government but that he did believe it to be a contrivance of the Earl of Shaftsbury Doctor Oates and others on purpose to bring His Royal Highness into dislke with the People c. And the last time I was carried up I writ in to the Lord Precedent declaring that it was the fifth time I had attended there but could not be examined and therefore desired his Lordship that I might be call'd in and examined so that I might discharge my Conscience in declaring the truth of what I then knew and if I had been then admitted I had declared Mr. Lewis's evil Practices in what I knew at that time which Note I Writ to his Lordship in the presence of Mr. Glover now Marshal of the Kings-Bench And about this said time there came a person to Mr. Thomas Warens the Clerk of the Marshalsea and sent for Mr. Lewis who went out and when he returned he told me it was Madam Holeby that sent for him and that she had given him five Shillings for us to drink withall told me I should not tarry a day in Prison The said Mr. Lewis would never leave me night nor day but was still urging me to stand to it and not to be daunted but aver it to be truth when I came before the Council he did also offer to instruct me against I came to be examined saying one night in the Bed to me come Mr. Zeal suppose I now was Lord Chancellor and you before the King and Council to be examined What do you know against the Earl of Shaftsbury Upon which I pretended my self sleepy and would not answer him to any such impertinent questions Then he said I would not remember three words of the said Papers which I never intended but the first time that I should be examined I resolved to declare the Authors of the said Papers and that it was all false and fictitious which I did declare upon Oath before the King and Council the Lord Mayors day at night during the last Parliament at Westminster but Mr. Lewis desired me not to declare that he had any hand in contriving the said Papers against the Earl of Shaftsbury which at that time I omitted But now declare that the said Mr. Lewis was the first and chiefest contriver and actor in it and the only man that perswaded me continually to swear to it And when the Parliament sat at Westminster
A NARRATIVE OF THE Phanatical Plot Setting forth the TREASONABLE AND Wicked Designs Which they have been CARRYING on against the King Government Ever since the last Westminster Parliament WITH An Account of the Treacherous Contrivances against several Worthy Persons and the Measures which they used to take off the Kings Evidence by Subornation To which is Added A Relation of the Evil Practices of John Rowse who was lately Executed at Tyburn William Lewis who stands Convicted and others By John Zeale Gent. Printed for the Author and are to be Sold by most Booksellers in Westminster and London 1683. THE Epistle Dedicatory TO TITUS OATES THE Mock-Doctor of Salamanca SIR WE find that it is Customary for the Bird of Jove to carry up her unfledg'd young ones to the Sun where if they can with undaz'led eyes behold the glittering Beams all suspicion of their being Spurious is taken away After this example with due reverence I approach you our Sun and freely expose this off-spring of a penitent mind to your sometimes all-blinding Rayes having a stock of assurance equal to your own when you described Don John that if it can what persons of the greatest quality formerly were not Eagles enough to do without trembling behold your shining Case hardn'd brow it may pass muster all over the World and mangre envy and mighty tydes of prejudiced Fanatical Criticks set up for a Truth And truly Reverend Sir I should think it Incumbent on me to be speak your Pardon for troubling you at this time of day with a thing of this nature did not Justice and Reason in some measure seem to warrant the presumption For though I must confess I could not but suppose you as busie as any of the Rats to free your self from the danger that threatens your Drowning Vessel and to keep your Neck out of Jack Ketch's Noose Yet I thought without being unjust to you and and my own Conscience I could not rob you of the Dedication of what in every line almost shews you your self Jupiter est quodcunque vides You can see nothing in it Dirty False Black Treasonable or Treacherous but it bears your own stamp And though you cannot properly be said to be the immediate Cause of all yet the second causes whence those and all our National evils sprang can be resolved into you the Primum Mobile or first Principle whence they had their being and motion There is nothing contained in the following Discourse but what to your own knowledge is purely matter of Fact and an undenyable Truth which therefore I choose to expose to the World in a stile suitably plain naked and destitute of the gawdy flowers of Eloquence and Invention which makes the greatest Truths more Admired but less Authentick more desired by curious and liquorish Palates such as yours Doctor but also more lyable to be suspected by the more solid and judicious part of mankind which alone I coveted and have endeavoured to please And I do declare Religiously in the presence of Him that knows all your secrets and as I hope for any good in that day when there is to be the fulness of Retribution that I was neither by assed by any Interest nor moved by the Importunity of Friends or the Threats of Foes to write and publish the following Narrative and that I can attribute the doing so to nothing save an irresistable impulse within me and the secret Dictates of a wounded Conscience The load of guilt that was lodg'd in my breast was insupportable and I could have no ease 'till I vomited up the Treasonable Subornatious Briberies Perjuries and Evil-practices which lay heavy on me and to which for some years I have been privy that at the sight of so much filth the World may for the future nauseate and abandon such lewd and wicked extravagancies I do not care for quarrelling with an old Friend though the Devil therefore I must beg good Doctor that you will not take up prejudice against me upon the first sight of my Narrative for assure your self I design not thereby to encroach upon or usurp any part of your right I mean not thereby to assert a Popish but a Presbyterian Plot. You are now without the fear of a Rival left the sole Master and mannager of the former your leading Nimrods are all fled and your Fellow-Swearers seeing all going down the wind have shaken hands with you committing all to your own unwearied care You may then exercise your Talent in Swearing by your self and move in the same sphear you used to do 'till it shall please your juster Stars to exalt you higher Think not by what I have said that I am a Papist assure your self I am neither Papist nor Presbyterian so far from it that I never was within the doors of a Mass-house or Conventicle but was born and brought up in the True Protestant Religion as Established now by Law To give an account of my Life in this place I deem very unnecessary I 'll therefore say thus much negatively concerning my self first that I never took a Degree in Salamanca or elsewhere which you are so much famous for Secondly that I never admired Sodomy or sporting my self with a Masculine Brawny Chamber-maid Thirdly That I am not the Son of a Canting Sedition-Preaching Weaver but of an Honest Loyal Gentleman of the County of Devon and my Mother of the Family of the Greenfields whose Loyalty have been always manifested by their Sufferings for His late Majesty My Grand-father perishing in Prison in London My Uncle Major Greenfield Murdered by the Rebels at Plimouth for endeavouring to obtain that Garrison for His Majesty c. And most of my Relations falling into the Hands of the damnable Sequestrators for which my self and whole Family suffer to this day further I will not mention to vindicate my self or to take away the stains which guilt left upon my Soul for Quae non fecimus ipsi vix ea nostra voco But to return to the Plot I dare not say there was no Popish-Plot though at the same time it is my belief there was not the hundred part of what was pretended but that the few true circumstances that were found were improved to that height by your Industry and the Treachery of the Fanaticks to serve for a stalking-horse to hide your own till with more security you could destroy the Government Therefore I ll even rest my self satisfied as to this point with the Opinion of the Author of that Letter to Mr. Settle occasioned by his Recanting Narrative which you may see from his own words no followeth * Postscript Page 14. As for the Popish-Plot though my apprehensions of it are not altogether so dreadful to make me go mad for fear of Consecrated Knives Black-Bills Jago Pilgrims French Armies c. Yet I am not for exploding quite the thoughts of some Designs managed by the Roman Catholicks for promoting their own Religion by extirpating all whom they
had a Dinner and there he told his Wise with great rejoycing that we had done our business For saith he We have been with the Earl of Shaftsbury and Doctor Oates and in the Afternoon Mr. Zeale must attend his Lordship at his House by his own order Towards the evening I went to his Lordship's House but Mason could not go with me by reason of some extraordinary occasions of his own that hindred him and coming to his Lordships House I had not been long there but Doctor Oates and Collonel Mansel came in the Doctor seeing me went in to his Lordship as I imagine and soon after came out to me and told me his Lordship was very busie And therefore said he I would have you come again a day or two hence and then you 'l be sure to speak with my Lord But said Doctor Oates cannot you get one more that was of Sir Francis Radcliffe 's Family to Swear to the said Paper I told him I thought I could though really I could not He reply'd If you could do that it would be excellent Service And so I took leave of him and repaired again to Mason's House who was very earnest to know how I had proceeded I told him I could not speak with the Earl of Shaftsbury for Dr. Oates said to me he had so much company with him that it was impossible to speak with his Lordship that evening desiring me to come a day or two hence at which Mason swore Damn him he believed I had received Money of his Lordship and would not tell him Upon which I protested to him I had not but must attend a day or two hence He not believing it said I will see the truth of this for I will go with you my self I reply'd with all my heart and the Saturday following we both went into Aldersgate-street and coming to his Lordships House he was not within so we went to an Ale-house hard by and tarried till we understood his Lordship was come in when going to his House I sent up my name and was immediately conducted into his Lordships presence up one pair of stairs where he ask'd me several questions viz. What Religion I was of I answer'd a Protestant He also ask'd me What Friends I had in Town I told him my Father To which his Lordship reply'd bring him to me and then I will discourse You further After which I took my leave and was conducted down stairs by a Gentleman Mason standing all the while at the Chamber-door and seeing me discourse with his Lordship When we came out of the House Mason asked me what News I told him his Lordship had order'd me to bring my Father to him He reply'd I will perswade your Father to go with you and will tell him that you will have twenty Guineys of the Earl of Shaftsbury and this said he will certainly induce him to go with you Being come to Mason's House he there openly declar'd we had been at the Earl of Shaftsbury's and that I was lighted up stairs to his Lordship as if I had been a Person of Quality and he would warrant I should have Money plenty as soon as I was sworn telling his Wife that he would have his Room two pair of stairs hang'd for me and that I should both Lodge and Dyet in his House or words to that effect This being Saturday-night we desisted until Monday following when we both went over towards my Fathers Lodgings near St. George's Fields and as we went along he told me that after I had begun with Sir Sir Francis Radcliffe I should accuse the Duke of York and the Lords in the Tower and said he let me alone to contrive and draw up such Informations against them as shall bring you into great favour with the next Parliament or words to that effect So drawing near my Fathers Lodgings Mason desired me to walk in the Fields whilst he went in and discoursed my Father which I did but whether I went in or not I cannot well remember however Mason tarry'd a considerable time with him as he informed me though I judg'd he would have but an indifferent answer to what he proposed At length he came and told me my Father had promised to be at his House that day or speedily after that being all the discourse we had at that time we parted I going towards London and he towards his own House Some days after I saw my Father who ask'd me what was the reason I sent that fellow to him naming Mason upon such accounts as he offered telling me moreover that if I did not refrain Mason's company and evil practices he would never look upon me Mason said my Father was so impudent in the hearing of my Landlady to desire me to perswade you to swear against Sir Francis Radcliffe telme you should have Twenty Guineys of the Earl of Shaftsbury as soon as you are sworn In answer to all which I told my Father that I had left the said Mason's house and also refrained his company which in truth I had done And this to the best of my knowledge was the sole contrivance of the said Mason All the before-mentioned Information I had drawn up against the said Mason with an intent to have discovered it during the sitting of the last Parliament but was perswaded to the contrary by one Mr. William Lewis and one Mr. John Haytor then both Prisoners in the Marshalsea for Debt as well as my self who both told me tho' the thing was really true and that Mason had endeavoured to suborn me yet the Parliament would take no notice of it because it was in vindication of a Roman Catholick whereupon I burnt the said Information and desisted until now only I declared in general to Justice Rich and Justice Reading above two years since that Mason had endeavoured to suborn me but did not declare to them in what nature or particular About Christmas following my Father had a Warrant granted him to be Purser to one of His Majesty's Ships at Chatham to which Imployment he repaired and took me down with him where I continued for some months but having no likelyhood of getting any Preferment there and hearing of the Earl of Ossory's going as General for Tangier I got leave of my Father to go to London and make what interest I could to go with his Honour in that Expedition and thereby endeavour to raise my Fortune there being no probability of Action here To which my Father consenting I accordingly came to Town about the latter-end of June or beginning of July but I had not been long here e'r the ill News of the Earl of Ossory's death was generally confirmed which put me to as great a loss as ever for having contracted some Debts I was arrested for the same and thrown into the Marshalsea where I became acquainted with the before-mentioned Mr. William Lewis who understanding how I had been tamper'd with to swear High-Treason against Sir Francis Radcliffe
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
confinement I writ to Sir Edmundbury Godfrey declaring my condition who was my very good Friend as I can very plainly prove he came to me in Prison to whom I declared my condition upon which he was pleased to give me some Money and told me withal that if I could procure Bail he would send me my Discharge which I did do and he accordingly sent it me by a Gentleman a Friend of mine and my Friends not being then in Town to supply me with Moneys I was forc'd to tarry till the Sessions because I had not wherewithal to pay my Fees at the Sessions following I was Indicted for High Treason with Mr. Dangerfield of which I was acquitted and at the same time was also Indicted for a misdemeanour with Dangerfield of which I was found Guilty and Fined Twenty Pounds Sterling and Dangerfield was Fined Fifty Pounds After my Tryal Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was pleased to come to me to the Press-yard and told me That he appeared upon the Bench in my behalf and that he had spoke favourably of me to the then Recorder Dalbin Besides Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was also pleased to tell me That he had saved my Friend Dangerfield from standing in the Pillory for that Offence in speaking well of me And afterwards Captain Richardson the Keeper having received a Letter frome one Mr. Penn to desire him to be kind to me during my Confinement I being of an Honest good Family c. telling him also what kindness he shewed to me he would take it as done to himself for my Families sake or words to that effect Upon which Captain Richardson was so kind as to get my Fine remitted in the Kings most Gracious Pardon and also took my own engagement for my Fees Lodging and other Subsistance at which the Attorney-General was pleased to tell me that my Evidence was good by vertue of the Kings General Pardon if I never had suffered for any other Crimes which I declared I never had then his Honour ask'd Mr. Lewis whether he had ever stood on the Pillory or not Mr. Lewis changing his Countenance reply'd he had Mr. Attorney-General also ask'd him for what He answered that it was for a Forg'd Bill of Exchange some other such like questions were ask'd him which I cannot well remember all this was in the hearing of one Mr. Beal a Messenger belonging to the Marshalseas who was at that that time my Keeper From thence I return'd back to the said Prison where I told the before-mentioned Haytor what had passed before Mr. Attorney-General that Afternoon and how Mr. Lewis had confessed that he had stood on the Pillory Then Haytor reply'd that he took him to be a very ill man ever since he writ his Informations for which he promised him a Beaver-Hat But said Haytor He was so dirty as to go away and not perform his Promise nor so much as return me Thanks for the same but said he I will do him as good a kindness to the Earl of Shaftsbury which shall be more than ten such Hats out of his way And on the other side if you 'l be rul'd by me I will make your Interest great with his Lordship I ask'd him how or which way He told me That he would make an Addition to my Narrative that it should far exceed Mr. Lewis 's And finding his Inclinations I promised I would then Haytor desired me to insert in Informations and Swear to it That the King would have seized the City-Treasury by force of Arms and that the Earl of Feversham was the Person designed to command the Guards to effect the same He also told me That if I would publish the same it would be the only means that he knew to Incense the Parliament against the King so that they should not consent to give His Majesty any Moneys until he had signed the Bill of Exclusion against the Duke of York I reply'd I had no Order for the Printing my Informations Oh said he let me alone for that I will engage the Earl of Shaftsbury to get you an Order as soon as he understands by me what great consequence you have to discover He the said Haytor further declaring That his Lordship had a great influence upon the House of Commons who were rul'd much by his perswasions and that nothing of Moneys would ever be granted by them to the King until the Duke of York was totally excluded from ever inheriting the Imperial Crown of England He further adding That his Lordship was the greatest Opposer that his Highness had in Parliament and that his Lordship never took any thing in hand though of the greatest moment but he went through with it He also told me That had it not been for the Bishops the Bill had past the House of Lords against the Duke the last Parliament at Westminster saying That he hoped to see the time again that there should be no such persons as Bishops in England And that himself did not doubt but to have as good an Imploy as ever he had in a short time by the Earl of Shaftsbury 's means And about that same time he had drawn up Papers of his own Contrivance and went to one Mr. Combs the Coffee-man and in my hearing desired him to get them published but he refused so to do I cannot say whether it was inserted in his Papers that which he put me upon Swearing or not but Lewis hath several times told me That he had urg'd him to Print the same in his Narrative about seizing the City-Treasury Mr. Haytor several times told me That he was Scout-Mr -General in Cromwel 's Army and how in those days persons of good Quality came Cap in hand to him He hath sent several Letters to the Earl of Shaftsbury from the Marshelseas by one Mr. Hind and one Mr. Beale both Messengers to the said Prison the import of the said Letters I knew not but the said Persons can give a more perfect account thereof who promised me the same upon the 17th day of December 1681. if they should be called thereunto by Authority And this Information against Mr. Haytor I gave into the hands of one Mr. J an Attorney of the Kings-Bench at his Chamber in Cliffords-Inn about the time of the said date All this Villainous contrivance of Haytor's was about the time of the Lord Stafford's Tryal at which time I being Sick Mr. Lewis came to see me and sitting upon my Bed-side told me That I must own I knew Celier else the City would not look upon me when I came abroad For said he they are for hanging her out of the way for several of them have been with me to know if you have Sworn positively against her I ask'd Mr. Lewis what made him so Fine He told me I might be as Fine if I would do as he had done What 's that said I Accuse one of the Lords in the Tower as you have Yes by God for nothing takes with the Parliament
sent for me up into his Chamber where I told him my business He ordered me to go in his Name to Sir Robert Clayton and desire his Warrant against Mr. Coombs for detaining my Papers Upon which I took leave of Sir Thomas and went to Mr. Coombs's House and demanded them who reply'd He had lost them at Oxford or coming from thence at the time of the Parliament there upon which I told him I had Orders from the Earl of Shaftsbury and Sir Thomas Player to take out Sir Robert Clayton's Warrant against him He answered me He could not help it if his Life lay at stake telling me He had search'd his House from top to bottom and could not find them So I desisted from enquiring further after them and some occasions of my own caused me to go and Lodge at Westminster about the latter end of May 1681. where I continued for some weeks and in Trinity-Term following being in Westminster-Hall I met Mr. Rowse who came to me and told me He had much wondred what was become of me so long I told him that my occasions would not permit me to stay in the City He reply'd I hope you are of the same Principle as when I saw you last I answered I was and ever would be Come then said he we will go to the Dog-Tavern in the New-Palace-yard and drink a Glass of Wine which we did And there he desired me Not to take it ill that he had questioned my Fidelity for said he it is not out of any distrust I have of you in the least but it is because you are so near the Court a place that will Debauch all persons that come near it especially those that are Evidences against the Papists At which I told him he had no cause to think the least ill of me in that or any other respect whatsoever telling him I had not spoken with any person belonging to the Court since I came last to lodge at that end of the Town at which he seem'd very well satisfied and taking Moneys out of his Pocket gave me Ten Shillings telling me withal That Moneys was short with him at that time else he would have supply'd me with more but within a few days I should see him again so we parted at that time And the same day that Plunket was Try'd I met him again in Westminster-Hall and we went to the same Tavern where he Treated the Witnesses against Pluncket after the Tryal was past and return'd them many Thanks for the great service they had done that day to the Protestant Party and whilst we tarryed there he sent for Mr. Rob. Squibb belonging to His Majesties Exchequer who accordingly came and they went both into a Room together but upon what business I know not so after plenty of Wine Evening drawing nigh we all parted And about three or four days after he came to the same Tavern and sent for me I went where I found strange Company with him to whom he recommended me telling them That I was a Friend of Theirs and all True Protestants assuring them that I had discovered a considerable part of a Plot contrived by the Duke of York and other great Papists Upon which they Thank'd him for bringing me into their Company and withal call'd for Sack plentifully They being upon going Mr. Rowse gave me other Ten Shillings and told me He would be with me very speedily And in a few days after he did come to an Ale-house where I frequented and going out of the House to him he desired me to go with him to the Fountain-Tavern in the Old-Palace-yard where he gave me Twenty Shillings telling me That as soon as they had chosen Sheriffs in the City and that they found they were for their turns then they would settle good Allowances upon all the Evidence that stood by them and that it should be paid weekly until a Parliament sat He also desired me To come into the City again to abide with them I reply'd I could not by reason of some Debts that I had Contracted there He answered Is that all I told him it was Then he said I should not tarry long at that end of the Town Then Mr. Rowse took down in Writing what Sums where and to whom I was Indebted telling me That he would certainly pay the same in few days And then he began to tell me in what a dangerous condition the Protestant Party would have been in if the Parliament and the Evidences had not stood by them For said he it is plain to be seen that the King is a Papist in his heart by his vindicating that Traytor York his Brother who would certainly if it were in his power bring us all under the yoak of Popery and Slavery He further declared That he hoped to see his Highness the next Parliament excluded banished or both saying also That he deserved to lose his Head as much as ever Stafford did Therefore said he accuse him thoroughly and I will engage you will be made for ever by it I or said he you see Mr. Dangerfield lives in great Splendor keeps his Man to wait upon him his Gelding to ride where he pleases and hath also 100 Guineys to command at any time besides he is respected by the greatest in the City and people strive to be in his Company At which I reply'd Mr. Rowse you see my Condition and were I supplie'd and assisted as Mr. Dangerfield is it might be that I could do the Protestant Party more service then ever he has done How said he Yes said I for I was Bred about the Court and have used it above this dozen years and you must needs think that in all this time I saw a great man Intrigues Nay said he if it be so I must allow you to be capable of doing us great Service and as for your Supplies take no care for before I am many days older you shall be sufficiently gratified and withal took me into his Arms and said Leave all to me and told me That they had a Common-Councel held in the City and that they had made an Act how it should be Engraven round the Monument in great Letters that the Papists Fired this City in the year of our Lord 1666. At which I reply'd it was a very good Act but withal told him will you not be displeased at a Jest He reply'd He would not then said I. It will be a long time before the Common-Councel will make an Act that it shall be Engraven in great Letters upon some publick place in the City That the late King was Murthered by the Factious Party Fie Fie said he those things are buried in Oblivion let us think of things that are to come and what will be most serviceable for us to defend our selves from Popery and Arbitrary Government which is certainly designed to be brought in amongst us else the King would have taken care of the Evidence that discovered the Popish Plot
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
him I intended he should be the person I would be Sworn before but through Mr. Lewis's great perswasions I did intrust him with my Papers with this reservation that he should not impart them to any of the City upon which he wished eternal damnation both to his Body and Soul if he did so he went away and in a short time after he came again to me with my Papers he said he had shew'd them to Collonel Rich who ask'd him if I would Swear to them I reply'd I could and upon that we went over the Water to a Coffee-house near St. Mary-overs-Church where I writ a letter to Justice Reading declaring to him that I had matter of moment to discover in the behalf of the King to which he sent me word by Mr. Lewis If I had any such thing to discover I might come to him at the Bear-Tavern at the Bridge-foot where he then was I went and delivered him my Information and after he had perus'd them he ask'd If I could make Oath of it all I said I could then he administred the Oath before Collonel Rich and Justice Daniel after I had Sworn I took leave this was about Michaelmas 1681. from thence I went into the City and being at the Amsterdam-Coffee-house I met an Ancient Citizen whose Name I knew not he gave me half a Crown and told me That had not the Witnesses deserted the City and gone to the Court and discovered against them there had been at least 10000 l. collected for the Supply of the Evidence until a Parliamen sit But now said he we canot find out a safe way to supply you that are true to us And about that time I being late in Fleet-street drinking in a House near Temple-Bar we heard Murther cryed out upon which I went out endeavouring to keep the Peace the Watch and Constable coming in the Constable being perverse sent me to the Compter for one of the Rioters the next Morning Sherift Bethel came and sent for me down into the Lodge where after some Discourse he ordered the Keeper that I should be carried before the Lord Mayor telling them That his Lordship knew me very well and would Discharge me The Constable came and we went before Sir John Fredrick who took my own Recognizance for my Appearance after that I went to the Amsterdam-Coffee-House and desired Mr. Kidd to pay the Fees of the Compter which he did and from that time I very little used the City About Christmass following Mr. Lewis desired me to report That I had been with the King privately in his Closet the Earls of Arlington and Ailsbury being present I asked him why he would have me report so false a thing Pish said he you have not a grain of Sense for when a Parliament sits you will have a good occasion to Swear that the King and these Lords would have Suborn'd you to have Sworn against the Earl of Shaftsbury and several others in the City He further desired me To declare the same to none but Whigs and they would come in and corroborate my Evidence And about May 1682. I was in Mr. Swith's Company who ask'd me When I saw Mr. Lewis I told him not of several days saying that he was a man that busied himself in State-Affairs at which Mr. John Smith replyed He believed more then was just I answered he would have just cause to think so if he knew as much as I at which he told me He believed it lay in my power to do the King a great deal of service to discover his Villanies I said I had offered the same almost a year since but little notice was taken of it but notwithstanding that I would do it at any time Lewis hath often told me That the Queen allow'd David Firz-Gerald fourty Shillings a week further saying That her Majesty would allow any person else as much as would come in and Accuse the Earl of Shaftsbury and those in the City And about the same time Lewis desired me to report That I had Kiss'd the Duke of York's Hand when he came from Scotland and when a Parliament sits said he you shall swear that his Highness offered you Money to Accuse the Earl of Shaftsbury and the City telling me That the Duke was the only man that they aim'd at and that I should be made by Accusing him And about Whitsontide last I had a Letter came from Lewis to desire me to come to him which I did and found him Sick in Bed he desired me To go over to Collonel Rich and tell him his Condition and that he wanted Money On Whitsunday I din'd with Collonel Rich and acquainted him with what Mr. Lewis had desired me the Collonel told me He was very sorry to hear he was ill desired to be remembred to him and so took leave I went to Mr. Lewis and told him what Collonel Rich said Is that all said Lewis I reply'd it was that-signified any thing says he Is his great kindness come to this Notwithstanding he told me at his own House in these words viz. Mr. Lewis you and I will stand and fall by one another but indeed said Mr. Lewis I must confess that Mr. Turbervile told me before his death that Sheriff Rich declared to him he liked me very well but for one thing which was I was too Mercinary At which I then reply'd You know that 's true enough you will sell the dearest Friend you have for Money He answered Damn me how can a man live without it I urther saith he Sheriff Rich was like the World when his own turn was served he that had done him a kindness might hang himself Saith Mr. Lewis It 's pity that by my means that the Collonel was so much in favour at Court And sometimes after I met Mr. Lewis who told me He had sent a Porter with a Note to Collonel Rich for five Pounds and that he could have at any time Fourty or Fifty which 5 l. he immediately sent him And in July 1682. I was taken Sick at my Lodgings in Salisbury-street in the Straind where Mr. Lewis often came to me and desired to know of me If Mr. John Smith had not been Tampering with me to Accuse him I ask'd him if he thought all the World was like himself or what reason he had to suspect any such thing He told me the reason he had to believe it was Because of our Intimacy and being often together Therefore I am sure he hath been at you which if you will draw up an Information against him I will get you Money from the Secretary of State I ask'd him what I should draw up He told me That I should Accuse Mr. Smith for endeavouring to stifle the Popish-Plot and desiring me to Swear against him I promised I would not valuing what I drew up at his request acknowing him to be so notorious a Swearer and Suborner I drew up the said Paper which he was very well pleased at only
the words detect the Popish Plot but he would have had me insert That Mr. Smith endeavoured to Nullifie the Popish Plot but I did not after the words Then he desired me to write a Letter to Mr. Otterbury one of the Kings Messengers and acquaint him with my Condition how I wanted Money and desired him to make it known to the Secretary of State Then said Mr. Lewis I 'l warrant you Money at that same time he often brought with him to my Chamber Mr. Perrea I sent the said Letter according to his ordering but never received any answer or supply neither did Mr. Smith ever in the least propound any immodest thing but always desired me to declare nothing but what was true of any side I could never be quiet at any Lodging for Mr. Lewis still haunted me being jealous of me as I imagine About this same time Mr. Lewis desired me When I received my Allowence from Whitehall to pray Mr. Squibb to give me a Bill to receive it of Mr. Duncomb Goldsmith in Lumber-street I asked him why he proposed that He told me If I would consent to it he would carry the Bill over to the Kings Bench to one Mr. Granger who was the Ingeniousest man in England and he shall Counterfeit Mr. Squibb's hand for 500 l. to be received of Mr. Duncomb and we should share it amongst us he said that it should be done so cleavor that it should never be found out by whom it was and that I might receive my own Money at the same time and not take the least notice of it About that time I did receive a Bill from Mr. Squibb of 10 l. upon Mr. Duncomb which Money I received unknown to Mr. Lewis for I would not have been concern'd with him in such a thing for the World Soon after our Allowances were stop'd at which Mr. Lewis grumbled and said That the King made use of the Witnesses as a man does of a House of Ease just for his Conveniency Further saith he they thought their business done at Court but they are mistaken for I will be a greater plague to them then ever my Countrey-man Bedloe was when a Parliament sits but I will have my Pardon in my hands first and will procure one for you too I ask'd him in what he answered me That We Witnesses that had not Sworn against the Earl of Shaftsbury should Accuse all them that had 〈◊〉 â—â—ornation of Perjury when a Parliament sits and 〈…〉 we shall confound their whole project for Dugdale hath 〈…〉 us and we will also make out that the pretended Association that was found in the Earl of Shaftsbury's Closet was contrived by the King and Court and conveyed into the Earl's Closet by one or other of the Clerks of the Councel by the King and Courts order That Lewis us'd to make his Brags to me That all he had discovered against the City party to Sheriff Rich and others was only under his hand and not Sworn to saying That when a Parliament sat he would discover it all and charge it upon the Court party I ask'd him how we should go about to make it out he reply'd Let me alone for that I 'll contrive it to the purpose Soon after I took Lodgings in the White-Friers where Mr. Lewis came to me and Mr. Ferrea with him where he told me He was to receive 50 l. and out of that he would supply me with 5 or 10 l. of it And within few days after he came and told me That our Allowances from the King were quite taken off and he Swore That now it is apparent the King is a Papist in his heart and ende avoured to stifle the Popish Plot by discharging the Witnesses and that the King endeavoured to take the Odium from the Papists and cast it upon the Presbyterians He also declared That the King daily endeavoured to enslave the Nation with Popery and Arbitrary Government and put Sheriffs and other Officers upon the City of London contrary to Law to serve his turn and accomplish his designs against the Presbyterians At which I replyed you take large measures of talking Treason said he We that are Evidences have advantages above all other People for we may speak Treason and not fear being call'd to question by the Court for it for if they should take any of our Lives away the Parliament would censure that they did it on purpose to stifle our Evidence concerning the Popish Plot But said he I am sorry for Sheriff Rich that he should be made use of as a Tool to accomplish their ends Further saying That Sheriff Rich had been a good Benefactor to him but he feared he would be swing'd when a Parliament sat For in a former Kings reign there were several Judges Executed and he hoped to live to see as many Nobility and Judges go to Pot when ever a Parliament sat and That his helping hand should not be wanting therein Such like Treasonable words were the general discourse he used in my Company but I cannot say that ever any other person heard him talk so largely neither do I know directly or indirectly what any other persons have Sworn against him About the latter end of September he told me in Salisbury-Court That Ludlow would vindicate their Charter as London did notwithstanding the Marquess of Worcester had so great an Interest in that Town yet he could not prevail with them to surrender their Charter to His Majesty Also Lewis told me That not one in an hundred had signed the Addresses that were presented to the King from most parts of the Kingdom further saying That the King could stand it but one Parliament more and had it not been for the few Guards he had about him he had been pull'd out of Whitehall long since saying That the late King was Dethron'd by the Sword and This is in a fair way of being Sworn out his Throne Therefore if you will Print your Information that is in the hands of Sir Patience Ward and that which is in the hands of Mr. Kelley I will engage to get you the Copies and also Guineys for the Printing them for they will incense the People extreamly against the Court Therefore we will get them ready and published before Queen Elizabeths Birth-day at which time the Pope is to be burnt and there will be at least 40000 People together that night and I will incense them what I can to breed a Mutiny for he that is not blind may plainly see that the King is a Papist or else he would not stand so for the Duke of York aas he has done who is notoriously known to the Nation to be a grand Papist And if the people did but rise in the City the Countrey would soon come in for their assistance Further saying Damn me I am but one get the better who can we shall get employs by it Mr. Lewis was very importunate with me to go into the West of England where
his Opinion he would have bespattered me in a most odious manner And at several times I have been treated at Sheriff Rich's House and have had Moneys from him but not upon any unjust account neither do I know the least ill by him and he hath always advised me to have a care of Suborners And some time after I understood that Mr. Lewis would be Indicted the Term following upon which I made the best preparation I could in order to receive the Blessed Sacrament as may appear by my Certificate as followeth viz. WE the Minister and Church wardens of the Parish and Parish-Church of St. Margarets in Westminster in the County of Middlesex do hereby Certify that John Zeale concerned in several weighty Affairs relating to His Majesty upon the Lords-day commonly called Sunday the 14th day of February immediately after Divine Service and Sermon did in the Parish-Church aforesaid receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper according to the usage of the Church of England In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our Hands the 4th day of February in the year of our Lord 1682 3. Bartholomew Wormell Minister of the Parish and Parish-Church aforesaid Giles Burrows Church-Warden of the said Parish and Parish-Church ALexander Harris Gent. and John Harris Victualler both of Westminster do severally make Oath that they do know John Zeale in the above-written Certificate named and who now present hath delivered the same into this Court and do further severally make Oath that they did see the said John Zeale receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in the Parish-Church of St. Margaret Westminster aforesaid in the Certificate mentioned and upon the day and at the time in the said Certificate in that behalf certified and expressed And that they did see the Certificate above-written Subscribed by the said Minister and Church-wardens Alexander Harris John Harris And upon the same day I received a Subpaena to appear the day following which is as followeth viz. Mr. John Zeale BY vertue of His Majesties Writ of Subpaena to you directed you are to appear before our Soveraign Lord the King at Westminster on Monday next after the eight days of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary to testify the Truth and give Evidence against William Lewis for certain Trespasses Contempts and Misdemeanors And this you must not omit under the Penalty of 100 l. to be levyed on your Goods and Chattels if you make default Dated at Westminster the 4th day of February 1682 3. According to which I did appear and being Sworn in Court I gave in my Evidence to the Grand-Jury where the Bill was found and soon after I received another Subpaena which is as followeth viz. THese are in His Majesties Name to command you personally to appear before Sir Edmund Saunders Knight Lord Chief Justice of His Majesties Court of Kings-Bench at Westminster on Tuesday the 13th of this instant February at 8 of the Clock in the Forenoon at Westminster-Hall to testify the Truth on the behalf of our Soveraign Lord the King against William Lewis for certain great misdemeanors whereof he stands Indicted and hereof you are not to fail on the Penalty of 100 l. Dated the 8th day of February in the 35th of the King c. Astrey I also appeared to this but Mr. Lewis deferred his his Tryal till next term following and upon the 6th of March 1682 3. I was at the Naked-Boy in the Old-Pallace-yard Westminster in Company with Mr. Ambrose Kelley one of the Clerks of the House of Commons who told me That Mr. Lewis was with him to desire the Copy of a Paper that was in his Custody which said Paper was that which Mr. Lewis chiefly contrived himself and would have had me to have Sworn to it against the Earl of Shaftsbury and it was also the same Paper that was contrived by him in the Marshalseas Mr. Kelley further saith that Mr. Lewis told him That he came from me and also offered him a good Gratuity for the said Copy further telling the said Mr. Kelly That it would be a means for him to Ingratiate himself into the favour of a Whiggish Parliament But for all his offers and perswasions Mr. Kelley refused to give him the Copy This Mr. Kelly Confess'd before one Mr. Alexander Harris and several others And in May last I received another Subpaena to which I also Appeared Mr. John Zeale THese are in His Majesties Name to command you personally to appear before Sir Edmund Saunders Knight Lord Chief Justice of His Majesties Court of Kings-Bench at Westminster on Wednesday the ninth of this Instant May at one of the Clock in the Afternoon at Westminster-Hall to testify the Truth on the behalf of our Soveraign Lord the King against William Lewis for certain great misdemeanors whereof he stands Indicted and hereof you are not to fail on the Penalty of 100 l. to be levyed on your Goods and Cahttels Dated the 2d day of May in the 35th of the King Astrey And being Sworn in Court I gave in my Evidence and upon a full hearing on both sides Mr. Lewis was brought in guilty of these words following which were in his Indictment viz. TThat the King is a Papist and endeavours to stifle the Plot by Dicharging of the Witnesses And that the King endeavoured to take the Odium from the Papists and cast it upon the Presbyterians and the Lord Shaftsbury And that the King and Court put the Paper of Association which was found in the said Earl's Closet upon the said Earl And that the Paper was conveyed into the said Earl's Closet by Mr. Gywn by the Order of the King and Court And that the King did daily endeavour to enslave the Nation with Popery And put Sheriffs and other Officers upon the City of London to serve Turns and to accomplish his Designs against the Presbyterians I cannot omit one remarkable Passage of Mr. Lewis which was about the time of the Earl of Shaftsbury's Commitment last to the Tower Mr. Lewis told me That whenever a Parliament sat that he would discover such things as should make all Europe stand amazed but he would have his Pardon first in his hands I desired to know why he declared himself in that manner he replyed That he had been at Hampton-Court with the King Mr. Turbervile being then with him who made some Discovery why said I did you hear any of what was said no said he But I saw those that shall come in for a snak the next Parliament He the said Lewis has several times told me That if the King would give such encouragements as Pardons and Allowances that His Majesty should not want New Evidence and Fresh Discoveries as long as he lived further saying That the Goals in and about Town were the Nurseries for such Supplies And the same day I was Sworn in the Speakers Chamber by order of the House of Commons on the 19th day of November 1680. as it will appear