the long expected Time shall come that the Just Desires of those who long to see Peace and Tranquility once more establish'd in Europe shall be accomplish'd it will appear and be acknowledg'd by the grateful World that as England was deliver'd from Slavery and Oppression by the Blessing of God upon His Majestys generous Undertaking so 't was England that had the greatest share in the general Deliverance of the Christian World Time and Experience will ere long convince us of this great and important Truth and Posterity will for ever acknowledge the Immortal Obligation And even tho it were possible that future Ages shou'd forget their Great Benefactor the Benefit will remain notwithstanding their Ingratitude as long as there shall be Laws in England or a Free People in Europe FINIS Tâ—e People of England tâ—ank'd His Majestâ— â—y their Râ—presentatives for their Great and Miracuâ—ous Deliverance from Pâ—pery and Arbitrary Power of which he was the Instrumâ—nt Sâ—e the Parliament's Address May 18. 1689. The Parliamâ—nt of Scotland thank'd him also for thâ—ir Delivâ—rance and Preservation of which they acknowledg'd him next to God to be the great and only Instrumâ—nt Sâ—â— the Answer of the Convâ—ntion to His Majeâ—â—ie's Lâ—tter in 1689. History of the Revolutions in England Book II. pag. 437. See the Preface to the Third Time of the History of the Revolutions in England When the People stopt his Coach at Dort and ask'd whether he was their Statholder he reply'd that he was satisfy'd with the Honors that were conferr'd upon him But we are not answer'd the People unless we have you for our Governor An. 1674. The Dâ—puties of the Nobility and 〈◊〉 representing the 〈…〉 of the Dutchy of Guelderland and County of Zutphen osser'd him the Soverâ—ignty of the Province in the â—â—me of their Masteâ—s 'T is notoriously known that these Proposals were made by France * M. Fageâ— wrote on this occaâ—ion to Mr. Stewart And when the Court of England endeavor'd to perswade the World that thus was a supposititious letter and that it did not give a true aâ—â—ur of their Highnesses Sentiments having publish'd a Book to that Eâ—eâ—t call'd Parlamentum Pacificum Mr. Fagel complain'd openly of the dâ—singenuity of their Proceedings and by a second Letter confirm'd the Declaration he had formerly sent in their Highnesses Name * After the death of Charles II. he rejected the advice and assistance of the late Elector of Brandenburg and when that Prince wou'd have engag'd him to go over to England he reply'd that he wou'd never make any Attempt against the King his Father in Law without an absolute necessity but at the same time he protested that if he cou'd not otherwise prevent the subversion of the Laws and Religion of England he wou'd undertake the Voyage tho' he shou'd be oblig'd to Embark in a Fisher-boat His Enemies cou'd not forbear commending this Effect of his Moderation See the History of the Revolutions in Engl. Book II. See the Act 1 Gulielm Mariae entitl'd An Act declaring the Rights and Privileges of the Subjects to regulate the Succession to the Crown History of the Revolutions in Engl. Book II. 1689 The Discovery was made by a French Protestant who insinuated himself into the Favour and Confidence of the Conspirators by pretending to be engag'd in the same design He was hinder'd by several Accidents from giving such timely Notice to the Court that the Assassins might be apprehended The Discovery was communicated in Holland to some zealous Friends of the Government and in England to My Lord Sydney In this account I have neither magnify'd nor multiply'd the Disorders that were committed by the Government They were either corrected by the Late King himself upon the News of the Prince's Expedition or after his Flight by the Convention The Laws that were made upon that occasion by the Parliaments of England and Scotland are undoubted Testimonies of the several Attempts that were made to subvert our Laws and Religion nor will any reasonable Person expect any other Arguments to prove the Truth of a matter of Fact of which all the Inhabitants of these Nations were either Eye or Ear-Witnesses See his Proclamation publish'd in that Kingdom Dr. King the present Bishop of London-derry then Dean of Dublin in his Book entitul'd The State of the Protestants of Ireland under the Government of the late King The whole Book is full of Instances of this Nature of which I have not mention'd the Twentieth part * The Duke of Schomberg 1690. 1691. * The Magistrates of Roterdam imprison'd a Villain who offer'd to kill the French King They sent an acâ—ount of the project to Mr. Montausier and offer'd to deliver up the Offender †Another Proposal of the same naturewas made to the King when he was Prince of Orange The Person who offer'd to undertake the Murder gave an account of the place where he was to be sound and the Prince sent Mr. Dickfelt immediately to acquaint the Count d'Avaux with the whole Project November 1691. December 1691. Febr 1691 2. April 1692. History of the Revolutions in England Book II. History of the Revolutions in England Book II. p. 428. 1692. 1692. 1692. Larue in Charnock 's Tryal 1692. History of the Revolutions in Engl. Book II. Sr. Edmundbury Godfrey's Murder which cannot be reckon'd a Fable is a strong Confirmation of at least part of that Discovery See how they design'd to bring the Irish over to England The application of the rest of the Particulars is obvious History of the Revolutions in England Book II. p. 357. Deposition of Brice Blair March 12. 1695. See the Character of the Presbyterians in the History of the Revolutions in England Book II. 1692. His Depositions are in the Hands of the Government See his Letter to the Lords and Commons of that Kingdom Dared from on board his Ship July 1693. Decemb. 1693. January 1693. July 1694. July 14. 1694. July 17. 1694. Octob. 17. 1694. Sir William Williams took Post for London immediately after Taff's Declaration and gave a horrible Character of the Witnesses having obstinately resus'd to hear any thing that was offer'd to be alledg'd in their Favor or to comply with some of the Judges who wou'd have proceeded to the Examination of other Witnesses See the Votes of the House of Commons on that occasion 1695 Goodman 's Deposition April 24. 1696. This agrees with the Character that Brice Blair gives of him in his Depositions Good man 's Deposition April 2 d 1696. Brice Blair's Deposition March 13th 1696. Goodman 's Deposition April 24 th 1696 Goodman 's Deposition April 24 th 1696 Captain Porter 's Deposition April 24 th 1696. Goodman 's Deposition April 24. 1696. Capt. Porter 's Deposition April 15. 1696. Larüe 's Deposition February 26th 1696. Capt. Porter 's Deposition April 15. 1696 Capt. Porter 's Deposition April 15. 1696. This appears by Capt. Porter's Deposition April 15th 1696. King James wrote several Letters to him with his own
in Ireland had reduc'd the Protestants of that Kingdom to great Extremities If he had consulted his Interest he wou'd never have made so false a step in a juncture that wou'd have requir'd all the Caution and Dexterity of the most refin'd Politician but it seems he cou'd not resist the impetuous Motions of a Council of French and Irish Bigots who were accustom'd to govern him 'T will perhaps be expected that I shou'd take this occasion to attempt that Prince's Character but I must confess I have not courage enough to venture upon so nice a Task For 't is certain that in such a case the most scrupulous Caution can hardly preserve an Author from transgressing the narrow Limits that are prescrib'd to him by the respect which is due to those whose Honour as well as their Lives ought to be Sacred even to their Enemies Few are capable of managing a Subject of this Nature with a tender and wary Hand and even the modestest Performances in this kind are obnoxious to the unjust Censures of a byass'd Reader And therefore instead of assuming the Liberty to speak of his Person I shall content my self with making some Reflexions upon the Proceedings of his Council which I cou'd not omit without rendering my Work obscure and defective 'T was the Opinion of every judicious Person who observ'd their Maxims and Conduct that even from the beginning they gave the World too plain a view of their Designs and proceeded with too hasty an eagerness in the Execution of ' em Here under their wonted pretext of dispensing with the Laws they establish'd an Ecclesiastical Commission that was equally terrible to the Church and to the State The Incorporations were dispossess'd of their Charters the Council was fill'd with Roman-Catholics and the Universities were depriv'd of their Privileges The Temporal Lords were oblig'd either to quit their Places or renounce their Religion the Bishops were imprison'd and an Irish Army was brought into the Kingdom in time of Peace In Scotland they were so far from observing any measures that they look'd upon it as too mean a Condescension to preserve the least regard for the Laws They perswaded the King to assume a Despotic Power and taught him to use a Language which till then was unknown to the Free-born People of Great Britain for they had the confidence to make him declare that by virtue of his Soveraign Authority and Absolute Power he abrogated the Acts of Parliament that were made against the Roman Catholics The unsuccessfulness of the Attempt was a convincing Argument of the temerity of the Project but cou'd not oblige its Contrivers to alter their measures as it appears by their Conduct in Ireland for the Promises that were made in King James's Name to the Protestant Inhabitants of that Kingdom both before and after his arrival among 'em cou'd not protect 'em from the barefac'd violence of their Tyrannical Oppressors Their Effects Cattle Wool Money and Merchandizes were seiz'd and employ'd in the maintaining of a War against their Friends in England Their Lands were laid waste their Houses pillag'd and the Benefices bestow'd on their ancient and most implacable Enemies the Priests The Act of Settlement which was the only security they cou'd depend upon was violated and the Roman Catholics were authoriz'd by the Government to take Possession of their Estates Both the Protestant Religion and those who profess'd it were in a manner proscrib'd and expos'd as a Prey to those who were equally prompted by interest and inclination to destroy ' em The People were persecuted and murder'd by their domineering Enemies who were rather encourag'd than punish'd for their Barbarity They were forc'd to resign their Churches and were even deny'd the liberty of meeting together to perform their Devotions At last all the Protestants in Dublin were secur'd and when the Prisons were full the Churches were turn'd to Goals These disorders are particularly describ'd by a Bishop of that Country who had the misfortune to be a considerable Sharer in the common Calamity The King was so sensibly touch'd with the deplorable Condition of Ireland that he resolv'd to go thither in Person tho' he plac'd an entire confidence in the Person whom he had entrusted with the command of his Forces And that generous Undertaking was so visibly attended with the Blessing of Heaven that in the space of Three Months he reduc'd Two Third parts of the Kingdom and gave his Enemies a Fatal blow which broke all their Measures and ruin'd their unjust Hopes 'T was by the wise Direction of that Providence which had so often deliver'd him from the Hands of bloody Traitors and preserv'd a Life that was to be expos'd to more honorable Dangers that the Wound he receiv'd at the Boyn gave occasion to a false Report of his Death which occasion'd as public a joy in France as the true account of his Victories did in This and all the other Nations of Europe The Parliament thank'd him for exposing that Life to the greatest Dangers on which the Fate of Protestants and the common Liberty of all Europe depended And the happy Change that appear'd every where in the public Affairs on that occasion is a more than sufficient Ground to vindicate that Illustrious Body from the Imputation of Flattery People were surpriz'd to find themselves safer in the midst of a bloody War than they were in time of Peace The Switzers were no longer apprehensive of their incroaching Neighbour The Protestant Religion was preserv'd without any prejudice to the Roman-Catholics The Princes and States upon the Rhine were either secur'd from Danger or in a condition to defend themselves An effectual stop was put to the Pretensions and Conquests of the Chambers of Metz and Brisac the Electorates of Mentz and Cologn were reconquer'd and a King of the Romans was chosen according to the Inclination and Interest of the Members of the Empire Three Kingdoms were deliver'd from Oppression and rais'd to their wonted Glory of protecting their distressed Neighbors The Netherlands had the satisfaction to obey a Governor whom they had long and ardently desir'd but cou'd never obtain till now The Branches of the Houses of Austria were happily re-united to one another and to those whose Interest 't was to support ' em England and Holland resolv'd at last to pursue their mutual Interest and to cherish an Union which is absolutely necessary to their I reservation France had the mortification to see her self exhausted by the prodigious efforts she was oblig'd to make as the rest of the World had the satisfaction to perceive that ere long she wou'd either be confin'd within her ancient Limits by our Arms or ruin'd by her own dear-bought Victories These were the Glorious consequences of his Majesty's Establishment upon the Throne of England Every Nation was sensible of its particular Obligations and the Eyes of all the World were fix'd upon their Great Benefactor Even We who ow'd all
THE HISTORY OF THE Late Conspiracy AGAINST THE KING AND THE NATION With a Particular Account of the LANCASHIRE PLOT AND All the other Attempts and Machinations of the disaffected Party since His Majesty's Accession to the Throne Extracted out of the Original Informations of the Witnesses and other Authentick Papers LONDON Printed for Daniel Brown at the Black Swan and Bible without Temple-Bar and Tho. Bennet at the Half-Moon in St. Pauls Church-yard M DC XCVI THE HISTORY Of the Late Conspiracy c. SInce the late Conspiracy in this Kingdom has been for some time the Principal Object of the Curiosity of the Public and since it may furnish us with so great a Variety of Important Instructions 't is presum'd the History of it will be equally useful and acceptable to the present Age and to Posterity Here future Ages may behold a King variously Censur'd and Represented by the several Parties of Mankind lov'd by some hated by others but â—steem'd by all tho' in so different a manner that some Conspire his Death for the same Reasons that prevail d with others to offer him a Crown A Prinâ—e to whom his Subjects own themselves indebted for Immortal Obligations and whom his Enâ—mies for that very Reason accuâ—e as the Author of all their Misâ—ortunes Advanc'd by the Gratitude of the one render'd Illustrious by the Hatred of the others endu'd with a Generous Moderation that raises him above his Fortune and makes him the absolute Master of his Passions Here the Reader will find Gentlemen and Officers dishonoâ—ing theâ—r Birth and Character by acting the unmanly part of Murderers a barbaroâ—s Assassination carry'd on under the speâ—ious pretext of a Military Expedition a handful of Traitors contâ—â—ving the ruin of the publiâ— Liberty and reâ—dy by one terrible Blow to execute their pernicious Design a Secret that had been exâ—ctly conceâ—l'd for Six Years discover'd by Four Men in Six Days The King not only assisted by Providence but establish'd by the treacherous Malice of his Enemies endear'd to his Subjects by the Greatness of the Common Danger and receiving new Assurances of their Affection and Fidelity Eâ—gland once more deliver'd The Prince and the People inseparably united by mutual Obligations and more than ever in a condition to procure and maintain the Peace and Happiness of Europe This is a general View of what the Reader may expect to meet with in the following Relation I have mark'd every particular step of a Transaction which is too important to be forgotten tho it can never be remember'd without Horror And thâ—t tâ—e â—rogress and Management of the Dâ—siâ—n might appear in â— clearer â—ight I have trac'd it â—â—â—m itâ— dark Original and have given a â—â—ccinct Account of the several Projects and Attempts that precâ—â—ded or madâ— way for the Conspiracâ— I have taken care to â—urnish my â—elf â—itâ— such Instruâ—â—ions as might enable me to compose an exacâ— History I have endeavor'd to write without Heat and Partiality nor was there any need of aggravating a Crime that is so black in its own nature and so apt to possess the calmest Mind with a Just Abhorrence and Indignation But above all I have been scrupulously careful to mention nothing but what is grounded upon Authentic Testimonies To give the Reader a just Idea of the Conspiracy 't wou'd be necessary in the First place to acquaint him with the importance of his Majesty's Life if it were not unreasonable to suppose that any Person can be so much a stranger to the Transactions of the Age he lives in as to be ignorant of the interest which the Nations of Europe have in the preservation of that Sacred Life 'T was on him that Spain founded the first hopes she had the courage to entertain of seeing a happy turn of her declining Fortune 'T is to him next to the blessing of Heaven that the Dutch owe the safety of their State and the English their Laws Religion and Liberty The Former entrusted him with the management of all their concerns and the Latter made him their Soveraign to secure their own Happiness and to prevent a return of those Miseries from which he had deliver'd ' em The Allies in general combin'd together to erect a kind of Empire for him in the present Confederacy being sensible that they cou'd not defend themselves without his Assistance and that they might without any Jealousy or Apprehension rely upon his Integrity and Vertue And which is yet a brighter and more surprizing part of his Character 't is certain that none of all these Honors which he enjoys cost him the trouble of Asking The great and important Services which the World had either receiv'd or might expect to receive from him were the only Solicitations he us'd to obtain these glorious advantages This is the only Circumstance of his Life which shall be particularly consider'd in this place because 't is This that will contribute most to give light to the following History and This alone which Malice or Envy durst ever presume to conâ—radict It never enter'd into the Thoughts of any considering Person says a late Writer that the Prince of Orange was so fond of the English Nation as to undertake the security of their Liberties at the expence of so much Treasure and so many Fatigues instead of destroying 'em as he ought to have done being the next Heir to the Crown after the Prince of Wales I cannot forbear observing on this occasion that this Author though chosen as the fittest Person to write a History of the Revolutions in England according to the Instructions and as it appears by the Orders of his Party was at least in this case a perfect Stranger both to the Affairs and Temper of that Monarch For ' tiâ— certain that his Majesty in so pressing a Juncture cou'd not forget England without neglecting his own Interest and that of the Princess his Consort and without consenting to the irrecoverable Ruine of Holland of the Protestant Religion in general and of all the Princes and States in Europe both Protestants and Roman-Catholics who were equally threatn'd with unavoidable destruction And besides it will appear that the Author of that History was less acquainted with his Majesty's Temper than with his Interest and Affairs When that generous Prince was plac'd at the Head of a potent Republic in the heat of his youth and when at the importunate solicitations of all the Members of that great Body he was advanc'd to such a degree of Power and Grandeur as might have enabl'd him to execute whatever his Ambition cou'd have prompted him to undertake 't is known that he made no other use of so inviting an opportunity than to settle a good correspondence betwixt the Magistrates and the People 'T is known that he refus'd the Sovereignty of Guelderland which was offer'd to him because he wou'd not confirm the jealousy of some Persons who seem'd to dread the consequences of such an Innovation
that can neither be deny'd nor conceal'd nor can the Conspirators themselves be suppos'd to be ignorant of it And therefore since they cannot discover or so much as pretend to discover any Faults in His Majesty to excuse their Malice against him they endeavor'd under the Shelter of his Virtues to carry on their execrable Designs The Honesty and Integrity of his Temper makes him incapable of Jealousy or Distrust and even seems to invite his Enemies to conspire against him Besides he has so great a regard to the Laws that he will not suffer 'em to be violated under any pretext whatsoever not even for the security of his Person and Government And 't is this which encourag'd the Conspirators to proceed with less Caution and Fear as the Reader will easily perceive by the Continuation of the History of their Proceedings Lunt was very active in performing his Commission and had made a considerable progress about the time when the French were expected in England He had been at London where he bought Arms Carabins Swords Pistols c. which he sent to Lancashire He had also listed Soldiers whom he sent to the same County and had receiv'd Money for their Subsistance from the Lord Molineux and others And by his Diligence and Success he had insinuated himself so far into the Favor and Esteem of the Party that he was sent back to France about a Year after the Action at La Hogue But before I proceed to give an account of his Voyage and Return it will not be improper to acquaint the Reader with the State and Disposition of the Court of St. Germains about the time of his Arrival there 'T is observable that the Policy of the Late King's Council has always consisted in altering their Measures according to the Circumstances of their Affairs That this has been their constant practice is plain from their Conduct at the beginning of the Revolution For upon the News of the Preparations in Holland he began to remove those instances of his Arbitrary Power that had render'd him odious to his People but as soon as he receiv'd advice of the pretended Shipwrack of the Dutch Fleet he repented his former design and sent Counter-Orders to Oxford Again when he left the Kingdom he endeavour'd to amuse us with new Promises which were industriously dispers'd among the People both in England and Scotland Particularly to oblige the Scotch to support his falling Interest he assur'd 'em That they and their Posterity shou'd see the Effect of the Promises which he had so often made 'em to maintain their Religion Liberty and Privileges But no sooner was he at the Head of his Party in Ireland and in a condition to pursue his old Maxims than he seem'd to have lost the very remembrance of his Promises and began immediately to persecute the Protestants The Defeat of his Army made him afterwards change his note and resume a Language of Sweetness and Moderation But after the Preparations at La Hogue had reviv'd his sinking Hopes he ventur'd once more to put off the Mask and talk'd of nothing but Conquest and Revenge At last their were two Parties form'd in his Court and while one of 'em wou'd have engag'd him to oblige himself to preserve the Antient Laws of England the other were still suggesting to him that 't wou'd be too mean a Condescensien to enter into a Treaty with his Subjects The two Cabals were headed by Middleton and Melford who enjoy'd their Master's Favor by turns and were successively entrusted with the Management of Affairs according to the variety of his Circumstances When he fancy'd himself in a Condition to subdue the Nation by Force Melford was his Favorite but when the posture of his Affairs oblig'd him to have recourse to Flattery and Complaisance Middleton was the principal Director of his Counsels The Factions were directly opposite and were distinguish'd both by their Names and Sentiments for the Middletonians were usually known by the Name of Compounders and the Melfordians had the Title of No Compounders Melford had still a Share in the Management of Affairs but his Interest was sinking proportionably with the Hope of Conquering England when to recover his Credit he contriv'd the Project of Assassinating his Majesty He had already engag'd Bromfield and Griffin who had their Correspondents in England And upon Lunt's arrival he propos'd the Design to him engag'd him in it and sent him to Dover to concert the means of executing it with Captain Noel Captain Walter Captain Roberts Pepper and Preston They had promis'd to Assassinate His Majesty and even Sign'd an Obligation to that Effect But after they had consulted with Lunt about the Means of Executing it they were seiz'd with Horror and Remorse and resolv'd to atone for their Crime by discovering it to the Council And that their Information might neither be slighted nor suspected they made use of one Taff who not long before had done a considerable Service to the Government and consequently was neither unknown nor unwelcome at Court. By this Man Lunt was introduc'd and had an opportunity to make his Discovery Some time after the Council sent 'em both to Lancashire with Captain Baker to seize and convict the Conspirators in that County The Search and Prosecution continu'd several Months with various Success The Accus'd Persons whose Names 't is thought fit to conceal absconded as soon as they were inform'd of the Discovery and the Design that was on Foot to bring 'em to Justice In the mean time their Houses were search'd and in them were found Saddles Swords Carabines great Quantities of Powder and Bullets Standards a Commission from King James c. At the Trial at Manchester Octob. 17. 1694. the Witnesses depos'd That the Persons whom they accus'd had receiv'd Commissions from the late King to Levy Troops that they had listed Soldiers and form'd 'em into Bodies with a Design to assist the French after their Landing that the Papists in Lancashire contributed for the Subsistence of these Troops that they were furnish'd with Officers Arms and all sorts of Ammunition for War c. But an unexpected Accident put a stop to the further Discovery of the Conspiracy and sav'd the Traitors from the just Punishment of their Crimes They had Money to offer and consequently cou'd neither want Friends nor Protection The First whom they gain'd was Taff He had been well rewarded for his late Service and expected a new Recompence for this Discovery tho he had contributed nothing towards it but the Assistance and Testimony which he gave to the Discover The disappointment of his Hopes made him listen to the advantageous Offers of the Faction and resolve to save his new Masters at the expence of his own Reputation for he was not asham'd to declare that the Lancashire Plot was a Fiction concerted betwixt Lunt and himself to Ruine some Gentlemen in that County This Declaration was follow'd
by Objections that were made against the Witnesses They were accus'd of Corruption and Misdemeanors some of the Judges were preingag'd and possess'd with groundless prejudices against 'em and care was taken to disguise the whole Affair to the Council The Witnesses were represented in the blackest Colors that Artful Malice cou'd invent and committed to Newgate upon suspicion of having Conspir'd against the Lives and Honor of the Lancashire Gentlemen The Affair was afterwards brought before both Houses of Parliament who heard the Witnesses and others who gave in new Informations Some of 'em discover'd the secret Treaty betwixt Taff and the Conspirators and all of 'em justify'd I unt and his Accusation And after a full Hearing and Examination that lasted about six Weeks or two Months 't was declar'd by both Houses That there had been a horrible Conspiracy against their Majesties Life and Government c. This Vote was an Illustrious Testimony that the Witnesses were not only Innocent but merited the Thanks of the Nation yet the Prejudice of those who ought to have protected 'em and the Interest of the Faction they had offended were so great that the Resolutions of a whole Parliament cou'd neither put a stop to their Prosecution nor procure 'em a fair Trial. They were indicted at the Lancashire Assizes and by the prevailing Force of the secret Springs that were employ'd against 'em were found Guilty of Perjury Thus by an unhappy and preposterous Turn the Criminals were become Witnesses and the horrible Conspiracy against Their Majesties was reduc'd to a Conspiracy against Traitors But their Artifices were at last defeated and Truth prevail'd over the Power and Treachery of its Enemies The Discoverers asserted their Innocency by the Testimony of Forty new Witnesses The Lancashire Gentlemen cou'd not prove their Allegations and those who were Guilty of no other Crime than endeavoring to serve the Government were sent away with assurances of a sutable Recompence In the mean time tho the Conspirators cou'd not succeed in their main design of discrediting the Witnesses they had spread such a Mist upon the whole Affair that they hop'd they might easily conceal their Intrigues for the future from the less penetrating part of Mankind The Discoveries that had been made were imperfect and controverted and serv'd only to give us a new instance of the difference betwixt the King and his Enemies He was so far from imitating either the Arbitrary Violence or Ungenerous Politics of some Princes in Europe that he openly protected those who had Conspir'd against his Life so long as there was the least appearance of Reason to doubt of their Guilt So dear is the Life or Honor of a Subject to a King that is what every Soveraign ought to be the Father of his Country On the other hand the Conspirators endeavor'd to prevent a new alarm by the Death of those whom they suspected For not to repeat what has been said concerning Kelly Dodsworth was kill'd by two Jacobite Brothers after he had discover'd what he knew of the Conspiracy And Redman was Murder'd two days after he had communicated his design to one who betray'd him While the Jacobites in Lancashire were pursuing their beloved Project of destroying the Nation with so much Heat and Diligence their Friends in London were continually forming new Designs against His Majesty's Life When Parker came to England to execute the Orders he had receiv'd from his Master he entertain'd an intimate Correspondence with Porter and Goodman Two of the most zealous Instruments and Promoters of the Treasonable Designs of the Party The First was born a Gentleman and a Protestant but had spent his Estate and renounc'd his Religion The other was a Comedian by Profession and had been formerly Try'd for endeavouring to Poyson the Dukes of Northumberland and St. Albans but either his Interest Innocency or Subtilty had sav'd him from the Punishment that is due to such a Crime Parker gave 'em the Two First Companies in his Regiment with a large share in his Confidence and in the secrets of the Faction but wou'd never acquaint 'em with some of the most Mysterious Circumstances of the Design He order'd 'em to take a House in or near London with large Stables fit to lodge and accommodate Fifty or Sixty Horses that they might be in a condition to receive the Troops of Horse that from time to time were to pass thro' London in their March to the Place of Rendezvous This is the account he thought fit to give them but if we consider what happen'd both before and afterwards 't will perhaps appear to be more than a bare conjecture that since the Design to Assassinate His Majesty was then on Foot these measures were taken to Facilitate the Execution of it His Imprisonment diverted his Thoughts to other Objects and found new Employment for his Friends among whom Charnock and Harrison deserve a particular Remembrance The First who went also by the Name of Robinson was Born and Educated a Protestant but chang'd his Religion to Merit the Late King's Favour which was the sure Reward of those that were willing to deliver up their Conscience as a Pledge of their Loyalty He and another were the only Persons who comply'd with King James's Order to Magdalen Colledge and his Complaisance on that Occasion procur'd him the Dignity of Vice-President But when Honest Men began to recover what they had lost 't was fit that Persons of another Character shou'd loose what they had gotten The Laws that were Re-establish'd by the Revolution render'd him incapable of enjoying his Place and by depriving him of his new Preferment made him an Enemy to the Government both by Interest and Resentment He had an equal Aversion to the Laws to the People and to their Deliverer for after he had incurr'd the Hatred of his Countrey-Men he thought he cou'd neither recover his Reputation nor Fortune but by destroying their Liberty Harrison alias Johnson was a Priest who for a considerable time had been entrusted with the Management of King James's Affairs He was a Violent Melfordian â—an Active and Zealous Agent of the Party and so far from being troubl'd with the Scruples and Checks of a tender Conscience that he never look'd upon any thing as Difficult or Criminal that might serve to promote the Interest of the Faction He had entertain'd a long Correspondence with Melfort who lost his Credit at the Court of St. Germains upon the miscarriage of the intended Invasion for as we observ'd before 't was the constant Practice of the Late King's Council in such Iunctures to advance Middleton in Complaisance to the Protestant Jacobites After Melford's Disgrace Harrison chose Caryl the Late Queen's Secretary for his Correspondent He was the Instrument of Delivering Colonel Parker out of the Tower which was an Important Service to the Party He agreed with those who suffer'd him to make his Escape for Five Hundred Pounds Three hundred
to the Genius of the Nation and the Humor of the People Nor will the Parliament and People of England be accus'd of Lightness and Inconstancy by any unbyaâ—s'd Person that considers how much they have exceeded even their Wisest and most Wary Neighbors in securing their Liberty and preserving an undisturb'd Peace and Tranquillity in their Country and how firmly they have adher'd to their own true Interest during the whole course of a War which they maintain with equal Glory Prudence and Resolution The Roman-Catholic Princes were upbraided for entering into a Confederacy with the Enemies of their Religion But they were too wise and too well acquainted with the Designs of those who wou'd have perswaded 'em to sacrifice their Interest to their Superstition to suffer themselves to be impos'd upon by an Artifice which twice in our Memory had almost prov'd Fatal to Europe First when under pretext of promoting or at least not opposing the Advancement of the Roman-Catholic Religion the French King was suffer'd to over-run the United Provinces and to extend his Conquests so far that in the Judgment of the least Apprehensive Minds it seem'd hardly possible to hinder him from making himself Master of Amsterdam and with it of the Fleet Army Credit and Money of that potent Republic which wou'd have render'd his Power almost as boundless as his Ambition And a Second time when after the Peace of Nimeghen the French found a way to keep us from looking abroad by engaging us in unnecessary Quarrels about Religion at home and by that means diverted the prudent Jealousie of the only Nation in Europe that was able to curb their Ambition for by retaining the possession of Pignerol Cazal Hunninghen Strasburg Montroyal Luxemburg c. they kept at once Italy Switzerland Germany and the Netherlands under a kind of Subjection and in the General all the Princes and States of Europe were over-aw'd by the severe Politics and formidable Power of an ambitious Monarch who like an ill-natur'd Neighbor made every petty Trespass or accidental Slip the pretext of a new Invasion If our Deliverance had been deferr'd till the Popish Party had secur'd the Plurality of Voices in the Parliament and Modell'd an Army to support their unjust Usurpations If the two Kings had had time to execute the Grand Design of destroying Holland and extirpating the Northern Heresy the House of Austria wou'd have been quickly sensible of the fatal Consequences of this pretended Advancement of the Roman-Catholic Religion But to return to the Kingdom that was doom'd to feel the first effects of these dismal Alterations The English Jacobites as well as the Court of St. Germains were generally divided into Melfordians and Middletonians and while one of the Parties declar'd openly for Arbitrary Power the other insisted upon the Necessity of entering into a kind of Treaty with the Nation The former were entrusted with the Secrets of the Faction and the Command of the Troops that were to be employ'd in the Destruction of their Country All the Colonels were animated with the Spirit of Melford Parker was engag'd in the most furious Designs of the Party and both Parkins and Friend are represented as violent Melfordians by a Person in whom they plac'd a particular Confidence The Lancashire Papists both by Inclination and Interest were zealous Promoters of Arbitrary Power Porter Goodman Charnock and the rest of the Officers who were to act either in the Assassination or Invasion were influenc'd by the same Principles and ready to obey the most barbarous Orders of their Commanders Thus each of the opposite Cabals apply'd themselves to their respective Tasks For while the Middletonians were employ'd to amuse the People with flattering Hopes and Assurances of a favorable Treatment the Melfordians who were the sole Masters of the Forces and Arms of the Faction were putting themselves in a condition to violate the Promises of the former which made one say That he was neither so much a Fool nor a Villain as to engage in the Party It seems the Faction imagin'd that they cou'd easily betray the Nation to the cruel Ambition of a Foreign and Implacable Enemy But notwithstanding their Confidence of Success they scrupl'd not to contrive the basest and most treacherous Expedients to accomplish their unnatural Design The Reader will find an evident Confirmation of both these Truths in a Discourse that past between Brice Blair and Harrison as 't is related by the former upon Oath I wenâ— says he to see Mr. Harrison a little after Sir George Barclay came from France who told me that there might be something done in a little time which might be an Introduction to King James's Restoration I ask'd him after what manner that business cou'd be effected and after some pause he told me that if King James cou'd not come in time enough that his Friends might burn the Navy Victualling Office wherein the Provisions for the Mouth lay which might retard the English Fleet from getting to Sea for a considerable time I told him being amaz'd to hear such Words from a Priest's Month that it was not practicable and if it were there wou'd be few found that wou'd run the risque He told me that he wou'd have me as forward in the King's Service as any Man and that he was told by a Gentleman and a very good Officer that if he was sure of but a Hundred Horse he wou'd end the War in a Fortnights time c. 'T was by proposing such Expedients that the Conspirators endeavor'd to distinguish themselves since they found by experience that this was the only way to gain the Favor and Esteem of the Party Melford himself was oblig'd to give 'em a new Specimen of his barbarous Politics and even to strain the natural Fierceness of his Temper to support his sinking Credit For after he had been dismist for some time as a Rash and Furious Person who was only fit to pursue violent Methods and incapable of that seeming Moderation which the present Juncture requir'd he was immediately restor'd to Favor as soon as the Party was convinc'd of the Feasibleness of the Project he had contriv'd against the Liberty of the Nation and the Life of its Deliverer Thus Middleton was kept as a Reserve for the Day of Adversity while Melford was cherish'd as their better Genius who alone had the Art of improving an Advantage and making our Yoke so heavy that we shou'd never afterwards be able to shake it off They left no means unattempted to confirm the Court of St. Germains in these Maxims To this End an ingenious Jesuit was chosen to represent the Affairs of England and especially the late Revolution according to the Instructions he had receiv'd from the Party It must be acknowledg'd that the Work is adorn'd with all the Embellishments of a beautiful Stile and the Management of the Subject wou'd have been extremely sutable to the Juncture if the late King had been in as
Usurpers England has been always look'd upon as one of the most considerable Kingdoms in Europe but the it were the meanest and most contemptible Nation in the World it cou'd not be depriv'd of the most ancient and fundamental Privilege of Mankind I mean that of Self-Preservation 'T is true a People may be Subdu'd and made Slaves by a Victorious Invader but they can never be robb'd of their natural Right to endeavor the recovering of their Liberty And supposing that this was formerly a Conquer'd Kingdom t is plain that the Conqueror cou'd not become a Lawful Monarch but by Treating with the Nation and preserving its ancient Privileges since a True King must be the Governor of Subjects and not of Slaves ' Twou'd be a direct overturning of the Order of Nature to pretend with our Enemies that the Soveraign Authority in England is originally Arbitrary and that the People are only Free by Usurpation since by the fundamental Constitution of our Government the People are originally free and the Royal Authority Limited The Roman Catholics were naturally dispos'd to embrace these pernicious Notions for 't is one of the Principles of their Religion that the Pope's Jurisdiction extends over the Temporal Authority of Kings and the Property of the People and that those whom he Deposes or Excommunicates are ipso facto depriv'd of all their Rights and Privileges 'T is true this Opinion has been look d upon as dangerous even by the Princes of that Persuasion who are not willing that their Authority shou'd depend on the Arbitrary Will of One Man And from thence some have taken occasion to call those Catholics who moderate the Power of the See of Rome and only to give the Name of Papists to those who require an unlimited Submission to the Pope But this Distinction was never so generally known or teceiv'd in this Kingdom as in other places For in Popish Countries 't is the Interest of the Prince to inspire his People with a less extravagant respect to the Head of their Church whereas in England where the Roman Catholics have neither a Prince nor Magistrate of their Perswasion they are wholly govern'd by their Directors and follow all their Maxims unless they have Sense enough to perceive the dangerous Consequences of these Opinions or by the Mildness and Integrity of their Temper are naturally inclin'd to detest such a barbarous and inhumane Doctrin But in the general they are easily perswaded to look upon Protestants as Men that have forfeited all their Privileges and are already doom'd to Death for the Crimes of Heresy and Schism by the repeated Sentences of several Councils And 't is plain that those who are possest with such a Prejudice will never heartily acknowledge the Title of a Protestant Prince since they reckon our Religion a sufficient ground to deprive a People of the natural Privileges of a Civil Society It has been upon all cccasions the constant Practice of the Faction to accommodate their Notions to the various Humours and Inclinations of those whom they endeavor to draw into their Party For as they entertain some of their Proselytes with Projects to destroy the Liberty and Privileges of the Nation they insinuate themselves into the good opinion of others by exclaiming against the Prerogative of the Crown When they meet with Persons that are fond of a Popular Government they pretend to be of the same opinion exasperate their Grievances and perswade 'em that 't is the Interest of the Nation to weaken the Power and Authority of the King that upon the first occasion they may be able withless difficulty to introduce a Republican Government At the same time they make use o other Artifices to delude those who are superstitiously addicted to Monarchy They exasperate their Zeal fill their Minds with unreasonable Jealousies and by scaring 'em with false Alarms of the Progress of the Republican Party endeavour to secure their Assistance for the Introducing of Arbitrary Power as the only Way to keep out a Common-wealth For 't is their usual custom to tamper with the most violent Persons of all Parties that by animating 'em one against another they may divide the Nation into opposite and irreconcileable Factions They labour'd to perswade the World that the late King might justly assume an Arbitrary Power that he might reign without a Parliament and absolutely renounce all Contracts with his People And even after he had deserted the Kingdom and was declar'd an Enemy to our Laws Religion and Liberties by the Representatives of the Nation they had the confidence to pretend that he was still our Lawful King But the Artifice was too gross to pass upon a whole Nation for in the first place they must have perswaded us that We were not a People but a Multitude of Rebels that had forfeited all our Privileges that were condemn'd by our Prince and had neither Laws nor Parliaments to protect us that like a company of Robbers who had escap'd the Execution of Justice we maintain'd our Illegal Possessions by an unjust Force and had no Title either to our Lives or Estates that we were Slaves by Law and Proscrib'd Malefactors and cousequently were in a more wretched Condition than if we had been actually Conquer'd and Subdu'd Blessed be that Almighty Goodness which defeated the Contrivances of our Enemies and gave us a King upon whom they cou'd never fasten the least Aspersion who manages the Reins of Government with an equal and Steddy Hand who never was and we have reason to believe never will be Guilty either of Tyranny or Remissness who will neither oppress us himself nor Suffer us to oppress one another and has always pursu'd such Maxims as are most agreable to the admirable Constitution of our Government which preserves the Just mean betwixt the arbitrary Tyranny of Despotic Power and the Tumultuary Liccntiousness of Anarchy or Democracy and will neither suffer the Parliament to make Laws without the Authority of the King nor the King to Govern without the Advice of his Parliament But since they cou d not Debauch the Fidelity of his People by controverting his Title to the Crown they made use of that pretext to encourage the desperate Bravo's of the Faction to murder him They told 'em that they cou'd not be accus'd of conspiring against the Life of a King since the Prince of Orange had no right to that Title And it appears that the same Pretence was alledg d as one of the Reasons for the design'd Invasion The whole Nation was alarm'd with the common Danger and the Parliament especially made serious Reflexions upon the Designs of our Enemies His Majesty's Speech to both Houses was seconded by Sir William Trumbal who in a Pathetic Harangue before the House of Commons acquainted that Illustrious Body with the particular Characters of the Witnesses the uniformity of their Evidence and the improbability of their Conspiring together to deceive us and from all these