in which it was ordered that if the said Father Confessor should not be ready to comply with the said Stapleton that Messengers should be forthwith sent to Father Sinman at Madrid to inform His Majesty of Spain of the said concern and to make the same relation of the business to the Arch-Bishop of Tuam in the Kingdom of Ireland now at the Court of Madrid That he the said Arch-Bishop and the said Sinman might jointly give an account to the King of Spain of the motion made or to be made to the said Father Confessor to the Duke De Villa Hermosa and also to advise the Spanish King to Seize the Estates of the English Merchants in several Factories in this Kingdom For that they have endeavoured to Transport them to England which would tend highly to the prejudice of Spain and for the Confirmation whereof they procured Letters from one Fausica sometimes an Agent in London to attest the same To which the said Fausica willingly condescended and sent his Letters to St. Omers to be sent to the Court of Spain that the Fathers might give their approbation which Letter was long and large with attestations therein made against the Merchants residents in their several Factories concerning the matter of Faith before mentioned and also other Letters to Daniel Armstrong at Valladolidd and John Armstrong at Madrid which they were ordered to Confirm this affirmation made or to be made by the Fathers in England and of the English Seminaries at St. Omers Or if the said Stapleton together with that of Fausica the above mentioned Spanish Agent now lives at Bruges in Flanders All which Letters bore Date the First Second of January 1678. Stilo Novo and were seen by the Deponent at St. Omers and in the Letters to the Two Fathers Armstrong and Cross in Spaein was contained a special Order that if the fermer could go to Madrid he should send his Attestation to Don John of Austria and to carry on which 200 l. was made over by Father Sinman and the English Fathers 16. That when the Lords came from England about the business before mentioned to St. Omers Edward Nevil and Thomas Farmer did say that they would not let this Black Bastard go so to His Grave in peace meaning the King of England for that he had cheated them so often and that now they resolved to be served so no more That this Deponent standing by said if the Duke prove slippery they both replyed that his Pas-Port was ready when ever he should appear to fail them These words were heard by the Deponent on the Third of January in the Afternoon in the Library of the Jesuits at St. Omers 17. That on the Fourth of January 1678. Stilo Novo Letters were sent from Richard Ashbey Edward Hall Edward Novil Christ Peters William Busby James Junior Thomas Farmer Michael Constable Jesuits of the English Seminary at St. Omers as also from Father Williams Rector of Watton and Master of the Novices there Sir Jo. Warner Barroner alias Clare Franois Samby alias Ditz-Biling to the Father-Confessor of the Emperours Majesty That His Majesty of Great Britain hath treatherously been the ruin of the Confederates especially of the Germain Empire and of his Catholick Princes under him and has under hand stirred up the Hungarian Rebellion against his Imperial Majesty and found them Money to go on in their Rebellion His design being not to keep any Alliance with his Imperial Majesty but only in shew that he might advance the Prince of Orange his Nephew and make him absolute and therefore prayed the States of Holland might have notice of it Which Letter was seen and perused by the Deponent it being writ in the Latine Tongue All which Letters were sent away by a Lay Brother who was a Dutch Man and when these Letters were sending away one of the Lay Brothers whose name was George did say the Prince of Orange was more fit to Roban Orchard than to be a General of an Army 18. That Letters bearing Date the 1. of January Stilo Novo arrived at St. Omers January the 20. from Arch-Bishop Talbot Arch Bishop of Dubline wherein it was expressed that the Fathers of the Society in Ireland were very vigilant to prepare the people to rise for the defence of their liberty and Religion and to recover their estates and if the Parliament that was to fit in England shall joyn with the King in declaring war against France and should put His Majesty to ingage in a War with France that a place in Ireland should be open to receive the French Kings Army when His Most Christian Majesty should think fit to Land one their And in the Letter he advised the Fathers of St. Omers to advertise Father Leshee of the same and other Jesuits that had an interest in the French King and that His Majesty of Great Britain was brought to that pass that if any Male content amongst them should not prove true to their designs His Majesty would never give ear to their information and prayed them to be diligent for now was the time or never Which Letter this Deponent saw and read and in order to the Fathers Compliance with the said Arch-Bishops Letters to Father Leshee to Paris and appointed Edward Nevil and William Busby to carry and deliver them to the said Leshee which Letters were answered with all speed by the aforesaid Messengers Jesuits as above The one of them being Prefect of Studies and the other Procurator for the Seminaries and by them writ Letters to Thomas White Provincial to the Rector of St. Omers viz. Richard Ashbey but of that to the Provincial the Deponent can give no account but of that to Ashbey the Deponent faith there was expressed in it that the General of the Society of the Jesuits would Contribute 500000. Crowns to be paid in June next coming and that his Holiness the Pope would not be wanting to supply them when they had made some progress in that glorious attempt 19. That another Packet arrived at St. Omers directed to Richard Ashbey Rector there the Date whereof is not well remembred by this Deponent but as near as he doth remember it was about the beginning of the Parliament for then came the Kings and Lord Chancellors Speeches and Votes of Parliament which were put into ridiculous Phrases in contempt of the King and both Houses of Parliament and for the Fathers and Scholars to Laugh at and then Translated into French and given to the Governor of St. Omers who sent them to the French King his Master and in the Packet was contained the account of the attempt of one Pickering a Lay Brother that waited on the Jesuites lying at Sommerset-house to Shoot the King as he was Walking in St. James's Park when he was at some distance from his Nobles and Attendants but the Flint of his Pistol being loose he did defer the Action till another opportunity and if he had done it and had
THE DISCOVERY OF THE Popish Plot BEING The several Examinations of TITUS OATES D. D. Before the High Court OF PARLIAMENT The Lord CHIEF JUSTICE Sir EDMUND-BURY GODFRY And several other of His MAJESTY's JUSTICES of the PEACE London Printed 1679. Titus Oates D. D. his Journal and Affidavit of his Discovery of the Conspiracy before Sir Edmund-Bury Godfry Septemb. the 27th 1678. IMprimis Richard Strange Provincial John Keines Bazil Longworth John Fenwick and Mr. Hartcourt Jesuites did Write a Treasonable Letter to Father Sinman an Irish Jesuite at Madrid in the Kingdom of Spain in which was contained their Plotting and Contriving a Rebellion in Scotland of the Presbyterians against the Episcopal Government in order to which they have imployed one Matthew Wright William Morgan and Mr. Ireland to go and Preach under the Notion of Presbyterians and give the disaffected Scots a true understanding of their sad States and Conditions which they were in by reason of Episcopal Tyranny exercised against them and withall to tell them now they had a fair opportunity to Vindicate their Liberty and Religion and that it could be done by no other way but the Sword and that now the King was addicted to his Pleasure that he would and could take but little care of that Concern In the said Letter it was expressed they had gotten an Interest in His Royal Highness but they deal with him as they think fit and that they were resolved by all means to weaken the King of England's Interest by informing his Friends of his intent to betray them into the Hands of Forraign Powers viz. to send them to fall by the Sword in the French King's Service against the Confederate Princes which Letter bares Date April 19 27 1677. 2. That the Persons abovementioned gave the Deponent 10 l. to carry the said Letter to Father Sinman into the Kingdom of Spain to Madrid the said Sinman being the Provincial General for the Kingdom of England and Ireland and in order to which Message the Deponent Embarked himself in the Ship called the Bâ—sca Merchant whereof Luke Bath-Roch was then Master to go for Bâ—lboa and there took Mules for Valladolydd but staying a day at Burgos in Spain the Deponent broke open the said Letter and found these Contents in the same 3. That they of the Society of Jesus in the English Seminary at St. Omers sent a Mission of Twelve Students into the Kingdom of Spain viz. Eight to Valladolydd and Four to Madrid there being English Colledges in both places in order to Study Philosophy and Divinity which Missioners were sent by Richard Ashbey Richard Peter Nicholas Blundel and Charles Peter by the Patents of the several Missioners by which they had power to demand Admission into the respective Colledges to which they were sent which Missioners were obliged by the Jesuits of the Colledges to renounce their Allegiance to His Majesty of Great Britain in the hearing of the Deponent and those of Valladolydd were taught by Daniel Armestrong a Jesuite Minister of the English there That First the Oath of Allegiance is Heretical and Anti-christian and Divellish and that Charles Stuart King of England is no Lawful King but comes of aspurious Rase and 〈◊〉 his Father was a Black Scotch-man and not King Charles the First This was delivered in a Sermon the 29th of Sept. 1677. to the Students there which Sermon the Deponent did hear and in this Sermon the said Daniel Armestrong in plain words did say that the King of England was a Bastard now that Daniel Armestrong goeth in Spain by the Name of Joseph Munford in Spanish by John Montefortio 4. That the said John Munford alias Armestrong did bring Letters from St. Omers to the English Colledge at Valladolydd to the Father there in Latin by reason they were Spaniards in which was expressed and related from the Fathers at St. Omers that the Fathers of the Society of London hath procured one Father Beningfield to be Confessor to His Royal Highness but if they saw that His Royal Highness did not answer their expectation they would dispose of him as they did intend to dispose of His Brother the King which they hoped to effect within a year which Letter bares Date June 1677. and Subscribed by Richard Ashbey alias Shimbleby Rector of the English Jesuites at St. Omers Richard Peter Minister Edward Nevil Prefect of the Studies Ch. Peters Prefect of Sodality John Farmor Prefect of Manors which Letters the Deponent saw in the Month of September 1677. at Valladolydd in the Kingdom of Spain 5. That Father Sinman above mentioned Writ to the English Colledge and the Fathers there said that the King of England was Poysoned to the great Joy of the English Fathers and that they would serve King James so if he did not give them a good assurance of bringing in the Catholick Religion and of rooting out the Protestant this Letter bore Date July the And was seen and read by the Deponent at Valladolydd near the latter end of July 1677. 6. That one Father John Blake alias Cross who went with the Four Students to Madrid did bring Letters from Richard Strange Provincial of the Jesuits and one Father Gray a Jesuit and John Keines to Father Sinman above mentioned in which was specifyed the great diligence was used by the said Richard Strange Father Gray and John Keines to procure such persons to dispatch the King and to put a period to his dayes which Letter bore date June the 10. 1677. Stilo Novo And the Deponent being sent to Madrid in August read it in Father Sinmans Chamber he shewing it also at the same time to James Arch-Bishop of Tuam of the Kingdom of Ireland 7. That the said Father Sinman received another Letter July the 20. 1677. Stilo Novo from Richard Strange Father Gray John Keines Bazill Longworth John Fenwick Father Ireland and Father Hartcourt in which they did manifest they were very sorry for informing him that he might assure himself that the business was done there man William being faint harted could not then do it though he had 15000 l. promised for his pains of which Letters the English Missioners by one information that at Madrid by John Cross alias Blake and those of Valladolydd by Daniel Armestrong Jesuit which Letters the deponent saw in the Chamber of Mr. Synman at Madrid at the same time that he saw the Letters of the _____ June mentioned in the fore-going paragraph or number 8. That on the 3. of November Stilo Novo Father Petro Jeronymo de Cordela Provincial of the Jesuits in New Castle did write to Richard Strange and John Keines that if the business of dispatching of the King of England could be effected they should have 10000 l. which Letter the deponent brought from Valladolydd to Bilboa and imbarked in a Ship within 5 dayes after his Arrival thither and in five dayes more arrived at a little Town near Exeter and in five dayes more at London and delivered
that when he was at Madrid the said Chaplain has left his Employ because of the Embassadors being a Papist and the Deponent hath seen the said Embassador at Mass and hath a Jesuit that comes to his House who reads both Philosophy and Divinity to the said Embassador of which the Deponent was perpetually informed by the said Jerom Sinman and the said Arch-bishop of Tuam both Irish Jesuits of Madrid but the Letters which the Deponent speaks of he saw and read at Mr. Saunders house August the 22 1678. 66. Item That the 22 of August Money was sent from the Society by a Servant of theirs to supply the expences of the Four Russians mentioned who were got to Windsor the 21. at Night and the Sum sent was 80 l. which the Deponent saw told and they have written to and informed them that if more was wanting they should have it and they were bidden not to be too frequent in one anothers Company and always to profess but small acquaintance which order and Money was dispatched away by Hartcourt Rector of London in the Name of the Provincial and whole Society 67. Item That the Deponent went to the Chamber of John Fenwick which told him he was at St. Omers with Ten or Eleven Students as near as this Deponent remembers there the said Fenwick was to attend the Provincial and with him to return in Ten or Twelve days as he said together with Micho and others And while the Deponent was with the said Fenwick a Messenger came in viz. John Groves with Orders from Hartcourt Rector of London John Keines Richard Blundel Mr. Write Bazill Long worth and Four other Jesuits that lie at Sommerset-house to pray the Provincial to write to Leshee the French Kings Confessor and let him know how well the business in Ireland stood and desire him to acquaint the French King therewith the Deponent asked Groves where the Fathers were met again at Mr. Saunders house and the Deponent after he had received the Orders or Memorial for so it was Instituted and saw their Names about Two of the Clock in the Afternoon he went to the house of Mr. Saundirs where this Deponent saw these Fathers who told them of the said Order and after a short stay took his leave of them and by them was Ordered to meet them at Four of the Clock at Mr. Keines Chamber where the Deponent met them where he saw Doctor Foggarlie who shewed him a Letter Writ to Mr. Benning field with his own hand and likewise the Deponent saw Letters from Blundel and John Fenwick and one from Father Ireland at St. Omers but that of Dr. Foggarlies to Mr. Benning field did contain in it an account of Eight Letters that were written to the Jesuits some of which were delivered to the Post Office in Russel-street others to the General Post Office others sent by Private Messengers to Mr. Peters a Jesuit who lived with Mr. Charles Shelly in Sussex that Married the Relict of the Baron of Abergamy the said Peters was Ordered to meet with the Provincial at London about the design in hand which if it take not effect at Windsor then speedily John Keines was to go to Windsor to meet with Conniers who was designed to go out of Town on the 20. instant with Mr. Anderton to Windsor 440. and after their business was done at Keines Chamber the Deponent left them 68. Item That the Deponent being to meet Doctor Tongue on the 22. of August at the Kings-head in Grays-Inn-Lane about Six of the Clock at Night accordingly he went and finding the Doctor was not come he walked into the Walks and there he met with Coniers who was supposed to be gone to Windsor The Deponent asked how it happened he went not his Journey he told him his Horse fell so Lame he could scarce carry him Three Miles on the way and he himself was troubled with the Sciatica which had given him great trouble all the Night before The Deponent was then urgent with him to tell him how he would kill the King seeing he laughed at the Means the Fathers intended to use viz. by shooting him then said Coniers by reason of the Deponents Importunity shewed him a Dagger or a Knife Two edged with a very sharp point and broad towards the Haft which was of Bucks-horn being a Foot long in the Blade and near half a Foot in the Haft with this said he shall the Villain fall to the Ground if it be possible Coniers demanded of the Deponent what he thought it might Cost the Deponent answered he could not tell He replyed Ten Shillings or there about the Deponent said it was too dear and he said nothing could be too dear for the King the Deponent asked him where he bought it Coniers replyed at the Old Cutlers in Russel-street the Deponent asked him why he made it so long he replyed that the Villain might fall by it the Deponent asked him how he said through his Cloak The Deponent asked him how he could hope to escape Coniers answered he doubted not but to obtain a Pardon if he were not knockt in the head on the same place the Deponent after some short discourse went to the Kings-head where he met Doctor Tongue between Six and Seven of the Clock at Night 69. That the Deponent did on the same 22. of August about Nine at Night meet Mr. Blundel and seeing him have a Bag asked him what he had he replyed Tukesbury Mustard-balls a notable and biting Sauce and would furnish Westminster when he had enough of them 70. Item That on the 24. of August Blundel told the Deponent in Fenwicks Chamber that it would be so ordered by the Society that the Catholicks of England would endeavour to advance the design in hand for shortning the Kings days and bid the Deponent be of good Courage for Protestant Religion was now on its last Legs 71. Item That on the Thirtieth of August the Deponent met with the said Blundel who told him he must shew him what Westminster and the Houses on both sides the Water must be done withal and carried the Deponent to Fenwicks Chamber and there drew out a Letter-Case and Paper in which the manner of Firing Westminster and the Houses on both sides the Water must be done withal and carried the Deponent to Fenwicks Chamber Wapping Tooly-street Barnaby-street and St. Thomas the Apostles were contained First for Westminster if the Wind was Northerly then they were to begin at the next door to the Pauls-graves-head Tavern the Jesuits and their Agents were to carry it on to the Savoy then the Benedictines were to carry it down on both sides to Charing-Cross then the Jesuits and other Agents to Whitehall and were to the end of the Stone-Gallery another Company to begin and carry it into King-street and Channel-Row which was first to be Acted in the great Fire 1666. But then they were not assured of the French Kings assistance which they are now assured