Page images
PDF
EPUB

the duke might be trepanned into this Plot to murder the king. E. C. J.

How did he desire it?

Outes. In a letter, that all means should be ased for the drawing in the duke. This letter was written to one Ireland. I saw the Letter and read it.

L. C. J. How do you know it was his letter?

Oates. Because of the instructions, which I saw Mr. Coleman take a copy of and write, which was the same hand with the news letter, and what else I have mentioned, the subscription was, Recommend me to Father La Chaise?' and it was the same hand whereof I now speak.

L. C. J. What was the substance of the Letter?

Oates. Nothing but compliment, and recommendation, and that all means might be used for the trepanning the duke of York (as near as I can remember that was the word).

Just. Wild. You did say positively that Mr. Coleman did consent and agree to what was consulted by the Jesuits, which was to kill the king, and Pickering and Groves were the two persons designed to do it. Did you hear him consent to it?

Oates. I heard him say at Wild-House, he thought it was well contrived.

Recorder. Do the gentlemen of the jury hear what he saith?

L. C. J. Gentlemen of the jury, do you hear what he saith?

Jury.

Yes.

Att. Gen. What do you know of any rebellion to have been raised in Ireland? and what was to be done with the duke of Ormond?

Oates. In the month of August there was a consult with the jesuits, and with the Benedictine monks at the Savoy. In this month of August there was a letter writ from archbishop Talbot, the titular archbishop of Dublin; wherein he gave an account of a legate from the pope, an Italian bishop, (the bishop of Cassay I think) who asserted the pope's right to the kingdom of Ireland. In this letter (to mention in special) there were four jesuits had contrived to dispatch the duke of Ormond, these were his words, To find the most expedient way for his death,' and Fogarthy was to be sent to do it by poison, if these four good Fathers did not hit of their design. My Lord, Fogarthy was present. And when the consult was almost at a period, Mr. Coleman came to the Savoy to the consult, and was mighty forward to have Father Fogarthy sent to Ireland to dispatch the Duke by poison. This letter did specify they were there ready to rise in rebellion against the king for the pope.

Att. Gen. Do you know any thing of arms? Oates. There were 40,000 black bills, I am not so skilful in arms to know what they meant (military men know what they are) that were provided to be sent into Ireland; but they were ready for the use of the catholic party.

L. C. J.

Oates. I L. C. J. vided? Oates.

Who were they provided by? do not know.

How do you know they were pro

That letter doth not mention who they were provided by, but another letter mentioned they were provided by those that were commission officers for the aid and help of the pope; the popish commissioners they were provided by, and they had them ready in Ire land.

L. C. J. Who wrote this letter?

Oates. It came from Talbot, I might forget the day of the month because my information is so large, but it was the former part of the year, I think either January or February, 1667-8, last January or February.

L. C. J. Was this consult but in August

last?

Oates. I am forced to run back from that consult to this; Mr. Coleman was privy, and was the main agent, and did in the month of August last past say to Fenwick, he had found a way to transmit the 200,000l. for the carrying on of this rebellion in Ireland. L. C. J. Oates. L. C. J.

I

Did you hear him say so?

did, a week before.

You say he was very forward to send Fogarthy into Ireland to kill the duke of Ormond?

Oates. Yes, that I say; and that he had found a way to transmit 200,000/, to carry on the rebellion in Ireland.

Court. Who was by besides Fenwick ?
Oates. Myself and nobody else.
Court. Where was it said?

Outes. In Fenwick's chamber in Drurylane.

Att. Gen. Do you know any thing of transmitting the money to Windsor, or persuading any to be sent thither, and the time when?

Oates. In the month of August there were four ruffians procured by Dr. Fogarthy. These four were not nominated in the consult with the Benedictine Convent, but, my Lord, these four ruffians without names were accepted of by them.

Court. Who proposed them?

Oates. Fogarthy. These four Irishmen were sent that night to Windsor. How they went I know not, but the next day there was a provision of 804, ordered to them by the rector of London, which is a jesuit, one William Harcourt, in the name of the provincial, because he acted in his name and authority, the provincial being then beyond the seas, visiting his colleges in Flanders.

L. C. J. Did he order the 801.

Oates. Mr. Coleman came to this Harcourt's house, then lying in Duke street, and Harcourt was not within; but he was directed to come to Wild-house, and at Wild-house he found Harcourt.

L. C. J. How do you know that?

Oates. He said he had been at his house, and was not within ; finding him at Wild-house, he asked what care was taken for those four

[blocks in formation]

Outes. I never saw him before or since. The money was upon the table when Mr. Coleman came in, he gave the messenger a guinea to expedite the business.

Recorder. You say Mr. Coleman enquired ,what care was taken for those ruffians that were to assassinate the king; pray, Mr. Oates, tell my Lord, and the jury, what you can say concerning Mr. Coleman's discourse with one Ashby.

Oates. In the month of July, one Ashby, who was sometime Rector of St. Omers, being ill of the gout was ordered to go to the bath; this Ashby being in London, Mr. Coleman came to attend him; this Ashby brought with him treasonable instructions, in order to dispatch the king by poison, provided Pickering and Groves did not do the work: 10,000/. should be proposed to sir George Wakeman to poison the king, in case pistol and stab did not take effect, and opportunity was to be taken at the king's taking physic. I could give other evidence, but will not, because of other things which are not fit to be known yet.

L. C. J. Who wrote this letter? Oates. It was under hand of White the provincial beyond the seas, whom Ashby left; it was in the name of memorials to impower Ashby and the rest of the consulters at London to propound 10,000l. to sir George Wakeman to take the opportunity to poison the king. These instructions were seen and read by Mr. Coleman, by him copied out, and transmitted to several conspirators of the king's death, in this kingdom of England, that were privy to this plot.

Recorder. Know you of any commission? We have hitherto spoken altogether of the work of others; now we come to his own work a little nearer.

L. C. J. Who saw Mr. Coleman read these instructions? What said be?

Oates. He said he thought it was too little, I heard him say so.

L. C. J. Did you see him take a copy of these instructions?

Oates. Yes, and he said he did believe sir George Wakeman would scarce take it, and thought it necessary the other 5,000l. should be added to it, that they might be sure to have it done.

L. C.J. Where was it he said this?

[ocr errors]

Oates. It was in the provincial's chamber, which Ashby had taken for his convenience at London, until he went down to the hath; it was at Wild-house, at Mr. Sanderson's house.

L. C. J. Ashby was employed by his instructions to acquaint the consult of the jesuits, that there should be 10,000l. advanced, if Dr. Wakeman would poison the king, now Ashby comes and acquaints him with it. Why should Coleman take copies ?

Oates. Because he was to send copies to several conspirators in the kingdom of England. L. C. J. To what purpose should Mr. Coleman take a copy of these instructions?

Oates. The reason is plain; they were then a gathering a contribution about the kingdom, and these instructions were sent that they might be encouraged, because they saw there was encouragement from beyond seas to assist them. And another reason was, because now they were assured by this, their business would quickly be dispatched, and by this means some thousands of pounds were gathered in the kingdom of England.

L. C. J. To whom was Mr. Coleman to send them?

Outes. I know not of any persons, but Mr. Coleman did say he had sent his suffrages (which was a canting word for instructions) to the principal gentry of the catholics of the kingdom of England.

L. C. J. How know you this, that Mr. Coleman did take a copy of these instructions for that purpose, as you say?

Oates. Because he said so.

L. C. J. Did any body ask him why he took them?

Oates. Saith Ashby, You had best make haste and communicate these things. Mr. Coleman answered, I will make haste with my copies, that I may dispatch them away this night.

Recorder. Was he not to be one of the prin cipal secretaries of state?

Outes. In the month of May last New Stile, April Old Stile, I think within a day after our consult, I was at Mr. Langhorn's chamber, he had several commissions, which he called patents: Among his commissions, I saw one from the general of the society of Jesus Joannes Paulus D'Oliva, by virtue of a brief from the pope, by whom he was enabled.

L. C. J. Did you know his hand?

Oates. I believe I have seen it forty times, I have seen forty things under his hand, and this agreed with them, but I never did see him write in my life; we all took it to be his hand and we all knew the hand and seal.

L. C. J. What inscription was upon the

seal?

Oates. 1.H.. with a cross, in English it had the characters of 1. H. S. This commission to Mr. Coleman in the month of July, I saw in Fenwick's presence, and at his chamber in Drury-lane, where then Mr. Coleman did acknowledge the receipt of this patent, opened it, and said, It was a very good exchange,

L. C. J. What was the commission for? Oates. It was to be secretary of state. I saw the commission, and heard him own the receipt of it.

Justice Wild. What other commissions were there at Mr. Langhorn's chamber?

Oates. A great many, I cannot remember, there was a commission for my lord Arundel of Warder, the lord Powis, and several other persons. But this belongs not to the prisoner at the bar: I mention his commission. L. C. J. Were you acquainted with Mr. Langhorn?

Oates. Yes, I will tell your lordship how I was acquainted. I was in Spain, he had there two sons; to shew them special favour and kindness (being mere straugers at the College) I did use to transmit some letters for them to the kingdom of England in my pacquet. When I came out of Spain, I did receive recommendations from them to their father, and in great civility he received me. This was in November that I came to his house. He lived in ShearJane, or thereabouts. I understood that his wife was a zealous protestant; therefore he desired me not to come any more to his house, but for the future to come to his chamber in the Temple.

L. C. J. Had you ever seen Mr. Langhorn in London before?

Oates. I never saw him till Nov. 1677 to my knowledge. I was several times in his company at his chamber, and he brought me there to shew me some kindness upon the account of his sons. It was at the Temple, for his wife being a protestant, was not willing any Jesuits should come to the house. I was to carry him a summary of all the results and particulars of the consult at the White-horse and Wild-house. The provincial ordered me to do it, he knowing me, being in that affair often employed.

L. C. J. Was it the second time you saw him, that you saw the commissions?

Oates. I saw him several times in the month of November.

How came he to shew you the

L. C. J. When did you see the commissions? Oates. In the month of April, Old Stile; May, New Stile. L. C. J. commissions? Qates. I hearing of their being come, had a curiosity to see them, and he knew me to be privy to the concerns. L. C. J. How did you know he had the commissions?-Oates. By letters. L. C. J. From whom? Oates. From those of the society at Rome, wherein one Harcourt, one of the fathers, was certified, that the commissions were come to Langhorn, and were in his hand; I saw the letters at St. Omers, before they came to Harcourt, we read the letters there before they came to England. I had power to open them. L. C. J. Did you open the letters? Oates, Yes. L. C. J.

Omers?

Oates. I saw the letters at St. Omers in the month of January; then they came from Rome, and after I received summons to be at this consult in the month of April; and accordingly we

came over.

L. C. J. What time did you come over?
Outes. In the month of April.

L. C. J. What time went you to Langhorn's chamber? I cannot reconcile the months together.

Just. Dolben. Did you not say you came to Langhorn in November?

Oates. Yes, before I went to St. Omers. Just. Wild. How many came over with you? Outes. I cannot tell how many came over together; there were nine of us, all Jesuits. L. C. J. Did not you say you went to Langhorn in November?

Outes. That was before I went to St. Omers. Att. Gen. Tell how many priests or Jesuits were lately in England, that you know of, at one time?

Oates. There was, and have been to my knowledge in the kingdom of England, secular priests eightscore, and Jesuits fourscore, and by name in the catalogue, I think 300 and odd.

L. C. J. How long had you been in England before you were at Mr. Langborn's chamber?

Oates. Not long; because I had letters in my packet from his sons, as soon as I had rested a little, I went to him.

L. C. J. What said Mr. Langhorn to you about the commissions in his chamber?

Oates. Not a word; but seemed glad. L. C. J. Did you see them open upon his table? or did you ask to see them?

Oates. They did not lie open upon the table, but the commissions were before him; I asked to see them. Mr. Langhorn (said I) I hear you have received the commissions from Rome; he said, he had. Shall I have the honour to see some of them? He said I might: he thought he might trust me; and so he might, because that very day I gave him an account of the consult.

L. C. J. When was it you gave him an account of the consult?

Oates. In the morning.

L. C. J. You say you were twice there that day.-Oates. I was there the whole forenoon. L. C. J. That day you saw the commissions? Oates. I had been there several times the same day, and meeting him at last, he asked me how often I was there before, I said twice or thrice; but that day was the last time I ever saw him; I have not seen him since, to my knowledge.

L. C. J.

Was that the first time that you saw him after you came from Spain?

Oates. I saw him thrice in November, then I went to St. Omers, the first time I saw him after I came from thence, I saw the commissions.

Att. Gen. What were the names of those When saw you the letters at St. men that came over from St. Omers besides

yourself?

Ostes. As near as I can remember, the rector of Liege was one; Father Warren; sir Thomas Preston; the rector of Walton; one Francis Williams; sir John Warner, bart.; one Father Charges; one Pool, a monk; I think I made the ninth.

Att. Gen. If the prisoner at the bar be minded, he may ask him any question. Pris. I am mighty glad to see that gentleman sir Thomas Dolman in the Court, for I think he was upon my Examination before the council, and this man that gives now in evidence against me, there told the king, he never saw me before; and he is extremely well acquainted with me now, and hath a world of intimacy. Mr. Oates at that time gave such an account of my concern in this matter, that I had orders to go to Newgate, I never saw Mr. Oates since I was born, but at that time.

L. C. J. You shall have as fair a search and examination in this matter for your life as can be, therefore, Mr. Oates, answer to what Mr. Coleman saith.

Oates. My lord, when Mr. Coleman was upon his examination before the council board, he saith, I said there that I never saw him before in my life, I then said I would not swear that I had seen him before in my life, because my sight was bad by candle-light, and candlelight alters the sight much, but when I heard him speak I could have sworn it was he, but it was not then my business. I cannot see a great way by candle-light.

L. C.J. The stress of the objection lieth not upon seeing so much, but how come you that you laid no more to Mr. Coleman's charge at that time?

Oates. I did design to lay no more to his charge then, than was matter for information, For prisoners may supplant evidence when they know it, and bring persons to such circumstances, as time and place. My lord, I was not bound to give in more than a general information against Mr. Coleman; Mr. Coleman did deny he had correspondence with Father La Chaise at any time, I did then say he had given him an account of several transactions. And (my Lord) then was I so weak, being up two nights, and having been taking prisoners, upon my salvation, I could scarce stand upon my legs.

L.C.J. What was the information you gave at that time to the council against Mr. Coleman? Oates. The information I gave at that time (as near as I can remember, but I would not trast to my memory) was for writing of newsletters, in which I did then excuse the treasonable reflections, and called them base reflections at the Council-Board; the king was sensible, and so was the council. I was so wearied and tired (being all that afternoon before the council, and Sunday night, and sitting up night after night) that the king was willing to discharge me. But if I had been urged I should have made a larger information.

L. C. J. The thing you accused him of was his own letter,

Pris. 'He doth not believe it was my letter. L. C. J. You here charge Mr. Coleman to be the man that gave a guinea to expedite the business at Windsor, &c. At the time when you were examined at the council-table, you gave a particular account of attempting to take away the king's life at Windsor, and raising 20,000l. and all those great transactions; why did you not charge Mr. Coleman to be the man that gave the guinea to the messenger to expedite the business, when the 80/. was sent? That he found out a way of transmitting 200,000l., to carry on the design? He consulted the killing the king, and approved of it very well. And of the instructions for 10,000l., he said it was too little for to poison the kiog. When you were to give an account to the council of the particular contrivance of the murder of the king at Windsor, with a reward, you did mention one reward of 10,000l. to Dr. Wakeman, and would you omit the guinea to expedite the messenger, and that he said that 10,000l. was too little; would you omit all this?

Oates. I being so tired and weak that I was not able to stand upon my legs, and I remember the council apprehended me to be so weak that one of the lords of the council said, that if there were any occasion further to examine Mr. Coleman, that Mr. Oates should be ready again, and bid me retire.

L. C. J. You was by when the council were ready to let Mr. Coleman go almost at large? Oates. No; I never apprehended that, for if I did, I should have given a further account.

L. C. J. What was done to Mr. Coleman at that time? Was he sent away prisoner?

Oates. Yes, at that time to the messenger's house, and within two days after he was sent to Newgate, and his papers were seized.

L. C. J. Why did you not name Coleman at that time?

Oates. Because I had spent a great deal of time in accusing other Jesuits.

Just. Wild. What time was there betwixt the first time you were at the council, before you told of this matter concerning the king?

Outes. When I was first at the board (which was on Saturday night) I made information, which began between 6 and 7, and lasted almost to 10. I did then give a general account of the affairs to the council without the king. Then I went and took prisoners, and before Sunday night, I said, I thought if Mr. Coleman's Papers were searched into, they would find matter enough against him in those papers to hang him: I spake those words, or words to the like purpose. After that Mr. Coleman's Papers were searched, Mr. Coleman was not to be found; but he surrendered himself the next day. So that on Sunday I was commanded to give his majesty a general information, as I had given to the council on Saturday; and the next day again, I took prisoners that night 5, and next night 4.

Just. Wild. How long was it betwixt the time that you were examined, and spoke only as to the letters, to that time you told to the

king and council, or both of them, concerning | you a kinsman whose name is Playford, at St. this matter you swear now?

Oates. My Lord, I never told it to the king and council, but I told it to the houses of parliament.

L. C. J. How long was it between the one and the other?

Oates. I cannot tell exactly the time; it was when the parliament first sat.

L. C. J. How came, you (Mr. Coleman being so desperate a man as he was, endeavouring the killing of the king) to omit your inforination of it to the council and to the king at both times?

Outes. I spoke little of the persons till the persons came face to face.

L. C. J. Why did you not accuse all those Jesuits by name?

Oates. We took a catalogue of their names, but those I did accuse positively and expressly we took up.

L. C. J. Did you not accuse sir George Wakeman by name, and that he accepted his reward?

Oates. Yes, then I did accuse him by name. L. C. J. Why did you not accuse Mr. Colcman by name?

Oates. For want of memory; being disturb ed and wearied in sitting up two nights, I could not give that good account of Mr. Coleman, which I did afterwards, when I consulted my Papers; and when I saw Mr. Coleman was secured, I had no need to give a farther ac

count.

L. C. J. How long was it between the first charging Mr. Coleman, and your acquainting the parliament with it?

Oates. From Monday the S0th of September, until the parliament sat.

L. C. J. Mr. Coleman, will you ask him any thing?

Pris. Pray ask Mr. Oates, whether he was not as near to me as this gentleman is, because he speaks of his eyes being bad?

Oates. I had the disadvantage of a candle upon my eyes; Mr. Coleman stood more in the dark.

Pris. He names several times that he met with me; in this place and that place, a third and fourth place about business.

Oates. He was altered much by his periwig in several meetings, and had several periwigs, and a perisig doth disguise a man very much; but when I heard hin speak, then I knew him to be Mr. Coleman.

L. C. J. Did you hear him speak? How were the questions asked? Were they thus? Was that the person? Or, how often had you seen Mr. Coleman?

Oates. When the question was asked by my lord chancellor, Mr. Coleman, when where you last in France? He said, At such a time. Did you see father La Chaise? He said he gave him an accidental visit. My lord chancellor asked bim whether or no he had a pass? He said, No. Then he told him, that was a fault for going out of the kingdom without a pass. Have

Omers? He said he had one ten years old, (who is in truth sixteen) That question I desired might be asked. Then the king bade me go on. L. C. J. Did the king, or council, or lord chancellor ask you whether you knew Mr. Coleman, or no?

Oates. They did not ask me.

L. C. J. Mr. Oates, Answer the question in short and without confounding it with length. Were you demanded if you knew Mr. Coleman? Oates. Not to my knowledge.

L. C. J. Did you ever see him, or how often? Pris. He said, he did not know me. L. C. J. You seemed, when I asked you before, to admit, as if you had been asked this question, how often you had seen him, and gave me no answer, because you were doubtful whether it was the man, by reason of the inconveniency of the light, and your bad sight.

Oates. Í must leave it to the king what answer I made Mr. Coleman; he wonders I should give an account of so many intimacies, when I said I did not know him at the counciltable.

Pris. It is very strange Mr. Oates should swear now, that he was so well acquainted with me, and had been so often in my company, when upon his accusation at the council-table, he said nothing of me more than the sending of one letter, which he thought was my hand. Oates. I did not say that.

Pris. And he did seem to say there, he never saw ine before in his life.

L. C. J. Was he asked whether he was acquainted with you? (for those words are to the same purpose.)

Pris. I cannot answer directly, I do not say he was asked, if he was acquainted with me, but I say this, that he did declare he did not know me.

I. C. J. Can you prove that?

Pris. I appeal to sir Tho. Dolman, who is now in Court, and was then present at the Council-table.

L. C. J. Sir Thomas, you are not upon your oath, but are to speak on the behalf of the prisoner: What did he say?

Sir Tho. Dolman. That he did not well know him.

L. C. J. Did he add, that he did not well know him by the candle-light? But Mr. Oates, when you heard his voice, you said you knew him; why did you not come then, and say you did well know him?

Oates. Because I was not asked.

L. C. J. But, sir Thomas, did he say he did not well know him after Mr. Coleman spake? Was Mr. Coleman examined before Mr. Oates spake?-Sir T. Dolman. Yes.

L. C. J. Mr. Oates, you say you were with him at the Savoy and Wild House, pray, sir Thomas, did he say he did not know him, or had seen Mr, Coleman there?

Sir T. Dolman. He did not know him as he stood there.

L. C. J. Knowing, or not knowing, is not

« PreviousContinue »