tion; but did it as a private person, and not by order from the court of Rome: but says, That the nuncio, being then to go to Rome, promised Mr. Coleman to do what service there he could in that business: but says, he hath not held any correspondency with the nuncio this three or four years; nor with any other person, so as to manage an affair that perhaps might touch upon the business in some letters. He says, The cypher marked with the provincial's mark, was the cypher betwixt him and St. German; and that he always wrote to the provincial in plain words, and not in cypher; and that there was another cypher betwixt him and Blankart, who was secretary to M. Rovigney; but that was only upon small concerns, and not upon any thing of this na Ordered, That the papers relating to the plot now under examination, be delivered to the committee apointed to translate Mr. Coleman's letters: And that col. Birch, sir William Frackland, sir Cyrill Wych, sir Tho. Mompesson, sir John Coventry, lord Clifford, Mr. Devereux, sir John Hanmer, sir John Reresby, sir John Waerden, sir Ed. Mansel, Mr. Hall, lord Allington, sir Rich. Temple, be added to the committee: And they are to meet this afternoon; and to sit de die in diem, until they shall have perfected the matters to them referred: And they are impowered to send for persons, papers, and records. Mr. Richardson, Keeper of the prison of Newgate, being called in, to give an account, What persons have had any communication with Mr. Coleman, since his commitment; he acquainted the house, That there had not been any person admitted to come to, or converse with Mr. Coleman, since his imprisonment, except his servant, to know what he wanted, and his wife, by virtue of an order from the privy council: And that he himself was present whilst she was with him; and that she did not deliver him any thing; and that she was not permitted to discourse to him any thing of news, nor any thing relating to the plot now under examination, besides the committees appointed by each house of parliament to examine him. HOUSE OF LORDS, November 8. The Lord Treasurer reported, That himself and the other lords went yesterday, according to their lordships order, to examine some of the prisoners in the Tower. And the first they had before them was sir John Gage, who owns the examinations which was taken of him, by sir Thomas Stringer, to be upon oath; and that the paper which they shewed him (which was put into their hands by sir Thomas Stringer) was a copy of his said examination. But he denies that he was examined by the Lord Chief Justice; or that he ever received any letter or commission whatsoever from Mr. Oates; or that he knew any thing of any plot against his majesty's service, or against the government. "Sir William Goring was before them next; who likewise denied any kind of knowledge of those things which he was accused of, or that he knew any such man as Mr. Oates. "They then sent for the lord Arundel of Wardour; whom they first examined as to his being privy to Mr. Coleman's going to Brussells, to the pope's nuncio; and urged to him, 'That the letters to Coleman, from the nuncio, did give a caution, that none should be trusted with the business, but his royal highness and the lord Arundel.' Yet his lordship did absolutely deny that he knew any thing of the transaction between Coleman and the said nuncio, or of Coleman's errand into Flanders; but said, ' It was likely he took his leave of him before he went.' "His lordship did own, Coleman was twice with him that day Coleman's papers were seized; that the first time they discoursed of indifferent matters; the last time (which was about six in the evening) Coleman spoke of his papers being seized; and that thereupon his lordship advised him to follow his papers, and render himself. Being asked, his lordship further declared, He never saw Mr. Oates in his life; and that he never was at Mr. Langhorn's chamber but once, and never saw him but that time, and that he never did any business for him; and that he was so far from having any acquaintance with Mr. Langhorn's sons, that he did not know that Mr. Langhorn was married, until he lately asked the question.' And as for bis lordship's receiving any patent, commission, or any power from foreigners, he saith, He never did, but hath a patent for count of the empire, and for the place of master of the horse to her late majesty the queen mother; and never had any other.' "His lordship further declared, That he had never any thing to do with any Jesuit; but that he knows most of those that are in prison.' "The lord Petre was the last that their lordships examined; and they acquainted his lordship with Mr. Oates's deposition against him, "That he had received a commission for lieutenant General, from Mr. Oates, in Mr. Langhorn's chamber, in the presence of Mr. Langworth; and that Mr. Langworth gave his lordship joy thereupon." All which his lordship did utterly deny; or that he knew Mr. Oates, or had ever seen him; or that he ever saw Mr. Langhorn, or was at his chamber, or knew where his chamber was.' His lordship did indeed acknowledge, That he knew Langworth; and that he had lately heard that Mr. Oates had been at his house; but that he never heard of his name until Michaelmas eve last, when his lordship's house was searched for Mr. Langworth. "And as for his offering any thing to persons that should change to the Romish religion; his lordship doth absolutely disown it: As also that ever he had any commerce with Mr. Coleman about any matter of business. "This is the sum of what their lordships had to acquaint the house with; besides an humble supplication of the said lords, which they desired their lordships would acquaint the house with, in regard they cannot petition the house, being debarred from the use of pen, ink, and paper; which is, That this house would be pleased to remit their close imprisonment; and that they might be permitted to walk in the Tower, for their health, which is in danger by their present close restraint," November 23. Ordered, by the Lords spiritual and temporal in parliament assembled, That the lords committees appointed to examine persons and papers concerning the horrid design against his majesty's person and government be, and are hereby, empowered to peruse all the papers and writings of the earl of Powis, lord Arundel of Wardour, and lord Bellasis, prisoners in the Tower, which, being seized, are now in the custody of the clerk of the parliaments; and give the House an account thereof, November 26. to Upon report made by the earl of Essex, from the lords committees appointed to examine persons and papers for the discovery of the horrid design against his majesty's person and government, "That their lordships have perused all the papers and writings of the earl of Powis, now a prisoner in the Tower; which, being seized, were, by order of this house, brought and delivered into the custody of the clerk of the parliaments; and find not any papers or writings in the least relating to the said horrid design, they being papers merely of private concern:" It is thereupon ordered, by the Lords spiritual and temporal in parliament assembled, That the said papers and writings may be delivered to the earl of Powis, or such person or persons as his lordship shall appoint to receive the same; and for so doing, this shall be a suffi cient warrant. December 5. A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Wharton, &c. "That the Commons of England in parlia ment assembled, having received information of divers traiterous practices and designs of a great peer of this house, Henry lord Arunde! of Wardour, have commanded him to impeach the said Henry lord Arundel of Warder, of treason, and other high crimes and misde meanors; and he did here, in their names, and in the names of all the Commons of England, impeach the said Henry lord Arundell of War der, of treason, and high crimes and mis demeanors.-They have further commanded him to acquaint your lordships, That they will in convenient time exhibit to your lordships the Articles of the Charge against him." A Message was brought, from the Commons, by Mr. Maynard and others: "That the Commons of England in parlia ment assembled, having received information of divers traiterous practices and designs of a great peer of this house, William earl of Powis, have commanded him to impeach the said Wil liam earl of Powis of treason, and other high crimes and misdemeanors; and he did here, in their names, and in the names of all the Commons of England, impeach the said William earl of Powis of treason, and high crimes and misdemeanors.-They have further commanded him to acquaint your lordships, That they will within convenient time exhibit to your lordships the articles of the charge against him." A Message was brought from the Commons, by Mr. Thynn, &c. "That the Commons of England in parlia ment assembled, having received information of divers traiterous practices and designs of a great peer of this house, John lord Bellasis, have commanded him to impeach the said John lord Bellasis of treason, and other high crimes and misdemeanors; and he did here, in their names, and in the names of all the Commons of England, impeach the said John lord Bellasis of treason, and high crimes and misdemeanors.-They have further commanded him to acquaint your lordships, That they will within convenient time exhibit to your lordships the Articles of the Charge against him." taken at the council table; which were read as followeth. A Message was brought from the Commons, "December 24th 1678. Miles Prance a by sir Philip Warwick: silversmith, being this day examined at large, "That the Commons of England in parlia-touching the murder of sir Edmondbury Godfrey, ment assembled, having received information of and being upon oath interrogated what he divers traiterous practices and designs of a knew concerning the Plot, made answer as folgreat peer of this honse, William lord Petre, loweth : have commanded him to impeach the said William lord Petre of treason, and other high crimes and misdemeanors; and he did here, in their names, and in the names of all the Commons of England, impeach the said William lord Petre of treason, and high crimes and misdemeanors. They have further commanded him to acquaint your lordships, That they will within convenient time exhibit to your lordships the Articles of the Charge against him." A Message was brought from the Commons, by sir Scroope How, &c. "That the Commons of England in Parliament assembled, having received information of divers traiterous practices and designs of a great peer of this house, William lord viscount Stafford, have commanded him to impeach the said William lord viscount Stafford of treason, and other high crimes and misdemeanors; and he did here, in their names, and in the names of all the Commons of England, impeach the said William lord viscount Stafford, of treason, and high crimes and misdemeanors.-They have further commanded him to acquaint your lordships, That they will within convenient time exhibit to your lordships the articles of the charge against him." Ordered, That these Impeachments be taken into consideration to-morrow; and all the Judges to be then present. December 17. "That he was at Mr. Ireland's chamber, in Russel Street, some time before Michaelmas; and that, Fenwick and Grove being there present, Ireland said, 'That there would be 50,000 en in arms.' Prance asking, where they would be had, and what to do ?" Ireland said, 'We must have them in a short time, to settle religion; or else all would be ruined. "That, soon after this, Grove came to his shop, to buy two silver spoons, for a christning where he was to be godfather. Prance asked him, What office he should have in the army?' He answered, He did not know.' But asking him, Who was to govern this army?' He said, 'The lord Powis, the lord Bellasis, lord Petre, and lord Arundel.' 6 "And further saith, that he was also told by Mr. Fenwick, That the lord Powis, lord Bellasis, and lord Arundel, were to command the army. "He further saith, that there came to his shop Mr. Le Fevre, to buy a second hand sword; and being asked by him, What he meant to do therewith?' He answered,' He knew not what times they should have.' Prance replied, What then shall we poor tradesmen do?' He said, That when catholic religion was brought in, it would be hetter for tradesmen; and particularly there would be more church work for goldsmiths.' in the court at Somerset house, and speaking of that brave horse, Moore wished that he had 10,000 of them; and hoped in a short time that they might have then, for the catholic cause. "He further says, that one Mr. Moore, that belongs to the duke of Norfolk, was seen by Upon report made by the earl of Clarendon, him riding in the streets on a very brave horse; from the lords committees for examining per-upon which occasion, meeting him afterwards sons and papers concerning the horrid design against his majesty's person and government, "That their lordships have perused the papers and writings of the lord Arundel of Warder, which were seized, and by order of this house That one Lawrence (an apothecary in delivered into the custody of the clerk of the Drury-lane, over against the end of Queen's parliaments, and have taken out such of them street), when the oaths were upon tendering, as may be evidence, in order to the further dis-wished, That half the parliament were poisoncovery of the said horrid design; and desiring ed; for they would ruin them all.' the directions of the house for the disposal of the remainder thereof:" "He further said, that he hath heard one Mr. Messenger (that belongs to the lord Arun del), say, That he hoped to see the catholic religion flourish here before it be long. And as concerning the Plot, he has no more to say.' December 28. The earl of Essex acquainted the House, "That he had received an information out of the country, of very great concernment." "Staff. ss. The Information of STEPHEN DUGDALE gent. late servant to the lord Aston of Tixhall, concerning the Plot against our sovereign lord the king, as followeth : "1. This informant saith, that presently, were employed to put forth money, which was after one Howard, Almoner to the queen, went "2. He informeth, that, in the beginning of September, 1678, he met in Tixall, nigh the lord's gates, the lord Stafford; who said to this informant, It was sad that they were troubled for that they could not say their prayers but in a hid manner: But suddenly there would be a reformation to the Romish religion; and if there was but a good success, they should enjoy their religion.' And, upon the 20th day of September last, the said lord Stafford told this informant, That there was a design in hand; and if this informant would undertake the design, he should have a good reward, and make himself famous.' "3. Upon the aforesaid day, immediately after, this informant went into the chamber of Mr. Francis Vrie alias Evers (a Jesuit), in Tixall hall, and asked him, 'What the lord Stafford meant by those words?' And, after he had made him to swear secrecy upon his knees, he told, He might be a person employed in the work, and have a good reward, that would make him famous.' And then he told him, He must be instrumental, with others, in taking away the king's life; and that it should be done by shooting, or otherwise; and that this informant need not fear, for the pope had excommunicated the king; and that all that were excommunicated by him were heretics, and they might kill them, and be canonized for saints in so doing.' "4. This informant saith, that the said Evers and Hopson both said, That the design was as well to kill the duke of Monmouth as the king.' "5. That George North (nephew to Pickering, and servant to the lord Aston) lately told this informant, That they had taken his uncle (meaning Pickering), and put him into Newgate; and thought the king deserved such an execrable death as was intended him, because of his whoring and debauchery.' THO. LANE. J. VERNON. Ordered, That the earl of Bridgwater and earl of Essex, do immediately go to the Tower and examine the lord viscount Stafford upon this information; and return before the house rises. December 28. The earl of Bridgwater and the earl of Essex reported, "That according to the order of this house this morning, they have been with the lord viscount Stafford, in the Tower; and have examined his lordship; who said, "That he spent some part of this last summer in the country in Shropshire and Staffordshire; some time in August he went to bathe; and from thence came to London about a week after Bartholomewtide; where he staid some days, and then went to Tixall, where he came at or near the 12th September.-His lordship knows Mr. Stephen Dugdale, who he takes to be the lord Aston's bailiff; but absolutely denies the having then, or at any time either be fore or after, had any discourse with him concerning a design of introducing the Roman religion, or any thing relating thereunto.-His lordship also owns to know Mr. Evers, who, as he believes, has lived two or three years in the lord Aston's house; but also denies the having had any discourse with the said Evers concern ing the introducing of the Romish religion.His lordship also knows George Hopson, who waits on the lord Aston in his chamber. North, he takes to be keeper there." Their lordships further reported, "That the lord viscount Stafford had two desires to present to this House: One, that he may have as speedy a trial as may stand with their lordships conveniency. The other, that there may be s full House of Peers." March 12, 1679. The earl of Shaftsbury reported, "That the committee appointed yesterday, to consider in what state the impeachments in the last parlia Benny-ment now stand, have perused the journal of this house; and find that, the 5th day of De cecember 1678, the impeachments against the five lords now prisoners in the Tower were brought from the House of Commons, which consisted of a general charge of Treason and other high crimes; the House of Cominons des claring they would in convenient time exhibit the articles of their charge against them. "6. That Mr. Evers said, Mr. field had a packet of letters delivered to him from the posthouse, which he feared the lord treasurer had notice of; and therefore be delivered them to the duke of York, and that the duke of York delivered them to the king; and that the king gave them to the treasurer after he had read them; but that the king did not believe them, and therefore it was happy, or else the Plot had been discovered." "7. That he had received many packets of letters for Evers; some of which this informant broke up, and found them to be and tend to the establishing of the Romish religion, &c. "8. That he had received several sums of money himself, and knew of divers others that "The next day, this house appointed to go upon the consideration of these impeachments; and all the judges were appointed to be then present: But nothing was done thereon. "The lords committees do also find, that an impeachment of high treason, and other high crimes, against Thomas earl of Danby, lord Treasurer, was brought from the House of Commons, the 23rd day of December, 1678; | tinue, and are to be proceeded on, in statu and the particular Articles then exhibited: and quo, as they stood at the dissolution of the last the Commons desired that he might be seques- parliament, without beginning de novo. The tered from his place in parliament, and com- judgment and proceedings being large, are mitted to safe custody. omitted to be repeated; the journal of this House being ready, wherein that judgment is entered. "That the Lord Treasurer desired copies of all papers and proceedings concerning this business; and that it was then resolved, upon the question, that the Lord Treasurer should not then withdraw. "It further appears, that, on the 26th of December, 1678, the Lord Treasurer moved the House, for a copy of his charge, and that he might not lie long under it: whereupon it was moved, that the House would consider of the desire of the House of Commons, concerning his confinement. "The debate was adjourned. "It appears that this House, on the 27th of December resolved, That the Lord Treasurer should not now be confined; and ordered, that he should have a copy of the Articles, to which he was appointed to bring in his Answer before the third day of January; and that he might have counsel to assist him." "And, upon consideration had of the matter referred to their lordships concerning the State of the Impeachments brought up from the House of Commons the last parliament, and all the incidents relating thereunto, their lordships find, that the five lords who are in the Tower are upon general impeachment, and the other lord is impeached with special matter assigned they refer the House to the report made 12 Martii instant, which states what is entered in the journal of the last parliament concerning this matter. And their lordships are of opinion, that the dissolution of the last parliament doth not alter the State of the Impeachments brought up by the Commons in that parliament." Ordered, That this report be taken into consideration to-morrow morning, the first bu Upon report made, by the earl of Shaftes-siness. bury, from the lords' committees for Exami nation of the late horrid Conspiracy, concerning the Impeachments brought up from the House of Commons in the last parliament, how they stand entered in the Journal of this House : It is ordered, That it be, and is hereby, referred to the lords committees for privileges to consider of the state of the said Impeachments, and all the incidents relating thereunto; and to report their opinion thereupon unto this House. March 17. Ordered, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in parliament assembled, that it be, and is hereby, referred to the lords committees for privileges, to consider, "Whether petitions of appeal, which were presented to this House in the last parliament, be still in force to be proceeded on; as also to consider of the State of the Impeachments brought up from the House of Commons last parliament, and all the incidents relating thereunto;" and make report thereof unto the House. March 18. The earl of Essex reported, "That the lords committees for privileges, in obedience to the order of this House, dated the 17th of this instant March, have considered of the matters referred to them, Whether petitions of appeals, which were presented to this house in the last parliament, be still in force to be proceeded in; as also to consider of the State of the Impeachments brought up from the House of Commons last parliament, and all the incidents relating thereunto, and make report thereof anto the house; and their lordships, upon perusal of the judgment of this house of the 29th of March, 1673, are of opinion, that, in all cases of appeals and writs of error, they con March 19. The House took into consideration the re port from the Lords Committees for privileges, "Whether petitions of appeal, which were presented the last parliament, be still in force, to be proceeded on; and concerning the state of impeachments brought up from the House of Commons the last parliament, and all the incidents relating thereunto." The House proceeded in the Debate afore said. And, after some time spent therein, it was desired, "That this question might be put, Whether to agree with the committee in this report?" Then this previous question was put, Whether this question shall be now put?" And it was resolved in the affirmative. Then the main question was put, "Whether to agree with the committee in this report?" And it was resolved in the affirmative. The House this day taking into consideration the Report made from the Lords Committees for privileges, "That, in pursuance of the order of the 17th instant, to them directed, for considering whether petitions of appeal, which were presented to this House in the last parliament, be still in force to be proceeded on, and for considering of the state of the impeach ments brought up from the House of Commons the last parliament, and all the incidents relating thereunto; upon which the Lords Committees were of opinion, That, in all cases of appeals and writs of error, they continue, and are to be proceeded on, in statu quo, as they stood at the dissolution of the last parliament, without beginning de novo; and that the dissolution of the last parliament doth not alter the state of the impeachments brought up by the Commons in that parliament." After some time spent in consideration there of; |