An account of the late horrid conspiracy to depose Their present Majesties, K. William and Q. Mary, to bring in the French and the late King James, and ruine the city of London ... also, some brief reflections on the trials of the Lord Preston, Major Ashton, and Mr. Elliot, who were chiefly concern'd therein, and found guilty / by a gentleman who was present at their trials.

An ACCOUNT, &c.

NO one can imagine that a Plot of so dan∣gerous a nature, and large an extent as this appears to be, which is now brought on the Stage by so wonderful a turn of Pro∣vidence, could be of yesterdays growth, but as Trees which shoot their Roots deep into the Earth, and spread wide in the Air, may be easily guest to be of no very late planting; so, for a Reason not unlike, we may believe the original of this Design is to be fetcht much higher than its Discovery, and the event would be apt to make one think there was really more in the Memorial, we have been told was last Summer pre∣sented to the French King, than some persons would have us imagin. And indeed it may be worth ano∣ther Enquiry what became of that Plot, for which, after so many Proclamations plainly declaring, that there were ill Designs then on foot against the Go∣vernment, after so many persons actually seiz'd and committed for the same; there was never any suffe∣red besides one Blockhead that was not worth a saving▪ Whether the reason of this, and of their acquitting all those committed upon that account without any Trial, at which time my Lord C—, and Presto•• among the rest, were dismist of their Confinements▪ Whether the reason of it were, That the Govern∣ment was resolv'd to try whether an Excess of Merc•• and Mildness would work any thing on those con∣cern'd, or intended to let them run to the end of their Line, and more clearly discover themselves to

all the World, is not our present business to enquire. What's perhaps more sure, is that as deep as these ••oles lay, they did not work in the dark, but their Design were known some time since, to some Mini∣sters of State, (at least one) and that few steps they took or Feet they advanced, were Secrets to them against whom they were level'd; which shews us, that the present Government wants not those who can manage things of this nature, perhaps not much less dexterously than a Cecil or a Walsingham, and has further had a large and a happy Influence in opening some persons Eyes, which Prejudice had so long ei∣ther blinded or changed their colour in relation to the Honour and Integrity of a certain Noble Person, who after all the hot and hasty Censures past upon him, has been the chief or sole manager of this Detection and Discovery.

Whoever were behind the Scenes in this Plot, we are certain enough who were publickly engaged in it, and the main Go-betweens and Agitat••rs for the Cause, which were so lately tried for their Lives, and so just∣ly found guilty, were my L. Preston, one commonly called Major Ashton, and Mr. Elliot.

Ashton had been employ'd formerly by Major-Ge∣neral W—, before the late King's abdication, and had married one Mr. Rigby's Daughter, but whether or no embark'd in the same design, time may discover.

For my Lord Preston, he has been sufficiently known e're this, and perhaps it would not be either beyond Truth or Modesty to affirm, He had been better have suffer'd the former Errors of his Management to have been forgotten, than by thus meddling in things of such a dangerous nature, given liberty and occasion to look backward, and thereby draw on his own Head nothing but Infamy, and

ruine. It will be readily granted, that the Family of the Grahams have been not a little obliged to the late King James, and that Gratitude, where it leads us no farther than Justice, is a very Noble and B••••utiful Virtue; but then a Mistaken Gratitude and Honour ought not sure to carry us into such Actions as are per∣nicious to the Society, under which we enjoy protection, and to our Country towards which we have far deeper and stronger Obligations than we can possibly have to any particular Person. For I'd fain know, whether it wou'd be any excuse for a Man who shou'd set Fire to his own Father's house, or the publick Magazine of his City, that he had formerly been obliged by the Robbers of the one, or declar'd Enemys of the other. Now how fit a person my Lord Preston was for an Employment of this kind, and as it shou'd seem the general Agitator of the whole Affair, will easily appear, if we consider his Character. He is undoubtedly, to do an Enemy Justice, a person of the highest Form for most Accomplishments becoming a Gentleman.—His Wit is much above the ordinary Standard, he is extreamly well verst in busi∣ness, and as indefatigable in the prosecution of what he undertakes. He has been generally thought a Man of Courage, and if he appear'd to some more dejected than was usual at the time of his Tryal, 'twas no great wonder when he found all his fine work unravel'd, the Cause ruin'd beyond a possibility of recovery, and his own Life at the mercy of offended Law, and injur'd Justice. After all, it must be own'd he is a great Master of address, and his words are so charming, his motions so graceful, that a fitter person cou'd hardly be found out, or even

made on purpose to bewitch Men from their duty and Alegience, and for my part I rather wonder such a man as he, has not made more Proselites to his Masters In∣terest, than that he has made so many. And if at his Tryal he show'd not so great a Strength of mind as may have appear'd in other parts of his Life, I believe we may blame his Ingenuity for it, it being probable that one who knew himself so deeply and palpably guilty could hardly have Face enough to insist much upon his Inno∣cence. Add to this, that he's a reputed Protestant, and had been formerly Embassador in France, from the King of England. The other two, being but Ʋnder Wheels, to this great Mover, will not deserve so much time, or notice, in this short Paper, nor are so loaden with Commendations as we find he is in almost all the Letters, made publick at the Tryal from the Heads of the Party, nor are they of so fair a Character as his Lordship has had given him. For these yet behind the Curtain, time may draw it aside and discover 'em, nor can any one think, that a design of this Nature and Extent, had only three or four Persons imbarkt therein. Thus much therefore must for the present satisfie for the Characters of the chief Managers of this Conspiracy.

As for the Subject and Method thereof, it can appear from nothing better, or clearer than the Original Papers and Letters of the very Conspirators and Managers un∣der their own Hand-Writing. And indeed there need no Colours to heighten or advance it.—The Devil is ugly enough of himself, cou'd the Painter describe him like what he really is, nor needs the addition of Tail

and Horns to make him more terrible. The Truth is, 'twas a Home-stroak, and there wanted no good will, either in the design or management.

'Twas neither less nor more, than the overthrowing the Govern∣ment, Deposing, if not Murthering Their Majesties, Whom God long preserve, to the Confusion of their Ene∣mies, bringing in an Army of French and Strangers, and joyning them on their Invasion, after having be∣tray'd the Strength and Condition of the Nation to them, and given an exact Account of our Fleet and Forts, laying Designs for the Destruction of both, and taking a particular and remarkable care to plague London.—

Which Favour the Honest Citizens can't be forgetful of, and some here at home of another Character, one would almost think had been aiming at, a little before the Plot was ripened.

This in general—More particularly the Scene was laid as deep and as subtily as Hell it self could con∣trive it (though the Traytors concern'd, will be apt to say here, as well as in the Gunpowder Treason, 'Twas the Devil who discover'd it) to destroy in a few Weeks, or Months, all that which has been so long and so firmly building, by the wonderful Providence of God, and the united Wisdom, and Valour of the Nation at the expence of so much Blood and Treasure, as it has already cost us. Here at home it appears to have been carry'd on ever since, and before the Bravado of the French on our Coasts the last Summer; for some of the Letters taken, mightily lament the disappointment they met with at that time, and assure the Enemies of our Country, that

'twas for want of no good will, but only a handsome op∣portunity▪ that they lent not their utmost assistance to destroy it—But you wou'd not have Men Rebel when they can't do't, and joyn the French at Portsmouth or Devon∣shire, when fast in the Tower of London. However they saved their Stakes, and by this time it seems were got ••e••dy for another Game, their only trouble being (as they express it) that their Confinements had retarded the Affair, but promising with double vigour to prose∣cute it as soon as discharged of their Imprisonment, and recover the ground which they had thereby lost.

But one grand Obstacle, it seems, the Plotters met with in the prosecution of their Designs. They knew very well the Mortal and Unchangeable Aversion rooted in the very Souls of the generality of the English against Popery, ever since the Reformation, and which they lik∣ed, at least, never the better for what knowledge they had thereof, during the short visit it lately made us: Accordingly they could not but imagine this would be a terrible Obstacle to their design of reinstating the late King James in his Throne, whom the English can hard∣ly think much better or truer for having been so long under the French King's Pupillage, nor could believe it so much as possible, that he should return without the destruction of the Protestant Religion, not only in Eng∣land, but very probably throughout all Europe. This Objection, which lay so full against the very center of their design, they found it necessary to obviate e're they could proceed one step further; and though all the

World else thinks it impossible that King James shou'd should ever now return without Popery at his Heels, the Agitatars of this design undertake to prove it pos∣sible—which was all it seems they would so much as pretend to; tho with what Reason, or to what end, I can't imagine, only the cause would bear no more, scarcely that it self; for tho we believe 'tis possible, and barely so, for a Man to leap over the Bridg and not be drowned, or Tumble from a precipiece and not be Crushed to Pieces, (of both which we have Instances) yet none but a Mad-Man wou'd offer to repeat the Experiment, in hopes of the same Event. But that the Villany might proceed Methodically, they had a formal Consult, and Conference between divers Lords and Gentlemen: Tories as well as Whiggs (those are the words of the Paper which gives an Account thereof; Seized among others in Ashtons Bosom) wherein it was Actually prov'd; possible that he might return without any Injury to the Protestant Religion.—And wherein were several fine Chimeras proposed, which had King James Conquer'd the Country, and Recover'd His Throne by the French Arms, would have signified just as much as his Promise at his first coming to the Crown, and his Oath at the Coronation, to protect the Govern∣ment as then Establish'd, in Church and State.—But now, they tell ye, he had bit upon the Bridle, and known the smart on't, and if he ever came back agen, he had learnt more wit, then to take such evil Courses as had formerly Broke and Ruin'd him, Yes undoubted∣ly, as much as any Highway-Man or Murderer Pardon∣ed,

during his happy Reign, wou'd leave the Road, or Cutting-Throats, for having been once in sight of the Gallows. One wou'd think the former Jaunt of almost Twenty Years long, had been enough to have taught some Persons Wit and Honesty; if ever they wou'd have been capable of either: Or at least, that the sound Ruffle they met with from the People of England be∣fore they came to the Throne, should have taught 'em, when fix'd in it, how to behave themselves there, and what Measures to use with a Nation; who, tho 'tis not an easie matter to anger 'em, when once they are so, never Bite but their Teeth meet; and tho you cut their Heads off, won't let go their hold. There's a Proverb of a certain King, a little wiser then him we are discour∣sing of, which may be with Truth and Manners enough apply'd—at least to some of his Old Courtiers, and those inseparable Friends, who will to he sure alwaies have his Ears and Heart—Bray a Fool in a Morter, yet he won't depart from his Folly: Which was one un∣lucky Objection, which I doubt, those Men of Projects, and Reason, forgot to answer at this Conference; tho it seems, several there present, who pretended great Zeal for the Protestant Religion, (and without doubt, much according to knowledge) went away as intirely satisfied in the point in Controversie, as one who has never made any experiment of Matter of Fact, is with some fine Hypothesis of mounting to the World in the Moon, in a Chariot of Ganza's. In the mean while they must give other Men leave to doubt of what they were pleas'd to be satisfied with, so long at least till

they can produce one Instance of a Bigotted Popish Prince, who kept his word with his Protestant Subjects, longer then his Interest persuaded him to observe it; or he wanted Power to break it. However, so much we may learn by the Title of the Conferrence before mentioned: that it is not being of one Party, or t'other, makes a Man Honest: That Loyalty is not Ty'd up to one side or Interest. That there are Traytors of both sides; and that all those who love the Government, ought heartily to agree in their Defence of it, tho they differ in their Sentiments, as to other things, unless they'd have both that and their selves Ruin'd by the Common Enemy.

After this Consult, we may believe they push'd on more vigorously than formerly, and have brought things to bear so well, that in their several Letters of Trea∣sonable Correspondence, they rest almost secured of Success; provided, they might be but powerfully as∣sisted by the French, in that manner and time they pro∣posed, and had drawn up in a Scheme of the whole. And if they did their part, and a certain Person easie enough to be guest at, did but appear in Westminster-Hall, (as they express it in one of their Cants) they doubted not but before next Easter Term, the Causes would come to a Final Hearing. That is before that time, we had been all involved in Blood and Confusion, and as miserable as these Plotters and their Masters cou'd make us.

To that end, Exact Lists were sent of all our Naval preparations, what Ships in Repair, and what not, from the First, to Sixth Rates, not omitting so much as the very Yatchts and Tenders. So that an Account also added of such Commanders as were most likely to be drawn to the French Interest—So that we need now no longer puzzle our selves to guess which way so many French-Pistols creep in among us; (Twenty Four of which, have within this few days been Re∣ceived in no larger a Sum then Forty Pound.) And yet more Villanous; Directions were prepared for the French Fleet, how, and where to Fight, and destroy Oars, their Numbers proportion'd, and the Time of their setting out, and appearing upon our Coast at fur∣thest in March, or the beginning of April, to hinder the Dutch Fleet and Ours from Joyning. They were to look to Spithead in their way, Burn the Shipping there, and take the Town. To which end, a most Exact Ac∣covnt was drawn up for them of all the Force in Ports∣mouth. The State of the different Forts, as South-Sea, Trevanion, &c. As the Number of Men in Garrison, and the Facility of putting a design of that Nature in Exe∣cution. London, to be sure, among the rest, is never to be forgotten Nothing is to be done till those proud Citizens be humbled—Carthago est delenda—De∣stroy that, or that will Destroy Rome or at least till things are Ripe enough, and the Rebellion strong enough, let French Ships alwaies lie ready on purpose to Plague it, as if their Fire had not been enough before.

But they knew what would be most acceptable to the Person who employ'd them, who whilst he remain'd at Helm, was so true a Pater Patriae, who always so dear∣ly lov'd the City, and between which and him there was so little Love ever lost. Further if it should come to a Battle, the very place was agreed on where they should fight the English, not so high as last Summer, near the Beachy, but rather in the Chaps of the Channel. And all this with the landing of the French, and the publick defection of his Traytors at home, who were immediately to come in to their assistance, to be put in Execution as soon as possible after the departure of the King for Holland, a Proclamation being prepared (per∣haps with as much as Coleman's Declaration for dissolv∣ing the Parliament) to the same effect with what was discours'd in the Consult before mentioned, setting all the Varnish possible on the Cause; the Protestant Re∣ligion to be as surely established and defended as it was before, they only to have the Government, and all the poor harmless Catholicks to be left to nothing but their Devotions. The Dispensing Power and Prerogative to be left where it was before that Controversie be∣gun; all Persons being also required to come under the French Standard, and turn Traytors by such a day, on pain of being used as if they were so. In order to effect which Designs, and carry on a Correspon∣dence with the Enemies of the Nation, several parti∣cular

Cants being invented, under which to cover their Treasonable Practices. Some of the Letters were writ on pretence of Trade; advising their Cor∣respondents by all means to chuse such Factors as were bold and Industrious, to fix probable ends, and chuse fit means to bring them to an issue, which they added, was the life of Trade as well as Go∣vernment. Above all, to be quick and expeditious as possible in their Resolutions and Actions, the Sea be∣ing now open, whereas a few Months hence 'twould be very dangerous sailing. Others were disguised in a Story of Tenants or Landlords, acquainting the Person to whom 'tis writ, that many of the Free∣holders were dissatifyed with their usage, &c.

Others related to a Law-Suit, as has been already mentioned; some were Letters of Civility and Compli∣ment, as from one acquaintance to another, assuing them that their Elder Brother and most of their Family were their true Friends, and would continue so; enquiring for their little Daughter, whom tho' they had not yet seen, they had heard described very pretty and Witty. All this under seigned Names. To Mr. Read∣ing and Mrs. Reading, Mr. Charleton and others.

Besides these they had several Characte••s and Keys affixed to them, the more covertly to carry on the main business; one wherein all the Letters of the Alphabet were made use of to signifie Persons and things, one Letter standing for the K of France,

another for K. James, a 3d. for the K. of England, the Duke of Luxemburgh, the Marquess with them, Duke Powis and his Dutchess, England, Scotland, Ireland, Hol∣land, Dunkirk, &c. the Marquis of Carmarthen, the Lord Devonshire, the Lord Clarendon, Lord Preston, and several other great Persons, both their Friends and Enemies. But this was observable in most of their Let∣ters, that although they began with some of those sorts of Cants already mentioned, and carried on the Hu∣mour pretty well, yet before the Conclusion, they used generally such high and profound expressions of respect and veneration as could agree to none with any com∣mon propriety of Speech, but those of the first Quali∣ty, and such as they thought their Soveraigns. One good Man being so zealous in the Cause, as to pro∣test he could venture his hopes of Heaven upon it, or an expression little below it, if not the very same. But after all that could be written, said or done, London still sticks in their Stomachs, whose Citizens or Cler∣gy they could by no means be pleased with, the Clergy being as the significant memorandums express it, almost all stark naught, and the very worst of the whole Nation. I wonder wherein have the Clergy of London obliged the Lord Preston so highly, that he's pleas'd to do them the honour of so ill a Character? Not that 'tis a new thing for Malefactors to give thofe who detect and prosecute 'em, ill Names, while they stile none Honest Fellows but such as are as great Villains as themselves. In

the mean time it seems all the Luidores yet receiv'd are not sufficient: Money is the Life of the Cause all the World over, which the Jacobites want as well as we, and those Horse-leeches still cry, Give, Give, with∣out being ever satisfied. Poor King James, must he pay Pensions still when he himself is but a Pensioner? The mischief is, his Brass Money won't go in England, nay would be out of fashon in Ireland, had the Teagues any other among them—So thick are the Complaints, and so bold the Beggars, that one may easily conclude their King can't live without them, nor they without him. My Lord will acquaint you with my occasions—I have told my Lord my occasions. The B••arer knows how I have been prest, How well I have deserv'd—and much more to the same purpose, which the World will shortly see in the printed Tryals.

After all this, people may chuse whether theyl'l be∣lieve any such thing as a Plot, they may say and swear (and yet not be perjur'd) that this is as great a Sham as the Popish Plot in 78, and all those who dye for it as ••••rand Martyrs as Coleman, and as innocent as the Jesuits; nay, had not all this been so strange∣ly discover'd, things had run on in the same current, and the great Agitators but got safely off with their Papers, or but got them dispos'd of safely into the bottom of the Sea; had all this happen'd, and the French Fleet according to appointmnet appear'd on our Coast as they did the last Summer, who dared

have dreamt of a Plot in't, any more than the last time, or that they came for any thing else but to fish for a few Herrings on our Coast, or make fine Lines across the Channel in a Sunshiny day?

And here I should have closed the account of this cursed Design, had not a new and strange accident given us new confirmations thereof. No longer since than the last Week, were taken two Gentlemen com∣ing ashore from France in a small Sloop near Lewis in Sussex—Sir. R. P. who by the greatness of his Genius, and meer strength of his own natnral Reason (both of 'em as weighty Motives as the Jesuits Arguments) left the Protestant Religion for the Roman, in the Reign of the late King James, and would fain have had his Children Educated the same way, had not their vir∣tuous and prudent Mother placed them out of his reach. The other Collonel M. and old experienced Officer: Both going to a great Papists House in those parts, One of these a Man of Interest and Money, might have done excellently well, lying there Perdue till the Plot had ripen'd; then to have rais'd Forces for ad∣vancing the design; and the other of more Brains and Experience, when rais'd to have com∣manded them. With these were found several Letters of dangerous consequence, which it's said, confirm exactly what has been formerly discover'd. And here we are like to meet with something of In∣genuity, tho' not much Wit, and the having been

with King James at the Boyne, (or rather running away with him there,) actually and publickly acknowledg'd.

It may be worth also to remark the subtle ways the Conspirators took to prevent Discovery. They indeed did almost as much as Men cou'd do, who had no mind to be hang'd, to keep themselves safe, and had provided against every thing but Providence. Here at Land they made use of Iron-heels, opening and shutting with a sort of a Spring, to be cover'd with Leather, and worn in a Shoe, wherein to conceal their Treasonable Letters and Papers. But these too, were discover'd as well as the Person who made 'em, who lately was seiz'd, and in custody for the same. What they did at Sea to the same end and purpose, was very strangely render'd in∣effectual, and prov'd only a strong presumption against 'em.

And from hence 'twill be an easy Transition to the wonderful Discovery of this so deep and well-laid De∣sign. In which, perhaps there may be some passages not yet ripe for publick notice. What has yet appear'd on the open Stage in relation to this great Affair, is to this purpose.

After the Scene had been laid, and the Scheme of their Design'd fix'd as above-mention'd, and the Assurances and Protestations of the most confiderable Persons there∣in engaged, given under their own hands to be witnes∣ses against 'em; My Lord Preston and his two other Accomplices, Major Ashton and Mr. Elliott, &c. prepa∣red

for France, with an account of the whole Negoti∣ation. In order whereunto, a Vessel was to be hired to convey them to France, and one being found sit for the purpose, the Master was to be bargain'd with for the price; who at the first meeting, wherein he engaged safe∣ly to transport em thither, demanded 200 l. for his reward: At the second Meeting, he fell to 100 l. Ashton and Elliott, agreeing with him for the same; the Mo∣ny to be deposited in Mrs. Burdet's hand till the Service should be performed; accordingly 93 Guinea's and a 6 d. were paid in, the odd six pence being broke, and one piece left with Mrs. Burdet, the other Mr. Ashton had with him, which he was to deliver to the Master of the Ship as soon as ever he had landed his Passengers at any Port in France, and on his return and bringing that piece to Mr. Burdet, on the application and agreement thereof with the other piece in her custody, he was im∣mediately to receive the Hundred pounds. According to this Agreement, the Master prepared his Smack for the Voyage, and all things being ready, they came to Surry-stairs late in the Evening, to avoid suspicion, cal∣ling a Sculler, with whom these 3, the Skipper and my Lords Man row'd Through-Bridge to the Tower, and o∣ver against it near Pickle-herring-Stairs, went aboard the Smack there provided. But the weather being cold, the Water-man, as is usual, lent them his Coats to keep them warm, which it being late, and he in haste to re∣turn, as well as they to get rid of him, were there forgot∣ten;

and on his recollecting himself, and returning, de∣nyed, on which he was forc'd to go home without them.

In the mean time the Vessel went down the River, as fast as Wind and Tide cou'd carry it, and soon came to Long-Reach, where then lay the George-Frigat at An∣chor, of whom my Lord Preston had some apprehensions, and therefore desired the Master to hide them till they past that danger, which he did under the Quarter∣hatches on the Ballast, whence they return'd above-Deck, when out of sight of the Frigat. But at the Block-houses at Graves-End, my Lord was again for hiding, and accordingly retired to his old hole; a Pin∣nace being just coming aboard them, which the Master thought was only come to Press, as Captain Billop who was in her, pretended all his business there was, who coming aboard with a Press-Warrant, humoured the business exactly, and askt the Master if he had any Men aboard? He reply'd, he had a Protection, which he produced: The Captain tells him he was sorry for it, but must look further; and going into the Hold, found my Lord Preston and the other two a top of the Ballast, whom he immediately search'd for Papers, whilst one of the Sea-men who came with him discover'd Mr. Ashton thrusting some∣what into his Bosom, of which he immediately in∣form'd the Captain, who questioning him concern∣ing

Ashton with Presence of Mind enough replyed, 'twas only his Handkerchief, which he immediately pull'd out of his Bosom; but the Captain not thinking fit to trust him, clapt his Hand after, and found something much more valuable, to wit, that famous Packet of Letters which did all their businesses, with a small leaden Plum∣met fix'd with a Packthred, sufficient to have sunk it deep enough for ever telling Tales agen; which way they would soon have sent it, had not their Fear con∣fin'd 'em to a place where it was impossible for them to put a thing of that Nature in execution. But there were yet found further Evidences against them; for exactly in the same place whence these Papers were ta∣ken up by Ashton, the same Seaman who discovered him doing it, observed something else lying on the Ballast, which proved a couple of Seals, both my Lord Preston's; one the Seal of his Office, as Secretary of State to King James, the other his own Coat of Arms; both which he deliver'd to his Captain; observing at the same time my Lord Preston in great Confusion, pale and trembling, and scarce able to speak a Word. However my Lord and the others treated the Captain with a great deal of Complaisance and Respect, desiring him to go ashore with them for some Refreshment, who not judging that so convenient, yet civilly proffer'd to accompany them for that end aboard the George Frigat, which lay in their way to London (and of which they had now no reason any longer to be afraid.) But finding all those Subter∣fuges render'd ineffectual by the prudence of the Cap∣tain, they resolve to attack him on the two other sides, on one of which most of Mankind lies open, with Ar∣guments of Profit and Honour, offering him some Hun∣dreds of Guinea's only to Dispose of those Papers he had taken, which he might easily do, without giving any

suspicion to those about him, my Lord having another Parcel of Letters of less concern, to which they might fix the Plummet that was on the others, and easily make 'em pass for those he had first taken: Adding further, That 'twould be a gen••r••us thing for the Captain to go along with them. But none of all this prevailed, he still continued faithful to his Trust, and altogether un∣moveable; and the Pinnace brush'd away roundly towards London, which Elliot observing, swore they row'd as if they were carrying them all to Prison. And when they came under the Bridge, wish'd heartily 'twould fall down and crush 'em all to the bottom—But 'twas the same thing, the Bridg was as stubborn as the Captain was before, and stood still in the same place where it has been this two or three hundred year, while the Pinnaces were tugg'd lustily, and soon brought their Fare to Whitehall; where, just as they were stepping out of the Boat, my Lord Preston clapt some Mony into the Hands of two of the Smack's Men, who were brought up with them, bidding 'em when ex∣amin'd, say, That the Ship was bound for Flanders, not for France.

No sooner were they landed here, but Captain Billop waited on my Lord Nottingham with the Packet, which he had seiz'd, which he having open'd and look'd over, deliver'd all of 'em to the Captain again, who carried them to the Lord President the Marquess of Caermarthen, who also opening and marking 'em, carry'd 'em to the King, after which my Lord Sidney had them in his Cu∣stody, wherein appearing Treason enough to have hang∣ed all the Plotters in England, my Lord Preston was sent back to the place from whence he came so lately be∣fore, the Tower of London, and the other two likewise committed.

'Twas not long after this, before they were ac∣quainted their Tryal was coming on, and time given 'em accordingly to prepare for the same. The Bill was found against 'em with little hesitation on Thurs∣day, January 15th, and the next day they were ar∣raigned at the Old-Baily, my Lord's Petition to have the Tryal put off till Monday not being granted him. For indeed 'twas already more than time to let the Enemies of the Government know, that it could be angry, and dared both bring 'em to Justice for their Treasons, and punish 'em for the same. Besides, Delays in this case might on many accounts be dangerous, and would serve only to encourage the Accomplices of these Traytors, and dishearten the true Friends of the King and Kingdom. On his Arraign∣ment, my Lord Preston insisted on his fruitless Peer∣age, (he being only a Knight in England, though a Viscount in Scotland) which had been prejudged in an higher place, the House of Lords having before thrown it out, and which there was no great like∣lyhood should ever be allowed him, since his Patent was dated at St. Germains, after King James his Ab∣dication; and had it been allowed for good here, 'tis certain, those who had done it could not have cleared themselves from such consequences as would have been most pernicious and invideous to them∣selves and the Nation.—However this took up some time, and about an hour or two's Argument was employed therein, but after all, it was over-ruled by the Bench, as any one would easily guess it could be no otherwise. He moved also for a Copy of his Indictment, and brought Presidents, but those were answered, and his Request not granted, but a

Copy of the Pannel he had according to custom. The next day being the 17th of January Ann. Dom. 1691. he came to his Tryal, at which was a vast Con∣course of all degrees present, particularly, besides the Lords Chief Justices, and their Brethren, several No∣ble Lords of the Garter, several Lords of their Ma∣jesties most honourable Privy-Council and others, my Lord President, Lord Sidny, &c.

And here I would not be mistaken in what short Reflections I intend to make on the Tryals of the petsons then accused and now convicted of this Con∣spiracy, as if my Intent were to forestal the pub∣lick Accounts which will shortly be given of the same. Were this an Age like such as we have seen which would not bear Truth, and the Tryals such as wou'd force any one who saw or read 'em to won∣der how so many Mad-men broke out of Bedlam, and got possession of the Bench; and accordingly had we no expectation of a true Account of matter of Fact, then indeed something of that Nature tho' from a private hand might be both necessary and grateful. But now all things have been managed as becomes a Court of Justice, not as formerly with the Decency of a Bear-garden, no doubt but the publick will be soon gratified with a true and exact History of the Tryal of the persons lately convicted, which make so much noise in the World. All I pretend to here is from my own personal observation and knowledg to compare a little these Tryals with those of the for∣mer Reigns, and to shew the vast difference in the management of the whole in respect both of Court, Bar and Evidence.

In the opening the Evidence, here was no affect∣ed Exaggeration of Matters, nor Ostentation of a putid Eloquence one after another, as in former Tryals, like so many Geese cackling in a row; here was nothing besides fair matter of Fact or natural and just Reflections from thence arising. What few Witnesses the Prisoners had were not affronted or cross-bitten in their legal Evidence. The Prisoners themselves were treated with that Humanity ever due to those who are unfortunate, though the most cri∣minal persons in the World. There was so much Reason upon the Bench, that they had no need of Rayling, and those at the Bar had such usage as if they came thither to be tryed for their Lives, not baited to death. As for the Evidence, twas the clear∣est and highest the Nature of the thing cou'd possi∣bly bear—Plain Proof, undeniable matter of Fact, a desperate Plot at home, Correspondence with Ene∣mies abroad, inviting them hither, shewing 'em where to fall upon us, betraying the Strength of the Na∣tion to 'em our Ships and Forts, corrupting and se∣ducing those at home, and taking whatever measures could possibly be thought on for our common Ruin. And this seized in the very Bosoms of the grand Conspirators in their own undeniable Hand-writing, nay their Seals, even their double Seals together with it. These Men had fairer play than Noble Sidny, &c. who were hanged by help of a Marginal Note, for controversial Papers of twenty years standing, to which they made both Keys and Characters, abused the Court as much as Dryden's Poem, and by a rare new Law-figure (for 'twou'd puzzle one to find it in

all Vossius his Rhetorick) called Innuendo, extreamly obliged the late King Charles, by turning him into a Tarquin. No Art nor Trick was there used to make them plead guilty, as with—n, nor one Murder com∣mitted to facilitate another as with the great and unfortunate Earl of Essex, whose Blood even yet in vain crys for Vengeance. Every thing here was in its due place and order; the Patriots on the Bench, and the Malefactors at the Bar; not quite contrary, as we have seen formerly, when the Persons Ar∣raigned have as far and as visibly out-weighed the Judges in Sense, as in Probity and Honour. The Ju∣ries here were neither frighted nor surprized, nor such as would be so; the Defence made by the Prisoners for the most part so weak and enervate, and so much below themselves, that it plainly appeared the fruitless Effort of a Guilty Mind, and 'twas easie enough to read their Sentence in their Foreheads, pronounc'd by a Judge within, greater than those who fill'd the visible Tribunal.

On the whole, my Lord Preston, was, after a fair Hearing, on a long and full Evidence, found Guilty, about Seven in the Evening of the same day he was Tryed. Major Ashton, after a Defence which took up more time, on the Monday after, being Jan. 19. And on the same day Elliot's Tryal was put off until ano∣ther time; but whether any of them will obtain or deservk their Lives by an ingenuous Discovery of all the Particulars of a Plot, so wide and deep as this will appear to whoever hears or reads the Letters which give an Account of it, a little longer time will very probably decide: Till when, here has been sufficient

already brought to light, as to the reality of the Plot it self, the horrid and desperate Designs thereby to be perpetrated, the manner of its management, and strange Discovery; enough, I should think, to satisfie all persons, who in this point really want satisfaction, and are not themselves either Well-willers to the Design, or actually concerned therein.

FINIS.