The history of the damnable popish plot, in its various branches and progress published for the satisfaction of the present and future ages / by the authors of The weekly pacquet of advice from Rome.

CHAP. XVI. (Book 16)

The Cursed Design of Morrice Gifford a Popish Priest, and others of the Conspi∣rators, to Fire the Cities and Suburbs of London and Westminster, happily dis∣covered, with other Subsequent Trans∣actions, as the Model and Names of the New Council, &c.

WE have told you before in the Se∣venth Chapter, That one part of this Damnable Popish Plot consisted in Firing, and Mr. Bedloe in a particu∣lar Narrative (sold by Mr. Boulter, and other Booksellers in Cornhil) hath acquainted the World how far he was concern'd therein, as a Member of their Committee appointed for carry∣ing on that Villany, how he was engaged by the Benedictine Monks at Paris, in the Year 1676. to that purpose, and afterwards joined with one Father Gifford and others, to Fire Westminster, Limehouse, and other places; and he there names several particular Streets, and the very Houses where he hired Cellars and laid in Wood, Coals, and other combustible Matter, to effect this Bu∣siness, as on the backside of the Palsegraves-Head Tavern, without Temple-Bar, Brewers Yard in the Strand, a Cellar at Mr. Withers's at the Plough in

Seething-Lane, another in White-Friars, others in Red-Cross-Street, White-Cross-Street, Bishopsgate-Street, Queen-hive, &c. And in his Epistle he names Twelve several distinct ways they have to cause and promote Fires, one of which is by Bribing Servants to fire the Houses of their Ma∣sters. Of this kind we had about this time a notorious Instance, and wherein the very same Father Gifford was concern'd. For the discove∣ry of the Plot hitherto had only enrag'd, not daunted the Conspirators, and therefore they still resolv'd to go on with their Work, and amongst others, they had drawn in one Eliza∣beth Oxley, a Servant Maid to one Mr. Bird, (an eminent Attorney in Fetter-Lane) who having dwelt there about 6 weeks, took the opportuni∣ty on the 10th. of April, 1679. when all the Family was in Bed, to fire a large Press in her Master's Closet, wherein were kept Papers and Writings, and when she thought it was not to be Quencht, wak'd her Master and Mistress with out-cries, that the House was on Fire, and ran down to let in the Watch, who had took notice of it, and by the great Mercy of God, and rea∣dy help, the Fire was put out, and the House preserv'd, though the Gentleman suffered consi∣derable damage by it. Now as there was no pro∣bability how this Fire should come by any Acci∣dent, so it was observ'd, that this Elizabeth had pack't up her Cloaths, and several other Circum∣stances of suspicion, whereupon she was taxt with it, and at last confessed it, declaring on her Examination, That about Michaelmas, 1678. she became acquainted with one Nicholas Stubbs

a Papist (formerly Butler to a Popish Lady) who had used mnay persuasions to turn her to his Reli∣gion, and after her shewing a liking to it, and that he supposed she had embraced that persuasi∣on, in his discourse to her at several times told her, That she should set all the Protestants destroy'd that were in England, before the Eighth and Twen∣tieth of June next, and that all that would turn to the Roman Catholick Religion should live far better than now they did, that as for Hereticks, it were a Meritorius Act to kill them. And that all such as were Papists should have marks upon their Hats, whereby to distinguish them from Protestants, that they might not be destroy'd a∣mongst them. That the Duke of York was the bravest Prince living, and was gone out of the Kingdom, lest the Heretiks should cut off his head, and he would not return, till they were destroy'd; that not one of the Lords in the Tow∣er would Suffer, for they would come off well enough, being to be Tryed by the Lords, &c. She likewise did avouch, That she telling the said Stubbs, that she was hired to live with Mr. Bird aforesaid, and naming to him the place, he used persuasions to her at several times to set Fire on her said Master's House, telling her, That if she would do it, he would give her 5 l; and gave her once half-a-Crown in earnest of such Re∣ward, and said, That he would have other Hou∣ses in Holborn Fired at the same time by others. That on the Sunday before this Fire happen'd, she was with the said Stubbs, and did then promise that she would certainly fire her Master's House on Thursday or Friday Night following, and that

accordingly she did on Thursday Night take a Candle, and set fire to her Master's papers in his Study, which were in a kind of Press, and then being on a light Fire, she shut the door, and went up stairs into her own Chamber at the top of the House, where she packt up her own things, and undress'd her self, lest her Master should suspect her, and there stay'd till a great Knocking was at the door, and the Watchmen crying out, Fire; whereupon she went and let them in, but she declared, That she did not do this out of any Spleen or Malice towards her Master, nor with any attempt to Rob him, but meerly to carry on the Design which Stubbs had proposed to her, out of hopes of the Reward he had promis'd.

Hereupon a Warrant was issued forth to appre∣hend Nicholas Stubbs, who was shortly after ta∣ken, and though at first he out-brazen'd the Truth with the usual Popish Impudence, yet when he came to be confronted with the Wench, who offered so many Circumstances to convince him, he could no longer stand it out, but did confess and own, That he had used such discour∣ses to the said Elizabeth, as she had set forth in her Examination, and that he did persuade her to fire her Master's House, and was to give her 5 Guinnies for doing it, besides half-a-Crown in hand.

He did likewise declare upon Oath, That Fa∣ther Gifford his Confessor, had put him upon this Business, and told him it was no Sin to fire all the Houses of Hereticks and Huguenots.

That Derby Molrayne aliàs Flower, a Barber in Jermanstreet; and one Roger Clinton that lodged

at the Coach and Horses in the same Street, both Irish men, were Engaged in the same Design; that Father Gifford promised this Examinate One Hundred Pounds for to carry on the Work, and told him, He was to have the money from the Church. That the said Gifford, Clinton, Flower, and He, did use to meet in St. Jame's Feilds in the dark of the Evening, and there to discourse of these matters, and that the several Informations that he had given to the said Elizabeth Oxley, he had from the said Father Gifford. He further said, That the said Flower and Clinton told him the said Stubbs, That they would carry on the said Fire, and that they had Fireballs for that purpose, and that they would fire other Houses in Holborn at the same time. He confessed he was at the Fire in the Temple, but was not Engaged to do any thing in it.

That Gifford told him that there were English, French, and Irish Roman Catholicks enow in London, to make a very good Army, and that the French King was coming with 60 Thousand men, under a pretence of a Progress to shew the Dauphin his Dominions, but it was to plant them along the Coasts at Diep, Bulloign, Calais, and Dunkirk, to be presently ready to be Landed in England when there was an opportunity, which he doubted not but might be by the middle of June, for by that time all the Roman Catholicks here would be ready, who were all to rise, and with the Assistance of the French Forces to cut off, and utterly destroy the Hereticks, that then the Papists were to be distinguish't by marks in their Hats, and that the said Father Gifford doubted

not but he should be an Abbot or a Bishop, when the work was over, for the good Service he had done; who frequently told this Examinate, and the said Flower and Clinton, That it was no more Sin to Kill an Heretick, than to knock a Dog o'th head, and that they did God good Service in do∣ing what mischeif they could by Firing their Houses. That it was well, Sir Edmundbury God∣frey was Murther'd, for he was their devilish Ene∣my. That Coleman was a Saint in Heaven, for what he had done, &c.

That the Examinate was fearful he should be Murther'd for this Confession, the said Father Gif∣ford having sworn him to Secrecy, and told him he should be damn'd if he made any discovery, and should be sure to be Kill'd, but gave him leave to take the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, because he was an House-keeper, and it was necessary that he should stay in Town to help to promote the work of Burning, therefore the taking of such Oaths to him should be no sin.

April the 15th. That worthy Patriot Sir Tho∣mas Player, giving the House of Commons in∣formation concerning this matter of Oxley and Stubbs, the Examinations were transmitted to the Lords, and the Lords sent them to the secret Committee to make a further inspection and pro∣gress therein, but they had their hands so full of Business, that it was thought fit to appoint a Special Committee for this very purpose, before whom the Parties were again Examined, and gave them such satisfaction, that the House be∣came Suitors to his Majesty, that they might both have his gracious Pardon, which was granted,

and a Proclamation (but not till the 4th. of May) set forth—Reciting—That whereas due Information hath been given, that Morrice Gif∣ford a Popish Priest, Roger Clinton, Derby Mol∣raine alias Flower, and several other Persons of the Romish Religion, have (out of their detesta∣ble and barbarous Malice) conspired and agreed to∣gether, to set on Fire the City of London, the Su∣burbs thereof, and the places thereunto Adjacent, and have in prosecution of such their devilish and wicked Design, procured divers Mansion Houses within the said City, Suburbs, and parts adjacent, at sundry times, and in divers places to be set on Fire and Burnt. The King's most Excellent Majesty (at the humble desire of the Commons in Parlia∣ment Assembled) doth Command the said Gifford, Clinton, and Flower, (who are fled from Ju∣stice) to render themselves by the 10th. of May in∣stant, and is pleased to promise 50 l. Reward to any that should apprehend any of them, or if any of themselves should come in and discover his Accom∣plices, so as any of them may be taken and Convicted, he shall not only have his Pardon, but the 50 l. al∣so, for each Incendiary.

As this ingenious Confession of Oxley and Stubbs was a grand Confirmation, and undenia∣ble proof of the restless Malice of these bloody Priests, so 'tis a notable Corroboration of the Truth and sincerity of Mr. Bedloes Evidence; for how was it possible, if what he says were not certain Truth, but only contrived Stories, as Papists calumniat, How is it probable, I say, That Stubbs should happen so exactly to accuse the very same man which Mr. Bedloe had done,

for the Instigator to these barbarous Attempts of Firing; for at that time Mr. Bedloe, though he had given in such his Informations to the Committee of Secrecy, yet had not published the same abroad, so that Stubbs could not then have any notice thereof.

On the 20th. of April happen'd an extraordi∣nary Change at Court, no less unexpected, than grateful to the people, who by such alteration of Ministers did hope to find considerable improve∣ments in the management of the publick Affairs; for his Majesty having caused his Privy Council to be extraordinarily summon'd, was pleas'd by the Lord Chancellor to dissolve them; and to declare his Pleasure, That for the future, their constant Number should be limited to that of Thirty, where∣of Fifteen to be of his chief Officers, who shall be Privy Councellors by their Places, Ten others of the Nobility, and Five Commons of the Realm, whose known Abilities, Interest, and Esteem, in the Nati∣on, shall render them without all suspicion of either mistaking or betraying the true Interest of the King∣dom. These Fifteen Officers, to which the Quali∣ty of a Privy Councellor was hereby annext, are

• The Arch-Bishop of Canterbury.
• The Bishop of London.
• The Lord Chancellor.
• One of the Lord Cheif Justices.
• The Admiral.
• The Master of the Ordnance.
• ...

• The Treasurer and Chancellor or First Comissioner of the Exchequer.
• The Lord Privy-Seal.
• The Master of the Horse.
• The Lord Steward.
• The Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold.
• The Groom of the Stole.
• Two Secretaries of State.

And that there shall be a President of the Coun∣cil, when necessary, and room for the Secretary of Scotland, when any such shall be here.

The Names of the New Privy Council then Establisht, were as follows,

• His Highness Prince Rupert.
• William Lord Arch Bishop of Canterbury.
• Heneage Lord Finch, Lord Chancellor of Eng∣land.
• Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury, Lord President of the Council.
• Arthur Earl of Anglesey, Lord Privy-Seal.
• Christopher Duke of Albemarle.
• James Duke of Monmouth, Master of the Horse.
• Henry Duke of New-Castle.
• John Duke of Lauderdaile, Secretary of State for Scotland.
• James Duke of Ormond, Lord Steward of the Houshold.
• ...

• ... Charles Lord Marquess of Winchester.
• Henry Lord Marquess of Worcester.
• Henry Earl of Arlington, Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold.
• James Earl of Salisbury.
• John Earl of Bridgewater.
• Robert Earl of Sunderland, one of his Maje∣sties principal Secretaries of State, [lately made in the room of Sir Joseph Williamson.]
• Arthur Earl of Essex, first Lord Commissioner of the Treasury.
• John Earl of Bath, Groom of the Stole.
• Thomas Lord Viscount Faulconberg.
• George Lord Viscount Hallifax.
• Henry Lord Bishop of London.
• John Lord Roberts.
• Denzil Lord Holles.
• William Lord Russel.
• William Lord Cavendish.
• Henry Coventry, Esq one of his Majesties prin∣ciple Secretaries of State.
• Sir Francis North, Kt. Lord Cheif Justice of the Common-Pleas.
• Sir Henry Capel, Kt. of the Bath, first Com∣missioner of the Admiralty.
• Sir John Earnley, Kt. Chancellor of the Exche∣quer.
• Sir Thomas Chicheley, Kt. Master of the Ord∣nance.
• Sir William Temple, Baronet.
• Edward Seymour, Esq
• Henry Powle, Esq

The 30th. of April, His Majesty made a Speech to both Houses of Parliament, wherein he recommended three things to them, The prosecu∣tion of the Plot, The disbanding of the Army, and the providing a Fleet, which was followed by a larger signification of his Majesties mind, by the Lord Chancellor,

That His Majesty had considered with himself, That 'tis not enough that his Peo∣ples Religion and Liberty be secure, during his own Reign, but thinks he ows it to his People to do all that in him lies, that these Blessings may be transmitted to Posterity. And to the end that it may never be in the power of any Papist, if the Crown descend upon him, to make any change in Church or State, his Majesty would consent to limit such Successor, in these points. 1. That no such Popish Successor shall present to Eccle∣siastical Benefices. 2. That during the Reign of such Popish Successor, no Privy Coun∣cellors, or Judges, Lord Leiutenant, or Deputy Leiutenant, or Officer of the Na∣vy, shall be put in, or removed but by Au∣thority of Parliament. 3. That as it is already provided, That no Papist can sit in either House of Parliament, so there shall never want a Parliament when the King shall happen to die, but that the Parliament then in Being may continue Indissoluble for a com∣petent

time, or the last Parliament Re-as∣semble, &c.

But it seems all these Provisions were not thought a sufficient Fence for such dear and pre∣cious things as Religion and Liberty, and that in the progress of their Debates upon this most im∣portant Subject, they could not resolve upon any certain Expedient of safety, less than the Exclusion of his Royal Higness.

For on Sunday April the 27th. 1679. It was Resolved by the House of Commons, Nemine Con∣tradicente, That the Duke of York being a Papist, and the hopes of his coming such to the Crown, hath given the greatest Encouragement and Countenance to the present Conspiracies and Designs of the Papists, against the King and Protestant Religion.

And on Sunday May the 11th. (the better Day the better Deed we use to say, but whether it will hold here, will be the Question,) they Order∣ed, That a Bill should be brought in to disable the Duke of York to Inherit the Imperial Crown of this Realm; which was brought in accordingly, and twice read in the House; the preamble there∣of being to this effect,

That forasmuch as these Kingdoms of England and Ireland by the wonderful Providence of God many Years since, have been delivered from the Slavery and Superstition of Popery, which had despoiled the King of his Sovereign Power, for that it did and doth advance

the Pope of Rome to a Power over So∣vereign Princes, and makes him Mo∣narch of the Universe, and doth with-draw the Subjects from their Allegiance by pretended Absolutions from all for∣mer Daths and Obligations to their law∣ful Sovereign, and by many Supersti∣tions and Immoralities, hath quite sub∣verted the Ends of the Christian Religi∣on. But notwithstanding, That Pope∣ry hath been long since Condemned by the Laws and Statutes of this Realm, for the detestable Doctrine, and Trai∣terous Attempts of its Adherents, a∣gainst the Lives of their lawful Sove∣reigns, Kings and Queens of these Realms. Yet the Emissaries, Priests, and Agents, for the Pope of Rome, re∣sorting into this Kingdom of England in great numbers, contrary to the known Laws thereof, have for several Years last past, as well by their own Devilish Acts and Policies, as by Counsel and Assistance of Foreign Princes and Pre∣lates, known Enemies to these Nations, contrived and carried on a most Horrid and Execrable Conspiracy, To destroy and Murther the Person of his Sacred Majesty, and to Subvert the ancient Government of these Realms, and to

Extirpate the Protestant Religion, and Massacre the true Professors thereof. And for the better effecting their wicked Designs, and encouraging their Uilai∣nous Accomplices, they have Traterous∣ly Seduced James Duke of York, Pre∣sumptive Heir of these Crowns, to the Communion of the Church of Rome, and have induced him to Enter into seve∣ral Negotiations with the Pope, his Cardinals, and Nuntio's, for promoting the Romish Church, and Interest, and by his means and procurement have ad∣vanced the Power and Greatness of the French King, to the manifest hazard of these Kingdoms, That by the descent of these Crowns upon a Papist, and by Foreign Alliances and Assistance, they may be able to succeed in their Wicked and Uillainons Designs.

And forasmuch as the Parliaments of England, according to the Laws and Statutes thereof, have heretofore, for great and weighty Reasons of State, and for the publick Good and common Interest at this Kingdom, directed and limited the Succession of the Crown in other manner than of Course it would otherwise have gone, but never had such important and urgent Reasons, as at

this Time press and require their using of their said Extraordinary Power in that behalf. Be it therefore Enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Com∣mons in this Parliament Assembled, and by the Authority of the same, And it is hereby Enacted accordingly, That James Duke of York, Albany, and Ulster, (having departed openly from the Church of England, and having publick∣ly professed and owned the Popish Religi∣on, which hath notoriously given Birth and Life to the most Damnable and Hel∣lish Plot, by the most gracious Providence of God lately brought to light) shall be Excluded, and is hereby Excluded and Disabled, &c.

On the 19th. of May the House of Commons attended his Majesty with this following Address.

Most Dread Sovereign,

WEE your Majesties most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects, the Commons in Parliament Assembled, do with all hum∣ble gratitude acknowledge the most gratious assurances your Majesty hath been pleased to give us, of your constant Care to do every

thing that may preserve the Protestant Re∣ligion, of your firm resolution to defend the same to the utmost, and your Royal endea∣vours that the security of that blessing may be transmitted to posterity. And we do hum∣bly represent to your Majesty, That being deeply sensible, that the greatest hopes of Suc∣cess against our Religion in the Enemies thereof, the Papists, are founded in the ex∣ecrable Designs, which they have laid against the Sacred Person and Life of your Majesty, which it is not onely our Duty, but our Inte∣rest with the greatest hazards to preserve and defend. We have applyed our selves to the making such provision by Law as may defeat these Popish Adversaries, their Abettors and Adherents, of their hopes of gaining an advantage by any violent at∣tempts against your Majesty, and may utter∣ly frustrate their expectation of Subvert∣ing the Protestant Religion thereby in time to come. And further to obviate by the best means we can all wicked practices against your Majesty, whilest any such Lawes are in preparation and bringing to perfection, It is our resolution, and we do Declare, That in defence of your Majesties Person and the Protestant Religion, we will stand by your Majesty with our Lives and For∣tunes, and shall be ready to Revenge upon the

Papists any violence offered by them to your Sacred Majesty, in which we have your Majesty will gratiously please to be the more assured, as We our Selves are the more encouraged, in that the Hearts of all your Majesties Protestant Subjects, with the most sincere affection and zeal joyn with us herein.

But this Zeal of the House of Commons run∣ning to so high a pitch touching the Succession, together with some unhappy misunderstandings arising between them and the House of Lords, concerning the Tryal of the Popish Lords, and Earl of Danby, as shall be related in the next Chapter. His Majesty to allay the same, was pleased first to Prorogue, and then to put a peri∣od to them by a Dissolution of that Parliament, by a Proclamation dated at Windsor the 12th. of July, 1679. But therein graciously declaring that a New one should be called to begin, and be holden on Tuesday the 7th. (which was af∣wards altered to Friday the 17th.) of Octo∣ber.