The annals of King James and King Charles the First ... containing a faithful history and impartial account of the great affairs of state, and transactions of parliaments in England from the tenth of King James MDCXII to the eighteenth of King Charles MDCXLII : wherein several material passages relating to the late civil wars (omitted in former histories) are made known.

The General Overture and Discovery of the Plot sent with Sir William Bos∣well's first Letter, Sept. 6. 1640. Foreign Stile.

THE King's Majesty and Lord Archbishop of Canterbury are to be secretly informed by Letters,

1. That the King's Majesty and Lord Arch∣bishop are both of them in great danger of their lives.

2. That the whole Commonwealth is by this means endangered, unless the mischief be spee∣dily prevented.

3. That these Scottish troubles are raised, to the end, that under this pretext the King and Archbishop might be destroyed.

4. That there is a means to be prescribed, whereby both of them in this case may be pre∣served, and this tumult speedily composed.

5. That although these Scottish Tumults be speedily composed, yet that the King is endan∣gered, and that there are many ways by which destruction is plotted to the King and Lord Archbishop.

6. That a certain Society hath conspired, which attempts the death of the King and Lord Archbishop, and Convulsion of the whole Realm.

7. That the same Society every Week depo∣sits with the President of the Society, what in∣telligence every of them hath purchased in eight days search, and then confer all into one Packet, which is weekly sent to the Director of the busi∣ness.

8. That all the Confederates in the said Con∣spiracy may verily be named by the Poll, but because they may be made known by other means, it is thought meet to defer it till here∣after.

9. That there is a ready means whereby the Villany may be discovered in one Moment, the chief Conspirators circumvented, and the pri∣mary Members of the Conjuration apprehended in the very Act.

10. That very many about the King, who are accounted most faithful and intimate, to whom likewise the more secret things are in∣trusted, are Traytours to the King, corrupted with a Forreign Pension, who communicate all secrets of greater or lesser moment to a Forreign Power.

11. These, and other most secret things, which shall be necessary for the security of the King, may be revealed if these things shall be acceptable to the Lord Archbishop.

12. In the mean time, if his Royal Majesty, and the Lord Archbishop desire to consult well to themselves, they shall keep these things only superficially communicated unto them, most secretly under deep silence, not communica∣ting them so much as to those whom they judge most faithful to them, before they shall receive by name in whom they may confide, for else they are safe on no side. Likewise they may be assured, that whatever things are here proposed are no Figments, nor Fables, nor vain dreams, but such real verities, which may be demonstrated in every small tittle, for those who thrust themselves into this business, are such men who mind no gain, but the very Zeal of Christian Charity suffers them not to con∣ceal these things, yet both from his Majesty and the Lord Archbishop some small Exemplar of Gratitude will be expected.

All these Premises have been communicated under good Faith, and the Sacrament of an Oath, to Mr. Leiger Ambassadour of the King of Great Britain at the Hague, that he should not immediately trust, or communicate these things to any Mortal, besides the King and the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.

Subscribed, &c.

Present, &c.

Hagae Com. Sept. 6. 1640.

In the Stile of that place.

Detectio, &c. offerend•• Serenissimae Regiae Majestati Britanniae & Dom. Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, &c. Sept. 6. 1640.

The Archbishops own Endorsement,

Received Sept. 10. 1640. The Plot against the King.