Some short but necessary animadversions on the paper delivered to Dr. Hawkins together with a copy of the paper it self, entituled, The confession of Edward Fitz-Harris, Esq. written by his own hand and delivered &c. / reprinted from the copy published by the doctor, and these animadversions added to prevent the deluding of Protestants by it.

The Confession of Edward Fitz-Harys Esq Written with his own Hand, and delivered to 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Hawkins Minister of the Tower, the First of July, 1681. being the day of his Exe∣cution, together with his last Speech.

I Edward Fitz Harys, having been indicted of High Treason, for endeavouring to dethrone the King was thereupon found Guilty, and Sentence of Death passed upon me. I the aforesaid Edward Fitz-harys do voluntarily and freely, without any hopes to save my life, but as a dying Man, and to discharge my Conscience towards God, and for the better satisfaction of the World, make this Declaration following, in the presence of God, and unto Doctor Francis Hawkins, Chaplain of the Tower of London.

I do profess and declare my Religion in the general to be that which hath been truly and anciently delivered in the first Four General Councils; and in particular, my belief is that true Faith of a Christian, briefly contained in those three Creeds commonly called The Apostles Creed, St. Athanasius's and The Ni∣cene Creeds: And I die a Member, and in the Communion of Christs Holy Catholick Church, hoping for Mercy through the alone Merits of the Passion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I do also confess and declare, as to the Crimes which I die for, I was no further concerned in the Libel, than as employed to give the King notice of what Libels, or other Accusations there were against him; and to this intent, and no other, I en∣deavoured to get this Libel which at length I did from Mr. E∣verard, all written under his own hand and carried it to Mrs. Wall, by whose means I conveyed all Matters of this or the like nature ••o the King. I told her I had a Business of great consequence to acquaint the King with: but she answered me. That my Lord Sunderland being out, there would be no money had for Secret Service, and advised me to go to the Ld. Clarendon or Hyde: but before I could do this, I was taken. As for that part of the Libel which I left with Everard, as a Pledge to assure him I would not betray him, I received it of the Lord Howard: And the Money I received from the King, was for bringing a libel called The King unvail'd, and the Lady Portsmouths Articles. I call God to Witness, I never had a Farthing charity from the King.

I do further confess and declare, That the Lord Howard told me of a Design to seize upon the Kings Person, and to carry him into the City, and there 〈…〉〈…〉 their Desires. Heyns and my self were privy to this design, and had several Meetings with the Lord Howard; and as an Encou∣ragement, the Lord Howard assured us of breaking the Settle∣ment of Ireland, taking off the Additional Revenue of the Bish∣ops, Forty nine Men, and Grantees, whose Estates were to be shar'd amongst the Party.

I do confess and declare. That while I was in Newgate, the Sheriffs Bethel and Cornish, came to me, with a Token from the Lord Howard, which I knew to be true, and brought Heads with them from Everard, wherein he accused me of being a Court Emissary, or Yorkist, put on by the King to put the Li∣bel into Protestant Houses to trepan them. But I declare upon my death I had no such intent, nor do I know any such thing: The Sheriffs likewise told me I was to be tryed within three or four days, that the People would Prosecute me, and the Par∣liament would impeach me, and that nothing would save my life but discovering the Popish Plot: and then the Sheriffs a∣foresaid gave me great encouragement from the Lord Howard, that if I would declare I believed so much of the Plot as amounted to the introducing the R. C. or if I could find out any that could Criminate the Queen, R. H. or make so much as a plausible Story to confirm the Plot, that the Parliament would restore me to my fathers Estate, with the Profits thereof since his Majesties Restauration. I finding my self in the condition I was, in Newgate Fettered, Monyless and Friendless, my Wife ready to Lye-in, without any subsistence, my Children in a mi∣serable condition, and must needs be in a worse my death, and I could see no other Refuge for life but complying with them, so, not with ambitious intent, but to save my life I did comply: The Sheriffs brought instructions which they said came from the Lords and Commons, who met that day in order to Address to the King in my behalf, if I should confirm the Instru∣ctions; and they made use of the Lord Shaftsbury's Name, and others, what Advantage I might have thereby. At the first I made a formal Story concerning the Plot, which was not pre∣judicial

to any body, but most relating to general heads known publickly; upon which Mr. Cornish told me, these were things cried about the Streets two years ago: I replied, I could say no more: Mr. Sheriff said, he was sorry for me with all his heart, but thought I could say more if I would and pressed me hard to speak to several Heads, unto which unless I spoke, he said, there was no hopes of life: the Heads I was to speak to is what the examination taken by Sir Robert Clayton and Sir George Treby contains, and a great deal more that I did not say then, relating to the Queen, R. H. Earl of Danby, declaring French Pensioners, Lords, Hallifax, Hide, Clarendon, Feversh••m, Sey∣mer, and others; the Burning the Fleet, Forts and Govern∣ments in Popish hands, Meal-Tub Plot, Prentices Plot, The Contrivance of the libel on the Lady Portsmouth, being a French Design to destroy Protestants. These and many other Heads were brought me by the Sheriffs.

I do farther confess and declare, That Sir Robert Clayton, and Sir George Treby coming to me to examine me, Sir Robert Clay∣ton asked me what I could say concerning Godfrey's Murder? I answered, Something. He replied, it may be I was in a confu∣sion; recollect your self. And what I said concerning Father Patrick, was forced out of me: and what I said concerning him is not true. Sir George Treby was with me three hours, or thereabouts, and pressed to say concerning Godfrey's Death: And said. Unless I could speak to that Murder, I could say no∣thing: Whereupon, I said something I had from others. He ask∣ed me, if I could say no more? I replyed, Is not this enough to save my Life? Am I not Rogue enough? The Recorder hereupon swore Gods wounds. What were you ever but a Rogue? Then the Recorder entred upon the Heads of the Examination: which being done, He told me, All this would not save my life, unless I would speak to the Libel, which was a Court-Trick: And it was not for nothing that I had been so often seen at the Lady Portsmouths. The L. Shaftsbury said, You know more of these matters than any man. Sir George would have me speak to the Consult: that the Duke was at it, the Lords, Belasis, Arundel, and Powis were at it: You have seen them go to it at St. Jame's without doubt they were there: Do you but say it, we have those that will swear it.

I do further declare and confess, That what I said against the Queen and the Duke, I was put upon in the matter of Sir Ed∣mundbury Godfrey's Murder: And do further declare, That what I swore against the Earl of Danby: the threatning words that were uttered I did (to the best of my remembrance) hear, but whom they concern'd I could not well know, by what my Lord himself said. And what de Puis told me concerning my Lord of Danby, I believe was spoken out of ill will: And what I said against him, was to stave off my Trial till a Parliament: and they were the more desirous to accuse the Lord Danby of Godfrey's Murder because the Crime of Murder is not inserted in his Pardon. I am sorry for what I said against the Queen, his Royal Highness, and the Earl of Danby: I desire God to forgive me the wrong I did them, and do heartily beg their pardon.

I do further declare and protest, That this Confession and Declaration of mine I own sincerely as a dying man, and not to save my life; and I call God and all his Angels to witness the truth of it; and I renounce Mercy at the hands of God Al∣mighty if this be not true.

And I do further declare and protest as a dying man, unto James Walmesly, Edward Pattel, and Mary Walmesly, That I have made this Confession and Declaration unto Dr. Hawkins, freely and of my own voluntary accord, without any manner of pro∣mise made, or hopes given me by him from the King, of saving my life by this Confession; I having given him to understand before hand, they were matters of consequence, and such as chiefly concern'd the good of the King and Kingdom.

I give the Doctor my hearty thanks for all his Prayers, Coun∣sels, and Charitable Offices he hath done me, and I pray God to bless him for ever for it. I forgive all the world, and desire all the world to forgive me; and the Lord have mercy on my Soul.

Edward Fitz-Harys.

This Protestation was made by Mr. Fitz-Harys,

July 1. between the hours of 7 and 8 in the morning

, in the presence and hearing of us whose Names are here-un∣der written.

James Walmesly.

Edward Pattel.

Mary Walmesly.