The Deposition of Alderman BROOKS.

THat on•• about the 23d. of December, 1678. I was at the Marshalseys in Southwark, where was one James Nettervile, a prisoner there for debt; who desired me to do so much for him, as to carry a Note for a friend of his that was a prisoner also, unto one Pierce Butler, that lived in Germanstreet, near my Lodging; and said, if I would procure any of his friends to come to his friend there, he would have money enough, whereof he Page  6 should have a share; and also it would be a great kindness to him; whereupon I told him I would, provided he would write it quickly. Whereupon he called forth his friend, and they two consulted together, and he wrote two or three lines, and gave them me for the said Butler. But when I came to the place where I was directed they told me he was gone out of Town in obedience to the Kings Proclamation. And so I troubled my self no fur∣ther, but put the Note in my pocket: The next morning he sent a messenger to me, to know what I had done in it; I desired him to tell the said Mr. Nettervile, that the said Mr. Butler was gone out of Town in obedience to his Majesties Proclamation.

About ten days after, I had occasion for some waste paper; and putting my hand in my pocket, I sit on this Note that I should have delivered to Butler, and opened it, and read it, and found in it these words written, or to this effect.

This run in my mind, till about the 5th. instant at night; and then being at Mr. Pro∣ctor's Coffee-house at Charingcross, I there met with a paper, intituled, Mr. Praunces Di∣scovery of the Plot, and of Sir Edmondbury Godfreys murtherers; wherein (amongst other things) there was mentioned two Irish Priests to be guilty, the one named Gerrald, and the other Kelly; whereupon it came into my mind, that the man that I carried the Note for into Germanstreet, must be the same Kelly, because by that Note he was committed by the name of Edmonds, and his name was Kelly.

The next morning being the 16th of this instant January (thinking to have found the same Kelly there), I came there; and coming to the aforesaid Nettervile, and after some secret discourse, I asked him how his friend did that I carried the Note for? he told me he procured Bail. Then I asked him what he was? he told me that he was a Priest, and one of those that Oats (that Rogue) had impeached. I asked him how he could get Bail, be∣ing a Priest; he told me, they did not know that he was a Priest; and those that were his Bail, would be Bail for any for money; and he gave them ten shilling a piece, and the fel∣low that procured them, five shillings; and he got them the copy of his Commitment for them to move by; and the Priest promised him, the said Nettervile, seven pounds. But he had not left it him as yet; and so we left this discourse, and came to other.

That he having sent by me a Letter, and a petition to Mrs. Eleanor Wall, a Gentlewo∣man that belongs to the Dutchess of Portsmouth (whom he calls Cozen), whereby to get him some money for his present supply: but I having no opportunity to meet with her, could give him no account of that matter; whereupon he said that he was in such want, that if he had not help speedily, he should be turned into the Common-side: I told him that money was so scarce with me, that I could not lend him any; but if I could, I would. Whereupon he called me aside into the corner of the Yard, by the Gate, and told me That if I would be rul'd by him: he would put me into a way whereby we should have money enough. I asked him how? he told me, if I would but joyn and assist to vilifie the Evidence of Oats and Bedlow, those two Rogues; whereupon I laughed at him, and said, it is impossible; their Evidence was grounded upon too good a foundation: he told me I was mistaken, and I should hear otherwise in a little while.

Upon the 17th. of January I went again to him, thinking to have gained something of him, what was become of this Priest, but could not; and was taking my leave of him, say∣ing, I must go home, for I had some business to write for Ireland, to send by Captain Bu∣ry, who was to go on Monday; he told me, he believed he should stop Captain Bury's journey; I told him, I hoped not so; he answered, it should not be to his prejudice. To which I answered, why then with all my heart, for I would not be against any thing that should be for his good. And so there came in one Russel an Irish man, that had some bu∣siness with him. And so we parted.