The free and voluntary confession and narrative of James Holloway addressed to His Majesty written with his own hand, and delivered by himself to Mr. Secretary Jenkins ; as also the proceedings against the said James Holloway in His Majesties King-Bench Court, Westminster, and his petition to His Majesty ; together with a particular account of the discourse as passed between the sheriffs of London and the said James Holloway at the time of his execution for high-treason at Tyburn, April 30. 1684 ; with his prayer immediately before, and the true copy of the paper delivered them at the same time and place.

The Discourse that passed between the Sheriffs of London and JAMES HOLLOWAY, at the time of his Execution.

Holloway.

MAy I have Liberty, Sir, to speak what I desire to speak?

Mr. Sh. Daniel

Yes, Sir, you may. What you have, I suppose, will be by way of Discovery to the World of what you are brought here to dye for.

Holloway.

You have my Paper, Captain?

Cap. Richardson.

Yes.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Have it you about you?

Cap. Richardson.

I have it in my Pocket.

Mr. Sh. Daniel

Shew it him.

(Which he did.)

Is it your own hand Writing?

Holloway.

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Sh Daniel.

Is it your own hand Writing?

Holloway.

That is my own hand Writing.— A Discovery of what I knew I made to his Ma∣jesty, but a great many People think that I have not discovered what I knew, but I have discover∣ed what I know of the PLOT, and I am heartily sorry I was any way concerned in that way, as to the endeavouring any thing by Arms. I do think several things have been ill managed in England, th•…•… have been many things done against the King and the Kingdoms Interest, and I wish the King was well satisfied of it, and that a course might be taken to prevent it. And I think one w••y to prevent Plotting (according to my week Capacity) is, That his Majesty would be pleased to call a Parliament, and pass an Act of Oblivion for all Plotters whatsoever. There was a dam∣nable Popish Plot, and I look upon the stifling of That to be the only Cause that any man did any thing in This. Had all the Popish Plotters been—

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

By the way, Sir. How do you know it was stifled?

Holloway.

Sir, we have known that the Laws could not be suffered against them, and the Par∣liament could not be suffered in the Prosecution of them. I wish the King would consult his own Safety, and the Safety of the Nation; and that an Act of Oblivion might pass, for I believe there are many Concerned; and that there might be an end put to all News mongers, that write into the Country Letters of News, I look upon that to do the King and the Kingdom more hurt than any thing else.

Cap. Richardson.

Mr. Holloway, I beg one thing, have you discovered all? I desire you would de∣clare those, (you did not name their Names) that if occasion were would be r••ady; but that you had not spoke to them? Wade and others were to maintain their Posts.

Holloway.

No, Sir, I had not spoke to them.

Cap. Richardson.

This you did say.

Holloway.

Yes, Sir.

Sh. Daniel.

And that you promised a num∣ber of men in this Design.

Holloway.

Promise it? I did propose I might do it.

Cap. Richardson.

What do you know of the Contriving the business of the RYE: for Lop∣ping, or taking off the King and the Duke?

Holloway.

I was not with them till after the time a good while; till about a Month or six Weeks after the time I was not acquainted with them. I looked upon it as a business not likely

to take any effect at all, for I could never sind a∣bove Five that were concerned in it.

Mr. Sh. Dashwood.

But did they not tell you at some one time they were concerned in such a thing?

Holloway

Yes, Sir, they did so. They told me more than once.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

In Bristol, or in London?

Holloway.

In London.

Mr. Sh. Dashwood.

Mr. Holloway, you have a Liberty to say any thing you have a mind to.

Holloway.

I have little to say more upon that Account. I am sorry I was concerned in that way, to do such a thing as to take up Arms. But as to the Design I had, and the PLOT I was ac∣quanted with, it was nothing against the Kings Life.

Cap. Richardson.

Sure at was the same PLOT, while there was a Design to seize the King, and take him from evil Company.

Holloway.

We had a Design to take them that were Guilty of the Popish Plot, and were Ene∣mies to the Privileges and Liberties of the Subject.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

And as a thing that tended to that, the King was to be seized till he consented to these things?

Holloway.

It was supposed by them that told me of it, that many things that have been acted of late, were done contrary to the Kings know∣ledge, and that the King knew nothing of it; and I am perfectly of that belief too, That many things are done contrary to the Kings knowledg. And I was farther informed, That if the King could be but once acquainted with these things, that the King would presently come in to those that should stand for his assistance, and give up all those Offenders to Justice.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

And if you could not tell him otherwise, you would take him first, and tell him afterwards.

Holloway.

You may interpret it how you please, Sir. It was that all such Differences amongst the Kings Subjects might be prevented for the future; for I believe there were never greater Differences in the Spirits of men, though some think the Times were never better than now, because all things go according to their own humour; but I suppose many in the Nation are satisfied that many things have been done contrary to Law.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Was it sit you should set up for a Politician, or a Statesman?

Holloway.

No, Sir, I did not take it upon me; that was for the Scriblers that write News. I do not reckon my self worthy to direct in such a Case.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Mr. Holloway, you don't remember to give the Names of those Persons you spake of.

Holloway.

It would be a folly for me, Sir, to go to abuse men that I did not know whether they would be concern'd or no.

Mr. Sh. Dashwood.

But that there were Persons that would be concern'd, you say.

Holloway.

That we did think so; and if we should name every one that we thought would be concerned, I believe we might name three parts of London.

Cap. Richardson.

I hope you are in a great mistake there.

Holloway.

For that Design, I believe above three parts would be for. I never had any De∣sign but for the King and the Kingdoms Interest, though I know that Design that was carried on by Ramsey and West was a very heinous Design, but I believe they would not have found many in Eng∣land that would have been for it, I never heard of above Five fo•…•…t.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Were you acquainted with Wale••t?

Holloway.

I was in his Company once or twice, but I heard him speak against it.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Was you ever with my Lord Shaftsbury?

Holloway.

No, Sir, I was never with my Lord Shafisbury but once, and that was about a Design I was promoting in Parliament, about the Linnen Manufacture.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Was you ever with my Lord of Essex?

Holloway.

Never but once, and that was about that business.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Were you ever acquainted with my L. Russel?

Holloway.

Never with him at all.

Mr. Sh. Dashwood.

You were saying you knew the Names of Five; Who were they that were to be concern'd in that matter?

Holloway.

I have declared them to His Ma∣jesty.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Did you know Ferguson?

Holloway.

I knew him, Sir, but I know Ferguson to be against any such Design, and indeed, we did look upon it to be a thing that would come to no effect.

Mr. Sh. Dashwood.

Do you mean the Seizing the King?

Holloway.

I mean the Insurrection.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Did you know of any Mony raised, or promised to buy Arms?

Holloway.

No, Sir, never. I heard of Mony that was to be raised, but I did not know who was to raise it.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

It is not our business to ask you many Questions, if you have any thing to say, you may.

Mr. Sh. Dashwood.

If you have any thing to say for the discharge of you Conscience do it.

Holloway.

I thank God, I never had any Design against His Majesties Person; what I intended, was only for the good of the King and Kingdom, and I did take it, that it would have been so, and I am very sorry that any things should have gone con∣trary to Law, as they have done, and I hope care

will be taken to prevent any such things for the fu∣ture.

Mr. Sh. Dashwood.

The King hath said he will go∣vern according to Law; he hath done so, and will do so.

Holloway.

That I leave to the Judgment of all; ma∣ny know better than I.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Such Glossy Pretences are very strange, to carry on such a Design, for the Seizing a Sovereign Prince, that you have Sworn Allegiance to, or ought to have done.

Holloway.

I think those Pretences, the Grounds that we went upon, were no Glossy Pretences at all.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

I think it is, that when things are not done as you would have them you must im∣mediately Rebel.

Holloway.

No, Sir, not that; we did not design a Rebellion.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

The seizing the King is certainly a Rebellion, and one of the highest steps of Rebellion.

Holloway.

We say this, that all ways were used a∣gainst Protestants; several Sham-Plots; but no justice could be had against Papists.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Several of them were Executed here.

Holloway.

There were some Executed at first, Sir, but afterwards when so many great Persons came to be concerned, there was nothing could be had a∣gainst them.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

There were mighty searches made a∣bout London for that great number of Papists talkt on.

Holloway.

There were a great many seized, Sir; but what became of them?

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Generally Tryed, and brought to condign Punishment. You would not have had every Irish man believed against honest men. Some people were called Papists in Masquerade.

Holloway.

Irish men were believed against Protestants, after they had turned about, and had Sworn against Papists, they were believed then. It was well ob∣served that while the Irish Evidences did continue in the first Discourse of the Popish Plot, and in the first Evidence, then it is well known they were slighted, and all cried out against; but when they came to Swear against Protestants, then things were altered presently.

Mr. Sh. Dashwood.

I Pray God all mens eyes may be opened to see what is done.

Holloway.

I would not advise any one to go that way to work, to do any thing by force of Arms, and I wish the Kings eyes may be opened that he may see his Enemies from his Friends, and I think he hath cause to look for them near his home.

Have you any Papers to deliver?

Holloway.

I have no other Papers; what Paper I Wrote the Council had. I did Wr••te I Paper that it might be some satisfaction to the Opinions of people of what I knew, that care might betaken to pre∣vent other Opinions if there were an errour. And that Paper the Council had, though they took it very hainously of me that I should presume to Write such a thing. I looked upon it that I could not do more for the King than to acquaint him of what I knew, that if they were misinformed, there might be care taken to alter the Opinion.

Mr. Sh. Dashwood.

You have delivered to Paper to your Wife, or to any Friends?

Holloway.

That I suppose is well known to the Goaler.

Mr. Sh. Dashwood.

You know better than any body whether you have or not. You may say ay of no.

Holloway.

I could not be admitted to Write any, for I could not have Pen and Ink to Write any thing but this.

Mr. Sh. Dashwood.

And you have not delivered any Paper?

Holloway.

I have Written to some Friends. I know it is supposed that I had delivered a Copy of that Paper that the Council had, and I think if it had been known publickly it would have done no great hurt.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

You speak of several peoples Opi∣nions; what do you mean?

Holloway.

As concerning the Times, Sir, the ma∣nagement of Assairs.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Pray, Sir, under what denomi∣nation do you reckon your self?

Holloway.

I reckon my self a Protestant.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Of what sort? Of the Church of England, or of the Dissenters from them.

Holloway.

I am not a Dissenter from the Church of England.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Nor joyned with them?

Holloway.

Nor joyned with them altogether. But I thought that if any good had been designed for England, that I had done enough to merit a Par∣don, for I had Wrote so much of Truth, and was so fair and plain in it, that I thought it would have merited a Pardon, if any good were designed. If I could have discovered more, that had been for the King and Kingdoms interest I would have done it: For I did not do it rashly, but considered of it some time before I gave it in. I hope it will be a satis∣faction that there was such a Plot; what other mens Opinions might be of it, I can't tell; but leave every one to their own Judgment. It was feared that Ar∣bitrary Government and Popery was designed, and truly I think at this present time by what I can un∣derstand, that there is little better designed.

Cap. Richardson.

This is reflecting upon the Go∣vernment.

Mr. Sh. Dashwood.

This is not sit.

Holloway.

I say it is contrary to the Kings know∣ledge, Sir.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Sir, We have neither a Reprieve, nor a Pardon for you.

Holloway.

I don't expect it, Sir; if Truth and Plainness would have merited a Pardon, I might have had it.

Cap. Richardson.

The King is the best Judge of his own mercy.

Holloway.

Had the Law been executed against Popish Offenders, I had never been concerned in any Plot.

Cap. Richardson.

You know the King, was very earnest in that to have the Laws put in execution against them, and that he moved in to the Parlia∣ment to have it done. Have you any thing else to say that more nearly concerns you?

Holloway.

I wish I could have been any otherways service∣able to the King and Kingdom before I left them. I should have been very willing; and it was always my design, to pro∣mote the King and Kingdoms Interest more than my own.

Mr. Sh. Damel.

Well, Sir, you say some things very well, but others ill.

Holloway.

What I say, Sir, I leave to peoples Judgments, if I am mistaken, I hope they will be otherwise.

Mr. Sh. Damel.

Well, Sir, have you any thing farther to say?

Holloway.

No, Sir.

Mr. Sh. Dashwood.

I suppose you used to keep a Meeting, or Club at Bristol, with several there.

Holloway.

I know some have represented a Club very bad in Bristol. A Club we had about the Choice of Parliament men.

Mr. Sh. Damel.

The Horse-shoe Club.

Mr. Sh. Dashwood.

Or the Marmaid Club.

Holloway.

The Horse-shoe Club it was only for the carrying on the Election of Parliament men. If all such things should be called Clubs, there were greater Clubs kept by another Party.

Mr. Sh. Dame.

Well Sir, you had best fit your self for Death, you have no long time to live.

Then he opened his Bibel and read the 62 Psalm, and part of two Chapters in the Hebrews, and afterwards asked the Sheriffs if he might have liberty to Pray; which being gramed, be Prayed as follows.

BLessed and holy Lord our God, thou art before all Men thou art the only true God, the Almighty God, the Fountain of all Goodness. Thou art the Discerner of all hearts, the secret thoughts of men are not unknown to thee. Oh Lord, what am I that thou shouldst be mindful of me, or that thou shouldst suffer me now to call upon thee, when thou mightest have taken me away in the Commission of some sin against thee? But thou hast been a merciful God, a long-suffering God, a patient God. O Lord, I trust it is for my Souls Welfare in bringing me to this, though it is an untimely end, for thou cuttest off my days in the midst, but Lord, I trust it is for my Souls sake. Our times are in thy hands, and it is my Sins that have brought me to this. Oh give me a true sense or them, as I trust thou hast done, and that thou hast heard my Prayers, and wilt be my God, my Comforter, and receive me in and through the Merits of Jesus Christ our Lord, who offered him∣self a Sacrisive for our Sins, even for the Sins of the whole World, and now s•…•… at thy right hand interceeding for us. Lord, hear me, in and through him. Lay not any of my Sins to my charge; let not the least Sin be unpardoned. The least Sin deserveth Dam∣nation; Lord, I trust thou hast pardoned them all, and that thou hast heard my Prayers, and the Prayers of others for me. Lord, in mercy look down upon me; in mercy look down upon this Nation; pardon the crying Sins thereof. Lord, thou seest to what a height of Sin it grows, and thou seest what Wickedness is promoted in all Places, and what little encouragement there is to that which is good Lord, bless the King, and keep him from all Conspiracies. Lord, give him a sense of his Condition, and make him know his Enemies from his Friends. O Lord, let him look close about him, to see who are about him; and Lord put an end to all Plottings. O Lord, make him a happy Prince, give him a sense of his Sins, and a sense of whose Servant he is, Lord, make him thy true and faithful Ser∣vant. Lord, bless all thy People wheresoever they are, and continue thy Gospel every where, let it not be rooted out. O Lord, thou knowest what Contrivances have been made against it. Lord con∣tinue it here; let it Flourish more than ever it hath done. Lord, make England a Place thou wilt delight to dwell in, and make them know than hast not dealt so with overy Nation. Lord, hear the Prayers of all thy People. Lord, continue the Gospel in England, Let not Popery, let not Arbitrary Government come in. O Lord, there are good Laws in England, Lord, let them be put in Excecu∣tion. Lord, hear me for thy Mercies sake. I am now •…•…ing unto thee. Lord, I have but a minute or two to be here, let thy Spirit receive me, to thee I commit my Spirit. Lord, hear me, and answer me for thy Sons sake, who is at thy right hand inter∣ceeding for me, to whom with thee and thy Eternal Spirit be al Honour, and Glory, and Praise, both now and evermore.

(Then being asked who was in Council at the delivery of the Letter, he answered,)

Holloway.

There was the Duke of York, and the Lord Keeper; I did not deliver it: It was intercepted in a Letter or given i••. I did not know how it was, for I have been kept so, that I had not the Liberty to see any Friend, till yesterday in the afternoon I had the Liberty of 2 or 3 hours with my Wise.

Cap. Richardson.

You had your Wife with you before, and your Sister and some other Friends.

Holloway.

But that was never without a Keeper Sir.

Cap. Richardson.

You are in the right.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

They do not use to allow men under you Circumstances such a Liberty as you talk of.

Holloway.

I Pray God that no other people may concern themselves with publick Affairs out of their own way, and that the Scriblers might be put down, for they do more hurt to the Kingdom than any thing else.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Have you any thing more to say.

Holloway.

No, Sir.

Mr. Sh. Daniel.

Then God have Mercy upon your Soul.