State tracts, being a farther collection of several choice treaties relating to the government from the year 1660 to 1689 : now published in a body, to shew the necessity, and clear the legality of the late revolution, and our present happy settlement, under the auspicious reign of their majesties, King William and Queen Mary.

The Information of Thomas Roe of Bernard-Inn Gent. taken the 3th. of July, 1670. by Sir John Frederick, Alderman, one of His Majesties Justices of Peace in the City of London, upon Oath, as followeth.

THomas Roe saith, that he hath for at least twelve or thirteen Years last past been acquainted with one Joseph Harrison, who was examined lately at the Guild-hall, London, before the Honourable the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, upon Suspi∣cion of his being a Conspirator in the firing the City and Suburbs in several parts thereof.

Thomas Roe, and Joseph Harrison, having been School-fellows at Eaten Colledge, and being thereby acquainted; Joseph Harrison hath several times lately been with him, and advised him to with-draw his Concerns, and remove above twenty miles out of the City; for that the City, and twenty miles round, would be suddenly destroyed and laid wast (or to that purpose.) Whereupon Thomas Roe asked him, Whether he were privy to any such Conspiracy, or concern'd in its Agitation? pressing him with di∣vers Arguments to discover what he was acquainted with of that kind. Harrison re∣plied, That he had no personal and positive Knowledge thereof. Thomas Roe de∣manded upon what ground then he did thus advise him? Joseph Harrison replied, That he was sometimes conversant among some Papists, and perceived a Plot or Design was carrying on by them against the City of London, and the Protestant Religion; which Plot or Design, said he the Papists call, The Game of Trap, or, do you understand Trap ad Crucem, which is the Watch-word amongst them. Further, Joshua Harrison said, that he was informed of those things by some German Protestants, and that he had Offers of Fifty Pounds per annum, made him by some Jesuits and Papists to turn to their Religion; but he had refused it, and would not embrace the Romish Religion.

Thomas Roe further saith, That about five Weeks since, he walked through New-Cheap-side, and from thence into Mark-Lane, with Joseph Harrison, in company with Mr. Mosely (a Gentleman belonging to Bernards-Inn likewise) and one of his Acquain∣tance, together with another Man, a Stranger to Thomas Roe. Upon their first as∣sociating, Harrison said unto him, That he would not discover himself to be an Englishman, but pretend himself to be a German or Italian (whether of the two he doth not well remember) and that he might not detect himself, spake in the Company as Occasion offered in Latin. But leaving the place where they tarried in Mark-lane, going towards Bishopsgate-street, Mr. Harrison told Mr. Roe secretly, That he believed that Mr. Mosely understood the Game of Trap by some Signs he had observed from him, and that he would try him. Then going altogether into a house, about the end of Thr••adneedle-street, Mr. Harrison (having by this time discovered himself to be an Eng∣lish-man, said Trap, and made a Cross over his Face with his Finger, directing himself

to Mr. Mosely: Whereupon Mr. Mosely did also say Trap, crossing his Forehead and Face two or three times, and with a quick motion drew his Finger over his own Throat. Upon which Mr. Roe asked Mr. Mosely what was the meaning of Trap? But he refused to tell. Mr. Roe urging him again, He replied, He would not; saying, You are not of my Religion. Then Mr. Mosely asked Mr. Harrison what his Name was? (for he knew him not by Name) he answered, Harrisons Mr. Mosely replied, I ne∣ver saw your Name. Mr. Harrison made answer, It is Don Olanso del Harrisonio; if so, saith Mr. Mosely, I have seen your Name.

After this, Mr. Mosely and the other stranger being parted, and Mr. Roe and Mr. Harrison being-alone: said Harison, I told you Mr. Mosely did understand Trap; you may see there is a List of the Trap-Gamesters, Now whether Mr. Mosely's Imitation of Mr. Harrison was feigned or real, Mr. Roe could not distinguish: But as they two were passing through Cheape-side homewards, Mr Harrison looking upon the New Buildings, said, To what purpose do they build this poor city, it will be again de∣stroyed; at the same time he pointed at two several Persons, saying, That is a Trap-Gamester, and there goes another Trap-Gamester.

Mr. Roe further Informs, That since the last Term, Mr. Harrison told him, he would write all the Rogueries of the Trap-Game and Gamesters in a Play; and that he would undertake to shew him Twenty six Papists Meetings in and about the City and Sub∣urbs of London; but said he some of them are very private, and if you be discovered not to be a Papist, (you will peradventure) be poisoned or stabb'd.

Mr. Roe doth further say, That when the said Harrison advised him to remove with all his Concerns about twenty Miles from London, that the said Roe asked him if Wind∣sor were not far enough, it being both their native place, and about the distance? The said Harrison answered, Not; reflecting upon the Castle. And further, Harrison told Mr. Roe That the Jesuits could, by a Composition of Ingredients, make such a Matter, the fume of which would corrupt any Man's Intellects; and that he the said Harrison could do it.