An exact abridgment of all the trials (not omitting any material passage therein) which have been published since the year 1678: relating to the popish, and pretended Protestant-plots in the reigns of King Charles the 2d, and King James the 2d.

The Trial of Sir Samuel Bernardiston Bar. before the Lord Chief Justice Jefferies, at Guild-Hall, London, on Thursday, Feb. 14. 1683.

THen and there the Defendant appeared for his Trial, upon an Information preferred against him in Hillary Term last, for a High Misdemeanour, in Scandalizing and Vilifying the Evidence in the late Plot, in several Let∣ters, &c. To which he had pleaded Not Guilty. And the Jury now sworn were,

• ...Thomas Vernon.
• ...Percival Gilburn.
• ...Edward Bovery.
• ...William Withers.
• ...James Wood.
• ...Robert Masters.
• ...Samuel Newton.
• ...George Torriano.
• ...Kenelm Smith.
• ...Thomas Goddard.
• ...Thomas Amy.
• ...Richard Blackburn.

To whom the Information being read, Mr. Poultney, Mr. Recorder, and Mr. Herbert (be∣ing of Counsel for the King in this Cause) opened the same.

And then to prove him the Author, Mr. Blathwayt was sworn, who deposed, That Sir Samuel Bernardiston upon Decemb. 10. last did, before the King and Council, own three of the Letters there in Court to be of his own hand∣writing; Nor did he deny but that he had pub∣lish'd and sent them.

Mr. Atterbury deposed, That he also heard him then own three of the Letters to be written by him; and that they were superscribed by one of his Servants, and so ordered to be sent to the Post-house. And that while he was in his house, he heard him say, he wondered how they were taken, since they were sent to Sir Philip Skippon.

Then Nehemiah Osland deposed, that he su∣perscibed two of them Letters by Sir Samuel's Order as his Servant; and that he wrote one of the four, out of a Copy given him by his Master, and writ by him to go into the Countrey; and then (as was usual) left them in a Window to be carried to the Post-house.

Then the four Letters were read: the first was that transcribed by Osland, directed to Sir Philip Skippon Kt. at Ipswich, and dated Novemb. the 29, 1683.

Sir, The Return of the D. of Monmouth to White-hall, and his being received into extra∣ordinary favour of his Majesty, hath made a strange Alteration of Affairs at Court: For those that before spake of him very indecent∣ly, now court, cringe and creep to him. His Grace complained to the King of the scanda∣lous Misrepresentation that was made of him

in the Monday's Gazet, upon which the Ga∣zetteer was called to account for it, who al∣ledged for himself, that a Person of great Quality sent him in Writing the Words there∣in recited, commanding him to put them in the Gazet.

Yesterday, being the last day of the Term, all the Prisoners that were in the Tower, up∣on the late Sham-Protestant-Plot, were dis∣charged upon Bail. Mr. Braddon (who pro∣secuted the Murder of the E. of Essex, the Information put in against him in the Kings-Bench By Mr. Attorney, for a pretended Sub∣ornation, &c.) was not prosecuted, and his Bail was discharged. And the passing Sen∣tence upon the Author of Julian the Apostate, and the Printer of the late Ld. Russel's Speech, was passed over with Silence. Great Appli∣cations are made to his Majesty for the par∣doning Mr. Sidney in the Tower, which is be∣lieved will be attained, and that he will be banished.

The Ld. Howard appears despicable in the Eyes of all Men; he is under a Guard at VVhite-hall, and believed he will be sent to the Tower, for that the D. of M. will accuse him concerning the Testimony he thath gi∣ven, &c.

The Papists and high Tories are quite down in the Mouth, their Pride is abated, themselves and their Plot confounded, but their Malice is not asswaged. 'Tis generally said the E. of Essex was murdered; the brave Ld. Russel is afresh lamented. The Plot is lost here, ex∣cept

you in the Country can find it out a∣mongst the Addressors and Abhorrers.

This sudden turn is an Amazement to all Men, and must produce some strange Events, which a little time will shew.

The second Letter was then read, directed as the other, and dated Decemb. the 1st, 1683.

Dear Sir, I am to answer yours of the 27th and 29th past, and truly I cannot but with great-Sorrow lament the loss of our good Friend honest Mr. John Wright; but with Pati∣ence we must submit to the Almighty, who can as well raise up Instruments to do his Work, as change Hearts, of which we have so great an Instance in the business of the D. of Monmouth, that no Age or History can pa∣rallel. I am now throughly satisfied, that what was printed in the Mondays Gazet, is utterly false, and you will see it publickly so declared shortly. The King is never pleased but when he is with him, hath commanded all the Privy Council to wait upon him, and happy is he that hath most of his Favour. His Pardon was sealed and delivered to him last VVednesday! 'Tis said he will be restored to be Master of the Horse, and be called into the Council Table, and to all his other places. And 'tis reported he will be made Captain General of all the Forces, and Ld. High Ad∣miral, &c. He treats all his old Friends that daily visit him, with great Civilities; they are all satisfied with his Integrity, and if

God spares his Life, doubt not but he will be an Instrument of much good to the King and Kingdom. He said publickly that he knew my Ld. Russel was as Loyal a Subjects as any in England, and that his Majesty believed the same now. I intend shortly to wait on him my self. It would make you laugh to see how strangely our high Tories and Clergy are mor∣tified, their Countenance speak it. Were my Shesorary to be moved for, now it would be readily granted. Sir George is grown very humble. 'Tis said Mr. Sidney is reprieved for 40 days, which bodes well.—Mr. Kedder sat with me sometime this Evening.—There being no more in the Record.

The third Letter was then read, which was directed for Mr. Edward Gael, Linnen-Draper at Ipswich; and dated Decemb. the 1st, 1683.

Mr. Gael, This Evening Mr. Kedder came and sat with me, when I acquainted him what you and others writ me in reference to him∣self, as also of the Death of Mr. Wright, which he was sorry for. He protested, if he could perswade his Wife, he would accept of Ipswich choice, notwithstanding all the Discouragement he had met with. One more he acquainted me with, that had seen a Let∣ter from Mr. Cutliffe to Dr. Clegat, extream∣ly discouraging him from coming to Ipswich, where if he did come, said, would find him∣self mistaken, for that would never enjoy Quietness or Peace, notwithstanding his Balsa∣mick

Temper, &c. as he call'd it. These things frights Mr. Kedder, who I am now per∣swading, so soon as he is up again, to go down for a Month or two, and then if he doth not like the Place and People, he may return hi∣ther again. This I resolve to press hard on Monday, when have promised to dine with me, as also Mr. Hodges. Be confident, I shall think nothing too much to effect this Business, though one or other still pulls down as fast as I build up. Here is now a door of Incou∣ragement opened for sober Men to come into publick Employment. You will undo the Town of Ipswich if you bring not sober Men into play: For God's sake consider of it. Perswade Mr. Snelling, or some sober Men, to come in their two Ports-mens places void; for other matters I refer you to Sir P. The late change here in publick Affairs is so great and strange, that we are like Men in a Dream, can hardly believe what we see, and fear we are not fit for so great a Mercy as the present Juncture seems to promise. The E. of Mac∣clesfield is bringing Actions of Scandalum Mag∣natum against all the Grand Jury-Men that in∣dicted him at last Assizes: And the several Gentlemen that were indicted in Cheshire and Northamptonshire, will bring their several Acti∣ons at Law against them. Acquaint Mr. Snel∣ling we received the two Barrels of Oysters, and two couple of Ducks, and desire him to take Mony of Buckle for them.

I rest Yours, &c.

The 4th Letter was directed to Mr. William Cavell, at Brightwell near Ipswich in Suffolk, and dated London, Decemb. the 4th, 1683. Only that part of it was read which was in the Record, and that was this:

Contrary to most Mens Expectations a Warrant is signed at last for beheading Col. Sidney at Tower-hill next Friday. Great En∣deavours have been used to obtain his Pardon, but the contrary party have carried it, which munch dasheth our hopes, but God still governs. Acquaint Buckle here is no News of Crafton Hoy, notwithstanding the Wind is fair, 'tis his Practice always to loiter by the wap.

I rest, Your Loving Friend, &c.

To this Mr. Williams (of Counsel for the De∣fendant) pleaded, that the Letters had no name to them; nor was there any Proof of their be∣ing published; no more than that Sir Samuel did not deny the publishing of them, and own'd they were sent to the Post-house; winch being directed to a private Friend, he left to the Judgment of the Court, whether that was pub∣lishing a Libel. That there was no malice proved, to which the Ld. Ch. Justice replied, that the thing was Evidence it self, &c. Then Mr. Williams observed that Records had been mention'd in the Information, but not prov'd; [which not being in Court; they were sent for,

and the Jury were set by; the Court going o•• in some other Causes, and about an hour 〈◊〉〈◊〉 half after, the Records were brought, and t•••• Cause was resumed] and Mr. Tindal being sworn, put in the Records of the Attainder of the Ld. Russel, and Col. Sidney; part whereof was read; and the Counsel for the Defendant having no more to say, the Ld. Ch. Justice summ'd up the Evidence, with great Bitterness; declaring the

Letters were factious, seditious, and malici∣ous, and as base as the worst of Mankind (though he had all the Provocation that ever could be given a Man to libel another) could ever have invented.—And that they tread very near upon the Borders of High-Treason it self.—Calling it Cozen-German to High-Trea∣son, &c.

—After which the Jury laid their Heads together in the place where, they stood, and being presently after agreed upon their Ver∣dict, The Foreman gave it in, That the De∣fendant was guilty of the Misdemeanour charged on him by the Information.

The Sentence of Court was, That he should pay to the king a Fine of 10000 l. and find Sureties for his good Behaviour during Life, and to be committed till the same be performed.