An historical narrative of the horrid Plot and conspiracy of Titus Oates, called the Popish Plot, in its various branches and progress, selected from the most authentic Protestant historians, to which are added some cursory observations on the Test Act

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AN HISTORICAL NARRATIVE OF THE HORRID PLOT AND CONSPIRACY OF TITUS OATES, CALLED THE POPISH PLOT, IN ITS VAHIOUS BRANCHES AND PROGRESS, SELECTED FROM THE MOST Authentic Protestant Historians, TO WHICH ARE ADDED SOME CURSORY OBSERVATIONS ON THE TEST ACT. LO A DON: PUBLISHED BY W. E. ANDREWS, 5, ORANGE- STREET, RED lion-square; SOLD ALSO BY ROBINSON, N°. 8, KENNEDY-STREET, MANCHESTER; CUSACK, 8, STEPHEN-STREET, DUBLIN ; KERR AND BLACK, 112, SALT-MARKET, GLASGOW; AND ALL BOOKSELLERS. 1816. MINTED BT W. E. ANDREWS, 5, ORANGE-STREET, RED-LION SQUARE, LONDON. CONTENTS. Advertisement p. ,— _ Chapter I. — Preliminary Remarks — The extent of the Plot as represented by the discoverers — The Nation prepared for its reception — An neenura of Titus Oates and Dr. Tonge — Oates's Travels — The substance of his Narrative — Tonge opens the scene, and delivers the Narrative to the King — — He is privately examined by the Lord Treasurer, who discovers the matter to the King — Tonge's further discoveries — The King believes nothing «. the matter — More discoveries by letters — The whole matter laid before ike Privy Council — Oates and Tonge advanced — Many Cathol.cs arrested, (Kid imprisoned P. 7 — _.

Chapter II. — Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey — Evidence given before the Commons concerning the fears of the deceased — It is made part of the Plot — Proclamations issued for the discovery of the Perpetrators — Parliament meets — The King uneasy about the Plot — The Lord Treasurer brings it into Parliament against the King's consent — The King confirmed in the disbelief of it by an accident — Diligence of the Commons— Address of bntl. Houses — Oates examined by the Commons — Their Resolution — Sir E. Godfrey's funeral — Proclamations against Papists— Bedloe makes his appearance as an evidence— His Character — He is examined before the King — and by the Lords — His discoveries — Proceedings in the Commons — Test Act passed — Observations thereon .• -..

P. 22 — 53 Chapter III. — Apprehension of Mr. Staley — He is put upon his trial — The accusation and defence — Judge Scroggs's charge — The prisoner is found guilty and executed — Account of his funeral. — The trial of Mr. Edward Coleman— Oates's Evidence — Bedloe'. do. — The Prisoner's defence — Dialogue between him and the Chief Justice — Scrogg's Charge — Prisoner found guilty — Remarkable discourse between Coleman and the Chief Justice, previous to passing sentence — Speech of Scroggs on condemning the prisoner — Coleman's address to the Judge after sentence — his execution and djlng speech P. 52— 78 Chatter IV. — The Lords address the King — who issues out of a Proclamation to reward new discoverers — Bedloe and Oates accuse the Queen — the House of Commons in a flame, and address the King upon it— The King resents Oates's insolent behaviour— the Commons impeach several Lords — The trials of Ireland, Pickering, and Grove — Oates's evidence— Bedloe's evidence — Defence of the Prisoners — Charges of Scroggs— Address of Recorder Jeffries on passing sentence — Execution of the three prisoners- Dying Speeches, drc. &-. - 4 P.7S— CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Preliminary Remarks — The extent of the Plot as represented by the discoverers —The nation prepared for its reception — An account of Titus Oates and Dr. Tonge — Oates's Travels — The substance of his narrative — Tonge opens the scene, and delivers the narrative to the King — He is privately examined by the Lord Treasurer, who discovers the matter to the King. — Temge's further discoveries— The King believes nothing of the matter — More discoveries by letters — The whole matter laid before the Privy Council — Oates and Tonge advanced— Many Catholics arrested, and imprisoned. AT the time of the conclusion of the treaty of Nimeguen, in 1678, says Echard, ease and plenty encreased in the country, trade and riches abounded in the city, luxury and pleasure triumphed in the court, and all enjoyed the natural blessings of peace and tranquillity ; yet in the midst of all these outward felicities, a sudden fire broke out, which, as it increased, did not only disturb and enrage, but in effect, distracted, and confounded, the greatest part of the kingdom; producing a thousand strange and uncommon effects, and this was the discovery of a Plot, commonly called the Popish Plot; a plot carried on by the Jesuits, and other Papists, against his Alajesty Life, the Protestant Religion, and the Government of this kingdom.* It was more particularly distinguished by the name of Oates's Plot, and afterwards Shaftesbury s Plot ; the first being accounted the main discoverer of the facts, and the latter the grand promoter of the belief of them.

It is usual with state plots, that though their roots be small, and almost in- * Smollet says, that " at this period, the attention of the English nation was engrossed by a very remarkable instance of villainy and imposture, that raised an universal ferment among the people, and operated in defiance of common sense and demonstration." And Hume observes, that " an universal panic being diffused, reason and argument, and common sense and common humanity lost all influence over the people. From this disposition of men's minds we are to account for the progress and credit of the popish plot; an event which would otherwise appear prodigious and altogether inexplicable." NARRATIVE OP visible, yet the branches are large and conspicuous ; especially when the people are ready prepared and disposed to preserve and cherish those exuberant plants.

This was so well cultivated in its rise and growth, that it soon over spread and clouded the nation : and since it so soon grew very large and monstrous, for the greater clearness and the reader's ease, we shall first represent it in its full extent and amplitude, as we have it from Oates himself, H. Care, and other zealous favourers of the belief of it. The design in general, as they inform us, was by jire and sword, when all other means failed, to subvert the establish ed government and religion of these kingdoms, and to re duce the same to popery, so as no toleration should be given to any protestant, but all to be extirpated, root and branch. The chief conspirators that designed and were to carry on this great work, were thus marshalled: 1. The present pope Innocent the eleventh, who in the congregation de propaganda fide, consisting of above three hundred per sons, held about December, 1677, declared " all the king of England's dominions to be a part of St. Peter's patri mony, as forfeited to the holy see, for the heresy of the prince and people, and so to be disposed of as he should think fit." 2.

The English cardinal Howard, who, in pur suance of such declaration, was appointed by his holiness as his legate, to take possession of England in his name: He likewise made him archbishop of Canterbury, with an augmentation of forty thousand crowns a year, for the maintenance of his legative authority ; and bad also consti tuted bishops and dignitaries of all or most of the sees and ecclesiastical promotions in England ; as Perrot, superior of the secular priests, to be archbishop of York ; Corker, bish op of London; Whitebread, of Winchester ; Strange, of Durham; Dr. Godden, of Salisbury ; Napper, a franciscan friar, of Norwich, &c. removing all the bishops in possession from their present dignities. 3. Johannes Paulus de Oliva, father-general of the Jesuit's society, residing at Rome, who was to give directions to the provincial of the Jesuits in London, how to proceed in this affair. 4.

Pedro Jeronymo de Corduba, provincial of the Jesuits of Spain, who was to assist with counsel and money, and to misrepresent the actions of his Britannic majesty to the Spanish court: which likewise was to be done by a Jesuit, confessor to the em peror, in relation to England and that court. 5. Father le Chaise,* a Jesuit, confessor to the French king, with whom Coleman held a constant correspondence, in order to betray his country. 6. The provincial of the Jesuits, for the time being in England, which, of late, was first Strange and then • Oates was so ignorant, that he called him father la Shee.— Smollett. TITUS OATES'S PLOT. 9 Whitebread. 7. The Benedictine monks, at the Savoy; in London, where they had erected them a college, to carry on such private ends. 8. Great numbers of Jesuits and semi nary priests, now residing in England, who were generally privy to the main design, though perhaps not all acquainted with particulars. 9.

Several lay persons of quality drawn in, out of zeal, ambition, avarice, &c. to join with them, to com mand the forces they were to raise, and execute the great offices in the realm; as the Lord Arundel of Wardour, to be lord chancellor of England ; the Lord Powis, lord-treasurer ; Sir William Godolphin, lord-privy seal ; Mr. Ed ward Coleman, secretary of state; Lord Bellasis, general of the army; Lord Petre, lieutenant-general; Sir Francis Rat cliff, major-general; Mr. John Lambert, adjutant general; Mr. Langhorne, advocate general ; &c. who had all com missions sent them, ready sealed by Paulus de Oliva, from the court of Rome. Besides these and other inferior con*> spirators to be mentioned afterwards, the queen and the duke of York were said to be concerned, but not so positive ly as the rest. - Next they tell us the means whereby they resolved to ac complish this vast undertaking, which were as follows: — 1.

By killing the king, finding they could not work him to their designs ; and therefore, to remove him, they formed se veral distinct plots, all to be kept unknown to each other: as first, Grove and Pickering to shoot him ; secondly, Con yers and Anderton, Benedictine monks, and four Irish ruffians, to stab him ; and thirdly, Sir George Wakeman, the queen's physician, to poison him ; for which purpose five thousand pounds were entered in their books, as paid to him in part of fifteen thousand pounds reward, when he had fi nished the work.* As for the duke of York, they con cluded to make use of his name and interest, if he would comply with these conditions: first, to accept of the three kingdoms as a gift from the pope, and hold them in fee of him, and confirm their settlement of the church and state ; next, if he would ;extirminate all protestants; and lastly, if * The continuator of Baker's History observes, " It was a strange thing that but twenty guineas a piece should be given men to stab the king; and that Sir George Wakeman was to have fifteen thousand pounds for killing him in a much easier way His commissions too (continues the writer) seemed very ill distributed.

Lord Bellasis was perpetually ill of the gout. Lord. Petre had never had any military command. Sir Francis Ratcliffe was a man who lived at his ease upon a great fortune in the north of England, and had never stirred from home all that summer. It was very strange too to see a rump-of ficer, like general Lambert, receiving his commission from the pope. But besides, that person through his long imprisonment was become a child, and had lost his memory and sense. These things might reasonably have shocked people's faith in Oates's discovery; but men were now in a fit of believing, so that all he said was greedily swallowed," C he would pardon the murderers of his brother, the murder ers of the people, and those who should fire the remaining part of the city and suburbs. 2. For that was the second particular of their work, to fire London and Westminster, and the adjacent places; as also other the chief cities and towns in England, immediately on the killing of his Majesty ; and then lay the whole load, both of the murder and firing, on the presbyterians and fanatics, thereby provoking the epis copal men to join with them to cut them off'; that so, pro testants being weakened by their own feuds, they might have the better opportunities and easier tasks to subdue them alL 3.

By a general massacre, to which purpose they are said to have formed an army, consisting of fifty thousand men, to be enlisted about London, the officers all resolute papists, and, for the most part, French and Irish : these they gave out were enough to cut the throats of one hundred thousand protestants ; especially being taken upon a surprise, when the militia of London were unprovided and undisciplined, and the country generally disarmed as aforesaid. And, be sides, the conspirators had of the French ten thousand sol* diers from Flanders, and thirty thousand pilgrims and lay brothers, daily expected from Spain, to assist them. 4. Iu Ireland, the pope had made Talbot, the titular archbishop of Dublin, his legate, to take possession for him of that king dom; whose brother was to be general of all the forces there, consisting of seventy thousand papists, besides the French auxiliaries.

There it was to be carried on by a general rebel lion and massacre of the Protesta«»t8,as in 1641 .which they called demonstrating of their zeal for the culholic faith. Four Je suits had undertook first to assassinate the duke of Ormond ; and the better to carry on the whole, the pope was to con tribute eight hundred thousand crowns, and the French had privately sent over some supplies of men and arms, and Mere to furnish them with more as soon as they should be in ac tion : Le Chaise having a great influence in promoting all these transactions. 5. Moreover, in Scotland particular care was taken to foment discontents, and raise a rebellion ; to which end they at proper times sent over several Jesuits, to mingle themselves if they could with the dissenters, so as they might preach in their field-meetings, and inflame them to take arms to vindicate their religion and liberty against the supposed invaders of both ; and which they were to ag gravate, as well as the complaints against episcopacy; and for their encouragement, the papists there were to raise eight thousand men to join with such dissenters, lest they should be too weak to oppose the government ; by which they should have the advantage of a double stroke, make a wide difference between protestants, and cast the old odium TITCS OATES'S PLOT. 11 •f rebellion upon the presbyterians, if it should not, or de.

Btroy the government, if it should succeed. Such, continues the historian, was the sum and substance ©fthis formidable plot, of which all these, with many other particulars, were formally and solemnly given in upon oath; not at once, or altogether, but at several times, and by several parcels, and likewise by several persons, who seemed to start up exactly as the stories met with credit and encou ragement, and by their oaths and narratives for a while bore down all opposition. And yet, after the strictest and coolest examinations, and after a full length of time, ' the govern ment could find very little foundation to support so vast a fabric, besides downright swearing and assurance; not a gun, sword, nor dagger, not a flask of powder, or a dark lanthorn, to effect this strange villainy ; and, excepting Cole man's writings, not one snip of an original letter, or commis sion, among those great numbers alleged to uphold the reputation of the discoverers.* But still the generality of the nation, and the parliament in particular, were at this time more than usually prepared and disposed to receive and be lieve such extraordinary stories; especially, the house of commons had been much agitated and heated of late by the just jealousies of the power of France, and the growth of popery ; of both which they had too much reason to be ap prehensive.

The latter had so much effect upon them, that about three months before, it diverted their designs with re- * Upon the substance of this atrocious and incongruous plot, Hume makes the following remarks: — " That the Roman pontiff could hope to assume the sovereignty of these kingdoms — a project, which, even during the darkness of the eleventh and twelfih centuries, would have appeared chimerical: that he should delegate this authority to the Jesuits, that order in the Romish church which was most hated ; that a massacre could be attempted of Ihe protestants, who surpassed the catholics a hundred fold, and were invested with the whole authority of the state; that the king himself was to be assassinated, and even the duke, the only support of the party : these were such absurdities as no human testimony was sufficient to prove, much less the evidence of one man, who was noted for infamy, and who could not keep himself every moment from falling into the grossest inconsistencies.

Did such' intelligence deserve even so much attention as to be refuted, it would appear, that Coleman's letters were sufficient alone to destroy all its credit. For how could so long a train of correspondence be earned on by a man so much trusted by the party, and yet no traces of insurrections, if really intended, of fires, massacres, assassinations, invasions, be ever discovered in any single passage in all these letters? But all such reflections, and many more equally obvious, were vainly employed against that general prepossession, with which the nation was seized. Oates's plot and Coleman's were universally confounded ; and the evidence of the latter being unquestionable, the belief of the former, aided by the passions of hatred and of terror, took possession of the whole people." It should be here observed, that the plot stated to be contained in Coleman's letters extended only to a desire of gaining toleration for the catholics, by the aid of the court and the assistance ol money from the French king. lation to the former; and, in a conference with the lords, they vehemently complained " of the restless endeavours of the popish priests and Jesuits, and of the great difficulties they found both in the conviction and the punishment of all popish recusants."

This, and their great zeal for the king's person, made them susceptible of any new impressions, and ready to take fire more from the horror than the probability of the fact; and in these matters there wanted not incendia ries in both houses, who knew how to take the greatest ad vantages from the least discoveries ; of whom none was more quick sighted, or more desperately disposed, than the earl of Shaftesbury, whose resentments and resolutions had been blown up to the height: and if, as probably, he was not the original contriver, he was the grand refiner and improver of all the materials ; and so much he seemed to acknowledge to a nobleman of his acquaintance, when he said, " I will not say who started the game, but 1 am sure I had the full hunting of it."* But, to proceed more gradually to lay open the be ginningand progress of this mysterious plot, we are first * That Shaftesbury was the contriver and inventor of this horrid and diabolical plot can no longer remain matter of suspicion to those who have read the following passage in Sir John Dalrymple's Memoirs : — *' Shaftesbury," says this writer, " who knew well the power of popular rumours, at times when populat passions are in ferment,_/rslmerf thejictionoj 'the popish plot in the year 1678, in order to bring the duke, and. perhaps, the king, under the weight of the national fear and haired of popery.

"—(Vol. i. p. 43, 44.) And he farther observes, in a note on this passage, "It has been much doubted whether Shaftesbury contrived the popish plot, or if he only made use of it, after it broke out. Some papers I have seen convince me he contrived it, though the persons he made tite of as informers ran beyond their instructions. The common objection (he continues) to the supposition of his contriving the plot, is the abwrdity of its circumstances. When Shaftesbury himself was pressed with regard to that absurdity, he made an answer, which shews equally the irregularity and the depth of his genius. An account of it is in North's Examen, p. 95. A certain lord of his confidence in parliament once asked him what he intended to do with the plot, which was so fulL of nonsense as would scarcely go down with tantum non idiots ; what then could he propose by pressing the belief of it upon men of common sense, and especially in parliament?

It is no matter, he replied, the more nonsensical the better; if we cannot bring them to swallow worse nonsense than that, we shall never do any good with them."— "Void of all honour in politics," observes this author, ibid. p. 45, "Shaftesbury coined rumours as they fitted his purpose, and had men of his party ready who could repeat, and men who could write, them, so as to make them circulate through every part of the kingdom. Void of all feeling, he confirmed his inventions by public trials, and, without remorse, 'saw persons led lo death for charges which himself had contrived; enga»ine thus even the passions of horror and amazement in the public, to make thines credible, which, without these, could not have been believed." Shaftesbury was undoubtedly a man of the most stupendous and consummate abilities, but, "well acquainted with the blind attachment of party tie (says Hume) surmounted all sense of shame, and, relying on the sub tlety of his contrivance, he was not startled with enterprises the most hazardous and most criminal."

TITUS OATES'S PLOT. 13 to take notice of the main discoverers, or rather projectors of it. Beginning with the famous Titus Oates, who was thought so meritorious by some as to be called the Sa viour of the .Nation; as to his family, he was the son of a ribbon-weaver, who afterwards turninganabaptist preacher, and being chaplain to a regiment of Cromwell's forces in Scotland, was there clapt up in prison upon Overton's plot against that usurper; but having the good fortune to escape upon the king's restoration, he conformed to the church, and got the living of Hastings, in Sussex; where he continued .till he thought fit to return again to his former anabaptistical station. This son of his had his first education in Merchant- Tailors school, in London, and next in the university of .Cambridge, where he was student in two colleges, Caius and St. John's, and where he left no reputation behind him for his parts or learning; though he seemed distinguished for a ■tenacious memory, a plodding industry, and an unparalleled assurance, besides a particular canting way that appeared in his academical exercises.

Removing from thence, he slipped into orders, and for a while officiated as curate to his father : after which, he enjoyed a small vicarage in Kent, from whence he removed to another in Sussex, and after that for some time got into the duke of Norfolk's family, when he particularly sided with the socinians at London ; so that -he became very uncertain as to his principles and religion, and infamous as to his morals. In the last year, 1677, beingabandoned and destitute of common necessaries, he fell into the acquaintance of Dr. Ezrael Tonge, a city divine,, a man of letters, and a prolific head filled with all the romish plots and conspiracies since the reformation. This man was remarkable for his parts and great reading, but of a restless and humourous temper, full of variety of projects, and scarce ever without a pen in his hand and a plot in his head.

At first, he seemed to entertain Oates out of charity, who then went by the name of Ambrose; and complaining he knew not where to get bread, the doctor took him to his house, gave him cloaths, lodging-, and diet, and told him he would put him in a way. After which, finding him a bold undertaker, he persuaded him to insinuate himself among the papists, and get particular ac quaintance with them ; which being effected, he let him un derstand, " that there had been several plots in England to bring in popery, and if he would go beyond sea among the Jesuits, and strictly observe their ways, it zeas possible there might be one at present ; and if he could make that out, it would be his preferment for ever ; but, however, if he could get their names, and some informations from the papists, it would be very easy to rouze people with the fears of po per?/:' Thus instructed and qualified, Oates formally reconciled NARRATIVE or himself to the church of Borne, and further, as was said, entered into the society of the Jesuits;* and, in the month of April or May, 1677, he took shipping, and went to Valladolid, in Spain ; in which kingdom he continued about half a year, and so returned to England.

But, not havingmade sufficient discoveries in his journey, after a months' stay, he went, or was rather sent, over to St. Omer's, the famous English seminary, where, though nearly thirty years of age, he was entered among the younger students, and where he continued about six or seven months. In the latter end of June this year, (1678,) full freighted with materials of names, places, &c. he returned to London, to big friend and assistant, Dr. Tonge. After some thought and consideration, they resolved to draw up a narrative of a horrid plot, &c; and, under the pretence of secrecy, or perhaps to increase the mystery, they went over the river, and lodged at Fox-Hall, at one Lambert's, a bell founder ; which house was asterwards called the plot-house. Here Oates's, or rather Tong-e's, narrative was written, first in Greek characters, and then in English, but often varied and changed; but at last they agreed upon one that should be authentic and immutable, then consisting of forty-three distinct articles, with great shew of exactness and formality.

This was about half of what was afterwards called Oates's narrative, and was in the nature and form of depositions, but without any deponent's name at present. This was to open the whole scene, and the substance is as follows: "That in April, 1677, the said deponent was employed by Strange, the then provincial, Fenwick, Harcourt, and other Jesuits in London, to carry their letters to one father Suinam, an Irish Jesuit, at Madrid, in Spain. That in his journey he broke open the said letters, and found therein an account given of what Jesuits they had sent into Scotland to encourage the presbyterians to rebel; and that they feared not success in their designs, by reason of the king being so addicted to his pleasures, and their interest in the duke of York, &c; that he saw several students sent out of England to Valladolid, who were obliged by the Jesuits of the college to renounce their allegiance to his majesty of Great Britain ; and that one Armstrong, in a sermon to the students there, did, with most false and black-mouthed scandal, defame his said majesty, using such irreverent base expressions, as no good subject could repeat without horror, with several other traitorous words and correspondencies which he there tlisco- * When Or.

Burnet asked him in private what arguments the Jesuits had used for his conversion to the roman catholic religion, he laid his hands upon his breast, saying, " God and his holy angels know I never changed, but went among them on purpose to betray them." He spoke with great passion against the society, and said he would have their blood. Note in Smollett. TITtJS OATES'S FLOT. 15 Tered. Being returned to England, where he made further discoveries, about the beginning of December, the said deponent was sent with another treasonable letter, written by Strange, and several other Jesuits, to St. Omer's, wherein was expressly mentioned their design to stab, or otherwise to poison, the king ; and that they had received ten thousand fiounds from Le Chaise, which was in the hands of one Worsey, a goldsmith in London ; there was likewise inclosed a letter of thanks to Le Chaise, which the deponent carried to him from St. Omer's to Paris.

During this his journey, and being abroad, he saw and read many other of their letters, all tending to the same end, of cutting off the king, subverting the present government of England, and restoring the Ro mish religion ; and they were so confident as in some of them to say, that bis majesty of England was so possessed of their fidelity, that if any malcontent amongst them should not prove true, but offer to discover, he would never believe them. But one of the principal things he tells us in this narrative was, that in April 1678, he came over from St. Omer's, with other Jesuits, to the grand consult, which was held the 24th of that month, by about fifty Jesuits, at the White Horse tavern in the Strand, where they met and plotted their designs for their society ; from whence they dispersed into several little clubs, five or six in a company, where they signed a resolve for the death of the king, with the manner how it was to be done ; which the deponent, as a messenger, carried from one company to another to be signed.

Very shortly after he returned to St. Omer's, and towards the end of June came back to England, where he soon became privy to the treaty with Wakeman to poison, and honest William and Pickering to shoot, the king; and that he heard Keins, a Jesuit, preach a sermon to twelve persons of quality in disguise; wherein he asserted, that protestants, and other heretical princes, were ipso facto deposed, because such, and that it was as lawful to destroy them as an Oliver Cromwell, or any other usurper, &c." Besides these new discoveries, he tells us that he learned several other remarkable particulars from them ; as " that the late wars, and many other mischiefs, were brought about by them, but more particularly the dreadful fire in sixty-six, which was principally managed by Strange the provincial; in which their society employed eighty, or eighty-six men, he could not tell which, and spent seven hundred fire-balls; and, over and above all their vast expences, they were fourteen thousand pounds gainers by the plunder; amongst which was a box of jewels, consisting of a thousand carracts of diamonds.