: lest I may seem to say too much, or too little but I will leave the matter to the law;* and, in the mean time, will take as much care as I can to prevent all manner of practices by that sort of men, and of others too, who have been tampering in a high degree by foreigners, and contriving how to introduce Popery amongst us. I shall conclude with the recommending to you my other concerns. I have been under great disappointments by the defect of the Poll Bill. My Revenue is under great Anticipations, and at the best was never equal to the constant and necessary expence of the government, whereof I intend to have the whole state laid before you; and require you to look into it, and consider of it with that duty and affection which I am sure I shall always find from you. The rest I leave to the Chancellor." The Lord Chancellor Finch's Speech.] Then the Lord Chancellor made the following Speech: "My lords; and you the knights, citizens, and burgesses of the house of commons; How much the king relies upon the advice and assistance of his parliament, how necessary he accounts it to him, and how safe he thinks himself in it, is evident by this, that he hath not suffered you all this year to be out of his reach; but hath continued you from time to time, by a succession of little and short prorogations; and without all peradventure we had sooner met, if it had been possible for us to take right measures here, without a full knowledge of the state and condition of our neighbours.-The close and period of the last Session is very memorable; for it may seem perhaps to some to have ended with very different, if not contrary, counsels and supplies, tending both to war and peace; but yet they who look more nearly into the matter shall find, that this incertainty proceeded not from any unsteadiness at home, but from the mutability of affairs abroad, every week almost producing several and contrary appearances.-The same incertainties of counsels and events abroad continued for the most part of the summer. One while the parties, exhausted by the war, seemed to be willing to accept any peace their enemies would give; and there wanted not those among them who made use of the impatience of their people to necessitate them to it.-Another while the performance of the conditions offered became so doubted, and was at last explained in a manner so vastly different from the first proposals, that despair begot new resolutions of continuing the war.-In the midst of these miserable perplexities and confusions, his maj. was daily solicited, with the highest importunities and the most earnest supplications that were possible, not to disband the troops he had raised; and not only so, but that he would still continue to send over more and more of his troops, and to augment the forces which he had already abroad. They did as good as tell him plainly, That it was from the reputation of his alliance, that any overtures of peace had been made at all; and that it was from the continuance of his arms that any fair performance could be expected. They prayed his maj. to consider, That if he thought it expedient to obtain some kind of respite, or breathing-time, for the Spanish Netherlands, or to secure any kind of frontier or barrier between then and their too powerful neighbours; all this, and more, very much inore, perhaps no less than the safety of Christendom, would entirely depend upon his majesty's preserving himself in that consider able posture both by sea and land wherein he then was.-There was no resisting such repeated intercessions; and though his maj. saw well enough that his complying with these desires would engage him in an expence far be killed, than by the general voice the Papists were charged with the murder; for the disco-yond what he was then provided for, yet he very of which a reward of 500l. was offered by Proclamation on October 20, the day before the parliament reassembled. "The king, knowing the disaffection of the commons, was resolved, if possible, to prevent this affair from coming before them: he feared, very justly, that they would examine into the bottom of this Plot, and, under a pretence of taking care of his person, discover many things which were yet to be concealed. For this purpose he expressly commanded the earl of Danby not to acquaint the two houses with what had passed through his hands, and resolved so to order it, that every thing concerning the Plot should be left to the law, in the belief that it would be much easier for him to manage the Judges than the parliament. But the earl of Danby broke all his measures, by communicating, the very first day, Oates's Narrative to the commons. The king was highly provoked with a procedure so contrary to his orders and designs, and gave him a severe reprimand; but the thing was without remedy." Rapin. could not possibly decline the charge, nor refuse to undergo the difficulties. And now, whatever the cost of all this may amount to, yet neither his maj. nor his people will have any cause to repent it, when they shall consider, that it hath already produced such great and good effects to his majesty's allies, and so much honour to the whole nation; that whatsoever is saved of Flanders, is now acknowledged by all the world to be wholly due to his majesty's interposition. And though the peace, which since hath followed, be very far from such a peace as his maj. could have wished, yet it is such a peace as his neighbours were resolved to have. No obligations they lay under to insist upon a better peace, no conjunction with his majesty, no, nor the offers to declare war on their behalfs if they desired it, could prevail with them, or keep them from being wrought upon by the ill arts of those who first raised unreasonable jealousies amongst them, and then caused em to precipitate themselves into a peace.--Thus you see at once, not only the necessity which his majesty had to continue his troops in pay, tect the Protestant Religion, and to prevent the swarming of Seminary Priests; for his maj. hath told you, that he hath lately received information of Designs against his own life by the Jesuits; and though he doth in no sort prejudge the persons accused, yet the strict enquiry into this matter hath been a means to discover so many other unwarrantable practices of theirs, that his maj. bath reason to look to them.-Nor are these kind of men the only factors for Rome; but there are found among the laity also some, who have made themselves agitators to promote the interests of a foreign religion, who meddle with matters of state and parliament, and carry on their pernicious designs by a most dangerous correspondency with foreign nations.—What kind of process the proof will bear, and to how high a degree the extent and nature of these crimes will rise, is under consideration, and will be fully left to the course of law. In the next place, let us carefully avoid all Differences amongst ourselves, all manner of clashing about Jurisdictions, and all disputes of such a nature as can never end in any accommodation; for this is still what our enemies would wish, who would be glad to see us ruined, without their being at the charge of it.-And therefore we must now above all other times labour to shew the world the most effectual significations of our loyalty and duty that we are able to express; for nothing in the world can more discourage our enemies, as on the contrary nothing does or can so ripen a nation for destruction, as to be observed to distrust their own government. Be pleased then now to take occasion to manifest such a zeal for the govern but likewise the benefits and advantages which have come of it.-Let no man wonder then, if the Money given toward this Disbanding have been applied toward the payment of the Army as far as it would go there needs no excuse for that which was inevitable. The provision which was made for paying off the Army went no further than till the last of June for part, and the last of August for the rest: but the Fleet was provided for only till the 5th of June; so that the continuation of the Fleet and Army from that time was wholly upon his majesty's charge.—And as this was an expence so absolutely necessary to our own interest, in the preservation of our neighbours, that his maj. could not with any honour or safety to himself have avoided it: so the service which hath been done by this means to a great part of Christendom is so universally acknowledged, that you cannot but be well pleased to have your share in the honour of it, and will be willing to defray the rest of the charge, which bath far exceeded all that was given by that Act. And his maj. hath found himself in greater streights than he could have imagined, by the unexpected deficiency of the Poll Bill; for whereas it was made a fund of credit for 300,000l. besides a further credit for Stores, the product of that Act hath fallen so strangely short of what the parliament expected from it, that it hath not raised that sum of money, by a great deal, which was allowed to be borrowed upon it; and by this means, they who have furnished Stores upon the credit of that Act will be in danger to be very great losers, unless you are pleased to take some care of them. Thus you have shortly an Account of what hath been doing Abroad, and the Chargement, as to look into the state of that Revenue of it: it is now high time to look a little near- which should support the constant and neceser Home; and surely, in that state of things sary Charge of it, and to see that it be made to which they are now reduced, it is visible equal to it. There are many motives to oblige and plain enough what must be our business us to this inspection. First, you see, the king for the time to come. First, we must look expects it; and then again you cannot but see to ourselves, and provide for our own safety; that nothing is, or can be, of a more public for that which the Confederates acknowledge consideration, than to support the dignity of with thanks, we may be sure hath a quite dif- the crown, which is in truth the dignity of ferent resentment in other places. And, in the nation: besides, it is unsafe, as well as disorder to this, care must be taken so to honourable, that the king's Revenue should strengthen ourselves, both at home and abroad, fall short of his most necessary and most unthat they who see us in a firm and well-settled avoidable Expences.-And, if upon a due exaestate may have no hopes to surprize, nor mination, it shall be made appear to you, that any temptation to make an attempt upon us. though there had been no diminution of the And herciu it will be necessary to take no- Customs, yet no thrift or conduct in the world tice of what his maj. recommended to you, and could ever make the Revenue able to answer to weigh very well the importance of reducing the certain Charge of the government, much the Sea and Land Forces, and the conse- less to discharge those Anticipations which lie quences which may attend such a reducement; heavy upon it; how can it be possible for it to for, this be assured, that nothing in the world supply those contingencies which happen even would more gratify our enemies, than to see in times of peace, and which can never be us afraid of maintaining ourselves in a posture brought under any regulation or establishment? of defence, which is the only posture they areYou may be sure, a great and generous afraid to find us in.--And that the fears of Popery may not too much disquiet you, be pleased to consider, that you have one security more; since that which was always the interest of his majesty's honour and conscience is now become the interest of his person too, to pro prince would be glad, by good managery, to have wherewithal to exercise his royal bounty. But our neighbours have found a way to prevent all that for their vast preparations put his maj. upon a vast expence, to preserve himself and us.—My Lords and Gentlemen; You that a Committee be appointed to enquire into Sir Edmundbury Godfrey's Murder; as likewise into the Plot. The same day the house agreed with the lords in an Address to his majesty, to appoint a solemn Fast; which was to the following effect: "That Information had been given of a horrible Design against his sacred life, and being very sensible of the fatal consequences of such an attempt, and of the dangers of the subversion of the Protestant Religion and government of this realm, they humbly beseech his majesty, that a solemn day of Fasting and Humiliation may be appointed, to implore the mercy and protection of Almighty God to his majesty's royal person, and in him to all his loyal subjects; and to pray that God will bring to light, more and more, all secret, machinations against his majesty and the whole kingdom." All which was accordingly done by Proclamation dated the 25th of October, requiring, that Wednesday the 13th of November should be kept for a general Fast. On the 24th both Houses again agreed on another Address, and, Address concerning Popish Recusants.] Oct. Both houses presented the following Address to the king: 26. now find the king involved in difficulties as great, and without your assistance as insuperable, as ever any government did labour under. And yet his maj. doth not think that there need many words to bespeak your zeal and industry in his service; for the things themselves now speak, and speak aloud. The public and the private interest do both persuade the same things; and are, and ought to be, mighty in persuasion. If the honour and safety of your country, and, which is next to that, the concerns of your own families and posterities, cannot awaken your utmost care to preserve that govt. which only can preserve you and yours, all other discourses will be to no purpose. There can be no difficulties at all to them who take delight in serving of the king and their country, and love the occasions of shewing it. Such are all here: but though the king have had for many years a large and full experience of your duty, yet there never was a time like this to try your affections. There is so strange a concurrence of ill accidents at this time, that it is not to be wondered at, if some very honest and good men begin to have troubled and thoughtful hearts; yet that which is infinitely to be lamented is, that malicious men too begin to work upon this occasion, and are in no small "We your majesty's most dutiful and loyal hopes to raise a storin that nothing shall be subjects, the lords spiritual and temporal, and able to allay. If you can rescue the king's commons in parliament assembled, having affairs from such a tempest as this; if you can taken into our serious consideration the bloody weather this storm, and steer the vessel into and traiterous Designs of Popish Recusants, harbour; if you can find a way to quiet the against your majesty's sacred person and goapprehensions of those who mean well, without vernment, and the Protestant Religion, wherebeing carried away by the passions of others with your maj. hath been graciously pleased to who mean ill; if you can prevent the designs acquaint us: for the preventing whereof, we of those without doors, who study nothing else do most humbly beseech your majesty, that but how to distract your counsels, and to dis- your maj. would be graciously pleased, by your turb all your proceedings: then you will have royal proclamation, to command all and every performed as great and as seasonable a piece of person and persons being Popish Recusants, or service to the king, as ever he stood in need of. so reputed, forthwith, under pain of your ma-And when the world shall see, that nothing jesty's highest displeasure, and severe exccution hath been able to disappoint the king of the of the law against them, to depart and retire, assistance he had reason to hope from this ses- themselves and their families, from your royal sion, but that there is a right understanding palaces of Whitehall, Somerset-house, St. between the king and his parliament, and that James's, the cities of London and Westminster, again strengthened and increased by new evi- and from all other places within ten miles of dences of your duty and affection, and raised the same. And that no such person or persons, above all possibility of being interrupted; then do, at any time hereafter, repair or return to shall the king be possessed of that true glory, your majesty's said palaces, or the said cities, which others vainly pursue, the glory of reign-or either of them; or within ten miles of the ing in the hearts of his people; then shall the people be possessed of as much felicity as this world is capable of; and you shall have the perpetual honour and satisfaction of having beeu the means to procure so much solid and lasting good to your country, as the establishment of the peace and tranquillity of this kingdom, and consequently of all his majesty's dominions." Address of both Houses for a solemn Fust.] The first Resolves of the house of commons were, That a committee be appointed to consider of Ways and Means for the preservation of his majesty's person: That an humble Address be presented to his majesty, for removing Popish Recusants from London; and same, other than housholders, being tradesmen exercising some trade or manual occupation, and settled for 12 months last past in houses of their own, and not having an habitation elsewhere, giving in their own names, and the names of all other persons in their families to the two next justices of the peace and that it may be inserted in the said proclamation, that, immediately after the day limited for their departure, the constables, church-wardens, and other the parish officers, go from house to house in their several parishes, hamlets, constableries and divisions, respectively; and there to take an Account of the names and surnames of all such persons as are Popish Recusants or suspected so to be, as well householders, as lodgers and servants; and to carry a List of their names to the two next justices of the peace, who are to be thereby required and enjoined to send for them, and every of them; and to tender to them and every of them the oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy; and to commit to prison, till the next succeeding session of the peace, all such persons as shall refuse the said Oaths; and at the said session, to proceed against them according to law: and that your maj. will be pleased to direct commissions forthwith to be issued under the great seal of England, to all Justices within the Cities of London and Westminster, and within ten miles of the same, to authorize and require them, or any two of them, to administer the said Oaths accordingly. And that your maj. would farther please to command that no Warrant or Licence be granted by the lords of your maj.'s Privy-Council, or otherwise than at the Council-Board, to be signed by six lords of the privy council, whereof the lord chancellor, the lord treasurer or principal secretary of state to be one, for the stay, return, or repair of any such person or persons, in, or to any of the said places, till some more effectual law be passed for preventing the said Popish Conspiracies, and for the preservation of your majesty's sacred person, and the religion and government by law established; for which, we your majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects will always employ our utmost endeavours and daily prayers. [The same day and the next, Mr. Oates, Mr. Michael Godfrey, and Mr. Mulys, having given in certain Information to the house, (who on this occasion sent for Lord chief justice Scroggs from off the bench to sign certain Warrants) concerning the Plot, and the Death of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, the following Clause was added to the Address.] And whereas the safety and preservation of your majesty's most sacred Person, is of so great a consequence and concernment to the Protestant Religion, and to all your subjects; we do farther most humbly beseech your majesty to command the lord chamberlain and all other officers of your majesty's houshold, to take a strict care that no unknown or suspicious persons may have access near your majesty's person: and that your maj. will likewise please to command the lord mayor, and the lieutenancy of London, during the session of parliament, and likewise, the lord-lieutenants of Middlesex and Surrey, to appoint such guards of the Trained-Bands in Middlesex, Westminster and Southwark, and other places adjacent, as shall be thought necessary." To which his majesty was pleased to reply to this purpose: "That you shall have the effect of your desires, and that he would give speedy orders for putting the same in execution." The house then proceeded to scrutinize farther into the Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, as likewise into the particulars of the Popish Plot; and ordered their Speaker to wait upon his majesty, and communicate to him the Informations the house had received of the dangers that his majesty and the nation lay under. To which his majesty was pleased to return: "That he acknowledged the great care of the house for the preservation of his person and government, &c." A Bill passed to disable Papists from sitting in Parliament.] The following days, the house was almost wholly employed in examining Witnesses and Papers relating to the Plot, in the unravelling of which they testified a very extraordinary zcal; and Oct. 28, to prevent mischiefs in the interval, passed a Bill to disable Papists from sitting in either house of parliainent. Report of Coleman's Examination.] They likewise appointed a committee to examine Mr. Coleman, in Newgate, of which Mr. Sacheverell was chairman; who reported on the 30th, "That the prisoner Coleman denied any Design against either the king's life or authority, or that he ever knew or heard of any commissions to raise an army. That he likewise denied, that he ever designed or endeavoured to change the established Religion, or introduce Popery; but confesses, he did attempt to get this parliament dissolved, in order to procure liberty of conscience, which he thought they would never grant. In order to which, he solicited 300,000!. from France; adding, that there were not "Titus Qates was the son of an Anabap- three men in England acquainted with his tist teacher, who afterwards conformed, and Designs, or Correspondence; of which the go into orders, and took a benefice, as this duke of York was one, who, he believes, comhis son did. He was proud and ill natured,municated them to lord Arundel of Wardour.— haughty, but ignorant. He had been complained of for some very indecent expressions concerning the mysteries of the Christian Religion. He was once presented for perjury. But he got to be a chaplain in one of the king's ships, from which he was dismissed upon complaint of some unnatural practices." Burnet. The picture of this noted man is also drawn with the like features by Mr. North, L'Estrange, and all the court writers of those times, with this only difference, that they are set forth by the last with bolder strokes and stronger colours. That he farther confessed, that his first Correspondence in France, was by certain Letters he had addressed to sir Wm. Throckmorton ; by which means he commenced a second with la Ferrier, on whose death, he sent three or four Letters to la Chaise. That he had also confessed a Correspondence with the Pope's Nuncio at Brussels, which was occasioned by a Proposal from the Pope, to furnish the king with a great surn of money, provided the Catholics here might receive proportionable favour.-That upon this, he was dispatched by the duke of York to Brussels to the said nun cio, for a farther explanation of that proposal: | agreed to by the house, a Conference was imwho then disowned that he had any authority from the court of Rome to make it; but that he had made it as a private man; offering however, his services at his return to bring it about that notwithstanding, he had not corresponded with him for three or four years.That the Cypher, with the provincial's mark, was that used between him and father St. Germain: that he used no Cypher to the provincial: that he used another Cypher to Rouvigny's secretary, but not in public concerns.And being then asked, Whether he knew of any other sum proposed or treated on, he answered: That he believed there was, to keep the king from joining the confederates, but could not affirm that any had been paid." Mr. Wright, a Member, examined and acquitted. Oct. 31. Mr. Robert Wright, a member, was accused by the Speaker, of having corresponded with Coleman: on which he was examined by the house, and his Papers searched; but acquitted with honour. Mr. Coleman's Letters were then read; of which three were entered in the Journals by Order of the House, viz. one from Mr. Coleman to father le Chaise, a second to the same, and a third from le Chaise, acknowledging the receipt of the two former.* : mediately desired and obtained; an account of which was, in the afternoon of the same day, delivered to the house from the committee, by sir Tho. Meres, viz. That my lord Chancellor managed the Conference, and that what was delivered, was as follows: "The lords have considered the Votes of the house of commons, communicated to them at the conference, and have most readily and unanimously concurred with them in it, nem. con. And their lordships are very glad to see that zeal which the commons have shewed upon this occasion, and do fully concur with them: that the most speedy and serious consideration of both houses is necessary for preventing these imminent dangers. In order whereunto, their lordships have resolved to sit die in diem, forenoon and afternoon, and desire the house of commons would do so too. And when their lordships shall have well considered of it, and proper Remedies for these dangers, they will be ready to communicate them to the commons, and will also take in good part, whatever shall be communicated to them by the commons; and will suffer nothing to be wanting on their parts, which may preserve a good correspondence between both houses, which is absolutely necessary to the safety of the king and kingdom." Nov. 2. It was ordered, that Mr. Speaker do address his majesty from the house, That Mr. Coleman may be pardoned on a full discovery, and that otherwise, neither pardon nor reprieve might be granted him; to both which day to accord. It was likewise ordered, that Mr. Speaker should signify what had passed to Mr. Coleman in Newgate, who replied: "That he was very sensible of the miserable. ness of his condition; for that he knew there was enough already known to take away his life, and that he did not know enough to save it." Resolution of the Commons with regard to the Plot.] Upon the Evidence already arisen with regard to the Plot, the house came to a Resolution, and appointed a committee to prepare matters for a conference with the lords upon it; who, the next day, Nov. 1. by sir Robert Sawyer, their chairman, delivered in their Re-requests, his majesty was pleased the same port as follows: "That the house of commons, after examination of several persons, Papers, many of which his majesty did acquaint the house had been communicated to your lordships, and deliberate consideration had thereupon, came to this unanimous Resolution Resolved, That, upon the Evidence, that has ' already appeared to the house, that this house is of opinion, that there hath been and still is a damnable and hellish Plot, contrived and carry'd on by popish recusants, for the assassinating and murdering the king, and for subverting the government, and rooting out and destroying the Protestant Religion;' The house of commons, being very sensible of Mr. Sec. Coventry. We ought to have no the imminent danger both the king and king- consideration of persons, when the king and dom are in, do think it their duty to acquaint the government are concerned, though the your lordships therewith, and do pray your thing ought to be done with all the decency lordships will be pleased to take it into your that is possible. It might move some gentleserious consideration, what Remedies are fitmen, methinks, as it has done me, that his and suitable to be applied for the preserving the king's person and government; to which the commons shall readily concur, as they doubt not of your lordships concurrence to such Remedies as have, or shall be by them proposed to your lordships for effecting this great end," A Conference thereon.] These Reasons being * For the Letters themselves, see Appendix No. VIII. VOL. IV. Debate on a Motion for removing the Duke of York.] Nov. 4. Lord Russel moved to address the king, That the duke of York might withdraw himself from the king's person and councils. Mr. Booth seconded the motion. royal highness has desired the king that he may remove from his councils; therefore I hope you will not press that farther. Consider the consequence, when one house addresses the king for one thing, and the lords for another, and they neither are of the opinion of the king. An Address is a temporary declaration, and for the present, and I think this Address not good for the present. The king has sent his Proclamation for Catholics to go out of town: why will you talk of sending the SU |