The information of Thomas Dangerfield, Gent. delivered at the bar of the Hovse of Commons, Tuesday the twentieth day of October in the year of Our Lord 1680 / perused and signed to be printed according to the order of the House of Commons by me William Williams ... Dangerfield, Thomas, 1650?-1685. 1680 Approx. 17 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 8 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A36304 Wing D187 ESTC R6224 13222123 ocm 13222123 98540 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A36304) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 98540) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 451:13) The information of Thomas Dangerfield, Gent. delivered at the bar of the Hovse of Commons, Tuesday the twentieth day of October in the year of Our Lord 1680 / perused and signed to be printed according to the order of the House of Commons by me William Williams ... Dangerfield, Thomas, 1650?-1685. Williams, William, Sir, 1634-1700. England and Wales. Parliament. House of Commons. 15 p. Printed by the assigns of John Bill, Thomas Newcomb, and Henry Hills ..., London : 1680. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. 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Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Popish Plot, 1678 -- Sources. Great Britain -- History -- Sources. 2006-09 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-09 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-11 Celeste Ng Sampled and proofread 2006-11 Celeste Ng Text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion I Appoint Thomas Newcomb , and Henry Hills , to Print this Information , According to the Order of the HOUSE of COMMONS ; And that no other Person presume to Print the same . Novemb. 10 th . 1680. Wi. WILLIAMS , Speaker . THE INFORMATION OF Thomas Dangerfield , GENT. Delivered at the BAR of the HOVSE of COMMONS , Tuesday the Twentieth day of October , In the Year of our Lord 1680. Perused and Signed to be Printed , According to the Order of the House of Commons , BY ME William Williams , Speaker . C2 R HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT LONDON , Printed by the Assigns of John Bill , Thomas Newcomb , and Henry Hills , Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty , 1680. THE INFORMATION OF THOMAS DANGERFIELD GENT. About the Months of September or October 1679. WHen Mrs. Cellier and my self waited on the Lord Peterborough , to be Introduced to his Highness the Duke of York , his Lordship enquired of me , If the Lady Powis had given me any directions how to Discourse the Duke ? I replyed , She had . Then he desired to know what they were . Upon which I shewed his Lordship a little Book ; in which was contained a Scheme , and the pretended Discovery which I had made in the Presbyterian Plot. Which Book his Lordship carefully perused , and finding some omission therein , he ordered me to Write , while his Lordship did Dictate to me these words , viz. That the Presbyterian Party intended to make an Insurrection in the North , and so to joyn with an Army of the Scots . Immediately after this his Lordship took us into the Dukes Closet ( at Whitehall ) where we both kissed his hand : and me he took from the ground ( for I was kneeling . ) Then I gave his Highness the aforementioned little Book , which he after some short perusal thereof , thanked me for : and also for my diligence in the Catholick Cause : Did advise me to go on , and wished good success to all my Undertakings : Adding in these very words , viz. That the Presbyterian Plot was a thing of most mighty consequence , and if well managed , would be very Conducible to the Safety of the Catholick Cause : and I do not question but the Effects of it will answer our Expectation , especially in the Northern parts : where I am well assured the Major Part of the Gentry are my Friends , and have given sufficient Demonstration of their affections to me , as also of their intentions to prosecute this Presbyterian Plot to the utmost ; for they are no Strangers to the Design . Immediately after this his Highness ordered that Mrs. Cellier and my self ( in the hearing of the Lord Peterborough , who was privy to the whole Discourse ) to be very careful of what we Communicated to the persons who were to be the Witnesses in that new Plot , lest we should be caught in the Subornation , and so bring a ●errible Odium upon the Catholicks , and make our selves uncapable of any further Service . After this the Duke informed us , That in a Month or two's time the Commissions would be ready : but ordered us in the mean time to bring our part to bear with the Commissions : and particularly ordered me to find out some persons ( as there was enough such among the Catholicks , as well as elsewhere ) which were fit to be Trusted , and that should accept of such Commissions , which should be delivered them by a person appointed for that purpose , but not to be known to them to be any other but a Presbyterian : So that when occasion should require , they might , together with those which we then had , be ready to swear in the Plot , and that the Presbyterians were raising Forces against the King and Government , and had given out Commissions to that purpose . And in order to this , I did in some short time after , procure one Bedford , Curtice , Grey , Hill , Hopkins , and others , to accept of such Commissions , when they should be ready : whose business in the mean time was , to spread reports in the Coffee-houses , That the Popish Plot was a Contrivance of the Presbyterians , &c. Now for our encouragement in the prosecution of that Sham-Plot , the Duke promised that he would take care that Money should not be wanting : but ordered us to use all the expedition the thing would allow , to make a Discovery thereof to the King. After which the Duke said , The Catholick Party would be eased of the Charge , in regard he was sure it would be defrayed some other way . Then the Duke made divers Vows , and bitter Execrations , to stand by us in the thing : and engaged on his Honour to be our Rewarder . Adding , That such Considerable Services were not to be slighted : and further promised , that to whose lot soever it should happen to be imprisoned , according to their fidelity and stedfastness in the Cause , so much the more should their Reward be augmented : and that all care possible should be used to support and preserve them : but particularly desiring me to keep up to the couragious and active Character which his Highness had heard of me . All which I promised to do . Whereupon we withdrew to the Lord Peterboroughs Lodging , where we continued till his Lordship had Introduced Sir Robert Peyton to the Duke . Which being done , his Lordship left them together , as he said , and came to us : where among other Discourse his Lordship told me , I had a great opportunity to make my Fortune what I would my self , if I would but follow the advice of his Master the Duke of York , who , as 〈◊〉 Lordship said , would certainly be my King in a very short time . Adding , that I must be resolute in my undertakings : For , said he , the Duke much affects Resolution , but hates mortally the timorous man. Then I answered his Lordship , That I valued not my Life , provided , to lose it would be serviceable to the Duke's Interest . At which Expression he seemed fully satisfied ; and from that time called me Captain Willoughby : and at our coming away , his Lordship gave particular order to his Servants , That at what time soever , day , or night , either Mrs. Cellier , or my self , should come to speak with his Lordship , we should be forthwith admitted . And then we parted . Some short time after , I went to wait on his Lordship from the Lady Powis , at midnight , to desire him to move the Duke , to get me with all expedition to the King : for then I was ready . About four days after this , his Lordship sent for me , and took me to the Duke again ( who was in his Closet at Whitehall ) and the Duke told me , I must prepare my self to wait on the King , to give His Majesty a more particular Account of the Presbyterian Plot than what the little Book made mention of , ( which Book , the Duke said , he had given to the King ) and that he had so ordered the matter , that I should be furnished with Money , to enable me in the Prosecution thereof . But his Highness charged me to consider well my Story , before I waited on the King. Then the Duke told me , I had gained , by my Diligence , a good Reputation among the Catholicks , and that I should highly merit by my Services to that Cause : adding , That I should in a short time see the Catholick Religion flourish in these Kingdoms ; and Heresie torn up by the roots : And that he had heard of the Proposal which had been made me by the Lords , Powis , and Arundel , about Taking off the King , and of my refusal ; as also of what I had accepted , touching my Lord Shaftsbury , and of all my Transactions in the Presbyterian Plot : saying in these very words , viz. If you value the Religion you profess , my Interest , ( as you say you do ) and your own future Happiness , take my Advice , and depend upon my Honour and Interest for your Advancement : For , Sir , you look like a Man of Courage and Wit : therefore less Discourse may serve with you than another : So that if you will but move by the Measures which I will give you , you shall not only escape with safety , but be rewarded according to the greatness of your Actions . To all this I replied , I would stand and fall in the Defence of the Roman Catholick Religion , and his Highness Service ; and was not a little concerned for my refusing to kill the King , whom I was then well satisfied by my Ghostly Father , stood condemned as an Heretick . But this I did offer , That if his Highness would Command me to the Attempt , I would not fail either to accomplish it , or lose my Life . Upon which the Duke gave me Twenty Guineys , and said , If I would be but vigorous in what I had undertaken already , he would so order it , that my Life should not be in the least danger : adding in these words , viz. We are not to have Men taken in such daring Actions , but to have them make an effectual Dispatch , and be gone . Upon which I took my leave . Some short time after this , when I was ready to convey the Letters into Colonel Mansel's Chamber , I went to the Lord Peterborough , who brought me to the Duke , to whom I told , how I was ready to fix the Letters in the Colonel's Chamber . To which his Highness answered , I must make haste , that I might be Impowered to make a general Search of the like nature . For , said the Duke in these words , viz. Since I saw you last , the Lady Powis has informed me , That there are abundance of Letters and Witnesses ready : so that 't is now high time to begin . By this time there was some great Man come to wait on the Duke , so I withdrew . About four days after this , when I had been pressing earnestly with Mr. Secretary Coventry , for a Warrant , and could not prevail , I went to the Lord Peterborough's , and did desire his Lordship to make application to the Duke , to use some means for a Warrant . To which his Lordship answered ; 'T was my fault there was not a Warrant granted , and that the Duke was sensible of my neglec●ing to make an Affidavit . So that now he did b●●in to doubt my Courage . Thomas Dangerfield . In and about the Months of June , July or August 1679 , THe Countess of Powis sent me with a Letter to the Lord Privy Seal , who was then at his Lordships house in Kensington : but the Contents of the Letter I remember not , more than that it was to pray some favour in the behalf of one Anderson alias Munson , a Priest , and then in the Kings Bench , and was reported to know something of the Plot. Which Papers contained matter of Fact , drawn up to render Strouds Testimony invalid , in case he should make any Discovery . And by my Ladies order I was to pray his Lordship to take the Papers : so that if Stroud should be sent for on Examination before the Council , that his Lordship would produce them to stop his Evidence : Which his Lordship promised to do . But Stroud was not sent for , and so the Papers were of no use : but I suppose they may still remain with his Lordship . At the same time I did , by Order from the Lady Powis , inform his Lordship , That the Presbyterian Plot would be ready for Discovery in a Months time . To which his Lordship answered , that I should tell the Lady Powis , He was of opinion that a Month would be too soon , in regard things then moved with too much violence , for such an Affair to have any Success . So I took my leave . Some short time after I went , by the Lord Powis's Order , with another Letter to his Lordship ; the Contents of which I never knew : But was ordered to acquaint his Lordship , That the Presbyterian Plot still went on , and that we had divers Letters and Witnesses ready , to lay open the matter , when it should be thought fit . To which his Lordship answered , He feared the Lords in the Tower were too vigorous in that Design : but promised , when the rigorous Prosecution against the Catholicks were somewhat abated , he did intend to move it to the King and Council . Adding , That if things of that nature were but well timed , they could not fail of Success . So I took my leave . Some time after , Mistress Cellier and my self went to wait on his Lordship at Kensington ; where we both had admittance . Then 't was Mistress Cellier , in my hearing , informed his Lordship , That she came in the name of her Great Master ( the Duke of York ) and at the most earnest request of the Lords in the Tower , to pray his Lordship to use some means , that the Proceedings against the Catholicks might be more easie , and that the Presbyterian Plot might be discovered . Then his Lordship desired her to let the Lords in the Tower know , that he was not idle in the Considering their Safety : For , added his Lordship , in these words , I have my self discoursed lately with all the great Ministers of our party , and my Lord Peterborough has done the same , and we both find there is favour intended : but we must wait the time : For things of that nature must be moved gently , or the whole Royal Party may be destroyed at once , for there are many eyes upon us . Then Mistress Cellier informed his Lordship , That Sir George Wakemans Trial had broken the Ice , and of the great difficulty there was in prevailing with the Lord C. J. to come over : and also of the Meeting that was between the Lady Powis and the Lord C. J. To which his Lordship replied , That the Lord C. J. had taken more time to Consider of his part , than Five other far greater men had done ( who they were I know not ) and that his Lordship was forc'd to shew the Lord C. J. the Duke of Yorks Letter , before he would believe any thing . Nay , said his Lorship , notwithstanding this I was forc'd to get a particular Letter sent him from the Duke , before he would make any promise . Truly , Madam , said his Lordship , 't is no small pains I take to serve the Duke , and their Lordships , and that you may assure them . Then Mistress Cellier acquainted his Lordship , That Dugdale was come about , and intended to throw himself at the Dukes feet , with a Recantation of all that he had sworn in the Plot. And , said she , I am in the name of the Lords , to pray your Lordship he may be secured in your house , as being a place more proper than any other . To this his Lordship answered , He was glad to hear of Mr. Dugdale's ingenuity in that Affair , and did assure Mrs. Cellier , that Dugdale should be entertained in his Housse , and that his Lordship's Priest should be his Companion : so that it should be impossible for him to do any more mischief . But his Lordship desired she would tell the Lords , They must use all the means imaginable to get him sent beyond Sea , left a too strict Enquiry should be made after him . To which Mrs. Cellier replied thus ; My Lord , we do not intend he shall stay in your Lordship's House above Nine or Ten days : for though he must do us Service by a general Recantation , yet we can never think him safe , till we have got him into the Inquisition : for such persons are to be encouraged , not trusted . So upon this his Lordship sent a Compliment to the Lords in the Tower , and so we came away . Thomas Dangerfield . Jurat vicesimo die Octobris , 1680. Coram nobis Will. Roberts . Will. Pulteney . FINIS .