A letter to a person of honour concerning the black box
         Ferguson, Robert, d. 1714.
      
       
         
           1680
        
      
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         A41181
         Wing F749
         ESTC R29821
         11209517
         ocm 11209517
         46797
         
           
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             A letter to a person of honour concerning the black box
             Ferguson, Robert, d. 1714.
          
           7 [i.e. 8] p.
           
             s.n.,
             [London :
             1680]
          
           
             Caption title.
             Attributed by Wing, NUC pre-1956 imprints to Robert Ferguson.
             At end: London, May 15, 1680.
             Reproduction of the original in the Harvard University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Monmouth, James Scott, -- Duke of, 1649-1685.
           Great Britain -- History -- Charles II, 1660-1685.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           Letter
           to
           a
           Person
           of
           Honour
           ,
           concerning
           the
           BLACK
           BOX
           .
        
         
           
             My
             Lord
             ,
          
        
         
           YOu
           are
           pleased
           to
           command
           me
           to
           give
           you
           some
           account
           of
           the
           Foundation
           of
           that
           Report
           which
           hath
           arrived
           with
           you
           concerning
           a
           
             Black
             Box
          
           ;
           and
           withall
           to
           let
           you
           know
           how
           Sir
           
             Gilbert
             Gerard
          
           acquitted
           himself
           at
           his
           appearance
           before
           the
           King
           and
           Councel
           in
           reference
           to
           that
           affair
           .
           As
           to
           the
           first
           ,
           I
           must
           crave
           leave
           to
           distinguish
           betwixt
           what
           is
           material
           in
           that
           business
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           meerly
           circumstantial
           ,
           and
           serveth
           only
           by
           way
           of
           purad
           .
           Your
           Lordship
           ,
           whose
           conversation
           hath
           given
           you
           great
           advantages
           of
           knowing
           the
           reports
           of
           the
           World
           in
           relation
           to
           the
           Kings
           Marriage
           with
           the
           Duke
           of
           
             Monmouths
             Mother
          
           ,
           can
           easily
           recollect
           that
           there
           was
           never
           so
           much
           as
           a
           suggestion
           given
           out
           ,
           till
           of
           late
           ,
           of
           any
           such
           thing
           as
           a
           
             Black
             Box
          
           ,
           nor
           of
           a
           Writing
           importing
           a
           Contract
           consigned
           by
           the
           late
           Lord
           of
           Durham
           to
           the
           Custody
           of
           Sir
           
             Gilbert
             Gerard.
          
           And
           had
           there
           been
           any
           thing
           of
           that
           consequence
           committed
           to
           and
           entrusted
           with
           him
           ,
           he
           is
           both
           a
           person
           of
           that
           Honour
           and
           Courage
           as
           to
           have
           dar'd
           to
           have
           own'd
           and
           justified
           it
           ;
           and
           a
           Gentleman
           of
           that
           discretion
           and
           wisdom
           that
           he
           would
           ere
           this
           have
           acquainted
           the
           Parliament
           with
           it
           ,
           to
           whom
           both
           the
           Cognisance
           and
           Decision
           of
           a
           matter
           of
           so
           grand
           importance
           do
           properly
           belong
           .
           But
           in
           truth
           ,
           the
           whole
           referring
           to
           the
           
             Black
             Box
          
           ,
           is
           a
           meer
           Romance
           ,
           purposely
           invented
           to
           sham
           and
           ridicule
           the
           business
           of
           the
           Marriage
           ,
           which
           indeed
           hath
           no
           relation
           to
           it
           .
           For
           they
           who
           judg'd
           it
           conducible
           to
           their
           present
           Interest
           to
           have
           the
           D.
           of
           
           M's
           .
           Title
           to
           the
           Crown
           not
           only
           discredited
           but
           exposed
           ,
           thought
           it
           necessary
           ,
           instead
           of
           nakedly
           enquiring
           whether
           he
           be
           the
           
             Kings
             Legitimate
          
           or
           only
           Natural
           Son
           ;
           to
           bring
           upon
           the
           Stage
           a
           circumstance
           no
           way
           annexed
           with
           it
           ,
           supposing
           that
           this
           being
           found
           a
           Fable
           ,
           the
           Marriage
           it self
           of
           the
           K.
           with
           the
           said
           
           Ds.
           Mother
           ,
           would
           have
           undergone
           the
           same
           Censure
           .
           But
           by
           what
           I
           do
           perceive
           they
           were
           mistaken
           in
           their
           measures
           ;
           seeing
           most
           men
           know
           how
           to
           separate
           what
           they
           endeavoured
           so
           artificially
           to
           have
           interwoven
           .
           And
           all
           that
           I
           can
           apprehend
           they
           are
           like
           to
           get
           by
           it
           is
           ,
           the
           raising
           a
           Devil
           they
           will
           not
           easily
           lay
           .
        
         
           For
           ,
           
             My
             Lord
             it
             is
             in
             the
          
           first
           place
           
             apparent
             ,
             that
             the
             starting
             of
             this
             business
             is
             to
             be
             wholly
             ascribed
             to
             the
          
           Duke
           of
           York
           ,
           
             and
             those
             under
             whose
             Conduct
             he
             regulates
             himself
             and
             his
             concerns
             .
             Had
             any
             others
             been
             the
             first
             movers
             in
             it
             ,
             you
             may
             be
             sure
             they
             would
             never
             have
             ventured
             it
             before
             the
          
           Councel
           ,
           
             as
             it
             is
             now
             influenced
             and
             moulded
             ;
             but
             they
             would
             have
             waited
             till
             the
             sitting
             of
             the
          
           Parliament
           ,
           
             where
             they
             might
             expect
             nothing
             but
             Impartiality
             and
             Justice
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             In
             the
          
           second
           Place
           ,
           
             The
             very
             intimation
             that
             any
             besides
             the
          
           D.
           of
           Y.
           
             doth
             so
             much
             as
             pretend
             a
             Title
             to
             the
             Crown
             ,
             will
             operate
             with
             many
             to
             a
             belief
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             not
             without
             reason
             that
             he
             doth
             so
             .
             For
             the
             only
             way
             to
             undeceive
             men
             in
             a
             matter
             of
             vain
             and
             groundless
             credulity
             ,
             is
             to
             neglect
             and
             despise
             them
             ;
             whereas
             all
             endeavours
             to
             convince
             them
             ,
             do
             but
             contribute
             to
             the
             strengthening
             them
             in
             their
             faith
             .
          
           What
           will
           the
           People
           say
           ?
           
             But
             that
             if
             the
          
           D.
           of
           M.
           
             were
             not
          
           Legitimate
           Heir
           
             would
             the
             Papists
             ,
             by
             whose
             Inspirations
             the
          
           D.
           of
           Y.
           
             governs
             himself
             ,
             so
             effectually
             bestir
             themselves
             as
             to
             desire
             that
             an
             affair
             of
             so
             vast
             importance
             ,
             and
             wherein
             the
             whole
             Kingdom
             is
             conerned
             ,
             should
             be
             judged
             of
             by
             twenty
             or
             thirty
             persons
             ,
             who
             have
             neither
             Legislative
             nor
             Iudicial
             power
             .
          
        
         
           
             And
             in
             the
          
           third
           Place
           ,
           
             Should
             they
             compass
             all
             that
             they
             can
             propose
             to
             themselves
             from
             the
          
           Board
           ,
           
             yet
             it
             would
             no
             way
             advantage
             the
          
           D.
           of
           Y.
           
             nor
             give
             the
             least
             prejudice
             to
             the
          
           D.
           of
           M.
           
             providing
             his
             Claim
             be
             just
             ,
             and
             can
             be
             evidenced
             o
             be
             so
             before
             the
             great
             Representative
             of
             the
             Nation
             .
             For
             beyond
             all
             peradventure
             ,
             these
             things
             howsoever
             resolved
             upon
             and
             determined
             at
             the
          
           Councel
           ,
           
             will
             be
             called
             over
             again
             by
             the
          
           Parliament
           .
           
             Nor
             will
             the
             Opinion
             of
             the
          
           Table
           ,
           
             ballance
             that
             great
             and
             wise
          
           Body
           
             to
             judge
             otherwise
             ,
             than
             as
             their
             Consciences
             ,
             upon
             a
             hearing
             of
             the
             whole
             matter
             ,
             shall
             oblige
             them
             .
             And
             of
             what
             little
             significancy
             the
          
           Resolves
           
             of
             the
          
           Councel
           ,
           
             though
             stamped
             and
             enforced
             with
             the
          
           Authority
           
             of
             a
          
           King
           ,
           
             are
             to
             the
             imposing
             a
          
           Supream
           Ruler
           
             upon
             the
          
           Nation
           ,
           
             when
             a
          
           Legal
           Claim
           
             lyes
             in
             Opposition
             ,
             we
             are
             sufficiently
             instructed
             by
             the
             Instance
             of
          
           Jane
           Gray
           ,
           
             though
             a
             Lady
             of
             those
             Endowments
             which
             few
             of
             either
             sex
             ever
             parallel'd
             ,
             and
             recommended
             at
             that
             time
             to
             the
             Nation
             by
             many
             Enducements
             and
             Motives
             .
          
        
         
           
             In
             the
          
           fourth
           Place
           ,
           
             The
             method
             of
             mannaging
             this
             Affair
             gives
             us
             more
             surprize
             than
             all
             the
             rest
             ,
             and
             seems
             wholly
             Calculated
             ,
             to
             Intricate
             matters
             ,
             rather
             than
             clear
             them
             .
             For
             your
             Lordship
             and
             all
             others
             ,
             who
             are
             Masters
             of
             that
             sense
             which
             you
             possess
             ,
             would
             be
             ready
             to
             conceive
             that
             the
             main
             ,
             if
             not
             the
             only
             thing
             inquired
             into
             ,
             should
             be
             ,
          
           Whether
           the
           King
           was
           really
           Married
           unto
           
             Madam
             Walters
          
           ,
           and
           whether
           the
           D.
           of
           M.
           was
           Born
           in
           lawful
           Wedlock
           ?
           
             But
             in
             stead
             of
             this
             ,
             all
             the
             mighty
             Inquisition
             hath
             been
             ,
          
           Whether
           this
           or
           that
           person
           hard
           of
           a
           
             Black
             Box
          
           ,
           or
           of
           a
           Contract
           referring
           to
           the
           Kings
           Marriage
           with
           that
           Lady
           ,
           committed
           to
           the
           keeping
           of
           Sir
           
             Gilbert
             Gerard.
             Now
             what
             is
             all
             this
             to
             the
             reality
             of
             the
             Marriage
             ,
             seeing
             it
             might
             be
             transacted
             ,
             as
             most
             other
             Marriages
             are
             ,
          
           In
           verbis
           de
           presenti
           ,
           
             and
             of
             which
             no
             other
             Proof
             can
             be
             expected
             besides
             the
             Testimony
             of
             such
             as
             were
             personally
             present
             .
          
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           
             The
             persons
             whom
             they
             have
             in
             this
             whole
             matter
             summoned
             before
             them
             and
             examined
             ,
             adds
             to
             the
             suspition
             and
             encreaseth
             the
             astonishment
             .
             For
             People
             who
             think
             congruously
             to
             the
             subject
             before
             them
             ,
             had
             conceived
             ,
          
           That
           
           the
           main
           Scrutiny
           would
           have
           been
           either
           in
           reference
           to
           the
           Assurances
           given
           to
           the
           Countess
           of
           Weems
           concerning
           the
           Legitimacy
           of
           the
           D.
           of
           M.
           before
           she
           disposed
           her
           Daughter
           in
           Marriage
           to
           him
           ,
           or
           else
           that
           all
           the
           Examinations
           relating
           to
           this
           business
           would
           have
           been
           principally
           confined
           to
           those
           who
           were
           beyond
           Sea
           with
           the
           King
           when
           this
           Marriage
           is
           supposed
           to
           have
           happen'd
           .
           
             But
             all
             this
             seems
             to
             have
             been
             industriously
             waved
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             room
             of
             these
             ,
             a
             few
             persons
             have
             been
             brought
             before
             ,
             and
             Interrogated
             by
             the
          
           Counsel
           ,
           
             who
             could
             never
             be
             supposed
             to
             have
             heard
             otherwise
             of
             it
             than
             by
             way
             of
             vulgar
             tattle
             .
             And
             as
             I
             dare
             boldly
             affirm
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             no
             one
             person
             who
             is
             accustomed
             to
             the
             fellowship
             of
             the
             Town
             ,
             who
             hath
             not
             heard
             of
             such
             a
             Marriage
             ;
             so
             it
             is
             uncontroulably
             known
             ,
             That
             there
             was
             in
          
           Olivers
           
             time
             ,
             a
             Letter
             intercepted
             from
             the
          
           King
           
             to
             the
             said
          
           Lady
           ,
           
             then
             in
             the
             Tower
          
           ,
           superscribed
           ,
           to
           his
           Wife
           .
           
             Nor
             is
             it
             unknown
             with
             what
             homage
             the
             Kings
             party
             in
          
           England
           ,
           
             at
             that
             time
             paid
             their
             Devotion
             and
             testified
             their
             Obedience
             to
             her
             .
             For
             as
             they
             addressed
             her
             upon
             the
             Knee
             ,
             so
             by
             that
             and
             many
             other
             Symbols
             ,
             they
             declared
             that
             they
             esteemed
             her
             for
             no
             less
             than
             the
             lawful
          
           Wife
           
             of
             their
          
           King
           and
           Master
           .
        
         
           Sixthly
           ,
           
             'T
             is
             of
             no
             great
             concernment
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             immediate
             apparent
             Heir
             in
             the
          
           Regal
           Line
           ,
           
             if
             we
             do
             but
             consider
             that
             the
          
           Parliament
           of
           England
           
             hath
             often
             provided
             a
             Successor
             to
             the
             Government
             ,
             when
             the
             Interest
             of
             the
             Publick
             hath
             required
             it
             ,
             without
             the
             least
             regard
             to
             such
             Punctilio's
             .
             They
             who
             preferred
          
           William
           Rufus
           ,
           and
           Henry
           
             the
             1st
             .
             to
          
           Robert
           ,
           
             though
             Eldest
             Son
             of
          
           William
           the
           Conquerour
           ,
           
             what
             can
             they
             not
             do
             when
             weighty
             Reasons
             and
             Causes
             influence
             them
             unto
             it
             ?
             And
             they
             who
             advanced
          
           Stephen
           before
           Maud
           ,
           and
           John
           
             before
             his
             Eldest
             Brothers
             Son
             ,
             can
             they
             not
             ,
             when
             the
             Safety
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             requireth
             it
             ,
             put
             the
             Scepter
             into
             whose
             hands
             they
             please
             .
             Nor
             hath
          
           Bastardy
           
             it self
             been
             an
             Obstruction
             to
             the
             confering
             of
             the
             Crown
             upon
             a
             person
             ,
             provided
             all
             things
             else
             have
             corresponded
             with
             the
             desires
             and
             Humours
             of
             the
             People
             .
             For
             not
             only
          
           Athelstan
           ,
           
             the
             Great
          
           Saxon
           King
           ,
           
             was
             such
             ,
             but
          
           Q.
           Mary
           or
           Q.
           Elizabeth
           ,
           
             must
             be
             so
             Blazon'd
             ,
             and
             yet
             all
             three
             were
             Exalted
             to
             the
          
           Regal
           Throne
           .
           
             And
             two
             of
             them
             ,
             not
             only
             approved
             themselves
             worthy
             of
             the
             Trust
             reposed
             in
             them
             ,
             but
             have
             consigned
             down
             that
             stock
             of
             Fame
             and
             Credit
             ,
             which
             few
             attaining
             unto
             ,
             hath
             left
             a
             Reproach
             upon
             most
             Princes
             who
             have
             succeeded
             them
             .
             Even
          
           Henry
           
             the
             7th
             .
             (
             from
             whom
             our
          
           King
           
             derives
             his
             Title
             and
             Right
             of
             Succession
             )
             sprung
             from
             a
          
           Bastard
           ,
           
             who
             had
             nothing
             to
             render
             him
             capable
             to
             conveigh
             a
             Claim
             to
             his
             Posterity
             ,
             but
             that
             he
             was
             made
             Legitimate
             by
          
           Parliament
           .
        
         
           Seventhly
           ,
           The
           Councel
           
             had
             done
             a
             thing
             grateful
             to
             the
             Nation
             ,
             and
             consonant
             to
             their
             Oathes
             and
             Duty
             ,
             if
             in
             stead
             of
             attempting
             to
             establish
             the
          
           Duke
           of
           York
           
             as
             Heir
             apparent
             ,
             they
             had
             examined
             ,
             Whether
             ,
             notwithstanding
             his
             Affinity
             to
             the
             King
             ,
             he
             hath
             not
             by
             manifold
             Treasons
             against
             
             the
             Person
             of
             his
          
           Majesty
           ,
           
             as
             well
             as
             against
             the
             Government
             ,
             forfeited
             his
             Life
             to
             Iustice
             ,
             and
             made
             himself
             obnoxious
             to
             a
             Scaffold
             ,
             while
             he
             is
             pretending
             to
             a
             Thorne
             .
             He
             is
             yet
             a
             Subject
             ,
             and
             accountable
             for
             the
             Breach
             of
             the
             Laws
             ,
             and
             why
             his
             Crimes
             should
             find
             shelter
             in
             his
             Greatness
             ,
             I
             know
             not
             .
             'T
             is
             in
             vain
             to
             pretend
             to
             the
             Right
             of
          
           Succession
           ,
           
             when
             his
          
           Treasons
           
             were
             a
          
           Self
           Deposition
           ,
           
             were
             he
             actually
          
           Regnant
           .
           
             Whosoever
             Conspires
             against
             any
             one
             part
             of
             the
             Constitution
             ,
             forfeits
             all
             he
             can
             Claim
             by
             any
             other
             branch
             of
             it
             .
             To
             be
             accessory
             to
             a
             Plot
             for
             the
             destruction
             of
             the
             People
             ,
             is
             to
             abdicate
             himself
             from
             all
             Legal
             pretences
             of
             Reigning
             over
             them
             .
             Now
             the
             being
             seduced
             ,
             and
             seducing
             so
             many
             of
             his
             Majesties
             Subjects
             from
             the
             established
             Religion
             ,
             to
             that
             of
             Popery
             ,
             is
             Treason
             by
             two
             Statutes
             ,
          
           viz.
           Eliz
           22
           1.
           
           Jam.
           3.
           4.
           
           
             And
             for
             which
             (
             say
             the
             words
             of
             the
             Stat.
             )
          
           They
           shall
           forfit
           as
           in
           cases
           of
           High
           Treason
           
             As
             the
             late
             Proclamation
             by
             King
             and
             Council
             hath
             also
             fiignifieantly
             declared
             .
             The
             countenancing
             the
             Burning
             of
          
           London
           ,
           
             the
             endeavouring
             to
             alter
             the
             limited
             Monarchy
             into
             a
          
           Despotick
           Rule
           ,
           
             and
             the
             combining
             with
             the
             Papists
             in
             all
             the
             parts
             of
             the
             Late
          
           Plot
           ,
           
             make
             him
             lyable
             to
             the
          
           Ax
           ,
           
             while
             he
             is
             aspiring
             to
             a
          
           Scepter
           .
        
         
           Eightly
           ,
           
             A
             more
             unaccountable
             thing
             yet
             than
             all
             the
             former
             is
             ,
             to
             see
             the
          
           King
           
             so
             far
             concern
             himself
             in
             having
             the
             Succession
             declared
             and
             determined
             .
             For
             it
             is
             not
             usual
             to
             find
             a
             Prince
             appear
             in
             favour
             of
             a
          
           Brother
           ,
           
             when
             so
             many
             are
             in
             the
             Belief
             ,
             that
             he
             hath
             a
          
           Legitimate
           Son
           
             of
             his
             own
             .
             Many
             Kings
             have
             endeavoured
             the
             advancement
             of
             their
          
           Bastard
           
             Children
             ,
             to
             the
             exclusion
             of
             their
             nearest
             Relations
             of
             the
             right
             Blood
             ;
             Only
          
           Charles
           
             the
             2d
             .
             will
             be
             the
             first
             on
             the
             File
             of
             History
             ,
             that
             when
             nothing
             but
             his
             bare
             Word
             was
             needful
             to
             the
             setling
             his
             Dominions
             on
             his
          
           Son
           as
           Legitimately
           
             born
             ,
             He
             alone
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             face
             of
             strong
             suspitions
             to
             the
             contrary
             ,
             would
             insinuate
             him
             to
             be
             only
             his
          
           Natural
           Son
           ,
           
             and
             for
             no
             other
             reason
             but
             that
             he
             would
             gratify
             his
             greatest
             Enemies
             .
             I
             'm
             sure
             we
             read
             of
             few
          
           Kings
           
             that
             ever
             gave
             any
             great
             Countenance
             to
             their
             Brethren
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             their
             presumptive
             Heirs
             ,
             though
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             they
             would
             not
             deprive
             them
             of
             their
             Legal
             Rights
             ,
             providing
             they
             came
             to
             out-live
             them
             .
             Yea
             there
             are
             not
             many
             Ages
             past
             since
             the
             Heir
             apparent's
             being
             only
             attended
             by
             a
             greater
             Train
             than
             the
             King
             then
             reigning
             over
             these
             Kingdoms
             used
             to
             be
             accompanied
             with
             ,
             is
             theught
             to
             have
             given
             that
             jealousy
             to
             the
          
           Father
           
             as
             cost
             the
             young
          
           Gentleman
           
             his
             Life
             .
             Surely
             considering
             the
             present
             posture
             of
             affairs
             ,
             and
             the
             obnoxiousness
             of
             the
             Papists
             to
             the
             Law
             ,
             for
             their
             many
             and
             continued
             Conspiracies
             against
             his
             Majesties
             Person
             ,
             the
             Lives
             of
             the
             People
             ,
             the
             Protestant
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             Peace
             and
             Safety
             of
             the
             Government
             ,
             it
             were
             the
             King
             and
             Kingdoms
             Interest
             to
             have
             the
          
           D.
           of
           Y
           
             '
             s.
             Title
             (
             as
             to
             his
             Succeeding
             to
             the
             Crown
             )
             to
             be
             left
             undetermined
             and
             doubtful
             .
             Nor
             can
             any
             thing
             so
             effectually
             conduce
             both
             to
             the
             Kings
             own
             Security
             ,
             and
             that
             
             of
             his
          
           Protestant
           Subjects
           ,
           
             as
             to
             leave
             the
          
           D.
           of
           Ys.
           
             under
             a
             Belief
             ,
             that
             should
             the
             King
             be
             taken
             away
             ,
             there
             is
             one
             still
             behind
             ,
             that
             can
             dispute
             the
             Crown
             with
             him
             .
             Nor
             can
             the
          
           D.
           of
           Y.
           
             pursuing
             the
             having
             the
             Right
             of
             Succession
             at
             this
             time
             setled
             ,
             intimate
             less
             to
             considering
             persons
             ,
             but
             that
             the
             Papists
             entertain
             new
             Designs
             against
             his
             Majesties
             Life
             ,
             and
             that
             only
             they
             want
             such
             a
          
           Declaration
           
             for
             the
             hastening
             of
             the
             Execution
             of
             them
             .
             Your
          
           Lordship
           
             knows
             that
          
           Q.
           Elizabeth
           
             would
             never
             positively
             name
             her
             Succes●our
             ,
             though
             often
             importtned
             by
          
           Parliaments
           
             so
             to
             do
             ;
             for
             she
             very
             well
             understood
             ,
             that
             if
             this
             had
             been
             once
             done
             ,
             she
             should
             afterwards
             Reign
             only
             by
             his
             courtesie
             ,
             and
             owe
             the
             remain
             of
             her
             Life
             ,
             and
             the
             Peace
             of
             the
             Government
             to
             his
             Grace
             and
             Favour
             whom
             she
             had
             published
             for
             presumptive
             Heir
             .
             And
             truly
             the
          
           Kings
           
             falling
             so
             immedia●ely
             ill
             after
             the
          
           D.
           of
           Y.
           
             had
             so
             errnestly
             solicited
             for
             a
             formal
          
           Declaration
           
             of
             his
             being
             next
             Heir
             to
             the
             Crown
             ,
             occasioned
             some
             mens
             grounds
             of
             Fear
             ,
             that
             his
             dispatch
             is
             not
             only
             resolved
             ,
             but
             the
             Springs
             and
             Causes
             of
             it
             disposed
             before
             ,
             and
             that
             all
             things
             being
             ripe
             ,
             this
             was
             meerly
             contrived
             to
             facilitate
             the
          
           Dukes
           
             Enterance
             upon
             the
             Government
          
           .
        
         
           In
           brief
           matters
           are
           arrived
           at
           that
           pass
           ,
           that
           the
           Papists
           cannot
           suffer
           the
           King
           to
           continue
           ,
           and
           the
           Duke
           and
           they
           long
           escape
           the
           demerit
           of
           their
           actions
           .
           For
           as
           his
           Majesty
           cannot
           subsist
           nor
           preserve
           the
           Reputation
           of
           his
           Crown
           and
           Government
           ,
           many
           months
           longer
           without
           a
           Parliament
           ,
           no
           more
           can
           they
           ,
           through
           the
           number
           ,
           quality
           and
           palpableness
           of
           their
           Crimes
           bear
           one
           .
           So
           that
           the
           necessity
           of
           their
           Affaires
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           their
           Inclinations
           ,
           seconded
           by
           their
           Principles
           ,
           oblige
           them
           by
           one
           means
           or
           another
           to
           remove
           him
           .
           Wherein
           if
           they
           succeed
           ,
           as
           I
           see
           no
           rational
           foundation
           of
           Judging
           but
           that
           they
           will
           ,
           there
           is
           nothing
           remains
           towards
           the
           preserving
           our
           Religion
           ,
           Lives
           and
           Liberties
           ,
           but
           to
           endeavour
           according
           to
           the
           Vote
           and
           
             Resolve
             of
             the
             last
             Parliament
             ,
             to
             revenge
             his
             Death
             upon
             the
             Papists
             .
          
           'T
           is
           true
           the
           King
           would
           not
           be
           prevailed
           upon
           by
           any
           Importunities
           (
           though
           frequently
           made
           by
           the
           D.
           at
           the
           Board
           on
           Wednesday
           last
           )
           to
           order
           a
           Councel-Table
           Declaration
           in
           favour
           of
           Yorks
           right
           to
           Succeed
           in
           case
           His
           Majesty
           should
           dye
           before
           him
           ,
           yet
           the
           business
           would
           appear
           to
           be
           so
           far
           gone
           ,
           and
           all
           things
           so
           disposed
           already
           in
           prospect
           of
           what
           they
           in
           end
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           without
           hazarding
           their
           whole
           concernements
           recall
           th●mselves
           from
           the
           purpose
           of
           murdering
           him
           .
           Yea
           the
           Kings
           not
           gratifying
           the
           Dake
           in
           his
           so
           often
           repeated
           suit
           ,
           will
           now
           serve
           only
           to
           possess
           them
           with
           apprehensions
           of
           jealousie
           and
           make
           them
           accelerate
           rather
           than
           delay
           the
           wickedness
           .
           'T
           is
           possible
           they
           may
           foresee
           that
           it
           will
           be
           accompanied
           with
           greater
           hazards
           than
           it
           would
           have
           been
           ,
           could
           they
           have
           compassed
           that
           Business
           .
           But
           they
           are
           gone
           past
           reteat
           ,
           and
           must
           either
           perish
           by
           the
           Sword
           of
           Iustice
           ,
           or
           seek
           to
           protect
           
           themselves
           ,
           by
           destroying
           the
           King.
           And
           though
           this
           failure
           give
           them
           greater
           apprehensions
           that
           they
           must
           seek
           their
           safety
           by
           recourse
           to
           force
           ,
           than
           there
           would
           have
           been
           cause
           for
           ,
           had
           the
           Duke
           obtained
           such
           a
           Declaration
           ;
           yet
           men
           in
           their
           circumstances
           ,
           and
           where
           there
           is
           no
           Medium
           ,
           will
           choose
           rather
           to
           venture
           the
           being
           slain
           in
           the
           field
           ,
           than
           hang'd
           on
           a
           Gibbet
           ,
           or
           to
           have
           their
           Heads
           cut
           off
           upon
           a
           Block
           .
        
         
           Ninethly
           ,
           As
           I
           know
           not
           who
           dare
           proclaim
           the
           D.
           of
           Y.
           should
           the
           K
           depart
           this
           life
           before
           him
           ,
           seeing
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           in
           a
           Bill
           ,
           twice
           read
           and
           past
           ,
           have
           made
           it
           not
           only
           Capital
           ,
           but
           Treasonable
           to
           do
           it
           ;
           So
           if
           my
           Information
           do
           not
           greatly
           deceive
           me
           .
           The
           D.
           of
           M.
           before
           he
           was
           taken
           rom
           his
           Mother
           in
           Holland
           and
           carried
           to
           Paris
           ,
           went
           for
           ,
           and
           was
           acknowledged
           as
           
             Prince
             of
             Wales
          
           .
           And
           consequently
           to
           undermine
           this
           Title
           ,
           if
           in
           the
           issue
           he
           should
           prove
           so
           ,
           is
           not
           less
           than
           Trea
           on
           by
           the
           Statute
           .
           And
           your
           Honour
           knows
           ,
           that
           though
           the
           King
           's
           Affirmative
           might
           be
           of
           some
           significancy
           ,
           towards
           the
           Declaration
           of
           his
           Legittimacy
           ,
           and
           corroberation
           of
           his
           Right
           to
           the
           Imperial
           Crown
           ,
           yet
           his
           Negative
           imports
           just
           nothing
           ,
           when
           confronted
           with
           positive
           Evidence
           to
           the
           contrary
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           Whereas
           the
           Partisans
           and
           Parasites
           of
           the
           D.
           of
           Y.
           would
           have
           it
           judged
           too
           great
           a
           reproach
           upon
           the
           King
           ,
           that
           ever
           he
           should
           be
           thought
           to
           have
           married
           a
           person
           of
           so
           low
           a
           quality
           as
           
             Madam
             Walters
          
           ;
           they
           do
           but
           in
           that
           discover
           at
           once
           their
           small
           acquaintance
           with
           History
           ,
           and
           either
           their
           want
           of
           memory
           or
           ingenuity
           in
           what
           concerns
           his
           
             R
             H.
          
           Your
           Lordship
           doth
           very
           well
           know
           ,
           that
           Edw.
           4.
           though
           actually
           in
           the
           Throne
           ,
           and
           withal
           a
           Magnanimous
           and
           Victorious
           Prince
           ;
           yet
           he
           Married
           an
           ordinary
           Gentlewoman
           ,
           and
           she
           not
           only
           one
           of
           his
           own
           Subjects
           ,
           but
           the
           Relict
           of
           a
           former
           Husband
           ,
           and
           the
           Widow
           of
           an
           Enemy
           to
           his
           Crown
           and
           Family
           .
           Whereas
           the
           King
           when
           supposed
           to
           have
           married
           the
           D.
           of
           M's
           .
           Mother
           was
           actually
           in
           Exile
           ;
           the
           utmost
           of
           his
           Possessions
           lying
           in
           some
           saint
           hopes
           ,
           which
           his
           Right
           to
           the
           English
           Throne
           administred
           unto
           him
           .
           And
           as
           it
           is
           not
           improbable
           but
           that
           he
           found
           it
           necessary
           to
           marry
           rather
           than
           by
           taking
           another
           course
           to
           alienate
           the
           minds
           of
           those
           further
           from
           him
           ,
           whose
           love
           it
           was
           his
           Interest
           to
           recover
           ;
           So
           the
           deplorableness
           of
           his
           condition
           at
           that
           time
           gave
           him
           small
           incouragement
           to
           demand
           in
           Marriage
           any
           that
           was
           the
           Daughter
           of
           a
           neighbouring
           King
           or
           Monarch
           .
           Nor
           is
           it
           difficult
           to
           conceive
           how
           far
           the
           Wit
           ,
           Beauty
           ,
           and
           Air
           of
           such
           a
           Lady
           as
           
             Madam
             Walters
          
           was
           ,
           might
           prevail
           upon
           and
           entangle
           a
           young
           Prince
           both
           naturally
           Amorous
           ,
           and
           always
           an
           admirer
           of
           such
           Qualifications
           .
           Nay
           ,
           My
           Lord
           ,
           though
           the
           D
           of
           Y.
           hath
           been
           twice
           Married
           ,
           and
           when
           in
           much
           better
           circumstances
           than
           the
           King
           then
           was
           ;
           yet
           he
           hath
           no
           great
           cause
           of
           beating
           himself
           upon
           the
           Antiquity
           or
           Greatness
           of
           the
           Families
           into
           which
           he
           hath
           Matched
           .
           For
           ,
           I
           'm
           sure
           neither
           of
           his
           Dutchesses
           derived
           their
           Descent
           from
           so
           eminent
           a
           Pedigree
           or
           of
           that
           Figure
           in
           Heraldry
           ,
           as
           the
           D.
           of
           
           M's
           .
           Mother
           proceeded
           from
           .
           They
           are
           great
           Strangers
           in
           England
           ,
           who
           do
           not
           know
           that
           her
           Father
           was
           a
           Gentleman
           of
           an
           old
           
             Brittish
             Linage
          
           ,
           and
           stood
           possessed
           of
           a
           much
           airer
           Estate
           ,
           than
           the
           late
           Lord
           Chancellor
           Hide
           was
           ever
           born
           unto
           .
           And
           though
           I
           will
           cast
           no
           Reflection
           upon
           his
           Acquisitions
           ,
           yet
           this
           may
           be
           affirmed
           with
           modesty
           ,
           That
           he
           was
           more
           indebted
           to
           the
           favour
           of
           his
           Prince
           for
           them
           ,
           than
           any
           extraordinary
           meirit
           in
           himself
           ,
           or
           recommendation
           by
           the
           Dignity
           and
           Services
           of
           his
           Ancestors
           .
           And
           one
           would
           think
           the
           returns
           he
           made
           unto
           his
           Majesty
           in
           more
           than
           a
           thousand
           Instances
           ,
           should
           not
           render
           the
           King
           very
           fond
           of
           transmitting
           the
           Crown
           to
           his
           Off-s●pring
           .
        
         
         
           My
           Lord
           ,
           having
           endeavoured
           to
           obey
           you
           in
           one
           of
           your
           Commands
           ,
           I
           shall
           in
           the
           next
           place
           apply
           my self
           to
           the
           consideration
           of
           your
           second
           .
           And
           to
           ease
           your
           Lordship
           of
           all
           unnecessary
           and
           superfluous
           trouble
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           entertain
           with
           any
           long
           Character
           of
           Sir
           
             Gilbert
             Gerrard
          
           ,
           as
           presuming
           that
           that
           Gentleman
           is
           fully
           known
           unto
           you
           .
           All
           I
           shall
           therefore
           say
           concerning
           him
           is
           ,
           That
           he
           is
           still
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           same
           Principles
           he
           was
           when
           he
           suffered
           so
           much
           for
           the
           King
           in
           the
           late
           Times
           That
           is
           ,
           
             He
             is
             a
             Loyal
             Subject
             ,
             a
             good
             Protestant
             ,
             and
             a
             true
             English
             man
             ;
             one
             who
             will
             Obey
             his
             Prince
             as
             far
             as
             Conscience
             ,
             Law
             ,
             and
             Honour
             will
             allow
             him
             ,
             but
             will
             sacrifice
             none
             of
             these
             ,
             neither
             upon
             Mercinary
             terms
             ,
             n●r
             to
             avoid
             impendent
             dangers
             .
          
           And
           as
           it
           were
           happy
           for
           the
           King
           ,
           were
           all
           his
           Subjects
           of
           that
           Figure
           ,
           so
           it
           would
           greatly
           redound
           to
           the
           Honour
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           to
           have
           all
           her
           Members
           of
           that
           Complexion
           and
           Temper
           .
           Nor
           ought
           his
           being
           put
           out
           of
           the
           Commission
           of
           the
           Peace
           be
           construed
           as
           any
           Reflection
           upon
           him
           ,
           seeing
           he
           hath
           so
           many
           worthy
           and
           deserving
           Persons
           ,
           in
           all
           the
           Counties
           of
           England
           sharers
           with
           him
           in
           the
           same
           Fortune
           .
           What
           the
           occasion
           of
           that
           treatment
           was
           ,
           your
           Lordship
           fully
           understands
           ,
           tho
           you
           were
           no
           way
           interested
           in
           the
           Affair
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           to
           be
           hoped
           that
           the
           King
           may
           in
           Time
           discover
           the
           pernitiousness
           of
           those
           Counsels
           which
           both
           prevented
           his
           hearkening
           to
           the
           humble
           Entreaties
           of
           many
           of
           his
           People
           ,
           and
           have
           influenced
           him
           to
           disoblige
           a
           great
           number
           of
           his
           best
           Subjects
           .
           ●'m
           sure
           ,
           both
           his
           Majesty
           and
           the
           Kingdom
           do
           already
           sensibly
           suffer
           by
           it
           ,
           while
           the
           Gentlemen
           themselves
           ,
           are
           only
           discharged
           from
           a
           burthen
           .
           There
           may
           possibly
           be
           some
           mean
           souls
           who
           covet
           being
           in
           the
           Commission
           ,
           to
           obtain
           a
           respect
           in
           their
           Country
           ,
           or
           to
           make
           a
           gain
           by
           their
           Office
           and
           Employment
           ,
           but
           Sir
           G●lbert
           with
           those
           other
           Gentlemen
           who
           are
           in
           the
           same
           predicament
           with
           him
           are
           persons
           ,
           who
           in
           their
           greatest
           privacies
           ,
           can
           command
           a
           deference
           from
           all
           about
           them
           ,
           and
           whom
           God
           hath
           blessed
           both
           with
           Estates
           and
           Minds
           which
           exalt
           them
           above
           the
           temptations
           off
           fees
           for
           Wararnts
           ,
           or
           Gratuities
           for
           connivance
           at
           the
           breach
           of
           his
           Majesties
           Lawes
           .
        
         
           But
           my
           Lord
           that
           I
           may
           give
           you
           the
           better
           the
           History
           of
           this
           Transaction
           ,
           or
           rather
           fairce
           concerning
           
             Sir
             Gilbert
             Gerrards
          
           appearing
           before
           the
           Councel
           ;
           you
           may
           be
           pleased
           to
           know
           that
           he
           was
           sent
           for
           by
           a
           letter
           under
           the
           hand
           of
           my
           
             Lord
             Sunder-land
          
           requiring
           him
           to
           come
           immediately
           up
           And
           because
           a
           Miss●ve
           by
           the
           Post
           might
           have
           too
           much
           preserved
           the
           Priviledg
           of
           a
           Member
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           intimated
           too
           great
           a
           respect
           to
           a
           Gentlman
           whose
           Brother
           had
           lost
           his
           life
           for
           owning
           his
           Majesties
           interest
           under
           
             Oliver
             Cromwel
          
           ,
           and
           himself
           undergone
           costly
           and
           severe
           imprisonements
           ;
           there
           was
           a
           Creature
           stiled
           a
           Gentelman
           Usher
           ordered
           to
           carry
           the
           Letter
           and
           to
           bring
           him
           to
           Whit-Hall
           .
        
         
           Now
           though
           
             Sir
             Gilbert
          
           ,
           was
           hardly
           recovered
           from
           a
           fit
           of
           the
           Stone
           ,
           and
           remained
           confined
           by
           weakness
           to
           his
           Chamber
           when
           these
           Blades
           arrived
           at
           his
           House
           ;
           yet
           he
           immediately
           complyed
           with
           the
           message
           and
           addressed
           himself
           to
           his
           Journey
           with
           all
           the
           expedition
           he
           could
           ,
           thereby
           testifying
           at
           once
           his
           obedience
           to
           his
           Majestie
           and
           the
           security
           he
           enj●yed
           in
           his
           own
           mind
           as
           to
           his
           innocency
           though
           he
           knew
           not
           what
           he
           was
           sent
           for
           Being
           come
           to
           the
           Court
           ,
           instead
           of
           meeting
           with
           my
           Lord
           Sunderland
           ,
           there
           was
           an
           order
           left
           for
           the
           conducting
           him
           to
           
             Mr.
             Coventry
          
           who
           was
           then
           the
           other
           Secretary
           of
           State
           ,
           though
           he
           hath
           since
           resinged
           to
           
             Sir.
             Leyonel
             Ienkins
          
           .
           But
           whereas
           every
           rationalman
           wou●d
           have
           apprehended
           that
           a
           Parliament
           man
           being
           seised
           and
           brought
           so
           far
           prisoner
           within
           the
           time
           of
           priviledg
           ,
           could
           have
           been
           questioned
           concerning
           nothing
           less
           than
           a
           Plot
           to
           assasinate
           the
           King
           ,
           or
           a
           Conspiracy
           of
           Levying
           War
           against
           the
           Government
           ;
           
           yet
           all
           he
           was
           interrogated
           about
           was
           if
           the
           late
           
             Lord
             of
             Durham
          
           had
           at
           any
           time
           entrusted
           him
           with
           a
           
             Black
             Box
          
           ,
           containing
           a
           Contract
           of
           Marraige
           between
           the
           King
           and
           the
           Duke
           of
           Monmouths
           Mothe●
           ,
           or
           whether
           he
           had
           seen
           any
           such
           Contract
           .
           You
           may
           easily
           apprehend
           that
           he
           was
           not
           a
           little
           surprised
           after
           all
           the
           fatigue
           and
           expence
           they
           had
           put
           him
           unto
           ,
           to
           find
           himself
           examined
           in
           relation
           to
           so
           ridiculous
           and
           Romantick
           a
           story
           .
           However
           being
           obliged
           to
           make
           a
           civil
           Answer
           ,
           he
           told
           the
           Secretary
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           neither
           entrusted
           with
           such
           a
           Box
           ,
           nor
           had
           so
           much
           as
           heard
           of
           such
           a
           Contract
           ,
           Which
           Reply
           of
           Sir
           
           Gilbert's
           being
           recorded
           in
           writing
           ,
           Mr
           ,
           Coventry
           was
           pleased
           to
           tell
           him
           (
           by
           what
           Warranty
           we
           may
           possibly
           know
           some
           other
           time
           )
           that
           he
           was
           obliged
           both
           to
           subscribe
           it
           and
           to
           ratify
           it
           by
           an
           Oath
           .
           Sir
           Gilbert
           being
           more
           amazed
           than
           before
           ,
           replyed
           ,
           That
           as
           he
           little
           imagined
           that
           he
           had
           been
           sent
           for
           upon
           a
           business
           of
           that
           nature
           ,
           seeing
           he
           knew
           no
           reason
           why
           his
           name
           should
           be
           interested
           in
           it
           ,
           so
           he
           wou'd
           neither
           set
           his
           Hand
           to
           the
           Answer
           he
           had
           given
           ,
           nor
           take
           his
           Oath
           to
           confirm
           it
           .
           And
           indeed
           he
           had
           reason
           for
           what
           he
           said
           ,
           for
           how
           could
           he
           know
           but
           that
           this
           might
           be
           a
           leading
           Queston
           to
           something
           else
           ,
           for
           whosoever
           had
           invented
           that
           fabulous
           story
           ,
           might
           with
           as
           much
           truth
           and
           with
           more
           sence
           have
           charged
           him
           with
           some
           criminal
           matter
           .
           Accordingly
           in
           stead
           of
           contrasting
           it
           further
           with
           Mr.
           Coventry
           ,
           he
           only
           asked
           whether
           he
           was
           sent
           for
           thither
           ,
           and
           taken
           into
           Custody
           as
           a
           Criminal
           ,
           To
           which
           the
           Secretary
           is
           reported
           to
           have
           returned
           ,
           That
           he
           had
           no
           other
           directions
           than
           to
           ask
           him
           the
           fore-going
           Question
           ,
           which
           he
           endeavoured
           by
           many
           Arguments
           to
           have
           obtained
           his
           Reply
           unto
           under
           Oath
           ,
           But
           Sir
           Gilbert
           wholly
           declining
           to
           swear
           ,
           and
           representing
           that
           he
           had
           come
           a
           long
           and
           tedious
           Journey
           whereof
           he
           was
           weary
           ,
           desired
           to
           know
           how
           he
           should
           be
           disposed
           of
           .
           Whereupon
           he
           was
           told
           that
           he
           might
           go
           to
           his
           Lodging
           provided
           he
           would
           promise
           to
           attend
           the
           King
           and
           Counsel
           the
           Monday
           following
           .
           Where
           having
           at
           the
           time
           made
           his
           appearance
           ,
           he
           was
           called
           in
           after
           that
           the
           judges
           had
           been
           there
           a
           quarter
           of
           an
           hour
           before
           〈◊〉
           And
           then
           his
           Majesty
           〈◊〉
           〈◊〉
           to
           〈◊〉
           him
           that
           he
           was
           not
           sent
           for
           thither
           to
           be
           charged
           with
           any
           Crime
           but
           only
           to
           make
           Oath
           whether
           the
           late
           Bishop
           of
           Durham
           had
           not
           consigned
           to
           him
           a
           
             Black
             Box
          
           ,
           wherein
           was
           contained
           a
           Contract
           of
           Marriage
           betwixt
           his
           Majesty
           and
           the
           D.
           of
           M's
           .
           Mother
           .
           To
           which
           having
           replyed
           as
           before
           ,
           and
           withall
           excused
           himself
           from
           taking
           any
           Oath
           in
           such
           cases
           wherein
           the
           Law
           had
           not
           prescribed
           .
           There
           were
           many
           Arguments
           used
           to
           perswade
           him
           ,
           and
           long
           Harangues
           representing
           the
           mischievous
           consequences
           which
           a
           doubtful
           Title
           might
           occasion
           .
           But
           he
           insisting
           upon
           the
           Rights
           of
           an
           Englishman
           ,
           namely
           that
           he
           ought
           not
           be
           required
           to
           swear
           but
           in
           such
           Cases
           as
           the
           Law
           did
           appoint
           ,
           all
           the
           Judges
           ,
           and
           in
           conjunction
           with
           them
           ,
           my
           
             Lord
             Chancellour
          
           ,
           gave
           their
           Opinion
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           obliged
           by
           the
           Law
           to
           take
           his
           Oath
           in
           a
           matter
           of
           this
           great
           moment
           threatned
           the
           Nation
           which
           no
           less
           than
           what
           fell
           out
           between
           the
           Houses
           of
           York
           and
           Lancaster
           Which
           accordingly
           he
           did
           ,
           to
           the
           purport
           already
           intimated
           ,
           viz.
           That
           he
           knew
           no
           such
           thing
           as
           a
           
             Black
             Box
          
           ,
           nor
           any
           thing
           relating
           to
           such
           a
           Contract
           of
           Marriage
           as
           he
           was
           then
           interrogated
           about
           .
           Now
           ,
           my
           Lord
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           how
           a
           Gentleman
           could
           have
           carried
           it
           with
           more
           True
           ,
           Courage
           and
           Honour
           ,
           than
           Sir
           Gilbert
           did
           .
           For
           ,
           as
           the
           Opinion
           of
           the
           Judges
           were
           to
           over-rule
           him
           as
           to
           what
           was
           Law
           ,
           so
           only
           a
           Parliament
           is
           capable
           of
           judging
           whether
           they
           acted
           consonantly
           to
           their
           Duty
           .
           And
           till
           that
           happy
           hour
           come
           ,
           commend
           your
           Lordship
           to
           the
           divine
           Protection
           ,
           And
           am
           ,
        
         
           
             London
             ,
             
               May
               ,
               15.
               1680.
               
            
          
           
             My
             Lord
             ,
             Your
             most
             humble
             Servant
             ,