THE EXAMINATION OF Francisco de Faria, Delivered at the BAR of the HOUSE OF COMMONS, Monday the First day of November. 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.  
Reprinted 1680.   

THF INFORMATION OF FRANCISCO de FARIA,  
Born in America, Son of John de Faria a Jew, of St. Giles in the Fields Gent. Taken upon Oath before Me Edmund Warcupp Esq; one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace in the said County and City, in presence of John Arnold Esq; by command of the Right Honourable the Lord's Committees, for Discovery of the late Popish Plot. 26. October. 1680.  
THis Informant saith, That, being a Limner in Antwerp in Flanders, in the year 1675. by the persuasion of Three of the Sisters of Sir George Wakeman then in the Nunnery of Sta. Teresia, and of Father Worsely a Jesuit, he became a Roman Catholic, and often communicated at his hand. And the said Worseley then persuaded this Informant to come into England, and he would make this Informant happy, and then gave this Informant 35 pistols in Gold, to bear this Informantes charges for England. But this Informant did not immediately follow him to England, but took up Arms, and was a Captain Lieutenant under Colonel Montgomery, in the Prince of Orangs Service, where he practised to make and throw hand-Granadoes, and grew to some note for that Service; and in the year 1678 this Informant being in England, and well versed in Seven or Eight Languages was preferred to be Interpreter and Secretary of Languages to Gaspar Abrew de Freitas Ambassador in ordinary from the Prince of Portugal to the King of England. To which Ambassador this Informant had been known for many years before, and the said Ambassador among other things, acquainted this Informant, that Don Francisco do Melos the late Ambassador that died here was much out of favour with the Prince of Portugal, for that he had in disercetly pushed on, the promotion of the Catholic Religion before a due time, and had caused several Popish Books to be Printed in English, which had given too great alarm, with many other things relating to the Popish Religion, which he greatly condemned him for; And the said Ambassador, to endear this Informant, did often give him Money and entrusted him in Affairs of the greatest Moment, and carried this Informant with him, to all or most of the great Ministers of State in England, using him for his Interpreter; and employed this Informant to resort to several Persons for an account of the Orders and Passages in the King's Council, of all which the said Ambassador usua lie had an account within an hour after the rising of the Council, or any Committees. And the said Ambassador, much about the time of the Trial of the Five jesuits, expressing a great sorrow for the oppressing of the Catholics, did wish that Oats and Bedlow were made away; And then commanded this Informant to go to Mass and Confession, and then told this Informant, that he might do the Catholic Cause great Service, and might make his own Fortune if he would join in destroying Oats and Bedlow, and that 50000 Reales d'ocho should be given for that Service, and that two sufficient men should join with this Informant for the Killing of Oats and Bedlow; But the said Bedlow being about that time in Ireland the said Murder was deferred, and a repert being spread, that Bedlow was dead in Ireland, the said Lord Ambassador said to this Informant, What a Fool were you! had you killed him, you had gained that Money which I promised: But afterwards understanding that Bedlow was not dead, the said Ambassador renewed his Solicitations to this Informant to prosecute the death of Oats & Bedlow, assuring this Informant, That he would make good his promise of the said Sum of Money to them, which should kill them; That he would besides, pay this Informants Debts, and take this Informant with him into Portugal. Upon which Discourse this Informant took the boldness to tell the Ambassador, That the Death of Godfrey had done much hurt to the Catholic Interest, & he much feared, that the Death of Oats and Bedlow would bring greater hurt. To which the Ambassador, replied, he feared not that; and if Oats and Bedlow and Shaftsbury were out of the way, the Parliament might come when they please. Whereupon this Informant asked, How shall Shaftsbury be killed? He replied, Lord Shaftsbury goes often into the country, and I know you are excellent at hand-Granadoes, you shall throw one of them into Shaftsbury's Coach, which will destroy all that are in the Coach upon the breaking, and you and your Companions shall also have Fire Arms to kill, if the other do not full Execution. And the Ambassador added, that he had provided Two other Persons, Men of Honour, to join with this Informant in that Service, but na●ed them not, not the reward that was promised to be given for it; And then Ordered this Informant to provide a Man who ● could speak French and Dutch to carry a Letter into Flanders; Whereupon this Informant applied himself to one Salter, who keeps a Sempster's Shop in Drury-Lane, to carry the Letter: Who saying, he could not go, because he had Horses lame; which this Informant's Servant observing, said Sir, If you please my Husband shall go; But this Informant refused him as not speaking French, nor acquainted with the Country. And this Informant did (according to the Ambassadors Order) offer the said Salter ●0. l. to undertake the Journey, because he was acquainted with the Country, etc.  
February last passed, the said Ambassador lest England, and returned to Portugal, leaving this Informant on a sudden with very little Money, after his many promises to take this Informant with him into Portugal, and to get the Prince to provide plentifully for him in Portugal. Upon which this Informant recollecting the said former passages, and fearing lest he should beaccused, though Innocent, went to his own Father, declaring the offers made to this Informant for the kill the Persons aforesaid; but his Father and Mother advised him to throw Ashes upon it, for none that have discovered are secure, because some are of one mind and some of another; And this informant then left a Note with his Mother, signifying that if this informant were killed, it must be by the Portugals, and he would lay his Death to them, because of the passages aforesaid; and did the like with Mrs. Mary Seares, who finding this informant in a very disturbed condition, observing that in his Frenzy sits he spoke of the Death of Oats, Bedlow and Shaftsbury; so far prevailed with this informant when out of his Frenzy sits, as to make him relate the whole Story to her, who then persuaded this Informant to keep all secret, lest he brought himself into Troubles. But this Informant hearing about the 6th. of April last, That a certain Gentleman of Note was wounded almost to Death, did recollect that one Wyard had tempted him to Bastinado such a kind of Person, which this Informant had before, viz.  
In the beginning of March, told unto the said Mrs. Mary Seares, for an account whereof this Informant refers himself to his Information taken before Sir Philip Mathews, a Copy whereof this Informant delivered this day to the said Committee of Lords: And this Informant did also repair about the first of May last to the Earl of Clarendon, and in writing gave the said Earl under his hand, a Paper containing the matter about the wounding the said Gentleman, and hopes the said Earl will produce the said Paper, to which this Informant refers. To which this informant added by word of Mouth, That the Earl of Shaftsbury was in danger of his Life: to which Earl this Informant repaired, because he was going into Flanders, and fearing he might be accused for the wounding of the said Gentleman, during his absence, That that writing delivered to the Earl of Clarendon might clear his Innocency; And this Informant farther saith, That the Lady Abergavenny sent for this Informant into Lincolns-Inn-fields this last Summer was a twelve month; And then told this Informant, the Lord Powjs would speak with him in the Tower: To which this Informant answered, He would; but acquainting the said Ambassador therewith, His excellency forbidden him to go: Wherewith this Informant also acquainted the said Earl of Clarendon, who seemed to know the Lady Abergavenny, saying, She was his Neighbour; and he farther saith, That a certain person came to the Ambassador, and in this Informants presence told the Ambassador That one Robert's Porter to the water-gate at  was apprehended, upon which this Informant observed the Ambassador to look very pale, & thereupon a●ked the Ambassador, My Lord, Is he concerned in this business with me? To which the Ambassador replied, He is a man of Courage, and will undertake any thing.  
And in May last, this Informants Brother, Abraham de Faria coming to London, this Informant told the Ambassador of it; who asked if he were a Catholic: and being answered thereto, His Excellency asked if he were a man of Courage. Whereunto this Informant replied We are all well born & bred. And his Lordship replied I would have him in this Affair with is, were Isare of him: And Commanded this Informant to send him to him, this Informant told his said Brother, that the Ambassador would speak with him. But this Informant was not with him when he went to the Ambassador, nor knoweth what passed between And this Informant saith, that upon the day of Sir George Wakeman's Trial, the Ambassador sent him in his Coach to wait upon the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, and sent up word by one of his Gentlemen, That one from the Portugal Ambassador would speak with him. The servant brought answer, That he could not see the Ambassador that day, because he should be engaged upon the Trial of Sir George Wakeman all the day. Which the Ambassador being acquainted with, his Lordship sent this Informant to hear the Trial. And this Informant stood by Sir George all the time, and gave him White paper to Write upon: and employed one Mr. Cooper a Scrivener in Drury-Lane to take in Writing the Trial, and gave him 20 s. for his pains: which this Informant delivered to the Ambassador; who immediately sent it to the Queen then at Windsor: with which, and a Letter, this Informant should have gone to Windsor, had he not been very weary. And the same night this Informant was sent to Sir George Wakeman: in St. Martins-Lane, to Compliment him on the Ambassadors part: but he was not then come to his Lodging in St. Martins-Lane.  
So this Informant went next morning, and found him in bed with his Wife, and (as this Informant was Commanded) told him from the Ambassador, That his Fortune and Estate was at his Service, and so was his Prince 's; and the Prayers of the good Catholics have prevailed for your delivery; and we are all bound to Sir Philip Lloyd for his Generosity to you at the Trial: and we are all bound to pray for him. Whereunto Sir George Wakeman replied, If it had not been for him, I had not been saved: & so we are all bound to pray for him. And I pray return my Lord many thanks for his Offers: and that he would wait on his Excellency that very day, to give him thanks for his Favours: but that he must first go to Windsor, to wait on the Queen: but at his return he would wait on his Excellency. And Sir George then took this Informant by the hand, and said, I am sorry, Mr. Faria, that I had not the happiness to speak with you before: For I am informed what a man you are; and that you could do great Service for the Catholics: But alas! it is now too late. Thence this Informant went again by Order, to the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, to know when my Lord Ambassador should visit him. The Lord Scroggs answered, that the Ambassador would do him great Honour to visit him, but he was that day to go out of Town by one of the Clock. Wherewith the Ambassador being acquainted, he went about Twelve in his Sedan, with a Coach of State, wherein this Informant was, to the Lord Scroggs in Chancery-Lane, The Compliment was in Portugueze (and this Informant Interpreted) to this effect: My Lord, I come to visit you as you are a Minister of State; and am sent as Ambassador from the Prince of Portugal, to the King of Great Britain, and am directed to visit you and am likewise to thank you for the Justice you have done yesterday to Sir George Wakeman. To which the Lord Scroggs answered, I am placed to do Justice, and will not be kerbed by the Vulgar, and so I thank your Prince, and yourself for the Great Honour you have done me. And this Informant farther saith, That a Portugueze came to him, when the Earl of Ossory was to go for Tangier, offering this Informant, that he might go with the said Earl, as his Interpreter, and should have 300 l. per annum for his pains. But this Informant reflecting, that the sum offered was too big for that Service believed this was a Snare to take away his Life. The same Portugueze offered him to go for Flanders, where Monsieur Fonsec might prefer him to the Prince of Parma. But he looked upon that as a Snare also, & therefore refused. And this Informant saith, That about 6 months ago he was assaulted by two unknown Persons, with their Swordsdrawn; but he happily escaped from them. And farther saith not. Fra: de Faria. The Information that the said Informant gave to the Lord Clarendon, May 1. 1680. The Information of Francis de Faria of St Giles in the Fields, Com. Midd. Gent. Taken upon Oath before Sir Philip Mathews Bar. One of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said County, Assigned this 15 day of July 1680.  
THis Informant on his Oath saith, That about the latter end of March, or the beginning of April last passed, a Gentleman who called himself Mr. Wyard, came to this Informant at Will's Coffeehouse in Coven-Garden, and spoke very kindly to this Informant, and desired this Informant to go to a Taverens and drink a Glass of Wine with him: Which this Informant consented unto, and went out of the Coffeehouse with him, and desired him to go to the Rose. Taveren in Bridges-street: But he desired to go farther. At the Horse Shoe Tavern this informant desired the said Wyard to go in thither; But he there desired to go farther, and so drilled this Informant on into Grays-Inn Walks: which this Informant consented unto. And in Discourse he there told this Informant, that this Informant had his Fortune in his hand. This Informant asked him, In What? The said Wyard replied, He knew my wants: if you will but Cudgel a man, you shall have 200 l. One Hundred in hand, & the other Hundred when the work or business is done. To which this Informant replied, that that might be done by a Porter for a shilling. To which the said Wyard replied, you may believe, by the Sum that is offered, that there is something more to be done besides Cudgelling. And when you have done, you shall have a better Reward.  
To which this Informant replied, he scorned such unworthy and base proposals; and utterly refused to treat with him about it. Then the said Wyard desired this Informant to go & speak with the Lord Powis in the Tower. To which this Informant answered, That he had no business with the Lord Powis, nor the Lord Powis any with him, as he knew of. who then shown this Informant a Letter from the Lord Powis to this Informant: which Letter was to this effect,  
Mr. de Faria, Come to me to the Tower, and speak with me: but let no body know who you are. The said Mr. Wyard, when he found this Informant utterly refused to go to the Lord Powis, or to treat in the said business any farther, the said Wyard then told this Informant, He would meet this Informant in the same place on the morrow; and would then bring this Informant a Letter from a person of Quality, whose hand this Informant did well know: and that this Informant had Papers then in his pocket, under the said Persons hand. And on the morrow the said Wyard did meet this Informant in the said place, and then shown him a Letter writ in the Portugueze Language, which contained these words being into English Translated.  
Francis,  
Do what this man bids you; for it shall be well done.  
Subscribed G. A. B.  
And this Informant farther saith, That He knew the Hand, and did compare with some Papers he had in his pocket, then signed by the same Hand. But notwithstanding the said Letter, this Informant utterly refused to treat about the said business any farther.  
The said Wyard then desired this Informant to meet him the next day again, and took his leave. And this Informant being desirous to know who the said Wyard was, and where he lay, followed the said Wyard down Chancery-Lane, and into Cursitors-Alley, and into several turn, but lost sight of him. And the next day this Informant went to the same place, to meet the said Wyard, but the said Wyard came not; nor could this Informant ever since find the said Wyard, or hear of him, though he hath made a great and general Enquiry after him: But saith, He could know him again if he could see him. And farther this Informant saith, That He the same day declared unto one Monsieur Camash, That he was offered 200 l. to Cudgel a man. And also saith, That being apprehensive that he might be called in question after Mr. Arnold was Assaulted, the said Monsieur Camash having charged him with it, and with receiving of the said 200 l. This Informant went unto the Right Honourable the Earl of Clarendon, about the first day of May and desired his Honour to take his Information in writing, (this Informant being to go into Flanders) which the said Earl did; and this Informant set his hand to it. And farther at present saith not.  
Signed, Francisco de Faria.  
Jurat coram me,  
Philip Mathews, 15th. July 1680.  
This last Information only was Sworn before Sir Philip Mathews.  
Francisco de Faira.