I Appoint Thomas Newcomb, and Henry Hills, to Print this Information, According to the Order of the HOUSE of COMMONS; And that no other Person presume to Print the same.  
Novemb. 10th 1680. Widow WILLIAMS, Speaker.   

THE INFORMATION OF Robert Jennison Of GRAYS-INN, Gent. Delivered at the BAR of the HOUSE OF COMMONS, Tuesday the Ninth 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.   royal blazon or coat of arms 
C R  HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT 
LONDON, Printed by the Assigns of John Bill, Thomas Newcomb, and Henry Hills, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty, 1680.   

THE INFORMATION OF Robert Jennison OF GRAYS-INN, Gent.  
THis Informant saith, That about the beginning of the Year 1678. he hath heard Mr. Ireland, and Mr. Thomas Jennison, both Jesuits, Discourse of a Design by the Roman Catholics to obtain a Liberty, or a Toleration, for the open Profession of their Religion here in England. And the way he then heard them speak of, was, by Collecting a round Sum of Money among their Party, and by Bribing the greatest part of the then Parliament. This Informant hath likewise heard the two forenamed Persons talk of the securing the Duke of York's Succession, which they told this Informant was to be done by granting our Commissions to those of that Religion, to the end they might be ready to Rise, upon the Death of the King. He hath also heard those, with other Jesuits (viz.) Blunden and Fenwick, Discourse in General Terms, of the Necessity and Usefulness to their Party, of altering the Government Established, and that the Roman Catholic Religion could never be settled in England till that were done, and that the present Government were brought to the French Model.  
In the month of June in the same year, this Informant being at Mr. Ireland's Chamber in Russel-street, , and there happening some Discourse, That the Roman Catholic Religion would suddenly come in, and be owned in England, Mr. Ireland did then say, That there was only One in the way, that hindered that Religion from Flourishing in England again, and that it was an easy matter to Poison the King. That Sir George Wakeman might opportunely and easily do it: And this Informant then demanding if Sir George Wakeman was the King's Physician, Mr. Ireland did to that Question reply, No, but that he was the Queen's, and thence might have an Opportunity to do it.  
In August following, the same day this Informant came from Windsor, (which he hath reason to remember by very good Circumstances) this Informant went to Mr. Ireland's Chamber, where he found him pulling off his Boots upon the Frame of a Table: Who told this Informant, He was newly come by Post from Wolverhampton in Staffordshire, and that this Informant's Relations there were well, and would have been glad to have seen this Informant there: who after a return of Thanks, and some congratulation upon his arrival, told Mr. Ireland he was newly come from Windsor. The said Ireland thereupon enquiring what News from thence, and of the diversion of the Court; the Informant made answer, He understood that his Majesty took much delight in Crow-hawking and Fishing, but chief in the latter, which he used to follow early in the Morning, accompanied with a small Retinue of two or three. Mr. Ireland presently replied, He were easily taken off, or removed. To which this Informant returned and made answer, God forbidden. After some Pause, No, says he, I do not say 'tis lawful. Here happened this Interruption: This Informant then asked Mr. Ireland, seeing he was newly come out of Staffordshire, what his Aunt said concerning a Letter sent to her about two Months before, relating to the same sum, or thereabouts, which this Informant had had in the mean time of him. Mr. Ireland did then make answer, as from her, That she did not think fit to answer it; and further, That the old Gentlewoman was hard enough, and would hold her own. After this he drew down a Discourse concerning Religion, which was shortly to be brought in, and pressed this Informant by divers Arguments to be instrumental in it, urging how Meritorous it would be, and how much to the Glory of God: and thereupon offered to cause the Twenty pound borrowed of him by this Informant, to be remitted, and forgiven him, if he would be Assisting to the Taking off the King, and would be one of those that would go to Windsor about it. But this Informant did answer, That he would not for Twenty times Twenty pound have any hand in the Death of the King. Whereupon the said Ireland replied, Will you do nothing to bring in the Catholic Religion? To which this Informant did say, That he did not believe it would ever come in by Blood. Upon which the said Ireland replied, What! would you not have Religion to Flourish in England again? Whereto this Informant answered, If it were done, if the King were taken off; so, and well; but this Informant said he would have no hand in it. But the said William Ireland not being satisfied with this Informant's Answers, pursued thus, Do you know any Irish men of our Religion, that are stout and courageous? This Informant replied, The Irish Gentlemen were commonly so, and did name Captain Levalin, Mr. Thomas Brahall, Mr. Karney, three Irish men, and Mr. James Wilson, being all Gentlemen that lived in or about Grays-Inn, of whose Names (two of them at the least) the said Ireland took particular notice in Writing, to the best of this Informant's remembrance. And this Informant did then tell the said Ireland, That he believed no men of Estates would be concerned in that Affair, and that he himself was Heir to an Estate (his Brother being a Priest) and he understood that Captain Levalin was Heir to a very good Estate; and therefore this Informant did believe he would have nothing to do in any such matter, unless the Pique which he had to the King might move him to it. And this Informant saith, That after he had, upon the importunity of William Ireland, named unto him Captain Levalin, Mr. Karney, Mr. Brahall, and Mr. James Wilson, to be stout and courageous Gentlemen, the said William Ireland did ask and require this Informant to go down with the said Gentlemen to Windsor, to be assistant in the Taking off the King, which this Informant refused, saying, He would not have any hand in the Death of the King: saying, No men of Estates would engage therein, as this Informant believed. And the said William Ireland did approve of the said four persons named as aforesaid, by this Informant, as fit for the Design; and declared that he knew Mr. Levalin, and Mr. Karney, before this Informant had named them. By the which this Informant did apprehend that he might have communicated with them of the said Design for Windsor, before the nomination aforesaid. And he further saith, At the same time when he came from Windsor, Mr. William Ireland did ask this Informant for the Twenty pound lent unto this Informant upon Bond, although the same was not then due; and further said, He wanted Fourscore pounds, having then occasion for that sum, and this Informant did say, He would return what he owed him, assoon as he should get into the North.  
And this Informant further saith, That nigh two Months after the Mustering the Forces upon Hounslow-Heath, the aforenamed Tho. Jennison told this Informant, He had a matter of great Consequence to impart unto him: adding, That there was a Design on Foot, so laid, as it could not well be discovered, wherein the greatest Catholics in England were Embarked; That the Queen and the Duke were in the Design, and several Lords; by Name the Lord Bellasis, the Lord Powis, the Lord Arundel of Warder; and the said Thomas Jennison did say, That they had often attempted the Lord Treasurer, and at the last had made him theirs: further saying, That it would be of great advantage to this Informant to Embark with them, and that he could not be in greater danger than they: and that he would acquaint this Informant with more particulars after he had received the Sacrament of Secrecy, which he engaged this Informant to do upon the next Holiday, at Sir Philip Tyrrwhits house in Bloomsbury. But this Informant did not receive the Sacrament upon any account whatsoever about the Plot. And this Informant then wishing he had had a Commission in the new Levies, the said Thomas Jennison replied, That he would get him a Commission from the Duke of York; whereunto this Informant returning answer, How could that be, seeing all the Commissions are now granted out, and full? The said Thomas Jennison did then in plain Words tell this Informant, That there was a new Army to be raised for to bring in Religion, but would acquaint this Informant with particulars hereafter, and therefore desired to know of this Informant how he might send him a Commission with safety, he knowing this Informant intended suddenly to go into the Bishopric of Durham: and as this Informant remembers, this Commission was not to be sent until the Taking off the King was effected; whereat this Informant was surprised; but Thomas Jennison did say, He could tell him Things more at large, after his receiving the Sacrament of Secrecy. And this Informant further saith, That upon the day that this Informant received the Twenty pound lent unto him, he went with the said Thomas Jennison to Mr. William Harcourt's Chamber in Dukes-street, to return Thanks for the Obligation in consenting to lend the Money. Mr. Thomas Jennison falling upon that common Topick, that Religion would suddenly come in, he did express himself as Dr. Oates hath it in his Narrative (viz.) If C. R. would not be R. C. he should not long be C. R. which he interpreted, Si Carolus Rex non esset Rex Catholicus, non foret diu Carolus Rex.; which was not the first time this Informant heard that quibbling expression from the said Thomas Jennison, who further then added upon Discourse, That the King being Excommunicated, and Deposed; he was no longer King, and it were no sin, or no great sin at least, to Take him off; and if it should be discovered who did it, perhaps two or three might die for it bot denying the Fact. This Informant supposes his meaning to have been, denying themselves to be Papists that committed so Barbarous and Villainous a Fact, the Matter would soon blow over (because the Duke was to Succeed.) And this Informant further saith, Being with the said Thomas Jennison and another Gentleman about the latter end of April, or beginning of May 1678. (whose name he remembreth not) in the aforesaid Ireland's Chamber, there came one in, who after some private discourse with Mr. Ireland departed; and after he was gone, the said Thomas Jennison told this Informant 'twas one Mr. Oats, who had been a Parson, but was come over to them, and that he was a brisk jolly Man, well worth this Informant's acquaintance. And this Informant very well remembers, there happening some time after, a Discourse about the said Parson that was lately come over, the said Thomas Jennison did say, That that Parson was engaged in the Design; whereto this Informant objected, That a reconciled Enemy ought no more to be Trusted, than an open Foe. But the said Thomas Jennison answered, They were sure enough of him, and that being once reconciled, they were the more zealous and trusty; to which opinion this Informant submitted, instancing Dr. Godwin, and Dr. Bayley, as being zealous Catholics, although they were Protestant Converts.  
And this Informant further saith, That he was in Shinsield Parish near Reading in Berks, about the time of Coleman's Trial, where he met with Mr. Cuffell, a Romish Priest and Jesuit, who then much blamed the said Coleman, saying, He was infatuated to suffer his own Papers to be taken upon the Discovery of the Plot, when as he had given Notice to Mr. Harcourt, Mr. Ireland, and the rest of the Jesuits, to Burn or Secure theirs. And he very well remembers, That amongst other Discourse, this Informant spoke against the Opinion that Bellarmine, Mariana, and Suarez maintained, touching the Power of the Pope, to Depose Kings; upon which the said Cuffel mentioned a Sentence, which, he said, Bellarmine did draw out of the Scripture for that Opinion, which was, Quod Papa habeat eandem potestatem super Reges, quam Jehojada habuit super Athaliam. And this Informant further saith, That Madam Hall, his Sister, being present at the said Cuffel's other Discourse, concerning Coleman's infatuation, in sending Notice, as before, etc. upon this Informants reflecting in the absence of Cuffell, viz. That by his side-words he seemed manifestly to own a Plot, his Sister did then say, She very much feared That they had some Bloody Design, for that she had heard the said Cuffell, some little time before the breaking out of the Plot, upon a Discourse, That Religion would shortly come into England, say these Words, viz. There must be some blood shed, before Religion could be introduced; but she told him, She did not believe it ought to come in that way.  
This Informant further saith, That usually visiting Madam Harewell, his Aunt, and her Daughter, at their Lodgings in Kings-street Covent-Garden, at the least three or four times a Week, which was, as this Informant certainly remembers, before the Trial of the five Jesuits Executed for the Execrable Plot, he had the opportunity of Seeing, Reading, and Transcribing several Papers and Letters from his Brother Mr. Thomas Jennison, all tending to invalidate Mr. Oates his Testimony, the particular Way he used doth not occur to his Memory. But this Informant remembers he told Madam Harewell and her Daughter, That he thought those Arguments would do his said Brother but little good for his Defence, unless he had better behind; but there were Two Passages in the said Papers or Letters, some whereof were Subscribed to one Dr.— or Sir— wherein the said Thomas Jennison thus Expressed himself, Why are our Friends disgusted? I will not stir one hairs breadth. By which Expression, this Informant did believe, That some of the Plotters were Afraid and Jealous, lest the said Thomas Jennison should Detect their Plot, and therefore by those Words he assured them, that he would not recede one hairs breadth from his Resolution of Secrecy. And this Informant saith, That he then communicating his said Reflection and Observation to the said Ladies, they were at a stand, not knowing how to excuse his Meaning. The second Passage was, about what the said Thomas Jennison supposed himself to have spoke to the Lady Tyrrwhit, upon his being Apprehended at her Lodgings in Bloomsbury, whereof he seemed very solicitous to be ascertained in the aforementioned Papers, and that by some cunning third hand. For, I believe, said he, I said, I did not know Mr. Oates; by which this Informant perceived his Meaning to be, That if he had then, viz. upon his Apprehension, denied his Knowledge of Mr. Oats to the Lady Tyrrwhit (who by the way was his Proselyte) he was resolved to persist in the said Denial to the last; though on the other hand this Informant doth certainly know the said Thomas Jennison was well acquainted with the said Mr. Oates, as appeared by Two remarkable Instances in the former Depositions of this Informant.  
This Informant likewise saith, That Mrs. Ann Ireland coming to this Informant's Chamber to Chide him, for that she heard he was about to Discover some Matters touching the Plot: She, to dissuade him, hastily said, On my Conscience I think you'll bring yourself into the Plot, and by your Discovery will own, That there was a Plot, and, That you was Engaged in it, and so Disgrace yourself; though she probably knew this Informant was no further concerned, than in what was imparted in that Discourse he had with her Brother (she being then present) after this Informant's arrival from Windsor. And Mrs. Ann Ireland further said then, That this Informant was worse than Dr. Oats; for that Doctor Oates did follow the Plot, and make an early Discovery; but, that this Informant came in too late. To which this Informant replied, That what he had to say, he remembered from the very first Discovery, and before, or at the least within three or four Months of the Breaking out of the Discovery of the Plot: and that he would not offer to Depose any thing upon Oath, but what he could certainly charge his Memory with, and so bid her not trouble herself.  
This Informant also very well remembers, That about the latter end of September, or the beginning of October, 1678. when he was at his Father's House in the Bishopric of Durham, Mr. Ralph Jennison, a Jesuit, came to see this Informant; who before they parted, asked the said Mr. Ralph Jennison, how he might conveniently send Twenty pound to Mr. Ireland, which this Informant said he did owe to him. Mr. Ralph Jennison replied (which Directions this Informant did then take in a little Journal) You may send a Letter with your Bill to Mr. Ireland, and Enclose them in another Letter to Mr. Oates, at his Lodgings at Mr. Grigsons in Drury-lane, and your Letter or Moneys will come safe that way to Mr Ireland.  
Robert Jennison.  
Jurat. nono die Novembris, coram nobis,  


William Pulteney.  
Thomas Stringer.