L'Estrange's CASE In a CIVIL DIALOGUE Betwixt ZEKIEL AND EPHRAIM.  
LONDON, Printed for H. Brome at the Sign of the Gun in S. Paul's Churchyard. 1680.   

ZEKIEL & EPHRAIM. etc.  L' Estrange at a Window above. Zekiel. 
WHy I tell thee, Ephraim, I heard it with my own Ears, and it was a Man in Black too, that said it.  Eph. 
In Black, do ye say? 'Twas no Divine I hope.  Zek. 
No, no; He was too Fierce, and Fiery, for a Divine: By his laying about him so, and his Bug-Words, a Man would rather have taken him for a Conjurer. But yet he seems to be a very Good man, in His Way.  Eph. 
There's a Doctor of Physic or two, that I know, that are very Honest, Zealous Men: Might it not be One of Them?  Zek. 
No, no; This Man does not look like a Doctor of any thing: I should rather take him for some body toward the Law.  Eph. 
Prithee describe him a little. Has he not a Big, deep Voice?  Zek. 
Yes; and a hoarse kind of wheasing with it, like the Ciphring of an Organ-Pipe that has got a Flaw.  Eph. 
And thou findest him a Man of parts too; dost not?  Zek. 
Oh: A Devilish Fellow. Well Ephraim: 'Tis a strange thing, how one may be deceived in a bodies Out side. I should not have thought by the semblance of This man, that he could have said Bornwell to a Goose.  Eph. 
We are Both upon the same Person Zekiel, only he spoke the same things, in the Morning at the Amsterdam Coffeehouse, and in the Afternoon at Richards.  Zek. 
His has an odd kind of Lift methinks with his Upper-Lip, like the Snuffling of a Stone-horse at a Mare.  Eph. 
I have observed something of a Convulsion in that Part. But what-like Face had he, I Prithee?  Zek. 
Didst thou ever take notice of a Vizor, with a a kind of Liver-colour Varnish yonder, at a Glass Shop by Exeter Change? The Mouth, (if you mark it) is cut a little higher than Ordinary.  Eph. 
Now thou mindest me of it, 'Tis the very Picture of this Worthy Gentleman. The Nose on't I remember, looks as if it had been drawn on with a Shooing-Horn.  Zek. 
But then take the Gentleness of his Manners▪ the Graces of his Mind; the Sweetness of his Motions, and Address: Really take him altogether, and the Man is a Man, every Inch of him.  Eph. 
'Tis very true Zekiel: for the Man is Tall, and Slender; and every thing that he says, or does, comes from him with so Pretty an Obliging Air. But let us come now to the Point: What did he say?  Zek. 
He said flat and Plain, that Crack-fart was a Conspirator; up to the Ears in Young Tongues Sham-Plot; and that a Pillory was too good for him.  Eph. 
Why This is no more than the Common Talk of all the Coffeehouses about the Town.  Zek. 
And let me tell thee as a Secret, Ephraim, the same People carried the same Humour about the Town, as well as the same Words. There's a short, Trub, fat, Fellow, in a white Periwig, (his Father, as I take it, was a Committee man.) There happened one of L' Estrange his Pamphlets to lie in his way, and you might see his Indignation come up his Gullet, as plainly, as if a Snake were fetching up a Toad again. Thou canst not think how I dote upon this Honest man, for his Affection to our Interest.  Eph. 
There's another, that they call the Coffee Draper: upon my credit, he lays it on to some Tune too. I heard him speak bloody words t'other day; and he was as well Seconded by one that is lately come over from the Profession of an Hypocrite to the Practice of it, who is an excellent Man too in his Generation.  Zek. 
Prithee Ephraim let's have no more Riddles. Thou meanest the Hypocrite, I suppose, according to the Letter.  Eph. 
But what do ye think then of the Poetical joiner? He that Rhyme so plaguily upon the Judges and the Juries, about Gascoyn, and Wakeman?  Zek. 
Ay, now you speak of a Man indeed: If you had but heard him, how he whipped up two or three Blades t'other day, of the Arbitrary way, upon the War of Forty One, you'd have said he had been a Teazer, indeed. He told them to their very Noses, that the Parliament men of those days were the bravest Patriots that ever England bred; that they fought for the Liberty of the Subject; and in one word exalted them to the skies.  Eph. 
Come, come; Let it suffice, that Dr. Oates was There himself, and a great many Worthy Persons besides; And no Room for any other Discourse then L' Estrange and Tongue, Celiers and L' Estrange.  Zek. 
Why Really to give him his Due, the Doctor seemed to be much for Moderation: One was downright for the Gallows: Another would have brought it down to Pebbles, and Rotten Eggs; But the Doctor himself, being more inclined to Mercy, was willing to content himself with a Touch at the Cart's Arse.  Eph. 
Prithee Zekiel let us keep close to the Subject, now we are upon it: for some way or other, This Varlet must be Confounded.  Zek. 
Nay, That's a thing absolutely Resolved, Ephraim; and there are more ways to the Wood then One. Let us try First, how far we can carry it upon the Reputation of Tongues Plot.  Eph. 
Very Good; and if That will not reach him, we must set our Wits to work some other way.  Zek. 
Why you see how all the Coffeehouses take fire at it already.  Eph. 
Ay; and all the News-Mongers too; and consequently the whole Kingdom.  Zek. 
And then it goes down with the People, without so much as Gulping. Nay; It has Staggered, I know not how many, of his Best Friends. How many Fools, and Coxcombs have I heard him called, even by his own Party; since we put This Hare afoot. Not so few as a Hundred people came to Harry Brooms in One day, to see what was become of him, and in what Goal to find him.  Eph. 
Nay (as we ordered the matter) his Charge, Examination, and Committment, were all over the Nation, before either the Counsel, or Himself, had heard one Syllable of the Story.  Zek. 
It must not be denied, but that the Design was well laid; and carried on too, with as much Skill, and Industry, as was possible.  Eph. 
If you speak of the Original design; the Snare for L' Estrange was as well contrived as Heart could wish it. For nothing could be more Plausible, than the Means that Tong used by a Second hand, for the drawing of him into the Toil. You know what I mean.  Zek. 
Yes yes; Tong propounded that L' Estrange might be called in, to his Assistance, as a fit person to direct him in This Affayr. But This point Ephraim was not followed so close as it might have been. And then there was too much Noise made on't beforehand. Now there's no thought of compassing such a business as This, when it has once taken Vent.  Eph. 
To say the Truth, Zekiel, we were a little out in our Measures, at Both Ends. First, we let it run too long, without any sort of Personal Application to L' Estrange. Secondly, we struck too soon at Last. For who knows, but that with Art, and a little longer Patience he might have been prevailed upon, in the End, to have Pouched the Bait?  Zek. 
'Tis but so much Time and Breath cast away, to stand talking of matters that are gone and Past: But since Tongues Committment, and the bringing of things to a Forced Put; I have set as hard upon L' Estrange's Skirts, as another.  Eph. 
And if you go to That (Zekiel) there are Others that have done their Parts (I believe) too, as well as You: And pray (if a body may ask you) what mighty businesses have You to boast of, in This Affair, more than your Fellows?  Zek. 
Nay since you provoke me Ephraim. I am not Afraid to dispute Services with you, provided that it breed no Ill blood betwixt us; For Competitions are many times the Ruin, even of the most Generous Undertake.  Eph. 
These are not so properly Competitious, Zekiel, as Virtuous Emulations, when Brethren strive only to Exceed one another in Goodness. Wherefore I Prithee let us vie the good Offices we have rendered the Public, in This Instance, with that Calmness, and Moderation that may become persons of Our Character, and Profession.  Zek. 
Thou hast spoken with the Lips of an Angel, Ephraim. And beside the Duty of our Agreement, if there were nothing in it but Humane Policy, it would concern us to bear up in Unity, against the Common Enemy, and leave the Unhappy Differences that we find among ourselves, to be Adjusted at Leisure. But now to your Friendly Challenge, Ephraim. See Honest John Gays News-Letter of Octob. 2. 1680. At the Flying Horse in Fleetstreet, and you will find This Passage following.  
A Person (says he) having visited Mr. Tonge in Newgate, Mr. Tonge delivered him a Paper, Containing a Discovery of the whole Contrivance against Dr. Oates; in which is mentioned that Mr. L' Estrange is concerned in it; and that upon Notice of its being likely to be Discovered, Mr. L' Estrange sent a Letter to Mr. Tonge, to Remove all the Papers out of his Lodgings, to Mr. Ely's. etc.  
Now if This was not a Considerable Service, the sending of This Person to Newgate; and the Publishing of This Report, which was the Foundation of All the Following Aspersions upon L' Estrange: I am no Master of my Trade.  Eph. 
Your Will was Good no doubt on't, Zekiel; And so was your Design: you made use of Proper Instruments too, and gave Birth to a very Serviceable Rumour: But what needed you have given that Blind Intimation of a Quidam: a certain Nameless Person that first broached the Story? It makes it look like a Practice; whereas one bold Touch to have made it a discovery upon an Examination from Above, would have hit the Bird in the Eye. And then L' Estranges Letter to Tong, and the Removal of his Papers to Mr. Elys, (to be plain with ye Zekiel) was even a Silly Invention: for any man might foresee, that once in Eight and Forty Hours, the Abuse would be detected; (as effectually it was.) And if the people had not been very kind to us, the Manifest Falsity of Those Particulars, might have hazarded the Credit of all the Rest.  Zek. 
This was Gays fault, and not Mine: for That Piece was intended only for a Country Intelligence, and he like a Coxcomb, goes and disperses it here in the Town.  
But what do ye think now of My device, that was Clapped in upon the Back of Prance his Narative, by way of Postscript? You have seen't I'm sure; 'Twas Printed for Langly Curtis upon Ludgate Hill: and came out October. 1st. The man you must know, is as True as Steel, where he takes; and a pretty Fellow enough, if he would but leave a foolish Trick he has taken up, of winding up his Nose, and showing his Teeth at every turn, like a Whelp that has got a Bee in's Ear. Your Intelligence I can assure ye, had been run to dirt; if This Paper had not Stepped in, to Relieve ye.  
Mrs. Cellier, (says he) mentioning the said Mr. Lestrange very familiarly; and pretending then to send her Imps, Grange, and Sing up and down to him; tho' for all her vain boasting, it cannot (I think) be imagined, that so worthy a Gentleman and so much a Protestant as he has shown himself by his late Learned Pamphlets; and one that is, (as I am told) a Justice of the Peace, would have any Correspondence with such a notorious Popish Baggage, etc.  
Here's a Spark now that would pass the Ordeal, and never say, God save the King for't. For when he has fairly hinted a familiarity betwixt L' Estrange and Celiers, and a Correspondence entertained betwixt them, even to the naming of the very Mercuries that conveyed the Intelligence; you will find in the Context, that it is all delivered only as a Credible Hearsay; and to tell you as a Friend, the Small Officer you wot of, had a great hand in the Advice; And then so soon as ever he had Bespattered him with Calumnies, hardly ever to be repaired, do but see how delicately the Rogue makes it worse and worse by pretending to Lick him Clean again.  Eph. 
But how comes Curtis to have such an Interest thereabouts?  Zek. 
There's a Mystery in That, my Friend Ephraim. First, upon an Order for a Prosecution at Law, there is a way of either falling short in the Evidence, and so bringing the matter off That way; or else of suppressing those Articles that would have done the business, or in some cases not bringing the question on at all. Secondly, There is one that does not stick publicly to declare, that he will not meddle with hindering any Libels against L' Estrange: and so we have as good as a Protection in that Assurance. And then (under the Rose) There may be now and then certain Feelings in the Cause, and Conniving, in which Case it will be dangerous to disoblige us, for fear of telling Tales.  Eph. 
Well, but you are gone from your Text. Where's the Mighty Service, I beseech ye, that you have done your Party by This Pamphlet?  Zek. 
Or rather, Where are your Eyes, Ephraim, that cannot discern it, without pointing to't? did not you find the Operation of This Paper, Immediately upon the Publishing it? and that whereas L' Estrange was only mentioned before, as a setter on of Tongue against the Two Doctors without any other Confederate; It came now to the Cry of the Town, that Celiers and L' Estrange went on hand in hand with the Conspiracy: and in such a manner too, that L' Estrange had hardly any way left him to purge himself, but the Testimony of Celliers, who was not to be believed. There's nothing sticks closer to L' Estrange, than this Intimation: and yet it has started another Bugg too, which is that he is a Papist, as well as a Plotter; and That persuasion I promise you goes a great way. Nay I'll tell ye a word more too, but in Confidence. I heard a Gentleman undertake the other night to prove him one; and This is a man that speaks him as fair to his Face to, as any man Living, which carries the greater Credit.  Eph. 
But do you believe, Zekiel, that L' Estrange holds any Correspondence with Celliers, or not?  Zek 
I do not believe that ever he exchanged any message with her, or ever so much as saw the Eyes of her in his whole Life. This is a thing I would not say to every Body, but I know to whom I speak it.  Eph. 
You must know Zekiel that I did not only start the first General Report of L' Estranges being in Tongues Plot, but I fixed the Particular Article; and laid it; for Tampering with Tong, to Renounce the Retractation he made to his Uncle, of his former Enformation.  Zek. 
That might pass well enough to serve a present Turn, but at the long Run, you could never expect that it would hold water, for at the time of Tongues Renouncing That Retractation, L' Estrange had not as yet ever seen the face of Tongall To deal frankly with ye, I do not approve the laying of so much stress neither, upon Tongues Testimony. First, he advances an Enformation; and at the same time, gives us a Counterpart of it, which according to our Principles was fairly done. Secondly, he Retracts That Information; and Thirdly, denys, upon his Salvation that ever he retracted it, and Swears it to have been his own Spontaneous Act, with Three Witness to Assert That Disclamer. Now This is so Notorious a forfeiture of his Credit, that I should be very loath to Venture the Pinch of the Question upon his Evidence. So that I am still blowing up the Clamour of L' Estrange and Celiers and the Jealousy of L' Estranges being a Papist. And I'll tell ye what, beside; I have pushed it forward, that the Duke of York sent Tong a Hundred Guinnyes by L' Estrange, for an Encouragement. And This works in the people's heads, like Bottle Ale.  Eph. 
That it does upon my word Zekiel: for I was rounded in the ear but yesterday, that Prance had Ten Witness in Readiness, to prove that L' Estrange had been Forty times at Mass here; & Solemnly Worshipping according to the Profession of the Romish Communion. And I was told by another at the same time, that L' Estrange was run quite away, and a Sum of money offered to any man that should bring him back again.  Zek. 
This Play of Fast and Lose may do well enough, so long as the Truth is kept out of sight: But you see, since L' Estrange's appearing at the Council, that the business of Tonge is in a manner blown over, and that we are put to our shifts for Other Pretences, to uphold the Controversy. So that if it were not for My story of Celliers, and the Common Theme of Popery, and Popishly-Affected, I do not know but we might even shut up our shops, and let fall the Question.  Eph. 
I know very well how matters passed upon L' Estrange's Examination; and all things considered, I am of Opinion that John Gay has done his part again, to help us out at a dead Lift, in his paper of Intelligence. Octo. 7.  
Yesterday (says he) Mrs. Cellier, Mr. L' Estrange, Mr. Choqueux, Captain Ely, Mr. Tonge, his Father, and Dr. Oates, had a Hearing before the Council; where several material things were discovered; and many Words passed betwixt Dr. Oates, and Mr. L' Estrange,; The Council upon Dr. Oates desiring L' Estrange might be committed, Ordered Dr. Oats to bring a Bill against him, and if it was found, he should be Secured. And L'Estrange owned that Mr. Tonge had been with him, but did not communicate any of his Plot to him. The further Hearing of Him and Mrs Cellier is adjourned till Friday.  Zek. 
What dost thou mean Ephraim, to encourage such a Flame as This? There are twice as many known Falsehoods in it as there are Lines: And they are so Palpable too, that there is hardly any man of business, but is able to Contradict them: Nor is there one Syllable in it to the Purpose, but where L'Estrange and Cellier are coupled together. He says nothing at all here of L' Estrange's being snapped up at the Council for his Sawcynesse, and the Moan he made to their Lordships for Dr. Oates' making so bold with one of the King's Justices; and the Drs. telling him that he would prove him a Rogue, by the Best in the Land; and of the Cause being only put off, in order to the Drs. bringing of further Evidence. Now since Mr. Gay was so bend upon it, to strain a point of Candour, and Integrity; methinks he should have had the Brains to have made a better Choice of the Lies he intended to publish; especially when the One was every jot as True, and as Cheap as the Other.  Eph. 
pray tell me what Exception you have, now, to the Paper of honest Mr. Hill? (that of a Strong-Water-man is now become an Intelligencer.) It bears Date, Octo. 7.  
Yesterday (says he) Mr. Justice Bridgman and Dr. Oates appeared at the council-board, where he delivered the Confession of young Tonge, which he made in Newgate, whereby he accused Mr. L'Estrange, and one Choqueux to be Conspirators with him in the Plot, against his Father, and Dr. Oates. Very high Words passed between Dr. Oates, and Mr. L'Estrange; the Latter telling the Council that Dr. Oates took the Liberty to call him a Thousand times Rogue, and Rascal; which the Dr. owned, saying he would prove him to be Both, and desired he might be Secured: Whereupon the Council Ordered the Dr. to prefer a Bill against him; and if it were found, promised that he should either be Secured, or give sufficient Bail. Upon Examination, L'Estrange owned that Young Tonge had been with him; and at the same time told him he had something to discover but he knew not what it was.  Zek. 
This piece of Intelligence, Ephraim, is like Chip in Porridge, it does neither good, not hurt; only it keeps the Wheel a going. And yet the leaviug out of Cellier (let me tell ye) is the want of a Principal Verb. It was not well, to put in the Doctor's calling L'Estrange, Rogue, and Rascal; unless it had been accompanied with some Intolerable Provocation; for fear it might be look upon as an Irreverence toward the Board. The Dr. they say, made often mention of the Parliament; which the News-Letters do well not to take notice of, upon matter of Discretion as well as Respect. Upon the whole matter, I observe This Decorum in all these Papers, that in the Main they have the Wit to hold mostly in a Tale. The most Positive and Concise of the whole Tribe is little Hancock. October. 7th.  
The Papers of young tongue's Sham-Plot being seized, Mr. L'Estrange, and Mrs. Cellier were Summoned; but they denied they knew any thing of it; but Mrs. Cellier would not stand to it, by reason of the many Bruises she received on the Pillory: But next Wednesday, Mr. Tonge will be brought to Confront them, face to face.  Eph. 
These Papers of Young Tongues, I must confess I never heard of. But I am fully Convinced of the benefit of Coupling L'Estrange with Celliers.  L'Estrange. 
pray my Masters will you give me Leave now to put in a word, in my own Case: And you shall have the Naked Truth of it, as if I were upon my Last Confession.  Eph. 
'Tis an Old saying, that Listeners seldom hear well of themselves; but it is as True again, in another Case, that he that makes a Conscience of his ways, needs never fear being surprised.  L'E. 
With what face can you pretend to appeal to the integrity of your own Souls; when you are not more convinced of the difference betwixt Truth and Falsehood, than you are Conscious to yourselves, of a Malicious Conspiracy against an Innocent Person, in This Practice? For your Calumnies are all Supported by Confederacy, and Inconsistent with Themselves. The Pretended Foundation of your Outrage against me, is, for Abetting a Subornation against the King's Witnesses: And when you find that upon That Ground you cannot sustain your Charge; I am to be made a Papist. When That Calumny fails you too, my Writings are to be picked, and sifted; and an Inquisition to pass upon my Papers. So that your business is not to punish any Open Faults in me but to hunt for secret ones, and to revenge yourselves upon my Person, because I have laid my Offences out of your Sight.  Zek. 
You should do better to value yourself upon the simplicity of your manners, then upon a flourish of Words and Phrases: And since you are so forward to offer yourself to a Defence; pray will you speak to such Points concerning this business of Tongue as you judge may be sufficient for your Vindication.  L'Estrange. 
It is most Unwillingly that I enter upon This Subject; and for many Reasons. First, as my Case must necessarily take in some matters that fall under the Cognizance of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council. Secondly, As I am no Friend to the Circumstances of almost All Vindications; being still accompanied more or less with Vanity, and Clamour. Thirdly; It is an Argument of great Weakness and Ill manners, for me to impose upon the World; and to expect that the Sun should stand still in the Firmament, to attend my Little Story. And truly, in This Outrageous Liberty of the Press, I should be no more moved at a Personal Libel, than at a Pug upon the Thames, for calling me the Son of a Whore; or at a Privileged Fool, upon the Land, for making as many Sorts of Rascals of me as ever were created out of the Four and Twenty Letters. For Course Language is the Dialect of Courser Natures. I never met with any man that was angry with a Frogg for Croaking: and every one knows that it is as natural for a Puppy to Bark, as to Breath. But yet under favour, when This Popular Venom comes to Resolve into a Crime of State; and that the Honour of a Family: the Life, Freedom, and Reputation of a Loyal Subject, and an Honest man, comes to be the Issue of the Question; I have no other Choice before me, but either to Sink under the Infamy of a Fool, and a Traitor, (which is the Character that the Little Scribbling Hirelings of this Town have bestowed upon me) or else to Redeem myself by a Clear, and Open Defence: Wherein I shall endeavour to govern myself with a due Reverence both to Authority, and Truth.  Eph. 
pray Speak, in the first place, to the matter of your Examination.  L'E. 
Upon Wednesday the 6th of this Instant Oct. I attended the Council; where Mr. Oates, being present, referred himself, (as to any Charge against me) to Young Tongues Affidavit.  
The Affidavit being read; I spoke, with Leave of the Board, to thee Parts of it that seemed to affect me; And, as I then promised, so I delivered a Just, and punctual Account, upon the whole matter in question: which was to This following effect.  
Mr. Thomas Newcomb of the Savoy, did, at my Instance, desire Mr. Choqueux (his near Neighbour there,) that he would appoint me some time to discourse with him at his own House concerning several Historical Passages of the Late War, whereof (as I was informed) he had reserved divers Memorials; He set the Time, and I went to him accordingly, telling him in General terms my business: But company being There, and just setting down to a Collation, it was too late to enter upon the Discourse after Supper, and so we referred it to another time.  
Upon my next Visit, a maid directed me into a low Room, where there were two young men; (both Strangers to me:) Mr. Choqueux coming down Immediately, saluted me, and made Young Tonge (who, it seems, was One of them) and myself known to each other. Mr. Tonge (said I) I have been sometimes at your Father's Lodgings in White-Hall: did I ever see You There? No Sir, says he, I never saw you before in my Life; but I have often heard my Father speak of You. Yes (says Mr. Choqueux) for refusing to Licence his Royal Martyr; which he took very Ill at your hands. There were several dangerous Passages in it (said I) that I durst not meddle with. As Sir, says Young Tonge, so there were: And upon That, he took an Occasion to tell me some General Stories of his Father, and Mr. Oates: That they had had many Privacies together; but without naming any Particulars of business. And Then he told of one Green (a Weaver) that seeing his Father looking about him in the Court of Requests, (as I remember) asked him what News? Dr. Tonge replying, that he heard none: Green made answer that he would tell Him some; and that there would suddenly be a Popish Massacre. After which (says young Tonge) my Father made an Acquaintance with him; and not long after, followed the Plot. Some other wild Discourses he made; but all of them so Extravagant, and Incoherent, that I cut him off as fairly as with Civility I could, by Pishing at all he had said, and telling him, in plain terms, that it signified just nothing.  
Upon showing this Dislike, Tonge whispered to Mr. Choqueux, who told me presently, that if I had any Writing-work, Mr. Tonge would Transcribe any thing for me with all his heart. Mr. Choqueux also recommending Tonge to me, as one that had a great esteem for me. I told him that I had no business of That kind, and that I should be ready to Oblige Mr. Tong: And so we sat together over a glass of Wine, without one syllable more of business, more than that I desired Mr. Choqueux to remember me for what Notes he had of the late War; the which he said he would, but that his Papers were most of them at Paris.  
As I was going to take leave, M. Tonge desired that he might wait upon me at my House; and propounded such or such a time: So that I agreed at last to the time of his own choosing: But so little satisfied was I with this kind of Entertainment, that I slipped out of the way, and so he lost his labour. But the next morning, Mr. Choqueux brought me a Letter from him, desiring me that in regard he missed of me last night, I would appoint him another time, for he had something to say to me.  
Upon reading of His Letter, (which I showed to the Bearer of it) Mr. Choqueux (said I) he that has to do with these Fellows, Must be as wary as if he were upon the High Rope: a slip is as much as a man's Neck's worth: If you do but misplace One word, he'll be your Ruin. But I'll write him an Answer however; which in effect was This. I'm sorry that I missed you last night, but if you have anything to say to me, I shall be at home at 7. in the Evening. Truly (Sir) says Mr. Choqueux I believe young Tonge to have no sort of Guile in him; but however, he can do me no hurt, for I have nothing to do with him, but in relation to his Health.  
About 7. in the Evening, came Mr. Choqueux, Mr. Tonge, and two more, (who are mere Strangers to me): Mr. Choqueux telling me, that Mr. Tonge had desired him to bring him to me, and that he had something to acquaint me with. Sir (said I) This business has an Ill face: I will not meddle in any thing looks so like a Consultation. So the two strangers departed, leaving the Other two behind; Sr. (says Mr. Choqueux) Mr Tong has delivered some Enformations already: and he has an Enformation to offer to yourself, as a Justice of Peace. Gentlemen (Said I) if it be an Enformation ready Drawn, and in your own hand, Mr. Tong; so as to need no alteration; if you please to Insert a clause in't for my Security, wherein you shall declare, that it is your own voluntary Act, and without any Argument, or Inducement, from me to move you to't, let me see the Information, and if I find it a matter fit for me to meddle in, I'll Swear you to't; but otherwise I can do nothing in it. Mr. Tong making Answer, that he had nothing ready drawn; Mr. Choqueux went his way, and Tong Stayed I think about a Quarter of an hour after at most, after him; telling over the same Stuff again, that I was so Sick of at the Savoy. I was so far from Pumping him for matter to work upon, or making any Improvement, or Collections from what he said, that I quitted the Table where he sat, and walked about the Room; which made him change his Discourse, to talk of some little Foolish Things that I had written; which in good manners I gave him, and so he departed. After which time I never received either Note, or Message from him.  Zek. 
But did not Dr. Oates charge you for concealing a Conspiracy, contrary to your Duty, as a Magistrate? And did he not Appeal to the Board, whether or no you had rendered any account to their Lordships of That Conspiracy?  L' Est. 
He did so: And my Answer Then was, that it would be a strange boldness, and Impertinence to trouble their Lordships with every ridiculous Story that I heard, and a more ridiculous than This I never met withal, under so Grave a Pretence.  
I do now answer further, that as I was not at all Inquisitive into the Particulars, so the matter in General of what I heard, was, in the very quality of it, so Insignificant and Trivial; that bating the Charge, and Trouble of Fees and Attendance, I would have stood the shaken of the Issue of such a Charge, for a single Half Crown, even admitting that every Article of it could have been proved against me. So that, as I said upon my Examination, I do not account it worth my while to disguise, or evade any one Circumstance in This matter, being wholly Intent upon the discharge of my Conscience, in this affair, with a respect to Modesty, Truth, and Duty. Beside, that on the other hand I have a natural abhorrence for the Office of a Setter, or a Trepanner: And it is the Last Lawful Service in this world, that I would render even to my Prince and Country.  Zek. 
These are but Words still: But since you have gone thus far of your own accord, pray go a little further for my sake. Did you neither Tamper with young Tonge, Originally, nor advise him afterward to disclaim his Retractation to his Uncle, of his former Informations.  L' Estrange. 
No: I do ' aver it, upon my Hopes of Heaven, that I never saw the Eyes of Young Tonge (to my knowledge) till after that disclaiming of his Retractation. And so far was I from laying any stress upon what I believe Tonge suggested, that I would have stood in Mr. Oates his Place for Three halfpences, if it could have been proved against Me.  Zek. 
You never had any thing to do neither with Mrs. Celliers, for the carrying on of This Contrivance against the Doctors, had ye?  L' Estr. 
Upon the word of a Christian, I do not so much as know the Woman: and I do verily believe that I never saw her Face. Nor had I ever any thing to do with her, either directly or Indirectly in my whole Life: Nor did I hear so much as her Name mentioned upon my Examination.  Eph. 
Pray let me put you a Question now. Did you never deliver Tong a hundred Guyneys by order from the Duke of York? Or do not you, either know, or believe, that he had That, or some other Sum given him, or some Reward, promised him, for the Carrying on of This Affayr? and by Whom?  L'Estr. 
No, by all that is Sacred, I do neither Know nor Believe that any Sum of Money, or any Reward, was either Given, or Promised to Tonge by his Royal Highness, or his Order; nor do I know of any Money given him, or any Reward Promised him, in consideration of his appearing as an Evidence, by any Person whatsoever. Neither did I ever touch a Penny of the Duke's Money in my Life, either for my own, or for the Use of any other Person. But as to any Gratification to him, or the Hopes of it, in case he could draw me into the Snare, I can say nothing to That. But by his Proposing of me beforehand, for his Assistant (being, as then, wholly unknown to him) and by the Sequel of his Addresses and Applications, it doth manifestly appear, that the entrapping of L' Estrange was one part of his Design.  
But you say nothing all this while of a Conspiracy on the other side; and an endeavour to set up the whole Nation in Evidence against me. For what is it less, the dispersing of so many hundreds of Papers every Week, all over the Kingdom, stuffed with the basest and falsest Scandals against me imaginable; belying the very Order and Proceedings of the Council; and misrepresenting Matters of State: And this is the Trade of a Pack of Mercenary Scribblers that are (probably) kept in Pay to a Faction.  Eph. 
You have the Wit, I perceive, to tell us nothing to your Disadvantage: pray were not you taken up for being a little too Malapert, when Dr. Oates laid you so open before the Council?  L'Estr. 
Not one Jot I do assure ye Gentlemen: and I hope, I understand my Duty better than to deserve it. True it is, that Mr. Oates charged me with abusing the King's Witnesses in my Writings. And I did say indeed, It were well if some of them did not abuse themselves more in their manners; for that Oats himself had within a few days called me at least forty Rogues and Rascals, in a Coffeehouse, in one quarter of an hour; whereupon, (not to make the matter worse than it was) Mr. Oates replied, so I have; and I will prove you to be a Rogue and a Rascal. And then he was at it that he would find Witnesses: to which I only observed that they were yet to find.  
And pray Note, That all this Heat was about my Writings; which he had at the same time declared in precise words that he had never read.  
He threatened me indeed with a Parliament, but that is a Course of Speech he has got. If the Prisoners but ask a New-comer for his Garnish or Foy, the Master of the Prison shall be told of a Parliament. A Bishop shall not Suspend a Minister for refusing to officiate according to the Canon, but he is presently threatened with a Parliament. If the University shall not think fit to allow Mr. Oates his Degree; The Lawn-Sleeves are to be Ruffled next Parliament. I was walking a while since only cross the Outer-Court at White Hall innocently about my business, and because I did not Cap him, over the Square, as the Boys do Fellows in Cambridge; Squire L' Estrange (says he) We shall have a Parliament, twirling his Hat about, betwixt his Finger and his Thumb; with a Look and Action not to be expressed.  
What can be a greater Affront now to that Illustrious Body, than to entitle it to the Protection of insolent Reproaches and Wrongs. As if Parliaments had nothing else to do, than to countenance the Animosities, gratify the Passions, and weak the Revenges of Private and of troublesome men.  
To say that I have as great a Veneration for the Constitution of an English Parliament; as any man living, is only to say the same thing over again which I have very often said heretofore. And I have made my words good by my Practices in the Deference and Obedience which I have ever paid to the Authority and Dignity of That August Assembly, whensoever Legally Indicted and Convened. Did I suffer above three years' Imprisonment in Newgate under a Sentence of Death, from the Late Usurpers (that dethroned and deposed his Majesty) for my Loyalty to my Prince and the Government? And shall I now be afraid of a Parliament that stands up for the King's Preservation and Support? Have I been True to the Crown, through all the Extremities of a Barbarous Rebellion, to be a Traitor now at last to a Gracious and a Lawful Prince? No, no; Gentlemen, to be hanged on both sides with the Doctor's fair Leave, is a little with the most. I have not behaved myself at a Rate to fear a Parliament, but rather to wish for't. As to all Public Matters, I have made the Law my Rule, and I have made my Duty the Measure of my Actions; and he that keeps himself within these Bounds, needs no other Security against the Justice of a Parliament; especially a Person that has upon all occasion asserted the Rights of that Noble Assembly; Treating them with the stile of Venerable Patriots [Case put Pag. 22] even in the very case concerning his Royal Highness; and never receding from those Terms of Honour and Respect.  Zek. 
You have made a long Discourse here; just nothing to the purpose: for you are not Charged with Abusing the Parliament, but for Disparaging the King's Witnesses.  L'Estr. 
As for the King's Witnesses, I have had no dealings with any of them, but with Mr. Oates, and none with him neither in any sort to reflect upon his Evidence. He gives it up and down, with open-mouth, that I am a Conspirator, and a Papist; and I declare on the other side, that there are not a couple of Ranker Lies in Hell. Rogue, Rascal, Villain, and other Scurrillities of the same seasoning, are the Lard he makes use of in his ordinary Discourses of L'Estrange. And under all these Indignities I must not dare to say that I am None of these fine things, for fear of discrediting Mr. Oats by the Contradiction But so long as he serves my betters with the same sauce, there's the less hurt done. Where's the Liberty of the Subject, if men shall be Arraigned for their Thoughts? Where's common Equity, if the Testimony of a Profligate, Little Creature, that has sworn forward and backward, and backward and forward again, in the same Cause already, shall come to weigh against almost forty years' service of the Crown, without so much as one false step, which I affirm to be Literally True; and I defy the Devil himself, (let him but subscribe Satan to his Information) to disprove me in so much as a Syllable. What Security will there be for Honour or Virtue, when it shall become dangerous to be honest; And that there shall need no more than such a wretch as young tongue's kissing of a Book, to work the Ruin of any man living? We have no Curtius' in This Age to spare; no Devotees, (that will run through fire and water to redeem their Country (more than the Government (I fear) has need of. This is a Case not to be imagined; and fitter for a Romantic Vision, than a Christian Contemplation. It might do well enough, for a Satirical Piece of Painting, to draw the narrow Way beset with Gibbets, Shackles and Halters; and to have the broad One strewed with Honours, Preferments, and Rewards: for 'tis a Fancy only for an Emblem, not a History.  
And yet God forbid but Conspiracies and Conspirators should be throughly sifted and punished; The Suborners of false Evidence made exemplary, and delivered up to the highest degree of Ignominy & Scorn; But then let the impartial Hand of Justice hold the Scale; and let Authority, in due course of Law, pronounce the Sentence. But for Private Men to obtrude themselves upon the Province of the Magistrate: For Men who upon a Fatality of Principle, are (by a certain kind of Incantation) enslaved to such or such a Party; for these men (I say) to take advantages of the Passions, Distempers, Wants and Weaknesses of Persons in Distress: What may they not do with Mean and Mercenary Souls under such a Pressure? We are really come to that pass, That the Government itself as well as the Servants of it lies at the mercy of every common Scribbler, and Hedg-Printer: and it is at their pleasure, whether we shall be Honest Men; or Rascals, Traitors, Plotters, Suborners, Trepanners; All as They please.  Eph. 
Pray do but mind now, how all this hangs together. You are censured for discrediting the King's Witnesses; and you discharge yourself with saying that they abuse you: and there is not one word neither to clear yourself from being a Papist.  L'Estr. 
I have examined both my Books and my Thoughts. For the Latter; I am satisfied in my own Conscience, and that's enough for me. As to the Former, let but any man show me where I have so much as employed any thing to be False that was true; where I have so much as intimated the Doubt, or Discredited the Evidence of any thing that was sworn: or where I have so much as advised a Caution in the point of believing but to the advantage of the King's Evidences upon the true and real Plot: and I'll be his Bondslave. Now the Sum of all my words and meaning, is wrapped up in This: Distinguish betwixt Street-Reports and Sworn-Evidences; do not bring a Disparagement upon the Truth, by being over-easy to believe Fables: for nothing more supports the credit of any Cause, than the casting of all Trash and Trumpery out of it.  
To the Scandal of Popery; I am not ignorant how Liberal divers People are of their Censures in this Case; who by the Ties of Nature, Honour and Good Manners, aught to be more tender and careful of what they say: And some among the rest, that stab me with this Poisoned Dagger in their very Arms; for I can scarce pass them without an Embrace. If what I have said and proved already upon this Subject, will not satisfy the World, nothing will: But however, it is only so much pains lost, to attempt it once more.  
In my Reformed Catholic, pag. 3. [The Author (say I) is no Disguised or Concealed Papist, but of the Communion of the Church of England, Trained up in the strictest way of it, and standing firm to it against all sorts of Provocation, Discouragement, Temptation and Argument; and without warping to the Jesuits, either on the Right Hand, or on the Left.  
In my Discovery upon Discovery, Pag. 9 I expound the Passage above recited, in these Words,  
I had the Honour, in the Late Times, (and being then an Exile) to pass a matter of Eight Months in the House of the Cardinal of Hesse; where I was as kindly received as if I had been at my own Father's: I wanted neither Invitations nor Arguments to carry me over to the Church of Rome; beside the private Temptation of a Hopeless Interest (as to the King) and a Broken Fortune. Now if I had been so easily disposed to Truck my Religion for Money (as the whole Litter of the Town-Scriblers will have it) I do assure you Dr. I could then have made my Market.  
And then in my Letter to Dr. Oates, p. 21. thus;  
Now to discharge my Soul to you, Dr. as in Confession; I am (by my Hopes of Heaven) a True Son of the Church of England.  
Some there are, that will have me a Papist of Fifteen Years Standing; others, only of Six Months; But a Papist I am to be, in despite of my Heartsblood. The Coffee House-Doctors have, in fine, pronounced me a Papist; but where, and how often, and how many Witnesses to prove me at Mass, they are not yet agreed upon. The Scene is said to be laid in Somerset-House, Wyld-House, and three or four other obscure Places. The High-Fliers will not abate a single Ave-Mary of Forty Masses; but the more Moderate reckon upon Nine, precise; within a Dominus Tecum, which looks like Five Pound wanting a Penny, in a Tavern-Bill. With the same Conscience they might have made it Even Money as well, if they had so pleased. There's some body has made mention of Prance, as the Person to produce the Witnesses; but I'll not believe it. I could silence all these Calumnies, by telling you, that I have satisfied the Law in Receiving of the Sacrament, and taking the Tests; but I'll go further with you.  
By my Hopes of a Future State, I am in my Heart and Judgement, a True Son of the Church of England, according to the Nine and Thirty Articles: And if I was ever present at the Celebration of any Mass since His Majesty's Return; or if (to the best Recollection I can make of Things past) I have ever so much as set my Foot into a Romish Chapel, since His Majesty's Return, I wish I may never enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Zek. 
This is a bold Push; but all this Swearing and Staring will not bring you off yet for your Writing.  L'Estr. 
As to my Writings, they are at this Instant under the Anatomy; and I know most of the very Persons that are Commissioned to Read upon the Dissection. I look upon myself to be under the Protection of the Law; and I do positively say, that without a most Unnatural Violence, both upon the Scope and Wording of them, I am secure.   

POSTSCRIPT.  
MY Attendance upon his Majesty in Council, about this Business of Tong, since the Publishing of these Papers, has Created new Matter for a Postscript; which I am bound, in common prudence to communicate to the world; for the obviating of those malicious Calumnies which are daily promoted against me by the skill and industry of a Faction; to which I have rendered myself odious, by asserting the Rites and Interests, both of Church and State, according to my Conscience and Duty.  
Upon a strict Examination of this Sham-Plot of Tongues, and a full hearing of all Parties; I presented my Defence, as I have already set it forth, and it was admitted, without any sort of contradiction. But as I had occasion to say upon the place; If one Nail will not drive, another must. The Charge of the Sham-Plot falling to the Ground; (without one word of Mrs. Cellier, as to any concern of mine) Mr. Oates was pleased to represent me as a Person Popishly-affected; and he produced Mr. Prance, who declared upon Oath, that he had seen me three or four several times at Mass, at Somerset House, about two years since; and that I did there as other People did; but that he could not speak any more as to my being a Papist, or that he ever saw me receive; neither could he name any body else that saw me there; and he added to this, that he had known me about the Town for several years.  
Now to this Information, I answer, first, That if I had been there, it would not prove me to be a Papist; for Thousands of People resort thither, many times upon Curiosity, without any respect to Religion. Secondly, that having taken the Oaths and Tests required by the Law, I am Rectus in Curia: so that this Testimony cannot operate upon me for that reason neither; that is to say, any further than as to a Scandal.  
And yet under these safe and legal Circumstances, without any avail to me, (more than purging myself from the reproach) I do here deliberately and solemnly make this further Declaration to the whole world.  
As I do believe there is a God; and that there is a Heaven and a Hell, (with Reverence to the Divine Majesty, and to Truth) may I be saved, or damned, as I speak true or false, in this matter; and without any reserve or collusion whatsoever: and I deliver this upon cold and considerate thoughts, having before me the Prospect of the most dreadful Vengeance to fall upon me, if I tell a lie, that ever befell any Mortal?  
☞ I never was present at Mass in any place whatsoever, since his Majesty's Return; nor to the best of my memory, have been under the Roof of a Romish Chapel, since that time.  
After this, Mr Oats exhibited an Information against me for conveying away Bulls and Popish Books that had been seized and locked up: whereupon the Messenger of the Press discharged himself upon Oath, that the Name of L' Estrange was not so much as mentioned in the case. Mr. Oats Expounding himself afterwards, that what he spoke, was only upon Information.  
The next Blow at me will be (as I am informed) for saying at Will's Coffee House, that there is no Plot: which is a thing that I do aver, by all that I have said before, was never spoken by me, either there, or any where else.  
In the last place, I am to be questioned for my Books, and that concludes the Story.  
Whosoever duly considers the Quality of my Case, and the necessity of encountering so many spiteful flams, as are already dispersed, even since yesterday, with a fair and a modest Narration of the matter of Fact, will easily excuse this Appendix.  
Octob. 14. 1680.  
THE END