London's Flames revived: OR, AN ACCOUNT OF THE SEVERAL INFORMATIONS Exhibited to A COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY PARLIAMENT, September the 25th. 1666. To inquire into the BURNING of LONDON. WITH Several other INFORMATIONS concerning other FIRES in SOUTHWARK, FETTER-LANE, and elsewhere. By all which it appears, that the said FIRES were contrived, and carried on by the PAPISTS. Now humbly offered to the Consideration of all TRUE PROTESTANTS.  
Does any Man now begin to doubt how London came to be burnt, or by what Ways and Means poor Justice Godfrey fell?  Lord Chancellor Finch's Speech at Stafford's Trial, pag. 213. 
LONDON, Printed for Nathanael Ranew, at the King's Arms, and Jonathan Robinson, at the Golden Lion, in St. Paul's Church-Yard, MDCLXXXIX.   

licenced and ENTRED, According to ACT of PARLIAMENT.   

LONDON'S Consumption by Fire.  

UPon the 2d of September, 1666. the Fire began in London, at one Farriner's House, a Baker, in Pudding-lane, between the Hours of One and Two in the Morning; and continued burning, until the 6th of September following, consuming, as by the Surveyors appears in Print, Three hundred seventy three Acres within the Walls of the City of London, and Sixty three Acres and Three-Roods without the Walls: There remains Seventy five Acres and three Roods yet standing within the Walls, unburnt. Eighty nine Parish-Churches, besides Chapels, burnt. Eleven Parishes within the Walls yet standing. Houses burnt, Thirteen thousand and two hundred.  
Per 

Jonas Moore,  
Ralph Gatrix,   Surveyors.   


UPon the 18th Day of September, 1666. the Parliament came together: And upon the 25th of the same Month, the House of Commons appointed a Committee to inquire into the Causes of the late Fire; before whom the following informations, were given in, and proved before the Committee; as by their Report will more clearly appear, bearing date the 22th. of January, 1666. and upon the 8th of February following, the Parliament was prorogued, before they came to give their judgement thereupon.   



Die Martis 25 Septembris 1666. 18 Car. 2. Resolved, &c.  
THat a Committee be appointed to inquire into the Causes of the late Fire, and that it be referred to 

Sir Charles harboured  
Mr. Sandys  
Col. Birch  
Sir Robert Brook  
Sir Thomas Littleton  
Mr. Prin  
Mr. Jones  
Sir Solomon small  
Sir Thomas Tomlins  
Mr. Seymour  
Mr. Finch  
Lord Herbert  
Sir John Heath  
Mr. Milward  
Sir Richard Ford  
Mr. Robert Milward  
Sir William Lowther  
Sir Richard Vatley  
Sir Rowland Beckley  
Sir Thomas Allen  
Mr. Whorwood  
Mr. Coventry  
Serj. Maynard  
Sir John Talbot  
Mr. Morley  
Mr. Garraway  
Sir Francis Goodrick  
Col. Strangeways.  
Sir Edward Massey  
Sir Edmond Walpool  
Sir Robert Atkins  
Sir Thomas Gower  
Mr. Trevor  
Sir Thomas Clifford  
Sir Henry Caesar  
Sir John Monson  
Sir John Charleton  
Lord Ancram  
Mr. Pepis  
Sir Richard Everard  
Mr. Crouch  
Mr. Merrel  
Sir William Hickman  
Sir Richard Brown  
Mr. Maynard.    
And they are to meet To morrow, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber; and to sand for Persons, Papers and Records.  
Will. Goldsbrough, clear. Dom. come.   

October 9. 1666.  
Ordered, That these Members following be added to the Committee appointed to inquire into the Causes of the late Fire, viz. Sir John Pelham, Mr. Hugh Buscowen, Mr. Giles Hungerford, Sir William Lewis, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir John Brampstone, Mr. Milward, Mr. Buscowen, and all the Members that serve for the City of London.  
Will. Goldsbrough, clear. Dom. come.   

October 16. 1666.  
Ordered, That Mr. Davies, Sir Thomas Higgons, Mr. S. John, Sir Richard Frankling, Sir Thomas Tomkins, Mr. Devereux, Mr. Millard, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Dowdswell, Sir James Thyn, Sir Edm. Pierse, Mr. Coleman, Sir Tho. Allen, Mr. Giles Hungerford, Mr. Churchill, be added to the Committee appointed to inquire into the Causes of the late Fire.  
Will. Goldsbrough, clear. Dom. come.   
THE Honourable Committee, according to the fore-mentioned Orders of the House, did meet in the Speaker's Chamber, and having chosen Sir Robert Brook for their Chairman, proceeded to receive many considerable Informations from divers credible Persons about the matter wherewith they were entrusted, and thereupon did at last agree that Sir Robert Brook should make the ensuing Report to the Honourable House of Commons.   

The Report of Sir Robert Brook, chairman to the Committee that was appointed by the House of Commons to inquire into the Firing of the City of London; made the Two and Twentieth of January, 1666.  
IN a Letter from alencon of the 23 of August 1666. New style, written from one Dural to a Gentleman lodging in the House of one of the Ministers of the French Church in London, called Monsieur herald, there were these expressions.  
Pray acquaint me with the truth of certain News which is common in this Country, That a Fire from Heaven is fallen upon a City called belike, situated on the side of the River of Thames, where a World of People have been killed and burnt, and Houses also consumed. Which seemed a word of Cabal, cast out by some that were knowing, and others that might be ignorant of the signification of it.  
Mrs. Elizabeth Styles informs, That in April last, in an eager discourse she had with a French Servant of Sir Vere Fan, he hastily replied, You English Maids will like the Frenchmen better, when there is not a House left between Temple-Bar and London-Bridge. To which she answered, I hope your Eyes will never see that. He replied, This will come to pass between June and October.  
William Tisdale informs, That he being about the beginning of July at the Greyhound in St Martins, with one Fitz Harris an Irish Papist, heard him say, There would be a sud Desolation in September, in November a worse, in December all would be united into one. Whereupon he asked him, where this Desolation would be? He answered, In London.  
Mr Light of Ratcliff, having some discourse with Mr. Langhorn of the Middle-Temple, Barrister,( reputed a zealous Papist) about February 15 last, after some discourse in disputation about Religion, he took him by the hand, and said to him, You expect great things in Sixty Six, and think that Rome will be destroyed, but what if it be London?  
Mr Kitely of Barkin in Essex, informs, That one Mrs. Yazly, a Papist, of Ilford in the said County, came unto his House, August the 13th. and being in discourse with his Mother, said, They say the next Thursday will be the hottest day that ever was in England. She replied, I hope the hottest season of the year is now past. To which she answered, I know not whether it be the hottest for Weather or for Action. This Mrs. Yazly coming to the same House the Week after the Fire, Mr. Kitely said to her with some trouble, I have often thought of your hot Thursday: To which she replied, It was not indeed upon the Thursday, but it happened upon the Sunday was seven-night after. Mrs. Yazly hearing this Evidence produced against her, endeavoured to avoid the Words, saying, That upon the 13th. of August she did tell Mrs. Kitely, That they say the next Thursday will be the darkest Thursday that ever was in England, but not otherwise; which she affirms to have received from one Finchman, an old Woman of Ilford; who being examined by a Justice of Peace to discover the truth thereof, denied that ever she said any such words to Mrs. Yazly, or that she had discoursed with her about any such matter; and as to the subsequent words, she saith Mrs. Yazly denies ever to have spoken them: But Mr. Kitely offered in her presence( if it should be demanded to bring his Mother and Wife to testify the same.  
William ducat, Esq; a Member of the House, informs, That one Henry Baker of Chippenham in the County of Wilts, coming from Market with one John Woodman of Kelloway in the same County, the Thursday before the Fire began in London, they had some discourse about the buying of a yoke of fat Bullocks, wherein they differed, because Woodman who was to sell them was desired to keep them a while in his hands; But the said Woodman denied so to do, for that as he alleged, he could not stay in the Country till that time which Baker would have them delivered to him in, and being asked whither he was going, he refused to tell, asking what he had to do to make that question: But riding a little farther, the said Woodman expressed these words, You are brave blades at Chippenham, you made bonfires lately for beating the Dutch; but since you delight in bonfires, ye shall have your Bellies full of them ere it be long: Adding, that if he lived one week longer, he should see London as sad a London, as ever it was since the World began. And in some short time after, he should see as bloody a time as ever was, since England was England. This Discourse was not much taken notice of at that time it was spoken; but when the City of London was burnt, the said Henry Baker gave this Information to the said Mr. ducat; and whereupon he issued out his Warrant to apprehended Woodman, but he was gone out of the Country, and cannot be heard of since.  
Robert Hubert of rouen in Normandy, who acknowledged that he was one of those that fired the House of Mr. Farryner a Baker in Pudding-Lane, from whence the Fire had its beginning, confessed that he came out of France with one Stephen Peidloe about four Months before the Fire, and went into Sweden with him, where he also stayed with him as his Companion four Months, and then they came together into England in a Swedish Ship called the Skipper, where he stayed on board with the said Peidloe till that Saturday Night, in which the Fire broke out. When Peidloe taking him out of the Ship, carried him into Pudding lane, and he being earnest to know whither he would carry him, he would not satisfy him till he had brought him to the place, and then he  told him, that he had brought three Balls, and gave him one of them to throw into the House. And he would have been further satisfied in the design, as he said, before he would execute it: But Piedloe was so impatient that he would not hear him, and then he did the Fact; which was, That he put a Fire-ball at the end of a long Pole, and lighting it with a piece of Match, he put it in at a Window, and stayed till he saw the House in a flamme. He confessed that there were Three and Twenty Complices, whereof Peidloe was the Chief.  
Mr. Graves a French Merchant living in St. Mary Axe, informed this Committee, that he had known Hubert ever since he was four years old, and hath ever observed him to be a person of a mischievous inclination, and therefore fit for any villainous enterprise; and because of his knowledge he had of him, he went to visit him in Prison, where when he saw him, he could not but commiserate the condition whereinto he had brought himself. And for his better discovery of the Fact, he  told him, the said Hubert, that he did not believe he had done that of which he confessed himself guilty. To which Hubert replied, Yes Sir, I am guilty of it, and have been brought to it, by the instigation of Monsieur Peidloe; but not out of any malice to the English Na●ion, but from a desire of Reward which he promised me upon my Return into France.  
It is observable, that this miserable Creature who confessed himself to the Committee, to be a Protestant, was a Papist, and dyed so. And as for the aforesaid Peidloe, the said Mr. Graves informed, that he had had a full knowledge of him, and knew him to be a very Deboist Person, and apt to any Wicked Design. Moreover, for a clear Conviction of the Guilt of the aforesaid Hubert, Mr. Lowman, the Keeper of the White-Lion Prison, was appointed to set him upon a Horse, and to go with him, and see if he could find out the place where he threw the Fire-Ball. Upon which, Hubert with more readiness than they that were well acquainted with the place, went to Pudding-lane, unto the very place where the House that was first fired stood, saying, Here stood the House. The Jaylor endeavoured to draw him from that belief, and put him upon seeking for some other place: But he positively persisted in what he had first said; and affirmed that to have been the said House. It being intimated, to the Committee, That notwithstanding the Confession of the said Hubert, it was confidently reported, the Fire in the forementioned Farryners house, began by accident. The Committee therefore sent for him the said Farryner before them, who being examined, said, That it was impossible any Fire should happen in his House by accident; for he had after Twelve of the clock that Night gone through every Room thereof, and found no Fire, but in one Chimney, where the Room was paved with Bricks, which Fire he diligently raled up in Embers. He was then asked, whether no Window or Door might let in wind to disturb those Coals? He affirmed there was no possibility for any wind to disturb them; and that it was absolutely set on fire of purpose.  
daws Weymansel Esq; one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace, informed, That he saw a man apprehended in the time of the Fire, near the Temple, with his Pockets stuffed with combustible matter, made of Flax, Tow, and such like materials.  
Doctor John Packer informs, That he saw a Person in the time of the Fire, throw some combustible matter into a Shop in the Old Bayley, which he thinks was the Shop of an Apothecary; and that immediately thereupon he saw a great smoke, and swelled a smell of Brimstone. The Person that did this, immediately run away; but upon the out-cry of the People he was taken by the Guards.  
Mr. Randal, Mr. Haslam, and Mr. Humphrey Bowyer, do all agree, That they saw a Person flinging something into a House near St. Antholines Church; and that thereupon the House was on fire, and the smoke thereof infested the adjacent Houses. And when this was done, there was No fire near the place.  
Mr. Michael March, an Officer in the Trained Bands in a Company of Sir Richard Brown's, apprehended a Walloon in the time of the Fire, at the Nags-head in Leaden-hall Street, with an Instrument like a Dark-Lanthorn, made( as is conceived) to lay a Train of Powder, and it was filled with Gun-powder. There were two more of the same Nation in his company. They being asked to what use they employed the same Instrument, would give no Account thereof.  
Newton Killingworth Esq; informed, That he apprehended a Person during the Fire, about whom he found much combustible matter, and certain black things, of a long figure, which he could not endure to hold in his hand, by reason of their extreme heat. This Person was so surprised at first, that he would not answer to any question; but being on his way to White-hall, he acted the part of a Mad-man and so continued while he was with him.  
Sir John Maynard, a Member of this House affirms, That he had some of that combustible matter in his hands; and though it were in its natural substance, and unfired, yet the heat of it was scarcely to be endured by the touch.  
Mr. Freeman of Southwark Brewer,( whose House was lately fired) informs, That on the day his House was fired( about a quarter of an hour before that happened) a Paper with a Ball of Wild-fire, containing near a pound weight wrapped in it, was found in the Nave of a Wheel, in a Wheelers yard, where lay a great quantity of timber. How his House was fired, he knoweth not; but this he affirmed to the Committee, that it could not be by accident, because there had not been any Candle or Fire in the House where the Hay lay, that whole day; and that the Hay being laid in very dry, and before Midsummer, could not possibly be set on Fire within itself. Moreover he said, that the Hay-loft was on Fire on the top of the House; and that the Fire spread from the one end of the Roof to another in an instant.  
Mr. Richard Harwood informs, that being near the Feathers Tavern by St. Pauls, upon the fourth of September, he saw something through a grace in a Cellar, like Wild fire; by the sparkling and spitting of it, he could judge it to be no other; whereupon he gave notice of it, to some Souldiers that were near the place, who caused it to be quenched.  
I had order from the Committee to acquaint you, that we traced several Persons apprehended upon strong suspicion( during the fire) to the Guards, but could not make further discovery of them.  
Thus far was the Report.    

What follows was given into the Committee, but not by them Reported to the House at that time.  

IN obedience to an Order directed to me, from the Honourable Committee of the House of Commons, then sitting in the Speaker's Chamber, on the 2d. of October, 1666. I did carry Robert Hubert to St. Katherines Tower by Water, to let me know the place where the Swedish Ship lay, that brought him and other French-men from Stockholm, and he brought me to the Dock over against Mr. Corsellis his Brew-house, and did then verify to me and Mr. Corsellis, that the Ship lay there, until such time as he with Mr. Peidloe and others did go and set fire to a House. And this Hubert did then further say, that Mr. Peidloe did fix two Fire-balls to a long Pole, and put them into a Window; and that he the said Robert Hubert did fire one in the same manner, and put it in at the same Window. But with all the inquiry and diligence that I could use, I could neither find nor hear of any such Vessel. And from thence I carried the said Robert Hubert to Tower hill, and did then desire him to show me the House that they did Fire, and he said, that it was near the Bridge. So we went along Thames-Street towards the Bridge; but before we came to the Bridge, the said Robert Hubert said, that the House was up there( pointing with his hand up Pudding-lane:) So I bid him go to the place, and he went along the bricks and rubbish, and made a stand: Then I did ask one Robert Penny, a Wine-porter, which was the Bakers House; and he  told me, that was the house where the aforesaid Robert Hubert stood. So I went to Robert Hubert, and stood by him, and turned my back towards the Bakers house, and demanded of him, which house it was that he fired,( directing to other houses contrary to that house) but he turning himself about, said, This was the house( pointing to the Bakers house) that was first fired. Then, by reason of his lameness, I set him on a Horse, and carried him to several other places, but no other place he would aclowledge; but road back again to the Baker's House, and said again, that was the House( pointing at the Baker's House.) And this I do humbly certify to this Honourable Committee.  
By me John Lowman, Keeper of his Majesty's County-Gaol for Surry.   

SIR,  
HEaring that you are chairman to the Committee for examining the Firing of London, I thought good to acquaint you with this Information that I have received.  
William Champneys, a Hatband-maker, now living upon Horslydown, was upon Tuesday Morning, September the 14th. 1666. in Shoe-Lane, and there met with a Constable who had apprehended a French-man whom he took firing a House there with Fire-balls, and charged the said Champneys to assist him, who carried the said French-man to Salisbury Court, hoping there to have found a Justice; but finding that Place burning down, returned into Fleetstreet, who was presently called upon by the Commander of the Life Guard, to know what the matter was: the Constable  told him, he had apprehended a French-man firing a House in Shoe-Lane; he examined the Person, and committed him to the Guard; and  told the Constable, he would secure him; and carried him along with him. The Constable asked him, whether he should go along with him, to give in his Evidence: He replied, that he had done enough, and might go home. But what became of the French-man, he knoweth not.  
Your Humble Servant, S. G.   

In a Letter directed from Ipswich, for the Honourable Sir Robert Brook, it is intimated, That about the 30th. of August 1666 One of the Constables of Cotton in Hartsmer Hundred being about the survey of that Town, about Hearth-money, was  told by one Mr. William Thompson, a Roman catholic in that Town, That though times were like to be sad, yet if he found any cause to change his Religion, he would see he should not want: And further said to him, What will you say, if you should hear that London is burnt?   

The Affidavits touching a French-man, that said there were three Hundred of them engaged in firing the City.  
The Informations of Richard Cound of St. Giles in the Fields, Ironmonger; William coats, Samuel page., Francis Cogny, edmond Daikns, and Richard Pardoe taken the 8th. day of September, 1666. by Sir Justinian Lewen Knight, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, upon Oath, as followeth.  

RIchard Cound saith, That upon Tuesday night last about twelve or one of the Clock, there was a French-man brought by the watch to this Informant's Father's House, being at the Sign of the White Hart in King-street, taken as a suspicious Person; The said Person being questioned by them, whether he was not one of those that fired the City, or had any Hand therein, or any Privity or Knowledge of any that had designed the same, or words to that effect; the said Person answered a great while in a perverse manner, quiter different from the question. But being further pressed, to tell the truth; and being  told, that if he were guilty, it would be the only way to save his life; he did at first obstinately deny, that he knew any thing of any Plot. Whereupon a young Man took the Prisoner aside, to the end of the Room, and after some private Discourse between them, they both returned to this Informant and the rest of the Company, and the said young Man spake openly to us, in the hearing of the Prisoner, That the said French-man and Prisoner had confessed, there were three Hundred French-men that were in a Plot or Conspiracy to fire the City. Upon which this Informant and others spake to the said French-man in these Words, or to the same effect: Well, Monsieur, you have done very well to confess what you have done, and no doubt but you may have your pardon, if you will confess all you know of this Plot: And thereupon further asked him, Art there no more than three Hundred Persons in the said Plot? He answered, there are no more than three Hundred Persons. Then we enquired who they were, and how he came to know they were three Hundred? To which he would give no direct answer, but put it off with other extravagant discourse. And being asked why he came to St. Giles's Parish( where he was apprehended) He  told a Story, that he came from Islington Fields, where his Masters goods were; but the Goods were now removed, he could not tell whither; and that his Master bid him go up and down the Fields, but would not declare upon what Occasion, or for what end he was so to do; and being asked whether there were three hundred Persons engaged in this design, or Plot? He replied that there were three hundred engaged in it.   

The several Informations of William coats of Cow-lane of London, Painter; of Samuel page. of St. Giles in the Fields, Weaver; of edmond Dakins of St. Giles aforesaid, Bookseller; of Francis Cogky of St. Andrews, Holburn; of Richard Pardoe Victualler, taken upon Oath, &c. tend to the confirmation of the foregoing Relation.    

An Extract of a Letter from Hydleburgh in the Palatinate, Sept. 29. 1666.  
SIR,  
YOurs of the sixth currant came on Wednesday to me, and brought the ill tidings of the burning of London, constantly expected and discoursed of amongst the Jesuits to my knowledge for these fifteen years last past, as to Happen in this Year. In which they do also promise to themselves and others Introduction of the public exercise of the catholic Religion. This Letter was sent to Mr. Alton, who lives in New Gravel-Lane in Shadwel, who negotiates the business of the Palatinate, and will produce the Original if there be occasion.   


The Information of John Chishul Schoolmaster in Enfield.  
UPon Friday Aug. 31. Mrs St. George, and her eldest Daughter Susanna St. George, both Popish Recusants, came to visit Mrs. Rebecca Eves, Widow, at her house in Enfield; where speaking concerning the Session of Parliament drawing nigh, Mrs. St. George  told her, that some would hereafter be called to account for a Plot. Being asked for what? She  told her in her ear, For burning the City. Mrs. Eves afterwards hearing of the firing of London,( and going to a place where she might behold it) met with Mrs. Susanna St. George,( and amongst other discourse)  told her how much her mothers words, which she spake the Friday before, did run in her thoughts; which she repeated to her Daughter, who made this Reply, That her Mother was very apt to talk, and that she had been fain to keep her Mother within doors during the Fire, fearing lest she should talk.  
After this( during the Fire) Mrs. Eves met with Mrs. Cook, another Popish Recusant, and of the same Family; to whom she also related Mrs. St. George her Words: Who made this Return, That she was a worthy Woman to keep Counsel!  
Also the Lady St. George, at Enfield, in the Lord of Lincoln's House, declared to Mrs. Rebecca Eves, of the said Town, That within a few Days, the City of London would be laid in Ashes. This was spoken about two Days before the Fire happened.   

Mrs. Eves of Enfield her Examination before Mr. Jolliff and Mr. Marvel, Decemb. 20. 1666. concerning Mrs. St. George.  
MRs. Rebecca Eves of Enfield, three or four Days, or within a Week before the Fire, receiving a Visit in her own House, from Mrs. St. George( amongst other Discourse) Mrs. S. George asked her, What News she heard? And if she knew when the Parliament sate? Mrs. Eves replied, She thought, shortly. The other asked, If she heard of any that were to be called in question before the Parliament? Mrs. Eves said, About what? Mrs. St. George said, About a Plot. Mrs Eves asked, What Plot? Mrs. St. George answered, About Firing the City. Mrs. Eves said, I hope God will preserve the City; but People use not to be questioned before the Fact be committed. So the Discourse was waved for that time.  
At the time of the Fire, Mrs. Eves went out to look towards the Fire; and mentioning Mrs. St. George, one in the Company replied, behind her,( but she cannot certainly fix the Person) A prime Woman to keep Counsel! After the Fire, Mrs. St. George her Daughter came to Mrs. Eves, who asked her, If she remembered what her Mother had said? She said, My Mother is such a Woman, she will speak what she thinks. Afterwards she said, That she had much ado to keep her Mother in at the time of the Fire, lest she should speak some things she should be questioned for.  
At the first Discourse, Mrs. Eves, her Daughter, and others of her Family were present. Mr. St. George, his Wife, and Family, have since left Enfield. They are all great Papists, and there are many more in the Neighbourhood.    

A Letter directed, and sent by the Post, to Mr. Samuel Thurlton, in Leicestershire, from a Person unknown, as followeth; Dated October, 1666.  
My Friend,  
YOur Presence is now more necessary at London, than where you are, that you may determine how to dispose of your Estate in Southwark: For it is determined by human Counsel( if not frustrated by Divine Power) that the Suburbs will shortly be destroyed. Your Capacity is large enough to understand: Proceed as your Genius shall instruct you.  
Cave Cave Puge, Vale.   

SAturday the 1st of September, 1666. the Day before the Fire in London, came one Urmstraw from Ireland, with a Letter from thence, to one Esq; Holcroft, at East-Ham in Essex( being related to that Family by Marriage;) where he supped. After which, he asked the Esquire, If he had heard any thing of the Firing of London? Who answered, No. But Urmstraw said, He would shortly; for it was, or would be so that Night. The Esquire answered, If it were, he hoped it might be quenched again; as it had been many a time. But Urmstraw answered, No, it would not be quenched; for it should be said of it, as of Troy: Repeating a Latin Verse, 
Nunc sedges est ubi Troja fuit.  
Now Corn grows where Troy Town stood.   
This Discourse was managed pleasantly by him; after which, they went to their Beds: And in the Morning, this Urmstraw inquires earnestly, Whether they had heard of the Firing of London that Night? They answered, No. But he prayed him to sand one of the Family out, to inquire; and, doubtless, they would hear of it. Upon which, a Messenger was sent; who brought Word from a Man that traveled upon the Road, that it was on fire indeed. After Dinner, this Urmstraw desired his Horse to be saddled, that he might be gone. The Esquire entreats him to stay till next Morning: But he answered, Therefore I would see London before it be quiter burnt; for I shall never see it more.  
Sunday morning, the Fire being begun in London, a Person coming from Deptford, when he came to Barnaby-street-end in Southwark, hears a Woman cry out against a French-man, for throwing Fire-balls; he runs after him, and lays hold of him. He asked him, what Commission he had for so doing? He answered, That his Commission was in his Constancy. The People coming in, they preached him, and found Fire-balls in his Pockets. He was delivered to the Guard in Southwark, but heard of no more.  
A Citizen being fired out of his House, had hired a Lodging in Queen street in Covent Garden; and going up Holborn, there being a crowd of People, steps in amongst them, and hears a Woman say, that she had a hand in firing the City. The People asked her, whether she were an Anabaptist? She said, No. Are you an independent? She said, No. Are you a Presbyterian? She said, No. Are you a Roman catholic? To which she would give no Answer. The Citizen asked her, But, Mistress; Had you a hand in burning the City? She answered, What would you have me to say? I have confessed it already, and do deserve to die for it. This she said, with great trembling; and seemed to be much troubled. The Citizen inquired for a Constable: The People reply, There was one gone for. But a Gallant comes, and takes her by the Arm, and leads her away; saying, He would have her examined: And forthwith, another Gallant closeth with him; and they both carried her to the Griffin-Tavern in Holbourn. The Citizen follows them, to see the Result of the Business: But they, with the Master of the House, shut out the Company( all but the Citizen, supposing him to be one of their own Company;) but asking one the other concerning him, and finding him not of them, put him out again. Whereupon, he goes to the next Company of Soldiers, and inquires for their Captain: Who replied, He was not there; but  told him, Yonder is my L. C. Unto whom the Citizen repaired; and acquainted his Lordship, That there was a Woman apprehended( and rescued by a couple of Gallants) that had confessed she had a hand in burning the City, and was at such a Tavern. Whereupon the L. C. called to a Captain in the Street, and ordered him to go with that Man, and apprehended the Woman that he should direct him to. Whereupon, he goes with the Citizen, and takes her, with the first Gallant, who stood up highly in her defence, and carries them both to an Ale-house on the other side of the Way. The Citizen perceiving that nothing would be done with her, leaves his Name with the Captain, and where he might be found; but was never called for, to justify the Words spoken by her.  
A Woman standing in white-chapel with a Company about her, was asked what the matter was? She said, that she met two young Men in that place, and asked them how it was with the Fire: They answered, 'tis now almost out, if it can be kept so; but the Rogues renew it with their Fire-balls. As saith another Woman, Young Men, if you have a Heart to it, you may be hired to throw them. It was asked her, what was become of the Woman that spake thus? She answered, That she had apprehended her, and delivered her to the under Beadle of White-Chappel-Parish. The Woman falling under the Accusation( not being able to deny it) there being many Witnesses at that time that heard it: She was delivered to Sir John Robinson, but heard of no more.  
One from France writes to his Correspondent in London, to know the truth of what was muttered in Paris, Whether London were laid in Ashes or no. The Letter being dated a week before the Fire began.  
From Surrey in or near Darkin, a Person in ordinary habit, who was yet observed to take Place of all the Nobility and Gentry among the Papists, seeing the People of Darkin mourn for the burning of the City, he spake slightingly of it, telling them, they should have something else to trouble themselves for; and that shortly Darkin should be laid as low as London. Whereupon the People made at him, and one Mr. H. a great Papist rescues him, and sends him away in his Coach to London. This was deposed before Sir Adam Brown, a Justice of Peace, and a Member of Parliament.    

These following Relations( for Substance) were delivered to Sir Robert Brooks, chairman of the Committee, a little before the Prorogation of the Parliament.  

A true Relation made by one of the Grand Jury, at Hick's-Hall, at a general Quarter-Sessions, presently after the Fire in London, who was upon Trial of some of those that fired the City.  
THat near West-Smithfield in Chick-lane, there was a Man taken in the very Act of firing a House, by the Inhabitants and Neighbours; and carrying him away through Smithfield, to have him before a Justice for the Fact committed, the King's Life Guard perceiving it, made up unto them, and demanded their Prisoner from them; but they refused to let him go. The lifeguard Men  told them, That he was one of the King's Servant, and said, We will have him. And thereupon they drew out their Swords and Pistols, and rescued him out of the People's hands by force of Arms.  
A Bill of Indictment was brought against him, and two or three Witnesses did swear unto it, and the Bill was found by the Grand-Jury, who did carry it to the Old bailie, and presented it to the Lord Chief Justice; but it came to no further Trial, nor was ever seen after at the Old Bayly, so far as this Person, upon his best Enquiry, could ever hear, or learn.   

Concerning an House-keeper at So ho, who fired his own Dwelling-house.  
FIrst he secured all his Goods in his Garden, and then went in and fired his House; which when he had done, he endeavoured to get away out at his Fore door. A Neighbour demanded of him, Who had fired his House? He answered, The Devil. Upon that, his Neighbour bad him stand, or he would run his halberd into his Guts. His Answer was, If you do, there are enough left behind me to do the Work. Whereupon, he was secured, and a Bill of Indictment brought against him, and about three Witnesses did swear to it: And his Son came in as a Witness against him; who was demanded by the Foreman, What he could say as to the firing of his Father's House? He said, That his Father did fire it with a Fire-ball. It was demanded of him, Whether he did fire it above stairs, or below? He answered, Above stairs. The Bill was likewise found, but the Petty-Jury did not find him guilty.  
A Maid was taken in the Street, with two Fire-balls in her Lap: Some did demand of her, Where she had them? She said, One of the King's lifeguard threw them into her Lap. She was asked, Why she had not caused him to be apprehended? She said, That she knew not what they were. She was indicted for this, and the Bill found against her, and turned over to the Old-Baily; but no Prosecution upon it.  
In the time of the Fire, a Constable took a French-man firing an House, seized on him; and going to a Magistrate with him, met his R. H. the D. of Y. who asked the reason of the Tumult. One  told him, that a French-man was taken firing a House: His H. called for the Man, who spake to him in French: The D. asked, Who would attest it? The Constable said, I took him in the Act, and I will attest it. The D. took him into his Custody, and said, I will secure him. But he was heard of no more.  
On Monday the 3d. of September, there was a French man taken firing a House; and upon searching of him, Fire balls were found about him. At which time four of the lifeguard rescued the French-man, and took him away from the People, after their usual manner in the whole time of the Fire.  
One Mr. Belland a French-man, living at marrowbone, who bought great store of pasteboard for a considerable time before the fire in the City of London, to the quantity of twenty gross in one shop, and much more elsewhere, was asked by a Citizen, What he did with all that pasteboard? He answered, that he made Fire-works for the King's Pleasure. The Citizen asked him. What doth the King give you? He replied, Nothing, only I have Respect at Court: The Citizen said Take heed, Mr. Belland, you do not expend your Estate, and then lose your Respects at Court, for you are at a great charge. Belland answered, Sir, do you think this a great matter? I use all this myself; But if you did see all the great quantities I have made elsewhere in three several places, three, four, and five miles off, you would say something. Another time, the Stationer with whom he dealt for the pasteboard, being at his House in marrowbone, and wondering at the many Thousands of Fire-works, that lay piled up of several sorts, he said, Sir, do you wonder at this? if you should see the quantity that I have made elsewhere by other Men, you would wonder indeed.  
The Sunday before the Fire began, this Belland came to the Shop where he was wont to buy his pasteboard, but the Stationer being not there, he desired a Citizen( the Stationer's Neighbour) to speak to him, and to let him know that he had much wronged him in disappointing him of the four gross of pasteboard which he should have had of him, and said that he should not do his work by the time; and that if he had it not by Tuesday night, it would come too late, he should have no occasion for it after that( which was the Tuesday Night before the Fire.) Mr. Belland( said the Citizen) what is the reason of your hast? Have you any show suddenly before the King? At which he blushed, and would give no Answer. Says the Citizen, What kind of Fire works do you make, only such as will crack and run? Belland answered, I make of all sorts; some that will burn and make no crack at all, but will fly up in a pure Body of flamme, higher than the top of Paul's , and waver in the Air. Says the Citizen, Mr. Belland, when you make your show, shall I see it? Yes, said Belland, I promise you, and gave him his hand upon it. Which Citizen in the time of the Fire being upon the Thames in a Boat, saw to his great amazement, sundry Bodies of Fire, burning above the Fire of the Houses as high again as Paul's, wavering in the Air, directly according to Belland s Description.  
And after the Burning of the City, the Stationer and the other Citizen agreed to go to marrowbone, to speak with this Belland; and by the way, met with his two Maids and his Boy; and having some knowledge of them, asked for young Mr. Belland: who  told them, he was not at home, neither knew they where he was. But the Citizens observing, that they carried with them rabbits and Capons ready dressed, concluded they were going to him, and  told them so; whereat they were surly, and bad them go look him, for they would not tell them where he was. Upon that, the Citizens resolved to follow them, and did, till they came to White-Hall. The Servants went up Stairs, and down Stairs, on purpose to have lost them, but could not, for they kept close to them: And at last, one of the Maids went to a Door, and knocked; crying out, They were dogged by two Men, that they could not be rid of. With that, young Mr. Belland opened the Door, saying to one of the Citizens, Sir, your Servant: How do you do? One of them answered, Both I, and many thousand Families more, are the worse for you; for you, under pretence of making Fire-works for the King, have destroyed a famous City, and ruined a noble People. To which Belland replies, I make nothing but innocent things, that will do no harm; for which I have a Patent from the King. But the Citizen answered, If the King gave you a Patent, it was but for yourself. Who answered, No. Said the Citizen, What made you then to employ so many Men, in so many places? No, said Belland, I set no Man to work; neither know I any Man that makes of them, but myself; tho' he had often before said otherwise. While they were thus discoursing, old Belland looks from under the Hanging; Sir, said he, I hear you charge my Son with suspicion of Burning the City; I pray you, speak lower( casting his Eyes about, fearing the Ladies, passing by, might hear;) and said, My Son doth nothing, but what he hath a Patent from the King for; and shall have an Order to sue any Man, that shall accuse him. And he said, My Son is no Prisoner, but lodged here, to prevent him from the Rage of the Common People. Well, said the Citizens, You must give an Account for what you have done: And so they shut the Door upon them. The Citizens went, and inquired whose Lodgings they were; and were  told, they belonged to a Lady.   

The Information of Thomas Middleton chirurgeon, late Inhabitant of St. Brides, London.  
I The said Thomas Middleton do hereby certify, that upon the Sunday in the Afternoon( the Day wherein the dreadful Fire broke out in Pudding-Lane, which consumed the City) hearing the general Out-cry, that the City was fired by Papists and French, I repaired to the top of a Church-steeple, near the Three Cranes, in the Vintrey; where myself, and several others, observed the Motion of the Fire for two or three Hours together: And we all took notice, that the Fire did break forth out of several Houses, when the Houses which were then burning were at a good distance from them every way. And, more particularly, I saw the Fire break out from the in-side of laurence ●…tney-steeple, when there was no Fire near it. These, and such like Observations begot in me a persuasion, that the Fire was maintained by Design. Upon Monday, I repaired again into the City, and found, as the Day before, that the Fire did break forth in fresh Houses, at a great distance one from another. And as I was returning home, passing through Watl●ng-street, by a Tobacco Merchant's House, I saw the Master of the House come down Stairs, driving a young Fellow before him; saying to him, You Rogue, do you come to rob me? What did you do in my Garret? Or Words to that purpose; and pushed him out of doors: All which I observed, and he seemed to be a French man: He was a short, black Fellow, of about 22 Years of Age: And as soon as he was out of the House, he having a loose Coat on, in a way of privacy, shuffles something under his Coat; whereupon, I laid hold of him, and said, Sirrah, What have you there? The Fellow replied, What is that to you; the Master of the House knows me. Upon that, I asked the Mr. of the House, whether he knew the Fellow: He answered, He knew him not. Whereupon, I searched the Fellow, and found a Horn of Powder about him; and as soon as the Powder was discovered, he fell a rubbing his Hands, they being all black with Powder. He had also about him a Book entitled, The Jewish Government. I charged him, that he was a French man, because he spake broken English, but he denied it, and did much vaunt himself. There coming a Constable by with his Staff, I required him to carry him to Prison, and I would assist him: So we conveyed him to Old Bridewell; and by the way, the People were ready to kill him; calling him French Rascal. I prayed them to forbear, for Justice would give him Reward. I  told the Fellow, he would be hanged; he made slight of it, saying, If I die, my Soul shall be saved, but yours shall be damned, And when he was put into Bridewell, I desired that he might be secured, and none suffered to speak with him, till he were examined before a Magistrate, because the Tobacco-Merchant's house was presently burned upon it. But so it happened on the next Day, that the Fire came on, and consumed my House and Goods; so that I was forced, with my Family, to f●ee into the Country; and what became of the Fellow, I know not; old bridewell being burnt also. And understanding that the Parliament hath appointed a Committee to inquire after the Actors in, and Fomenters of that terrible Fire; I thought good to inform the Honourable Committee thereof, that they may sand for the Keeper of the said bridewell, to know what became of the Fellow, that he might receive Justice according to his Demerit. Thus much I thought myself obliged to do, as in Duty bound to God and my Country; all which I am ready to affirm upon Oath, when I shall be thereunto called.  
Tho. Midleton.   

IN the time of the Fire, near bridewell, there was a Man sadly bemoaning the great loss he was like to sustain( the Fire then being within five or six houses of him) did beseech the People for God's sake( they having no Goods of their own in danger) to come in and help him to throw out Trunks, Chests, Beds, &c. out at a Window, having procured two Carts or wagons to carry them away: Whereupon I ran into his House with several others, broken down his Windows, threw out his Goods, and loaded the Carts; and there being some Interval of time before the return of the Carts, and seeing a Room wherein were many Books and loose Papers( which seemed to be a Library) I went in and took down a Book, which proved to be Ovid s Metamorphosis; and while I was looking upon it, there came into the same Room an old Man of low stature, with a white Frock, who looked also on the Book as it was in my hand; I took him in my mind to be some Groom come out of a Stable, and thought him to be presumptuously foolish, supposing such a mean-like old Man ignorant of that Language in which the Book was written, it being latin; but I spoken not to him. In the mean time, there broke forth a fire amongst the Papers which were behind us, there being none in the Room but he and I. Whereupon the rest of the the People coming in, cried out, We had set the Room on fire: And rushing in upon us, put out the fire with their feet. Whereupon I took hold of the old Man by the Buttons under the Throat, and said, How now, Father! it must either be you or I that must fire these Papers. There was a small thing of a black matter, which looked like a piece of Link, burning, which questionless set fire on the Papers, but it was immediately trod out. A tumult of People thronged in; and when I said, How now, Father! and took hold on him, he said, Parci mihi, Domini: The People which did not understand it, cried out, He is a French man, kill him; and with pulling of him, his Peruke fell off; then appeared a bald Skull, and under his frock he had black clothes, I think of Bishops-Sattin; whereupon he seemed to be a grave ecclesiastic Person. I had much ado to save him from the People, but at last brought him before the D. of Y. We found in his pocket a bundle of Papers closed up with wax like a packet, which was delivered to the D. of Y. I known not what was written in them, neither do I know what Country-man he was, but methoughts he looked something Jesuite-like. This I am certain of, that when I went into the Room there was no Fire in it, and it was fired when there was none but he and I in it, yet I cannot say I saw him do it, though I cannot but suspect he did it, and the rather because there were several houses untouched betwixt this house, and where the Fire was coming on, when the Papers in the Library were thus on Fire as I have related. What became of this fellow, after we had delivered him to his R. H. I have not heard.  
John Stewart.    
Thus far concerning the Report and Informations about the Fire: Now follows a true account of what was represented to another Committee of Parliament, touching the insolency of Popish Priests and jesuits, and the increase of Popery, &c.   

At the Committee appointed to certify Informations touching the Insolency of Popish Priests and jesuits, and the Increase of Popery.  

Ordered, That these several Informations proceeded on, in pursuance of the said Power of the Committee, be reported to the House in reference to the insolency of the Popish Priests and jesuits, and the increase of Popery.   

AS to the Increase of Popery, Mr. Hancock, Minister of Chilmoth in Wilts, Informs, that meeting with one Mr. Thompson, about a Month since, coming from Mass out of Somerset-house chapel, and discoursing to him about his Religion, asked him if there were many lately turned to it? Thompson answered, Thousands. And being demanded, what encouragement there was to it? replied, There would be a Change suddenly.   

Report his Carriage the Committee.  
Mr. Thompson being summoned before the Committee, did behave himself very insolently: They have commanded me to report it. Being asked, Whether he had not a Shop in Sommerset-house where Popish Books and Popish Knacks were sold? He said, He had; and that his Man sold such Books and Beads, and other things. And said, there was one Crucifix, no relics; but wished he had some good ones. He said, that he was a Roman catholic, and thanks God for it. He said, he was no Priest, but wished he were in a capacity to be one. He said, he had not taken the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy nor would do it. He said, he would take any Oath that any Christian Prince should require, but not the Oath of Allegiance, intimating some mixture in it. He said, he had taken the Oath of Allegiance to the King of Spain, and was a Subject to the King of Spain.  
One Mr. Ash a Minister, late of Capel in Surrey, Informed, That being at Caufield in Lancashire this last Summer, he saw great resort on Sundays to Caufield House, the House of a Papist; and asking some that were going thither, what the occasion was of their resort thither, they  told him they were going to Mass, and that one Mr. Robinson a Priest did say Mass.  
Mr. Ash did likewise Inform, That he thought the number of those that went to Mass to that House on Sundays, was as great as the Protestants that went to the Parish-Church.  
One Mr. Welden Deputy-Ordinary for Middlesex, did Inform, That in his accustomend attendance on the Prisoners at Newgate, about the time of Execution, Romish Priests, and particularly one Mr Harvy a jesuit, hath constantly used to resort to the Prison at those times, and doth persuade the Prisoners to become Papists; and that divers have been altered in their Religion by them, and turned to Popery.  
Mr. Wootton Informeth, That on Octob. 16. he went to Newgate, and meeting with one Howard an Under-Keeper at the door, desired to speak with Mr. Hubert the French-man, who was then condemned: Howard  told him that he could not speak with him yet, for Mr. Harvy the Queen Mothers Confessor was in private with him; and said, this Harvy used frequently to come to the Prison after Condemnation, and that where one Prisoner dyed a Protestant, many died Papists. Mr. Wootton said, that after some stay he saw Mr. Harvy come out from Mr. Hubert, and then he was admitted to have speech with him.  
Mr. Cawdry, Keeper of Newgate, did Inform, That Mr. Harvy the jesuit did frequent the Prison at Newgate about the times of Execution, upon the pretence of the Queens Charity, and did spend much time with the Prisoners in private, and particularly, did so before the last Execution, night after night. Mr. Cawdry said likewise of the nine that suffered, eight died Papists, whereof some he knew were Protestants when they came into the Prison.  
It appeared upon several Informations, that Mr. Harvy and other Priests, did not only resort to Newgate at times of Execution; but likewise to the White-Lion in Southwark, and other places in the Country, and used their endeavours to pervert dying Prisoners.  
Thomas Barnet, late a Papist, Informed, That when he was a Papist, and resorted to Gentlemens Houses in berkshire that were Papists; there was almost in every Gentlemans house a Priest, and instanced in divers private Gentlemen in that County. Others did inform the like, in Surrey.  
Mr. Cottman did inform, that one Mr. Carpenter, late a Preacher at Colledge-hill, did in discourse tell Cottman, That the Judgments of God upon this Kingdom by the Plague last year, and lately by the Fire in London, were come upon this Land and People, for their forsaking the true Roman catholic Religion, and shaking off obedience to the Pope, and that if they would return to the Church of Rome, the Pope would rebuild the City at his own Charge. Carpenter said likewise to the said Cottman, That if he would come and hear him Preach the next Sunday at his house in Queens-street, he would give twenty Reasons to prove, that the Roman catholic was the true Religion, and his the false; and that our Bible had a thousand falsities in it, and that there was no true Scripture but at Rome, and their Church.  
Carpenter at the Committee confessed, that he had formerly taken Orders from the Church of Rome to be a Priest, but said he had renounced that Church and taken Orders in England.  
The next thing is the Information of their Insolency, and I shall begin with their Scorning and Despising the Bible.  
One Thomas Williams an Officer in Sir William Bowyer's Regiment, Informed, That one Ashley a Papist, seeing a Woman reading in a Bible, asked her why she red in that Damnable Presbyterian Bible, and said, A Play-book was as good.  
Thomas Barnet of Bingfield in berkshire, informed, That being at one Mr. Young's house in Bingfield, at Bartholomew-tide last, Mr. Young said to the Brother of this Thomas, in his hearing, That within two years there should not be a Protestant in England. Thomas Barnet, informed further, That being at Mr. Doncaster's house in Bingfield, one Mr. Thural, Son in-Law to Mr. Doncaster,( and both Papists) said to this Informer,( who was then likewise a Papist) The People take me for a poor fellow, by I shall find a thousand or two thousand pounds, to raise a party of Horse, to make Mr. Hathorns and Mr. Bulcocks fat guts lye on the ground; for it is no more to kill an heretic; than to kill a grasshopper; and that it was happy for him that he was a catholic, for by that means he shall be one that shall be mounted.  
Mr. Linwood Scrivener in White-Chappel, informed, That about the 20. of October last meeting with one Mr. Binks a Papist, and discoursing with him, Binks  told him, That there was amongst the Papists as great a Design as ever was in England, and he thought it would be executed suddenly. Being asked how many Papists there were about London? He answered, About seven thousand, and in England an hundred thousand were Armed.  
Mr. Oaks a Physician dwelling in Shadwel, informed, That a little after the burning of London. one Mr. Carpenter a Minister, came to his House on Tower-wharf, and spake to him to this purpose: I will not say that I am Papist, but this I will say, that I had rather die the death of the Papists, and that my Soul should be raised with their Resurrection, than either to be Presbyterian, Independent or Anabaptist; and I tell you, the Papists have hitherto been his Majesty's best Fortification; for when Presbyterians, Independents and Anabaptists forsook and opposed him, then they stood by him, and helped him; and he is now resolved to commit himself into their hands. And take it upon my word, in a short time, the Papists will lay you as low as that house;( pointing to an House that was demolished) for they are able to raise Forty thousand men; and I believe, the next work will be cutting of Throats. This was Sworn by Mr. Oaks, before Sir John Frederick, a Member of the House.  
Mirian Pilkington being present when the words were spoken, doth affirm them all, save only those, That the King is resolved to commit himself into the Papists hands. Those she doth not remember.  
●… enry Young a Distiller of Hot-waters, informed, That about April 1661. being in the jesuits college in Antwerp, one Powel, an English jesuit persuaded him to turn a Roman catholic, and said, That if he intended to save his Life and Estate he had best turn so; for within seven years he should see all England of that Religion. Young replied, That the City of London would never endure it. Powel answered, That within five or six years they would break the power and strength of London in pieces, and that they had been contriving it these twenty years; and that if Young did live, he should see it done. The said Young did likewise inform, That shortly after his coming into England, one Thompson and Copervel, both Papists, did several times say to him, That within sieve or six years at the farthest, the Roman catholic Religion should be all over this Kingdom.  
Jasper Goodwin of Darkin, in the County of Surry, informe●, That about a Month since, one Edward Complin, a Papist, said to him, You must all be Papists shortly; and that now he was not ashamed to own himself a Roman catholic, and to own his Priest( naming two that were in Darkin in the Houses of two Papists;) and likewise said, That in twenty four hours warning, the Roman catholics could raise thirty thousand Men, as well armed, as any Men in Christendom.  
William Warner of Darkin, informed, That the said Edward Complin did tell him, That the Roman catholics in England, could in twenty four hours, raise thirty thousand Horse and Arms: And upon saying so, pulled out his Crucifix and Beads, and said, He was not ashamed of his Religion.  
John Graunger of Darking, informed, That about a year since being in his House, reading the Bible, on Thomas Collins, a Papist, said to him, Are you still a Church-goer? Had you not better turn Roman catholic? If you stay till you are forced, none will abide you. And said further, That there was a Man beyond-sea had prophesied, That in sixty six, if the King did not settle the Romish Religion in England, he would be banished out of the Kingdom, and all his Posterity. And Collins further said; That he being lately turned a Roman catholic, he would be a turn-Protestant for all the World. He wished Graunger again, in the hearing of his Wife,( which he affirmed to the Committee) to turn his Religion; for all the said prophesy would come to pass in sixty six.  
Robert Holloway of Darkin aforesaid, informed, That one Stephen Griffin, a Papist, said to him, That all the Blood that had been  shed in the late Civil War, was nothing to that which would be  shed this year in England. Holloway demanded a reason for these words, in regard the Kingdom was in peace, and no likelihood of trouble; and said, Do you Papists intend to rise and cut our throats when we are asleep? Griffin answered, That's no matter; if you live, you shall see it.  
Ferdinand de Massido, a portugese, and some years since a Romish Priest, but turning Protestant, informed, That one Father Taff a jesuit, did the last year tell him at Paris, That if all England did not return to the Church of Rome, they should all be destroyed the next year.  
Mr. Samuel Cottman of the Middle-Temple, Barrister, informed, That about two years since, one Mr. Jeviston, a Popish Priest, and called by the name of Father Garnet, did persuade him to turn Papist, and he should want neither Profit nor Preferment. Mr. Cottman objected, that he intended to practise the Law, which he could not do if he turned Papist, because he must take the Oath of Supremacy at his being called to the Bar; and if he were a Papist, he must not take it. Mr. Jeviston replied, Why not take the Oath? It is an unlawful Oath, and voided ipso facto. And after some pause, said further, First take the Oath, and then I will convert you. He said further, The King will not own himself to be Head of the Church. And said further, You in Enlgand that set up the Dutch to destroy our Religion, shall find that they shall be the Men to PULL DOWN YOURS.  
Man Stanley, an Officer to the Duke of Ormond in Ireland, informed, That coming out of Ireland with one Oriel( who owned himself of the Order of the jesuits, and commissioned from the Pope to be Lord Primate of Ireland, and Archbishop of Armagh) and falling into some discourse with him, he  told him, That there had been a difference between him and some other of the jesuits in Ireland, and that part of the occasion was, that one Father welsh, and some other of the jesuits there, did dispense with the Papists in Ireland, to take the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy, by virtue of a standing Commission from the Pope which he had to do it, during this King's Life; and Oriel thought they ought not to do it by virtue of the standing Commissi●n, but should take a new Commission from the Pope every year to do it. And likewise, That he brought eight Boys out of Ireland, whom he intended to carry to Flanders, to breed up in some of the colleges there. And at his taking shipping to go for Flanders, he shaked his foot towards England, terming it Egypt, and said, He would not return into England, till he came with 50 thousand Men at his heels.  
A French Merchant, being a Papist, living in St. Michael's Lane, London, writes in a Letetr to his Friend, That a great number of Men and Arms were ready here, if those he wrote to were ready there. He being, upon the intercepting of this Letter, preached; forty Firelocks were found in his House, ready loaden; which were carried to Fishmongers-Hall, a Month or more before the Fire, and he committed to Prison, but since released.  
A poor Woman retaining to one Belson's House, a Papist, about Darkin in Surry, was solicited, that she and her Husband would turn Roman catholics; which if they did voluntarily Now, they would be accepted of; but if they stayed a little longer, they would be forced whether they would or no; and then they would not be esteemed. This was deposed before Sir Adam Brown, a Member of Parliament.  
A Complaint being made against a Sugar-baker at Fox-Hall, his House was preached by Lieut. Col. Luntly, who found there several Guns, with such Locks, as no English-man who( was at the taking of them) could discharge; together with Brass Blunderbusses and Fireworks, of a furious and burning nature: Trial being made of a small part of them, the Materials were discerned to be Sulphur, Aquavitae, and Gunpowder, whatever else.  
In a Letter to Sir John Frederick and Mr. Nathanael Heron, from Horsham in Sussex, the 8th. of September, 1666. Subscribed Henry Chowne. Wherein is mentioned, that the said Henry Chowne had thoughts to come to London that week, but that they were in distraction there concerning the Papists, fearing they would show themselves all that day: And that he had been to search a Papist's House within six miles of that place. He, with another Justice of Peace, met the Gentleman's Brother( who is a Priest) going to London, whom they preached, and found a Letter about him, which he had received that morning from his Sister, twenty miles off from him; wherein is expressed, That a great Business is in hand, not to be committed to Paper, as the Times be.  
Your Committee have thought fit to give no Opinion upon th●se Informations; but leave the matter of Fact to your Judgments.  
I am commanded to tell you, That your Committee have several other things of this nature under their Inquiry.   


AS a further Instance of the audacious and insolent Behaviour of these Popish Recusants, take the following Copy of Verses, made, and then scattered abroad by some of their Party in Westminster-Hall, and several other places about the City, and elsewhere in the Kingdom.   


COvre la feu, ye Hugonots,  
That have so branded us with Plots;  
And henceforth no more Bonfires make,  
Till ye arrive the Stygian Lake:  
For down ye must, ye heretics,  
For all your hopes in sixty six.  
The hand against you is so steady,  
Your Babylon is fallen already.  
And if you will avoid that hap,  
Return into your Mothers lap;  
The Devil a Mercy is for those,  
That Holy Mother-Church oppose.  
Let not your Clergy you betray,  
Great Eyes are ope, and see the way.  
Return in time, if you will save  
Your Souls, your Lives, or ought you have.  
And if you live till sixty seven,  
Confess you had fair warning given.  
Then see in time, or ay be blind;  
Short time will show you what's behind.   

I E 7 5   
Dated the 5th. day of November, in the year 1666. and the first year of the Restoration of the Church of Rome in England.    


NOt long after the Burning of London, Mr. Brook Bridges, a young Gentleman of the Temple, as he was going to attend Divine Service in the Temple-Church, in a Pew there, found this following Paper; which immediately, either by himself, or a Relation of his, was delivered to Sir William morris, one of his Majesties Principal Secretaries of State: The Contents of the Paper are as follows.   

A Warning to Protestants.  
I Who have been a Papist from my Infancy, till of late; and in zeal for their horrid Principles, had too great a share in the Firing of the City; and did intend to do further mischief to the Protestants, of which I am now, and ever shall be a Member, do upon abhorrence of that villainy and Religion that hath moved me to it, declare to all Protestants the approach of their sudden ruin, that it may be prevented, if it be not too late.  
When I, together with other Papists, both French, Irish, and English, fired the City; others were employed to massacre the Protestants, we thinking thereby to destroy the Heads of your Religion; but the Massacre was disappointed by the Fear of him who was the chief Agent in this villainy. And the Fire not having done all its Work, they have often endeavoured to fire the remaining part. They intend likewise to land the French upon you; to whose assistance they all intend to come; and for that purpose are stored with Arms; and have so far deceived the King, that they have the Command of most part of the Army, and the Sea-Ports. The French intend to land at Dover, that Garrison being most Papists: And the Papists in England have express command from Rome, to hasten their business before the next Parliament, and to dispatch. Therefore, as you love your Lives and Fortunes, prevent your ruin, by disarming all the Papists in England, especially C. L— from the Tower, and the L. D— and all his Adherents and Souldiers, from Dover, and by disarming all Papists. I have such an abhorrence, that I would willingly undergo any punishment for it; and declare my salf openly, were I not assured that I could do you more good in concealing my Name for the present. Delay not from following these Directions, as you love your Lives; and be not deceived by any Pretences whatsoever.    

An impartial Account of some Informations taken before several Justices of the Peace, concerning the several Fires happening of late in and near the City of London.  
ABout the latter end of June, and in July, one Joseph Harrison came several times to the Grey-hound-Inn in Holborn, pretending to inquire for Letters for himself; and about the beginning of July comes into the said Inn, and meeting Mr. Atkins, the Mr. of the said Inn, he the said Harrison asked him for a Can of Beer; whereupon Mr. Atkins ordered his Man to draw two Cans, drinking one himself; and giving the other to Harrison: After which, the said Harrison took Mr. Atkins by the Hand, and lead him out of his own Yard into Holborn, and by the Rails in the Street, the said Harrison advised the said Atkins to put of his House and dispose of his Goods as soon as he could; for within three Weeks or a Month, there would be great and dreadful Fires in and about London. Mr. Atkins asked him, How he knew so? The said Harrison replied, If you will not believe me, you may choose: And so left him.  
On Monday, July the 25th. Mr. Atkins his Wife hearing of the Fire at the George-Inn in Southwark, went to her Mother at the Talbot-Inn in Southwark; the back-part of which said Inn is adjoining to the George-Inn, and was likewise on Fire; and being there, she espied the aforesaid Joseph Harrison in the Yard, and remembering the aforesaid Advice to her Husband, desired some Persons that were next her, to lay hold on him; which being done, he was conveyed to a Foot-Company that stood in Arms near the said Inn, judging that the nearest place to secure him. After which, Sir John Smith, one of the Sheriffs of London, was acquainted with the whole Matter. Upon which he, with the L. C. went to the said Company, and in the hearing of several, gave Charge to the Captain of the said Company to keep him safe until they had time to examine him. After the Fire was put out, some went to inquire after the Prisoner, and the Captain  told them, The L. C. had discharged him.  
The next Day being Tuesday, a Person was informed that the said Harrison taught School in Thread-Needle Street, and that he boasted of his Deliverance, and said, That the L. C. was pleased to honour him so far as to take him in his Barge with him to White-hall, and bad him but be patient a while, and he should have Satisfaction from the Persons that had troubled him. But hearing where to find him, Endeavours were used to retake him, and accordingly was accomplished on Wednesday July, 27. and had before the Worshipful Sir John Frederick, who sent him to Bishopsgate, and ordered him to be brought before the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen the next day to be examined. Before whom were these following things proved against him upon Oath.  

1. THat he hath had frequent Correspondency with Jesuits and Papists.  
2. That he hath spoken to several of his Acquaintance to go with him to Popish Meetings, declaring that he knew of many.  
3. That he hath been persuaded to turn Mendican friar, and hath been offered a stipend to turn to the Romish Religion.  
4. That he knew there would be divers great and dreadful Fires in and about London within a Month.  
5. That he advised Friends to rid their Hands of all their Concerns in and about London, for there would be a great Consumption of Houses there.  
6. That when he was in the Custody of the Foot-Company aforesaid, Mr. Atkins aforesaid affirming to swear the former Article; he threatened him, if he did, it should cost him the best House he had.  
7. That he said there were forty thousand French Papists lately come over, to his knowledge; besides many that were amongst us already.  
8. The Lord Mayor asking him, Who persuaded him to turn catholic? He answered, The King's Under-Barber, Phillips.   
After which, he  told the Court, That when he was first apprehended for these things, my L. C. discharged him, and took him with him in his Barge to White-Hall. He further  told the Court, That he was some time an Assistant to Mr. Lovejoy, School-Master at Canterbury, and that he had Letters Testimonial of his good Behaviour from the Dean of Canterbury: Upon which my Lord Mayor remembered that he had seen him with Mr. Rovejoy, and said, that Mr. Lovejoy  told him, That he was an idle Rogue. And so he was committed to Newgate.  
On Saturday the 30th. of July, it was further deposed upon Oath by Thomas row, before Sir John Frederick, as follows.   

The Information of Thomas row of Bernard-Inn, Gent. taken the 30th. of July 1670. by Sir John Frederick, Alderman, one of His Majesties Justices of Peace in the City of London, upon Oath, as followeth.  
THomas row saith, that he hath for at least twelve or thirteen years last past been acquainted with one Joseph Harrison, who was examined lately at the Guild Hall, London, before the Honourable the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, upon Suspicion of his being a Conspirator in the firing the City and Suburbs in several parts thereof.  
Thomas row, and Joseph Harrison, having been School-fellows at eton college, and being thereby acquainted; Joseph Harrison hath several times lately been with him, and advised him to with-draw his Concerns, and remove above twenty miles out of the City; for that the City, and twenty miles round, would be suddenly destroyed and laid waste( or to that purpose.) Whereupon Thomas row asked him, Whether he were privy to any such Conspiracy, or concerned in its Agitation? pressing him with divers Arguments to discover what he was acquainted with of that kind. Harrison replied, That he had no personal and positive knowledge thereof. Thomas row demanded upon what ground then he did thus advice him? Jos. Harrison replied, That he was sometimes conversant among some Papists, and perceived a Plot or Design was carrying on by them against the City of London and the Protestant Religion; which Plot or Design( said he) the Papists call, The Game of Trap or, do you understand Trap ad Crucem, which is the Watch-word amongst them. Further, Jos. Harrison said, That he was informed of those things by some German Protestants, and that he had offers of fifty Pounds per annum made him by some Jesuits and Papists to turn to their Religion; but he had refused it, and would not embrace the Romish Religion.  
Thomas row further saith, That about five weeks since, he walked through New-Cheap-side, and from thence into Mark-lane, with Joseph Harrison, in Company with Mr. Mosely( a Gentleman belonging to Bernard's-Inn likewise) and one of his Acquaintance, together with another Man, a Stranger to Thomas row. Upon their first associating, Harrison said unto him, That he would not discover himself to be an English-man, but pretend himself to be a German or Italian( whether of the two he doth not well remember) and that he might not detect himself, spake in the Company as occasion offered in Latin. But leaving the place where they tarried in Mark-lane, going towards Bishopsgate-street, Mr. Harrison  told Mr. row secretly, That he believed that Mr. Mosely understood the Game of Trap by some signs he had observed from him, and that he would try him. Then going altogether into a House, about the end of Thread-needle-stre●t, Mr. Harrison( having by this time discovered himself to be an English man) said Trap, and made a across over his Face with his finger, directing himself to Mr. Mosely: Whereupon Mr. Mosely did also say Trap, crossing his Fore-head and Face two or three times, and with a quick Motion drew his Finger over his own Throat. Upon which, Mr. row asked Mr. Mosely what was the meaning of Trap? But he refused to tell. Mr. row urging him again, He replied, He would not; saying, You are not of my Religion. Then Mr. Mosely asked Mr. Harrison what his Name was?( for he knew him not by Name) He answered, Harrison. Mr. Mosely replied, I never saw your Name. Mr. Harrison made Answer, It is Don Olanso deal Harrisonio; if so, saith Mr. Mosely, I have seen your Name.  
After this, Mr. Mosely and the other Stranger being partend, and Mr. row and Mr. Harrison being alone: said Harrison, I  told you Mr. Mosely did understand Trap; you may see there is a List of the Trap-Gamesters. Now whether Mr. Moseley's imitation of Mr. Harrison was feigned or real, Mr. row could not destinguish: But as they two were passing through Cheap-side homeward, Mr. Harrison looking upon the new Buildings, said, To what purpose do they build this poor City, it will be again destroyed; at the same time he pointed at two several Persons, saying, That is a Trap-Gamester, and there goes another Trap-Gamester.  
Mr. row further informs, That since the last Term, Mr. Harrison  told him, he would writ all the Rogueries of the Trap-Game and Gamesters in a Play; and that he would undertake to show him twenty six Papists Meetings in and about the City and Suburbs of London; but( said he) some of them are very private, and if you be discovered not to be a Papist, you will( peradventure) be poisoned or stabbed.  
Mr. row doth further say, That when the said Harrison advised him to remove with all his Concerns about twenty miles from London, that the said row asked him if Windsor were not far enough, it being both their native place, and about that distance? The said Harrison answered, Not; reflecting upon the Castle. And further, Harrison  told Mr. row, That the Jesuits could, by a Composition of Ingredients, make such a Matter, the fume of which woule corrupt any Man's Intellects; and that he the said Harrison could do it.   

A faithful Account of the Apprehending of a Scotch-man, some time since, by William Colburne, at the Cross-keys in Fleet-street, as followeth.  
A Scoth-man pretending great Respect he had for William Colburne aforesaid, came to him, and advised him, That by all means he should remove his Goods of London, and dispose of his House. William Colburne asked him, For what reason? The Scotch-man replied, Because that he, with many others, were employed to set the Remainder of London on fire; and that they would set it on fire in several places at one time: And Chancery-lane end( which is near the aforesaid William Colburne's House) they intended to set first on fire. Upon which, William Colburne apprehended him; and being brought to his Trial, he was sentenced to stand in the Pillory; and did accordingly, three times; once at the End of Chancery lane, and twice in, or about the Old Exchange.  
Much more might be said, but that our Aim is, to be as brief as is consistent with the Truth of the Matter of Fact in our Narrative. Therefore we refer any that desire further Satisfaction, in every particular, to William Colburne aforesaid, who will fully inform them.   

An Account of the Firing of Mr. Delanoy's House, near Pepper-Alley, in Southwark, January 1679/ 80. by John Satterthwait, a Papist, as appears by the Oath of Margaret clerk, then Servant to Mr. Delanoy, who was in by the said Satterthwait, to assist him in the Burning of her Masters House, and suffered Death for the same.  
I Margaret clerk, being shortly to suffer Death for that which I have deserved, and am much humbled for, and desire to lye low before God, under the sense of my own Guilt, do give the World an Account of the Truth of my Case; for I would not be guilty of a lie, now I am to appear before my Judge within a few Minutes. Therefore I do say, and shall declare the Truth of the Matter, as I shall answer it before my Lord, and Judge.  
Upon the 26th of January, 1679/ 80. John Satterthwait came to me, as I was going out of my Master's Gate, and did desire me to tell him whether my Master and Mistress were at home? And I answered him, No. And he  told me, That he hoped he should have an Opportunity to speak with me, for he had something to say. And I answered him, If he had any thing to say, I should be so civil to give him the hearing when I had time( for then I was in hast.) Then he came, on the next Day, with the same Request; and I returned the Answer. Then the third time, being Wednesday, he came again, and used great Importunity; and expressed some Kindnesses, as if he had been a Suitor; and prevailed with me to go into the burrow with him, to an Ale-house, where were two Men more of his Company: And after some little Discourse, he propounded to me this wicked and horrid Design, which I was to have been engaged in with them; that is, to let them into my Master's House, to set it on Fire: And for a Reward, they promised me two thousand Pounds; which Sum I was to receive at the Fleece-Tavern in Holborn, inquiring for a Room in the said Tavern, called the Figure Nine. Then, coming out of the Ale-house, they would fain have had me away with them; saying, Come, let us take Coach, and go into Fleet-street; for, said they, there we have a Priest of ours, who lodges at a Grocer's, that shall confess you, and give you the Sacrament. I  told him, I could not possibly go then.  
So this John Satterthwait went homeward with me, almost to my Master's House; and as we went along, he charged me, that I should not divulge it to any Person in the World living; for if I did, I should certainly die for it( and that quickly) in this World, and be damned in the other.  
Then he came on the next Day, and gave me the same Charge to keep it secret.  
And then, on Saturday, he came and inquired of me, the best time that he might come to do this most horrid and devilish Action; saying, Would not Four or Five of the Clock be a good time? And I said, Yes.  
Accordingly he came, and conveyed himself into the Dye-house, or thereabouts, while Nine or Ten of the Clock that Evening; About which time the Fire was discovered.  
Whereupon, with the Fear and Dread he had put upon me, I did deny it to the Company that came in to quench it; but after that, he was there, whom I saw amongst the rest of the Company: But I had much horror upon my Conscience; and after some short time, I confessed the whole Crime, for which I now die. And my Examination before Justice Reading, and Justice Freeman, was all true.  
And this I affirm, and do desire all Protestants to believe, that John Satterthwait kindled those three Fires in my Master's House: First, in the Dye-house, by the Pump: Secondly, in the Buttery: And Thirdly, in the Garret. Which last Fire he kindled, whilst the People were putting out the other.  
See the large Account of this, called A Warning to Servants, and a Caution to Protestants, Printed in the Year 1680.   

An Account of the Firing Mr. Robert Bird's House, in Fetter-Lane, April the 10th. 1679. by the persuasion of Nicholas Stubbs. a Papist.  
ELizabeth Oxley, Servant to Mr. Robert bide, upon her Examination, saith; That about Michaelmas last, she became acquainted with Nicholas Stubbs, who had several times used many persuasions to turn her Papist; and after her showing a Liking to it, and that he supposed she embraced that persuasion, in his Discourse to her at several times, he  told her, that before the 28th. of June next, she should see all the Protestants destroyed that were in England; that the Pope should be King over England, that all that would turn to the Popish Religion should live far better than now they did, that all the Land were heretics, and it were a meritorious Act to destroy them; and that all such as were Papists should have Marks upon their Hats whereby to distinguish them from Protestants, that they might not be destroyed amongst them: Adding, that the Nation do believe that all things will be over before the 23d. day of June, but they would be deceived, for all should be destroyed at or before that time. That the D. of Y. was the bravest Prince living, and that he was gone out of the Kingdom least the heretics should cut off his Head, and he would not return till they were destroyed; that the Lords in the Tower would not one of them suffer, for they would come off well enough, being to be tried by the Lords; and that the Scaffolds were set up but for fashion sake. That she telling the said Stubbs that she was hired to Live with one Mr. bide about the middle of Fetter lane, he used persuasions to her at several times to set Fire on her Masters House; telling her, if she would do it, he would give her 5 l. and gave her half a Crown, and said, he would have other Houses in Holbourn Fired at the same time by others: That she being with the said Stubbs on Sunday before the said Fire, promised to Fire her Masters House on Thursday or Friday night following, and accordingly on Thursday night she took a Candle and set Fire to her Masters Papers in his Study, which were in a kind of a Press; and they being on a Light Fire, she shut the Doors and went up Stairs into her own Chamber in the top of the House, and packed up her own Things, and undressed her self, least her Master should suspect her, and there stayed till a great knocking was at the Door, and the Watch-men crying out Fire; whereupon she run down Stairs and cried Fire, and her Master gave her the Keys to open the Door; which done, all Hands were employed to quench the Fire. And she saith, she did not set Fire on her Master's House out of any Malice to him, nor with intent to rob him, but merely to carry on the design which Stubbs had proposed to her, and out of hopes of his Reward.  
Nicholas Stubbs upon his Examination, owns, and sets forth to have used Discourse to the said Elizabeth as she declareth in her Examinations; and saith, he did persuade her to Fire her Masters House and was to give her five guineas for doing it, besides half a Crown in hand: And saith, that one Father Gyfford a Priest and his Confessor had put him on this business, and  told him it was no sin to Fire all the Houses of heretics and Hugonots.  
That he Acquainted Flower alias derby, and one Roger 〈◇〉 another Irish man that Lodged at the Coach and Horses in the same Street. That the said Father Gyfford promised him 100 l. for the same, and  told him he was to have the Money from the Church. That they used to meet the said Gyfford and other two Persons in St. James-fields in the dark of the Evening, and to Discourse of these matters; and that the several Informations that he had given the said Elizabeth Oxley, he had from the said Father Gyfford; and saith Flower and Roger 〈◇〉  told the said Stubbs, they would carry on the said Fire, and that they had Fire-Balls for that purpose, and that they would Fire other Houses in Holburn at the same time: That he was at the Fire in the Temple, but was not engaged to do any thing in it. And said, that Gyfford  told him that there were English, French and Irish Roman catholics enough in London to make a very good Army; and that the King of France was coming with 60000 men, under pretence to show the Dauphin his Dominions; but it was to lay his Men at Deep, Bulloign, Callis and Dunkirk, to be in an hours warning to be landed in England, and he doubted not but it would be by the middle of June, and by that time all the catholics here will be in readiness; all were to rise in order to bring him in. That the Papists here were to be distinguished by Marks in their Hats; that the said Father Gyfford doubted not but he should be an Abbot or a Bishop, when the work was over, for the good service he hath done. That at their meeting Father Gyfford used to tell them, it was no more sin to Kill a heretic then a Dog, and that they did God good service, in doing what Mischiefs they could by Firing their Houses. That it was well Sir Edmondbury Godfrey was Murdered, for he was their Devilish, Enemy; That Coleman was a Saint in Heaven for what he had done. And saith, he is fearful he shall be murdered for this Confession, Father Gyfford having Sworn him to secrecy, and  told him he should be Damned if he made any Discovery, and should be sure to be killed; and that he should take the Oaths, because he was a House-keeper; and that it was no sin. And saith, that Gyfford and Roger 〈◇〉  told him, when their Forces meet, about the middle of June, then have at the—    
FINIS.