1. Dr. tonge's Relation of the General Massacre, Intended and Plotted by the Papists: 2. Brought into Parliament by his Direction and Assistance: 3. Near the time of their Prorogation, about the 22th. of June, 1678. by Richard Green of Dilwin, in the County of Hereford, who first informed the Doctor of it. Green's Relation, delivered to Dr. Tonge, about the 20th. of June, 1678. as he had Written it long before with his own hand, for his own better remembrance: the Original whereof, the Doctor keeps for his own Justification, and will produce when he shall be required. Sunday the 23. of January 1674/5. I Greene coming from Dilwins' Church on the Lord's Day, being the 23d. of jan. last, with Thomas Boyer, Servant (and Kinsman) to Mr. Thomas Boyer, of Luntlow, in the Parish of Dilwin, had a Discourse as followeth: said Thomas Boyer, Mr. johnson doth take a great deal of pains to Preach against the Papists, but they care little for it. Said Green, because they come not to hear him: and said Boyer, No, nor never will come now; Green, I wish that the Lord would be pleased to open their Ears and Hearts, to hear and know the ●ruth. Boyer, I could wish so too, (said he) but it is to no purpose now, for they be further off now ●●an ever they were. Then Green said, you have been amongst them lately, what did you hear from ●●em? Bowyer said they be Devilish high, higher than ever they were, I pr●y God grant, they ●●y never have their Wills, they make account it will All be their own. Note, he was lately returned from Staffordshire, with his Master, Captain Boyer. Thomas Boyer of Luntlow, in the Parish of Dilwin, Gentleman, Papist Convict, lately returned ●●om a Journey into Staffordshire, meeting him, the said Richard Greene accidentally in the Fields, ●…ed him, What News? to which he replied: that he had heard of an Earthquake, ●…te, It appears though Green, hath not named the particular day, wherein he had his conference with this Boyer, that it was betwixt Sunday, the 23d. and Saturday, the 29th. of January, 1674/5. and that Captain Boyer; made the like Discourse (whereof his mind was very full) the very same day to Mr. Robert Woodhouse, another of the Witnesses, mentioned in the following Relation; as they road together to Mr. Woodhouse's House: vide infra. ●…d that at London, the Foundations of several Houses were sunk by it, and worse news than all that, ●hat the King was dead, and that it was a Week before the News of the King was contradicted: to ●hich the said Boyer replied, That the said Earthquake was generally all over England, but no ●ouses sunk at London, and that the News was there where he Traveled, That the King was dead, but 〈◊〉 continued not above 24 hours, that if it had continued 48 uncontradicted, the News of his recovery ●…d come too late, for had it (the News of his Death) continued, it would have been an Earthquake Note, That Mr. Dugdale, in the Trial of Whitebread, Harcourt, Gavan and the rest, saith, that if the King's Death should happen, they should have been ready to give the first alarm in the Country: and that a Letter was sent into the Country to show it was the Opinion of them at Paris and St. Omers, to give out that it was (in Case the King had been killed) still those King kill Presbyterians that had done the Fact, thereby to bring the Protestants over to their side, to revenge themselves of the Presbyterians, and cut them off; that they might more easily deal with the Protestants themselves, and cut them off likewise afterwards: and this shows both what overturning Earthquake, Boyer spoke of. ●…ed, such an Earthquake as had not been in England this Hundred years, it had not only shaken, 〈◊〉 overturned the very Foundations. Whereupon Green said, you have good Intelligence, to hear that News, and to have it contradicte● in 24 hours: Boyer answered, the best Intelligence in England * This agrees with Dugdales' Deposition, that they had three times a Week constantly, and sometimes by Expresses, Letters from London. He the said Boyer also said, that this was the third Fit of an Apoplexy or Trance, that the King had had. To which, when Gree● replied, that God be praised, the Proverb was not fulfilled on hi● Majesty; which is, If a man have two shrewd Turns, let him beware of the Third. Boyer said, its true, he hath escaped the third, but let England beware of the nex● said Boyer. See some particulars here omitted, below Numb. 5. and Marginal Notes there inserted of their Design upon the King's Death, set out by Dugdale. Memorandum, This was the effect of Green's Depositions, put in with his Petition into the gran● Committee of the House of Commons, june 78. then assembled for suppressing Popery. 3. Green says, In the latter end of the same Week, the said Thomas Bowyer (Servant and Kinsman t● Captain Boyer) cometh into my Shop, it being after I had discoursed with his Master, and then after some Friendly greeting had passed between us; I the said Green, said, Cousin Thomas (for Green was his Kinsman) what were the Papists (whilst you wen● V●z. about the 29 of January 1674/5. amongst them,) ready to get up on Horse back, to cut our Throats? sai● Boyer, I, sure enough; it seems so said Green, for had not their News been quickly contradicted of his Majesty's being dead, they were ready to mount, said Boyer, Who told you, said Green; you are very close, but I have had some Discourse with your Master, since you came home; said Boyer, did he tell you so? I'll tell you nothing, they be a Bloody sort of People, God bless us out of their hands, and so Boyer, departed with that Prayer in his month. Note, That by these Words compared with other passages in this Relation, Richard Greene wrote this Paper within a twelve month after his aforesaid talk with Captain Boyer (viz.) before February 1675/6. Upon chance within the space of one year since, I met with Mr. Boyer, walking along his Grounds, and after we had greeted each other according to the time of the Day, Boyer, asked me, What News? Green, told him, I heard not any, I pray, what have you heard? Boyer answered, I hav● heard none, but that the Parliament is adjourned: Green asked him, What they had done, Boyer told me nothing at all; but they were about to make a most unreasonable Act: Green, asked him what it was; Boyer told him, it was that which he had told me of, which was to settle the Inheritance of the Crown upon a Protestant Successor: Green asked him, if the Parliament would have made such an Act, I pray you what did hinder them, and Boyer told me, that all the Parliament were not so inclined, but only a factious party of them, in hatred towards the Duke of York, because he is a Papist; Green told him, that I wished the Succession of the Crown might be settled whilst his Majesty doth live, to prevent a Bloody Dispute, which is very much feared by many will be, except the Succession of the Crown be settled: after which Boyer told me, that the Crown after the Death of his Majesty, doth absolutely belong to the Duke of York. Green asked him, How could that be, being that the King hath a Son, which is the Duke of Monmouth, whom all the Protestants which I have heard speak thereof, do declare to be his Father's lawful Heir. Boyer told me, that is not, nor cannot be: Green, wished him to take heed what he said, for the Duke of Monmouth is Legitimate, for Mr. Benge of Pembridge, told me, that a very honest Gentleman told him, that a Bishop told him, he married his Majesty to the Duke of Monmouths' Mother; Boyer said, I do not say the Duke of Monmouth is a Bastard, but the Objection is, that the King was not married to his Mother with the Consent of the Parliament; Green told him, that their Objection I supposed, would signify little or nothing: for if there be a difference between the Duke of York, and the Duke of Monmouth, and the Parliament do not settle it, I believe that all the Protestants in England will adventure their Blood, before the Duke of Monmouth shall lose his Birthright, and we lose the liberty of our Religion too: and Boyer answered, And we will adventure all our Lives and Fortunes in the behalf of the Duke of York, and for the Interest of our Religion: Green asked him, what can you do, for you be nothing to us, said Boyer, Do not you think so, for although we be but thin here, yet there be many in other places, and powerful persons too: I will raise a Company; said Green of what? Boyer said of Horse: Green, asked him how many his Company should be? Boyer said, an Hundred: Green, said unto him, by that time you have bought an Hundred Horses, and armed an Hundred men, I suppose you will make a great breach in your Estate: then Boyer turned himself to me, and said, I believe I can Raise and Arm Threescore well, and do myself no harm, what thin● you? but said Green, where is your Commission: said Boyer, I am now gotten into the acquaintance of them, by whose assistance I can obtain a Commission from the Duke of York, assoon as another can: and this Discourse was ended in a Meadow, called the Mill Meadow, with his Face towards a Style, between that and a piece of Ground, called the Low Furlong, at the West end of Luntlow● Mill Garden, presently after the long Prorogation of Parliament for 15 months or more. N. B. This agrees well with Mr. jenisons Relation of a Commission promised him. And shows by the Proportion, this Captain out of a small Estate, proposed to raise what Numbers they would have had to Cut our Throats, had not God prevented their Design of Assassinating his Majesty, the Signal of this Massacre. And here it may be noted by what false, sly, and pernicious Suggestions and Insinuations, the Jesuits sow the Seeds of Sedition and Rebellion in the Minds of simple and well meaning Persons of all Degrees; as here in the present Case, pretending and raising false Titles to the Crown, and thereby dividing the Loyal Subjects thereof into bloody feuds and resolutions: which practices are dangerous to the Kingdom of England above all others, whose People, as may be seen in the Example of this Informant, a poor Weaver from the Yeoman to the meanest Mechanic, are all sensible of, and concerned for the public Affairs; and therefore are (as a Wise Gentleman long since observe) the only Kingdom of Gentry in the World, without mixture of Slaves, all Intelligent of, and touched as Gentlemen in other Countries with, and ready to assist with their Persons and Estates in all public Extremities. Sir Rowland Stanley about two years since about Lady day, 1677. held a like Discourse, concerning the Duke of York and Monmouth, with Mr. Becket, by which it appears, this pretence of their Massacre was universally laid, how little soever it may be believed or considered by some concerned, to lull us asleep. Some Particulars omitted in the foregoing Relation of Green's Discourse with Boyer, Numb. II. BOYER told Green, that it would be the latter end of next Summer, before they should effect their Design. Then Green asked Boyer, why it should be delayed so long, seeing you were ready to execute the same immediately upon the receipt of your Intelligence? to which he answered, That if that Advantage or Opportunity had fell or happened into our hands, we would have made the best Advantage we could have done of the King's Death, but by that time we shall be in a sufficient Order to effect our Design; * Which was the Kings being dispatched or killed by the Papists; for Mr. Dugdale saith, in the Trial of Whitebread, Harcourt and the rest, that two years before the said Trial, which was about the time of these Discourses of Green and Boyer) he heard it Discoursed for the first time in the little Parlour at my Lord Astons House, and at Mr. Ewers Chamber by Mr. Ewers and Mr. Gavan (who were the first that broke the matter to him, that the King was to be killed: that he saw a Letter under Whitebreads own Hand, enclosed in one from Groves to Mr. Ewers, wherein he gave Mr. Ewers a Caution, to be sure to choose those who were Trusty, Hardy and Desperate, etc. to kill the King. That there were several Consultations at Mr. Ewers Chamber at Boscobell, and several other places, for Conspiring the King's Death: That at one of these Consultations held at tixal, about the 21 of September 1678, were present, Mr. Gavan, Mr. Ewers, Mr, Peter, Mr. Lewson, my Lord Stafford and others, That he was chosen as a fit Person to kill the King, entertained by my Lord Stafford and Mr. Ewers for this purpose; and to be sent for this purpose to London, to be under the tuition of Mr. Parsons: that he saw Mr. Turner, when he was going to his Brother Turner in Nottinghamshire, with Mr. Ewers, Mr. Lewson and others, and they did consult and agree there in his hearing, about Conspiring the Death of the King, Introducing Popery, etc. That he saw and received several Packets of Letters from several Persons beyond Seas, which were by Mr. Harcourts' Instruction, and communicated by Grove to Mr. Ewers, which Letters did contain matters in them, for the Introducing of Popery, and Killing and Destroying the King. He likewise intercepted and read a Hundred Letters, given under Mr. Harcourts' own Hand to the same purpose. That Mr. Gavan used several Arguments to prove the Lawfulness of, and shown him several Examples for King-killing. Nay, for the kill of any to Introduce their own Religion: he endeavoured to prove it by Scripture, the Text Mr. Dugdale could not call to mind, but it was to show, how it was lawful and good to destroy any, for the advantage of their Religion: showing the Example of Father Garnet, how, by several of his Relics beyond Sea, great Miracles had been done. And in the Trial of Langhorne, he saith, he was in most of their Consultations for the Murder of the King, that he heard the very words used, was hired to be an Actor in it, was to have a sum of Money, and a place appointed him to do it: and that the Persons who put him upon it, was Mr. Ewers, Gavan, Lewson, Vavasser; who were all jesuits. The Sum promised by Lord Stafford, and confessed by Lord Aston, was 500 l. advance money, and farther Reward, Preferment, etc. and told me also, that all the Papists Universally, were engaged in the carrying on of their Design, and not only in England, but in all places, and especially the French Papists. Boyer also affirmed that this Plotted * Note, That Mr. Dugdale saith, in Whitebreads Trial, that at some Consultations he heard speak of a Massacre, that there was a Massacre intended, and an Army to be raised, that if any did escape the Massacre whom they could not be sure to be Papists, they might be cut off by the said Army; and in Langhorns Trial, he saith, that Ewers, Gavan, Lewson and Vavasser, did always speak of an Army that was to be raised, but not actually till the King was killed. That it was first concluded to raise an Army, but the last resolutton was, that no Armies should appear till the King was killed; upon whose Death was to be the Massacre, and then a pretty considerable Army to be raised, which was to cut of those who escaped the Massacre. Massacre was to be truly Catholic, and to be executed not only in all parts of the Kingdom, but against all Protestants of whatever Sect or Persuasion, Presbyterians, Independents or others, Quakers themselves not wholly exempted, though by him weakly pretended to be favoured: and that in case they could not execute this designed Massacre that Summer, yet before the next Session of Parliament at farthest they would do it. Note, That the Summer 1675. in which this Plot was designed to be executed, and consequently, the King to be killed, was in the time of the 15 months' Prorogation of the Parliament, and Boyer said, that was to be begun so, that it might be fully executed before the time that the Parliament was to meet again. By which it appears, that if they did not procure that long illegal Prorogation purposely, the more securely to execute their Plot against the King, yet at least they feared to be discovered in Parliament, and thought their recefs the securest season for them to carry on their bloody Design against Him and His People. Green's Memorandum OMitted in my first Discourse with Mr. Boyer, which was presently after the Prorogation of the Parliament, in the latter end of the year 74/5. in which, as in all the rest of his Discourse, the said Thomas Boyer said, What saith Mr. Rawnel (which was their Priest, as he himself declared him so to be) the King did but jeer the Parliament, when at his Prorogation of them, He gave them Thanks for their care of Him and of the Protestant Religion, and that that Prorogation was in favour to the Papists, whom the King looked upon to be his best Friends. I omitted this on purpose, because I looked upon it to be one of their Jesuitical Forgeries, whereby they thought to encourage Protestants that were but weak Principled, to become their Proselytes, and also to animate and provoke to Rebellion against the King's Sacred Person, and Established Government all these Fanatical parties, which they by their Busy, Subtle, and Devilish Policies, have torn, rend and divided from our Communion. A very sad effect thereof appears in Scotland, I pray God grant that it may not be as a shower of Rain, to cause their Seeds of Rebellion to spring or grow up here in England. In my second Discourse, I left not out any thing material, but his boasting of the power of their Wealth, which Boyer expressed in these Words. Money is the Sinew and Strength of War, by that time we make our Attempt, we shall be well Furnished with That; and having Money, we shall not want Men: for there be many of the Common sort of People, that will Fight for him that will give them the most Money, and besure we will not starve our Cause. Also in the latter end of jan. 74/5. Marry Boyer, Sister to the said Thomas Boyer Papist, being at my House, with other Discourses told me, That the King was very Sickly, and would not live long, and then the Duke of York will be King, and will set up our Religion. The said Mary Boyer had before that time Contracted herself with a Protestant Gentleman, but after her Brothers coming out of Staffordshire, and when she did understand the Protestants were all to be destroyed, she broke off with her Protestant Lover, and gave him 15 l. and after she did Marry with a Papist, whom before she did very much despise. john Martial, Captain Boyers Sunday Fidler, for that service only, hath Meat, Drink, Washing and Lodging, and all his Week time to himself, to employ in Playing, Fishing, Fowling, etc. all for his own advantage. This was the man who disarmed his Master Boyer, he was Baily, and both Treated and Threatened Green, as is elsewhere said, and would have forsworn the Fray between Mr. Robert Woodhouse, and his Master, etc. Thus Greene. An Account or Narration of what Mr. Thomas Boyer Papist Convict, declared to Mr. Robert Woodhouse, of the Parish of Stanton upon Arrow, in the County of Hereford, in the Evening of that day, January 74/5. being Pot-valiant, on which he had fresh and fasting, more at large declared himself in the morning to me Richard Greene, as the aforesaid Mr. Woodhouse declared with his own mouth unto me. MR. Boyer said Robin, I will tell thee some News: Woodhouse, what is that: Boyer, there will be a great many Bloody Noses in England this Summer: Woodhouse, what will become of mine then: Boyer, thou art an honest Fellow, there shall not one Hair of thy Head perish, I will stand between thee and all harm: Woodhouse, what must I be under thy Protection; art thou to be so much concerned in it: Boyer, I will raise a Troop of Horse for the Duke of York: Mr. Woodhouse not complying with him, nor yet giving him any Thanks for his proffered Protecting of him, the said Boyer being riding along with, and being something behind the said Woodhouse, Boyer said, God Damn me, Robin, look to thyself, for I will run thee through the Back: the said Woodhouse although he slighted his proffered Protection, yet took notice of his danger, and thereupon spurred his Mare which he did ride upon, which received all the Wounds that was given in the Combat, upon the receipt of which, she started with her Master out of danger, and being out of the same, he drew his Sword to defend himself, and with as fair warning to his Old Friend and new Enemy, he said, Now Boyer look to thyself, my Sword is drawn as well as thine: which Words sounded so shrill in Mr. Boyers man's (john Marshal aforesaid) ears, that he did ride in between them, to part the Fray, which he did by disarming his Master, and by giving Mr. Woodhouse good Words, who Woodhouse did afterwards entertain them both at his House that Night; but all the Words that passed between them before, Mr. Boyers man would not acknowledge upon his examination, that he heard any of them, and would have denied that (the fray) too, but that his Master let fall the Scabbard of his Sword in the place, and Mr. Woodhouse in kindness did send one or more of his Servants with himself, with a Lantern and Candle to find the same, for at the present the Barrel ended all the Quarrel, they drunk the other bout, and the Drunken Fit being over, it was no more thought upon for a while: but afterwards the aforesaid Boyer did desire one Edward Price a Saddler by Trade, to make for him some Holsters for Pistols, but how many I know not: the said Edward Price, having near the same time more Papist Customers for such tackle, was jealous of them; and thereupon he informed a Justice of the Peace therewith: upon which information several Justices met in order to examine the said Price. And it happened so, that the said Woodhouse being in a Market Town called Presteyn, and at the House where the Justices met upon the aforesaid business, and in the Company of john Adams and Richard Hill of the same, he asked them what was the meaning of the Justice's meeting there (which was but lately before,) who told him that Price the Saddler had informed that one Mr. Thomas Boyer, a Papist, had bespoke of him ten pair of Holsters for Pistols, to which the said Woodhouse replied, surely than he is going to raise the Troop of Horse for the Duke of York, which he told me he would raise, and therewith declared the aforesaid Discourse between Mr. Boyer and himself to them, who informed a Justice of the Peace, or Lord Bishop of Hereford therewith, whereupon the said Woodhouse was forced to Witness the same; and then afterwards (as it is before declared) in the Whitsun week, 1676. I went in with my Information, and then after that, the Justices had many times met together upon the same Concern, the said Boyer was committed to Prison, there to remain until the next great Assize: and We the Witnesses, Edward Price, Robert Woodhouse, Gent. and Richard Greene were bound over to the same, to justify our Evidence in his Majesty's behalf against Mr. Boyer, before the Judge of the Assize, to which accordingly we all very diligently gave our Attendance. But Judge Wild who road that Circuit, called the said Boyer, and did not trouble himself (as was expected in a business of that weight) to examine either the Prisoner or the Witnesses, but told him that he had read the Depositions against him, and that therein he did find that he had spoke very dangerous Words, and did very sharply chide him, and told him it did not become such a one as him to talk of the overturning of Kingdoms, and of the carrying on of the changing of Governments, etc. and that he might by the Law take a severer Course with him; but because he was a young man, he would only bind him to his good Behaviour, and therefore bid him produce his surety quickly; and he the said Boyer, as before knowing the issue thereof, produced two Papists for his Sureties standing by him ready for the same purpose. Which binding of him, was but a letting of him lose, (as it did afterwards appear) to spit his Popish Venom at poor Richard Greene, which he and his accomplices did to the purpose; for they Prosecuted me with four malicious Law Suits, and Threatened me with many more, and at last, wrongfully Imprisoned me: and both before I went to Prison, and in the Prison, he demanded nothing of me, but Submission and Recantation; and to declare those Truths which I before upon Oath had Witnessed against him, were False, and to Acknowledge that I had done him Wrong thereby; and that by doing so, I may expect his love and favour as formerly: and in not doing so, I should never come out of Prison, which though I never did; yet I am out of Prison, Thanks be to God; but when I came out I was so much impoverished, so much Threatened, so much Slandered, and so much forsaken of Friends (for many sought to merit the favour of my Adversaries by doing me Injuries) by which I was forced to sell my Goods and Cattle; and, my Wife my fellow Sufferer with me in all this, took our flight together from our Native Country. These are the poor man's own Words, Written down in his own hand, who in another proceeds thus in his Relation. Anno Domini 1676. ABout Whitsuntide, one Thomas Woodhouse of Standbeach in Herefordshire, Hatter, bringing Richard Greene a Hat, said, My Brother Robort Woodhouse was in a great deal of trouble about Mr. Boyer (aforesaid) and very sorry he had occasioned him to be questioned for Words spoken to him. Greene questioned Thomas Woodhouse about what time the Words were spoken by Mr. Boyer to Mr. Robert Woodhouse, the said Hatters Brother, and he found by him that it was the same time that he the said Greene had the same conference with Captain Thomas Boyer, viz. january 75/6. which confirmed him more in his fear of a Massacre. Thomas Woodhouse related this Discourse with Green to his Brother Robert, who sent for him to speak with him, and R. W. related that Boyer had told him, there would be many Bloody Noses that Summer, but a hair of his Head should not be touched, and that the said Boyer would raise a Troop of Horse for the Duke of York, and enquired what Boyer had spoken to him; Greene replied, he would be excused; Then Woodhouse said, he would have him Summoned to Hereford, where he was himself to appear the next day; to this he replied, he scorned to be forced to Witness for his King and Country, if he would lend him a Horse, he would go with him, and accordingly he did, and testified his knowledge in the Particulars aforesaid, before the Justices of the Peace, then and there assembled as hath been related above. And then it was (viz. about Whitsuntide 1676.) that the said Robert Woodhouse, Richard Greene, and several others were examined before Sir james Bridges now Lord Shandoes, and other Justices of the Peace of the County of Hereford, as aforesaid; upon whose examinations the said Captain Tho. Boyer was committed to Prison, etc. It is to be observed, That against the said Assizes following when the said Richard Greene attended to give Evidence against Captain Thomas Boyer, he had reserved many considerable particulars of his evidence against the time of the Trial, to which he expected that Captain Boyer would have been the● brought in the face of the whole County. So that the Depositions taken before the said Justices are not so full as these Informations in several particulars, Judge Wild who went that Circuit at that Assizes, never suffered any Witnesses to be produced or examined against Captain Boyer (as is said) but only said he had read the Affidavits, and ordered him to be bound to his Good Behaviour. Let it be examined by whose Order or Advice he suppressed the evidence of so horrid a Massacre, its probable some of them in question did contrive thus to Suppress this Discovery, their Names also who bespoke the other Cases of Holsters should be inquired, as probably Conscious and agents in this Suppression. That by this means Green's Evidence being Suppressed, the Discovery which he designed upon his Oath to make in the face of the County of a general Massacre of all Protestants, of what Profession soever, and that universally over all the Kingdom to be made by the Papists Armed and Conspired together in that Plot, was Concealed in a great part, and the Papists thereby encouraged to go on ever since more confidently and fiercely in their Plot both against the King's Life, whose Death was their Signal, and against all his Protestant Subjects that were to be Massacred thereupon, as far as the Papists Swords could reach, and those whom the Massacre reached not weakened thereby, were to be pursued and cut off by War and Foreign Assistance, under the Duke of Yorks Authority. In june 1678. about the 20th. day, a little before the Parliament was Prorogued Dr. Tonge attending on the Parliament with some Propositions for suppressing of Popery, and relief of the Poor, happened accidentally into the Company of Richard Greene, with whom he entered some Discourse about promoting the Linen Manufacture, and his, the Doctors employing so many poor Women to Spin, as might find the said Greene constant Work, but found he had sold his Looms, and fled his Country for fear of the Papists. That upon this occasion Greene related the whole Plot unto Dr. Tonge, and his Sufferings occasioned by the discovery thereof, and the accidental manner of his being brought for an Evidence against his kind Kinsman and Landlord, and great confident by Mr. Woodhouse. Then out of Compassion to the said Green, and for encouragement of the like Discoverers and Discoveries for the future, Dr. Tonge advised the said Green to complain to the Parliament then sitting in a grand Committee for suppressing of Popery, drew him a Petition and Articles out of his, the said Green's own information, and directed him how to deliver it, and least by any accident he might miscarry, wrote a note for him to the Door keeper, to call out some worthy member to receive his Petition, and followed him himself to the House, and saw his Papers delivered into Sir Trevor William's hand, and heard they were read in the Grand Committee. Richard Green's Petition To the Honourable the for suppressing of POPERY. The Humble Petition of Richard Greene, late of Biton in the County of Hereford his Native Country, and thence terrified and forced by Malicious Suits and Terrors by Thomas Boyer Gent. Papist Convict, and his Accomplices. Most Humbly Sheweth, THAT your Petitioner being a poor Weaver, held a House and Land of Thomas Boyer of Dilwins in the County aforesaid, Papist Convict, for several years paid him his Rent constantly, had never any difference with him till about Whitsuntide 1676. at which time your Petitioner with several others, was examined upon Reports spread in those parts of Change of Government expected, and Insurrections to be made thereupon by the Papists. That after such time as your Petitioner had made Oath of the particulars upon which he was examined for his Majesty, contained in a Paper hereunto annexed, whereupon the said Boyer was committed to Prison, and was discharged; he the said Boyer after caused your said Petitioner to be causelessly Arrested at the Suit of him the said Boyer, demanding only by persons sent to him during his Imprisonment, Submission and Acknowledgement that your Petitioner had done him wrong in his said Deposition, without which he should be kept in Prison and have no discharge, notwithstanding your Petitioner did tender common Bail, which as your Petitioner was advised, was all the Law did require; and your Petitioner was accordingly detained in Prison about a fortnight, till he could procure a Supersedeas from the Sheriff, (who was then in London) to his great expense and loss of his whole subsistence for himself and Family, depending on his Labour and Trade. That the said Boyer having given out that he would Arrest your Petitioner again, as he was credibly informed, which would have been his utter Ruin, and refused 16 shillings Rend, tendered as soon as Due, he was forced to sell off the necessary Looms, and other Tools and Instruments of his Trade to discharge his Debts, contracted by his Imprisonment, and to fly his Native Country, to which he still is in fear to return, for Reasons hereunto annexed. Humply Prays That your Honours would according to your Wisdom provide and apply such relief for your oppressed Petitioner, and Satisfaction for his unjust Imprisonment and Ruin of his Family, as may stand with justice and Honour of Parliament; that your Petitioner, and other his Majesty's faithful Subjects may not be deterred from Testifying their Knowledge on behalf of his Majesty, when they are thereunto required, nor to bail, assist and relieve one another when Maliciously prosecuted by Papists, as in your Petitoners' Case. And your Petitioner shall Pray, etc. The effect of Richard Green's Depositions against Thomas Boyer may be seen above in the second Paragraph of this Relation, which he put into the Committee with his Petition and these Articles. The means by which Richard Greene hath been forced and terrified out of his Country by Thomas Boyer, Papist Convict, and his accomplices, annexed to and put into Parliament with his Petition. 1. HE arrested the said Green without Cause, and detained him in Prison, (refusing Legal Bail,) till he had got a Supersedeas. 2. He terrified the special Bail he had procured, by his Agents, that he shrunk from him, though he knew him Innocent. 3. He terrified all his Neighbours, so that when he was to pay 16 s. his last Rent due to Boyer, for a Tenement and Land he held of him, none durst tender it for him, nor Witness it, and Boyer himself refused to take it, when he tendered it before Witness, that he might terrify him with pretence of a Suit. 4. He had so frighted the Neighbours that none would help him Reap his Crop of Rye, nor carry it for him, and was forced to get Strangers to do it, that when he had brought a Team to carry his Grain, a Threatening Message was sent to him that carried it, that by those means being in a very destitute condition, and in fear of his life, or some other mischief to befall him; he hath been compelled ever since to Wander from Place to Place like a Banished man, to seek employment for Himself and Wife amongst Strangers. The fear of this Massacre, and his hard usage by his Landlord Boyer terrified Greene so, that he advised with his Wife to go out of England to Virginia or elsewhere, but his Wife not consenting, he removed himself (assoon as he could) further from the said Boyer, as distrusting his pretended kindness * For Greene was Boyers Kinsman and had been very intimate with him till called to Witness against him. if any rising should be, and with an intent also to be more free and at liberty to testify what he knew of this Plotted Massacre, when further off from him. This was in February and March. 1676. Dr. Tonge having laid this Foundation of a Discovery of this Plot, and brought it thus into Parliament with one Witness present to attest it; he hoped that by the Wisdom, Industry and Intelligence of that Honourable House, upon examination of Greene and other two Witnesses formerly sworn, and of the two Thomas Boyers, Master and Servant forementioned, some effectual course might have been taken to prevent such Bloody Designs of the Papists, as were then on foot, and suppress the growth of Popery for the future, and so thereby to avoid the danger of such Plots, Tumults and Massacres for the Ages to come, from which otherwise these Kingdoms can never be secured, as is now most manifest. N. B. This Captain Thomas Boyer hath since taken the Oath of Allegiance, etc. Albeit the Prorogation of the Parliament, which followed shortly after, did render this first Attempt of the Doctors producing this Plot into that High Court, and Propositions for Suppressing Popery ineffectual at that time; yet it much encouraged him in his Proceed in the next Discovery, which he made shortly after, in the latter end of july 1678. by Mr, Oats' Papers, and relation of the same Universal Massacre, in that he had given some Light of it to the House of Commons before, and had some Evidence of the general Design, by the Testimony of Greene and others, whom he hoped to produce in Parliament, if he could by any means bring Mr. Oats' Papers into that High Court, and caused his Oath to be taken by Sir Edmund bury Godfrey for that purpose, in three several Depositions, one of 73 Articles, September 6th. and two of 81 Articles, September 28. 1678. that in Case he had failed of Success in the Privy Council, he might have one Copy at least, to produce in Parliament. In the latter eny of December 1678. Richard Green after he had been examined before the Secret Committee of the House of Commons, was ordered to go before Sir William Scroggs, the Lord Chief Justice and make Affidavit of the Truth of his Information, the Tuesday following, that the Persons Concerned, and the other Witnesses might be sent for, but the Parliament was Prorogued on the Monday, the day before that Tuesday appointed for his appearing before the Lord Chief Justice, so that this purpose was defeated, and he remains yet either not fully examined, or not sworn to his information, and particularly not to the point of the Universal Massacre intended by the Papists in the long recess of Parliament in the Summer 1676. That Dr. Tonge hath not beenable as yet, to procure a Copy of the Affidavits or Examinations of Richard Greene, Robert Woodhouse, and the other Witnesses taken in Herefordshire before the Lord Shandoes, nor the Transcript of them sent up to the Privy Council as he desired, and entreated the assistance of the Commit therein, for the greater certainty of his Narrative of this Discovery, and the Confirmation of the Evidence, and the refutation of the Scandals raised against both him and it. Against him as a Contriver or Inventor of this Plot and its Discovery to King and Parliament, and the Plot as his Malicious Invention. Richard Green's Depositions. Put into the Secret Committee of the Honourable, the House of Commons, by Dr. Tonge in May 1679. RIchard Greene, late of Dilwin in the County of Hereford, Weaver; maketh Oath, that he received the relation of the following Particulars of the several Massacres designed by the Papists against his Majesty's Protestant Subjects, from the mouth of Captain Thomas Boyer of Luntlow in the Parish aforesaid, and he verily believes the said Relation to be True. I. That in Case his Majesty had died of the Swooning Fit he had in the latter end of the year 1675. the Papists had then risen in Arms, and overturned all the Foundations of the Government with such an Earthquake as hath not been in England this Hundred Years. II. That albeit the King recovered of that which was his Third Fit, contrary to the Proverb, yet they hoped to be ready by the latter end of Summer 1676. for their Design. III. That if they could not then fully accomplish their Design, yet at farthest before the next Session of Parliament, then Prorogued for 16 or 17 Months, they hoped to effect it. iv That in this Design all the Papists at Home and Abroad were engaged, and especially the French, and expected no assistance from any other Separate Party. V That no Protestants, Presbyters, Independants, etc. were to be spared. VI That Thomas Boyer aforesaid, was to raise a Troop of Horse for this Design. VII. That this Deponent was to be at first examined at Hereford Assizes with other Witnesses, where justice Wild put off the Trial; And only bound the Person aforementioned, (viz. Boyer,) to his Good Behaviour 1676. and secondly, before the House of Commons in June 1678. who, shortly after his Petition delivered into the Grand Committee of the House For Suppressing Popery, was Prorogued: Thirdly, before the Lord Chief justice Scroggs, by Order of the Secret Committee, the last Sessions of Parliament, who immediately thereupon, was first Prorogued, and then Dissolved. VIII. That he was never yet examined upon Oath since, though he attended the Secret Committee several times. Richard Greene. Juravit coram me, john Hoskyns, Master of Chancery. May the 12th. 1679. Advertisements DOctor Tonge doth hereby disown whatever Books or Papers have hitherto been Printed or Published in his Name, as Composed by him; or seen and allowed by him to be Printed or Published, or shall hereafter; unless attested under his Hand; as revised by him from the Press, except some Translations out of French. Courteous Reader, There are in the Press, and will shortly be published, An Abridgement of Controversies, being a brief and solid Confutation of Popish Errors, by express Texts out of the Bible of their own Translation. Also, the History of the Turkish Affassins'; and a Parallel of the them with the Popish; and other Papers of that Subject, the former long since translated, and both now published by Dr. Tonge. Be pleased to take notice also of that excellent Treatise, entitled The Hearts Sovereign, long since published at the Charge of the Author, Mr. Tho. Jones, late Household Chaplain to his Highness the D. of York: in which Family he so vigorously opposed the Favourers and Connivers at the Growth of POPERY: of which he is able, if called, to give a good Account, That, for that cause he was removed from that Place, to make way for them to pervert his Highness' family: and since, hath been by their Contrivance, ruined in his Estate and Reputation, as he hopes to make appear if admitted to Audience. Errata, For 1674 1674/5 5 read 1675/6. FINIS.