THE HONESTY AND TRUE ZEAL OF THE King's Witnesses Justified and Vindicated against those Unchristianlike Equivocal Protestations of Dr. Oliver Plunkett,  
Asserting in his last Speech his own innocency; being as great Damnation to his Soul, as any of his former Traitorous and Hellish Practices against his King and Country, as breathing them upon the point of Death, without any time of repenting the Enormity of them with true Contrition.  
By FLORENCE WEYER, Gent.  
LONDON, Printed for T. Baldwin, 1681.   

THough never condemned by any Judge in this transitory world, yet no man can limit himself his sojourning here, from the searcher of all hearts and the Judge of Eternal Glory; but must stand as vigilant and awful not to offend his Creator and Redeemer, as if he were to pass into another World in the twinkling of an Eye. Wherefore I hope that all true hearts will consider how I hope for Salvation as well as a dying man: So that I expect upon the Faith of a Christian, they will give credit unto the true conviction of the subsequent Assertions of Dr. Plunkett.  
1. That the Witnesses were only designed for his Life. To that I answer, That the Witnesses were not designed for his life, nor covetous of his blood, well knowing that blood must be required for blood, if unjustly taken; but were only zealous to discharge themselves of their bounden duty to their Dread Sovereign, his Sacred Majesty. 2. That he was accused in Ireland of Treason and Praemunire. Which in my judgement he should have styled High-Treason, and that the grandest of any yet imaginable. 3. That there he was Arraigned and brought to his Trial. A very fine hysteron proteron, but if once quitted never arraigned for the self and the same fact. 4. That the Prosecutors, men of flagitious and infamous lives (as he pleased to term them) voluntarily absented themselves. Wherein the Witnesses (though not flagitious, such of them as I know) are much to be commended; for having first stated the case with the Judges, what danger it was (lest the King should get the slip) to have the Traitor tried there, where inevitably he must needs be tried by his own Confederates for the most part, who would sooner hang the Judges than him; thousands both of Clergy and Laymen having flocked thither and thereabouts, expecting the event; the Judges were exceeding well pleased to pass the Trial till further course were taken. Further pretending, That then at the Assizes of Dundalke he had Records and Witnesses who would evidently convince the King's Witnesses, clearly show his innocency, and their wickedness. The nature of those Records he speaks of I do not understand; Witnesses I know he had too many, whose interest it was as much to defend him as to ransom their own lives at the highest rate imaginable. What benefit he could reap by those Records I cannot conceive, unless they could make out his being before then tried for the said several actions of High-Treason laid to his charge, which was impossible for the said Records to do. Further complaining, That the Jury here did not know him, nor the quality of the Accusers. The first fell out well for him, but the latter ill for his Accusers: for, were the Jury and all other wellwishers of his Majesty, but acquainted with the real sincerity of the chiefest of those Witnesses, their present and future danger would be taken into better care, and their necessary want would be better supplied; but had they known Plunkett, they would side with him as the Jury in Ireland; but would have ordered (if possible) his never dying and endless tortures, to be so preserved as an example to all ambitious Usurpers, and base-born aspirers. Further complaining, That by reason of the uncertainty of the Seas, and the difficulty of getting Copies of Records, his Witnesses could not attain to him in time.  
I pray, good Souls, observe the prevarication of that Speech, in one place affirming, He had the said Records in Dundalke aforesaid, about a twelvemonth ago. In another place saying, He had them still to get. I assure you, if there were any such useful Records as he pretended, he wanted not friends enough to take them out all this while: As for his Witnesses who may be justly called the flagitious and infamous rather than the King's Witnesses; a parcel of them being most Notorious and Traitorous Rebels, were gathered together to Dublin, where not getting the King's safe conduct, as they were promised by Plunkett's Solicitors, they all dispersed to their several refuges, excepting a matter of four of them that came to this City; who, had they but arrived in season, their only evidence would have cast him. As for his Transmarine Transactions, and his writing of Letters to Foreign Princes for sending of forces to invade Ireland, I can say nothing to them but by hear-say, therefore will leave them to be treated of by them who know best; only this I will infer, that in Court, which is a thing apparently known to the whole assembly, he did not much deny his Letter to that effect produced by Mr. Moyre, though in his said Speech he stands on strong negatives. His Domestic actions and contrivances I can relate, whereof I will give some short account in their places. Further vowing in his said Speech, That he never sent Agent or Agents to Rome about any Civil or Temporal affairs. Having confessed before the face of the Court that every Kingdom, State, and other Promontories of the Roman Catholic Religion, are straight bound to keep an Agent there continually. And did only deny, That the said Agents yearly means did not exceed 50 l. which was contrary to the Statutes produced by Mr. Moyer, under Plunkett's own hand, and confessed by him to be his own hand-writing, wherein was enacted, That the said Agent be supported in Rome by the yearly maintenance of 500 l. Sterling: Grant it were 50 l. judge if 50 l. would maintain yearly such a Solicitor. Which swerving from his confession in Court, are strong arguments to animadvert his said whole Speech to be most false and untrue, for qui Delinquit in uno, Delinquit in toto. But here Plunkett's Evasion is to be noted, protesting, That he did not send an Agent about any Civil or Temporal affairs. Meaning the affairs not to be Civil, as relating to Military, because intended for Rebellion and Massacre; nor to be Temporal, being intended for Spiritual matters, as ad propagandam fidem, etc.  
So that Mr. Moyer hath not swore false, as Plunkett says, but most true. Further asserting, That he did not write to Cardinal Bullion, or any of the French Kings Ministers, neither did any were in that Court ever write to him directly or indirectly of any Plot or Conspiracy. Meaning that it was neither Plot nor Conspiracy to reduce that Kingdom under their prerogative, as of ancient right belonging to them, which is an indisputable opinion of the major part of that Land. That he never employed Captain Con-O-Neill to the French King or any of his Ministers, that he never wrote to him, nor ever received Letters from him, and that he never saw him but once, and spoke not ten words to him. In this I pray let self-reason convince the stupid: Suppose that Captain Con-O-Neill, the son of General Owen-O-Neill, being the best warrior, the chiefest Head-piece, and sole ringleader of all the Irish; and the said Captain himself being a stout Soldier, a great Courtier, and a Traveller, newly come out of France in the Equipage of a noble Peer of Ireland, meeting as it were but by mere accident, the Irish Primate and Metropolitan in the Convent of the Franciscan Friars of Armagh, judge whether it be credible but more than ten words should pass between them, being together 48 hours, concerning their very travels in Foreign countries': But if met of set purpose, as it was, to settle the Conclusion of that horrid and detested Conspiracy, I hope that then I need not invite you to judge impartially. Plunkett adding further, As for Captain neil 's being in Charlemount or Dungannon, I never saw him in them Towns, nor ever knew of his being in those places. I pray, good Reader, mark these Protestations of a dying man and a worthy Prelate, the said Convent where he and Captain neil had an Intermedium, being within four miles of either of those Forts, and Plunkett never knew of his being in those places. 'Tis to be observed, that Plunkett was not charged to have been within those very Forts with Captain neil, for it was determined that Bishop Terrel, the said Captain Neill's Brother, John-O-Neill Guardian of the said Convent, Patrick-O-Donnelly Priest, and others, should repair to view the Situation and Fortifications of those Forts. To spend no time idle, Captain neil and Plunkett betook themselves a contrary way: Terrel, with the rest of the trusties, having discharged their trust, returned back to the said Convent the very same day. I hope all true hearts will impartially judge whether the Depositions of Mr. Moyre as eye-witness of these passages be not most true or not. Further protesting, That he never levied any money for a Plot or Conspiracy, nor ever received any from the Clergy upon that account. Meaning thereby as before mentioned; that in their opinion it was neither Plot nor Conspiracy, to bring that Country into their second subjection. I pray construe his meaning, and equivocal expressions, and see if the Depositions of Mr. Duffy and Mr. Ma-Clave, (the former serving as Curate to a certain Parish Priest, collecting and paying Vice-Pastors the Subsidy-Charge imposed on the Parish of Faghort in the County of Lowth in Ireland, the other Vicar of the Parish of Aghen-mallen, satisfying his dividend proportion) be not true and not false, as he says. Further saying, That he never received aught from any Clergyman in Ireland but what was due to him by ancient custom for maintenance, and what his predecessors these hundred years past, received; nay, that he received less than many of them. To which I answer, that by no way less; For first, he was so penurious greedy, that less than his due by one farthing would not satisfy him. Secondly, his Simony and compulsive bribes did far exceed the maintenance of his predecessors, for that all his Laws were grounded on this only Maxim, The weightiest Purse the best and largest Parish: And although at his first intruding to the management of his Primacy, the Clergy and Laity of that Country were very tractable, yet within short time he had so hood-winked them, that he set all the Clergy by the ears, and reduced all into the Chaos antiquum, that the weakest was forced to appeal to Secular Backs, which bred such a Dissension and hostility amongst his Majesty's Subjects, that it grew at last unto the temerity of a Bellum , or a Civil Broil. None was Capable of either Dignity or Parish under him, unless that in annuatim, he was able to purchase it at one twelvemonths annuity; nor was that Patent of any longer standing than till such time as another Dignitary or Prebendary came and advanced the said annuity, then immediately was drawn for him a Lease of Ejectment, without any Clause of the least save for the Defendant: All the satisfactory remedy he could get, was, to be told, That Plunkett cannot be a slave to his word; which word lies on several Records in perpetuum in Ireland, Indorsed by many an honest and learned man of the Romish Clergy, by him through inexplicable Simony utterly deprived, whereof was Dr. Fitzsymon, Dr. Hanzatty, after taking from him (upon great promises to install him Vicar-General of the Diocese of Clogher) the sum of sixty pieces of Gold, Dr. Roman Magin, Dean Mac-Colin, Dean Kelly, and many more of the very select and choicest of that Church. So incomprehensible was the Simony of this worthy Patriarch. However, 'tis true, it were possible he might die a true penitent, yet you have hardly observed any any man that lived and continued a Traitor, ever dying without a Lie in his mouth. Further denying, To have caused a List to be drawn of the Inhabitants of every respective Parish from the age of sixteen to sixty, for to raise an Army, or at least to have them in a readiness against the landing of the French Army; nor to have levied any Subsidies to support them. Whereas I myself have seen and perused many of his Mandates, both for making the aforesaid Lists, and levying the money: Nay I have seen a very considerable sum of the money so collected, his said Mandates are still extant to be produced. Patrick Darge-O-Donnelly Parish Priest of Donaghmore in the County of Tyrone, brought in of his collection in July last, of the Plot-money, the sum of ninescore and ten pounds; I have seen the money in the Town of Castle-Blayne. There are further special proofs that were by when he paid it to Plunkett in Dundalke, at the Assizes than held there, where he doth most falsely allege to have received his Trial. Which confirms that the Depositions of Mr. Moyre are most true; and that he, Mr. Duffy and Mr. Ma-Clave swore most true, and not false, as Plunkett sets out in his Speech. Further denying his surrounding the Seaports, Forts, and Havens of Ireland, and that he was never at Carlingford but once, not staying in it above half an hour, nor that Mr. Duffy was in his Company;— I answer that his Assertion is falsely grounded, for he was only taxed for to have surrounded the Seaports, Forts, and Havens of the North of Ireland, only which cannot unless Tropice comprehended all Ireland, whereof if few left unsurrounded, he sent others to view, I likewise answer, that he was more than once in Carlingford, and above half an hour, and that Duffy was in his company there, and from thence to the House of one Mr. Brian Murphy in Cooly, from whence again walking together with Duffy, Murphy and Terence, Murphy a Secular Priest to take the prospect of Sea and Land; they chanced to pass by an old ruinated Church, where the said Brian Murphy took occasion to tell Plunket, that certain old people Natives of that place could prove, that in their nonage they have seen the Burials there as liable to Church and Clark duties as elsewhere, which custom (said he) is not observed now adays, whereat Plunket desired Murphy to be very careful in advancing those things, for said he, although they be at present possessed by the heretic Clergy, we expect a sudden restoration of them.— In order to his will it was so closely followed and carried on by Murphy, that the place enjoyeth not the former immunity.  
I suppose the testimony of the rest of the company to be of sufficiency to prove that Duffy was in his Company, and hath not swore false as Plunket in his said Speech allegeth. Further, I hope you will observe, if it was possible for a Prelate of his calling to have dined in one House, and in another to have drunk his share of ten Bottles of Wine, and all that in half an Hours time;— As for the rest of the Forts and Seaports, which he viewed or sent others to view them, and denyeth his so doing, I would have the Reader understand this to be his Evasion; that there is hardly ever a City, Fort or Town Corporate in Ireland, but takes its Denomination from either a Fort, Ford, Rock, Mount or some other particular spot of ground, notified in that place, before the building or planting of a City or Town there, as Dublin, which takes its Denomination by Authentic Irish Precedents, from a Bridge made of wattle hyrdles, to drive over the Lyffin water, the Sheep of a certain rich man by name Atherne, than Inhabitant there; Drogheda from the like subject, Carrickfergus from a steepy Rock whereon the Castle is Built, and Fergus called the first King of Scots, the founder of that Castle, for the Irish word Carrick, signifieth in English a steepy Rock. Lisina Garvy from a Fort etc.  
Now Plunket dare boldly protest with ample Conscience, that he was never in those Towns, as not being within those very particular places, from whence they receive their said several Denominations, which if a man with safe conscience can depose, I leave the world to Judge.— Further asserting that he was never at any meeting of 300 Gentlemen, in any the Counties of Ardmagh, Monaghan, or Cavan; which negative would extend to an admiration of the truth, were as well known here as in Ireland, whereas he kept his Provincial Counsels in them Counties, yet his wily Evasions are to be notified, meaning that all the Irish Gentlemen in that Province are degenerated, as not possessed of any present Estates or Patrimonies; yet for his life he would say, but that he was at an Assembly of 300 Irish Gentlemen by Extraction.  
Further adding in his said Speech, and 'tis well known, that there are not even in all the Province of Ulster 300 Roman Catholics who had Estates, or lost Estates by the late Rebellion, which is a mighty abominable and unpardonable Lie, as evidently indisputable as the Sun sits in its Continents. But Gentle Reader, to satisfy your mind further, of the late Horrid intended Conspiracy, you shall understand, that those who lost their Estates there, 400 or 500 years ago, are possessed, with as fervent a thirst of recovery, as those who lost it by the late Rebellion; nay the very Danes are ever still designed for Ireland.  
Further protesting, that he never knew or heard, that the French were to land at Carlingford, and that he did believe there were none who ever saw Ireland even in a Map, but would think it a mere Romance. To which I answer, that 'tis to be observed the guilt of his horrid Crimes rendered him unmindful of his former sagacity; so that he must needs bring out this uncolorable Lie, to discover the Palpability of that his whole last Speech, to be most maliciously false, and grounded only to bring revenge and aspersion upon the Witnesses; for truly the very Irish Etymology of the word Carlingford verifies the Haven to be doubtless as good (unless somewhat narrow) as any in England or Ireland. But to define it, will not be so satisfactory to you, as the experience of the Haven.  
As to the Word it consists of three syllables thus, Cath-ar-ling, Cath signifieth a Fight Fought, are, signifieth on, and ling the stream or Water, viz. Cartharling in Irish, and Carlingford in English, and taketh that name from a great Fight fought on that Water, just at the Foot of the Castle between the Irish and the Danes. I assure that any of His Majesty's best Ships even at low water, may ride into the Bay there till it hook the very Castle wall. Oliver the first Usurper had no small Fleet with which, notwithstanding the Block-house with all its Artillery, playing as fast as a shower of Arrows, and all other the Fortifications there, he landed in that place, which I hope confirms the Evidence of the Witnesses not to be Romance.  
However Oliver the second must be then no greater Slave to his word, then during the rest of his life, it being his common apology when reproved about his Lies. Nevertheless, the self partial are very apt and inclinable to believe the last protestations of that dying Patriarch, and sweet Traitor, who never before during his life time could tell any truth.  
Further alleging, that if he should confess these crimes, or to have acknowledged the raising of Seventy Thousand Men in Ulfter, or even in all Ireland, it being well known that all the revenues of Ireland, Spiritual and Temporal possessed by His Majesty's Subjects, are scarce able to raise and maintain an Army of Seventy Thousand men; or the design of landing the French at Carlingford, no wise man that knows Ireland would believe him, all would laugh at him, no Protestant Jury would find him Guilty of the Indictment.  
It is a great truth, that Ireland was never since the Creation of the World, so populous as it is in these later days, and consequently indisputably true, that Ulster could raise Seventy Thousand Men, set the rest of Ireland aside, but mark herein how delivering the words possessed by His Majesty's Subjects, hath betrayed his Equivocations and mental reservation, as meaning His Sacred Majesty of Great Britain not to be Supreme King of that Land, but the Pope, for that Donaghy M. Brian the last of the Irish Kings, being defeated by conquest brought the Crown out of Ireland, and delivered it to the Pope, so that depriving the King of England of his Right and Prerogative of Ireland, his Subjects there can raise but a small army. I pray observe the protestations of that worthy Patriarch.  
Yet I grant, that no wise man of his own Hellish and factious Crew would resemble to believe him; that they would dissemble to laugh at him, for he is a fool that would not cover his own nakedness, as also 'tis very true that no formal Protestant Jury would Cast him. Adding further, that the Jury in Ireland would no more believe him, than they would believe that he had flown in the air from Dublin to Holy-head.— Which is an extraordinary Hyperbolical lie; for that the Jury there, such as he would have himself tried with all did believe, and (as Guilty of the Fact) was well satisfied in their hearts of the one, though they would proceed contrariwise, but of the other could not be satisfied by proof or otherwise. Yet Plunket must not be a Slave to his word.  
In his said last Speech he denies to have been ever acquainted with the Four Laymen of the Witnesses, viz. Florence M. Moyer, the two Neals and Hanlon, meaning me the first of the Four; to that point I can say nothing, my Surname being Weyer, and not Mac Moyer, with whom, Plunket was very well acquainted since first he went to Ireland, which I could make good by a thousand Witnesses if requisite; the first time that ever I met him, was in the Friary of Ardmagh, where, was no less than three or four hundred Speculators, he did discourse with me aside: In his going away, I conveyed him a good piece of his Journey, he further discoursed with me, in several Assemblies held by him at the House of George Blyke of the Five, in pursuance of contriving that his detested conspiracy, and very often made much of me in his own house, which kindness I conjecture to have rather extended from fear that I should appear against him, then from any hearty good will. I pray how could this man have the Impudence of denying to be acquainted with me? Because he must not be a Slave to his Word.  
Yet I shall pass over all further Justification on my own account, he having vomited as grand Lies as that, arguing the Judges of Injustice done to him, which I leave to the Judges themselves to vindicate or forgive.  
He adds further, that there was a Judas among the Twelve Apostles, and a Wicked man called Nicholas amongst the Seven Deacons; by which expressions it may be easily understood, how that sweet Traitor pretends to be another Christ on Earth, calling the Witnesses another Judas and another Nicholas, deeming himself to be convicted by the Jewish Law, which property of Judas, he should of all right attribute to himself and his confederates, who did intent (although by God's Providence obstructed) to betray his true and lawful King to the hands of his Enemies, and to Massacre all his true Subjects, wherefore I may boldly return him that which he tells of Judas and Nicholas for Exemplo tangi non propriore potest.  
Yet this man who thus fabricated the death of his Sacred Majesty; to subvert the present Government, the tranquillity of His Majesty's true and Loyal Subjects, who caused so many disorders among those of the Roman Catholic Clergy committed to his Charge, so much misgovernment within his districts, living by Treachery and Simony, even to the depriving of their rights, many an honest and worthy Prelate not by him corruptible, must die a Sanctified Martyr, redoubling Gild upon Gild, till the pangs of death overcame his last Breath.  
Gentle Reader, I have here made apparently appear unto the whole world, how undeservedly the King's Witnesses were Impeached by that Speech of Dr. Oliver Plunket, I have justified their innocency, with what true zeal and integrity they proceeded.  
Yet Plunket pretending nothing to be so purgative as a Dying man's last protestations, upon which principle equivocally, and with secret Evasions asserting to have never acted any thing impugnant to His Majesty's Laws, Crown, Dignity, nor Regal Government, there are Thousands in England and Ireland, and those to be ingeniously multiplied by none of the vulgar Arethmeticians, who will not scruple abounding with his accustomary indulgences, to swallow the greatest of all Oaths to attest the unquestionable verity of those protestations; and that for the ensuing reasons.  
1st. To purchase their own Necks from the Halter.  
2d, For that it is their impregnable opinion, that it is more meritorious to die involved with Mr. Perjury then to discover the Gild of their disloyal and factious Crew, ambitious to advance arbitrary Government, and that even to the utter extinguishing of the Royal Line.  
3d, To darken the worth and repute of the Discoverers of the Plot, who may be Justly termed the second Ark, prepared against that execrable intended deluge and devastation.  
4th, Thinking to vilify the many good Services to be yet accomplished by them.  
5th, To render them ridiculous, bring them into a general Odium, and that which is the grandest Policy, to discourage all true loyal Hearts for the future, from attempting any such bold and resolute undertake, as the preservation of the royal Progeny, and His Majesties unfeignedly true Subjects.  
However, let them censure the Witnesses as they will, certainly they cannot be endued with so much impudence as to aver, that the supporting of an Agent in Rome to introduce Popery, and Foreign Forces, to disenthrone His Majesty is not High Treason, and punishable by the King's Laws; that the enacting of several Statutes to the same purpose, produced under his hand, and confessed by him to be his own hand writing, is not likewise high Treason and punishable etc.  
My dear Souls, what fervency of revenge? and what direful frency of antipathizing, and instigating the insatiable Fury of the rest of the Traitors against the Witnesses, possessed this Traitor's heart so stiffly, even at the point of death, to deny those things, which being on his Trial he confessed, when he should stand most on justification, I leave to Judge as well by the Partial, as the Impartial.  
But whereas the devotedly religious at Tyburn the first of this instant, had not their minds generally satisfied, as wanting Blood enough of Martyr Plunket to colour their Handkerchiefs. I hope if their devotion will still continue, that before condign punishment be executed on the rest of the Traitors in general in Ireland, if they will but take pains to repair thither, they may attain to the full of their desires, by dipping the rest of their Handkerchiefs in the Blood of many more of the reformed fellow Martyrs of Plunket, dying still with a Lie in their mouths, till they breathe their last Gasp.  
Now to be brief, I protest by the Faith of a Christian, I could insert a great deal more, of both the Treachery and Perniciousness of Dr. Plunket, apt to infect curious Ears, but thinking this to be sufficient to confute his Lies, and satisfy the stupidity of the indifferent, I do not desire to bellow farther time on the Object. 'Tis well known, that in general we have many implacable Enemies in our own Country, and I myself, most of all, so that we need not undeservedly have any more in this Country, yet we are generally hated by many, as suspected to be of the number of the Earl of Shaftesbury his Prosecutors.  
Therefore, these are to declare, that Mr. Moyer, Mr. Duffy, I myself, nor none of our Society would spare his Lordship, had we but known him Guilty of any high Treason to our knowledge; and further, that we have never known him to have infringed His Majesty's Laws, neither do we use of course to accuse any, but this infamy we know, to have extended from a certain Parisite, who for great sums of Money received, promised to invalidate our evidence, to the saving of Plunkets life, who failing therein, indeavoreth to obscure our Names, to bring upon us the high Displeasure of the Nobility, and Commonalty of this Kingdom, and laboureth to foment all turbulence by attesting his own Fidelity, but I hope that within short time he shall receive his Quietus est, by the hands of Catch, at the foot of Mount Tyburn, but let Charon then have a care of Sinking his Boat by ferrying over the Stygian streams to Prince Beelzebub, that inconsiderable draught, the master Piece of all the Europian Knaves.  
And we do now before the divine Majesty of Heaven further and lastly declare, that what we have done in discovering the late horrid Plot, was neither for self preservation, nor expectation of any worldly Lucre, but from the real and sincere Allegiance we own unto His sacred Majesty, and our natural Love unto His Loyal Subjects, from which, the very fear of death, the contriving devices of my Enemies, nor the greatest tortures of Execution shall never withdraw me nor mine, but will expose myself, and mine, with all my Soul, Heart, Hand, and Substance, to all imaginary hazards in pursuance of His Majesty's Service, and maintaining of his Laws, and Government; Pulchrum & decorum est pro Patra mori, multo vero pulchrius pro Rege; And for my tuition I throw myself on the mercy and providence of the Almighty; and the wanted care of His Sacred Majesty of Great Britain etc.  
All which, is most humbly represented to the candid sincerity of the impartial, by their most humble and most faithful Servant.  
Florence Weyer. July 26th. 1681.  
FINIS.