A NARRATIVE OF THE Fanatical Plot, Setting forth the TREASONABLE AND Wicked Designs Which they have been CARRYING on against the King & Government Ever since the last Westminster Parliament. WITH An Account of the Treacherous Contrivances against several Worthy Persons, and the Measures which they used to take off the King's Evidence by Subornation. To which is Added, A Relation of the Evil Practices of John Rowse, (who was lately Executed at Tyburn) William Lewis (who stands Convicted) and others. By John Zeal Gent.  
Printed for the Author, and are to be Sold by most Booksellers in Westminster and London, 1683.   

THE Epistle Dedicatory TO TITUS OATS THE Mock-Doctor of Salamanca.  
SIR,  
WE find that it is Customary for the Bird of Jove to carry up her unfledged young ones to the Sun, where if they can with undaz'led eyes, behold the glittering Beams, all suspicion of their being Spurious is taken away, After this example, with due reverence, I approach you, our Sun, and freely expose this offspring of a penitent mind to your (sometimes) all-blinding Rays; having a stock of assurance, equal to your own, when you described Don John; that if it can (what persons of the greatest quality formerly were not Eagles enough to do) without trembling behold your shining Case— hardened brow, it may pass muster all over the World, and mangres envy and mighty tides of prejudiced Fanatical Critics, set up for a Truth.  
And truly (Reverend Sir) I should think it Incumbent on me, to be speak your Pardon for troubling you at this time of day, with a thing of this nature, did not Justice and Reason, in some measure seem to warrant the presumption: For though I must confess, I could not but suppose you as busy as any of the Rats to free your self from the danger that threatens your Drowning Vessel, and to keep your Neck out of Jack Ketch's Noose: Yet I thought (without being unjust to you and and my own Conscience) I could not rob you of the Dedication of what in every line almost shows you yourself. Jupiter est quodcunque vides, You can see nothing in it Dirty, False, Black, Treasonable or Treacherous, but it bears your own stamp: And though you cannot properly be said to be the immediate Cause of all, yet the second causes whence those and all our National evil sprang, can be resolved into you, the Primum Mobile, or first Principle whence they had their being and motion.  
There is nothing contained in the following Discourse but what, to your own knowledge, is purely matter of Fact, and an undeniable Truth; which therefore I choose to expose to the World, in a stile suitably plain, naked, and destitute of the gaudy flowers of Eloquence and Invention, which makes the greatest Truth's more Admired, but less Authentic, more desired by curious and liquorish Palates, (such as yours Doctor) but also more liable to be suspected by the more solid and judicious part of mankind, which alone I coveted, and have endeavoured to please. And I do declare Religiously in the presence of Him that knows all your secrets, and as I hope for any good in that day when there is to be the fullness of Retribution, that I was neither byassed by any Interest, nor moved by the Importunity of Friends, or the Threats of Foes, to write and publish the following Narrative; and that I can attribute the doing so to nothing, save an  impulse within me, and the secret Dictates of a wounded Conscience. The load of guilt that was lodged in my breast was insupportable, and I could have no ease till I vomited up the Treasonable Subornatious, Briberies, Perjuries and Evil-practices which lay heavy on me, and to which for some years I have been privy, that at the sight of so much filth the World may for the future nauseate and abandon such lewd and wicked extravagancies.  
I do not care for quarrelling with an old Friend, though the Devil; therefore I must beg, good Doctor, that you will not take up prejudice against me upon the first sight of my Narrative; for, assure yourself, I design not thereby to encroach upon, or usurp any part of your right: I mean, not thereby to assert a Popish, but a Presbyterian Plot. You are now without the fear of a Rival, left the sole Master and mannager of the former; your leading Nimrods' are all fled, and your Fellow-Swearers seeing all going down the wind, have shaken hands with you, committing all to your own unwearied care: You may then exercise your Talon in Swearing by yourself, and move in the same sphere you used to do, till it shall please your juster Stars to exalt you higher.  
Think not by what I have said, that I am a Papist; assure yourself I am neither Papist nor Presbyterian, so far from it, that I never was within the doors of a Mass-house or Conventicle, but was born and brought up in the True Protestant Religion, as Established now by Law. To give an account of my Life in this place, I deem very unnecessary; I'll therefore say thus much negatively concerning myself; first, that I never took a Degree in Salamanca or elsewhere, which you are so much famous for. Secondly, that I never admired Sodomy, or sporting myself with a Masculine Brawny Chambermaid. Thirdly, That I am not the Son of a Canting Sedition-Preaching Weaver, but of an Honest Loyal Gentleman of the County of Devon; and my Mother of the Family of the Greenfields, whose Loyalty have been always manifested by their Sufferings for His late Majesty; My Grandfather perishing in Prison in London: My Uncle Major Greenfield Murdered by the Rebels at Plymouth, for endeavouring to obtain that Garrison for His Majesty, etc. And most of my Relations falling into the Hands of the damnable Sequestrators, for which myself and whole Family suffer to this day, further I will not mention to vindicate myself, or to take away the stains which guilt left upon my Soul, for  
— Quae non fecimus ipsi  
vix ea nostra voco—  
But to return to the Plot; I dare not say there was no Popish-Plot, though at the same time it is my belief there was not the hundred part of what was pretended; but that the few true circumstances that were found, were improved to that height by your Industry, and the Treachery of the fanatics to serve for a stalking-horse to hid your own, till with more security you could destroy the Government. Therefore I ll even rest myself satisfied as to this point, with the Opinion of the Author of that Letter to Mr. Settle, occasioned by his Recanting Narrative, which you may see from his own words no followeth. 
* Postscript Page 14.  As for the Popish-Plot, though my apprehensions of it are not altogether so dreadful to make me go mad for fear of Consecrated Knives, Black-Bills, Jago- Pilgrims, French Armies, etc. Yet I am not for exploding quite the thoughts of some Designs managed by the Roman Catholics for promoting their own Religion, by extirpating all whom they call Heretics, since there were many true circumstances, though dashed with Contradictions, and now and then a few false Oaths. For we know very well 'tis possible the game may be up, though many of the Eager Mongrel Whelps in the deep mouthed pack of Evidences outrun the scent and hunted Counter. But on the other hand, I would have men not be altogether so intent upon those glowing Embers, as not to discern the Bellows (that is the Presbyterians) that blew them into a flame.  
It may possibly be thought by some, that I dare not assert what I now do, but in the interval of Parliaments; and that this Narrative, were it now Parliament time, dare not look abroad into the World: I declare my resolution of standing by it when ever a Parliament sits; and (if need require) of sealing the truth thereof with my Blood. For it was once my dying resolution, and since I never found myself in the least inclining to alter it. In March last being justly visited for my sins with a severe sit of Sickness from the Almighty, and having little or no hopes or prospect of recovering, I sent for a Friend, and made it my request to him, that if it should please God to call me away at that time, he would take care to have the following Discourse Printed and published for the satisfaction of the World, declaring to him upon the word of a dying man, that there was nothing in it, but what was sincere and true; which he faithfully promised to see doom. But it pleasing the all merciful God to raise me up once more to perform this great duty myself; I think I ought not to be either ashamed or afraid to declare those notorious Truths before an Earthly which then I was willing, and expected, and at last must, lay open before the Heavenly Tribunal.  
And I hope the next Parliament will be men of greater, nobler and more Loyal Principles than to discountenance any thing that may tend (as the detecting these Subornations, Perjuries, etc. do) to the preservation of His Majesty, the Queen, and his Royal Highness, and to the bringing all Perjurers, Suborners, and other Enemies of the Government, to condign Punishment: Which time when God shall be pleased to grant us; Doctor you may expect to be Famous, as most that ever marched through Holbourn: till which, I will, what you yourself must do at last leave you upon God and your Country, and so  
Farewell.   

A true and perfect Copy of the Records of Newgate against William Lewis.  
AT the General Sessions of the Peace of our Lord the King, 
Lond. ss.  held for the City of London at Guildhall of the same City, within the same City, on Monday, viz. the 12th. day of December Anno Regni Regis Caroli secundi Angli, etc. 28ᵒ  
William Lewis is Fined 100 l. and Committed etc. And that he shall be put in and upon the Pillory, one day in Cornhill near the Exchange of London; and another day in the Poultry near the Stock-market there; and the third day in Cheapside near the end of Honey-Lane, from the hour of Eleven to One, With a Paper put on his Head in Writing showing his Offence. And then he shall be returned to Newgate to be kept in safe Custody until he has paid his Fine, and find good Security for his good Behaviour, etc.  
Wagstaffe.  
The words which were put on his Head in the Pillory.  For Falsely Forging a Bill under the Hand of Mr. Richard Thompson to deceive him 220 l.  

AT the Goal Delivery of our Lord the King at Newgate held for the City of London at Justice-Hall in the Old-Bayly London, 
Lond. ss.  on Wednesday viz. 10th. of October, Anno Regni Regis Caroli Secundi nunc Angliae etc. 29th  
William Lewis Convicted of Felony, and demands the Benefit of his Clergy, etc. and is Delivered if he could read, which he did; and was only Burnt in the Hand, and so acquitted.   

Villainy Displayed: OR, THE INFORMATION OF John Zeal, Gent.  
ABout the time that Langhorn was executed, I came acquainted with one Hugh Mason, a Victualler in Strand-lane near the Maypole, whose House I afterwards used; and one time telling him I was endeavoured to be suborned to swear High-Treason against Sir Francis Radcliffe, to whom I formerly was Page; and that Informations were sent in my name to the Secretary of State, (neither my hand-writing, or by my consent or knowledge) against the said Sir Francis Radcliffe, neither did I ever swear any matter against him: Mason replied, Now is the time to make yourself, if you'll accuse him, and I will draw up the Information against him; And more over, I'll warrant you a good sum of money for so doing. Further, said he, I will carry you to Sir William Waller, Dr. Oates, and the Earl of Shaftsbury, who will all of them give you good encouragement, etc. But finding me unwilling, Mason for some time desisted his importunities, until (using his House) I became somewhat indebted unto him; whereupon he told me, If I would not consent to draw up an Information, and accuse the said Sir Francis Radcliffe of High-Treason, that he would arrest me, and throw me into Prison. Then I went to one Mr. Bennet a Sword-Cutler, (an acquaintance of my Fathers) and desired him to go with me to the said Mason, and engage for what I was (or should be) indebted, until my Father came to Town, which Mr. Bennet did at my request. But before my acquaintance with Mason, I had given Sir Francis Radcliffe an account by one Mr. Banks, how I was persuaded, and endeavoured to be suborned, and become an Evidence against the said Sir Francis; Also I sent a Letter to his Honour by the said Mr. Banks, which was sent me, directed (as I think) to my Lodging in Salisbury-Court, from an unknown hand, having no name to it. To the best of my remembrance, the words in the said Letter were to this effect; to desire me to accuse Sir Francis Radcliffe of High-Treason, with promises of a gratuity; which Letter, I believe, remains still in the hands of Sir Francis. And having cleared his Honour to Mr. Banks, I thought I might safely go on with the afore named Mason, to find out his villainous intentions. One day he desired me to go up stairs with him, which I did, and there again he urged me to draw up the said Information which he had endeavoured to Suborn me to do; all which I consented unto: Then he immediately took Pen, Ink, and Paper, and began to draw up a Charge of High Treason against Sir Francis Radcliffe; which Paper was not that day much proceeded upon, by reason of Company that came to his House, which took him off his wicked design at that time: But some days after we proceeded further upon the same business, so that at last we had finished about a a sheet of Paper containing all Treasonable matter against Sir Srancis Radcliffe, all the particulars I cannot well remember; but one particular was, That Sir Francis Radcliffe should have declared, that he would raise Ten Thousand Men in Arms in the North of England, whereby to establish the Popish Religion in this Kingdom: And during the time of this transaction, he the said Mason did daily report in his House, that we were upon discovering a great Plot, which would be the making of Us that were concerned therein: And within a day or two after, he desired me to go up Stairs with him again, And Dictate to him whilst he drew up the said Treasonable Paper (which he had falsely contrived against Sir Francis Radcliffe) in a more Legible Hand; which I did, and whilst we were about it, the said Mason's Wife came up stairs to us, at which he was displeased, and bade her go down; she replied, I believe I shall see you in Newgate for your Plotting-contriving-tricks and Roguery; said he, Damn you for a Bitch, how dare you talk so impudently to Doctor Oats and Captain Bedlow? (meaning himself and me;) And after this Treasonable Paper of his contrivance was finished, Mason would never let me rest till I went with him to Sir Francis Radcliffe's Lodgings; I desired to know of him what we should do there? Damn you (said he) we will show him the Paper, and if does not give us Moneys, you shall Swear against him: Accordingly I did go with him into Holbourn, and there sent for one Mr. Selby, Steward to Sir Francis, who immediately came to us; I called him into the Backside, and told him, that I had the Copy of the Treason, which Mason endeavoured to Suborn me to Swear against his Master Sir Francis Radcliffe; he desired to see it, but I am not certain whether I did let him see it, or not; but Mason would not let me send it over to Sir Francis, but go with it myself; at which Mr. Selby went over, telling me, he would send for me immediately; and when he was gone, the said Mason Swore he would go over with me; I asked him for what? Why (said he) to see Sir Francis, that I may know him, for by God (said he) if he does not give you Money, we will both Swear against him: But notwithstanding his readiness, I did not suffer him to go over, but went myself, and sent the said Treasonable Paper up to Sir Francis by one Mr. Radcliffe Sir Francis' Kinsman; I tarried there for some time, till near night, there being in company one Mr. Nichols a Tailor to Sir Francis, who came to take his leave of that Family, being with few days to go out of Town: And drinking a Glass of Wine with them, I declared before the whole Company, that I knew no ill of Sir Francis, but that it was a contrived and designed thing by some ill person or persons to put me upon the Swearing the same: Upon which, after some short stay, I took leave, and went to see for Mason at the Alehouse where I left him; but he being gone from thence, I repaired to his House; who said (as soon as he saw me) I am glad you are come Mr. Zeal, I had thought they had Murdered you, because you tarried so long; But that's not the business, have you gotten any Money from Sir Francis? said he; I replied, I had not, for his Honour was engaged with several Persons of Quality that came to take their leaves of him before he went out of Town, which prevented me from speaking with him at that time, but was ordered by Mr. Radcliffe his Kinsman to come again before Sir Francis took his Journey into the North; said Mason, That's very well, we will be sure to mind him; and if he goes out of Town and not give you a good Gratuity, we will fetch him back in the Devil's name: Thus it continued for some days, until Sir Francis was gone his Journey; and I hearing of it, told Mason the same; who swore bitterly, That he would have him back in few days, if I would be ruled by him, and go immediately to Sir William Waller, and be sworn to the said Paper: But I put him off with some pretence or other for that time; telling him, that it would look more like malice than matter of Fact, to accuse Sir Francis so soon after his departure.  
In a short time after my Father came to Town, which was about St. James'- Tide in the same Summer, and paid the said Mason what I was Indebted unto him; upon which, Mason desisted from urging me to Swear against Sir Francis Radcliffe; until about Michaelmass following, I then became Indebted to him a second time, my Father having left his House, finding him to be an Ill-principled man; my Father telling me, that was the cause that he refrained the said Mason's House; Mason perceiving the same, was much dissatisfied, telling me, that now I must look to myself, For (Damn me saith he) I'll not trust you for a Farthing more, besides I will Arrest you for what you own me already too: Upon which I asked him what he would have me to do? Why (saith he) go with me to Doctor Oates, and I will give him the Paper, and tell him that I have one that will Swear to it; at which (said Mason) you will be called into the Doctor, but do not be timorous (said Mason) and disgrace me, but stand to it, and Swear it, and then it will be your making: And seeing him so forward, I consented to go with him to Whitehall to Dr. Oates' Lodging, to whom Mason gave the said Treasonable Paper that he contrived against Sir Francis Radcliffe; which the Doctor had no sooner read, but asked if I was the person that would Swear to it? to which Mason replied, I was, Then said the Doctor, go with me to the Council-Chamber, and I will show it to a Person of Quality: And as soon as we came into the Lobby by the Council-Chamber, the Doctor sent in, and immediately the Earl of Shaftsbury came out, and the Doctor gave him the Paper, which his Lordship read, and going towards his Coach at Whitehall-gate, his Lordship asked where the person was that would Swear to it? to which the Doctor replied, He's here my Lord; and then the Doctor recommended me to his Lordship, his Honour being pleased to desire me to come in the Afternoon to his House in Aldersgate-street, where he would discourse me; upon which I promised his Lordship I would, and so took leave, and the Doctor bade me not fail to go according to his Lordship's appointment, whatever I neglected else; further telling me, I might be made by it: I promised I would certainly be there; (Mason all this while standing at a distance) I went to him, who asked me how it went? I told him the Earl of Shaftsbury desired me to come to his House in the Afternoon, and there he would discourse me; upon which Mason was very well satisfied, and Swore, Damn him, that if I did mind my business, I should be made for ever: After which, we went to his House, where we had a Dinner, and there he told his Wise (with great rejoicing) that we had done our business, For (saith he) We have been with the Earl of Shaftsbury and Doctor Oates, and in the Afternoon Mr. Zeal must attend his Lordship at his House by his own order: Towards the evening I went to his Lordship's House, but Mason could not go with me, by reason of some extraordinary occasions of his own that hindered him; and coming to his Lordship's House, I had not been long there, but Doctor Oats and Colonel Mansel came in; the Doctor seeing me, went in to his Lordship as I imagine, and soon after came out to me, and told me his Lordship was very busy, And therefore (said he) I would have you come again a day or two hence, and then you'll be sure to speak with my Lord; But (said Doctor Oats) cannot you get one more that was of Sir Francis Radcliffe 's Family to Swear to the said Paper? I told him, I thought I could, (though really I could not;) He replied, If you could do that, it would be excellent Service; And so I took leave of him, and repaired again to Mason's House, who was very earnest to know how I had proceeded, I told him I could not speak with the Earl of Shaftsbury, for Dr. Oates said to me, he had so much company with him, that it was impossible to speak with his Lordship that evening, desiring me to come a day or two hence; at which Mason swore Damn him, he believed I had received Money of his Lordship, and would not tell him: Upon which, I protested to him I had not, but must attend a day or two hence: He not believing it, said, I will see the truth of this, for I will go with you myself: I replied, with all my heart; and the Saturday following we both went into Aldersgate-street; and coming to his Lordship's House, he was not within; so we went to an Alehouse hard by, and tarried till we understood his Lordship was come in, when going to his House, I sent up my name, and was immediately conducted into his Lordship's presence up one pair of stairs, where he asked me several questions, (viz.) What Religion I was of? I answered, a Protestant. He also asked me, What Friends I had in Town? I told him, my Father; To which his Lordship replied, bring him to me, and then I will discourse You further. After which I took my leave, and was conducted down stairs by a Gentleman, (Mason standing all the while at the Chamber-door, and seeing me discourse with his Lordship.) When we came out of the House, Mason asked me what News? I told him, his Lordship had ordered me to bring my Father to him; He replied, I will persuade your Father to go with you, and will tell him, that you will have twenty Guineas of the Earl of Shaftsbury; and this (said he) will certainly induce him to go with you. Being come to Mason's House, he there openly declared we had been at the Earl of Shaftsbury's, and that I was lighted up stairs to his Lordship, as if I had been a Person of Quality, and he would warrant I should have Money plenty as soon as I was sworn; telling his Wife, that he would have his Room two pair of stairs hanged for me, and that I should both Lodge and Diet in his House, (or words to that effect.) This being Saturday-night, we desisted until Monday following, when we both went over towards my Father's Lodgings near St. George's Fields; and as we went along, he told me, that after I had begun with Sir Sir Francis Radcliffe, I should accuse the Duke of York, and the Lords in the Tower; and (said he) let me alone to contrive and draw up such Informations against them, as shall bring you into great favour with the next Parliament, or words to that effect; So drawing near my Father's Lodgings, Mason desired me to walk in the Fields, whilst he went in and discoursed my Father; which I did, (but whether I went in or not, I cannot well remember;) however, Mason tarried a considerable time with him, as he informed me, though I judged he would have but an indifferent answer to what he proposed. At length he came, and told me, my Father had promised to be at his House that day, or speedily after; that being all the discourse we had at that time, we parted, I going towards London, and he towards his own House. Some days after I saw my Father, who asked me what was the reason I sent that fellow to him (naming Mason) upon such accounts as he offered? telling me moreover, that if I did not refrain Mason's company, and evil practices, he would never look upon me. Mason, (said my Father,) was so impudent, in the hearing of my Landlady, to desire me to persuade you to swear against Sir Francis Radcliffe; telme you should have Twenty Guineas of the Earl of Shaftsbury as soon as you are sworn. In answer to all which, I told my Father, that I had left the said Mason's house, and also refrained his company, which in truth I had done. And this (to the best of my knowledge) was the sole contrivance of the said Mason.  
All the  Information I had drawn up against the said Mason, with an intent to have discovered it during the sitting of the last Parliament, but was persuaded to the contrary by one Mr. William Lewis, and one Mr. John Haytor, (than both Prisoners in the Marshalsea for Debt, as well as myself) who both told me, tho' the thing was really true, and that Mason had endeavoured to suborn me, yet the Parliament would take no notice of it, because it was in vindication of a Roman Catholic; whereupon I burned the said Information, and desisted until now; only I declared in general to Justice Rich and Justice Reading above two years since, that Mason had endeavoured to suborn me, but did not declare to them in what nature or particular.  
About Christmas following, my Father had a Warrant granted him to be Purser to one of His Majesty's Ships at Chatham, to which Employment he repaired, and took me down with him, where I continued for some months; but having no likelihood of getting any Preferment there, and hearing of the Earl of Ossory's going as General for Tangier, I got leave of my Father to go to London, and make what interest I could to go with his Honour in that Expedition, and thereby endeavour to raise my Fortune, there being no probability of Action here: To which my Father consenting, I accordingly came to Town about the latter-end of June, or beginning of July; but I had not been long here, e'er the ill News of the Earl of Ossory's death was generally confirmed, which put me to as great a loss as ever; for having contracted some Debts, I was arrested for the same, and thrown into the Marshalsea, where I became acquainted with the  Mr. William Lewis, who understanding how I had been tampered with to swear High-Treason against Sir Francis Radcliffe, and had been with the Earl of Shaftsbury concerning the same, he was very desirous to be my Bed-fellow, which in a night or two he accomplished, and continued in my Room till his enlargement. In few nights after he came to be my Bed-fellow, he began to tamper with me concerning the Earl of Shaftsbury; telling me, if I would accuse his Lordship, he would send to those that should soon procure my liberty, and also supply me with Moneys; in which time I found him to be a notorious Papist; yet, through his many persuasions, I did consent to the drawing up of an Information against the Earl of Shaftsbury; whereupon one morning the said Lewis came to my bedside, and brought me Pen, Ink and Paper, desiring me to draw up an Information according to my own sense against the said Earl; which I accordingly did, containing one side of a sheet; and when it was done, he desired to see it; I gave it him; he read it, and told me it all signified nothing; But (said he) I will go and draw it up in another kind of method, and you shall copy it with your own hand; for (said Mr. Lewis) I have sent for a Gentlewoman to come to me, and have assured her in my Letter, that there is a Gentleman my (Bed-fellow) that can discover strange things against the Earl of Shaftsbury; and I am certain as soon as she receives my Letter, she will come with all expedition to us: Therefore (said he) let us make what speed we can to get it ready; which accordingly we did. Within a day or two after, there came two women, and a Footboy with them, and enquired for him, (as he told me.) When they were gone, I asked him who they were? he said, one of them was Mrs. Cellier, and the other Madam Holeby; and not long after there came a Gentlewoman, (which proved to be the said Madam Holeby) who desired to have it attested under my hand, that the Paper that was given to them against the Earl of Shaftsbury at their last being there, was true; desiring me also to give under my hand that I would swear to it; all which Mr. Lewis persuaded me to do, and I did give under my hand that I would swear it. Then Mr. Lewis told me we should soon be released out of Prison; and not long after the said Paper came with an addition to it, and written by another hand, being brought by one Mr. Dalton. Mr. Lewis then desired me to draw it up with my own hand as fair as I could: I replied, there was a great deal more stuff in that, than was in the other which was sent them: Lewis answered, That's no matter, as long as it is for our enlargements; by which persuasions I at length consented. As soon as it was done, Mr Dalton came for it, and took it away; but not long after he brought it again, and told me I must set my hand to the bottom of every side, which I did. Some weeks after, this contrived Paper was sent to the Secretary of State, (as I afterwards heard) without my knowledge or consent; whereupon Mr. Fanshaw, one of the Masters of Requests, and another person with him, came to the Marshalsea, and enquired for me; when I came to him, he desired me to go up with him into a Room, and accordingly I went; (which Mr. Lewis perceiving, and being jealous, (as he afterwards told me) came under the window, and listened to our discourse.) Mr. Fanshaw pulled the said Paper out of his pocket, and desired to know of me if it was my hand, or whether I would own it; I told him I would, and would also swear it when I should be thereunto required; upon which he departed; and when they were gone, Mr. Lewis came to me and told me in these words; Now Mr. Zeal I dare trust my life in your hands, for I find you are true to your Trust; further telling me, that he heard every word that passed between Mr. Fanshaw and myself; the next news I heard, came a Messenger with an Order of Council for me to be brought up the Wednesday following, which was accordingly done; but I was not called in at that time, but ordered to be brought up the next Council day, and so I was carried up five several times; And being brought back from the Council un-examined, Lewis urged me to swear to the said Paper, taking a Glass of Beer and drinking to me, wished eternal damnation both to Soul and Body, if he did believe the Duke of York to be in the least concerned in any contrivance against the King or Government, but that he did believe it to be a contrivance of the Earl of Shaftsbury, Doctor Oates, and others, on purpose to bring His Royal Highness into dislke with the People, etc. And the last time I was carried up, I writ in to the Lord Precedent, declaring that it was the fifth time I had attended there, but could not be examined, and therefore desired his Lordship that I might be called in and examined, so that I might discharge my Conscience in declaring the truth of what I then knew, and if I had been then admitted I had declared Mr. Lewis' evil Practices in what I knew at that time; which Note I Writ to his Lordship in the presence of Mr. Glover (now Marshal of the Kings-Bench;) And about this said time there came a person to Mr. Thomas Warens the Clerk of the Marshalsea, and sent for Mr. Lewis, who went out, and when he returned, he told me it was Madam Holeby that sent for him, and that she had given him five Shillings for us to drink; withal told me, I should not tarry a day in Prison. The said Mr. Lewis would never leave me night nor day, but was still urging me to stand to it, and not to be daunted, but aver it to be truth when I came before the Council; he did also offer to instruct me against I came to be examined, saying one night in the Bed to me, come Mr. Zeal, suppose I now was Lord Chancellor, and you before the King and Council to be examined. What do you know against the Earl of Shaftsbury? Upon which I pretended myself sleepy, and would not answer him to any such impertinent questions; Then he said I would not remember three words of the said Papers; (which I never intended) but the first time that I should be examined, I resolved to declare the Authors of the said Papers; and that it was all false and fictitious, which I did declare upon Oath before the King and Council, the Lord Mayor's day at night, during the last Parliament at Westminster; but Mr. Lewis desired me not to declare that he had any hand in contriving the said Papers against the Earl of Shaftsbury, which at that time I omitted; But now declare that the said Mr. Lewis was the first and chiefest contriver and actor in it, and the only man that persuaded me continually to swear to it: And when the Parliament sat at Westminster, he found that Mrs. Celiers and Mrs. Holeby did not supply him with moneys as he expected, he resolved to lay the contrivance of the said Paper wholly upon them, which he did, as appears in his Narrative, and at that time I was much indisposed, and told one Sir Edward Butler (a fellow Prisoner for Debt, and then in my Chamber,) that Mr. Lewis was an ill man, and endeavoured to Suborn me to swear false things, and if I knew how to send for a Magistrate or two, I would declare the truth of what I knew: to which the said Sir Edward told me, that he would set down the day of the month, and what I had told him concerning Mr. Lewis, and that he would justify the same upon Oath if ever required; And Sir Edward Butler also desired me to write to some Justices of the Peace, to come thither, and take my Information, which I did; and soon after came one or two Justices, but Mr. Lewis and Mr. Haytor being in consultation in Haytors' Chamber, and understanding what I had done, they came down, and told the said Justices it would not be a proper business for them to concern themselves in, there being some Members of Parliament appointed to come and take my Examination; and Mr. Lewis and Mr. Haytor desired me not to declare one word to the said Justices; upon which they took their leaves, and looked upon it as an affront; (as I was informed;) and that night came other Justices and examined Mr. Lewis and Mr. Haytor, who told me he was by: This said Haytor was him that writ Mr. Lewis' Information and mine, that we gave in to the last Parliament at Westminster; and the next day came Justice Rich and Justice Reading, and took my Information also upon Oath; and after they were gone, Mr. Lewis told me, that (now Mr. Zeal) we may expect to be called before the House of Commons speedily; This continued for several days, insomuch that Mr. Lewis began to doubt whether there would be any notice taken of his Information, or not; And one Morning about three of the clock he waked me, and said Zeal, here is no notice taken of us you see, but in every days Votes of Parliament there is Addresses made for Dangerfield, and others, for their Pardons and Allowances; Therefore I must discover something that is greater, or else we are like here to continue; I asked how or what he would contrive? let me alone for that, (said he) you shall go in the Morning betimes to Mr. Haytors' Chamber, and tell him that I did discover to you strange things about three of the clock, insomuch that I would not let you rest until I had revealed it; But (said he) take no notice that I know of your going to Haytor, but pretend you came unknown to me, and then (said he) Haytor will certainly write to the Earl of Shaftsbury immediately after you have told him what I can discover; Then I asked him again what it should be? He replied, that one of the Lords in the Tower would have hired him to have killed the King: I asked him what Lord it should be? He replied, do not you tell Haytor his name, but it shall be the Lord Arrundel of Warder, for he is the remarkable'st man of them all, he's squint-eyed, and hath a Wart on his Nose, and I have seen him several times at the Tennis-Court, therefore he shall be the man that I pitch upon, and I'll warrant you, this will fetch me up before either the House of Lords or Commons; if Haytor should ask you why I had not discovered this before in my first Information, tell him, (to shame him,) that I doubted my Pardon, and that was the reason, which will satisfy him well enough to believe its true; And in the Morning I did rise, and go to Haytors' Chamber, and told him as aforesaid, not taking the least notice to him that the said discovery was false, and contrived by the said Mr. Lewis; upon which the said Haytor replied, that he doubted the truth of it, yet notwithstanding (said he) I will write to the Earl of Shaftsbury of it, so it will be a good service to the Protestant Party; the said Haytor did accordingly write to the Earl of Shaftsbury concerning the same, and soon after there came an Order from the House of Lords for Mr. Lewis to be brought up; which accordingly he was, whereas he told me he swore the same; and withal at the same time swore, Damn him, what was an Oath? It was only laying a man's Hand on a Book and kissing it; upon all which, I have taken the blessed Sacrament according to the usage of the Church of England, the fourth day of February last, as will appear by my Certifitate, that all this is false and Fictitious, and contrived on purpose to get his enlargement. Some time after he was called before the House of Commons, where he delivered his Information in writing, and the 19th. of November I also delivered my Information in writing; And within few days after he sold his Narrative to one Mr. Combs a Coffee-man in the City for 50 l. which money, (or part of which) procured his Liberty. I remaining still a Prisoner till near Christmas, and upon the 5th. of November there came a Letter to the Marshalseas directed to Mr. Loman the Keeper, which is here inserted verbatim.  
Sir,  
THere is this day an Order of the House of Lords, that Mr. Zeal attend the Attorney-General, so he desires that he may attend him in the Morning at the House of Lords, or in the Afternoon before three, at his Chamber in Grays-Inn, desiring you not to fail, herein I am  
Grays-Inn the 25 of November. You Servant Charles Clare.  
In Obedience to which Order I did appear at the Attorney-General's Chamber, where he was pleased to ask me whether I knew Mrs. Celier? which I declared I did not; he asked me if I thought I knew her if I saw her, from any other Woman; I told him I could not say it for the World; and several other questions he was pleased to ask me relating to the said matter, which I to the best of my knowledge truly answered: He also asked if I ever were in Newgate? I replied I was; he desired me to give him an account for what; I told him; I was introduced by a Gentleman of my acquaintance, into the company and acquaintance of Mr. Dangerfield, who told me he was an Officer lately come from Flanders; and being one day in the company of Mr. Dangerfield at Hackney, where he exchanged a false Guiney, and for which he was apprehended, and I (with the said Gentleman) was also apprehended with him for being in his company at that time; and being all carried before a Magistrate, all three were committed to Newgate, where in few days it appeared, that the said Dangerfield made it his general practice to utter false Coin for several years before, for which he had been several times Imprisoned, and suffered the Law: and during my confinement I writ to Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, declaring my condition, (who was my very good Friend, as I can very plainly prove,) he came to me in Prison, to whom I declared my condition, upon which he was pleased to give me some Money, and told me withal, that if I could procure Bail, he would send me my Discharge; which I did do, and he accordingly sent it me by a Gentleman; (a Friend of mine) and my Friends not being then in Town to supply me with Moneys, I was forced to tarry till the Sessions, because I had not wherewithal to pay my Fees; at the Sessions following I was Indicted for High Treason with Mr. Dangerfield, of which I was acquitted; and at the same time was also Indicted for a misdemeanour with Dangerfield, of which I was found, Guilty, and Fined Twenty Pounds Sterling, and Dangerfield was Fined Fifty Pounds: After my Trial, Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was pleased to come to me to the Press-yard, and told me, That he appeared upon the Bench in my behalf, and that he had spoke favourably of me to the then Recorder Dalbin: Besides Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was also pleased to tell me, That he had saved my Friend Dangerfield from standing in the Pillory for that Offence, in speaking well of me; And afterwards Captain Richardson the Keeper, having received a Letter from one Mr. Penn, to desire him to be kind to me during my Confinement, I being of an Honest good Family, etc. telling him also what kindness he shown to me, he would take it as done to himself for my Family's sake, or words to that effect: Upon which, Captain Richardson was so kind as to get my Fine remitted in the Kings most Gracious Pardon, and also took my own engagement for my Fees, Lodging, and other Subsistance; at which the Attorney-General was pleased to tell me, that my Evidence was good by virtue of the King's General Pardon if I never had suffered for any other Crimes, which I declared I never had; then his Honour asked Mr. Lewis whether he had ever stood on the Pillory, or not; Mr. Lewis changing his Countenance, replied, he had; Mr. Attorney-General also asked him for what? He answered, that it was for a Forged Bill of Exchange; some other such like questions were asked him, which I cannot well remember; all this was in the hearing of one Mr. Beal a Messenger belonging to the Marshalseas, who was at that that time my Keeper: From thence I returned back to the said Prison, where I told the  Haytor what had passed before Mr. Attorney-General that Afternoon, and how Mr. Lewis had confessed that he had stood on the Pillory: Then Haytor replied, that he took him to be a very ill man ever since he writ his Informations, for which he promised him a Beaver-Hat: But (said Haytor) He was so dirty as to go away and not perform his Promise, nor so much as return me Thanks for the same; but (said he) I will do him as good a kindness to the Earl of Shaftsbury, which shall be more than ten such Hats out of his way: And on the other side, (if you'll be ruled by me) I will make your Interest great with his Lordship: I asked him how, or which way? He told me, That he would make an Addition to my Narrative that it should far exceed Mr. Lewis 's: And finding his Inclinations, I promised I would; then Haytor desired me to insert in Informations, and Swear to it, That the King would have seized the City-Treasury by force of Arms; and that the Earl of Feversham was the Person designed to command the Guards to effect the same: He also told me, That if I would publish the same, it would be the only means that he knew to Incense the Parliament against the King, so that they should not consent to give His Majesty any Moneys until he had signed the Bill of Exclusion against the Duke of York: I replied, I had no Order for the Printing my Informations: Oh, (said he) let me alone for that, I will engage the Earl of Shaftsbury to get you an Order as soon as he understands by me what great consequence you have to discover: He the said Haytor further declaring, That his Lordship had a great influence upon the House of Commons, who were ruled much by his persuasions, and that nothing of Moneys would ever be granted by them to the King, until the Duke of York was totally excluded from ever inheriting the Imperial Crown of England: He further adding, That his Lordship was the greatest Opposer that his Highness had in Parliament, and that his Lordship never took any thing in hand (though of the greatest moment) but he went through with it: He also told me, That had it not been for the Bishops, the Bill had past the House of Lords against the Duke the last Parliament at Westminster, saying, That he hoped to see the time again, that there should be no such persons as Bishops in England; And that himself did not doubt but to have as good an Employ as ever he had in a short time by the Earl of Shaftsbury 's means: And about that same time he had drawn up Papers of his own Contrivance, and went to one Mr. Combs the Coffee-man, and in my hearing desired him to get them published; but he refused so to do; I cannot say, whether it was inserted in his Papers, that which he put me upon Swearing or not; but Lewis hath several times told me, That he had urged him to Print the same in his Narrative about seizing the City-Treasury: Mr. Haytor several times told me, That he was Scout-Mr. General in Cromwell 's Army; and how in those days persons of good Quality came Cap in hand to him; He hath sent several Letters to the Earl of Shaftsbury from the Marshelseas by one Mr. Hind and one Mr. Beale both Messengers to the said Prison; the import of the said Letters I knew not, but the said Persons can give a more perfect account thereof, who promised me the same upon the 17th. day of December 1681. if they should be called thereunto by Authority: And this Information against Mr. Haytor I gave into the hands of one Mr. I— an Attorney of the Kings-Bench at his Chamber in Cliffords-Inn about the time of the said date.  
All this Villainous contrivance of Haytor's was about the time of the Lord Stafford's Trial, at which time I being Sick, Mr. Lewis came to see me, and sitting upon my Bedside, told me, That I must own I knew Celier, else the City would not look upon me when I came abroad: For (said he) they are for hanging her out of the way, for several of them have been with me to know if you have Sworn positively against her: I asked Mr. Lewis what made him so Fine? He told me, I might be as Fine if I would do as he had done? What's that, (said I) Accuse one of the Lords in the Tower as you have? Yes (by God) for nothing takes with the Parliament but such things; I am now Treated, and admired by all Companies that I come into, Congratulating me with Thanks for my Service done to the Protestants: I told him, I was glad to hear that; and that I myself wanted nothing by the Blessing of God, and Mr. Loman's assistance, and others belonging to the Prison, who supplied me with what I desired, or Moneys could procure, without Imbruing my hands in Blood, which I never had, nor would do; at which he went away in a Huff: And about a Week or a Fortnight before Christmas 1680. Mr. John Cooms, who bought Lewis', and several other such like Narratives, came to the Marshalseas, and Mr. Lewis with him, where he the said Mr. Coombes engaged to Mr. Loman the Keeper for what I owed him; upon which I had my Liberty: After that time I took Lodging in the City, where I became acquainted with several Citizens at Mr. Coombs', and the Amsterdam Coffeehouses; both of them I daily frequented, and several Persons asked me whether I had any Allowance from the King, according to the Address made by the House of Commons to His Majesty on my behalf: I replied, I had not received any: they answered, It was very hard measure; further adding, That if the King took no care of the Evidence, they knew no reason to the contrary, but that They might, and thought themselves bound to do it, for those who had preserved their Lives and Liberties from the Bloodthirsty Papists. And this, or to the like effect was their common Discourse in all public places where I was amongst them, for four or five Months together: And about the Parliament at Oxford, Mr. Lewis told me, That he had occasioned another great Discovery; I asked him what it related to? he said, I should know as soon as he had fully accomplished it; also telling me, He wanted but one Witness to effect it, and then he could Print a Narrative that should far exceed his first, which would be great satisfaction to the Parliament, and what they had long expected to be discovered: He also said, That had he an Order for the same, he would have it in Print with all Expedition; further declaring to me, That if he should Print it without an Order, (the Press being free) any person may Reprint the same, which would be a great loss to him: And about a day or two after, I met with one Mr. Edward Ivy in moorfield's, who asked me, Where I had been all that time he had not seen me? I replied, It was not so long since I saw him: Oh (said he) but you lie still, and let Mr. Lewis find out all the great Discoveries: I desired to know of him what new things were on foot now? At which, he told me, That Mr. Lewis had brought his Brother in to Swear that he went with great sums of Money to Sir William Scroggs (late Lord Chief Justice) from the Portugal Ambassador: I said that was great Service indeed, if it were true; and sometime after there was a Common-Councel called in the City, at which time some of the Evidence had prepared a Petition to be preferred to the said Common-Councel, to make their Condition known to them of their great wants of Moneys, or to that effect, as Mr. Lewis told me; I replied, Do you think that they will supply us with Money? Yes (said he) those that have signed the Petition will be supplied: I asked him, why I was not one that signed it? Because (said he) you have not made a large Discovery of the Popish Plot: And the same day that the Common-Councel sat, I had Moneys before any of them; for Mr. Kidd at the Amsterdam Coffeehouse in Bartholomew-lane, the same day in Guildhall, did slide a Crown into my hand; and also the same day in the said Hall I asked College the Protestant-Joyner, how he thought things would go? He replied, Very well he did not doubt; further saying, That he had made several of the Common-Councel of the Witnesses side in order to their Supply with Moneys; further adding, If that will not take, we will find out some other way to Supply you: But (said he) why do you not Swear positively that you know Mrs. Celier? that she might be brought to a Trial, and then you shall not want Moneys: All which he bid me consider of, And I should find it would be for my good: I promised him I would, and so we parted. Soon after I came acquainted with one Mr. Rowse belonging to Sir Thomas Player, who told me, That he had undertaken to raise Moneys for the Supply of the Evidence until a Parliament should be called: And upon the Tuesday in Whitsunweek 1681. I being in the Amsterdam Coffeehouse, Mr. Rowse came to me, and desired me to go and Drink Glass of Wine with Mr. Kidd and himself; and, to the best of my knowledge, there was a person or two with them, who were altogether strangers to me; we went to the Crown Tavern behind the Royal-Exchange; where, after a little time, Mr. Rowse gave me a Guiney, telling me withal, That that was the first, but should not be the last that I should have from him, if he lived and did well: And then they asked me many questions, viz. Whether I had Printed any Narrative or not? I replied, I had not: They asked me the reason why? I told them, it was for want of Money to get out the Copies of my Papers, that then lay in the hands of Mr. John Coombs the Coffee-man in Bartholomew-lane; at which Rowse and Mr. Kidd both replied, You shall not want Moneys nor Friends to assist you in this Affair: Mr. Rowse also told me, That my best way would be to go to the Earl of Shaftsbury, and desire his Lordship's advice: They also desired to know, If I had Accused the Duke of York or not? I told them I had; (though really I had not) at which, they replied, It was pity that such a Discovery as mine should lie hid, and not published for the satisfaction of all True Protestants: Then Mr. Rowse pulled out his Pocket-Book, and declared that he had gotten above 30 eminent Citizens to Subscribe their Names to his said Book for the Supply of the Evidence; and that some of them had subscribed to give 20 Guineas, and some 30. He further declared, He did not doubt but to have as many more Hands before the Saturday night following; He again advising me, to go to the Earl of Shaftsbury concerning getting my Papers out of the hands of Mr. Coombs; and so for that time we parted. And soon after I went to the said Earl's, to know how I should get the Copy of my Informations out of his hands? His Lordship sent me out word, That I should go to Sir Thomas Player in his Honour's Name, who would direct me what to do in that matter: Which accordingly I did, and coming to Sir Thomas' House, I sent him word up that I came from the Earl of Shaftsbury to him about earnest business; upon which he immediately sent for me up into his Chamber, where I told him my business: He ordered me to go in his Name to Sir Robert Clayton, and desire his Warrant against Mr. Coombs for detaining my Papers: Upon which I took leave of Sir Thomas, and went to Mr. Coombs' House, and demanded them: who replied, He had lost them at Oxford, or coming from thence, at the time of the Parliament there; upon which I told him I had Orders from the Earl of Shaftsbury and Sir Thomas Player to take out Sir Robert Clayton's Warrant against him: He answered me, He could not help it if his Life lay at stake; telling me, He had searched his House from top to bottom, and could not find them: So I desisted from enquiring further after them; and some occasions of my own caused me to go and Lodge at Westminster about the latter end of May 1681. where I continued for some weeks, and in Trinity-Term following, being in Westminster-Hall, I met Mr. Rowse, who came to me, and told me, He had much wondered what was become of me so long: I told him, that my occasions would not permit me to stay in the City: He replied, I hope you are of the same Principle as when I saw you last: I answered, I was, and ever would be: Come then (said he) we will go to the Dog-Tavern in the New-Palace-yard, and drink a Glass of Wine; which we did: And there he desired me, Not to take it ill that he had questioned my Fidelity; for (said he) it is not out of any distrust I have of you in the least, but it is because you are so near the Court, a place that will Debauch all persons that come near it, especially those that are Evidences against the Papists: At which I told him, he had no cause to think the least ill of me in that or any other respect whatsoever; telling him, I had not spoken with any person belonging to the Court since I came last to lodge at that end of the Town; at which he seemed very well satisfied; and taking Moneys out of his Pocket, gave me Ten Shillings, telling me withal, That Moneys was short with him at that time, else he would have supplied me with more; but within a few days I should see him again; so we parted at that time: And the same day that Plunket was Tried, I met him again in Westminster-Hall, and we went to the same Tavern, where he Treated the Witnesses against Pluncket after the Trial was passed; and returned them many Thanks for the great service they had done that day to the Protestant Party: and whilst we tarried there, he sent for Mr. Rob. Squibb belonging to His Majesty's Exchequer, who accordingly came, and they went both into a Room together, but upon what business I know not; so after plenty of Wine, Evening drawing nigh, we all parted: And about three or four days after, he came to the same Tavern, and sent for me; I went, where I found strange Company with him, to whom he recommended me, telling them, That I was a Friend of Theirs, and all True Protestants, assuring them, that I had discovered a considerable part of a Plot contrived by the Duke of York, and other great Papists: Upon which they Thanked him for bringing me into their Company, and withal called for Sack plentifully: They being upon going, Mr. Rowse gave me other Ten Shillings; and told me, He would be with me very speedily: And in a few days after he did come to an Alehouse where I frequented, and going out of the House to him, he desired me to go with him to the Fountain-Tavern in the Old-Palace-yard, where he gave me Twenty Shillings, telling me, That as soon as they had chosen Sheriffs in the City, and that they found they were for their turns, than they would settle good Allowances upon all the Evidence that stood by them; and that it should be paid weekly until a Parliament sat: He also desired me, To come into the City again to abide with them: I replied, I could not, by reason of some Debts that I had Contracted there: He answered, Is that all? I told him it was: Then he said, I should not tarry long at that end of the Town: Then Mr. Rowse took down in Writing what Sums, where, and to whom I was Indebted, telling me, That he would certainly pay the same in few days: And then he began to tell me in what a dangerous condition the Protestant Party would have been in, if the Parliament and the Evidences had not stood by them: For (said he) it is plain to be seen that the King is a Papist in his heart by his vindicating that Traitor (York) his Brother, who would certainly (if it were in his power) bring us all under the yoke of Popery and Slavery: He further declared, That he hoped to see his Highness the next Parliament, excluded banished, or both; saying also, That he deserved to lose his Head as much as ever Stafford did: Therefore (said he) accuse him thoroughly, and I will engage you will be made for ever by it: I or (said he) you see Mr. Dangerfield lives in great Splendour, keeps his Man to wait upon him, his Gelding to ride where he pleases, and hath also 100 Guineas to command at any time; besides, he is respected by the greatest in the City, and people strive to be in his Company: At which I replied, Mr. Rowse, you see my Condition, and were I supplieed and assisted as Mr. Dangerfield is, it might be that I could do the Protestant Party more service than ever he has done: How! (said he) Yes said I, for I was Bred about the Court, and have used it above this dozen years; and you must needs think; that in all this time I saw a great man. Intrigues: Nay (said he) if it be so, I must allow you to be capable of doing us great Service; and as for your Supplies take no care, for before I am many days older, you shall be sufficiently gratified; and withal took me into his Arms, and said, Leave all to me; and told me, That they had a Common-Councel held in the City, and that they had made an Act how it should be Engraven round the Monument in great Letters, that the Papists Fired this City in the year of our Lord, 1666. At which I replied, it was a very good Act, but withal told him, will you not be displeased at a Jest? He replied, He would not; then said I. It will be a long time before the Common-Councel will make an Act, that it shall be Engraven in great Letters upon some public place in the City, That the late King was Murdered by the Factious Party: Fie, Fie, (said he) those things are buried in Oblivion; let us think of things that are to come, and what will be most serviceable for us to defend ourselves from Popery and Arbitrary Government, which is certainly designed to be brought in amongst us, else the King would have taken care of the Evidence that discovered the Popish Plot; But since He doth not, We must, for our own Preservations: These to the best of my remembrance were the very words of our Discourse at that time, or to this effect: And it being towards five in the Afternoon, be told me, He was to meet some Eminent Citizens at six a Clock at the Amsterdam Coffeehouse, concerning raising Money to supply the Evidence; upon which he took his leave of me, telling me, That I should see or hear from him very speedily: And the next News I heard, he was Committed to the Tower for High Treason.  
And some days after, which was about the latter end of June 1681. Mr. Ivy came to my Lodging in the Old-Palace-yard, and in discourse, began to tell me of Loyalty, And what a good thing it was to be true to the King; saying, He believed it lay in my Power to do His Majesty a great deal of good service, if I would discover what I knew: To which I replied, It may be I could do the King Service if I were encouraged in it; said he, I do believe in my Conscience that you know a great many Villainies and evil practices of Mr. Lewis: I answered, I did, Then (said he) if you will go and declare the same before the Secretary of State, or Committee of Council, I dare say notice will be of it; for I have already discovered several evil practices that were acted in the City, as raising Moneys for the supply of the Evidence, and endeavouring to Suborn them, and other Treasonable passages which I would no longer conceal: At that, I promised I would go and declare what I knew, and draw it up in writing; for that time we parted: And about a day or two after, Mr. Lewis came to my Chamber very much dissatisfied, telling me, He heard that I had given in an Information against him: I replied, I had not, (though really at that time I had finished two Sheets of Paper in order to discover his evil practices;) but hearing some person coming up Stairs whilst I was writing, I hide the Papers under the Bed; when he saw the Pen and Ink upon the Table, his great Gild (as I imagine) caused him to have a jealousy of me, and looking in several places of the Room for Papers, yet could not find any, (Mr. Turbervile, to the best of my remembrance was with him.) To all Mr. Lewis' discourse I made him little or no answer, so they both went their way; towards evening he came again, and declared, If I discovered what I knew of him, I should certainly be Dewitted; but on the other side, if I would stand by him, and not discover what I knew against him, he would put me in a way to make myself, telling me, that he had sent a Letter to the King of great Moment, and that His Majesty imparted it to no person but the Bishop of Canterbury, who (as he told me) had a Copy of the said Letter: And several other persuasions he used to draw me off from discovering what I knew against him; he also desired me to go over the Water with him to Colonel Rich, which I did, and being there, he went and discoursed the Colonel at his Door for a considerable time, in the mean while I walked in the yard; the Colonel called me to him, and desired me, To tell him whether I knew any thing to the contrary of what Mr. Lewis had Sworn against the Lord Arrundel of Wardor was true: I told him, I knew nothing to the contrary, because I was very well satisfied that the Colonel was Lewis' great Friend, therefore I did not think it convenient to declare the truth of that matter at that time, although Lewis pressed to have me Sworn we it: I leave the World to Judge why Mr. Lewis should persuade me to go over, and desire Colonel Rich to ask me the aforementioned questions, if Lewis had not been satisfied in his Conscience that I knew it was all false, and a contrivance: Then we took leave of him, and came over the Water, where he gave me a Shilling, and told me, He would provide me a Lodging in the City; likewise he said, He thought it was not safe for me (or at least himself,) to be at that end of the Town: Notwithstanding, on Saturday following I went before a Committee of Lords at the Secretary's House, and there declared the evil practices of Mr. Lewis, further giving their Lordships an account, that he told me I should be Dewitted, if I discovered what I knew of him, all this Discourse was in the hearing of Mr. Ivy: And finding there was little notice taken of it, by the persuasions of Mr. Lewis, I went into the City to Lodge with his Brother in Fetter-lane, where he came immediately to me, and put me upon accusing the Witnesses that had Sworn against the Earl of Shaftsbury; this being three or four days after his Lordship was last Committed to the Tower, desiring me to draw up my Information with all expedition against Mr. Ivy; and about the same time brought one Captain Clinton to my Chamber, who he reported to be a great Friend of the Earl of Shaftsbury's, and neither of them would leave me, till I had done the same, which was composed in two Sheets; the same Evening we took Coach, and went to the Recorders Chamber, Sir Robert Clayton being present, where I was Sworn, and several of the Whigs being by to see the same for their own satisfaction; and from thence we went to the Kings-Arms-Tavern; where they called for Wine, and laid down 6 s. more than the Reckoning for my Supply, telling me, I should be better Rewarded; that Evening Mr. Lewis declared to me, They were all persons well affected to the Cause: Then I repaired to my Chamber, where I had not long been, but Captain Clinton came, and desired me to go to the Flower-de-luce in Fetter-lane, which I did, where he told me, That there would be a Person come speedily to us, with 20 s. (for me) And being there for some time, Captain Clinton wondered at his long stay, and admired at it, that they should be so Timorous, Since I had done them such good service that day, saying, He would go himself and see for the said Money; which he did, and in a little time he returned to me, (not finding the person) but desired me to Dine with him the next day at the same House, which I did; there he declared to me, That he should envy my Happiness when a Parliament sat; he likewise told me, That he would provide a Being for me at a Relations of his, where I should be private until that time; and that he had a very good Horse in Town, which, with his Person should be at the Earl of Shaftsbury 's Service, whilst he had breath in his Body to oppose those whom his Lordship did, saying, it was plainly to be seen, that the King and Court designed to cast the Odium of the Popish Plot upon the Presbyterians etc. From thence we went to the Castle-Tavern at the Corner of Fetter-lane, where he desired me, To appear at o●e Old-Baily when the Bill was preferred against College the Joiner, and there pretend myself to be an Evidence for the King, by which means I should be Sworn; and when I came to be examined before the Grand-Jury, I should declare, that all the rest of the Witnesses Suborned me to Swear the same as they did; that it was all False and Fictitious, by which means (said he) the Jury will bring it in Ignoramus (which it is well known they did without my assistance;) further saying, They expected a Bill to be preferred against the Earl of Shaftsbury the same day, but there was not; further telling me, That Mr. Whitaker the Solicitor sent him to me, and desired him to advise me to what is before mentioned: The same day coming from the Old-Baily, I met Mr. Dangerfield going out of the Kings-Head-Tavern at Temple Bar, to whom I declared that the Bill against College was found Ignoramus; to which he answered, I am very glad of it, for his sake, and all persons that have and will oppose the Duke of York as he hath done: The next day Mr. Lewis came to my Chamber, and desired me; To write a Letter to Mr. Wilmore, and acquaint him of my want of Moneys, and direct it to him at the Amsterdam-Coffee-House, telling me, That since Mr. Rowse was committed to the Tower, Mr. Willmore had undertaken to raise Moneys for the supply of those Evidence that stood by the City: I did write, and within a day or two after, Mr. Lewis came with 10 s. he had of Mr. Willmore for me, which I received at several times of Lewis: And about the same time I told Mr. Lewis, I was informed that Mrs. Fitz-Harys had a great inclination to retract her Evidence against the Lord Howard of Escrik; at which he said, It will be good service to the Whigs, if she could be brought over to the City, that then he would make it his business to effect the same: And about a day or two after, he came again to me, That he was desired by several Eminent Whigs to urge me to draw up my Information at large against Mr. Ivy, and give it in to Sir Patience Ward, who was then Lord Mayor; and by his persuasions I did draw up the Information, and the next day he came to my Chamber to see if it was finished, but it was not; then he told me, That he had as good as brought over Mrs. Fitz Harys from the Court to the City, for which he had 10 l. paid him that Morning for retracting her Evidence against the Lord Howard; withal shown me Handsuls of Silver: I desired half the Money, being the first that told him of any such thing: he answered, He was forced to give his Bond for it, because it should not be thought he received it upon the account of Subornation; telling me, That the Whigs told him, that he should never be called upon for that Money, and should also be supplied with 10 l. a Month as long as they found him True and Serviceable to them: And when my Information was finished against Mr. Ivy, he desired me to go with him to meet a Gentleman at the Gray-hound-Tavern near Arundel-buildings in the Strand; which I did, where there came to us one Mr. John Harrington, who afterwards appeared to be related to me by Marriage; Mr. Harrington desired me to meet him at the Crown-Tavern behind the Royal-Exchange, accordingly we did, but I being there before Mr. Harrington, Mr. Lewis called for Pen, Ink and Paper, and drew up an Information against Mr. Ivy; Mr. Harrington came in, and desired us to go before Sir Patience Ward, and be Sworn, but I am not positive whether it was that day or not; but soon after Mr. Harrington and one Mr. Fuller went with us, where we found Sheriff Bethel and Sheriff Cornish: And after I was Sworn, Sheriff Bethel came to me, and gave me Thanks for the good service I had done the Protestants at that time: Within a day or two after I met with Captain Clinton in Fetter-lane, he desired me to go to the Golden-Lyon-Tavern; there he told me, That should be the last time I should drink with him: I asked to know the reason of it, he said, He must be forced to leave the Town, declaring, That he feared Mr. Dugdale had, or would Swear against him: I desired his reason why he thought so; saith he, Because Mr. Dugdale kept correspondence with Justice Warcup, who will encourage persons to Swear any thing against them that would appear for the Protestants, and especially Me, for vindicating the Innocency of the Earl of Shaftsbury, as I have, and will ever do with my Life and Fortune: At the same time Captain Clinton drank the Earl's health to me in a Glass of Wine, telling me, What a respect he had me, and what a happy man I should be when the Parliament sat, until which time he hoped care would be taken for me; and then we parted, and I never saw him before he was brought before the King and Council, which was above a year afterwards; where I appeared, and again declared the Truth of what is above mentioned: And about this time Mr. Lewis and Mr. Harrington were like to fall out which of them was the chiefest Instrument in bringing over Mrs. Fitz-Harys to the City: In few days after I met Mr. Harrington at the Amsterdam-Coffee-House, he asked me, If I never was persuaded to Swear against the Earl of Shaftsbury? I replied, I was, and that the Paper that was drawn up against his Lordship, was most damnable and Seditious, besides False and Fictitious, and that the Original was in the custody of the Clerk of the House of Commons; saith he, It will be good service to Print it at that time; further adding, It would Incense the People extremely against the Court Proceed: I told him, if I had Money I would go and drink a Glass of Wine with Mr. gold's borough, and endeavour to get a Copy of that Paper, for which and he gave me a Crown; I went to Mr. Goldsborough at the Popes-Head-Tavern in Chancery-lane, there I desired the Copy; he told me, He could not part with any without an Order from the King and Council, or words to that effect; upon which I desisted. And sometime before I went to Oxford to Colleges Trial, Mr. Everard came to me in the Amsterdam-Coffee House, and told me, If I would give my Bond for Money, I should be supplied, but never called upon to repay the same; saying, The Bond was only that the World should not take notice, or think it Subornation: I said, I would give my Bond for Money, declaring that I wanted ; upon which, he said, He would engage to the Tailor for a Suit for me, which he did; at the same time Mr. Everard desired me to do Justice Warcup's business for him when an Indictment should be brought against him, which he said would be next Sessions; I promised him I would; then said he, You shall neither want Money nor Friends from the City, for the business is left in part to my management, for the raising of Money for the encouragement of the Evidence that stand with us: And upon the 4th. of. August Mr. Harrinton met me in Fetter-lane, and delivered me this following Subpaena.  
Mr. John Zeal,  
YOu are by virtue of His Majesties Writ of Subpaena, personally to appear before His Majesty's Justices of Goal-delivery for the County of Oxford, at the City of Oxford, upon Wednesday the 17th. day of August, about 8 of the Clock in the Morning, to testify the Truth between our Sovereign Lord the King and Stephen College, who is Indicted of certain High Treasons in the said County of Oxford: Of this you are not to fail upon pain of 100 l.  
Dated the 22d. of June 1681. On the part of Stephen College, by the Court.  
Sir,  
COme to the Cross-Keyes-Tavern in Holbourn on Monday next, by Eight of the Clock in the Morning.  
According to which I appeared, and found several persons Subpoena'd upon the same account, and amongst the rest I met with Mr. Everad and Mr. Harrington, to whom I declared, that notwithstanding I appeared, I would not go in the Garb I was in; at which they replied, It would be much better for me to stay till I came back, and then I should be furnished with all things, saying, That if I should go to Oxford in New , it would be thought by the King's Party, I had them upon the account of Subornation from the City: Notwithstanding their persuasions, I was fully resolved not to go without New ; upon which Mr. Everard seeing my resolution so fixed; Bid me go to the Tailor, and let him bring them with all expedition imaginable to the said Tavern; which was done, and Mr. Everard engaged to pay for them; the same time I told Mr. Lewis I wanted Linen, upon which he went into another Room, and presently came out again, and told me, He had got 30 s. of one Mr. Harris a Quaker; the same Harris (Lewis told me) supplied him with the 20 l. for bringing over Mrs. Fitz-Harys in to the City: From thence we took Coach for Oxford, where being come, Mr. Everard came to me the night before the Trial, and desired me to Accuse all the Witnesses that appeared against College of Subornation; further saying, That if we could clear him, our business would be as good as accomplished against the Court Party; and when a Parliament sits, (said he) no doubt but all of us shall have good Rewards: And that day at the Trial, I was examined in the Court, to which I refer myself to Colleges Trial; and coming out of the Court, in the Hall, Doctor Oates and Hethrington came to me, And asked me how it went? I told them I thought it would go very hard with the Prisoner if no body confronted Mr. Turbervile's Evidence; at which they asked, Why I had not done it? I replied, would you have me Accuse a Person who I know no ill of? Yes (said Doctor Oates) where a man's Life is concerned: I replied, if it be your principle, it's not mine; Therefore you may do it when you are called in; he told me so he would to some purpose, without my advice; and after we came to London, I met Mr. Everard at john's Coffee house in Bartholomew lane, where he told me, that Provision was making for Diet and Lodging for those Witnesses that stood by the City; further telling me, that he would take particular care for my accommodation; But said he, you must be sure to accuse Justice Warcup of Subornation of Perjury, and the rest of the Witnesses that appeared on behalf of the King against the Earl of Shaftsbury, and those of the City, when they shall be Indicted, which (as he said) would be the next Sessions; And than you shall have Money to pay all your Debts: I asked Mr. Everard, who was at the Charge of the seven or eight Coaches full of Witnesses, besides Horsemen that went to Oxford in behalf of College? He answered, those that were at the charge would not see me want, if I would accuse the Court-Party. But about the time of Colleges, Trial, Mr. Lewis' Brother Lodging with me, Ms. Lewis came one morning about four a clock, and called his Brother out; upon which I mistrusted there was some new Intreigue on foot, neither could I be satisfied till I knew something of it; within a night or two after I came in late, finding Lewis' Brother in Bed, and in Drink, being fast a sleep, I trespassed so far, as to search his Pockets, where I found a Paper written by William Lewis' own hand, (as I do verily believe) which was a Recantation of his Brother Daniel Lewis for his swearing against Sir William Scroggs, which was to this effect as near as I can remember, viz That the said Daniel Lewis never knew directly, or indirectly, of any Sum, or Sums of Money that was ever carried from the Portugal Ambassador, to Sir William Scroggs, or of any thing in that nature, but that it was all false and fictitious, and that his Brother and College the Joynor forced him to swear the same before the Recorder, they snatching the Paper out of his hands, and would not let him see what he swore to: The said Daniel Lewis hath several times Cursed his Brother both in Bed with me, and elsewhere; telling me, his Brother had brought him out of a good Service, to Swear, and now will not allow him Money to spend, declaring to me, that he had a great mind to discover all that he knew against his Brother, saying that Sir John Moreton (whom his Brother Served) had endeavoured to take away his Brother's life for Robbing him to a considerable value; further adding, that the said Sir John did Imprison his Brother, and had him from London into the Country, but could not prove it against him, because he had Robbed him so dexterously. About a fortnight after I came from Oxford, I went to Mr. Harrington's Chamber in Blackfriars, where he desired me to draw up an Information to this effect: That Mr. Fitz-Gerald some months since would have persuaded me to endeavour to bring over Mr. Smith, Mr. Dangerfield, Mr. Dugdale, Mr. Haynes, etc. from the City to the Court, and by that (saith he) it will be all proved fictitious, and a Court countenance; I promised I would draw it up; which accordingly I did, and within a day or two I went to his Chamber, and showed him the said Paper, (there being a Barber, or some such like person in the Room) he read it privately to himself once or twice over, and (smiling) told me he liked it very well, and said that it would do the business when a Parliament sat; he desired me to be Sworn privately to the same; And the Sessions following Mr. Harrington sent me a Note, desiring me to appear at Hicks's-Hall against the Witnesses for the King, who would all be Indicted upon Subornation of Perjury, as he informed me; accordingly I appeared, and that day Mr. Baldron was taken by a Constable, and carried into Court, from thence committed to New-Prison, Baldron desired me to go to the Earl of Shaftsbury, and acquaint them how it was with him, and desired them to procure him Bail for his Enlargement; I accordingly at his request went, where I found Mr. Everard, Mr. Harrington, and several others at Dinner in Mr. Stringers Chamber: I acquainted them of the matter, which struck them into a great dump; notwithstanding, they told me, that Bail should be had immediately after Dinner; so I took my leave, and going down Stairs, Mr. Harrington came after me, and desired me not to declare to any person living where I had been, or who I saw together; and the next day (according to appointment) we all met at the Castle-Tavern without Newgate, and being at Dinner, News was brought us that Mr. Baldrone was carried before the King and Council, and had discovered the Intrigues in the City; at which they were all at a stand; so Mr. Everard desired us to go to the Old-Baily, and swear to the Indictments which were drawn up against Justice Warcup, and several of the Witnesses for the King; which accordingly we did, Sherift Bethel conducting us into Court, where one Mr. Whitton Councillor Smith's Clerk preferred the Indictments, desiring the Witnesses might be Sworn, but the Court rejected it; upon which the said Mr. Witton, and one Mr. Sangar, who belonged to the Earl of Shaftsbury, desired us all to go out of the Court; upon which we did, and went to the Dog-Tavern within Sudgate, where I asked Mr. Witton why he desired us to come away so suddenly? he replied, he saw some of the King's Messengers in Court, and he feared that there might be Warrants against some of us; further declaring, that if we should desert them, their business would be at a great loss, desiring us that appeared for Witnesses, to take other Sodgings that night for fear of being surprised; so then Mr. Langar gave us Crowns a piece to lodge where we would, and also gave us Notes to meet at the Queens-Arms Tavern in Newgate street the next morning; which accordingly we did, there the said Mr. Whitton desired me to accuse Justice Warcup of Subornation of Perjury, so that a Bill might be preferred against him at the Old Bailie; but that was not effected that day; Mr. Everard told me that evening, that money would be very sppeedily produced for my supply, therefore desired me not to be dismayed, but have a little Patience; and within a day or two after, I met Sheriff Bethel coming out of the Amsterdam Coffee-house, who asked me, what News there was stirring? I told him all that I knew, was, that all those that stood by the City, were so much slighted, that they had not wherewithal to subsist; he replied, that it should be otherwise very speedily, saying, that if I would print my Information given into the Lord Mayor, and other Papers that I could produce, I should not want Money: Besides (saith he) it will be good service to the Cause now in hand: I answered him, Sir, I know not who will stand by me; he said, We will all stand by you, and I myself will assist you to the utmost of my Power and Ability, telling me, That he himself was in danger of being Sworn against; He also desired me, To Accuse the Lords of the Council that I was examined before: I asked him what I should Accuse them of? he said, Of suborning you to Swear against the Protestants? I told him, that I had cleared their Honours in my Information against Mr. Ivy; he said, that was no matter, further saying, That the Information lay in their own hands, and that they would insert what was most to their own advantage, if I would consent thereto; he like wise said, That there was no worse men in the Nation to the Protestants, than most of His Majesty's Privy-Councel; further adding, That they were very odious in the eyes of a Parliament, and when one met; they would find it so: I told him, that I had revealed myself to a Member of Parliament a week before the Earl of Shaftsbury was Committed to the Tower: Sheriff Bethel desired of me to know who it was? I told him, that it was Justice Rich; How (said he) you could not have revealed yourself to a worse man; I desired to know the reason; he replied, That he was a great enemy to all persons that opposed the Duke of York's Interest: I told him, I was very sorry for that; he replied, It was very true; Therefore (said he) I must desire you and Mr. Lewis to appear against him at the next Election of Southwark; and incense the People against him, so that he may no more be chosen to serve in Parliament, and I will stand by you upon all occasions: About the same time I met with Mr. Dangerfield at the Amsterdam-Coffee-House, who told me, That it was now come to pass, what he himself was put upon; I desired to know what it was? He told me, That the King Himself offered him almost two years before what Money or Preferment he would desire, if he would Swear to a Presbyterian Plot, and stand by it; I replied, is it not enough for you to Accuse the Duke, but you must Accuse the King likewise; at which he answered (Damn me) I have my Pardon, and I will declare nothing but what a Parliament shall like, for it is them that will stand by the Evidence, and not the Court; you may plainly see it: And in Bartholomew-fair time, one Mr. Shown, Mr. Lewis, and myself went to the Castle-Tavern in Fleetstreet, where Shown treated us, and there declared, That he had been a considerable time in private with a Secretary of State; we asked upon what account he was there; he said, For nothing as he knew, but that Sheriff Bethel had often desired him to swear that a Secretary of State would have persuaded him to Swear against the Protestants in the City; and about the same time one Mr. Lune told me, That he was hired by Mr. Hoskins, that belonged to the Earl of Shaftsbury to go down to Oxford, to make provision for the Witnesses that appeared for the City: And Mr. Lune hath also supplied me with Money; and several other such like practices were continually used in the City during my correspondency with them, in so much, that I was resolved not to conceal those evil practices any longer, but discover them in the Right of the King: And one day in my Chamber, being then drawing up an Information of what I knew, Mr. Lewis came in, and desired to know what I was writing; I told him, nothing but the Intrigue of the City; Why (said he) do you intent to discover them? I told him yes, (if I lived;) he replied, If you be so resolved that you will do it, make an end of them, and let me carry them to Colonel Rich: I told him I intended he should be the person I would be Sworn before; but through Mr. Lewis' great persuasions, I did intrust him with my Papers, with this reservation, that he should not impart them to any of the City; upon which he wished eternal damnation both to his Body and Soul if he did so; he went away, and in a short time after he came again to me with my Papers; he said, he had showed them to Colonel Rich, who asked him if I would Swear to them; I replied, I could; and upon that we went over the Water to a Coffee-house near St. Mary-overs-Church, where I writ a letter to Justice Reading; declaring to him, that I had matter of moment to discover in the behalf of the King; to which he sent me word by Mr. Lewis, If I had any such thing to discover, I might come to him at the Bear-Tavern at the Bridge-foot, where he than was; I went and delivered him my Information, and after he had perused them, he asked, If I could make Oath of it all? I said, I could; then he administered the Oath before Colonel Rich and Justice Daniel; after I had Sworn, I took leave, this was about Michaelmas 1681. from thence I went into the City, and being at the Amsterdam-Coffee-house, I met an Ancient Citizen, whose Name I knew not, he gave me half a Crown, and told me, That had not the Witnesses deserted the City; and gone to the Court, and discovered against them, there had been at least 10000 l. collected for the Supply of the Evidence until a Parliamen sit; But now (said he) we cannot find out a safe way to supply you that are true to us: And about that time, I being late in Fleetstreet drinking in a House near Temple-Bar, we heard Murder cried out; upon which I went out, endeavouring to keep the Peace, the Watch and Constable coming in, the Constable being perverse, sent me to the Compter for one of the Rioters; the next Morning Sherift Bethel came, and sent for me down into the Lodge; where, (after some Discourse,) he ordered the Keeper that I should be carried before the Lord Mayor, telling them, That his Lordship knew me very well, and would Discharge me; The Constable came, and we went before Sir John Fredrick, who took my own Recognizance for my Appearance; after that I went to the Amsterdam-Coffee-House, and desired Mr. Kidd to pay the Fees of the Compter, which he did; and from that time I very little used the City: About Christmas following Mr. Lewis desired me to report, That I had been with the King privately in his Closet, the Earls of Arlington and Ailsbury being present: I asked him why he would have me report so false a thing? Pish, (said he) you have not a grain of Sense, for when a Parliament sits, you will have a good occasion to Swear that the King and these Lords would have Suborned you to have Sworn against the Earl of Shaftsbury, and several others in the City: He further desired me, To declare the same to none but Whigs, and they would come in and corroborate my Evidence. And about May 1682. I was in Mr. Swith's Company, who asked me, When I saw Mr. Lewis? I told him, not of several days, saying, that he was a man that busied himself in State-Affairs; at which Mr. John Smith replied, He believed more than was just: I answered, he would have just cause to think so, if he knew as much as I; at which he told me, He believed it lay in my power to do the King a great deal of service, to discover his Villainies: I said, I had offered the same almost a year since, but little notice was taken of it; but notwithstanding that, I would do it at any time: Lewis hath often told me, That the Queen allowed David Firz-Gerald forty Shillings a week; further saying, That her Majesty would allow any person else as much, as would come in and Accuse the Earl of Shaftsbury, and those in the City: And about the same time Lewis desired me to report, That I had Kissed the Duke of York's Hand when he came from Scotland, and when a Parliament sits, (said he) you shall swear that his Highness offered you Money to Accuse the Earl of Shaftsbury and the City; telling me, That the Duke was the only man that they aimed at, and that I should be made by Accusing him. And about Whitsuntide last, I had a Letter came from Lewis, to desire me to come to him; which I did, and found him Sick in Bed; he desired me, To go over to Colonel Rich, and tell him his Condition, and that he wanted Money: On Whitsunday I dined with Colonel Rich, and acquainted him with what Mr. Lewis had desired me; the Colonel told me, He was very sorry to hear he was ill, desired to be remembered to him, and so took leave: I went to Mr. Lewis, and told him what Colonel Rich said; Is that all, (said Lewis) I replied, it was that-signified any thing; says he, Is his great kindness come to this? Notwithstanding he told me at his own House in these words, viz. Mr. Lewis you and I will stand and fall by one another; but indeed (said Mr. Lewis) I must confess, that Mr. Turbervile told me before his death, that Sheriff Rich declared to him, he liked me very well, but for one thing, which was, I was too Mercenary: At which I then replied, You know that's true enough, you will sell the dearest Friend you have for Money: He answered, (Damn me) how can a man live without it? I urther (saith he) Sheriff Richardo was like the World, when his own turn was served, he that had done him a kindness might hang himself: Saith Mr. Lewis: It's pity that by my means that the Colonel was so much in favour at Court: And sometimes after I met Mr. Lewis, who told me, He had sent a Porter with a Note to Colonel Rich for five Pounds, and that he could have at any time Forty or Fifty; which 5 l. he immediately sent him: And in July 1682. I was taken Sick at my Lodgings in Salisbury-street in the Strained, where Mr. Lewis often came to me, and desired to know of me, If Mr. John Smith had not been Tampering with me to Accuse him; I asked him, if he thought all the World was like himself, or what reason he had to suspect any such thing? He told me the reason he had to believe it, was, Because of our Intimacy, and being often together; Therefore I am sure he hath been at you, which if you will draw up an Information against him, I will get you Money from the Secretary of State: I asked him what I should draw up? He told me, That I should Accuse Mr. Smith for endeavouring to stifle the Popish-Plot; and desiring me to Swear against him; I promised I would, not valuing what I drew up at his request, acknowing him to be so notorious a Swearer and Suborner; I drew up the said Paper which he was very well pleased at, only the words (detect the Popish Plot;) but he would have had me insert, That Mr. Smith endeavoured to Nullify the Popish Plot; but I did not after the words: Then he desired me to write a Letter to Mr. Otterbury one of the King's Messengers, and acquaint him with my Condition how I wanted Money, and desired him to make it known to the Secretary of State; Then (said Mr. Lewis) I'll warrant you Money; (at that same time he often brought with him to my Chamber Mr. Perrea: I sent the said Letter according to his ordering, but never received any answer or supply, neither did Mr. Smith ever in the least propound any immodest thing, but always desired me to declare nothing but what was true of any side: I could never be quiet at any Lodging, for Mr. Lewis still haunted me, being jealous of me, as I imagine: About this same time Mr. Lewis desired me, When I received my Allowence from Whitehall, to pray Mr. Squibb to give me a Bill to receive it of Mr. Duncomb Goldsmith in Lumberstreet: I asked him why he proposed that? He told me, If I would consent to it, he would carry the Bill over to the King's Bench to one Mr. Granger, who was the Ingeniousest man in England, and he shall Sergeant Mr. Squibb's hand for 500 l. to be received of Mr. Duncomb, and we should share it amongst us; he said, that it should be done so cleavor that it should never be found out by whom it was; and that I might receive my own Money at the same time, and not take the least notice of it: About that time I did receive a Bill from Mr. Squibb of 10 l. upon Mr. Duncomb, which Money I received unknown to Mr. Lewis, for I would not have been concerned with him in such a thing for the World: Soon after our Allowances were stopped, at which Mr. Lewis grumbled, and said, That the King made use of the Witnesses as a man does of a House of Ease, just for his Conveniency: Further (saith he) they thought their business done at Court, but they are mistaken; for I will be a greater plague to them then ever my Countryman Bedloe was, when a Parliament sits; but I will have my Pardon in my hands first, and will procure one for you too: I asked him in what, he answered me, That We Witnesses that had not Sworn against the Earl of Shaftsbury, should Accuse all them that had, 〈◊〉 ●●ornation of Perjury when a Parliament sits; and 〈…〉 we shall confound their whole project; for Dugdale hath 〈…〉 us; and we will also make out, that the pretended Association that was found in the Earl of Shaftsbury's Closet, was contrived by the King and Court, and conveyed into the Earl's Closet by one or other of the Clerks of the Council, by the King and Courts order. That Lewis used to make his Brags to me, That all he had discovered against the City party to Sheriff Rich and others; was only under his hand, and not Sworn to, saying, That when a Parliament sat he would discover it all, and charge it upon the Court party. I asked him how we should go about to make it out? he replied, Let me alone for that. I'll contrive it to the purpose: Soon after I took Lodgings in the White-friar's, where Mr. Lewis came to me, and Mr. Ferrea with him, where he told me, He was to receive 50 l. and out of that he would supply me with 5 or 10 l. of it: And within few days after he came, and told me. That our Allowances from the King were quite taken off; and he Swore, That now it is apparent the King is a Papist in his heart, and end avoured to stifle the Popish Plot, by discharging the Witnesses; and that the King endeavoured to take the Odium from the Papists, and cast it upon the Presbyterians: He also declared, That the King daily endeavoured to enslave the Nation with Popery and Arbitrary Government, and put Sheriffs and other Officers upon the City of London, contrary to Law, to serve his turn, and accomplish his designs against the Presbyterians. At which I replied, you take large measures of talking Treason; said he, We that are Evidences have advantages above all other People, for we may speak Treason, and not fear being called to question by the Court for it; for if they should take any of our Lives away, the Parliament would censure, that they did it on purpose to stifle our Evidence concerning the Popish Plot: But (said he) I am sorry for Sheriff Rich, that he should be made use of as a Tool to accomplish their ends: Further saying, That Sheriff Rich had been a good Benefactor to him; but he feared he would be swinged when a Parliament sat: For in a former Kings reign there were several Judges Executed, and he hoped to live to see as many Nobility and Judges go to Pot when ever a Parliament sat; and, That his helping hand should not be wanting therein. Such like Treasonable words were the general discourse he used in my Company, but I cannot say that ever any other person heard him talk so largely; neither do I know directly or indirectly what any other persons have Sworn against him. About the latter end of September he told me in Salisbury-Court, That Ludlow would vindicate their Charter as London did, notwithstanding the Marquis of Worcester had so great an Interest in that Town, yet he could not prevail with them to surrender their Charter to His Majesty. Also Lewis told me, That not one in an hundred had signed the Addresses that were presented to the King from most parts of the Kingdom; further saying, That the King could stand it but one Parliament more, and had it not been for the few Guards he had about him, he had been pulled out of Whitehall long since; saying, That the late King was dethroned by the Sword, and This is in a fair way of being Sworn out his Throne: Therefore if you will Print your Information that is in the hands of Sir Patience Ward, and that which is in the hands of Mr. Kelley, I will engage to get you the Copies, and also Guineas for the Printing them, for they will incense the People extremely against the Court; Therefore we will get them ready and published before Queen Elizabeth's Birthday, at which time the Pope is to be burnt, and there will be at least 40000 People together that night, and I will incense them what I can to breed a Mutiny; for he that is not blind may plainly see that the King is a Papist, or else he would not stand so for the Duke of York aas he has done, who is notoriously known to the Nation to be a grand Papist; And if the people did but rise in the City, the Country would soon come in for their assistance. Further saying, Damn me, I am but one; get the better who can, we shall get employs by it. Mr. Lewis was very importunate with me to go into the West of England, (where I was born and brought up) on purpose to incense the factious sort of people against the King's proceed, and stir them up to a Rebellion; telling me, That he would go into Wales, and do the like there, and also supply me with moneys for my journey, in order to the same; But I refused to meddle in any such matter. Moreover, Mr. Lewis hath divers times told me, That if ever the Court should take away his life by Law, he would kill more at his death than ever he could living: I asked him why he should fear his life being taken away, unless he had deserved it? Oh (said he) there is stout swearing on all sides: I replied, You know that by experience; at which he said, It was as impossible for a man to swear any thing that did not please the Parliament, as it was to row a Boat through London-Bridge against Tide, tho' a man discovered nothing but the real Truth; and again, on the other side, if the greatest Rogue in England should come in, and discover any thing against the Papists, though it be never so false, he shall be believed, and accounted an honest man: You may see it by Mr. Turbervile; when he accused the Lord Stafford, he was accounted a Demy-God in the City, but when he came to accuse the Earl of Shaftsbury, they bespattered him in a most odious manner. He has also told me, That if his Perjury should be found out, he knew the worst of it, which was but suffering what he had done before, (viz.) stand in the Pillory. Many other Treasonable Practices I have known by Lewis, but they are too long here to insert.  
About the beginning of October last, I was sent for to the Greyhound-Tavern in Fleetstreet, where a Constable told me, He had a Warrant against me, which I willingly obeyed, (there being Mr. Smith, and several in the Company, that said Mr. Lewis was at the same time committed close Prisoner in the Gatehouse;) I declared it was nothing but what he deserved; And that I myself deserved Imprisonment for concealing his Treasonable Practices; yet notwithstanding, I told them, that if they had but sent a Porter or Note, I would have come and declared what I knew against him: That night I was committed to Wood-street-Compter, where I told the Keepers, that I was committed for concealing the Villainies of an ill man, and desired them, if Sheriff Richardo came there in the morning, that they would call me down to him; and he accordingly coming, sent for me into the Lodge, ask me what I was committed for? I told him for no offence of my own that I knew of, but for concealing Mr. Lewis' evil Practices, which I will now no longer do. The Sheriff asked me if he were an evil man, or no; and whether that which he swore against the Lord Arrundel of Warder was true, or false? I told him it was all false, and that I would make it out so plain, that the whole World should be satisfied; Upon which, Sheriff Rich departed, and presently after I was carried before Sir William Turner, who ordered me to be carried before Major Parry at Hicks's-Hall, which was done, where the Major desired me, that if I knew any ill of Mr. Lewis, I would discover it, or give it him in writing; which accordingly I did; Notwithstanding which, I was committed by the said Major Parry to New-Prison, where I remained almost ten weeks, and at last was discharged by Law. During my Confinement there, Mr. Lewis' Welsh Wife came to me, and told me that her Husband was informed I had sworn against him; I declared I had not: Then she replied, He did not fear what any person could do unto him, provided I stood his Friend; telling me, that he owned to her that his life lay in my hands; and if I could get myself bailed out, he would raise money for me to pay my Fees, and carry me over to Holland to the Club, (whither he advised me to go;) she also declared, that he would get me Letters of Recommendation to some persons in Holland, by whom I should be very well received; and that he also hoped he should be with me in a short time. She also said, that she had several times told him as she met him in the streets, that his Plotting and Contriving would bring him to the Gallows. Two or three times she came, and finding nothing would work upon me, left off coming. During my Confinement, Balron's Wife (in the hearing of one Mrs. Thomas) came to me, and told me, Mr. Zeal, you need not tarry here a day longer; if you will but draw up an Information against the Earl of Shaftsbury, you will be soon fetched out in a Coach, and be supplied with moneys. And Balron himself told me, That he would prove when a Parliament sat, that the Lords in the Tower sent Instructions and Dictates, how and what the Witnesses should swear against the Earl of Shaftsbury, and others in the City. All which Balron said he would swear, and also produce a Letter from-under one of the Lords hands to that effect: I asked him why he would swear it? he answered, it would be a means for him to gain the favour of a Parliament, since he was dismissed at Court. This he told me a little before I was committed to New-Prison.  
After my enlargement I met with Major Parrey's Clerk, (the day before Christmas-day last) who told me, that his Master desired me to go to Sheriff Rich, and give him a true account of Lewis' Villainies; and that his Master had received a Letter from the said Sheriff in behalf of Lewis. The same day I went; but not finding the Sheriff at his House, I was directed to Fishmongers-hall, where I found him; He very courteously received me, (being glad to see me at liberty) and desired me to stay and dine with him, which I did; and at the Table I told him I came by the request of Major Parrey, to give him an account of the ill practices and contrivances of Mr. Lewis, (there being one Mr, Styles (as I think) at Table, who replied, he always took him to be a very ill man.) After some other discourse about him, I took leave. But I had almost forgot one passage, that Sheriff Richardo asked me if Mr. Lewis had served Sir John Moreton faithfully? I told him I was informed by his Brother, that he had Robbed Sir John of a considerable value, for which he endeavoured to hang him; at which Sheriff Rich said, That he did ask Sir John Moreton how Lewis behaved himself in his Service? (this was asked in the House of Commons the same day Mr. Lewis gave in his Information;) to which Sir John replied (as the Sheriff told me) That he served him Faithfully: At which I replied, Mr. Lewis had declared as much to me, that he saw Sir John in the House, and that he heard him not speak one word of him: For (said he) Sir John is a great Shaftsburian, and if I discovered any thing that had been contrary to his Opinion, he would have bespattered me in a most odious manner: And at several times I have been treated at Sheriff Rich's House, and have had Moneys from him but not upon any unjust account, neither do I know the least ill by him, and he hath always advised me to have a care of Suborners.  
And some time after, I understood that Mr. Lewis would be Indicted the Term following; upon which I made the best preparation I could, in order to receive the Blessed Sacrament, as may appear by my Certificate as followeth, viz.  
WE the Minister and Church wardens of the Parish and Parish-Church of St. Margaret's in Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby Certify, that John Zeal concerned in several weighty Affairs relating to His Majesty, upon the Lordsday, commonly called Sunday, the 14th. day of February, immediately after Divine Service and Sermon, did, in the Parish-Church aforesaid, receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper according to the usage of the Church of England. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our Hands the 4th. day of February, in the year of our Lord, 1682/3.  


Bartholomew Wormell Minister of the Parish and Parish-Church aforesaid.  
Giles Burrows Churchwarden of the said Parish and Parish-Church.    
ALexander Harris Gent. and John Harris Victualler, both of Westminster, do severally make Oath, that they do know John Zeal in the above-written Certificate named, and who now present hath delivered the same into this Court; and do further severally make Oath, that they did see the said John Zeal receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in the Parish-Church of St. Margaret Westminster aforesaid, in the Certificate mentioned, and upon the day, and at the time in the said Certificate in that behalf certified and expressed: And that they did see the Certificate above-written Subscribed by the said Minister and Churchwardens.  


Alexander Harris.  
John Harris.    
And upon the same day I received a Subpaena to appear the day following, which is as followeth, viz.  
Mr. John Zeal,  
BY virtue of His Majesties Writ of Subpaena to you directed, you are to appear before our Sovereign Lord the King at Westminster on Monday next after the eight days of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to testify the Truth, and give Evidence against William Lewis, for certain Trespasses, Contempts and Misdemeanours: And this you must not omit under the Penalty of 100 l. to be levied on your Goods and Chattels, if you make default.  
Dated at Westminster the 4th. day of February 1682/3.  
According to which I did appear, and being Sworn in Court, I gave in my Evidence to the Grand-Jury, where the Bill was found, and soon after I received another Subpaena, which is as followeth, viz.  
THese are in His Majesty's Name to command you personally to appear before Sir Edmund Saunders Knight, Lord Chief Justice of His Majesty's Court of Kings-Bench at Westminster, on Tuesday the 13th. of this instant February, at 8 of the Clock in the Forenoon, at Westminster-Hall, to testify the Truth on the behalf of our Sovereign Lord the King, against William Lewis, for certain great misdemeanours whereof he stands Indicted; and hereof you are not to fail, on the Penalty of 100 l.  
Dated the 8th. day of February, in the 35th. of the King, etc. Astrey:  
I also appeared to this, but Mr. Lewis deferred his his Trial till next term following; and upon the 6th of March 1682/3. I was at the Naked-Boy in the Old-Pallace-yard Westminster, in Company with Mr. Ambrose Kelley, one of the Clerks of the House of Commons, who told me, That Mr. Lewis was with him, to desire the Copy of a Paper that was in his Custody, which said Paper was that which Mr. Lewis chief contrived himself, and would have had me to have Sworn to it against the Earl of Shaftsbury; and it was also the same Paper that was contrived by him in the Marshalseas; Mr. Kelley further saith, that Mr. Lewis told him, That he came from me, and also offered him a good Gratuity for the said Copy; further telling the said Mr. Kelly, That it would be a means for him to Ingratiate himself into the favour of a Whiggish Parliament. But for all his offers and persuasions, Mr. Kelley refused to give him the Copy; This Mr. Kelly Confessed before one Mr. Alexander Harris, and several others.  
And in May last I received another Subpaena, to which I also Appeared.  
Mr. John Zeal,  
THese are in His Majesty's Name to command you personally to appear before Sir Edmund Saunders Knight, Lord Chief Justice of His Majesty's Court of Kings-Bench at Westminster, on Wednesday the ninth of this Instant May at one of the Clock in the Afternoon at Westminster-Hall, to testify the Truth on the behalf of our Sovereign Lord the King, against William Lewis, for certain great misdemeanours whereof he stands Indicted; and hereof you are not to fail, on the Penalty of 100 l. to be levied on your Goods and Cahttels.  
Dated the 2d. day of May in the 35th. of the King, Astrey.  
And being Sworn in Court I gave in my Evidence, and upon a full hearing on both sides, Mr. Lewis was brought in guilty of these words following, which were in his Indictment, viz.  
TThat the King is a Papist, and endeavours to stifle the Plot, by Dicharging of the Witnesses. And that the King endeavoured to take the Odium from the Papists, and cast it upon the Presbyterians, and the Lord Shaftsbury. And that the King and Court put the Paper of Association, which was found in the said Earl's Closet, upon the said Earl. And that the Paper was conveyed into the said Earl's Closet by Mr. Gywn by the Order of the King and Court. And that the King did daily endeavour to enslave the Nation with Popery. And put Sheriffs and other Officers upon the City of London to serve Turns, and to accomplish his Designs against the Presbyterians.  
I cannot omit one remarkable Passage of Mr. Lewis, which was about the time of the Earl of Shaftsbury's Commitment last to the Tower, Mr. Lewis told me, That whenever a Parliament sat, that he would discover such things as should make all Europe stand amazed, but he would have his Pardon first in his hands: I desired to know why he declared himself in that manner; he replied, That he had been at Hampton-Court with the King, Mr. Turbervile being then with him, who made some Discovery; why said I, did you hear any of what was said; no said he, But I saw those that shall come in for a snak the next Parliament.  
He the said Lewis has several times told me, That if the King would give such encouragements, as Pardons and Allowances, that His Majesty should not want New Evidence, and Fresh Discoveries, as long as he lived; further saying, That the Goals in and about Town, were the Nurseries for such Supplies.  
And the same day I was Sworn in the Speakers Chamber by order of the House of Commons on the 19th. day of November 1680. as it will appear by the Votes of that day: There came up several persons, and desired of me, If I could not call to mind the Duke's coming to the Crown suddenly: Which in my apprehension was putting men in mind what they would have them to Swear: But I do declare, that I never spoke one word to his Royal Highness in my life, notwithstanding I have been put upon so often to Accuse him.  
And before the last Dutch-War I was preferred to Sir George Downing as one of his Pages, who then went Ambassador to Holland; for which I had his Certificate, which is as followeth (viz.)  
March the 3d. 1672/3  
THese are to Certify whom it may concern, that Mr. John Zeal served me Faithfully as a Page, during my late Embassage in Holland.  
George Downing.  

The Testimonies of several Credible Persons, in the Confirmation of many Remarkable Occurrences mentioned in this Narrative.  

The Confirmation of Mr. William Banks.  
MR. Zeal came one day to my House and told me, That there were some person or persons that were Tampering with him to give Evidence against Sir Francis Radcliffe of High Treason; and that he was to have a sum of Money for the same: Besides he desired me, To inform Sir Francis of the same, which I did. This is the whole Truth, and nothing but Truth, as witness my Hand, and that it was about the time Sir Francis was last in Town.  
William Banks.   

The Confirmation of Mr. John Smith.  
AT the Request of Mr. John Zeal, I do herein declare, that the said Zeal about two years ago told me, That one William Lewis, who was a Prisoner in the Marshalsea, and at Newgate; Pillored and Burned in the Hand, for his Generous Exploits, was the worst of men to his knowledge; which he in time would convince the World of his Wicked and Treacherous Practices: adding, That he verily believed, the said Lewis exceeded all mankind in Villainy and wicked Contrivances against the King's Interest. The said Zeal also told me; in the presence of Justice Warcup, Mr. John Macknamarra, and Mr. Stephen Dugdale, That the said William Lewis, when he was a Prisoner in the Marshalsea, (taking upon him the Title of Lord Chancellor) there contrived and framed a most horrid Design against the Lord Arundel of Warder, viz. How the said Lord would Suborn him to Swear many things against the King's Interest; and also, Engage him to Murder the King, for which he was to have 1500 l. from the said Lord Arundel. The said Zeal also told me, How the aforesaid Lewis prevailed with his Brother, who was a Footman to the Portugal Ambassador, to Swear against the Lord Chief Justice Screggs, that he received several Thousands of Guineas from the aforesaid Ambassador to save Sir George Wakeman's Life; and that to his knowledge the said Lewis had a Pension from the City, for giving them Intelligence of what he could learn at Court, though at the same time he pretended to Inform the Court of what passed in the City. All this Mr. Zeal told me in presence of many.  
John Smith.   

The Confirmation of Mr. Robert Elmes.  
I Robert Elmes doth declare, That upon the third day of February last passed, being at the Bufflers-head-Tavern near the Gatehouse Westminster, John Hankyson one of the Turn-Keys of the said Prison, brought one Mr. Lewis to me, who desired me, To go and Arrest a person, who was then at the St. Johns-head-Tavern, commonly called Heaven in the Old-Pallace-yard: I demanded of the said Lewis, if he had any Writ or Warrant against him, whether it was his own Debt, or not, he answered, No, telling me, Any piece of Paper will affright him, and if I would undertake it, he would give me a good Gratuity: The said Turn-key also persuaded me to undertake it, telling me, That he was a Friend of his, and would not put any thing upon me, but what he would bear him out in, or to that effect: I asked the Persons Name whom they would have Arrested; they told me, One Mr. John Zeal, (a person who I never saw in my life to my knowledge till that time:) I told them I would not undertake it, assuring them that I never did any thing in that nature without a Lawful Warrant, neither would I then begin: And finding nothing would prevail upon me, they departed; I perceived it was a piece of Malice and Roguery, I sent my Man to the said St. Johns-head Tavern, to acquaint the  Mr. Zeal of the design there was against him, lest any other Officer should undertake it.  
Robert Elmes.   

The Confirmation of Mr. John Harris.  
ON the 23d. day of March 1682/3 Mr. John Zeal being very sick, and not expecting to live, he sent for me, and told me, He did not know whether he should live or die, and desired me, if it should please God to take him out of the World, that the Papers which he did intent to publish, was all true, as he might answer before the great God. He also desired me to get them printed, to satisfy the World what Roguery there has been acted I told him, That it was a Justice of Peace's business; and if he thought convenient, I would go to one, and get him to come and give him his Oath; but he recovered of that Sickness, which prevented my bringing a Justice of the Peace to him. All which I am ready to make Oath, if it shall be required.  
John Harris.    
FINIS.