A Second Letter TO Mr. MILES PRANCE, In REPLY to the GHOST OF Sir Edmondbury Godfrey.  
Mr. PRANCE,  
SInce my last to you of the 23 past, I have seen a prolix, railing, and impertinent Pamphlet, entitled, Sir E. B. G's. Ghost, and pretended to be an Answer to my said Letter. And conceiving You are better acquainted with Ghosts than myself, I thought fit to direct my Answer to that Ghost to You, and thereby show the ridiculousness thereof, as also vindicate the Truths contained in my said former Letter, and show You and the world further circumstances to justify the same, and therefore, according to the method of my former Letter, I shall proceed by these Heads.  
And first, not understanding what the Ghost means, by arraigning the Justice of the Nation, unless he would assert that all that are legally, (are likewise justly hanged;) and so consequently, that the Mother and her two Sons were justly hanged in Glocestershire, for the Murder of the Lady Viscountess Campden's Steward, though he afterwards appeared alive; And I do not find that ever his appearance arraigned the Justice of the Nation And remitting the consideration of Mr. B●owns, the Chirurgeons, and Mrs Curtis' Evidence in relation to the Blood, to its proper place; and affirming, (as the truth is,) that Mrs. Celliers, Mrs. Marry Gibbon the Newgate Priests, James Magragh, and all other Irish men, or Irish Evidences, or other Papist or Papists, or Popishly affected persons whatsoever; as also those concerned in the late Shame of his having hanged himself, are strangers to, and had not the least knowledge or intimation of the Contents of my said former Letter, nor any way concerned therein, or in or with any part thereof; (as the said Ghost most falsely and maliciously insinuates.) I take notice that the said Ghost seems to admit so much of the truth of the said Letter, as that it was reported divers days before the dead Body was found, that he was murdered in Somerset-house by the Papists, and which report was made even the next morning after he was missing, (being Sunday 13 Octob. 1678) Now I would fain have this Ghost to inform the world who first raised that Report: But as to Mr. Dugdale's Letter of it I cannot give it any better Answer, than that as his Evidence hath since been disbelieved in matters of greater consequence, so he not producing any such Letter, you must give me leave also to suspect him in this. But as to the other Evidences of Mr. Birch and the rest, Theirs I believe to be very true; for it's no miracle that a Report so cunningly raised, (without any ground) might as industriously be promulged to most parts of the Kingdom before the respective days they speak of, especially when the Plot had filled all men's heads with Fears and Jeolousies, without which it had not been in the power or art of the Ghost, or any of his Tribe, to have suggested the least Surmise to contradict his being Felo de se.  
Next, whereas my Letter saith, (and that truly) that the Coroner's Jury were first of opinion, and accordingly declared, he was Felo de se, and that much Art and Skill was used to procure their Verdict to the contrary. This Ghost, instead of contradicting that Truth, would insinuate, as if that Letter reflected upon the Reputation of the Jurors, when as there was no such thing employed or intended, they being known to be honest men, of good Reputation, and free from Fraud or Guile, and consequently the easier to be overreached, by the Cunning of those and that Party, whose interest it was to deceive them, and who never leave any stone unturned to attain their designs. And I cannot but observe how skilful and industrious these People still are, to hide and prevent the truth of that man's Death from clearly appearing and shining forth, as without doubt it would, and must do, was not the matter now (as formerly) puzzled with Legends, and long Stories, nothing to the purpose And as to the Coroner's Warrant for burying the Body, and recited in the Ghost, it's Notorious they are common Tricks, used by men of his Profession, who (if any money is like to come) will usually adjourn the Jury, and then make such Warrants, (they knowing, that if the Verdict be Felo de se, it's then out of their power to give leave to bury the Corpse.) And it would be very material, if the Coroner would declare what he received for that job, and of whom, and what Evidence he had to induce the Jury to find (as the Inquisition imports) that he was strangled with a Linen Cloth, a matter of Fact never so much as spoken of, until You came in with your Evidence, which was not in some weeks after. And I do again aver, That the Body was required by the Jurors to be opened, and was refused; and if the Body was in their and the Coroner's power, (as the Ghost insinuates) such power was concealed from, and denied the Jury. And it's very probable the Coroner of Westminster's assistance was refused, for some such indirect doings, for that there was not the least difference betwixt the Coroners in relation to their Jurisdictions, and the Westminster Coroner came not voluntarily of himself, but was importuned to be there by Mr. Wigg, and divers others of the chief Inhabitants of St: Martyn's Parish. And particularly, the Reverend Dr. Lloyd (who preached the Funeral Sermon) spoke to the Coroner of Westminster before he went, so that it had been proper to have given the matters mentioned in that Sermon in evidence before the Jury. And it's observable, the person mentioned to give the Information to the Doctor of the two wounds in the Body, and that two hours before it was found, was never produced; For if he had, and that Sir E. B. G. had been murdered, such person might have been secured, and thereby the Murderers detected. But I suppose the Ghost will not pretend either that Sermon, or the Pamphlet printed by Nat. Thompson to be legal, or (indeed) any Evidence at all.  
And now, Mr. Prance, being come to the several Paragraphs of my Letter, I shall take them in order as they are placed, and give the Ghost particular Answers accordingly.  
I. As to Sir E. B. G.'s Perambulations therein mentioned to be on the Saturday he was first missing, they are true in every particular, and will be proved by divers able, credible and undeniable Witnesses. And how vain it is for the Ghost to ask, Why these Witnesses did not come in sooner at the Trial of Greene, Berry and Hill, do you judge, when all the world remembers the great Torrent that carried all before it in favour of the Plot, and the murder of Sir E. B. G. by the Papists, without which (as T. O. was heard to say) his Plot had failed; And when it is duly considered, that the two persons that first found the Body, (for no other cause) suffered much in their Persons and Estates, by a long and chargeable Imprisonment. And all others that then seemed to doubt of the truth of that man's being murdered by the Papists, were stigmatised with the odious Names of Papists, and Discouragers (if not Promoters) of the Plot; It will appear no wonder, if people were unwilling to discover their knowledges, or to come voluntarily (without process) to give their Evidence. And how can it be imagined those three unfortunate men, being kept close Prisoners, could make inquiry after proper Evidences, or (against the common vogue) draw into suspicion the assertion of his being murdered by the Papists.  
II. The Ghost hath so much ingenuity to grant the 2d Paragraph of my Letter, as to the place and posture he was found in, but would avoid the inaccessableness of the place, pretending a Lane near, when as that Lane is, in effect, unpassable, with two on a Horse, and comes not within 500 yards of the place, and the Mounds thither very high, and the Constable and his Assistants, (though they lived in the Parish, and well knew the way) were forced to break a Gap in the Mounds, though they were singly Horsed. And whereas the Ghost alleges, That you do not depose he was carried to the place wholly on Horseback, he hath run himself into a worse Dilemma, having made no provision of men (either as to strength or number) to carry so great and weighty a Corpse, in the dead of the night, over such Mounds and Fences; But let all inquisitive People, desirous of Truth, take the pain, but to go to the place (and that without any burden on their backs) they will soon be convinced of the Assertion of the difficulty (if not impossibility) of the bringing a Dead Corpse thither, either on Foot or on Horseback. And the pretensions of the Ghosts, as to the limberness of the Body and Joints, does not answer that part of my Letter which relates to the impossibility of his being put into a Sedan. For his Body, when found, was stiff; so that what limberness happened or appeared afterwards, hath no relation to the Question. For it's a certain Maxim, a dead limber Body cannot be stiff'ned. And pray, Mr. Prance, give us an account what became of the Sedan, and the Cords? and how you could carry it with Cords; for the meanest Sedan-man in Town will tell you it is impracticable, or rather impossible; And you may, if you please, make an experiment with a Cord.  
III. As to the Body being full of Blood, when found; the Ghost endeavours to disprove that Assertion, by the Evidence of Mr. Brown the Constable, the two Surgeons and Mrs. Curtiss, and produceth the Evidence given at the Trial of Green, Berry and Hill, and an extrajudicial Affidavit since made by Mr. Brown, and another by Mrs. Curtiss, to countenance such his denial. But, Mr. Prance, (when you see the Ghost) tell him the matter of the Blood will (and I assure you and all the world it will) be proved by divers credible and undeniable Evidence; And that I may pacify the Ghost in the mean time, he is to understand that Mr. Brown, the two Surgeons, and Mrs. Curtiss, are no competent (nor can be material) Witnesses in this case. For Mr. Brown; as he did a rash and unaccountable act (to give it no worse name) in removing the Body before the Coroner and Jury saw it, (which hath occasioned all this dispute;,) so he must not think to help himself by Affidavits, or to justify one Ill Act by another; And besides, as he unadvisedly (and contrary to all Law and Practice) removed the Body before the Coroner and Jury came; so he did the same in the dark, (about Eight a clock at night) when the Candle was blown out; whereby it was impossible for him to look for any Blood, so as to find it; And neither he or the Surgeons (by any daylight) saw the place where the Body was found, or where the Sword was pulled out, until after 10 a Clock the next day, before which time much of the Blood was taken up, and the rest trampled out of sight by the great concourse of the People which came thither. And as for Mrs. Curtiss, she only saw the Body after it was brought home, when as the Body was stripped at the White-House, and a Blanket borrowed there to wrap the Body in, So the world may judge of the Truth of her Affidavit. But (Mr Prance) it will be fully proved, that the Body was full of Blood; and that the● were Cakes or Gobbets of dry Blood found in his clothes, which (with his Body) stunk extremely. And it will be also fully and effectually proved, that his Eyes, Nostrils, and Corners of his Mouth, were Fly blown; tho' the Ghost (without the least colour of reason) pretends it to be contrary to Nature and Reason; when as common experience daily evinces the contrary. And I do observe, that the Ghost omits to take notice of Two material Circumstances in this 3 d. Paragraph, (viz.) The first as to the Swords crashing against the Backbone: The second, as to that part of the Sword which was in his Body being discoloured. And pray, Mr. Prance, do You (or the Ghost) give the reasons thereof, and of its Point being Rusty; As also, what was, or could be the cause of the Spots in the Shirt, Waistcoat and Drawers, of Greenish Colour, mentioned in Mrs. Curtisses' Affidavit.  
IV. As to the 4th. Paragraph of my Letter, I perceive the Ghost admits, that when a man is Strangled or Hanged, his Eyes will be extorted; and admits, that Sir E. B. Godfrey's Eyes (when found) were shut; only he seems to quarrel with the colour of his Face; And, seeing he admits his Face not Black (as all Hanged men's are, when cold) I care not to contest, whether his Face was Pale or Ruddy, or a little Swelled, or not, those being very inconsiderable Circumstances. But his denying the putrefaction charged in that Paragraph, and the consequences deduced from thence, is not only a great untruth, but is directly opposite to the Evidence given by Mr. Skillard, at the Trial before mentioned. Page 37, 38.  
V. As to the 5th. Paragraph; The Ghost is so far from answering the Assertions therein, as that he only quibbles at words; and begging the Question, deduces thence impertinent and ridiculous Arguments. For it will be proved, that his Shoes were glazed at the bottom of the Soles, and which must of necessity be occasioned by his walking on the Grass. And (Mr. Prance) if you and the Ghost will walk thither, you will easily experience it, and so may any body else satisfy himself in this speculation; As also, as to the Grass-seeds that stuck in the seams of his Shoes; which is so far from being impossible at that time of the year, (as the Ghost would argue) as that it will be proved by undeniable Evidence. But (Mr. Prance,) pray ask the Ghost how he came there without a speck of Dirt? and who picked the Horsehairs off his clothes; and let him contrive (if he can) a probable or rational way for a Dead Man on Horseback. to hold up his Legs, or to save them or his clothes from the dirt: For though a man may walk thither very clean, yet it●s impossible at that time of the year to ride, either without being dirtied and some Horse hairs sticking on his clothes: But perhaps the next account from the Ghost will be, that he either rid with Gambadoes, or else a pair of fisher-men's Boots.  
VI As to the sixth Paragraph, Pray Mr. Prance tell the Ghost, his railing against Popish Nurses and Popish Midwives is no answer to the Assertions in that Paragraph: for all the women in the Town are competent Judges thereof, and I hope the Ghost will not say they are all Papists. But pray tell the Ghost he takes no notice of the height of the Collar, and its being fast buttoned about his Neck when found. Nor the conclusion of that Paragraph; and therefore I suppose he admits it to be all true.  
VII And as to the 7 and last Paragraph, which relates only to the difference betwixt Yours, and Mr. Bedlow's Evidence; I must take notice, that what You and He swear, are very contradictory, and much more than I hinted in my said Letter: And though part of it be as He and You were informed, yet You and He swear the Informations were received from the Persons actually concerned in the Murder, and who had confidence enough in Mr. Bedlow (though he refused 4000l to help to kill him, and 2000l to help carry him away,) as to show him the dead Body, and so were under no temptation of mis-informing either him or yourself. And pray Mr. Prance, will You let the world know what reward You were to have for that Job: For certainly You deserved as much as Mr. Bedlow, and needed more, you having a Wife and Children, and he a Bachelor.  
Thus, Mr. Prance, having gone through each Paragraph of my Letter, and answered the Ghost to your satisfaction; I should leave here, fearing I have been too tedious already: But I cannot omit to take further notice of Mrs. Curtis' Affidavit, in relation to the drops of Wax found upon the clothes, in which I cannot say but she may swear true; but this I do aver, that if it be so, those drops were put upon the clothes long after he was found, and after the Jury had sat on the Body; for there was no such thing then on the clothes: And I suppose this was some Artifice used by those, who, either out of Interest or Design, were desirous to confirm his being murdered at Somerset-house, and to carry on the great lie and impertinent story then invented, and given out (amongst others,) that he was laid under the High Altar there; And if my Information fail not, there were other such like tricks used, which I shall make bold to acquaint those more nearly concerned therein, than yourself; and shall give them to understand, that it's no wonder a man in Sir E. B. G's circumstances, should kill himself, such accidents being no News to that Family, wherein Melancholy and Distraction (that often produces such effects.) hath been predominant, and might occasion the words he spoke to Sir Tho. Robinson, as to his being the first Martyr.  
And now, Mr. Prance, for a Conclusion, If you were guilty of the murder of Sir E. B. G. how durst you (as you did) on the Friday after he was found, go to Primrose-Hill to see the Body, and not be afraid it should at your approach have bled afresh? And how came you (after Green, Bury, and Hill were hanged,) to declare in answer to a solemn Question, that you knew nothing of the death of Sir E. B. G. Pray remember me to your old Friend and Lodger Mr. Renn, My Respects also to your Wife, not forgetting your little Daughter, who gave you so good advice before you took your Journey into Nottinghamshire, and helped to take Beddingfield, who was buried 14 months.  
Cambridge, March 13. 1681. I am Your Loving Friend, Trueman.   

LONDON, Printed for N. Thompson, 1682.