A TRUE COPY of two several LETTERS Sent by Mr. Richard Osborne (late Attendant on his Majesty in Carisbrooke Castle,) touching a design to poison his Majesty: Which Letters were read in the House of Peers June 19 1648.  
Printed 21. June 1648.   

A Copy of two Letters sent by Mr. Richard Osborne.  
My Lord:  
THough I cannot but imagine I stand so highly condemned in your Lordships and many persons thoughts, that any thing of vindication from me must come with all the disadvantage and prejudice that may be; yet (my Lord) being conscious of my own integrity, and confident that I shall be judged by your Lordship by no other Rules but those of justice and reason, I cannot doubt but when I have discovered the grounds and reasons of my Actions, that it will appear to your Lordship that what I have done hath been agreeable to the several duties I stand engaged in, as I am supposed to have acted contrary before I am heard.  
Not to detain your Lordship in circumstances, I shall make this Protestation, that as no other thing but the danger of the King's life could in reason excuse such attempt: So I do protest that no inferior considerations did or could have moved to such an action: But my Lord having had such particular and well grounded information, that so horrid a design was intended and moved from those that could when they pleased have had the power to put it in execution; I hope I shall not be censured for having post posed all other considerations to that Loyalty which cannot be questioned but I own to the King.  
But not to leave your Lordship unsatisfied with this general account, the intelligence I speak of, concerning this design, I received from Captain Rolfe, a person very intimate with the Governor, privy to all Counsels, and one that is very high in the esteem of the Army; he may Lord, informed me that to his knowledge the Governor had received several Letters from the Army, intimating they desired the King might by any means be removed out of the way, either by poison or otherwise; And that another time the same person persuaded me to join with him in a design to remove the King out of that Castle to a place of more secrecy, proffering to take an Oath with me, and to do it without the Governors' privity, who he said would not consent for losing the allowance of the House, his pretence to this attempt was, that the King was in too public a place, from whence he might be rescued, but if he might be conveyed into some place of secrecy, he said we might dispose of his person upon all occasions as we thought fit; and this he was confident we could effect without the Governors' privity. My Lord considering all these pregnant circumstances, I think it will appear that there were, if there are no such intentions concerning his Majesty's person, as may well justify my endeavours that have been made for his remove from so much danger: and for my own part, my Lord, I must be so plain as to declare concerning my own actings in relation to this business, that had I done this (having such grounds) I must believe I had then verified all those aspersions of disloyalty and breach of Trust, which I am contented to suffer from those whose interest is perchance opposed to my endeavours to prevent such damnable designs.  
My Lord, I have spoken nothing here but what I shall be ready to testify upon Oath when ever I shall be called to it, with promise of Freedom and security, till than I must be content to support all censures and satisfy myself with the vindication I receive from my own conscience.  
I am your Lordship's humble servant, Rich. Osborne. 1. june, 1648. For the Right Honourable the Lord Whatton.   

A Letter to the right Honourable the Earl of Manchester.  
Right Honourable,  
I Did by a Letter of the first of june acquaint my Lord Wharton with what I send here enclosed, expecting it would before this have been communicated to both Houses: what should be the reason of concealing a business of this nature I know not, except it be to give those time that are concerned in it better to think of some stratagem to evade this discovery.  
I humby desire your Lordship upon sight of this relation, to communicate it to the House of Peers; which I shall be ready to attest upon Oath in every particular, when ever their Lordships shall please to allow me that freedom and security which ought to be afforded to any Gentleman, and Christian, in witnessing a truth.  
My Lord I am Your Lordship's most humble servant, RICHARD OSBORNE. June 16, 1648.  
For the right Honourable the Lord Manchester Speaker of, etc.   
FINIS.