THE

HARLEIAN MISCELLANY;

,OR, A

COLLECTION

OF SCARCE, CURIOUS, AND ENTERTAINING

PAMPHLETS AND, TRACTS,

AS WELL IN MANUSCRIPT AS IN PRINT, FOUND IN THE LATE

INTERSPERSED WITH

HISTORICAL, POLITICAL, AND CRITICAL NOTES.

VOL. X.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR ROBERT BUTTON, GRACECHURCH-STREET.

mo.

300

{,' ,ff»

mt

i

VJO

J. G. Barnard, Printer, Skinner Street, London.

CONTENTS.

VOL. X.

PACK

A RELATION of the late wicked contrivance of Stephen Blackhead and Robert Young, again.-t the lives of several persons, by forging an Associ- ation under their hunds. Written by the Bishop of Rochester. In two part*. The first part being a relation of what passed at the three exami- nations of the said Bishop, by a committee of the Lords of the Privy council. The second being an account of the two above-mentioned authors of the forgery. In the Savoy : Printed by Edward Jones, 1 692. Quarto, containing seventy-six pages • • • • 1

The second part of the relation of the late wicked contrivance against the lives of several persons, by forging an Association under their hands : Being a farther account of the said forgery, and of the two authors of it, Stephen Blackhead and Robert Young, alias Youngs, alias Brown, alias Hopkins, alias Hutt, alias Green, alias Jones, alias Smith, alias, &c. Written by the Bishop of Rochester. Imprimatur, November 25, 1 692, Edmund Bohuu 26

A letter to a friend concerning a French invasion, to restore the late King James to his throne : and what may be expected from him, should he be successful in it London: Printed, and are to be sold by Randal Taylor, near Amen-corner, 1692. Quarto, containing thirty-two pages lit

A diary of the siege and surrender of Limerick, with the articles at 'large, both civil and military Published by authority. London : Printed for R. Taylor, near Stationers' Hall, 1692. Quarto, containing thirty-six Pages 1 f I

The pretences of the French invasion examined, for the information of the people of England. London: Printed for R. Clavel, at the Peacock, in St. Paul's Church-yard, 1692. Quarto, containing twenty pages 150

The true and genuine explanation of one K. James's declaration. Printed in the year 1693. Quarto, containing four pages 159

The Chaplains' petition to the honourable House for redress of grievances. By one of the Camp chaplains. London : .Printed for the use of the petiti- oners 5 and sold by Thomas Ranew in Fleet-street, near Temple-Bar, 1693. Quarto, containing four pages - 162-

The petition of the ladies of London and Westminster to the honourable House for husbands. London, Printed for Mary Want-man, the Fore- maid of the petitioners ; and sold by A. Roper in Fleet-street, 1693.

_ Quarto, containing four pages • • • 166

The petition of the widows, in and about London and Westminster for a re- dress «f their grievances. London : Printed for the use of the wide — 0*8, 1693. Quarto, containing four pages 170

An humble remonstrance of the batchelors, in and about London, to the honourable house, in answer to a late paper, intitled, " A petition of the ladies for husbands." London : Printed for, and sold by th« bookselling batchelors, in St. Paul's Church-yard.' Quarto, containing four pages •• 175

Yi CONTENTS.

PAGE

A new bill, drawn up by a committee of grievances, in reply to the ladies and batchelors petition and remonstrance, &c. Quarto, containing four pages 1 79

The vindication of that hero of political learning, Nicholas Machiavel, the second Tacitus. MS. 183

An account of the late terrible earthquake in Sicily, with most of its parti- culars. Done from the Italian copy printed at Rome. London : Printed for Richard Baldwin, near the Oxford-arms in Warwick-lane, 1693. Quarto, containing thirty-six pages 187

A compendious history of the taxes of France, and of the oppressive methods of raising them. London; Printed by J. M. and B. B. for Richard Baldwin, near the Oxford-arms, in Warwick-lane, 1694. Quarto, containing forty pages • • 200

Encouragement for seamen and mariners. In two parts. Being a proposed method for the more speedy and effectual furnishing their Majesties royal navy with able seamen and mariners : And for saving those immense sums of money, yearly expended in attending the sea press. In order to prevent those many mischiefs and abuses daily committed, by disorderly press-masters, both at sea and land, to the great prejudice of their Ma- jesties, and injury of the subject. By George Everett, shipwright. London: Printed in the year 1 695. Quarto, containing twenty-four pages 11 \

Some particular matters of fact relating to the administration of affairs in Scotland, under the Duke of Lauderdale. Folio, containing one sheet- • 23*

An essay on writing, and the art and mystery of printing. A translation out of the anthology. From a broad-side, printed at London, in the

year 1696 238

• • •

A letter of advice to a friend, upon the modern argument of the lawfulness of simple fornication, half-adultery, aa 1 polygamy. Printed, 1696. Quarto, containing fourteen pages • 240

The parable of the three jackdaws, &c. Printed in the year 1696. Quarto, containing four pages 248

England's calamities discovered : With the proper remedy to restore her ancjent grandeur and policy. Humbly presented by James Whiston. London : Printed for the author, and are to be sold by Joseph Fox, in Westminster-hall, R. Clavel at the Peacock ia Fleet-street, and T. Mintou at the Anchor under the Royal Exchange, 1696. Quarto, containing forty pages 254

A view of the court of St. Germain, from the year 1696 to 95. With an account of the entertainment f rotestants meet with there.. Directed to the raate'-cont-eot Protestants of England. London : Printed for R. Bald- win, near Oxford-arms inn, in Warwick-lane, 1696. Quarto, containing thirty pages • 374

The wars and causes of them, between England and France, from William the First to William the Third, with a treatise of the Salique Law. By D. J. and revised by R. C. Esq. 1697. Duodecimo, containing seventy- two pages • 284

Contemplations upon life and death : With serious reflexions o» the mise- ries that attend human life, in every station, degree, and change thereof. Written by a person of quality, in his confinement, a littl* before his deathj shewing the vanity of the desire of long life, and the fea» of death. With a true copy of the paper delivered to the Sherifc upe» the

CONTENTS. tii

PAGE

scaffold at Tower-hill, on Thursday, January 28, 1696-7, by Sir John Fenwick, Baronet, 1697. Quarto, containing thirty-one pages 328

An elegy on the death of trade. By a relation of the deceased. London, Printed in the year 1 698. Quarto, containing thirteen pages 351

A full and true account of a most dreadful and astonishing fire, which hap- pened at Whitehall, and begun in Col. Stanley's lodgings, en Tuesday last, about four of the clock in the afternoon, continuing with great vio- lence till about nine o'clock the next morning, burning down and con- • sntning the King's chapel, the guard-chamber, the long gallery, &c. together with near 150 houses. An account, also how several persons were killed, with the blowing up twenty houses, &c. Licensed ac- cording to order. London, Printed by J. Bradford, in Little-Britain, 1698. Folio, containing two pages 359

A letter to a country gentleman : Setting forth the cause of the decay and ruin of trade. To which is annexed, a list of the names of some gentle- men, who were members of the last Parliament, and now are, or lately were, in publick employments. London: Printed in 1698. Quarto, con- taining twenty-four pages 381

An essay towards carrying on the present war against France, and other publick occasions. As also, for paying off all debts contracted in the same, or otherwise. And new coining of all our monies, without charge, to the great increase of the honour, strength, and wealth of the nation. Humbly proposed for the Parliament's consideration, and submitted to their great wisdom, and lore to their country, &c. Octavo, containing thirty-two pages. To which is added an appendix, MS. 311

The Honour ef the Gout: Or, a rational discourse, demonstrating, that the gout is one of the greatest blessings which can befal mortal man ; that all gentlemen, who are weary of it, are their own enemies ; that those practitioners, who offer at the cure, are the vainest and most mischievous cheats in nature. By way of letter to an eminent citizen, wrote in the heat of a violent paroxysm, and now published for the common good. By Philander Misaurus. Duodecimo, containing sixty-seven pages:

Printed at London, in 1699 389

'

A true and just relation of Major-general Sir Thomas Morgan's progress in France and Flanders, with the sis-thousand English, in the years 1657 aud 1658, at the taking of Dunkirk, and other important places, as it was delivered by the General himself. London, 1699. Quarto, con- taining sixteen pages- • • • 409

An account of St. Sebastian's, in relation to its situation, fortifications, government, customs, and trade. By one lately come from thence. From twenty-two pages in quarto, Printed at London, 1700 424

A list of the monasteries, nunneries, and colleges, belonging to the English Papists in several Popish countries beyond sea Published to inform the people of England, of the measures taken by the Popish party far the re- establishing of Popery in these nations. In a letter to a member of par- liament. From eight pages, quarto. London: Printed in 1700 430

A discourse of sea-ports, principally of thcport and haven of Dover: Written by Sir Walter Raleigh, and addressed to Queen Elisabeth. With useful remarks, &c. on that subject, by command of his late Majesty King Charles the Second. Never before made publick. Printed in 1700. Quarto, containing twenty pares 434

tin CONTENTS.

PAGE

Reasons humbly offered, for a law to enact the castration of Popisk ecclesi- asticks. as the best way to prevent the growth of Popery n England. London : Printed in 1700. Quarto, containing twenty-six pages 445

Labour in vain ; or, what signifies little or nothing : Viz. I. The poor man's petitioning at court. II. Expectation of benefit from a covetous man in his life time. III. The marriage of an old man to a young woman. IV. Endeavours to regulate men's manners by preaching or writing. V". Being a Jacobite. VI. Confining an insolvent debtor. VII. Promise of secrecy in a conspiracy. VIII. An enquiry after a place. London : Printed and sold by most booksellers in London and Westminster, 1TOO. Quarto, containing thirty-two pages 458

The apparent danger of an invasion, briefly represented in a letter to a minister of state. By a Kentish gentleman, 1701 478

The rights of the house of Austria to the Spanish succession. Published by order of his Imperial Majesty Leopold, and translated from the original, Printed at Vienna, MDCCI. 483

A dialogue between the cities of London and Paris, in relation to the pre- sent posture of affairs, rendered into verse, and made applicable to the disturbances which now seem to threaten the peace of Europe. Written by a person who has no money to pay taxes in case of a war. [From a folio edition, containing thirteen pages, printed in London, 1701.] •••• 494

Some observations on the use and original of the noble art of printing. By F. Burges, Norwich • 504

Scotland characterised : In a letter written to a young gentleman, to dis- suade him from an intended journey thither: By the author of ' The trip td North Wales.' 1701. Folio. Containing four pages 509

Proposals for carrying on an effectual war in America, against the French and Spaniards. Humbly offered to the consideration of the King's most excellent Majesty, the right honourable the Lords spiritual and temporal, and the honourable the House of Commons. From a quarto edition, Printed at London, in the year MDCCII. 515

An account of the arraignments and tryals of Colonel Richard Kirkby, Captains John Constable, Captain Cooper Wade, Captain Samuel Vincent, and Captain Christopher Fogg, for cowardice, neglect of duty, breach of orders, &c. From a folio edition, printed at London, 1703 525

Division our destruction : or, a short history of the French faction in England

[ Nought else tut Treason from tlte first this land did fail.

Spencer's second book of the Fairy Queen, Cant. 10. Stan. 48.]

London: Printed and sold by John Nutt, near Stationers'-hall, 1702. Quarto, containing twenty-two pages 533

Political remarks on the life and reign of King William III. First, from his birth to the abdication of King James II. Secondly, from his accession to the crown of England TO his death 545

Proposals for the reformation of schools and universities, in order to the better education of youth ; humbly offered to the serious consideration of the High Court of Parliament i ......... t. 5dl

THE

HARLEIAN MISCELLANY.

A RELATION

OF

THE LATE WICKED CONTRIVANCE

OF

STEPHEN BLACKHEAD AND ROBERT YOUNG,

Against the Lines of several Persons, by forging an Association

under their Hands. WRITTEN BY THE BISHOP OF ROCHESTER.

IN TWO PARTS.

The first part being a relation of what passed at the three ex- aminations of the said Bishop by a Committee of Lords of the Privy-Council. The second being an account of the two above- mentioned authors of the forgery. In the Savoy : printed by Edward Jones, 1692. Quarto, containing seventy-six pages.

JL THINK it becomes me, as a duty which I owe to my country' and to the character I have the undeserved honour to bear in the church, to give the world some account how my innocency was cleared from the late wicked contrivance against me, in hopes that this example of a false plot, so manifestly detected, may be, in some sort, beneficial to the whole nation on the like occasions for the future. However, that the enemies of the church may have no reason to cast any blemish upon it, from the least suspicion of my guilt, and that this faithful memorial may remain as a poor monument of my own gratitude to Almighty God ; to whose im- mediate protection I cannot but attribute this extraordinary preservation.

Perhaps my reader, at first view, will look on this relation as too much loaded with small particulars, such as he may judge scarce worth my remembering or his knowing; but he will pardon VOL. x. B

2 CONTRIVANCE OF STEPHEN BLACKHEAD

me, if I presume that nothing in this whole affair ought to appear little or inconsiderable to me, at least, who was so nearly concerned in the event of it.

I have therefore made no scruple to discharge my weak memory of all it could retain of this matter; nor have I willingly omitted any thing, though ever so minute, which I thought might serve to fix this wonderful mercy of God the more on my own mind, or did any way conduce to the saving of divers other innocent per- sons' lives, as well as mine.

I cannot indeed promise, that I shall accurately repeat every word or expression that fell from all the parties here mentioned : or that I shall put all down in the very same order as it was spoken, having not had the opportunity to take notes of every thing as it passed; hut this I will say, if I shall not be able to relate all the truth, yet I will omit nothing that is material : 1 will, as carefully as if I were upon my oath, give in all the truth I can remember, and nothing but the truth.

What I write I intend shall consist of two parts: the first to be a narrative of the plain matter ©f fact, from my first being taken into custody, May the 7th, to the time of my last dismission, June the J3th. The second to contain some account of the two perjured wretches that were pleased, for what reasons they know best, to bring me into this danger.

For the truth of the substance of what I shall recollect on the first head, I am bold to appeal to the memories of those honourable lords of the council, by whom I was thrice examined. And, touching the second, I have by me so many original papers, or copies of unquestionable authority, (which I am ready to shew any worthy persons who shall desire the satisfaction) as are abundantly sufficient to justify all that I shall think fit for me to say against Blackhead aad Young, especially against Young.

It was on Saturday the 7th of May, of this present year 1692, in the evening, as I was walking in the orchard at Bromley, me- ditating on something I designed to preach the next day, that I saw a coach and four horses stop at the outer gate, eut of which two persons alighted. Immediately I went towards them, believing they were some of my friends, coming to give me a visit. By that time I was got to the gate, they were entered into the hall : but, seeing me hastening to them, they turned, and met me about the middle of the court. The chief of them, perceiving me to look wistly on them, as being altogether strangers to me, said, My Lord, perhaps you do not know me. My name is Dyve, I am clerk of the council, and here is one of the king's messengers. I am sorry I am sent on this errand. But I am come to arrest you upon suspicion of high treason.

Sir, said I, I suppose you have a warrant for so doing; I pray let me see it. He shewed it me. I read it ; and the first name I lighted on being the Earl of Nottingham's ; I said, Sir, I believe this is my Lord Nottingham's own hand, and I submit. What are your orders how to dispose of me ? My lord, said he, I must first

AND ROBERT YOUNG, &c. 3

search your person, and demand the keys you have about you. My keys I presently gave him. He searched my pockets, and found no papers, but some poor notes of a sermon, and a letter from Mr. B. Fairfax, about ordinary business.

Now, says he, my lord, I must require to see the rooms to which these keys belong, and all the places in the house, where you have any papers or books. I straight conducted him up stairs into my study. This, sir, said I, is the only chamber where I keep all the books and papers I have in the house. They began to search, and with great readiness turned over every thing in the room, closets, and presses, shaking every book by the cover, and opening every part of a chest of drawers, where were many papers, particu- larly some bundles of sermons ; which I told them were my proper tools : and that all, that knew me, could vouch for me, it was not my custom to have any treason in them. They read several of the texts, and left them where they found them. But, in one corner of a press, which was half open, they met with a great number of letters filed up. I assured them they were only matters of usual friendly correspondence, and most of them were of last year's date. Mr. Dyve, looking on some of them, found them to be so; and said, if he had time to view them all, he might, perhaps, see reason to leave them behind: but, being expressly commanded to bring all letters, he must carry them with him. I left him to do as he pleased ; so they sealed them up.

Then they went into my bed-chamber and the closets adjoining, doing as they had done in my study, feeling about my bed and hangings, knocking the wainscot in several places, to see if there were any private hole or secret conveyance.

After that they came down stairs and searched the parlour and drawing-room on that side of the house, with the like exactness. In all these rooms, I observed, they very carefully pried into every part of the chimnies ; the messenger putting his hand *nto every flower-pot, which I then somewhat smiled at ; but since I found he had but too much reason so to do.

When they had done searching in all those rooms and in the hall, as they were going out, and had taken with them what papers they thought fit, they carried me away in the coach that brought them. By the way, we met my servant Mr. Moor coming from London. I called out to him, have you any letters for me ? He gave me three or four, which I delivered to Mr- Dyve to open, who found nothing in them but matters of private concernment, or ordinary news. And so, between ten and eleven at night, we ar- rived at Whitehall, and I was brought to my Lord Nottingham, whom I found alone in his office.

My lord, said I, I am come upon your warrant ; but certainly there must be some great mistake, or black villainy in this business . for I declare, as in the presence of God, 1 am absolutely free from any just accusation relating to the government. His lordship told me, he himself was much surprised when he heard my name men-

B2

4 CONTRIVANCE OF STEPHEN BLACKHEAD

tioned. I intreated him I might be examined that night if any witnesses could be produced against me. He said, that could not possibly be, because the lords who had the management of such affairs were separated, and gone home : but, that I was to appear before them the next day, and in the mean time all the civility should be shewn me that could be expected by a man in my condition.

My lord, said I, I hope, it being so very late, you will suffer me to lie at my own house at Westminster. He replied, you shall do so; but you must have a guard of soldiers and a messenger with you. A guard of soldiers, said I, my lord, methinks it is not so necessary to secure one of my profession ; I should rather offer, that I may have twp or more messengers to keep me, though that may put me to greater charges. My lord, said he, I, for my own part, would be glad if I might take your parole : but I must do what I may answer to others; and therefore I pray be content.

At this I acquiesced; only adding, my lord, here are divers papers brought up with me, which, upon my credit, are but of common importance; yet, because they are most of them private talk among friends, there may be some expressions which no man, if it were his own cause, would be willing to have divulged ; and therefore I desire your lordship will take care they may not be shewn to the prejudice of any. He answered, you have to do with men of honour, and you shall have no occasion to complain upon that account.

And so I was conveyed home to Westminster, by Mr Dyve and Mr. Knight the messenger in the coach with me, and a guard at- tending on each side. After we came to the deanery, Mr. Dyve having diligently surveyed my lodgings and the avenues to them, left me about midnight, with a strict charge to the messenger and seldiers not to give me any unnecessary disturbance, but to watch carefully at my bed- chamber door till further orders, which they did.

1'he next day, being Sunday, May the 8th, Mr. Dyve came again to me, about noon, to acquaint me that I was to attend the com- mittee of the council that evening, by six of the clock. And, says he, my lord, I suppose you have here, also at Westminster, a room where you keep the rest of your books and papers. I told him I had. Then, said he, I have commission to search there likewise, particularly in your cabinet. I shewed him my library, and gave him the keys. He opened all the presses of books, and viewed par- ticularly every shelf, and examined every drawer in the cabinet : but finding nothing there of a late date, or that might afford any the least shadow of a traiterous correspondence, he went away without removing any one paper thence.

At the time appointed I was brought by the messenger and guard to Whitehall, where a select number of the lords of the council were assembled at my Lord Nottingham's lodgings. There were present, as I remember, the Earl of Devonshire, lord steward j the

AND ROBERT YOUNG, &c. 5

Earl of Dorset, lord chamberlain ; the Earl of Nottingham, secretary of state ; the Earl of Rochester ; the Earl of Portland ; the Lord Sidney, lord-lieutenant of Ireland ; and Sir Edward Seymor.

When I was entered the room , and come to the end of the table, my Lord Nottingham began. But now, for the greater perspicuity of the whole proceedings, and to avoid the too frequent repetition of, said I, or said such an one, or said they, I will henceforth give all the questions and answers, and the rest of the discourses, in the name of every person as they spoke, and by way of dialogue.

Earl of Not. My lord, you cannot but think it must be some ex- traordinary occasion, which has forced us to send for you hither in this manner.

Bishop of Roch. My lord, I submit to the necessities of state in such a time of jealousy and danger as this is.

Earl of Not. My lord, I am to ask you some questions, to which we desire your plain and true answers.

Bishop of Roch. My lords, I assure you mine shall be such ; as I hope I have been always taken for a man of simplicity and sincerity.

Earl of Not. Have you composed a declaration for the present intended descent of the late King James into England?

Bishop of Roch. I call God to witness I have not.

Earl of Not. Did you ever draw up any heads, or materials for •uch a declaration ?

Bishop of Roch. Upon the same solemn asseveration I never did.

Earl of Not. Were you ever sollicited, or applied to, by any per- son, for the undertaking such a work ?

Bishop of Roch. I never was.

Earl of Not. Do you hold any correspondencies abroad in France ?

Bishop of Roch. I do not hold any.

Earl of Not. Have you ever signed any association for restoring the late King James ?

Bishop of Roch. I never signed any.

Earl of Not. Do you know of any such association ? Or any persons that have subscribed one ?

Bishop of Roch. Upon the word of a Christian and a bishop, I know of no such thing; nor of any person who has subscribed any paper of that nature.

Sir Edw. Seymour. My Lord Bishop of Rochester, we have examined the papers that were seized in your closet at Bromley. We find nothing in them but matters of ordinary and innocent conversation among friends ; only we have one scruple, that there are few or no letters among them written since Lady-day last.

Bishop of Roch. Sir, 1 suppose there may be some of a date since that time in the bundles. If I had preserved more, they would have been of the same nature with the rest that you have, that is, concerning common intelligence, and the talk of the town :

u3

6 CONTRIVANCE OF STEPHEN BLACKHEAD

not any secrets of state, or against the government. My lords, I hold no correspondencies of that kind. When I am in the country I desire some friend or other here to let me know how the world goes, that I may inform myself and the neighbouring gentlemen of the truth of things, and prevent the spreading of false news: and afterwards I file up such letters according to their dates, as you may perceive I did these, that at any time I may have a present recourse to them, to refresh my memory in any past transaction.

My lord, those are all I thought worth keeping of this kind these two last years. And I hope the clerk of the council has done me the justice to acquaint your lordship.* how I was apprehended out of my house ; and how narrowly I myself, and my study, and lodging- chamber, and other rooms, were searched : so that it was impossi- ble for me to have suppressed or smothered any one writing from you. And really, I believe there was not a note, or least scrip of paper of any consequence in my possession, but they had a view of it.

Earl of Devonshire. But, my lord, it is probable a man of your interest and acquaintance, must have received more letters since, than are here to be found. We see here are many concerning affairs that passed just before that time.

Bishop of Roch. My lords, a little before the conclusion of the last session of parliament, I obtained leave of the house of lords to retire into the country, for the recovery of my health. During my abode there, as long as the parliament continued, I wa* somewhat curious to learn what passed in both houses, and therefore, as your lordship has observed, letters came thicker to me about that time. But when the parliament was up, very little happening that was re- markable in that interval, I was not so mindful to preserve the let- ters that came to me, whilst all things, both abroad and at home, were rather in preparation than action.

Besides that, since the time your lordships speak of, I was twice or thrice in town for several days together ; once especially, upon a publick occasion, the annual election of Westminster school, which detained me here about a week. And these are the true reasons why you find so few letters to me since the date of time your lordships have mentioned.

Earl of Not. Will it please your lordships to ask the Bishop of Rochester any more questions ?

They being all silent, I said, my lords, I cannot imagine how il comes to pass that I should be thus suspected to be guilty of any contrivance against the government ; I think I may appeal to all that know me, I am sure I may to all my neighbours in the coun- try where I live, that there has no man submitted to it more peace- ably and quietly than I have done ever since the revolution; and I must own, I did it both upon a principle of conscience and grati- tude. Of conscience, because I cannot see how the church of England and the whole protestant religion can be preserved, but upon this constitution ; since an invasion from France cannot but

AND ROBERT YOUNG, &c. 7

be destructive to both. And of gratitude, because, as you all know, I happened to be in the late reign ingaged in an affair, which since I have been taught was illegal. And though I may say I stopped betimes, and did no great hurt, but hindered as much as I could whilst I acted; yet I acted so long that I might have expected to be severely punished for what I did. But the king's and queen's part in the general pardon was so gracious and benign in making it their own act, and not excluding me out of it, that their majesties have thereby laid upon me an obligation never to be forgotten.

Upon this I was bid to withdraw ; and, about an hour after, the same clerk of the council was sent out to tell me, the lords had ordered 1 should return to my own house, and be under the same confinement as before, of a messenger and a guard of soldiers : and there I should shortly hear what their lordships would determiae concerning me. He likewise told the messenger and the guards, that he had a strict command to them to use me with all respect ; only to take care that I should be safely kept and forth-coming. Nor, indeed, had I any thing to object against their behatiour : for, as Mr. Dyve demeaned himself always to me like a gentleman, aad the messenger was very civil, so the soldiers themselves were as easy and quiet to the rest of my family, as if they had been a part of it.

The same evening, Mr. Dyve came home to me, and brought me all my papers, telling me, that the lords had heard him read them over ; and, having no exception against them, had sent him to re- turn them all safe to me again.

Thus guarded, I continued from that day till the 1 8th of May under the custody of a messenger and of four centinels, who watched day and night, 'and were relieved every eight and forty hours.

But then, having heard nothing in the mean time from the lords, I wrote this letter to the Earl of Nottingham.

MY LORD,

AS I have all this while, according to my duty to their ma- jesties' government, with patience and humility submitted to my confinement under a guard of soldiers and a messenger ; so now, fearing that my longer silence may be interpreted as a mis- trust of my innocency, I think it becomes me to make this appli- cation to your lordship, earnestly intreating you to represent my condition and request to the most honourable board, where I was examined. I intirely rely on their justice and honour, that, if they find nothing real against me, as God knows I am conscious to myself they cannot, they would be pleased to order my enlarge- ment. I am forced to be the more importunate with your lordship in this business, because it is very well known in what a danger- ous condition of health I went out of town towards the latter end of the session of parliament : and I find my distemper very much

8 CONTRIVANCE OF STEPHEN BLACKHEAD

' increased by this close restraint, in a time when I was just enter- * ing upon a course of physick in the country. My lord,

I am your lordship's most humble May 18, Westm. and most obedient servant,

THOS. ROFFEN. To the Right Honourable the Earl of Nottingham, Prin- cipal Secretary of State.

This letter was read in the cabinet ceuncil that day, and it had the desired effect ; for, thereupon, I was ordered to be discharged that evening; which accordingly was done about ten at night, by Mr. Shorter, a messenger of the chamber, coming to my house, and dismissing the messenger, and taking off the guard.

The next morning, being May 19th, to prevent any concourse or congratulations, usual upon such occasions, I retired early to Bromley, where I remained quiet till June the 9th, little dreaming of a worse mischief hanging over my head.

But that day, being Thursday, as I was upon the road coming to Westminster, to the meeting of Dr. Busby's preachers, who as- semble once a term at my house there, I was stopped by a gentle- man that brought me this letter frem my Lord Nottingham.

MY LORD, Whitehall, June 8, 92.

JMUST desire your lordship to be at my office on Friday morn- ing by ten of the clock.

I am your lordship's

most humble servant,

NOTTINGHAM. For the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Rochester, at Bromley.

I asked the bearer whether he had any farther orders concerning me ; he answered no, but was forthwith to return. I desired him to acquaint his lord, that I was now going to town upon other busi- ness, but that I would presently wait on him at Whitehall. Ac- cordingly, from Lambeth I went to his office. When my lord came to me, I told him, that having met with his lordship's letter accidentally in my way to Westminster, I thought it best to come presently to know his pleasure.

Earl of Not My lord, there is a mistake, I gave you notice to be here to-morrow morning: and that is the time you are ap- pointed to appear before the committee of the council.

Bishop of Roch. However, my lord, being in town occasionally, I thought it became me to present myself to you as soon as I could. And I now make it my request, if your lordships have any thing farther to say to me, I may be convened before you this day.

AND ROBERT YOUNG, &c. 0

Earl of Not. I fear you cannot be so, for there is much business to be this afternoon, both at the great council and the committee : but I will send you word to the deanery, if you can be called this evening. In the meantime you have your full liberty to go where you please.

Thus I went home ; but having no notice from my lord that night, the next day, being June the 10th, about ten of the clock, I came to his lordship's office, where were met the same lords as before ; only I think the Earl of Portland was not there, and the Earl of Pembroke, lord privy seal, was.

When I was called in, besides the privy councellors that sat about the table, there was standing against the wall a very ill-favoured man, who afterwards proved to be Blackhead ; with whom I strait perceived I was sent for to be confronted.

For, as soon as I was in the room, my Lord Nottingham said, My lord, do you know that person ?

Bishop of Roch. My lord, I have seen this man's face, but I cannot immediately recollect where.

Earl of Not. I pray view him well. Has he never brought you any letters from one Mr. Young ?

Bishop of Roch. I do call to mind, he has brought me a letter. I cannot in a moment remember from whom it was. Earl of Not. He says it was from one Young. Bishop of Roch. I .think it was at my house at Bromley, that he delivered it me; but I verily believe.it was not from any of the name of Young.

Blackhead. I was with the Bishop of Rochester at Bromley : I brought him a letter from Mr. Young, and I received an answer to Mr. Young back again from the bishop.

Thus far, during the beginning of this examination, I stood with my face against the window, and my eyes being so very tender and feeble as they are, I had not a perfect view of Blackhead ; bnt he so confidently affirming, that he had of late carried letters between me and one Young, I changed my station, and got the light on my back ; and then immediately, having a true sight of his very remarkable countenance and habit, and whole person, and being also much assisted by his voice, which is very loud and rude, I did, by God's blessing, perfectly caR him to mind ; and said, now, my lords, by the advantage of this light, I do exactly remem- ber this fellow, and part of his business with me at Bromley. What he says of Young cannot be true. I know not for what purpose he affirms this ; but, upon my reputation, it is utterly false, that he ever brought me a letter from one Young.

Earl of Not. My lord, he gays particularly, it was upon a fast- day.

Bishop of Roch. My lords, I do remember this fellow was with me at Bromley on a fast-day : by the same token, I told him he should stay till after evening-prayers, and must expect only a fasting kind of meal: But then I would return an answer to his business.

10 CONTRIVANCE OF STEPHEN BLACKHEAD

Blackhead. It was upon a fast-day. I did eat with the bishop's servants ; and I received an answer from his own hand to the letter I brought him from Mr. Young.

Bishop of Roch. My lords, this that he says of Young is a wicked lye. All my correspondencies are so innocent (as I hope your lordships can testify) that, if I had received a letter from any Mr. Young, I should have no reason so positively to deny it. I beseech you, examine this fellow throughly, and I doubt not but you will discover some impudent knavery. I stand to it ; I am sure there is no person, whose name is Young, with whom I have of late years maintained any intercourse by letters.

Earl of Devon. My lord, is there no person of the name of Young, a clergyman, with whom you are acquainted ?

Bishop of Roch. Oh ! my lord, there are two excellent persons of the name of Young, both clergymen, to whom I have the good fortune to be very well known : the one was your brother Ossery's chaplain, and is now prebendary of Winchester ; the other was canon of Windsor, when I was a member of that church, and is there still. But I suppose neither of these are the Youngs, whose correspondence this man objects to me . I should take it for an honour to correspond with them. But in truth it has so happened, that I have neither written to, nor received one letter from either of them these many years, to the best of my knowledge.

Blackhead. The bishop, if he please, may remember it was Ro- bert Young from whom I brought a letter.

Earl of Not. How long ago say you it was?

Blackhead. It was about two months ago.

Bishop of Roch. I have indeed, my lords, some obscure remem- brance, that, some years ago, there was one writ to me out of New- gate, under the name of Robert Young, pretending to be a clergy- man ; and I recal something of the contents of this letter. It was to tell me, that he and his wife lay in prison there upon a false accusation, of which he hoped they should be speedily cleared. In the mean time he desired me to recollect, that he had officiated some weeks for the chaplain at Bromley college, and had preached once or twice in the parish church there. He intreated me to give him a certificate of this, because it would stand him in much stead in order to his justification : and withal, that I would send him something out of my charity, for his and his wife's relief in their great distress.

This, my lords, I dare say was the whole substance of that letter, and this was two or three years ago at least.

To that letter I am sure I made no reply in writing. Only, hav- ing not the least remembrance of him myself, I inquired in the neighbourhood, and among the widows in the college; intending to have sent him some alms suitable to his condition and mine, had I found him worthy.

But, upon inquiry, I received from all hands so very ill a charac- ter both of this Young and his wife, that I resolved to give him no

AND ROBERT YOUNG,