I Appoint Thomas Newcomb, and Henry Hills, to Print this Informa­tion, According to the Order of the HOUSE OF COMMONS; And that no other Person presume to Print the same. Novemb. 10th 1680.

Wi WILLIAMS, Speaker.

The INFORMATION OF Francisco de Faria, Delivered at the BAR of the HOUSE OF COMMONS, Munday the First day of November, in the year of our Lord, 1680.

Perused and Signed to be Printed, accord­ing to the Order of the House of Commons, BY ME William Williams, Speaker.

[royal blazon or coat of arms]

LONDON, Printed by the Assigns of John Bill, Thomas Newcomb, and Henry Hills, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty, 1680.

THE INFORMATION OF FRANCISCO de FARIA,

Born in America, Son of John de Faria a Jew, of St. Giles in the Fields Gent, Taken upon Oath before Me Edmund Warcupp Esq one of His Majesties Justices of the Peace in the said County and City, in presence of John Arnold Esquire, by Command of the Right Ho­norable the Lords Committees, for Dis­covery of the late Popish Plot 26. Octob. l680.

THis Informant saith, That, being a Limner in Antwerp in Flanders, in the year 1675. by the persuasion of Three of the Sisters of Sir George Wakeman, then in the Nunnery of Sta. Teresia, and of Father Worsely a Jesuit, he be­came a Roman Catholick, and often, communi­cated at his hand. And the said Worsely then per­suaded this Informant to come into England, and he would make this Informant happy, and then gave this Informant 35 Pistols in Gold, to bear this Informant's charges for England. But this Inform­ant did not immediately follow him to England, [Page 2]but took up Arms, and was a Captain Lievte­nant under Colonel Montgomery, in the Prince of Orange's Service, where he practised to make and throw hand-Granadoes, and grew to some note for that Service; and in the year 1678, this In­formant being in England, and well versed in Seven or Eight Languages was preferred to be Interpreter and Secretary of Languages to Gaspar Abrew de Freitas Ambassador in ordinary from the Prince of Portugal to the King of England. To which Ambassador this Informant had been known for many years before and the said Ambas­sador among other things, acquainted this In­formant, that Don Francisco de Melos the late Am­bassador that died here was much out of favour with the Prince of Portugal, for that he had in­discreetly pushed on, the Promotion of the Ca­tholick Religion before a due time, and had caused several Popish Books to be Printed in Eng­lish, which had given too great alarm, with many other things relating to the Popish Reli­gion, which he greatly condemned him for; And the said Ambassador, to indear this Infor­mant, did often give him Money and intrust­ed him in Affairs of the greatest Moment, [...]nd carried this Informant with him, to all or most of the great Ministers of State in England, using him for his Interpreter; and employed this In­formant to resort to several Persons for an ac­count of the Orders and Passages in the Kings Council, of all which the said Ambassador usu­ally had an account within an hour after the ri­sing of the Council, or any Committees. And the said Ambassador, much about the time of the Trial of the Five Jesuits, expressing a great [...]rrow, for the oppression of the Catholicks, [Page 3]did wish that Oates and Bedlow were made away; And then commanded this Informant to go to Mass and Confession, and then told this Infor­mant, that he might do the Catholick Cause great Service, and might make his own Fortune, if he would joyn in destroying Oates and Bedlow, and that 50000 Reales d'ocho should be gi­ven for that Service, and that two sufficient men should joyn with this Informant for the killing of Oates and Bedlow; But the said Bedlow being a­bout that time in Ireland the said Murder was deferred, and a report being spread, that Bedlow was dead in Ireland, the said Lord Ambassador said to this Informant, What a Fool were you! had you killed him, you had gained that Mo­ney which I promised: But afterwards under­standing that Bedlow was not dead, the said Am­bassador renewed his Solicitations to this Infor­mant to prosecute the death of Oates and Bedlow, assuring this Informant, That he would make good his promise of the said Sum of Money to them, which should kill them; That he would be­sides, pay this Informants Debts, and take this Informant with him into Portugal. Upon which Discourse, this Informant took the boldness to tell the Ambassador, That the Death of Godfrey had done much hurt to the Catholick Interest, and he much feared, that the death of Oates and Bedlow would bring greater hurt. To which the Ambassador replyed, he feared not that; and if Oates and Bedlow and Shaftsbury were out of the way, the Parliament might come when they please. Whereupon this Informant asked, How shall Shaftsbury be killed? He replyed, Lord Shaftsbury goes often into the Country, and I know you are excellent at hand-Granadoes, you [Page 4]shall throw one of them into Shaftsbury's Coach, which will destroy all that are in the Coach upon the breaking, and you and your Companions shall also have Fire Arms to kill, if the other do not full Execution. And the Ambassador ad­ded, that he had provided Two other Persons, Men of Honour, to joyn with this Informant in that Service, but named them not, nor the re­ward that was promised to be given for it; And then ordered this Informant to provide a Man who could speak French and Dutch to carry a Letter into Flanders; Whereupon this Informant applied himself to one Salter, who keeps a Semp­sters Shop in Drury-Lane, to carry the Letter: Who saying, he could not go, because he had Horses lame; which this Informant's Servant ob­serving, said Sir, If you please my Husband shall go; But this Informant refused him as not speak­ing French, nor acquainted with the Country. And this Informant did (according to the Ambas­sador's Order) offer the said Salter 10. l. to un­dertake the Journey, because he was acquaint­ed with the Country, &c.

February last past, the said Ambassador left Eng­land, and returned to Portugal, leaving this In­formant on a sudden with very little Money, af­ter his many promises to take this Informant with him into Portugal, and to get the Prince to pro­vide plentifully for him in Portugal. Upon which this Informant recollecting the said form­er passages, and fearing lest he should be accus­ed, though innocent, went to his own Father, declaring the offers made to this Informant for the killing the Persons aforesaid; but his Father and Mother advised him to throw Ashes upon it, for none that have discover'd are secure, be­cause [Page 5]some are of one mind and some of ano­ther; And this Informant then left a Note with his Mother, signifying that if this Informant were killed, it must be by the Portugals, and he would lay his Death to them, because of the passages a­foresaid; and did the like with Mrs. Mary Seares, who finding this Informant in a very disturbed condition, observing that in his Frenzy fits he spoke of the Death of Oats, Bedlow and Shaftsbury; so far prevailed with this Informant when out of his Frenzy fits, as to make him relate the whole Sto­ry to her, who then persuaded this Informant to keep all secret, lest he brought himself into Troubles. But this Informant hearing about the 16th. of April last, That a certain Gentleman of note was wounded almost to Death, did recollect that one Wyard had tempted him to Bastinado such a kind of Person, which this Informant had before, viz.

In the beginning of March, told unto the said Mrs. Mary Seares, for an account whereof this Informant refers himself to his Information ta­ken before Sir Philip Mathews, a Copy whereof this Informant delivered this day to the said Committee of Lords: And this Informant did also repair about the first of May last to the Earl of Clarendon, and in writing gave the said Earl under his hand, a Paper containing the matter about the wounding the said Gentleman, and hopes the said Earl will produce the said Paper, to which this Informant refers. To which this Informant added by word of mouth, That the Earl of Shaftsbury was in danger of his Life: to which Earl this Informant repaired, because he was going into Flanders, and fearing he might be accused for the wounding of the said Gentle­man, [Page 6]during his absence, That that writing deli­vered to the Earl of Clarendon might clear his Innocency; And this Informant farther saith, That the Lady Abergavenny sent for this Infor­mant into Lincolns-Inn-fields this last Summer was a twelve month; And then told this Infor­mant, The Lord Powis would speak with him in the Tower: To which this Informant answered, He would; but acquainting the said Ambassador therewith, His Excellency forbid him to go: wherewith this Informant also acquainted the said Earl of Clarendon, who seemed to know the Lady Abergavenny, saying, She was his Neighbour; and he farther saith, That a certain Person came to the Ambassador, and in this Informant's pre­sence, told the Ambassador, That one Roberts Porter to the Water-gate at Somerset-house was Apprehended, upon which this Informant ob­served the Ambassador to look very pale, and thereupon asked the Ambassador, My Lord, Is he concerned in this business with me? To which the Ambassador replyed, He is a man of Courage, and will undertake any thing.

And in May last, this Informant's Brother, A­braham de Faria coming to London, this Infor­mant told the Ambassador of it; Who asked if he were a Catholick: and being answered thereto, His Excellency asked if he were a Man of Cou­rage. Whereunto this Informant replied, We are all well born and bred. And His Lordship replied, I would have him in this Affair with us, were I sure of him: and commanded this In­formant to send him to him. And this Infor­mant told his said Brother, that the Ambassador would speak with him. But this Informant was not with him when he went to the Ambassador, [Page 7]nor knoweth what passed between them. And this Informant saith, That upon the day of Sir George Wakeman's Trial, the Ambassador sent him in his Coach to wait upon the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, and sent up word by one of his Gentle­men, That one from the Portugal Ambassador would speak with him. The Servant brought answer, That he could not see the Ambassador that day, because he should be engaged upon the Trial of Sir George Wakeman all the day. Which the Ambassador being acquainted with, his Lord­ship sent this Informant to hear the Trial. And this Informant stood by Sir George all the time, and gave him white Paper to write upon: and employed one Mr. Cooper a Scrivener in Drury-Lane to take in Writing the Trial, and gave him 20 s. for his pains: which this Informant deli­vered to the Ambassador; who immediately sent it to the Queen then at Windsor: with which, and a Letter, this Informant should have gone to Windsor, had he not been very weary. And that same night this Informant was sent to Sir George Wakeman's in St. Martins-Lane, to Comple­ment him on the Ambassadors part: but he was not then come to his Lodging in St. Martins-Lane. So this Informant went next morning, and found him in bed with his Wife, and (as this Informant was Commanded) told him from the Ambassador, That his Fortune and Estate was at his service, and so was his Prince's; and the Prayers of the good Catholicks have prevailed for your delivery; and we are all bound to Sir Philip Lloyd for his Generosity to you at the Trial: and we are all bound to pray for him. Whereunto Sir George Wakeman replied, If it had not been for him, I had not been saved: and [Page 8]so we are all bound to pray for him. And I pray return my Lord many thanks for his Offers: and that he would wait on his Excellency that very day, to give him thanks for his Favours: but that he must first go to Windsor, to wait on the Queen: but at his Return he would wait on his Excellen­cy. And Sir George then took this Informant by the hand, and said, I am sorry, Mr. Faria, that I had not the happiness to speak with you be­fore: For I am informed what a Man you are; and that you could do great Service for the Catholicks: But alas! it is now too late. Thence this Informant went again, by Order, to the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, to know when my Lord Ambassador should Visit him. The Lord Scroggs answered, That the Ambassador would do him great Honour to Visit him, but he was that day to go out of Town by One of the Clock. Wherewith the Ambassador being ac­quainted, he went about Twelve in his Sedan, with a Coach of State, wherein this Informant was, to the Lord Scroggs in Chancery-Lane. The Complement was in Portugueze (and this Infor­mant Interpreted) to this effect: My Lord, I come to Visit you as you are a Minister of State; and am sent as Ambassador from the Prince of Portu­gal, to the King of Great Britain, and am di­rected to Visit you; and am likewise to thank you for the Justice you have done Yesterday to Sir George Wakeman. To which the Lord Scroggs answered, I am placed to do Justice, and will not be curbed by the Vulgar: and so I thank your Prince, and your self for the great Honour you have done me. And this Informant farther saith, That a Portugueze came to him, when the Earl of Ossory was to go for Tangier, offering this Infor­mant, [Page 9]that he might go with the said Earl, as his Interpreter, and should have 300 l. per Annum for his pains. But this Informant reflecting, That the Sum offered was too big for that Service, believ­ed this was a Snare to take away his Life. The same Portugueze offered him to go for Flanders, where Monsieur Fonsec might prefer him to the Prince of Parma. But he looked upon that as a Snare also, and therefore refused. And this In­formant saith, That about 6 Months ago he was assaulted by Two unknown Persons, with their Swords drawn; but he happily escaped from them. And farther saith not.

Francisco de Faria.

The Information that the said Infor­mant gave to the Lord Clarendon, the 1. day of May, Anno Dom. 1680.

The Information of Francis de Faria Com. Midd. of St. Giles in the Fields, Gent. Taken upon Oath before Sir Philip Mathews Bar. One of His Majesties Justices of the Peace for the said County, Assigned this 15 day of July. 1680.

THis Informant on his Oath saith, That a­bout the latter end of March, or the begin­ning of April last past, a Gentleman who called himself Mr. Wyard, came to this Informant at Will's Coffee-House in Covent-Garden, and spake [Page 10]very kindly to this Informant, and desired this Informant to go to a Tavern and drink a Glass of Wine with him: Which this Informant consented unto, and went out of the Coffee-House with him, and desired him to go to the Rose-Tavern in Bridges-street: But he desired to go farther. At the Horse-Shoe Tavern this Informant desired the said Wyard to go in thither; But he there desired to go farther, and so drilled this Informant on into Grays-Inn Walks: Which this Informant consented unto. And in Discourse he there told this Informant, that this Informant had his For­tune in his hand. This Informant ask'd him, In What? The said Wyard replied, He knew my wants: If you will but Cudgel a Man, you shall have 200 l. One Hundred in hand, and the other Hundred when the Work or Business is done. To which this Informant replied, That that might be done by a Porter for a Shilling. To which the said Wyard replied, You may believe, by the Sum that is offered, that there is some­thing more to be done besides Cudgelling. And when you have done, you shall have a better Re­ward.

To which this Informant replyed, He scorn'd such unworthy and base Proposals; and utterly refused to treat with him about it. Then the said Wyard desired this Informant to go and speak with the Lord Powis in the Tower. To which this Informant answered, That he had no busi­ness with the Lord Powis, nor the Lord Powis any with him, as he knew of. Who then shewed this Informant a Letter from the Lord Powis to this Informant: which Letter was to this effect,

Mr. de Faria, Come to me to the Tower, and speak with me: but let no body know who you are.

The said Mr. Wyard, when he found this In­formant utterly refused to go to the Lord Powis, or to treat in the said business any farther, the said Wyard then told this Informant, He would meet this Informant in the same place on the morrow; and would then bring this Informant a Letter from a Person of Quality, whose hand this Informant did well know: and that this In­formant had Papers then in his pocket, under the said Persons hand. And on the morrow the said Wyard did meet this Informant in the said place, and then shewed him a Letter writ in the Portugueze Language, which contained these words, being into English Translated.

Francis,

Do what this man bids you; for it shall be well done.

Subscribed G. A. B.

And this Informant farther saith, That he knew the Hand, and did compare with some Papers he had in his Pocket, then signed by the same Hand. But notwithstanding the said Letter, this Infor­mant utterly refused to treat about the said busi­ness any farther.

The said Wyard then desired this Informant to meet him the next day again, and took his leave. And this Informant being desirous to know who the said Wyard was, and where he lay, followed the said Wyard down Chancery-Lane, and into Cursitors-Alley, and into several turnings, but lost sight of him. And the next day this Informant went to the same place, to meet the said Wyard, but the said Wyard came not; nor could this In­formant ever since find the said Wyard, or hear of him, though he hath made a great and gene­ral Enquiry after him: But saith, He could know him again if he could see him. And farther, [Page 12]this Informant saith, That He the same day de­clared unto one Monsieur Camash, That he was offered 200 l. to Cudgel a man. And also saith, That being apprehensive that he might be called in question after Mr. Arnold was Assaulted, the said Monsieur Camash having charged him with it, and with receiving of the said 200 l. This Infor­mant went unto the Right Honourable the Earl of Clarendon, about the first day of May, and desired his Honour to take his Information in Writing, (this Informant being to go into Flanders) which the said Earl did; and this Informant set his hand to it. And farther at present saith not.

Signed, Francisco de Faria.

Jurat coram me, Philip Mathews,15 July 1680.

This last Information only was Sworn before Sir Philip Mathews.

Francisco de Faria.
FINIS.

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