THE Informations OF Francisco de Faria: Interpreter, &c.
THE Popes of Rome ever since the Loss of the Brittish Teritories, have alwayes had an eager desire to reduce to their Pontifical Obedience those golden Rivolets, and silver Streams that from thence, were wontto run into the main Ocean of their Babilonish Treasury. England and Ireland, were those Fortunate Islands that fed their Lazie, irreligious Monks with Fat of most fruitful Soyles, and cram'd the Papal Coffers with the Spoils of two populous and wealthy Nations. And therefore some of those mock-show Pontiffs imediately made it their business to recover so great a loss by force of Armes, exhorting and animating their Slave the Spaniard, to a general Invasion; which proving insuccesful, they have been Clandestinly restless ever since, by mysterious Plots and Contrivances, against the Lives of several Successive Princes, to compass [Page 2] that by Fraud and Secret Violence which they could not bring about by open Force.
There is no question to be made, that this late dismal and horrid Plot, against the Life and Government of his most sacred Majesty now Reigning, was forged in the same Mint, and had its rise from the same Diabolical Councels at Rome, else it would be almost impossible, that the Venome of papistical Influence should spread it self into the Brests of Forreign Princes, to undertake the Support of Rebel Subjects, plotting against their Native Soveraignes, to contribute toward the management of such Designs, and to Authorize their Ambassadors to be the double diligent Solicitors for the Lives of Criminals, condemned by the Law of this Land.
So that this Information of mine, seems to be altogether new, as relating to the Person of a publick Forreign Minister, who under the Covert, and Sacred protection of the Law of Nations, rather acted as a Violator of that Law, than in prosecution of his publick Duty.
The evil Practices of this publick Minister, I am now by publick Warrant to make known to the World for general Satisfaction, by the name of Francisco Faria, particularly employed in the Service of the said Ambassador, as shall be related in order, by which I came to the Knowledge of what I here divulge for Sacred and Undeniable Truth.
Know then that I Francisco de Faria was born at Fernambuco in Brazile, a Province of Southern America, under the Diminion of the King of Portugal, in the Year 1653, from whence I was by my Parents brought into Holland, in the tender year of my Infancy, and continued there till the year 1662, at what time I came hither into England from hence having a desire to see the World, I travelled through the most considerable Parts of it, and by that means attained to the Knowledge of seven or eight Languages, returning back from Flanders into England in the Year 1678, I was presently admitted into the Service of Don Gasper de Abreu [Page 3] de Freitas, then newly arrived at London, in the quality of Ambassador in ordinary from the Crown of Portugal, to be assistant to him as his Interpreter and Secretary of Languages, in regard he was a Person that understood no other Languages himself, than the Portugese, Spanish, and Italian; In which Capacity, I continued with him, during his Excellencies Stay in England; for the Reader is to understand, that I had been known to the said Ambassador formerly, that is to say, when I was first in England fifteen Years before, at what time his Excellency was also in England, but with the Title only of Envoy extraordinary from the said Crown, and then was I a great Companion and Friend of Don Christophoro, the Envoys Nephew, being a Youth of the same Age with my self, and upon that Account familiarly and dayly frequented the said Envoys House. Whereupon, when the said Envoy came again into England as Ambassador, my Father who then resided here, and was his old Acquaintance, went according to his Obligations to kiss his Excellencies Hand.
Then it was that the Ambassador enquired of my Father for his Son Francisco, meaning my self, to whom my Father made Answer, that I had been a great Travellour, that I was by that means become Master of several Languages, that I had been an Officer in the Prince of Oranges Service, and was newly arrived in England, thereupon the Ambassador was very importunate with my Father to send for me, as a person that he thought might be very useful to him.
When I came, the Ambassador tenderly embraced me as one that was heartily glad to see me, and presently entertained me in the quality before mentioned, by which meanes it will be no wonder, that I should have the Opportunity of being privy to those things of which I here give publick Information, as being Occurrencies that [Page 4] could not scape my Knowledge, because of the confidence which the Ambassador reposed in me, and the necessity which he had to converse and discourse with those that did not understand his Language. In this Condition I continued with his Excellency all the time of his abode in England, which was a Year, or thereabouts. But before his Departure for Portugal, which was in February 1679 / 80, I was informed by his Excellency, from his own Lips, that there was a certain Justice of the Peace (whose Name I could never learn from him) who was a very great Persecutor of the Roman Catholicks, in the Country where he lived; for which reason, there was a Design laid, to procure his Death by Assassination.
After that, the Ambassador went away, and I heard no more of the Business till the latter end of March or the beginning of April: at what time, being out of Employment, and preparing for new Travels, a certain Person came to me by the Name of Wyard, who took me into Greyes-Inn-Walks, and there telling me I had now a fair Opportunity in my Hands to make my self and my Fortunes for eyer, made me several Proposals for the cudgelling, which indeed imported no less than the killing a Nameless Gentleman; which notwithstanding all his Perswasions, I absolutely refused, as being an Action that I utterly detested and abhorr'd; however, upon second Thoughts, I communicated the said Wyards Proposals to a particular Friend of mine, one Monseiur Camas.
Some fourteen Dayes after it happened that one John Arnold Esq; a Justice of the Peace in the Couuty of Monmouth who was reported to have been very active against the Papists, was really and ipso facto Assassinated in Bell-yard near Temple-Bar. Whereupon the next Day, while the Alarum was hot, my forementioned Friend Monseir Camas came in grear hast to me, and told me that I must undoubtedly [Page 5] be one of the Bravos that had committed the Fact, and therefore advised me as a Friend, to take speedy Benefit of his Majesties Proclamation, both as to the Reward and Pardon; but I being altogether innocent of the Crime, by several Protestations, and by giving him a faithful Account where I had spent my time all that Day and Night, so well cleared my self to my Friend, that he remained fully satisfyed and convinced of my Sincerity. However, being then resolved to go for Flanders to seek Employment, and fearing lest if Monseiur Camas should make known the Information I had given him, in reference to Wyards Propositions, before I did it my self, I should not only be stopped in my Journey, but that worse might befall me, being ill provided for the Expences of a tedious Imprisonment, I took the boldness to make my addresses to the Earl of Clarendon, as having formerly had the Honour to wait upon his Lordship with my Ambassador, as Interpreter between them, and gave his Lordship a full Account under my Hand; dated the first of May 1680, being Saturday of all that had past between the said Wyard, Mounseiur Camas and my self, this being done, I begun to think again of my Journey, but considering better with my self, that it would be more convenient for me to stand to my own Justification, and upon the perswasion of a Gentlewoman to whom I had communicated the whole Affair, who told me, I might as well be knocked o'th Head beyond Sea as here▪ for what I had already declared to her, suspecting that I might as well declare the same to others, as being a Reveng very common among the Partugueses, I altered my Resolutions and continued in England. Upon the Tryal of Giles, who was after this apprehended for the Assassination aforesaid, one Mr. Nathaniel Cox, my intimate Acquaintance, told me that he was going to hear the Tryal of one Giles, who had Assassinated a very good Friend of his, one Mr. John Arnold, a Country Justice; I [Page 6] Answered him that I had a great Desire to see Giles, for that I supposed, I could do the said Mr. Arnold a considerable kindness, upon which Mr. Cox carried me to wait upon Mr. Arnold, to whom I gave an exact Description of the said Wyard, which after I had finished, Mr. Arnold told me that he had a very strong Suspicion of a Person exareamly like to him whom I had so described, but his Name was not Wyard. Thereupon I went and viewed the said Giles my self, but did not remember I had ever seen him before, however, Mr. Arnold desired me to repair to some Justice of the Peace, and give him an Account in Writing upon Oath, what I knew concerning the said Wyard. Whereupon I made the following Deposition before Sr. Phillip Matthews.
Com. midd.The Information of Francisco de Faria of St Giles in the Fields Gent. Taken upon Oath before Sir Phillip Matthews, Barronet, One of His Majesties Justices of the Peace for the said County, Assigned this Fifteenth 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 Coffe-House in Covenant-Garden and spake very kindly to this Informant and desired this Informant to go to a Tavern & 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 to. 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 200l. One Hundred in hand, and the other Hundred when the Work or [Page 8] 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 some thing more to be done besides Cudgelling. And when you have done, you shall have a better Reward.
To which this Informant replied, He scorned 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.
Do what this Man bids you, for it shall be well done. Subscribed,
And this Informant farther sayeth, That he knew the Hand, and did compare it with some Papers he had then in his Pocket, 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 had made a great and general Enquiry after him: But saith, He could know him again if he could see him. And farther, this Informant sayeth, That he the same day declared unto one Monsieur Camas, 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 Monseiur Camas having charged him with it and with receiving of the same 200 l. This Informant went to 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 [Page 10] Flanders) which the said Earl did; and this Informant set his Hand to it. And farther at present sayeth not.
This first Information only was sworn before Sir Phillip Mathews.
THE INFORMATION OF FRANCISCO DE FARIA,
Born in America, Son of John de Faria, of St. Giles in the Field, Gent. Taken upon Oath before [...] Edmond Warcupp Esquire, one of his Majesties Justices of 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. 1680.
THis Informant saith, that being a Limner in Antwerp, in Flanders, in the year 1675, by the Perswasion of three of the Sisters of Sir George Wakeman, then in the Nunnery of St. Teresia, and of Father Worsely a Jesuit, he became a Roman Catholick, and often communicated at his hand. And the said Warsely then perswaded this Informant to come into England, and he would make this Informant happy, and then gave this Informant 35 Pistels in Gold, to bear this Informants Charges for England. But this Informant did not immediately follow him to England, but took up Arms, and was Captain Lieutenant under Colonel Montgomery, in the Prince of Orange's Service; [Page 12] 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 Gasper de Abreu 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 Melot, 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 England, which had given too great an 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 Mony and intrust him in Affairs of the greatest Moment, and carried this Informant with him, to all or most of the great Ministers of State in England, using him for his interpreter; and employing 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 Tryal of the five Jesuits, expressing a great Sorrow for the Oppression of the Catholicks, did w [...] that Oats 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 join in destroying Oats and Bedlow, and that 50000 Reales d'occi [...] should be given for that Service, and that two sufficient men should joyn with this Informant [Page 13] for the killing of Oats 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 Oats 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 Oats and Bedlow would bring greater hurt. To which the Ambassador replyed, he feared not that; and if Oats 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, the Lord Shaftsbury goes often into the Country, and I know you are excellent at hand-Granadoes, you 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 have Fire-Arms to kill, if the other do not full Execution. And the Amabssador 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, to carry a Letter into Flanders, Whereupon this Informant applyed himself to one Salter, who keeps a Sempsters Shop in Drury-Lane, to carry the Letter: Who saying he [Page 14] 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 Countrey. 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 Countrey, &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 Innocant, 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 discovered are secure because 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 Sears, 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 perswaded 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 tempred him to Bastmado such a kind of Person, which this Informant had before, viz.
In the beginning of March, told unto the said Mrs. [Page 15] Mary Searr, for an account whereof this Informant refers himself to his Information taken before Sir Phillip 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, during his absence, desired that that Writing delivered to the Earl of Clarendon might clear his Innocency; and this Informant further sayeth, 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 acquainted 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 sayeth, that a certain Person came to the Ambassador, and in the Informant's Presence told the Ambassador, that [...] 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 Informants's Brother, Abraham de Farid coming to London, this Informant told the Ambassador [Page 16] 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 replyed We are all well born and bred. And his Lordship replyed, 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, nor knoweth, what passed betwen them. And this Informant further faith, That upon the day of Sir George Wake-Man's Trial, the Ambassador sent him in his Coach to wait upon the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, and sent up VVord by one of his Gentlemen, That one from the Portugal Ambassador vvould speake vvith him. The Servant brought ansvver, That he could not see the Ambassador that day, because he should be engaged upon the Trial of Sir Gorge Wakeman all the day. Which the Ambassador being acquainted vvith, his Lord ship sent this Informant to hear the Trial. And this Informant stood by Sir George all the Trial and gave him vvhite Paper to vvrit 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: vvith vvhich and a Letter, this Informant should have gone to Windsor, had he not been very weary. And that same Night this Informant vvas sent to Sir George Wakemans in St. Martins-Lane, to complement him on the Ambassadors part: but he vvas not then come to his Lodging in St. Martins-Lane. So this Informant vvent next▪ Morning▪ and found him in Bed vvith his Wife,) and (as this Informant vvas commanded) told him from the Ambassador. That his Fortune and Estate vvas at his Service, and so vvas his Princes; and the Prayers of the good Catholicks have [Page 17] prevailed for your delivery; and we are all bound to Sir. Philip Loyd for his Generosity to you at the Tryal: 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 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's in Chancery-Lane. The [...]mplement was, in Porugueze (and this Informant Interpreted) to this effect: My Lord I come to Vi [...] 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, [Page 18] and will not be curbed by the Vulgar: and so I thank your Prince, and yourself for the great Honour you have done me. And his Informant father saith, That a Portugueze came to him, when the Earl of Ossory was to go for Tangeir, offering this Informant, 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 afterwards offered him to go for Planders where Monsieuer Fonsec might prefer him to the Prince of Prama. But he looked upon that as a Snare also, and therefore refused. And this Informant saith, that about six Months ago he was assaulted by two unknown Persons with then Swords drawn, but he happily escaped from them. And further sayeth not.
Colonel Warcupp having taken this Information, carryed me a second time to the Lords of the Committee, before whom, I again attested and Justifyed upon Oath, what I had Sworn before the Justice of Peace; the [...] also observing what I had said concerning Mr. Sauer and Mrs. Seare, Commanded the Colonel to take (the Examinations likewise, which was accordingly done next day▪ and the Depositions carryed up to the Lords, who found them agreeable to my Information, and this was n [...] so [...] Confirmation of the Truth of what I had Sworn, the Depositions Coppied from the Originals in the Hands of the Clerk of the Lords House, are these that follow.
Midd. and Westr. The INFORMATION of Richard Salter of St. Clement Danes, Milliner, taken this 27th. of October 1680. before me Edmund Warcupp, Esquire, one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace in the said County and City, by the Command of the Lords Committee of Examination of the late Popish Plot.
THis Informant sayeth, that Francisco de Faria, was as this Informant heard, Interpreter to the Portugal Ambassador, about February last past, at which time he asked this Informant, whether he would carry a Letter into Flanders, whereunto this Informant replyed he would send a Letter by the Post, but Mr. Faria answered, he must send it by a Messenger express, and himself was suddenly to follow after it; and he choose this Informant to carry the Letter, because this Informant knew the Country, having been there before, and could also speak the Language. And he proffered this Informant ten Pounds for the Voyage, but this Informant refused to go, because he had three Horses upon his Hand, and one of them was lame; but Mr. Faria seemed unsatisfyed with this Informants denyal, and added many Prayers and Importunities to his Proffer of the ten Pound, but could not prevail, and this Informant well remembers that he saw the said Mr. Faria in some kind of Frensical and Melancholy Fitts, and threw himself upon the Floor, about the Month of March last past, and this Informant helped to hold him up, and further sayeth not.
The INFORMATION of Mrs. Mary S [...]alies, taken upon Oat [...] the Day aforementioned, by the Command of the said Lords Committee.
THis informant sayeth, That Monseiuer Francisco de Faria, about the Months of February and March last past, came several times to his Lodgings very Melancholly and disturbed, and sometimes was in Frenzical Fitts, and in his Sleep and Frenzy would often cry out upon Murderers, and did sometimes call out, naming Oats and Bedlow, and sometimes the Ambassador, and once cryed, pitty my youthfull Dayes my Lord, which Disturbance this Informant observing, did at length prevail with him to tell her what the Matter was, and he then told her, there was a Design to kill Oats and Bedlow and Shaftsbury and a Country Gentleman, but who it was he could not tell, whereupon this Informant told him, there was a great deal of danger in knowing of it, and this Informant then perswaded him to say nothing of it, lest he fell into Danger, and if he should discover it, he should get no Credit by it, but would be looked upon as a Knave: as Oats and Bedlow were by the Company his Informant kept Company with, and this Informant did really fear he would come by some Mischief, when ever he went abroad, and therefore desired him when ever he stayed out late, to send this Informant word where he was, which he usually did, and he charged this Informant, to declare if he came by any Mischance, it came from the Portugal Ambassador or some that belonged to him, and this Informant saith that the said Faria told her, that he would go that Day to the Earl of Clarendon, and had told [Page 21] him of some Business, whereupon this Informant asked him who the Earl of Clarendon was, and he answered a very honest Gentleman, and one of the Parliament, and no notice being taken of it afterwards, this Informant did admire at the reason of it, and she further saith, that he told her at another time, that he was to go with the Earl of Ossory to Tangier, and was to have three hundred pound a Year, and another time he told this Informant that he had another Offer to go for Flanders and complained to this Informant, that she hindered him from going, but this Informant answered, 'twas not in respect to her, that he did not go, but because he was afraid of his own Life, and she heard the said Faria often say, what unconveniences a man may be drawn into, and yet be Innocent, And this Informant well remembers that he did once perswade Mr. Salter to carry a Letter, but whether it was to carry a Letter to Flanders, or carry a Letter for him when he was in Flanders, she cannot well remember: But she sayes that Salter refused to go because his Horse was lame, but had his Horse been well, he would have hired one to look to him, but being lame he would be spoiled before he returned. And one Mrs. Rogers being present, offered that her Husband should go if he pleased, but Mr. Faria refused him, saying, he knew not the Language nor the Country, and none was so fit as Mr. Salter, whereupon this Informant perswaded Mr. Salters Wife to prevail with her Husband to go, but she refused to let him go and further sayeth not.
As to the Lady Abergavenny mentioned in my Information, I have this to add further, that I do very well remember, that at the time when the five Jesuits were to be hanged, drawn and quartered, the said Lady came to the Portugal Ambassador, and made a most dreadful Complaint to his Excellency, to this Effect, how that we were all ruined, if the said five Jesuits should suffer, for to be sure that the next man that should die would be Sir George Wakeman, in regard the five Jesuits were condemned upon the same Fact, that Sir George Wakeman was guilty of, therefore I desire your Lordship by all means to see if your Lordship can find any way to prevent the Death of those Jesuits.
Upon which my Lord made answer to the said Lady, that he could not Imagine or Find out any way to save their Lives, but that they must die, for said he, we have used all our Endeavours, and made all the Interest vve can, and it vvill not be granted.
Then the said Lady made ansvver to my Lord, that then Sir. George Wakeman vvould have his Tryal, and vvould be condemned and suffer, and then all our Plot vvill be discovered.
My Lord made answer in these vvords, No Madam, vve vvill seek to prevent his Death by some Friend that vve shall make.
Upon vvhich my Lady Abergavenny took her leave of my Lord: I Francisco de Faria vvas Interpreter betvveen them both.
Thus far I have followed the Series of Relation without interruption, as being Occurances that happend and depended one upon another.
I am now to repeat some passages which as they come to my Knowledge upon Various occasions, and at Several [Page 23] times, require not to be so punctually disposed in order as being compleat within themselves.
In January or Febuary 1678 / 9. A Letter vvas sent into Portugal by a Capuchin, belonging to the Queens Chappel at Somerset House, call'd by the name of Paulenio, to a Friend of his at Lisbon, the Letter Containd Words to this Efect.
Our affaires are very well in London, vvhere I hope in a little time there vvill be a great alteration, and our business vvill be at an end in a short time, so that I hope this place vvill all become Catholicks.
The Gentleman that recived the Letter in Lisbon, shewed it to a Friend of his that vvas an English Man, vvho by that time had intelligence of the Discovery of the Plot in England, that Gentle-Man vvrites over immediately from Portugal to a Friend of his in London vvhat he had heard by a Letter from a Capuchin of Somerset-House, upon vvhich the said Gentleman vvent to the King and Counsel, and declared vvhat Newes his Friend had sent him out of Portugal: presently the King and Counsel caused the Queens Confessor to be called, and to be Examined, vvho at that time denyed all, protested his Innocency, that he never vvrote any such Letter, vvhereupon the King and Counsel discharged him, but that very Night there vvas private Intelligence given to the said Father Paulenio upon vvhich he Immediately made his Escape for Flanders, vvhere he staid till the Portugaal Ambssador arrived in the Downs in his passage homevvards, vvhom he then met and Embarqued vvith him for Portugal, in the Ruby Frigat, under the Command of Captain Allum.
And novv that the World may see, hovv this Popish Plot vvas carryed one by General Contributions and Collected Maintenances, either out of Devotion or Fear, I vvill add one Certainty more, vvhich is this, that vvhile I vvas Employed in the service of the said Ambassador, I vvas intrusted [Page 24] among other things, to pay to Mr. Anderson, Alias Munson, a Secular Priest, then a Prisoner in the Kings Bench upon the account of the Plot, fifty Shillings a Month, which money I Constantly paid to his Sister, Mrs. Barbara Tempest, Living in Holborn near the Kings Gate, during the whole time of the Ambassadors Residence in England. One day I took the boldness to ask his Excellency why he gave that Allowance to the said Monson, to which he was pleased to answer, because he had been his Chaplaine fifteen Years before, when he was but Envoy Extraordinary to the King of England from the King of Portugal, to which when I replyed, that I supposed his Excellency did not allow it him for that reason only, but that I belived he was concerned in the Plot, his Excellency returned this Answer, why Francis do you think that if you were taken upon Suspicion, that I and all of us were not bound to assist you with our Lives and Fortunes, as we do particularly this Mr. Munson, and all others in his Condition, lest they should discover the Plot? And at the same time among the rest of the Contributors, his Excellency named the Lady Penalua, Sister to Don Franciso de Melo, who died Ambassador in Ordinary in England, in the Year 1678.
A certain Sign that the Ambassador was deeply concerned, who was so profuse of his Life and Fortune, to Strangers in a Forreign Country, where if it had been otherwise neither his Life nor his Fortune had been in the least danger or Jeopardy.
The further INFORMATION of Francisco de Faria upon Oath before me Edmund Warcupp Esq; one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace in the said County and City, this Day of December, 1680. Mid. and West.
THis Informant being duely Sworn and Examined, saith, that in the Month of July 1679, when Sir George Wakeman Baronet, William Marshal and William Rumley, Gentlemen; and James Corker the Priest were Tryed in the Old Bayly, he employed one Mr. Cooper by Order of his Master Gasper de Abreu de Frietas, Ambassador in Ordinary from the Crown of Portugal, to take in Writing the said Tryals, which he did; and the said Trials were transcribed, and afterwards read and interpreted unto the said Ambassador, who seemed to be exceedingly displeased with Mr. Marshal for so over-doing his Defence, in regard said he, the said Mr. Marshal was well assured before hand, he should not be Condemn'd, and in these long Speeches, said he, he hath too much reflected on the Innocency of them that had already Suffered, and took too much No, tree of the Blood already shed, by which he endanger'd the s [...]oning of the whole Business, by exasperating the Court and Jury against them all.
That some time after the said Trials, there was a report about the Court and City, that Articles were coming out against the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, upon which the said Ambassador told this Informant, he would give fifty Guinneys to have a Copy of them before they were made publick.
That some time before the Ambassador acquainted this Informant, that he intended to send to Portugal for his [Page 26] Lady, and that this Informant should be her Gentleman Usher, and also continue in his present Capacity of Secretary and Interpreter.
That the said Ambassador did in order thereto furnish his House, and one Day, being very intent upon Work Men, who were putting up some Tapestry Hangings, a very large Pacquet of Letters was brought his Excellency by Doctor Mendex, one of the Queens Majesties Physitians, which he had no sooner read, but he acquainted this Informant, that he must forthwith go for Portugal, to which this Informant answered, that he much wondred at it, and was not a little surprised to hear it especially, in regard that his Excellency being Ambassador in Ordinary, must then leave the Ambassadage Extraordinary behind him, a thing unusual. But his Excellency answered this Informant, that he must go, and that immediately, and would leave Orders to sell his Coach and Horses, and other things after he was gone. This Informant still pressing the Reasons of so sudden a Departure, was by the said Ambassador answered, that otherwise he thought he should be called before the King and Counsel, upon the Lord Scroggs his account, and added, Francis, you must then go also, but I charge you not to say, that you went to the said Lord Scroggs from me, that Fryday on which Sir George Wakeman was Tried, but that you went on your own head, and that you went to him from me on the Saturday after only, for God above knows, what we do is for the Catholick Cause, and that God below (pointing to his Chappel, which was under his Chamber, in which we then were) will pardon us, and justify us in what we do. At which time there being a rumour that the Earl of Ossory was to go for Madrid, to complement that King upon his Marriage, and that he would Embarque for Lisbon, and go thence by Land to Madrid, the Ambassador said he would go with him. [Page 27] But he then again further charged this Informant to say, if he should happen to be examined before the Council, that the Ambassador sent him, and went himself to the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs by a Mistake, as looking on him to be a publick Minister of State. Whereupon this Informant having alwayes great Freedom of Discourse with the said Ambassador, asked his Lordship his reasons, and why his Lordship did direct him to say in that manner touching the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, and his Lordship thereupon answered him in the Portuguese Language with a Proverb of that Countrey, in these words, Chen es muy curioso, novive muto, which in English is, He that is over curious never liveth long. Whereupon this Informant thought fit to forbear any further Questions in that Matter, promising to obey his Lordships Command about the said Lord Chief Justice Scroggs.
And this Informant saith, that he well remembers, that this Discourse was on the last Lord Mayors Day was twelve Months.
And this Informant saith, that at the time when his Majesty was ill at Windsor, this Informant being in Discourse with the said Ambassador, did ask his Lordship what should be done with the Queen in Case his Majesty should tben die, which God forbid he should, who answered, that so soon as his Majesties Eyes were closed, the Marquess de Aronches Extraordinary Ambassador, or else himself would immediately go with her Majesty to Calais, and her Majesty being by one of them thus secured, the other should stay here, and then England should be treated with, to restore Tangeir, and the rest of her Majesties Dowry, vvhich he said was the reason that two Ambassadors were here at one time, for said he, should the King die, the Queen would be imprisoned and punished, or made a Slave in England, and we come not hither (to repeat his own words) Nos non v [...]m [...] para [...]nsi [...]ar perlos, to thread Pearl, but to take care of her Safety. Francisco de Faria.
[Page 28]And this Informant further saith, That the Ambassador one day asked him if he knew Dugdale. To which he answered, That he knew none of the Witnesses. Then the Ambassador said, Dugdale is a Rogue, because he would not accept the money that was offered him by a Chambermaid▪ For if he had taken the money, he might have gon beyond Sea, and might there have lived happy, and been adored, for that our Church will forgive all that repent. The Ambassador further added at that time, that Burgomanero the Spanish Ambassador was a great Friend of the said Chambermaids, and that the said Burgomonero would be examined before the Council about that Matter, as he thought.
And this Informant further saith, That the Ambassador his Master, after he came home one night from Court, with great Joy said, That Villain Shaftsbury is put out of the Council, and now we must have his Blood▪ calling this Informant Dunce and Blockhead, that he should be at White-Hall and not hear it before.
And this Informant further saith, That at one other time, discoursing of Mr. Coleman that was Executed, he said, If ever any Man was Guilty that died, Coleman was, and therefore could not ever be Canonized for a Saint because of the Guilt, but he might be Absolved.
And this Informant further saith, That at the time when the Duke of Monmouths Cook accused Segnior Antonio Farnandez, belonging to the Queens Confessor, for somwhat said by him or to him about the four Ruffians at Windsor, after he had given directions to one of the Harbingers to provide Lodging for four Irish Gentlemen, for which as this Informant beleives the said▪ Antonio Fernandez was imprisoned in Newgate, and to be tryed at Westminster before the [Page 29] Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, as this Informant heard, but he being out upon Bayl, he came to vvait upon the Ambassador, who ask him whether or no he had spoken to any of the four Irish Gentlemen at Windsor, who replyed, yes, he had to one of them, but he was sure the Rogue, the Cook that had accused him, could not hear him direct the said Person to see him at Night, to which the Ambassador presently replyed, Segnior Fernandez, you shall not be Canoniz'd or suffer Martordom this bout, for we have taken care that nothing shall appear against you, which proved true, the Ambassador giving this Informant a Guiney that day he was to be tryed, and he did attend at Westminister and there saw him in Court, and nothing did appear against him: and this Informant further sayeth, that Dr. Mendez before mentioned, was once in the absence of this Informant Interpreter betwixt the said Ambassador and the Lady Abergavenny, and that the said Dr. Mendez about a Month after the said Ambassador was gone for Portugal, was passing in his Coach by the Shop of one Mr. Phillips on Ludgate-Hill, where the said Dr. Mendez espying this Informant, he took him into his Coach, and as they rode together, this Informant complained that the Ambassador was not so kind to him at his departure as he expected, adding, that he knew enough against the said Ambassador, to ruine him, and should he discover it, would hurt many in England, and the Dr. made answer, I hope you will be more honest than to discover any thing, and this Informant believes, that if the said Dr. Mendez were Examined he would own the same.
This Informant further sayeth, that before the said Ambassador went out of England, he this Informant having much trouble upon his Spirits arising from the Knowledge of the things he hath now discovered, to ease his Mind, did write down the Heads of the same in Portuguese upon a Piece of Paper, and delivered the same to his Mother to lay up carefully for him, and more especially [Page 30] what related to the Design against the Earl of Shaftbury, Dr. Oats, and Mr. Bedlow and a Country Justice, which Paper was Svvorn unto in the House of Peers on Fryday the 19th. of November, 1680.
The following INFORMATION was delivered in the Spanish Language, fairly written by Mr. John Faria my Father, to his Majesty and the Lords, Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament Assembled, who were pleased to Command Mr. William Blathwaire to Translate the same into English, which was done, and the same Sworn unto in the Lords House, his Majesty present, upon the 19th. Day of Nov. 1680.
THIS Informant sayeth, that at the first Arrival of Gasper de Abreu de Freitas, the last Ambassador in Ordinary from Portugal, at the Court of England, this Informant went to visit him, as having had an old Acquaintance with the said Ambassador, at the time when he was here before, in the Quality of Envoy extraordinary to his Maejesty of Great Brittain (whom God preserve) And the said Ambassador asking the Informant about his Son Francisco de Faria, whom he had a mind to make his Secretary of Languages, as being skilled in the English, French, and Portugeze Languages; whereupon this Informant carryed his said Son to the Ambassadors House, and left him there to be his Interpreter, and this Informant continuing often to visit the Ambassador, who used to complain much in his Discourse of the great Persecution, which he said, the Roman Catholicks lay under in the Kingdom of England, and that all was occasioned by Mr. Oats and Bedlow, who were base Rogues and Villains, and that for their having caused so great Mischiefs, they deserved to be killed, swearing by God, that he would take care [Page 32] to have them killed; and this Informant hearing the Ambassador use at several times this Sort of Discourse, this Informant told him (as he used to be very free with the Ambassador) That his Ambassy in England was about the affair of the Kingdom of Portugal, and that he needed not trouble himself with any Body else, and that he should let the King of Englands Subjects live in Peace, to which the said Ambassador replyed, that for those great Mischiefs those Rascals had brought upon the Roman Catholicks, they deserved to be killed. And this Informant further sayeth, that a Month or five Weeks before the said Ambassador took leave of his Majesty of Great Brittan, upon his Return to Portugal, the aforesaid Francisco de Faria brought to the House of this Informant some Papers belonging to his said Son, that this Informant might keep them for him, and amongst the rest there was one which the Informant saw written with the Hand of the said Francisco de Faria, wherein were several Memorandums written in the Portuguese Tongue, with the Names of English Persons as may be seen by the said Paper, which the said Francisco de Faria took away afterwards out of the House of the said Informant. And this Informant further sayeth, that at that time when the Book made by Mr. Oats was published in French, being a Narrative of the Plot, the said Ambassador sent to buy one of them, which the Informant translated and read out of the French into Portuguese unto the Ambassador, who then spake verily angerly of Mr. Oats, and sayed that the Jesuits that had suffered died as Martyrs; whereunto this Informant replyed, that if they were so Zealous of their Religion, it had been better for them to have exercised it in Flanders and in other Parts, since they well knew, that if they were found in England, they were to be punished with Death, by the Laws of the Kingdom; and the Ambassador did also say that Coleman had suffered only [Page 33] for endeavouring to bring the Roman Catholick Religion again into England; and the Informant also sayeth, that the Paper annexed to which he has put his Hand is the same Paper of Memorandums before mentioned, which the said Francisco de Faria brought to the House of this Informant.
Translated out of Portuguese.
- TO take care to Kill Oates.
- To Kill Bedlow.
- To take care to Kill Lord Shaftsbury.
- To take care to Kill the Justice of Peace that lives in the Country.
- A Complement to the Queens Doctor.
- A Complement to the Lord Scroggs.
- The Letter that I was to send to Flanders by a man.
- [Page 34]About Friar Paulino, the Letter he wrote and sent to Portugal.
- About Madam Abergavenny and what she said to the Ambassador.
- The Porter of Summerset-House.
- To take care to Kill Oats and Bedlow.
- To take care to Kill Lord Shaftsbury.
- Madam Abergavenny what she said.
The following INFORMATION being Sworn unto at the same time, and the Matter therein contained relating to part of my Information in Page 29, I have with leave Inserted it at the End of this my Information. December 15th. 1680.
I Thomas Buss of the Parish of St. Margerets Westminister, Cook and Servant to his Majesty, in the Office of a Cook in his own Kitchin, as third Cook, called by the Name of Groom of the Kitchin, and being Master-Cook to their Graces the Duke and Dutchess of Monmouch, and in the Year of our Lord Christ 1678, when his Majesty was then, in the Month of September, at Windsor, I the said Thomas Buss, then waiting on their Graces, as abovesaid, was on the 13th. or 14th. of September, being on a Fryday, about seven of the Clock in the Morning to buy in such Provisions as was needful for his Graces Family, his Grace being then returned from the Battle of Montz, I by chance espyed Four of my Acquaintance talking together, viz. three Portugals, and one of them an English Man, and I having not seen the English Man of three or four Years before, then Saluted him by the Name of Father Hankinson, not knowing his Christian Name, in these Words of Father Hankinson, May I say by or to you, as God Almighty sayd to the Devil, Whence came you? or how shall I say to you? for he and I being acquainted ever since her Majesties first Arrival into England at Portsmouth, he the said Hankinson made me no other Answer, but, You will never [Page 36] leave your Old Drolling, but I having him by the Hand all this while, said, Well then come prethee from whence came you indeed? Why I came from Italy, and then two of the three Portugals left him, and one Portugal with me, and did ask him (he saying he came from Italy) if he had brought over any Bulls or Pardons from his Holiness the Pope, whereunto [...] did reply, You will never leave your drolling; and I did ask him when he arrived at the City of London, and then the other Portugal named Segnior Anthonio Fernandez turned from our Company over to the Fishermen that sate in the Market, which was not above a yard and a half distance from the place where we two then stood still talking, (their Majesties both being then at the Castle of Windsor) I there ask't the said Father Hankison if he did arrive at Windsor on the said Wedensday Night, or no, and he told me No, his Horse did tire, and it was late, so he stayed in Town all Night, and came for Windsor on Thursday the 13th. about four or five of the Clock in the Afternoon. Then I did ask of him, if he and I and three or four more of his old Acquaintance should not drink together before his Departure, for he was then in a travelling Posture? He told me by no means, for he was in great hast, for he was going about ten or twelve Miles to a Lords House, naming the Lords Name to me, but truly I did forget his Lords Name, but he told me▪ If he could dispatch betimes, to get to Windsor by four or five of the Clock in the Afternoon, then his other Acquaintances and I should Drink together, and then the said Father Hankison called over to the aforesaid Segnior Antonio Fernandez the Portugal aloud, and prayed him for Gods Sake to have a care of those four worthy Gentlemen the Strangers, and then I hearing him tell me that he came from Italy, (thinking they might be four of the Gentlemen of Italy, come over to see the Court of England) ask't him, what these Gentlemen were? and he told me they were four Irish Gentlemen, and called to the afore mentioned Segnior [Page 37] Antonio Fernandez, saying aloud as he did before, Segnior Antonio, Segnior Antonio, for Gods Sake have a great care of those four Gentlemen, worthy Gentlemen, the Irish Men, for they will do our Business in the Grace of God; and the said Segnior Antonio answered, And Grace of God I will have a great Care of them, in the Grace of God fear nothing. And so he the said Father Hankison, being about to be gone, well said I to him, it I shall see you no more, pray when do you leave England? Tomorrow. And then said I, whether then? For Paris, and then for Italy again. And then I bid him remember me to his Holiness the Pope, at which he did laugh, and told me, you will never leave your Drolling, and so we parted, and have not seen each other never since, nor thinking nothing) of it more, till I reading Coleman's Papers, wherein I heard the Names of four Irish Ruffians named, should kill his Majesty, and I being his said Sworn Servant and bound by my Oath as his Majesties Servant, not to hear any Secret or publick Mischief, nor Treason against his most Sacred Majesty, but the same to reveal to some of his Majesties Officers, the which I did by Name to Sir Steven Fox, and he did order me to acquaint the Committee of Secrecy with it, and likewise I did acquaint Mr. Vernon, as Secretary and Steward to their Graces, the Duke and Dutchess of Monmouth, and my Superior Officer in their Family, and he liked it very well▪ and told me he would inform some of the Committee of Secrecy of it, and so he did and I went before them at Serjeants Inn in Fleet-Street, and they did like the Information very well, for then they did want some to second Dr. Oats's Depositions, and at the Tryal of Councellor Langhorn, I was fetched by the under-Sheriff from dressing their Graces Dinner, to give Evidence against the said Prisoner at the Bar, the which Evidence was after Oath taken▪ highly approved on there, and this aforenamed Segnior Antonio Fernandez sent for to the Court at the Old-Baily, by the Under-Sheriff with me [Page 38] to the Earl of Ossory, to Speak to their Majesties, that the said Segnior Antonio Fernandez might be brought before the Court at the Old-Bayly, and he being brought before the Court, the Court ordered Sir George Jefferys, to take his Defence for himself, he making so weak a one, he then being the Recorder of London, sent the said Antonio by and with the Keepers to Newgate for the Matter of High Treason against his Majesty, where he lay till the end of the next Term, and then was Bailed out, and I was bound by Sir George Jefferys to prosecute, and did Appear, on Summons from Windfor at Sir George Wakemans Tryal, and never was once so much as called, nor a great many more, near seventeen or eighteen, and when the Court of Justice did rise, I asked Dr. Oats whether he or the Court had any other Business with me, and he told me no, so I returned to Windsor the same Night, and never heard more of it till this Sessions of Parliament.
Sworn by Order of the Lords Committees for Examinations &c. the 10th. of December 1680, before me.
And now Reader give me leave to admire the Providence of God, that I Francisco de Faria should be brought from almost the utmost Parts of the far distant habitable World to be an Instrument here in England to detect, or at least more convincingly to prove the truth of those Horrid Treasons and Conspiracies, that have been for so long time as wickedly denyed, as impiously perpetrated; but I am answered, when I consider that the Judgements of God are Unsearchable, and that there is no Craft or Subtilty of Man, can hide or conceale those Impieties, and foul Conspiracies which God will bring to Light.