BEing ordered to come to my Tryal this last Term, but finding it to be defer­red for some longer time, is the reason why I have publisht my Case, being in­formed that some of those Persons with whom I was concerned are gone, par­ticularly Mr. L'estrange, and likewise that Captain Ely has absented himself, who is one of the principal Abettors in my Business, and therefore is particularly mentioned with me, in the Information which is Fil'd against me on the Crown Side.

An other Reason which induced me to Print my Case is, that though very few do understand it, yet every one thinks himself a competent Judge, and with a clamorous Noise (common to the Rabble especially,) exclaiming against me, because my Father is concerned in this Af­fair; which therefore in all Persons Opinions renders me the more contemptible; I must lay my Hand on my Mouth, and confess, it is a thing very unnatural, and contrary to the Laws of God and Nature, which the very Heathens did abhor, that a Son should seek to ruine his own Parent, who gave him being; Being a Crime of a very black and deformed Aspect, but hear­ing that it is commonly reported, that I should swear against my Father to take away his Life, it is as False as God is True, who ever was the Author of that lying Rumor; and though my Information upon which I was committed to Newgate, was drawn up in these Words, For high Misdemeanours, and indeavouring by false Accusations, and Subornation of Perjury to de­fame the Kings Evidence, and all the Prosecution of the Popish Plot: Yet no such thing as Perjury can be proved against me, as I hope will apparently appear, by the perusal of these Sheets, in the case of L'Estrange, who would willingly have sworn me to the Objections I drew up against the Plot; But I would not consent to it: But the great Reason why I was prevailed upon to write those Objections was this, that Ely having a very wheedling and cun­ning Tongue, and finding me all along very tender of my Fathers Safety, (a Duty incum­bent on all Children) and when ever I mentioned him, with many deep Oaths, and solemn Asseverations assured me, that my Father should not receive any the least Dammage by what I did; and to use his own Expression (which I have heard him more than once Repeat) that a hair of his Head should not be hurt, this was the Argument which ingulpht me in this Laby­rinth and Pit of Trouble; and though I do not desire to palliate my Crime, yet I hope this Information will give some Satisfaction to all such Persons as have had no true account of it; that as it is my great Trouble, so it has been my Misfortune, to fall into the Hands of wicked Persons, who through their Delusions and Instigations, did perswade me to ruine not only my self, but (that which is more deplorable) likewise my innocent Relations; and this ac­cording to their Logick, under the specious Title of undeceiving the Kingdom, as to the truth of the Plot; and whilst that I am confin'd to a Prison (which is a kind of a living Death) I hope the Truth will be sought into; that those who have been my Abettors, will not be suffered to escape Unpunisht, having made an ingenuous and full Confession, desirous ever since I was first summon'd to appear before the Councel, to discover the Truth; whom I have here displayed in her naked Simplicity, without the affectation of good Language, or the flour­ishes of Rhetorick; being likewise very conscientious in the Relation; which I do not questi­on will be very acceptable to all Persons who love upright and plain dealing: and though an indelible Character may be branded on me, for being so undutiful to my Father; Yet I make no doubt that when my Case is weighed in the impartial Ballance of an unbiast Judgment, [Page 2] (though I do not expect to acquit my self from being culpable) yet I say I do not dispair, but those very Persons who have most accused me, will pass more favourable Censures, on my im­pious undertaking against the Kings Evidence, and though I may be condemn'd for a great Vil­lain, yet withal they will commiserate my Condition, for hark'ning to such evil Councellors: for as that Wit is accounted best which is dear bought, so it will make me more careful for the fu­ture, to hearken to the like Advice; who have sadly found that Maxime true, Quae supra nos, nihil ad nos, for young men as they are too soon prevailed upon to act those things which often prove very prejudicial to them, and their Friends, for want of Judgment, and through inadver­tency, being wholly unexperienced as to the things of this World; so when they imbrace good Counsel, and leave off those ways, it merits Commendation: for it is the pursuit of an evil Action, which aggravates the Crime, and renders it the more odious, which Fault must be left to the Law to determine; for where I am guilty, as it will be to no purpose to make any Apology for my self; so where I am innocent my own Conscience will acquit me from the malevolent Re­proaches of evil Men.

Kings Bench December, 13. 1681.

L' Estranges Case coming to my Hands, which he calls a civil Dialogue betwixt Zekil and E­phraim; and finding several palpable Lyes in it, which he endeavours to throw upon the World relating to my Business; I thought I was bound in Conscience to vindicate my self, and to satis­fy the World, by a publick and ingenuous Acknowledgment, relating to those Persons with whom it has been my misfortune to be concern'd; that when my Case is candidly laid down, ac­cordingly they will censure; and that they will not pin their Faith upon the credibility of L'-Estranges Writings; who though he may pass for a man of Wit, and has slipt his Neck out of the Collar, cannot boast much of his Honesty or Loyalty, notwithstanding all his fine Flourish­es in his Appeal, and other Pamphlets; for certainly if any Person make it his Business and Study to pick holes in the Kings Evidence, these things are inconsistent with the Loyalty of his Soveraign, and the good of the Protestant Religion, of which with so many Oaths and solemn Imprecations, he tells us he is a zealous Professor; but now after all fearing to be severely hand­led by the Hands of Justice, he is fairly fled for't, which in his Appeal he calls the seeking of an other World, where I shall leave him to that Beloved Repose, which he tells us he has long de­sired; being as weary of the World, as Peevishness it self can be of him, where I shall leave him be it where it will, in his so much beloved Elizium, and give you a true and impartial account of all the Transactions which have past betwixt Captain Ely, Monsieur Choquveux, &c. and my self.

About the Month of May last, my Father did remove out of the Lodgings which he had in Whitehal, into the City, and I then lodged with one Mr. King, in Shandoys Street, and being out of all Employment, not knowing well how to spend my time, having formerly lodged with one Mrs. Lane, I frequently went to her House, which was to my best remembrance about June or July last, where the said Mrs. Lane did often ask me what news there was, and what was become of the Popish Plot; and she said that it was now apparent to all the World, that the Plot was contrived by the Presbyterians, that her Husband was wrongfully turned out of his Place, and that her Son Lane in the Kings Bench was Fined and Pillory'd for speaking the Truth; but she ho­ped to see that day, when the Truth would be found out, and that she should live to see Doctor Oates, and Mr. Bedloe hanged; for they had only been the disturbers of the Nation, instead of be­ing the Preservers of it: with such like railing and impudent Discourse.

About the midst of June or July going about some Business to Westminster Hall, I met old Mr. Lane, who desired me to go to his House, which I did, and there entring into discourse with Mrs. Lane, she told me amongst other Discourse, which I cannot well remember, that she had something to say to me, which might make my Fortune for ever, and that no Person was so fit to do what she should propose as my self; I asked her, what that was, for having been for some considerable time out of all manner of Employment; I should be very willing and ready to imbrace any honest way to get a Livelihood: Then she replied Mr. Tonge if you will draw up some Objections against the Plot, you need not fear sufficient Encouragement, for I can procure se­veral Persons that will stand by you; and I know a particular Friend one Captain Ely, which is a Person of very great Interest at Court, who will introduce you to the speech of the King; and be­cause you may be tender of your Fathers welfare, he being involved with Doctor Oates, and [Page 3] likely to be mentioned with him in your Papers; I will procure your Fathers Pardon, by the means of Captain Ely, for truly I did once look upon your Father, to be a very honest Man, but now I am of the contrary Opinion, since I am told he is in his Writings so bitter against the Pa­pists; but notwithstanding I verily believe, he was meerly drawn in by Doctor Oates; so that your Father being innocent, it will be very easie to get his Pardon; upon which I repli'd I did not know any thing of the Plot, Mrs. Lane answered that having written so many things for my Father, I could not be so stupid but I could raise some Objections out of those Papers, which if I would do, she would give me what Assistance lay in her Power; after which Discourse I went to my Lodging, she having appointed me to come and see her again, as soon as I could, and then she would give me a farther Account of her Sentiments concerning that Business.

I came not near her House a good while after, but her Husband having got knowledg of my Lodging, came to me and said, that his Wife had been several times to seek Captain Ely, but could not find him; but now she had found him out, and that he promised to be at her House that Even­ing, and desired me to go along with him, which at his importuning of me I did, and Mrs. Lane told me she had found out Captain Ely, who was very glad and willing to embrace the Offer; and had promised her to come, which Ely did, and calling for Drink fell into Discourse with me con­cerning my Condition, and how I lived; I told him my Condition was not very plentiful, and he re­plied God help you, and if I would take his Advice, I might quickly raise my Fortune; and said like­wise, come Mr. Tonge you are an ingenious young Man, and I am perswaded you know a great deal of this Plot, I mean as to the truth of it, as for my own particular part, at first I did believe this Plot, and thought thus with my self when I heard that there was a Plot discovered to his Majesty: God has been pleased to make these Persons very Instrumental for the good of these Kingdoms; and therefore they ought to be encouraged and rewarded according to the Merit of such Services; but when I did afterward seriously consider what the Persons were which pretended to discover it; being most of them Persons of profligate Life, I was then quite of an other mind; and now I am so far from being of my former Opinion, that I do no more believe the Plot, that none being pre­sent but you and I in this Room, any one should endeavour to perswade me that there are a thousand Persons in company with us; and withal desired me according to Mrs. Lanes first request that I would draw up some Objections against the Plot. I told him I was Ignorant of any Trans­actions of the Plot, only that my Father brought Doctor Oates into the Councel; upon which Ely replied that was nothing to the Purpose, all the World knew that, but if I brought any thing which might stand as an Objection against the Plot, it must be matter of Fact that must do the business; and something of Falshood and Contrivance must be proved to have been betwixt my Father and Doctor Oates, and that these must be the measures I must take to overthrow the Kings Evidence, and was very importunate with me to draw up some such Papers, and told me he would meet me again at the same place the next Day.

I having some Business at Westminster-Hall, at my return called at Mrs. Lanes House, expecting Elys coming; but missing of him I went away in the Evening, and having drawn up a Paper, be­ing very much troubled in my Mind; I went to a Person whose Name I cannot remember, but was by his Profession a Tallow-Chandler, and was before the Councel, the first time that I was Summoned to appear before the right Honourable Board. I read that Paper to this Person, who as soon as he had heard it, told me, Mr. Tonge this is a very dangerous Paper, and may prove of ill Consequence to you, and therefore as a Friend I would advise you to burn it, and whoever those Persons are who have advised you to this, they intend to ruine you, go near them no more, and I took his Advice, and burnt it, fully resolving never to concern my self any more with Ely, and absented my self above a fortnight from Mrs. Lanes House; during my absence old Mr. Lane and his Wife had been upon the hunt to seek me, but could not find me; but old Mr. Lane having been very diligent in his Enquiry, heard where I was, and went and told his Wife, who came in great hast to me, and said that Captain Ely had been twice at her House, and was much troubled that I did not come; that she had left him at her House; I replied I did not care for concerning my self with Ely, then said she you will never have the like Opportunity, to make your Fortune, therefore be Couragious, for you have the best man (except one) in England on your side; and was very importunate with me to write out some Objections against the Plot. I told her I had written some out already, but they were burnt! Nay said she if you falter thus at the beginning you will never do no good on't. I told her I hoped as she pretended to be my Friend, she would not desire me to act any thing against my Conscience; then she asked me if I had any Money, I told her no, says she I am but a poor Woman, yet here is a Shilling for you, and doubt not but you shall have Encouragement enough; so she made me promise her before she left me, that I would draw up that Paper again, and come after her to her House where Ely expect­ed me.

[Page 4] That Evening I came to Mrs. Lanes House, and there I found Ely, who said Mr. Tonge I am glad to see you, have you drawn up that Paper, which you promised me? I told him I had, and gave it to him; Ely read it over, and smiling said Mr. Tonge this will do very well, but you must put your name to it, which I did, and afterwards Ely signed it, and to my best remem­brance old Mr. Lane and his Daughter likewise signed it, as being Witnesses; now says Ely you have no reason to be afraid, for you have done no more, than I do my self, and as he was go­ing away with the Paper, told me he would see me within two or three days, but he must first go to carry that Paper to the King, who was then at Windsore.

Towards the end of July, or the beginning of August, comes old Lane to my Lodging, and told me that Ely had sent to his House, and told me that I must go and speak with the King, and that I must go to Ely's House in Holborne: when I came thither, Ely told me he had hired a Coach for himself, and me to go to Windsore; that I must go and speak with his Majesty, and said he had proffered a Guinny for a pair of Oares, but could not have it; I went along with him to Wind­sore, and as we were near the Town, Ely said now Mr. Tonge you are going to speak with the King, pray recollect your Memory, and say something that may give the King Satisfaction, for his Majesty believes you know a great deal concerning the Plot, and be sure remember to beg your Fathers Pardon, for I find you are very tender of his Safety; and I told him he might assure himself I should not forget to do that; so soon as we came to Windsore, Ely brought me to the Garter Tavern, and went immediately to find out Mr. Chiffins, where having had the Honour to kiss the Kings Hand, his Majesty was pleased to ask me several Questions not convenient to be related, and when I came from the King, I walked for some time in the next Room with Mr. Chiffins: who said I did very well to discover it, if I knew any thing of the Plot, for a clear Conscience was the most excellent thing in the World; then Ely and my self came away toge­ther, and I askt him what Discourse he had with the King, he said it was nothing relating to my Business; but concerning some Forrest Affairs, and he carried me from the Castle to the Garter Tavern, where after we had drunk several Bottles of Wine (for by the way you must take this Note, when Ely had once ingaged me in the Business, I was seldome very sober) he told me he thought I spoke as if I was afraid; I replied, the sight of his Majesty would daunt any Person; however says he be couragious, and stick to what you have done, and let me alone to manage the Intrigue: and then began several Healths to the Duke of Yorke, and made me pledg him; then he told me he had given me nothing yet to encourage me, and gave me a Guinny, which he said was only an Earnest, intending shortly to make it up a much bigger Sum, before I was many days older; while we were drinking, there came in a stranger to us, who told me he heard I was upon a very good Design, that he for his part did heartily pray, that God would assist and direct me, and that there was no doubt to be made of it, but all good Catholiques, would likewise unanimously joyn with him in it, who did desire the truth of the Plot to be found out; and having drunk two or three Bottles of Wine with us, he took his leave, then Ely told me that Person was a Portuguese, and had been the Queens Cook a long time; and is a very honest man, otherwise, I would not have made him privy to our Concerns; for Secrecy is now very convenient, there­fore lest I should be discovered by my own Name, he would call me always Mr. Hudibras; and the next day I should go with him to London, and when I came thither he called a Hackney Coach, and carried me to his own House in Holborne; and lest notice should be taken of me, he thought it would be very convenient for me to remove my self to some private Lodging near himself; to which I replied, Captain I cannot conveniently do that; for Mr. King with whom I Lodge is a ve­ry civil honest Man, and I have not paid him for my Diet nor Lodging; and I should be thought very rude to go away and leave him, without giving him the least notice; says he do not trouble your head for that, give me an account what you owe him, or any other Persons about the Town and I will see it paid; so I gave him an Account of several Sums of Money which I owed, and then he desired his Wife to look me out a Lodging, which she did and brought me to a Smiths Shop in Lyon Street near Bloomsbury, where I had not continued long, but my Uncle found me out, and sent his Man to speak with me, who told me that by a no less than miraculous Provi­dence he was informed of the wicked Design I was going about, and asked me what kind of Per­son it was with whom I was concerned, I said he went by the name of Captain Ely, and was a very remarkable Person, for he had a great red Scar down his Nose, and my Uncle said he knew him, and that he was a great Rascal, and lived by cheating and sharking about the Town, and therefore not unworthily called by some Captain Bounce, my Uncle advised me to be ingenuous with him, and to give him a true account, whatsoever had past betwixt Ely and me; which I did under my own hand, and my Uncle advised me to have a care of forsewaring myself, and what a grievous Sin Perjury was, that what I went about was very unnatural, being against my own Father. I said I was heartily sorry for what I had done, and was willing to discover whatever I knew, and [Page 5] sent several Letters to him, of what had past between us from time to time; yet Ely some way or other got notice, that I kept Correspondence with my Uncle, and was very jealous of me, and went to enquire what Persons came to speak with me, and the people where I lodged having in­formed him that several Persons had been there to inquire for me; said, Mr. Tonge you do very ill in thus discovering your Lodging, and if you intend that this business shall ever come to any perfection, pray keep your self private from all manner of Company, except those who I know you may confide in, otherwise you spoyl all, for such Intrigues as these are, must be manag­ed with a great deal of Prudence, for we have a great many Eyes over us; and after Dinner sent me for my Linnen, which I left at my Lodging in Shandoys Street, and sent his Wife to pay what I owed there, and removed me in the Evening to one Mrs. Nichols House in Ollivers Ally in the Strand; and came along with me, and told Mrs. Nicholls he would pay for my Lodging, and de­sired her to let me have what I wanted; but before he went, gave me a particular charge, what ever I did to keep my self private; but the next day going into the Strand, I met one Mr. Coop­er who had formerly been my Fathers Servant, who desired me to go to drink with him, and told me he heard that I was ingaged in a business against my Father. I said I had been with the King, and was counselled by one Ely, and some others to draw up some Objections against the Plot; that Ely asked me what Persons did write for my Father; and that I had mentioned his Name to Ely, and gave him in a list of several Persons Names besides, that did write for Doctor Oates, and that Ely was desirous to speak with him, and one Mr. Allen; and told me he would be at a Wine-Celler belonging to one Monsieur Choqueux a Chirurgeon in the Savoy, and if he could see such a Person, he would willingly drink a Glass of Wine with him; and said he was sure of one Mr. Al­len, formerly Doctor Oates his Clark, and one or two more whose Names I cannot remember; but said, one of them would not declare any thing without a Protection; but they could swear such things against Doctor Oates, that it would make a mans Hair stand an end to hear it; Mr. Coo­per told me he would go with me to the Celler, where being very merry, and after several Healths, Ely askt him if his name was Cooper, and if he had not formerly been my Fathers Servant, and writ for him, who replied he had written several things for Doctor Tonge, but had nothing to say a­gainst the Plot; says Ely, Mr. Cooper I do not desire to compel you to any thing, but my thoughts are you might do very well to joyn with Mr. Tonge, and recollect your Memory, what Writings have gone through your Hands, and you shall have all possible Encouragement; and if you please I will furnish you with a very good Lodging; and here is my very good Friend Monsieur Choqueux who I am confident will likewise assist you, to which Mr. Cooper made no reply, but ex­cused himself that he could stay no longer, having appointed other Business, and took his leave of them; no sooner was he gone, but Ely replied, this Cooper Simson is a cunning Shaver, I do not like him, but I hope you have not been so imprudent as to let him know where your Lodging is; I told him I had, and that I look't upon Mr. Cooper to be a very civil honest man. Then Ely be­gun to storm, after his usual rate, and said, I had no more wit than a Goose; and it was to no pur­pose for him to remove me from one Lodging to an other, if I would let all the World know where I was; and then Mr. Choqueux and Ely consulted over a Glass of Wine, what they should do with me; and Ely said he thought it best to remove me to one of Choqueux Lodgings in the Sa­voy, and Mr. Choqueux promised Ely he would provide me a Lodging, which accordingly he did; and that I should want for nothing: and says Ely, since I perceive Mr. Tonge is indisposed, he shall say he is here only for the good of his health; yes says Choqueux that will do very well, other­wise I being a Papist may be brought into Question for entertaining him, and then they both parted, and Choqueux took me along with him.

The next day Ely sent for me to his House, and after Dinner he told me he had received 10 l. by order from Mr. Chiffins, of which Sum he gave me 3 l. 10 s. and bid me be a good husband with it, and at the same time sent twenty Shillings to one Mrs. Fitzgerald to perswade her to swear against my Father; and though he produced a Note under her Hand before the Councel, that he gave her that Money only out of Charity, she being at that time very infirm, yet not­withstanding this his plausible pretence he was in hopes to have prevailed upon her, to have joyned with me, to swear against Doctor Oates; this was the greatest Sum I ever had of Ely, which after I had received, he was still importuning me to give him more Papers; and coming to my Lodging, he told me he had hired an excellent travelling Mare, and I must go with him a­gain to Windsore; which I consented to, and when we came within two Miles of Windsore, he told me, he must call at a place in the great Park, which belonged to Mr. May the keeper of the Privy-Purse; and there we were both very kindly and civilly entertained by one Mr. Nun, Mr. Mays Gentleman, and after Dinner Ely told me he would seal up the Papers, I had given him, and would convey them to the King, and I expecting to go along with him, he said I must not, but keep myself as private as I could, for should I go to Windsore with him, he was afraid notice [Page 6] would be taken of me; he and Mr. Nun returned again in the Evening, and Ely told me he had carefully delivered that Paper to his Majesty, and said it was the materiallest Paper I had writ­ten, and told me he must go to London next morning, but staid two or three Days longer, be­cause he must kiss the Dukes Hand; then I came to Town with him again, and came to the Sa­voy, where Mr. Choqueux made me very welcome, and told me Mr. Tonge if you hold on thus re­solutely, he did not question but he should live to see me a great Man, and I might assure myself I should want no Encouragement from him; for he would venture his Blood in the Cause, and for the good of the poor distressed Catholiques; who he said were the most innocent though cruelly oppressed by the Protestants, that he was confident I believed it, and that he thought I was very real in what I went about, otherwise he would not have discoursed so much of his mind to me, and then we entred into other discourse, and he ask't me what News there was at Windsor, I told him I had not been there, for Ely would not suffer me to go, and took my Leave of him, and went to my Lodging.

Towards the latter end of August, or the beginning of September, I called at Mrs. Lanes House, says she Mr. Tonge I thought you might have been more civil to me. I asked her what she meant by that question, for I never knew any thing of Incivility wherewith I could be taxed, in re­spect to herself and her Husband, but to my Power was willing to give them my Assistance; she replied Ely had received 100 l. I told her if he had, 'twas more than I knew of, for he told me he received but 10 l. which he told me was very inconsiderable, expecting to have received a much bigger Sum, of which I received 3 l. 10 s. Says she, I took Captain Ely to be a very honest Man, o­therwise you may assure your self I would not have recommended him to you; but now I find he is a cheating Rascal, yet says old Lane, I beat the Bush and Ely caught the Bird; and said, he promised him a Sum of Money, but it would be good when he could catch it, that he had been at his Lodging, but got no more of him than a Shilling; then she called her Husband old Fool, because he did not go himself to Mr. Chiffins; for she believed having been one of the Yeomen of the Guard, his interest was as great at Court, as Elys; and told me, Mr. Tonge if you will put your Business into my hands, I know a good Friend of mine who is acquainted with several great Persons, that will procure you Money enough, but then you must leave Ely off, and come from your Lodging and lye at my House, where you may be as private as you desire; there being a back Dore by her House, that went into the Privy Garden. I told her I would consider on it, but said, what between Ely and her, I was almost at my Wits end; and heartily wisht I had never known, or been concern'd with either of them; says she never be daunted, I'le warrant you, be but ruled by me, your Business will go very well, and told me I must go into Arundel Street, and inquire for Mrs. Cellier, for she was a Person she went to visit frequently, who had been very kind to her Son John Lane in the Kings-Bench, and had promised her to give me what As­sistance she could; I went as she had directed me, and found out Mrs. Celliers Lodgings; she told me she did not know me, and askt me what was my Business; so I told her that I was recommend­ed to her by one Mrs. Lane, who told me she was a Person that was very fit to assist me in my Concerns; she replied Mr. Tonge I am very glad to see you, I am very sorry you have so little Encouragement in your Business, I must confess I have been bit already for my Zeal in promo­ting the Catholick Cause, and have expended several considerable Sums of Money upon that Ac­count; but I have a Book to print which will sufficiently vindicate my Innocency, from all the false and malicious Calumnys which are daily cast upon me; and will publish to the World the grand Villanies and Rogueries of Oates, and Bedloe, and his Crue; and shall print nothing but what I have Witness to Confirm. Then she said she would give me what Assistance she could, and told me of a great man (but named him not) that would likewise joyn with her, but what she did for me, must be very privately managed; and she thought if I met her any where, the most convenient place would be to go over the Water, and there we might consult together without any fear of Discovery; and told me when I came to her, it would be most convenient for me to come in the Evening, for fear of Discovery, for she said her Name was already brought upon the Stage of the World, and therefore though she was willing to assist me privately, yet she would not be seen to appear in countenancing my Business, but if I had any thing to deliver to her, she would carefully convey away any Papers to the Kings or Dukes Hands. I told her I had no Pa­pers, and then she appointed me to come and see her the next Day in the Evening, I came again to her House, but she not being within, according to her desire I left a Note with her Maid, I had been there to wait upon her; and went away to find out Ely in Holborne, who gave me more Encouragement than she did, and never went to her again.

Some few Days after Mr. Choqueux invited one Crawly, Ely, myself and one Mr. Hays with some others to a Fish Dinner, in the Savoy; where amongst other general Discourse, Choqueux told me that he would gladly have me acquainted with Crawly, that he was a very honest man, [Page 7] and a well-wisner to my Business; and that he had informed him that some time since he got some Papers to be delivered in to the Duke against my Father; to which Crawly replied he had given in some Papers against him by one Mr. Sherridon, and should be very glad to renew that little Acquaintance he had formerly injoyed, when he writ for my Father, and that he was very glad to hear that I was imbarqued in the same Cause with him; that he had heard some whispe­rings about the Town concerning my Business, and was very joyful that he had the Opportunity of discoursing me concerning that Affair; and said he would give me a more large Account of his Business, and would take a more seasonable time to inform me of it, but assured me that mine had a very near Relation to his, and appointed me to meet him the next day at his Lodging, which then was at one Mrs. Yates House in Monmouth Street near St. Giles in the Fields: and I promised him I would not fail to be with him in the Evening, for I was very desirous to hear his Business, with such like Discourse.

The next Day I went to find out Mr. Crawly, and there he gave me an Account of his Busi­ness, which was to my best Remembrance to this Effect, that about two years since, (which he said he remembred very well because of the general Colds that were then in Town,) he had some Writings of my Fathers to Transcribe concerning Parliaments, and a Copy of Doctor Oates his Depositions, to Transcribe fairly; that Sr. William Waller coming there about to search for Priests, had notice of him, who was then very bad with a Cold; that Sr. William Waller asked him what Employment he followed, he said he studied the Law, and took down some Pa­pers which lay on the Shelf, and looking on them said these Papers are Doctor Tonges hand, and he knew it very well; to which Crawly replyed they were his Hand-Writing, and were some Overtures of his about Parliaments, and he imployed him to write them out fair; that Sr. Wil­liam Waller took those Papers away from him, and bid the said Crawly go along with him, but upon his the said Crawlys Request, telling Sr. William Waller he was very much indisposed by rea­son of his Cold; Sr. William suffered him to return to his Lodging, upon Promise that he would come to his House the next Day.

Moreover he told me that he went to Sr. William Wallers House, where he said Sr. William Wal­ler was at Dinner, and my Father with him, that Sr. William said to my Father, Doctor Tonge I took some Papers away from this Gentleman last Night, which he said were your Hand, and was desirous to know whether you knew him; to which he told me my Father made Answer; That he never saw him before in his Life, and did not know that he ever gave any such Papers unto him; that then he said he took his Leave; and I asking him whether Sr. William did re­store those Papers again to my Father; he said he was not certain whether he did or not; but had he had them in his Possession, his intent was to have given them in with his other Papers to the Duke; for he lookt upon them to be very dangerous and treasonable Papers; that he was very desirous to speak with Sr. William Waller concerning it, but could never since have the Op­portunity to speak with him: this Crawly I suppose is a Papist, and is an Irish man, and would gladly have perswaded me to leave Ely, and would have undertaken to manage his own, and my Business himself; for he said he had studied the Law some considerable time, and therefore could give me better Advice than Ely; who as he was informed (though he might be very Zealous for the good of the Catholiques) was wholly ignorant in the Law; he bid me consider of it, if I would put my Business into his Hands, I told him I would consider on it, and so took my leave of him.

Mr. Cooper had now found out my Lodgings in the Savoy, and came often to see me, and I told him that Mr. Choqueux, and Ely were very importunate to have Mrs. Fitzgerald removed from her own Lodging, into one of Choqueux best Rooms, which he said was very well hung, and fit to entertain her, and told me if she would come thither she should want for no manner of Conveniency, and have all things to her Content and Satisfaction; and proposed to have her brought in a Sedan, if she could not come by Water; Mr. Cooper said she was so very infirm that it was altogether impossible she could be removed as yet, without being very prejudici­al to her Health; and then entring into Discourse with me about my own Business, I told him I could not tell what Choqueux and Ely intended to do with me: but here they kept me confi­ned to a Chamber, that I saw none but them, and that I was extraordinary weary of that Melan­choly Confinement: and desiring him to stay a little, I went to call Mr. Choqueux: and when I returned again Mr. Cooper was gone, and took away two of my Papers, which were brought to the Councel, one of which was read to me, but the other Doctor Oates told my Lord Chan­cellour, he could not find: the next Day I mist my Papers, and Ely coming to see me I told him somebody had taken some Papers from me, and I could not imagine who it should be: then says he that Rascal Cooper has betray'd us: I gave you sufficient Warning of him, so did Mr. Choqueux likewise more than once, but you would not take our Advice: therefore [Page 8] you must remove immediately out of this Room; but not well knowing whither, he went to his Friend Monsieur Choqueux to consult with him about it; and they presently hurried me a­way in great hast to one Mr. Salsburys near the Glass-house in the Savoy; where Mr. Choqueux bargained with Mrs. Salisbury to pay three Shillings a Week for my Lodging, and for my Dyet, until he could provide for me to Dine somewhere else; and Choqueux and Ely did both lay a very strict Charge on me, to keep my self very private, and never to have any more Conver­sation with Mr. Cooper, for he would certainly ruine the whole Design; and if I stirred out he would certainly find me, for he was often seen in the Savoy: I had not been above a Week at Mrs. Salisburys, but Ely comes to me again: and I ask't him what News there was abroad, for I lived a kind of Anchorets Life, and saw no body, and should be extreme Melancholly were it not for the Society I took in some pleasant Books which Mr. Salisbury lent me: he said there was no good News, for he was informed that Doctor Oates had delivered a Petition in to the Coun­cel against me and himself, for Subornation and Perjury, and Defaming the Kings Evidence; but bid me be of good Courage, for all his Huffing and Blustring could do me no harm, for he was told he found such cold Entertainment, that he believed he would not appear against me a­gain in hast: that Doctor Oates was heard to say, to a Person of Honour these Words, Now my Lord if you do not stand by me, I and the Kingdome's ruin'd: and said because those Papers were all loose, and apt to be scattered and lost, which I delivered to his Majesty, he thought it would be very convenient for me to recollect my Memory, and draw all those Papers into one sheet of Paper; that being informed that my Father was very well acquainted with several Lords which were thought to be rigid Presbyterians; he bid me be sure to remember to insert some of their Names, as Contrivers of the popish Plot; for he said that several Persons about the Town did believe it to be a Presbyterian Plot, and the Papists had no hands in it, and that he had one of my Papers and would send it me; I told him I would endeavour to draw up those Papers into one Sheet, but I had no Coppies by me, which would very much help me, if I had kept any; he said Mr. Crawly had drawn up his Papers again at large, that there was at least two or three Sheets of Paper, which he was ready to depose upon Oath, and did intend when mine were written out, to deliver them together; that Mr. Crawly was a very zealous Person in my Business, and that I might help to corroborate his Testimony, which would make his Evidence the more considerable, the more Witnesses were in it, and did joyn themselves together to defend and make out the same thing; and desired me to dispatch my Paper as soon as I could; but not being very well, I did not then do it, and sent him a Letter which to my best remembrance was to this Effect, for I have not the Coppy by me; That my Sentiment was I should be look't upon as a great Rascal, and a very undutiful Person for what I had already done; that I was at present very much indisposed and could not Write. To which he returned me this short Answer, a foul Coppy of one of the Papers he delivered to the King, being inclosed in the Letter, the Words of which were to this Effect.

On the Thursday Morning very early comes Ely to me, and having written out that Paper, he took it along with him; and told me that Mr. Crawly, and one Mr. Murphy an Irish-man, and a Schoolmaster about the Town, and who had formerly been a Student at Paris for some time, would likewise go along with us to Windsore, and taking a Sculler we landed as near to Chearing-Cross as we could, and the Coach not being ready, we went and stayed at a Strong-water Shop near the Goat Tavern; where Ely changed a Guinny, and there we all three took Coach, and went for Windsore, and some Strangers being with us, Ely whispered me in the Ear, and said I was generally too talkative, and bid me have a great care I did not speak a word of any Con­cerns [Page 9] we were going about, whilst we were in the Coach; when we came to Windsor, Ely gave us a Treat at the French Ordinary, and after Dinner inquiring for a Lodging for us, we were directed to a Pewterers House near the Garter Tavern, where Ely bargained for our Lodging; and the next Day Ely took mine and Crawly's Papers, and carried them to the King or the Duke; and told me that his Majesty said that my Uncle had been with one of the Secretaries of State, and that I had given my Uncle a Recantation, and declared in that Paper, that the Pa­pists had set me on to swear against my Father, and Doctor Oates, that they were the Contri­vers of the Popish Plot; and Ely said he told the King, that he was so far from believing any such thing, that on the contrary he was so confident of my Reallity; that if it were so he would give his Majesties Tooth-drawer leave to pull out all his Teeth one after another; and when he returned again, he said though it were not true, I should do very well to vindicate my self to the King from that Calumny and Aspersion (as he termed it) that my Uncle had cast upon me, so he and Crawly drew up some Words to that purpose, and carried them to the King; which Words were That I never had given my Uncle any Recantation: After the Papers were delive­red, Crawly went several times to the Castle to look out Mr. Sherridon, who as he said was a great Favourite of the Dukes, and one in whom he did very much conside; but could not as yet find him out, though he was informed he was certainly in Town, and said he would very gladly have spoken with Mr. Sherridon, because he faithfully had promised him upon the first delivery of his Papers into his Hands, (which was some considerable time before he heard any thing of my bu­siness) that he would safely deliver his Papers to the Dukes Hands; but could never since the de­livery of them, hear any thing concerning it; and seemed to be very much troubled. Ely bid him not trouble his Head with Mr. Sherridon, for he told Crawly he believed he was much mis­taken in him, that he was not so real in his Business as he took him to be; and that the next Day he would give him an account of his Papers from the Duke himself; and getting up very early in the Morning, he told Crawly at his return from the Castle, he had been with the Duke, and kist his Hand, and askt him concerning those Papers which were given to Mr. Sherridon, but that his Royal Highness answered he did not remember that he had received any such Papers; and Ely said as soon as he came in, all the rest withdrew to the other side of the Room; and said he had above half an Hours Discourse with the Duke, but did not mention a­ny Particulars, excepting Crawlys Papers, which Papers Crawly pretended were transcribed out of my Fathers Originals concerning Parliaments; and the two Murphys both Papists were to be Witnesses to those Papers; and one Mr. Bryan, now or very lately a Prisoner in the Gatehouse, concerning the Duke of Buckingham; was likewise to be an Evidence, from whom (he told me) he had those Papers of my Fathers, because (Crawly said) being written very badly, Brian could not read them very well, therefore desired him to transcribe them. Ely whilst he was at Windsor, went often to speak with Mr. Chiffins, but he little regarded him, and said he made him wait ma­ny times an hour or two, before he could get admission to speak with him; so that wanting Mo­ney he was compel'd to pawn his Silver hilted Sword, to one of the Drawers of the Garter Ta­vern for 20 s. and several other things, his Ring from his Finger, &c. to supply us with Money for Dyet, besides what he borrowed of the Gentle-woman where we usually dined; and said he would Pawn his Shirt from his Back, where he saw Persons so real as we were, in such an impor­tant Concern as we were about; but finding VVindsor very chargeable, and his Money near gon, he sent a Letter to his Friend Mounsieur Choqueux to desire him to send him three Pound, other­wise he could not get from VVindsor, for he and his Company were pawned for it; and could not pay for his Lodging before he received it; Choqueux sent him three Pounds, and told me he was troubled to get it, being forced to pawn a piece of Plate; then Murphy seeing I suppose that Ely was only put off with Delays, and that there was no probability of his doing any good at VVindsor, having some Money left, begged Elys Excuse, and went to London, because his Schollers expected his coming, and wisht him all imaginable Success in his Business; and promised him that his Assistance should not be wanting, in the furthering of the Business; and that when it came to the Touch-stone he should find it so. After Crawly and I had staid thirteen or fourteen Days, Ely hired a pair of Oars for us, and gave me a Crown to bear our Charges to London, and landing at the Savoy Stairs I came to Mr. Choqueux Lodgings; and told him what had past since our being at VVindsor, and Choqueux said he very much wondered we staid so long; for he did expect us within two or three Days; and had provided a gentile Dinner for us, and several Bottles of Wine, to entertain us; I told him the Business went but very crosly at VVindsor, that Ely did nothing but storm and fret since he came thither, because he found himself so slighted, and met with such perpetual Disappointments; that he had sent a huffing Letter to Mr. Chiffins to his Country House called Filburds near VVindsor by Mr. Murphy, but Mr. Chiffins was gone ere he came, and that he thought Mr. Chiffins did very little regard him, that he told me he would be at Lond­on [Page 10] the next Day; but did not come till the Court removed from Windsor to Whitchal, by reason he was very much indisposed by a Surffet with drinking too much Clarret Wine, and a great Loosness which was so violent upon him, that he could scarce sit his Horse, which was the rea­son that he staid longer than he intended to do.

After Elys return to London, he came to Mr. Choqueux Lodgings, and told me he believed my Papers were sufficient to overthrow the Evidence, but would I do the Business thoroughly, and strike at the Root of the Plot; it must be by drawing up some Papers relating to the Death of Sr. Edmund-bury Godfrey, for he said none should make him believe, that those Papists which were generally believed to Murder him, had any Hand in his Blood, for he said it was much more probable that the Protestants did it, that they might be revenged upon the Roman Ca­tholiques; and likewise added that there was a Club of Presbyterian Lords in the City, who plotted the Destruction of the establisht Monarchical Government; that the Duke of Monmouth went often thither, and they made use of him only to promote their own Ambitious Designs; never intending (whatever might be their Pretensions) to make him King of England, but they only gave him fair Words to maintain and countenance their Faction, and therefore his Health was to the Duke of York, and God dam all the Fanaticks; he said likewise that Mr. Praunce was a great Rascal, that he knew nothing of Sr. E. B. G. Death, but what was extorted from him by several Lords that came to see him; and says he was ready, and several others that were then in Newgate with him, to depose upon Oath, that he cry'd and rav'd a long time like a mad Man, when he was visited by several Persons of Quality, and desired to confess the truth of that barbarous and bloody Murther; that all they could get of him, was he knew nothing, he knew nothing, he would not be guilty of innocent Blood, no Guilt, no Guilt oh King; and such strange Expressions, till through the important Sollicitations of those that came to see him, he was pre­vailed on to save his own Life, to confess that which according to his own Confession he knew nothing of; which is much the same Story that the Lady Rampant, Mrs. Cellier the Popish Mid­wife, relates in her lying Popish Legend concerning Mr. Praunce; likewise he said that the right Honourable the Earl of Shaftsbury was the chief of that rebellious Fanatical Club; and told me a Story concerning a very dangerous and treasonable Paper, which was supposed to be written by a Person who was kept a long time a Prisoner in the Tower, because he had thoughts to make Discovery of the Popish Plot, that there was a great Sum of Money offered for any Person that could take him; for the Paper was fathered on him; but by the contents of it, it seemed to re­lish of Fanatick Principles, and that my Lord Shaftsbury was by some suspected to be the Author of it; likewise he says that it was by the Lord Shaftsburys Orders and Directions that the rest moved, he being accounted by all Persons, an excellent Statesman, and very profound Politician; and said moreover that he was informed that the Earl of Shaftsbury was come in, and made some very great Discovery to his Majesty concerning the Designs of the Presbyterians against the Go­vernment, which if it was so he said, then adieu to the Popish Plot, for if this be true, (which I do not much doubt, having received it from such very good Hands,) this will help admirable well to back what you have written concerning some Lords, thought to be well wishers to the Pres­byterian Party; upon several Discourses which we have had together upon that Subject; upon this Question of these Lords I was examined before his Majesty, and my Lord Chancellour; that what I writ concerning them was upon the Instigation of Ely, who said if there were any Plot, it must be a Presbyterian one, for his part he said, he thought I should do the Nation a very great piece of Service, by undeciving of them as to that particular of Sr. E. B. G. Death, by discover­ing what I knew of it. I told him I was so far from knowing any thing of his Death, that I was then out of Town, when the first Discourse of his Death was spread abroad; I told him there was sufficient Circumstances, and manifest Evidence to prove that the Papists were the Authors of that bloody Act; I told him I knew one Mr. VVren who was a Gentleman that I had seen seve­ral times with my Father, but had no acquaintance with him; that I thought did make some con­siderable Discovery to my Father concerning his Death, after Mr. Bedloe had declared his; but came in too late, and had no encouragement to make any farther Enquiry, and Ely asking where that Person Lodged, I told him I could not tell, having not seen him for some time: he asked me if I could no ways find out his Lodging, I told him I believed Mr Cooper might direct me, and he desired me when I saw Mr. Cooper that I would enquire of him where his Lodging was, and I promised him I would, and so took my Leave of him.

The next morning I went to Mr. Coopers Lodging, and askt him if he knew where Mr. VVrens Lodging was, for Ely had a great desire to speak with him; he said he believed he could, with a little recollection of his Memory, for he said when he lived with my Father, he had been once or twice at his Lodging; then he said if he were not mistaken, he lodged in Dukes Street in Co­vent Garden, and having found out his Lodging, a Maid came to us, and said that Mr. VVren [Page 11] was gone to the Tower, and they did not expect him that Day, so we both returned to Ely, and told him we had found out Mr. Wrens Lodgings; then he askt me if I had ever seen what his Discovery was; I told him I had never read it, then Ely replied if you never saw it, it is probable Mr. Wrens discovery agrees with Bedloes, and Praunces Narrative, and that will do us no good, so that without I were certain what it was he could say, I would have nothing to do with him; so that Design was quite broke off, Ely being I suppose fearful of Mr. Wren, and there­fore Mr. Cooper nor my self, never went to look after him any more,

In the Evening Mr. Choqueux came to see me, and told me he knew a very ingenious and ci­vil Person, one Mr. L'estrange, whom he would gladly have me acquainted with, for he was late­ly made a Justice of the Peace, and was very sorry he did not think of him before; for being often abroad about his Occasions, he could not keep me company, nor assist me so much as he desired; (and said) he was very much obliged to L'estrange for mentioning his Name, in his Witty Narrative, (which he calls L'estranges Narrative of the Plot) for clearing and vindicating him from that lying Story of the Firebal which he kept by him, in his Chamber, reported that they were for the fyring of the City, about which he said there was such a Noise, that seve­ral Files of Souldiers were sent from the Councel to guard all that long Passage in the Savoy, from the Gate to his own Door, and were ordered to suffer none to go in and out; he then ask'd me if I knew L'estrange, I reply'd I did not, but have heard several mention his Name; and told him if I were not mistaken he licenced Books. He told me it was the very same Person, and he would if I pleased introduce me into his Acquaintance; I told him Mr. L'estrange had the re­pute about the Town of a witty Man, but I never saw him in my life; says Choqueux he was with me last Night, but did not stay long, but is excellent good Company, and of whose Society I e­ver was extreme desirous; I have invited him to morrow about seven or eight in the Evening to a Collation, and then you may discourse him.

According as Choqueux had told me, he brought L'estrange with him, and there was none in the Room but my self, before their coming in, though he speaks of two young Men in his Di­alogue, but Lyes are accounted small Faults with him, he can easily swallow them, and he might be pardoned for such Crimes, did he not err very grosly in very material Circumstances; as soon as Mr. Choqueux came in he told L'estrange that my Name was Tonge, then L'estrange said Mr. Tonge have I not seen you formerly at your Fathers Lodgings at Whitehal. I told him that to my Remembrance I never saw him there, but that I heard my Father mention his Name more than once, upon the Account of a Book which he wrote called the Royal Martyr, which he stopped and would not permit it to be Licenced; and that if I were not very mistaken (and therefore I would not be too confident in what I said) my Father informed me that he had put out several things in that Book, and said it was a very dangerous Piece, and unless he would permit him to model it according to his own Capricious Humour, he could not Licence it, and thereupon my Father was much troubled at his Sawciness, and sent for his Book again; these Words in L'estranges Dialogue, L'estrange makes Choqueux to speak, for these are his own Words, yes (says Mr. Choqueux) for refusing to Licence his Royal Martyr, which he took very ill at your Hands, of which Mr. Choqueux knew nothing of, but I shall take no farther no­tice of L'estranges Abusive and Lying Dialogue, for the whole Book is altogether extravagant and incoherent; and therefore not worth my while to make more Quotations out of it; there­fore I shall proceed, then Mr. Choqueux Recommended me to L'estrange, as a Person very wor­thy of my Acquaintance, and told him I had drawn up several Papers as Objections against the Plot; and he did presume I should be very glad of his Assistance therein; L'estrange told me he would to his Power Assist me in what he could, and ask'd me where my Papers were, for he would gladly peruse them; for he was informed those Papers had very material Things in them against the Plot; that he was a great admirer of all such things, as he did not question he had demonstrated to the World, by his Collections he had made concerning the Popish Plot, where Doctor Oates, was pleased to be silent; and said that for his Part, he found the whole Plot was replenished with nothing else but Improbabilities, and ridiculous Absurdities; and instanced in several general Transactions of the Plot, to wit▪ the unlikelihood of shooting his Majesty with silver Bullets in a screw'd Gun, and L'estrange said he would prove it by Reason, that if a­ny one shoot off such a Gun charged with silver Bullets, the silver Bullet would not give way, but come out a Slug; and another ridiculous Story he mentioned, that if Doctor Oates went over to St. Omers, and discovered the Popish Plot, by being there conversant with the Priests and Je­suites, he said it was very strange he could not tell, when he came over for England, where he first Landed; and then Choqueux and L'estrange fell into other Discourse concerning the late Wars; and L'estrange told him he did intend to write Prince Ruperts Life, and askt Choqueux whether he could give him any Assistance; he said he had some Memorials relating to the late [Page 12] Wars, but they were at Paris, so they both parted, and going out with L'estrange, I asked him when I should wait upon him, and if he had any Writing, I would transcribe any thing for him which he had to Print, but he said he had no such Business, but that any Evening he should be glad to see me, and Mr. Choqueux at his House in Holborne, and went his way from us.

The next Day after Mr. Choqueux went to L'estrange his House, and told me he was newly gone out; but he said to morrow in the Evening I should go along with him to L'estrange, and Crawly coming to the Savoy before we were gon, went along with us; whom I suppose L'estrange had no Acquaintance with; but Crawly went thinking he might have something to say to him in relation to his Papers; so soon as we came into the Room, where L'estrange was, he desired Mr. Cho­queux and Crawly to withdraw, for he said it look'd too much like a Consultation, who went out and expected my coming out in the Street; then being together, he asked me whether I had a Coppy of that Information which was delivered to the King; I told him I had not, only some loose Papers relating to it; but I could recite several material Passages of it; then L'estrange writ them down; and askt me whether I had no more to say, I told him I had not; and said when he had more Leasure, and had all my Informations he would swear me to them; I told him I did not care to be sworn to any of my Papers, for when Ely had often desired me I always refused it, for I was sufficiently Conscious of the great Undutifulness, and what an imparalelled degree of Impiety it would be, if I should swear against my Father, to take away his Life; then L'estrange said he did not desire to compel me to any thing, but now he was very busy, and had much Writing to dispatch, and desired me to call on him some other time; so I took my Leave of him, and he gave me as I was going, one or two of his Pamphlets, and went to find out Mr. Choqueux and Crawly who expected my coming out, but being both gon away I went to Elys House, and there I found them both, and Choqueux asked me what Mr. L'estrange said to me, and how he resented my Business. I told him I thought he approved of it very well, but said he was very busy, and took some Notes of what I said in Writing, and desired me to come some other time; and Mr. Choqueux said it was very well, and that things of that Nature must not be pusht on too fast, but be managed with mature Deliberation; and said ere it was long I should wait on L'estrange again; then Crawly replied he was the likeliest Person that Choqueux could have pitcht on to do my Business; being a Person whose Parts and Ingenuity he much admired; and Crawly went to his Lodging in Monmouth Street, and I went with Choqueux to the Savoy.

About a week after or thereabouts, there was a Meeting appointed by L'estrange and Ely at a Tavern near Chearing-cross, where were in the lower Room Choqueux, Crawly, the two Murphys and my self, and Ely and L'estrange were above Stairs, before any of the rest came; where after we had drunk several Bottles of Wine, Ely came down and said that Letter which was very long, was to be fairly Transcribed that Night, and sent to the King; L'estrange slipt down Stairs, and never came into the Room to us, though I was told, he did assist Ely to Indite it, and was with him above Stairs; then we all parted to our several Lodgings, and I went with Choqueux to the Savoy.

Not long after this, I was informed by Mr. Choqueux, that there had been one of the Kings Messengers, with a Warrant for him, and his Friend Ely, to appear before the Councel; at which Choqueux seemed to be very much startled, and said he had been no ways concerned with me on­ly in relation to my Health; and he did not question but I would vindicate him before the Coun­cel; I told him I could not surmise before hand what Questions would be asked me by the Lords of the Councel, but he might assure himself I would speak nothing but the Truth, let it light where it would; and in the Morning Ely, and Choqueux, with Doctor Oates were before the Councel, where was expected I should have been, but did not come: but the next Week after I was likewise summoned to appear with them; and the Day before I went I informed Ely and Cho­queux that I had a Note in my Trunck, which I had from Doctor Castle a little before I left him, that was at Mr. Kings in Shandoys Street, which I thought might do me a kindness, and Ely, and Choqueux told me it would be very necessary that I should have it; Ely came the next Morning in a Hackney Coach to the Savoy, and shook me by the Hand, Now Mr. Tonge says he, you are this Day to go before the Councel; and do not fear but your Business is done, carry your self but couragiously this first Brunt, and you shall have Backers enough to assist you; I wish you good Success, and said he would meet me at the Councel, at the appointed Hour between nine and ten of the Clock, but I am afraid you have not Courage enough to go manfully through with it; and I wish I were in your Case, to answer for you before the Councel, in a Business of such general good, and great Importance to the Nation; you will never have the like Opportunity a­gain to prefer your self as is now in your Hands; therefore be sure you recollect your self very well before you go, otherwise you will be trapt in your Discourse, and you may be sure Doctor Oates will thunder against you sufficiently, who is exceedingly inraged against you, by what I [Page 13] saw when Mr. Choqueux, and my self, were last before the Councel; when Ely was gone Cho­queux gave me a Guinny to fetch that Paper, and a Gentleman an Acquaintance of Choqueux went along with me in a Hackney Coach to Mr. Kings to fetch that Paper; and thence he car­ried me to Whitehal, and coming before the Councel, having been askt several Questions by their Lordships in relation to the Plot, and three or four times Examined by my Lord Chancel­lour; I was committed to Newgate for high Misdemeanours, and indeavouring by false Accusa­tions and Subornation of Perjury to defame the Kings Evidence, and all the prosecutions of the Popish Plot; I was first brought by one of the Kings Messengers into the Press-Yard, and there one Gyles that stood in the Pillory, insinuated himself into my Acquaintance; and told me I must not be Melancholly, nor cast down, for many times the Innocent had the misfortune to Suffer, but said my Business was never the worse, though I was committed to Newgate; and told me if I would not be wavering, but firm and Resolute, he did not much question but he could ingage Mrs. Cellier, that she should stand my Friend, and procure me Money, and what else I should de­sire of her; whilst I was in the Press-yeard one Mrs. Elmes came likewise to me, and told me that now all the Eyes of the Catholicks were upon me; and requested me what ever I did not to go back, but strenuously maintain my first Papers; and said she had a considerable Estate, and I should never want, whilst she had a Farthing in the World, and by her Interest she said she could procure more Friends, which would relieve me if they saw me couragious for the Catholique In­terest, to which I seemingly reply'd I would, so she took her leave; this Woman is a very zea­lous Papist, and an intimate Acquaintance of Monsieur Choqueux.

Whilst I was in the Press-yard, being advis'd by one of Mr. Choqueux Acquaintance, to write to Ely for some Relief, during my Confinement, and to desire him to bail me out of Prison, I did, as I had been informed his Friend L'estrange was Bail for him, and after some expectation I received this Letter from Ely, very cunningly and cautiously Penned, but the whole drift of it, (as any Person may easily perceive) was to draw me into a Snare, to write Choqueux such a Let­ter, that what he had done for me, was only for the good of my Health; and that he was no ways concerned in the Subornation to induce me to swear against my Father and Doctor Oates, that they were the contrivers of the Popish Plot; Mr. Chiffins sent Ely a Letter that Mr Choque­ux should take care of me in regard of my Health; and Ely show'd me the Letter, nevertheless Choqueux was continually prompting me on, and was extreme zealous for the Catholick Interest, and said he was very glad to hear of my forwardness to vindicate them; and thought I was the only Person in England that might be a means to make the Catholique Religion Flourish in these Kingdoms; and said he cared not what he bestowed to further my Business; Elys last Let­ter to me was in these Words.

[Page 14] After I had received this Letter of Elys, Captain Richardson sent for me, and said he was in­formed that several Persons had been to speak with me, I told him Colonel Mansel, and ano­ther Person had been with me, and likewise some Catholiques, and then he bid me fetch my Linnen, and removed me out of the Press-yard into the Master-side Debtors; from whence I was ordered to appear the second time before the Lords of his Majesties most honourable Privy Councel; his Majesty being then likewise present; where my Affidavit which was taken upon Oath before Mr. Justice Bridgeman being read, and the Lords were then many of Opinion, that Ely was the main Person, which did instigate me to draw up those Objections against the Po­pish Plot; this Account being more large than the Affidavit, not having then so much time to recollect my Memory, so fully as I have since done; and this I have performed with all due Respect to the Persons concerned, without clamorous and abusive Reflections; and with Consci­ence to the Truth, without wronging any Person in the Relation, and though L'estrange has so grosly abused me in his lying and scandalous Dialogue, yet I only plainly lay down the matter of Fact; and the several Intrigues and Discourses that past betwixt us, and as near as I could re­member the very Words, and leave it freely to the Judgment of any unbiast Person; whether L'estrange be so innocent, or made so slight a matter of what I said to him, as he publishes in his Case, inserting in it what he pleases, and many times mentioning Persons with us, when there were none, which is but a small Fault, but he confounds the whole Series of the Discourse which I had with him; as is sufficiently evident and perspicuous to any Person that will be at so much Pains, as to compare my Account with his Dialogue; and though he may have more Wit, I am sure he has not so much Honesty in the Relation.

Since I was committed to Newgate, the last Term a Habeas Corpus was brought for me, to ap­pear at the Kings Bench, where I moved my Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, that I might be removed to the Kings Bench; and upon my motion to the Judges I was committed to the Prison of the Court; And no farther saith,