Oneals Escape out of the Tower of London.
THese times, I beleeve are not unacquainted with the sinister disposition of Oneal, who for his wicked intentions in the last expedition in the North was committed by the House of Parliament to the Gate-House, and afterwards hee was by the same power committed to the Tower, where he hath remained ever since. And upon the 4 of this present May, as one guilty of the Allegations against him, hee made his escape both from his prison, and the present Iustice of the Law. The manner of his escape is after a very diverse manner supposed, and judged; some suspecting his Escape to be made in the disguise of a Porters Frock, wherby hee did delude his Keepers apprehension; othets suspecting his escape to be made over the walls, either by the help of a Roap, or else by some other instrument, which the Assistance of his present Fears or friends, did provide for him.
This Prisoner being for some space not seen as before in publique, a great Iealousie immediately possessed the Keepers breast; whereupon fearing that he might be suddenly taken with some extream [Page] melady, which might occasion his stay in his chamber, the Lieutenant and other Officers immediatly went to his Chamber, suspecting, and fearing him to be dead; but upon their search, they found neither their prisoner, nor almost any thing in his Chamber, for between him and his boy, they had conveyed away from his bed one pair of sheets, one Table-Cloath, and one long Towell, which did confirm their former feats of his Escape. And now finding to be true, what they before but suspected, the Lieutenant for his own security, gave present information of his escape unto the Parliament, who no sooner received the News of his Escape, but wisely considering the dangers that might ensue the liberty of such an ill and disaffected Member, gave present Order for his apprehension, and gave Power and Commission unto the said Lieutenant of the Tower, to issue forth Warrants for his speedy Apprehensions.
The Allegations against him, which occasioned his imprisonment, I have briefly and faithfully set down.
Falsities in Daniel Oneale his last Examination.
M. Oneals examination to the 2. interg.
THat he delivered to Sir Jacob Ashley in complement from the King to this effect, That hee knew him and Sir Iohn Conniers to be so gallant men, that hee never intended to place above them any man that was then under their command, and more this hee said not to him of any thing that concerned the King.
Disproved by Sir Jacob Ashley, Int. 2. n.
Contrary to this see Sir Iacob Ashleys Examination, Interg. 2. that at M. Oneales coming down, he told him, that things being not so well between the King and the Parliament, he thought a Petition from the Army would doe much good, and asked him if a draft of such a Petition were brought to him whether he would set his hand to it.
Mr. Oneale.
2. That he had no discourse with Sir Iacob Ashley for bringing up the Army to London.
Disproved by sir Jacob Ashley, int. 7. a.
Contrary to this see Sir Jacoh Ashlys Examination, [Page] int. 7. a. That M. Oneale telling him of the dislikes between the King and the Parliament, and of those things which were done to he disadvantage of the King. I replyed, I wondered that Councels above should be so laid as had been spoken of, of marching of the Army to the South, for they must fight with the Scots first, and beat them before they could move Southward, and that done, they must spoile the Countrey all along as they goe, and when they come to London they would finde resistance by the Parliam. and the Scots might rally and follow them.
M. Oneale.
3. That he delivered the like Message to sir John Conniers as he had done to Sir Iacob Ashley, with this addition, that the King had sent him word, that he would have particular care of his fortunes, and other speech then this he had not with him, of any thing that concerned the King, nor delivered him, nor Sir Jacob Ashley any other Message or Lettet from the King.
Disproved by sir Iohn Conniers 1. Examination, int. 4.
Contrary to this see Sir John Conniers 1. Examination, [Page] int. 4. That Master Oneale used perswasions to this Examinant, that hee would serve the King, and that if he did not he should be left alone, and would but ruine himselfe, for that all the Troopers under him, were that way inclined, that therefore hee should adhere to the King, and goe those wayes that the King would have him.
Sir John Conniers 2. Examination, int. 4.
See likewise Sir John Conniers in his 2. Examination, int. 4. That Mr. Oneale said unto him, that if he this Examinant had been well knowne unto the King would have written unto him, and that therefore he conceived that this Examinant should should doe well to write to the King. To which he replyed, that he could not serve the K. in that point, and therfore thought it would be of no use to trouble the King with this Letter.
Mr. Oneale.
5. That he never heard of any motion or intention to bring up the Army to London.
See this disproved before Sir Jacob Ashley, int. 7. a.
See Sir Fulk Hunks, int. 2. a. that Oneale dealt with him to have the troops move.
Mr. Oneale.
That he never had Communication with any about the procuring a Neutrality from the Scottish Army, nor ever heard of such a Proposition.
Disproved by Sir Jacob Ashley, int. 7.
7. Contrary to this, see Sir Jacob Ashleys Examination, int. 7. that Sir Jacob saying that He wondered that Councels above should be so laid as had bin spoken of, of the marching of the Army to the South, for they mvst fight with the Scots first, and beate them, before they could move Southward, and the Scots might ralley & follow them; to which Oneale replyed, what if the Scots could be made Neutrals. Sir Jacob said, that the Scots would lay Him by the heeles if hee should come to move such a thing, for they would never breake with the Parliament.
FINIS.