A TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE HORRID CONSPIRACY AGAINST The LIFE of His Sacred MAJESTY WILLIAM III. KING of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, &c.
Setting forth how it was Contrived; How it was to be carried on; And the manner of its DISCOVERY.
Published By Authority.
DUBLIN,
Printed by John Brent at the Hercules-Pillars in Essex-street, for Jacob Milner; and are to be Sold at his Shop over against the End of Essex-Bridge. 1692.
A TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE HORRID CONSPIRACY AGAINST The LIFE of His Sacred MAJESTY WILLIAM III. KING of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, &c.
SOme of the Ministers in the Highest Employments, and of the Greatest Credit in the French Court, having formed a design to Assassinate his Majesty of Great Britain, they made choice of one Bartholomew de Liniere, Kt. Sieur de Grandval, as their Instrument to manage the Enterprize, to find out persons fit to be employ'd in it, to engage them by promises of great Rewards; as also to be aiding and assisting in his own person.
The said Grandval being informed, that one Anthony Du Mont had already been engaged in this Design, in the Life-time of the late Marquiss of Louvois, he proposed it to him again, to execute the same, by Order of the Marquiss of Barbesieux, and some others. Whereupon several Projects were drawn up, several Petitions delivered, and many Conferences were held, and at last the resolution was taken to bring it to effect the last Campagne 1691. But the Providence of God having disappointed them, yet notwithstanding they did not let fall the prosecution of their horrid design. But Grandval was employ'd to write frequently to Du Mont (who was retired to Hanouer,) to stir him up to another Attempt this Campagne, which at at last they agreed upon.
One Leefdale coming to Paris about that time, Grandvall making an acquaintance with him discovered to him the said Design, which Leefdale shewed a willingness to be concerned in; but soon after gave notice of it by Letters to his Relations in Holland, that they might inform his Majesty. And the like discovery was made by Du Mont to his Highness the Duke of Z [...]ll, who acquainted his Majesty with it about the same time that he received the other account.
In the mean time Grandval having appointed Du Mont a Rendezvous at Vden in the Countrey of Ravesteyn, he set out from Paris in company with Leefdale, passing through Brussels, where he communicated his design to one John d'Amours, who was formerly a Domestick Servant to Leefdale's Father. From thence they went to Antwerp, and so to Eyndhoven, where Grandval was seized, and carried to Bois le Duc.
His Majesty directing the Examinations to be taken there, Leefdale was first examined, who declared with great exactness, all the circumstances of the Conspiracy. But it is not necessary to mention more of them here, then that Grandval told him, The King of Great Britain was look'd upon as the only Obstacle to the French King's Designs. That Grandval had send to Du Mont last Winter above 200 Pistols, to keep him firm to the business; and that he sent him ten Ducats from Brussels by Bill of Exchange. That whilst they were at Mons, a Report being spread of some disorders in Scotland, which would oblige his Majesty to cross the Sea again: Grandval fearing it might happen before he could execute his design, spoke to Leefdale in these words: Dear Friend, we are like to lose our Fortunes: I beg of you that we may go away immediately.
John d'Amours being next examined, deposed, That Grandval told him at Brussels, He had a great business to do, which had miscarried the last year. And they two falling into a discourse about his Majesty, John d'Amours ask'd Grandval, if he had any thing to say to the King? Yes, answered he, To break his Neck. John d'Amours representing to him the difficulties that might attend such an attempt; Grandval reply'd, I have given my word to Monsieur Barbesieux, and I'll do it. D'Amours adds further, That going one day with Grandval and Leefdale by the Jesuits Church at Brussels, Grandval said, Let us go in and say a Pater noster, that God would bless our Undertaking: And accordingly they went into the Church.
Du Mont having been examined since, has own'd the Fact in all its circumstances; adding several other particulars, viz. That Madam Maintenon was acquainted with the design; and that Grandval, in one of his Letters sent to him, used this expression, That he would accommodate the Matter by the means of Madam Maintenon. That Grandval told him, the Business succeeding, he (speaking of himself,) should have an ample Recompence, even to be a Duke. That whilst he was at Hanouer he imparted the design to Monsieur Bedal, alias Hasfelt, who was at that time the French King's Minister in that Court; That he shewed to the said Monsieur Bedal all the Letters he writ to Monsieur Barbesieux and Grandval, as also the Answers he received from them, That the said Bedal approved the design, saying, It would be a very good business, if it could be brought to pass; and that Bedal lent him fifty Crowns at Hanouer. Du Mont adds further, That he was intimately acquainted with one Miller, an Agent for Bedal; that tho said Miller told him, as a great Secret, That Bedal had sent him several times to Holland with Dispatches, that came from France, for Monsieur Moreau, Envoy to the King of Poland; that he always gave those Pacquets into Monsieur Moreau's own hand, and Monsieur Moreau gave him the Answers to them in like manner. And that by the help of Monsieur Bedal, and Monsieur Moreau, the Court of France managed their choicest Correspondence in Holland.
At last Grandval was Examined, who perceiving that the matter was discovered, and that his own Letters could be produced to convict him, he ingenuously confessed all the circumstances of the design, as they are particularized in the Sentence.
After which, Grandval being brought to the Army, he was put upon his Trial before a Grand Court Martial, consisting of General Officers, where he appeared several times, together with the Witnesses above-mentioned, who not only persisted in what they had already deposed, but added many other Particulars and Circumstances, of which there were very few that Grandvall did not agree to, and that freely, without so much as naming the Rack to him, either before or after Sentence.
Grandvall, during his Imprisonment, drew up two Petitions to be presented to His Majesty, all written with his own Hand; in which he says, That as to the before-mentioned Design, He acted in it but in obedience to the Orders he had received from Monsieur Barbesieux and Monsieur Chanlais; That Du Mont was Guilty; That Leefdale was Guilty; And that he (Grandvall) was Guilty, since every one that Conspires against a Crown'd Head, is worthy of Death, acknowledging his own Fault.
The Judges after this, having met several times, at last gave this Sentence, which is here inserted word for word.
VVHereas Bartholomew de Liniere, Knight, Sieur de Grandvall, Born at Liniere in Picardy, aged about Forty Three years, and now a Prisoner, hath confessed before the Grand Court-Martial, without any Constraint by Plain, or being in Irons; and it further appearing to the said Court-Martial, That the late Marquis de Louvcis, in his Life-time, Secretary of State to the French King, in the year 1691. entered into an Agreement with one Anthony Du Mont, about the Murther of his Majesty, William the III, King of Great Britain, &c. and that the said Du Mont had framed a Project, setting forth in what manner that Design might be Executed; that he delivered the said Project to the said Marquis of Louvois; That the Prisoner, some time before the Marquis of Louvois's Death, asking his leave to go somewhere else, was ordered by the said Marquis not to go away, for that he had some Business of Consequence to employ him in, which the Prisoner-supposes to have some Relation to the said Design; but the Marquis of Louvois dying some time after, there was no further Progress then made in the said Design.
That the Marquis of Barbesieux, Son to the said Marquis of Louvois, as also Secretary of State to the French King, having five days after his Fathers death found the said Project, together with a Warrant for Thirty Pistols to be paid to the said Du Mont, among his Fathers Papers; the said Design was revived again, and the thirty Pistols were paid accordingly. That the Prisoner contracted an Acquaintance with Du Mont at Monsieur Rabenac's House, where Monsieur Paparell, Pay-Master General to the French Kings Armies, saying one day to Monsieur Rabenac, (the Prisoner being present) That if they had a mind to seize the King of England, Du Mont would be a fit Person for it; Du Mont reply'd with Execrations, That he would carry off his Majesty alive or dead, as he had promised to Monsieur de Louvois.
That Du Mont having delivered the same or the like Project to Monsieur de Barbesieux, the Prisoner to promote the said Design, had several Conferences with Monsieur Barbesieux and Monsieur Paparell, in one of which, Monsieur Barbesieux told the Prisoner, That he suspected his Father was Poisoned by Order of the Prince of Orange, (meaning his present Majesty of Great Britain) and therefore he would be Revenged of him: That Monsieur Barbesieux told the Prisoner in another Conference, That he should give Du Mont notice, that his Majesty of Great Britain wore a Coat of Mail, which the prisoner acquainting Du Mont with, he answer'd thereupon, It is no matter, I'll kill him for all that: That Barbesieux had said further, He would not speak himself with Du Mont, fearing he might be taken Prisoner; and if he should happen then to Name him, it might make a great Breach in his Fortune.
That the Prisoner was engaged with one Parker, a Colonel belonging to the late King James, to put the said Design in Execution; and that Parker had told him, He had formed the said Design with the late Marquis of Louvois.
That at last, the Prisoner, with the said Barbesieux, Paparell, Parker and Du Mont, agreed upon the manner of Executing the said Design, viz. That the Prisoner and Parker, should meet at the Grand Guard of the Duke of Luxemburg's Army, where they were to have 1500 Horse: That Du Mont should go to the King of England's Army, and watch the time when his Majesty went to visit the Grand Guard; and at the same time he was to shoot his Majesty; that the Prisoner and Parker, with 1500 Horse, were to rescue and bring him off, the said Du Mont giving timely notice to the Prisoner of the intended Execution. That Barbesieux giving the Prisoner Orders to accompany Du Mont to Menin, he gave him at the same time an Order to the Duke of Luxemburg for furnishing the Prisoner with such a Detachment of Horse as he should require, and think necessary for the Design.
That the Prisoner by Monsieur Barbesieux's Order, Receiv'd of Monsieur Paparell 80 Lewis d'Or; and in pursuance of Monsieur Barbesieux's Directions, he gave to Du Mont 55 Lewis d'Or out of that Summ, viz. fifteen Pistols in Specie, and a Bill of [Page 6]Exchange for 460 Livres French Money, to be paid at Ghent; that the Prisoner accordingly left Paris the 11th of September 1691, and went Post with Da Mont to Menin; That he defray'd the whole Charge of the Journey; that Du Mont acquainted him on the way, That Monsieur Barbesieux had promised him an annual Revenue of 20000 Livres, and to make him a Knight of the Order of St. Lazarus, in case the design took effect: That the Prisoner coming to Menin, went to the Governour, Monsieur Pertuis, as he had been directed by Monsieur Barbesieux, and obtained of him a Passport for Du Mont, who parted immediately for Ghent, promising the prisoner, that according to their agreement, he would send to him at the Grand Guard; that the Prisoner thereupon went to the Duke of Luxemburg's Army, and he and Parker continued at the Head of the Grand Guard till the day before the Rencounter at Leuza, without hearing from Du Mont.
That Du Mont going to Hanouer. the Prisoner had kept a constant Correspondence with him about executing the same design at some other opportunity; that the Prisoner communicated what Letters he receiv'd from Du Mont to Monsieur Barbesieux, who gave him directions what Answers he should return; That the Prisoner resolved with Monsieur Barbesieux, that the design should be Executed this Campagne, Anno 1692, which had failed the last; That the Prisoner had taken some measures concerning the same with Monsieur Chanlais, Quarter-master-General to the French King.
In the mean time, one Frederick Aelbreyt, Leefdale, heretofore Captain Lieutenant of a Troop of Dragoons in the Service of the High and Mighty States General of the United Provinces coming to Paris, was brought acquainted with the Prisoner by the means of one Sterck; That the Prisoner having contracted an infinite familiarity with the said Leefdale, discover'd the said design to him towards the latter end of March last 1692, telling him, That an Officer who would Ingratiate himself in the King's Favour, must venture at something of Consequence; That he, the Prisoner, had concerted the Execution of a Design upon which his Fortune depended; That it was indeed a matter without hazard; but the greater the difficulties were, the more would be the Honour, encouraging Leefdale to be concerned in it; and the said Leefdale shewing a readiness to comply with him, the prisoner open'd himself with greater freedom, and told him, That he was engaged last Campagne with one Du Mont to Assassinate the King of Great Britain, but it had no Effect, by reason of his Majesty's leaving the Army so soon; but it was resolved again to put the same in execution this year: That Du Mont by many repeated Oaths, had sworn he would do it; yet, he the prisoner feared, that if he were not present, Du Mont would not so exactly observe his Orders, and therefore he was resolved to go along with Du Mont, asking Leefdale, If he would be of the party? who answering, That he would, the prisoner discoursed to him at large of all particulars concerning the Design, and afterwards brought him to Monsieur Barbesieux and Chanlais.
That Chanlais in one of the Conferences held upon that Subject, told Leefdale, the prisoner being by, That a great Reward should be given him, the Business succeeding; That Barbesieux and Paparel had both of them knowledge of the promised Rewards.
That he the prisoner, with the said Leefdale and Colonel Parker, went to St. Germains on the 16th of April 1692, to speak with the late King James about the said design, who had knowledge of it, and to take leave of him before they began their journey; That the prisoner had Audience at the same time of the said King James, the late Queen being present; King James telling him, Parker has given me an Account of the Business; If You and the other Officers do me this Service, you shall never want. And Parker, the prisoner, and Leefdale entred into a discourse about this design.
That Du Mon's Wife delivered to Monsieur Barbesieux several Letters, which she received from her Husband whilst he was at Hanouer, and the prisoner continuing his Correspondence with him all the said time, he engaged du Mont by Letters, especially those dated the 20th and 25th of April, and the 12th of May last, to come from Hanouer to a Rendezvous at Uden in the Countrey of Ravesteyn, in order to take a final Resolution with the said prisoner and Leefdale concerning the manner of executing [Page 7]their Design: the Prisoner pressing Du Mont to hasten his Journey, for fear the King of England should have occasion to re-pass the Sea; the Prisoner adding withal, That he should be mad if he failed in his Business.
That the Prisoner, with Chanlais and Leefdale, were agreed in what manner the Assassinate should be committed on the Person of His Majesty, viz. That when the King should ride along the Lines, or should go out to take any View, or when the Army should decamp, that Du Mont should lie in Ambuscade, and when His Majesty should pass within 100 Paces of him, he should then fire upon the King; That Chanlais (to whom notice was to be given before of the time) should be with 3000 Horse at the Duke of Luxemburg's Grand Guard; That the Prisoner had told Leefdale, There would be no danger for him, since Du Mont had a Secret to charm Peoples Eyes, and at all Adventures they two would keep with those who followed the King; and when every body was pursuing after Du Mont, they should have time to escape and save themselves, and carry the Account to Monsieur Chanlais; and it little concern'd them whether Du Mont should be taken or not, provided they could escape themselves; That the Prisoner and Leefdale received their last Orders from Chanlais, who told them he was going to Mons, and that they should stay for him there.
That the Prisoner and Leefdale went from Paris the 17th of April last, and arrived a few days after at Mons, having waited some time for Monsieur Chanlais's arrival; and finding he did not come, they resolved to go forward to the Rendezvous by the way of Brussels; That the Prisoner, as they were travelling on the way, told Leefdale, That their Design taking place, the Alliance among the Confederate Princes would be broken; That the Princes concerned would each of them re-call their Troops, and the Countrey being thereby left without Soldiers, the King of Frace would easily make himself Master of it, and King James would be Restored again.
That the Prisoner with Leefdale, went to the Mayery of Boisleduc, and was apprehended at Eyndhoven.
And whereas this Horrid Design is contrary to the Laws of God, of Nature, and of all Nations, and ought for the deterring of others from the like Machinations, to be punished with the greatest Rigour: The said Court-Martial, having with mature deliberation Examined and Considered the whole matter, have thought fit to Judge and Declare, as they do hereby Declare, The Prisoner to be Guilty of High-Treason, and do Condemn him to be Drawn on a Sledge to the place of Execution, there to be Hanged on a Gallows; To be cut down before he be Dead; His body to be opened, and his Bowels to be taken out and burnt; His Head to be set upon a Pole; His Body to be Quartered; And the four Quarters to be hung up where his Majesty shall think fit. And do further declare all his Estate to be Confiscated, and Condemn him to bear the Charges and Cost of this Trial. Given and pronounced in the Head-Quarters of the Army under the Command of His Majesty of Great Britain, by the Earl of Athlone, General of the Horse, President; the Lieutenant-General Van Scravenmore, and Lieutenant-General Talmash; the Marquis de la Forest, the Heer Var Weed, Count Noyelles, and the Heer Zobel, Majors General, and the Brigadiers Churchil and Ramsey; Cornelius Van Wou, and Richard Vthwayt, Judges Advocates, Assisting at Limbeck, the 11th of August, 1692.
In pursuance of the Sentence above-mentioned, the Chevalier de Grandvall was Executed in the Camp on the 13 of August 1692. All that he said at the place of Execution, was, to recommend himself to the Prayers of those that were present: But the same morning before he went to Execution, he writ this following Letter.
JE Vous prie d'aller trouver Monsieur l'Archevéque de Rheims, avec Monsieur Jourduil, & faire connître au dit Seigneur Archevéque, qu'il m'en couste la vie, pour avoir obey aux Ordres de Monsieur de Barbesieux; C'est la grace que vous demande votre serviteur,
Voyez Monsieur le Marquis d'Arsy, qu'il contribue à faire prier Dieu pour moy.
I Pray you to go to the Archbishop of Rheims, with Monsieur Jourduil, and to let the said Archbishop know, That it costs me my Life for having obey'd the Orders of Monsieur de Barbesieux; which is the Favour desired of you by your Servant
Speak to the Marquis d'Arsy, That he take care I be pray'd for.
Upon the Occasion of this Letter, it willl not be improper to take notice of a Passage that happened some days before Grandvall's Condemnation, since it has so great an Agreement with the said Letter, and may serve to explain it, if it needed any clear Light, which is as follows.
One discoursing with the Chevalier Grandvall in Prison, and observing he sought to justify himself upon the Orders he had received from the Marquiss of Barbesieux, he told him, Though that was in it self a very weak Excuse for being engaged in a base Action, yet still it might prove so much the worse, as that it was like enough Monsieur Barbesieux would disown that he gave any such Orders, or that he was any ways concerned with him in a Business of this Nature. To which Grandvall reply'd, Let him deny what he pleases, yet if I were put upon it, I would make it appear very plain; for I have an Original Paper under Monsieur Barbesieux's own hand, which I have lodged with a Friend of mine, who will not part with it to any one but my self, and no body else knows with whom I have entrusted it.