APPENDIX A

Longleat MSS. Coventry Papers xi. 393

April 29, 1679. Dover. Francis Bastwick to Henry Coventry.

This day I received advice of one Col. Scott coming from Folkestone to take horse here for London, and on his arrival I seized him and sent for the Comm. of the passage. His examination I send you enclosed, upon which we found cause to commit him (which was accordingly done by the deputy mayor) into safe custody until we had further orders from one of his Majesty’s principal secretaries what to do with him. He owns himself to be the same person we have had orders for several months past to seize at his landing. Col. Strode, deputy formerly, had an order to seize Col. Scott as I remember from Mr. Secretary Coventry, but I am not certain but Col. Strode or his deputy are at present in the place.

I am your most humble servant Fran. Bastwick. I desire your speedy answer when you have acquainted my Ld. Sunderland. Col. Scott has been found in many contrary tales, and went at his landing by the name of John Johnson.

Coventry Papers xi. 396

From the examination of Colonel Scott at Dover, April 29, 1679. That he is a pensioner to the prince of Condi, and hath formerly commanded the prince of Condi’s regiment of horse in the French service. And that the said prince of Condi sent him over in September last in order for the surveying of several parcels of lands and woods in Burgandie and Picardie was the occasion of his going over.

That the occasion of his return is to see his native country, and his profession is a soldier. The said Colonel offered to take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy and the test.

Coventry Papers xi. 397

Undated. Paper headed: An account of what the Earl of Barkeshire desired Colonel John Scot to communicate to His Maty. with what passed before the discourse. (Endorsed by Coventry in the same words.)

The Earl of Barkeshire, that had lain long of a languishing sickness in Paris, was pleased to let me know he desired to advise with me about a physician. This was in March last. I told his lordship I was acquainted with an able man of our own nation, and one of the college of physicians in London, but I was of opinion his Lordship’s Roman Catholic friends would not approve of him because he was not only a strict protestant, but one that did publicly defend the doctrine of the church of England, and as publicly declare the English Roman Catholics were prosecuted on just grounds. His Lordship said that mattered not, he should not dispute that point with him, nor did he value any man the worse for differing from him in judgment, and that he was not so strait-laced as others of his opinion, and did commit himself to the charge of the said Doctor Budgeon; but it did prove too late, for this gentleman soon told his Lordship what condition he was in, and he came to my lodgings and signified to me his Lordship’s great desire to speak with me, telling me his Lordship in all human probability could not live long; and I waited upon his Lordship the morning following, and he having commanded his servants out of the chamber, and to suffer nobody to come in till he called, spake to me as I remember these very words:—

Colonel Scot, you are my friend; I must commit a secret to you; there has been a foolish and an ill design carried on in England: I don’t tell you the Roman Catholic religion is a foolish business, for it is the faith I will die in, but ’tis the giddy madness of some of that religion I blame. I knew nothing on’t till my Lord Arundel, Mr. Coleman, and others told me the business could not miscarry, and that I should be looked upon as an ill man if I came not in in time, and truly I believed them. I was none of the contrivers, I was not consulted with till towards the latter end of the day, nor did I ever hear anything mentioned about killing the king; if I had, I would have discovered it, and so indeed I ought to have done what I did know, as well for the personal obligations I had to his Majesty as that which my allegiance obliges me to, and every man too; for my Lord Bellasis is an ill man; he and others were accustomed to speak ill of the king, indeed very irreverently.

Then I asked his Lordship who those others were; but he answered, prithee, good Colonel, ask me no questions; if I had known of approaching dangers to the king, I should have told him. He then fetched a great sigh and wept, but presently said, Friend, I see things will go as you will; for God’s sake promise me you will find some way to tell the king every word I say, and that though some passages in letters of mine may look a little oddly, I would have run any hazard rather than have suffered any injury to have been done to his Majesty’s person: ’tis true I would have been glad to have seen all England Catholic, but not by the way of some ill men. My Lord Stafford was all along a moving agent, and was here in France about the business; the man of himself is not very malicious. My Lord Powis his covetousness drew him in further than he would have gone. I believe and hope there will hardly be found matter against them to take away their lives, but pray the king from a poor dying man not to have to do with any of those four Lords I have named, for they love not his person.

My Lord Peeter has always had a great love and reverence for the king’s person; ’tis true this last wife of his is foolishly governed by priests and influences him; but he was ever averse to all things of intrigue in this matter. I need not desire you to be secret, your own safety will oblige you. My Lord Cardigan and others being at the door and calling to this Lord, the servants were ordered to let them in, and before them he said, pray don’t forget the hundredth we spake of, nor the business at Rohan. I was there once more with the Doctor, but he grew exceeding deaf; he said only then to me: Colonel, don’t forget what I said to you for God’s sake. This is the very manner he spake it.

John Scot.

Coventry Papers xi. 171

December 23, 1676. Hague. A letter, unsigned. Note by Coventry at head—To one Johnson: at foot—shewed his Maj. 23rd of Dec. 76.

In my last I made some observations to you of the working of the old spirit in the Popish party: at this time will now only add that the same seemeth not to be restrained to England.... The popish humour beginneth to spread itself over the English regiments, especially the regiment lately Col. Tanwicke. One Wisely is made Col., being Lieut. Col. before. Archer the major is made Lieut. Col., both Irish Papists, and the rest of the officers are generally papists and mad Irish, and for aught we know for the most part recommended by the Duke of York. Now albeit this be true that this congregating of Papists together in a body be in the dominion of another state, yet it is true they are subjects of England and in regard to the ... circumstances of England in my poor opinion worthy the public notice.

Coventry Papers xi. 506

Undated. Letter without address or signature; deciphered from numbers written in very light ink in place of all important words, so that all those in the decipher stand between the lines.

Col. Scot doth send his letters by way of Mons. Gourville, in whose chamber he writes them, so that I see little hopes of doing what you know, though the undertaker doth still insist for the contrary. I am ready for the journey, hoping Mr. Secretary will be so just as to spare naming me till that service is done, for I should be sorry to trust any other who I do know to have contrived my being disliked in this court. A lady of quality, my good friend, returned yesterday from Bretagne and assures a great arming upon those coasts and an army of forty thousand men ready to ship at Nantes, Brest, etc., whenever commanded to sea, to save (as they report) the K. of England from destruction. The lady, if there were no disguise in the outward state of things in England (which many do think there is), might I think be brought to use her knowledge for his Majesty’s service, but my hands are tied, and you know how things stand with you.

Coventry Papers xi. 313

May 21 1678. St. Malo. Thomas Kelly to Mr. William Talbot in Corn Market, Dublin.

I pray you to pay to Mr. John Plunket the sum of 89 pounds sterling by the review of this letter; in doing so you will satisfy your creditor. Made the 21st of May at St. Malo, 1678.

Thomas Kelly.

[The above is in plain dark ink. What follows is light and indistinct; the characters were evidently written in milk or lemon-juice, and made visible by being held to the fire.]

When I came from Paris to St. Germaine where I stayed some time and among other speeches I heard in dophin [sic] Chamber from some which were there that if the English should make war against them they should easily excite a rebellion both in Scotland and Ireland, and sending by some Marshal of France 10 men of war with all things necessary for to make up 2000 soldiers in Ireland and that, by the help of some skillful Irishmen, and under their conduct all the Irish should be, they may easily overcome all Ireland. This was the discourse of those gentlemen in Dorphin [sic] Chamber, but whether it comes to effect or not I cannot tell.... [Goes on to give particulars of the numbers and strength of the French navy on the north coast.]

Coventry Papers xi, 310

July 6, 1678. Kimper. David Neal to John Plunket at sign of the Ship in the Corn Market in Dublin.

[Of the same character as the last. The letter, in black ink, is frivolous. Interlined in light writing as follows.]

I have been over all places where I was bound, but the fairest places is Brest, and afterwards Havre and St. Malos for merchants. The names of them that are capable to serve I did send long since. All other places are nothing after these places neither is there any man of war in them other places unless they should stay for a day or two expecting to convoy others.... [Gives other particulars of ships and a list of names of captains of French men of war. Concludes—]

If you please I intend to go home since the time is past whenever I was engaged, neither will my friends have me to apply myself to it. Your resolution hereupon I will willingly see as soon as possible, for I have not much money to stay long in ... country as dear as this is.

Coventry Papers xi. 317

June 17, 1678. Rochford. Walter B—— à Monsieur Patric Roch à la place au blé à Dublin. (Endorsed in Coventry’s hand): Mr. Burke.

[Of the same nature as the last two, and in the same handwriting.] There is nothing here worthy of relation only that all the people of this country is very desirous to have war against you, and specially all the seamen desire no other thing but it.... [Further particulars of French ships, mostly merchant vessels. One passage in the black ink deserves to be noted.] This is the fourth letter which I did write to your honour without receiving any answer.

Coventry Papers xi. 204

April 14, 1678. St. Omers. Sam Morgan to his father. (Copy of same 205.)

(Endorsed in Coventry’s hand.) Send to Doct. Lloyd to learn where Morgan the father liveth, and how I may write to him.—Mr. Morgan the father lives at Kilkin in Flintshire near the Bp. of Bangor.

Honoured Father! These are next to my humble duty unto yourself and my mother to acquaint you with my present condition. I am here entered in a College called Flamstead amongst good gentlemen, and am well beloved of them all. The place is very good for meat and drink and other necessaries, but my fear is and am in good measure satisfied that my uncle intends me for a priest. He spoke nothing unto me as yet, but I partly understand that he is of that opinion, which when I considered on is clean against my conscience. I daily see and know what they are, and am utterly dissatisfied with and condemn the principles and practices of their diabolical opinions, for I dare not call it religion. If you would be pleased to call for me home I think I should be very well; for now (I thank God) I got more learning here since I came than I should have gotten anywhere in Wales in 7 or 8 years. I have competent skill in Greek and Latin, and can write a little of both: if you would be pleased to take me home, I should thank my uncle for my learning, and let him take whom he thinks fit for his priest.

I must stay here 18 years yet, and God knows who would be alive then; and for all that, if I were like to be a comfort to my friends, I would stay with all my heart, though I utterly abhor their ways. If you intend to take me home it must be done within this two years at furthest; otherwise it will be too late; and if you be of that resolution put two strokes in the bottom of your letter; be sure you mention it not publicly in my letter, for then the Reader, which is the master of the house, will come to know it; for there is not a letter that comes in or goes out of the house but he has the perusal of it, but now I write this and deliver it privately to an honest man that set out this day hence; so that the master knows nothing of it. No more but that you would use some means to redeem me from this great captivity, who am in extraordinary haste.

Your dutiful son,
Sam Morgan.

Joseph Lane.

P.R.O. Roman Transcripts. Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia 332

December 2, 1678. L’Abbe G. B. Lauri à S. EMza.

Ancor che lo stato presente d’Inghilterra, e la risposta datami la settimania passata dal Sigr di Pomponne non mi facessero sperare cos’ alcuna di buono intorno all’ assistenza richiesta a favore del Sigr Duca di Yorch; nondimeno a proporzione della premura di N.S. e dell’ importanza dell’ affare, ne rimovai le instanze al suddetto ministro Martedì passato, nel qual giorno per questi e per altri negozii pendenti mi portai à Varsaglia; egli soggiunsi che il credito talvolta e l’assistenza del Re di Francia avrebbe potuto ristabilire il partito del Sigr Duca di Yorch e de’ Catholici di quel regno, quando S. Mta si fosse dichiarata per loro. Rispose tuttevia il Sigr di Pomponne che tutti i Catholici d’Inghilterra ò erano imprigionati ò erano stati discacciati di Londra. Il medmo Sigr Duca di Yorch restava escluso dall’ essercizio delle sue cariche, e tutti indifferemente venivano osservati in maniera che il dichiararsi nello stato presente per loro altre non sarebbe stato che un accrescergli le persecuzioni, e finir di ruinare il partito Catholico di quel regno; per queste ragioni avere stimato S. Mta che non sia tempo di prestar l’assistenza richiesta, mentre il cambiamento delle cose faceva ogni conoscere che tal consiglio non era pin utile, come ragionevolmente avra per altro potuto stimarsi prima che succedessero le mutazioni accennati. Io dunque essendo cosi cambiate di faccia le cose d’Inghilterra, ed incontrando que le scritte difficoltà, tralascierò di fare altre istanza per quest’ affare finche da V.S., informata che sia delle cose che passano, mi vengano nuovi comandamenti.