‘ATT my Tryall I thought I had a very good Plea, but was advis’d by the Lawers, as the suerest way to obtain Mercy, to plead guilty, upon which I threw my self wholly upon the King’s Mercy. What Confession the Court would have from me, I can’t tell; I am sure your Grace would not have me for the World spake more than I know. I declare before Almighty God, upon the Word of a Clergyman, I never brought any Letter out of Preston, or went to any one Gentleman, or spoke the least thing that tended that Way, viz. to Rebellion, but came into my own Country, as fast as I could, and so to London, where I was seizd and sent to Newgate. I humbly desire your Grace once more to believe me, and to use your utmost Endeavours to save a poor Clergyman’s Life: If it will not be granted to spend the Remainder of it in England, I beg you’ll be pleesd to send me to the Plantations, or any where rather then Tyburn. I humbly desire your Grace to consider your poor afflicted Servant, and take him from this nasty Prison.
‘My Lord,
‘I am your Lordship’s most Humble,
‘and most Obedient Servant,
William Paul.
‘My Lord, I never did, since I was in Newgate, pray for the Pretender by any Name or Title.’
My Lord,
‘I BEG pardon for troubling your Grace, but presuming upon your Goodness once again, humbly desire you to interceed with his Royal Higness for Mercy. The dead Warrant is come down for Exicution Friday next: What ill Steps I have made in my Life past, I hope Almighty God will forgive me; but the things that are laid to my charge, viz. preaching up Rebellion, advising my Parishioners to take up Arms, and that I preachd severall seditious Sermons, all which are faulse upon the Word of a Clergyman, as I have a Cirtificate to prove, for six Years, the time of my being att Orton, handed by most of the Parish. Another thing is objected against me, that I was concern’d in sevral Consultations, but I am inocent and ignorant, I cal God to witness, of any Design that was formd in any Part of the Kingdome against the Government; and if ever I knew of any Meeting, but where I was unfortunatly at Preston, or Consultation, or ever ask’d or advis’d any Body to rise in Rebellion, I am willing to suffer.
‘I desire your Grace will endeavour to save me this time from that ignominious Death of the Halter, and despose of me in what Part your Lordship pleaseth. If nothing can be done, I humbly desire your Lordship’s Blessing and Prayers for Patience and Courage in this severe time of Tryall. For God sake, my Lord, do what lyes in your power to save the Life of a poor afflicted Clergyman, the remaining Part of which shall be spent in Prayers for your Grace, and all that endeavour’d to bring me out of these great Troubles.
‘My Lord,
‘I am your Lordship’s most Humble
‘And most Obedient Servant,
William Paul.
Newgate,
9th July.
The following Letter was written by William Paul, the Night before his Execution, to the Right Honourable the Lord Viscount Townshend.’