[69] Printed document. State Papers, Dom., 1681, Sept. 2.
[70] State Papers, Dom. Charles II., 1681, Aug. 25, Sept. 2. There are several very curious papers relative to Oates, which I have copied, but have not space to insert.
The Prevaricator at Cambridge at the commencement of 1680, referred to the plot. The reference seems to have been very brief and unimportant, but it gave concern in high quarters. A letter was written to the Vice-Chancellor, by direction of the Bishop of London, complaining of the Prevaricator turning the plot into ridicule, that it would be brought before Parliament “to the reproach of the government of the Universities, if not to strike at the Universities themselves, unless it be timely prevented by a severe animadversion.”—Cambridge Portfolio, 242.
[71] Life of Baxter, 349. The book is dated 1680, and the author, Lewis du Moulin, recanted his reflections on the Divines of the Church of England, the same year.
[72] Burnet, i. 461.
[73] There is a letter from the Lieutenant of the Tower in the Record Office, Dom. Charles II., August 5, 1681, in which the writer describes how the prisoner was to be conveyed to Oxford “in a coach with ten or twelve of the warders on horseback, with carabines.”
[74] Burnet, i. 505. Colledge was tried on the 17th and 18th of August. The trial is reported at full length in a folio pamphlet of 102 pages published by authority, 1681. Colledge defended himself, examined witnesses and made speeches. It is plain that under the circumstances, with such judges, the poor fellow stood no chance.
[75] September 1, 1681, Oxon. Letter from Thomas Hyde states that just before the execution of Colledge, he had denied having written certain letters, but that when he heard these letters had been intercepted, he acknowledged them.
There are several letters respecting Colledge; amongst other papers is the following:—September 30, 1681. “Deposition of Benjamin Wyche of the parish of Saint Andrew’s, Holborn, London, Apothecary. This deponent saith that being in Richards’ coffee-house near Temple Bar, soon after His Majesty had dissolved the Parliament sitting at Westminster, amongst other company in the room, Mr. Colledge was one whom (upon discourse of the Parliament being then dissolved) he this deponent, heard uttering these words, ‘Well I see what it will come to, we must e’en draw our swords, and fight it out again,’ or words to that effect.—Ben Wyche.”
“Jurat coram me.—L. Jenkins.”