the guards were very remiss in their places, and not like soldiers, and the thing was feasible, if they had strength to do it.
There were two meetings: he had notice of them; the company came in the evening; he saw no coaches; Lord Russell came both times.
Jeffreys—Do you remember that col. Rumsey at the first time had any discourse about any private business relating to my lord Russell?
Sheppard—No, I do not remember it.
Attorney-general—Besides the seizing of the guards did they discourse about rising?
Sheppard—I do not remember any further discourse, for I went several times down to fetch wine, and sugar, and nutmeg, and I do not know what was said in my absence.
He remembered that a paper was read 'somewhat in the nature of a proclamation,' setting forth the grievances of the nation 'in order to a rising.' It was read by Ferguson, but he could not say whether they were all present or not.
Cross-examined by Lord Russell, he could not be positive as to the time of the meetings; they were at the time that Lord Shaftesbury was absent from his house, and he absented himself about Michaelmas day.
Lord Russell—I never was but once at your house, and there was no such design as I heard of. I desire that Mr. Sheppard may recollect himself.