"That Captain Simon Frazer and himself were comé "over with joint Inftructions and Credentials from the "Courts of France and St. German's, including an inde "finite Promife of Money and Arms, to fupport an In"furrection in Scotland, for King James the Eighth. 66 66 "As to my public Affair, faid he, the High"landers were not fo frank as I expected; however, I "have engaged fome, having carried them to my Lord "Drummond's Houfe, where we held a Council, by "virtue of our Credential Letters, and have concerted "Matters as far as was poffible; but we found that "there was no engaging People upon fimple Affurances "and Promises; wherefore there was a Neceffity for 66 my returning to France, to have fome other Courfe "taken for making it more effectual; nor can I think "of any, faid he, but forthwith to fend fuch Sup... plies of Money and Arms as fhall be found necef"fary: As for your Uncle Captain Murray's Affair with "the Gentlemen of The Low Country, I can give you "no Account; for we were all fo taken up in difpatch"ing my Bufinefs with the Highlanders, in order to my "The Families and Perfons they were to addrefs "themselves to were, as I understood, entirely left to "their own Prudence and Choice, according as they "could inform themfelves of People's Inclinations; nor "did I hear of any Letter they had, except from my "Lord Perth to his Son my Lord Drummond; for I "understood the Draught of their general Credential "Letter from St. German's was fuch, as not only required Duty and Allegiance from every individual "Perfon to whom it fhould be produced, but also an entire Belief of thefe Two Gentlemens Relations of Things; which Contrivance was defigned, not only to "avoid the Inconveniency of writing to fome, and not to others; but alfo for the greater Encouragement, Safety, and Security, of fuch who fhould engage them"felves by their Words of Honour to these Gentlemen, "which was held equivalent to any Writ. After Cap-" "tain Murray had related this Matter, with fome Diffi"culty he prevailed with me to fee his Colleague Frazer, who lodged then at an Inn in Fen Church Strect; and he told me the fame Story, only with more Vanity, "being mighty proud of the Affurances the French King had given him, from His own Mouth, to support "him in this Undertaking, let the Number of Men "be never fo small. 66 fpeedy Return, that he was fcarce begun to move in any Thing, before I came off. But he will certainly "fee you as he paffes this Way; fo that I must refer you to him for that Part of the Story, which you will know fooner than I can myfelf." "France" but would tell me nothing of Particulars. “❝I did not, indeed, (faid Frazer) jealous the D. of "Who do you think, faid he, was with me "Yesterday, but Ferguson, who entertained me with a long Story of Politicks; the Sum of which was, "That the Duke of Marlborough and my Lord Trea"furer knew every Thing that paffed at St. Germain's, by a Correfpondence with the Duke of Berwick;" of "whom (meaning the D. of Berwick), Ferguson told "I, I, knowing the State of Britain a little better than me, "He knew as much as could take his Head in any of them, was very fenfible of the Folly and "Madness of their vain and prefumptuous Attempt; "wherefore, so soon as I got my Uncle Captain Murray by himself, I thought it my Duty to endeavour all I could, for his own Safety, to make him give over his "Part of the Matter: But, inftead of prevailing with him, he endeavoured as much as was poffible to engage me to go down to Scotland with them; he and "Frazer both judging that I might be a proper In«ftrument to found the Inclinations of the Duke of "Hamilton, the Earls of Erroll and Marifchall, all "whom they defigned to affault: But they foon perceived it was in vain to attack my Principles upon "that Side; and fo, after feveral Meetings, we parted, "without any other Agreement or Condition, but that Murray fhould give me an Account, as far as was fafe, by Letters, of what paffed in Scotland. Berwick; but I have all along been afraid of my "Lord Middleton's correfponding with fome great Men' "here in England, upon a Defign of getting King "James the 8th called Home by the Parliament; "which, faid he, is fo ridiculous a Project, that, if "it is entertained by the D. of Marlborough or my "Lord Treasurer, they can do it for no other End, but to impofe and put a Sham upon my Lord Middle"Simplicity." This, to me, was fo odd a Story, that "ton, or any Man that could be guilty of fo much "I asked him, "What Ground he had for thefe Suf"picions of my Lord Middleton ?” He answered, “ He "could not indeed prove it upon my Lord Middleton ; but that he had Reason to fufpect him, not only be"cause of the Oppofition he made against his coming 66 over at this Time; but alfo that he perceived my "Lord Middleton's Creatures and Emiffaries on this "Side the Water built all their Arguments upon ftances, was to take fome private Way of getting into "The Highlands of Scotland with Safety. I had after"wards feveral Letters from Murray, dated at Edinburgh, wherein he complained much of the Croffness "of his Affairs in general; and particularly, that the "Duke of Hamilton, the Earls of Erroll and Marifchall, "inftead of being Friends to his Affairs, proved its greatest Enemies; and I remember in One Letter he faid, "That he found there was more Ground than "he expected, for what I had told him concerning the "Difference of People's Thoughts and Inclinations now, "from what they were in the late Reign." I had alfo "I "feveral Letters from his Brother Robert Murray to the "fame Purpose; but they all referred particular Ac"counts to Frazer, who was then upon his Road hither; "and who fent for me, fo foon as he came to Town, to 66 4. "Now, faid he, that I have told all that con"Clarke's Houfe, where he lodged. I was feveral "cerns my Public Affair, I will furprize you a little with "Times with him, both at his Lodgings and the Tavern; "an Account how I have been able to live thefe Two "he had a Brother of his own and one Captain Frazer "Years by-paft, having no Eftate of my own; fo he "along with him; the laft came from France with him, "pulled out of his Pocket-book fome very paffionate 66 and is his clofe Attendant. The Accounts he gave "and obliging Letters of my Lord Leven, affuring hin me are as follows; and the feveral Figures prefixed" of the greatest Friendship, and that he had always by very indirect and hidden Ways, got fome Perfon "to found the Inclinations of the D. of Hamilton, the "D. of Athol, the Earl of Seafield, and my Lord "Tarbat; but that there was nothing to be expected "from any of them; fo that he did not think it fit to "make any farther Trial, for Fear of a Difcovery.." examine fur Rod: A. 500. at his Command." I asked him, "How long "ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Committee to "this Acquaintance and Correfpondence had been betwixt "Parliament affembled, That the Lord Steward, the ther concer"them?" He answered, "That they had been acquainted "Duke of Somerfet, Earl of Sunderland, Earl of Scar- ning the "a great while; but the First Money ever he had reborough, Lord Vifcount Town/hend, Lord Wharton, and Scottish Confpiracy: "ceived from my Lord Leven was when he went laft "Lord Somers, fhall be, and are hereby appointed to be, "Abroad; and that, if it had not been for £. 200. he "a Committee to examine farther into the Scottish Congot at that Time from him, he should not have known "fpiracy; and have hereby Power to fend for Perfons "how to have lived: For whatever Party he may be "and Papers as they thall fee Caufe; and they, or any Four "of (faid he) that is nothing to me; fuch a Friendship" of them, to meet, when, where, and as often as, they "as this is not to be neglected. It is true (faid he) I "fhall think fit and report to the Houfe when they "have had at this Time . 150. of my Lord Drum- "please; and that the Papers now before the Houfe re"mond; but that would never have done my Bufinefs, "lating thereunto be delivered to the faid Committee." "if my Lord Leven at this Time had not been fo kind to "advance me. 100. more." " But, faid I, does my Lord "Leven know what you are about?" Yes; know! faid "he; you shall fee how I manage your great Men;" "and fo he pulls out the Duke of Qeen/berry's Pass from "Scotland. "It was my Lord Leven (faid he) that brought "this Duke and me together; and they both know my "Bufinefs; nor can they blame me, fince my Circum"stances are fo defperate. The Duke indeed did all he "could to reclaim me; promifing me my Pardon from "the Queen, and a Company in the Troops. But I "anfwered him, "That I could not at this Time accept "of his kind Offers; but that, if my prefent Attempt "failed, I would then heartily comply, and do him what "Service I could: And fure no Man can blame me, to "do what I can for myfelf, if this Defign fails for the "Service of my Prince. I was laft Night (faid he) "That "with the Duke of Queensberry; who tells me, " "Affairs don't go fo eafily with him as he could wish; "he fwears, That, if the Queen don't continue him to "have the Direction of all Scottish Affairs, he is re"folved to go Home, and live quietly at his own Country "Seat." In the First Cafe, he has promifed me all Fa"your imaginable, whenever I pleafe to come Home and "live peaceably; but, ifthe laft be his Fate, he fays, it "is indifferent to him what Disturbance I make. In "short, faid he, I laugh at all thefe Things; and "defign to make no other Ufe of him but to get me a "Pafs for Holland, which he has promifed." "It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Tempo- Mis. Fox, to Campbell and "ral in Parliament affembled, That the Gentleman be committed "Ufher of the Black Rod, his Deputy or Deputies, do to the Black "forthwith take into his or their Cuftody or Cuftodies "the Bodies of Colin Campbell and Mrs. Frances Fox (now "in the Meffengers Hands); and that they be not allowed "Pen, Ink, or Paper, nor any Perfon or Perfons to speak "with them, without Leave from the Lords Commitices appointed to examine into the Scottish Confpiracy." ¢ 66 5. Our laft Meeting was the Day he went off; there "was nothing material occurred, more than what I have "here related to your Lordships: In every minute Circum"ftance of which, I have been fo particular, that there was no avoiding a little Confufion; which I hope your "Lordships will pardon, upon the Confideration that I "have taken moft Care, in telling not only the real Truth, "but even the verbal Expreffions, fo far as my Memory "could preferve them; and, I believe, I may venture to fay, That, except fuch who have been prefent and 66 concerned in this Matter, there are none who can give you a clearer Account of the Rise and Progress of the "whole Story thus far. For my own Part, I have all 66 66 along kept myself free from meddling either by Word or "Writ in the Matter; nor could any Thing have made "me conceal it fo long, but Captain Murray, who is my "Uncle and particular Friend, being concerned in it; "whofe Life if it can but be faved, I don't defpair, with 66 your Lordships Affiftance, to difcover every particular "Man that has been concerned in it; for, if Captain "Murray be within the Ifland, as I can't doubt but he is, "fo far as Honour will allow, or your Lordships can defire "me, I am willing to ferve the Queen and Government in "this Matter, without the Expectation or Hope of any "Thing, but that Her Majefty the Queen and your "Lordships may be fatisfied of my Duty and real Affec"tion to the Government, as well as my being a Man of "Honour and good Principles." *Memorandum, There were feveral other Papers delivered in, which the Lords thought not material. And, upon Confideration thereof, the following Orders were made: VOL. XVII. mitted for the "It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal Perfons com "in Parliament affembled, That all the Officers or Keepers Conspiracy, to "in whofe Cuftody any Perfon or Perfons, who are com- be clofely "mitted in relationto the Scottish Confpiracy, do keep the "Prisoner or Prifoners in their Cuftody in fafe and clofe "Confinement; and not allow any Perfon or Perfons to fpeak with them, nor allow them Pen, Ink, or Paper, "without Leave of this Houfe." 66 Dominus Cuftos Magni Sigilli declaravit præfens Par- Adjourn. liamentum continuandum effe ufque ad et in diem Mercurii, vicefimum tertium diem inftantis Februarii, hora undecima Aurora, Dominis fic decernentibus. D IE Mercurii, 23° Februarii. Meffages from H. C. to return L. V. Dillon's Bill; and After fome Time, the Houfe was resumed. And the Lord North reported, "That the Committee "had gone through the faid Bill; and think it fit to pass, without any Amendment." ORDERED, That the faid Bill be read the Third Time To-morrow, the First Business. A Meffage was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Brewer and others: To return the Bill, intituled, "An Act for Sale of Bowdler's Bill. Part of the Estate of Henry Lord Viscount Dillon, in "the Kingdom of Ireland, for Payment of his Debts; "and for fettling an Equivalent, in other Part of his "Eftate, on the Viscountess his Wife, for her Jointure;" and to acquaint this Houfe, that they have agreed to the fame, with fome Amendments, to which they defire the Concurrence of this House. To return the Bill, intituled, "An Act for the veft-« ❝ing the Manor of Michael-Church, in the County of "Radnor, and other Lands in the County of Salop, of "Mary Bowdler and William Bowdler Gentleman, in "certain Trustees, for Payment of the Debts, and "making Provision for the Younger Children of the faid "William Bowdler ;" and to acquaint this House, that they have agreed to the fame, without any Amendment. 66 The Lord Ferrers reported from the Lords Committees, the Bill, intituled, " An Act for Sale of fome Part "of the Estate of John Holden Gentleman, and Robert "Holden his Son, for Payment of their Debts, and dif"pofing Younger Children Apprentices," as fit to pass, with One Amendment. Which was read Twice, and agreed to. Hodie 3 vice lecta eft Billa, intituled, " An A&t "for Sale of fome Part of the Estate of John Holden "Gentleman, and Robert Holden his Son, for Payment of "their Debts, and difpofing Younger Children Ap"prentices." The Question was put, "Whether this Bill, "with the Amendment, fhall pass?" It was Refolved in the Affirmative A Meffage was fent to the Houfe of Commons, by Amendments Sir Richard Holford and Mr. Pitt: H. C. with to it. Sword-blade Company, Bill: Committee shortened. Sir J. Cooper and Henley's To return the faid Bill, and defire their Concurrence to their Lordships Amendment made therein. Whereas Tuesday next was appointed, for the Lords Committees to confider of a Bill, intituled, "An A&t "to discharge the Governor and Company for making "hollow Sword Blades in England, of the Sum of "Eighteen Thoufand Eight Hundred Sixty-four Pounds, "Seven Shillings, One Penny Half-penny, by Mistake "overcharged in the Purchase-money for feveral forfeited and other Eftates and Interefts in Ireland, pur"chafed by them :" It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament affembled, That the faid Lords Committees, or any Five of them, fhall meet To-morrow, at Ten a Clock in the Forenoon. Whereas Tuesday the Nine and Twentieth Inftant was Committee appointed for the Lords Committees to confider of a Bill, Shortned. The Question was put, "Whether this Bill fhall It was Refolved in the Affirmative. A Meffage was brought from the Houfe of Commons, Meffage from by Mr. Paget and others: H. C. to return Sir To return the Bill, intituled, "An Act to enableJ.Akley's Bill. "Sir John Aftley Baronet to make a Jointure upon his "Marriage, during his Minority; and to enable him to "buy in any Rent Charge, or other Incumbrance upon "his Eftate;" and to acquaint this Houfe, that they have agreed to the fame, with fome Amendments, whereunto they defire the Concurrence of this House. Which faid Amendments were read Thrice, and agreed to; and ORDERED, That the Commons have Notice thereof. To return the Bill, intituled, "An Act for Sale of St. Leger's "certain Lands in Charwelton, in the County of North-et al. Nat. ampton, of William Adams Clerk, for Payment of Bili. "Debts, and Portions to his Younger Brothers and "Sifters; and for fettling other Lands, of greater Value, upon his Wife and Children, in Lieu thereof;" and to acquaint this House, that they have agreed to the fame, with fome Amendments, whereunto they defire their Lordships Concurrence. 3 ters, and to whom they are directed. 66 "That After fome Time, the Houfe was refumed. And the Earl of Peterborow reported, "the Committee had gone through the faid Bill; and "think it fit to pafs, without any Amendment." A&t Hodie 3 vice leta eft Billa, intituled, " An "for the Increase of Seamen, and better Encourage"ment of Navigation, and Security of the Coal * Trade." The Question was put, 66 pafs ?" "in Gibberish Language may be fully explained, and "alfo the Perfons Names to whom the faid Letters are "directed, from whom they came, and by whom sub"fcribed." It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament affembled, That the Duke of Sommerfet and the Lord Wharton do humbly attend Her Majefty, with the Addrefs. Dominus Cuftos Magni Sigilli declaravit præfens Par-Adjoum. liamentum continuandum effe ufque ad et in diem hora undecima Aurora, Dominis fic decernentibus. Jovis, vicefimum quartum diem inftantis Februarii, DIE Jovis, 24° Februarii. REGIN A. Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præfentes Arch. Ebor. Epus. Durefme, & Crew. Epus. Wigorn. "Whether this Bill fhall Epus. Ciceftr. It was Refolved in the Affirmative. ORDERED, That the Commons have Notice, that the Lords have agreed to the faid Bill, without any Amendment. The Lord Chief Juftice of Her Majefty's Court of Queen's Bench, in the ufual Manner, brought up a Writ of Error, wherein William Dally is Plaintiff against William Silly Defendant. Addrefs for "It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and TemProclamation, 66 with a Pardon poral in Parliament affembled, That an humble Adand Reward "drefs be made to Her Majefty, from this House, for difcovering humbly to defire Her Majefty, to iffue Her Royal the Key to the Gibbri Let-Proclamation, to promife a Pardon and Reward of "Five Hundred Pounds to any Perfon or Perfons who "fhall, within Six Days after the Date of the faid "Proclamation, make known, to the Lord Steward, Duke "of Somerset, Earl of Scarbrough, Earl of Sunderland, "Lord Viscount Townshend, Lord Wharton, and Lord "Sommers, being the Lords Committees appointed by "this Houfe to examine into the Scotch Confpiracy, "the Key or Cipher whereby the Four Letters written Epus. Oxon. Epus. Bangor. Epus. St. Asaph. fuerunt: Ds. Haverfham. Keyt's Bill. Supply Bil', Hodie a vice leta eft Billa, intituled, "An Act Hodie 3a vice lecta eft Billa, intituled, " An A&t for Hodie 3a vice lecta eft Billa, intituled, "An Act for "fettling the Manor of Creech, in the County of Somerfet, in Trustees, to enable them to renew Leases, for "the Maintenance of the Younger Sons of William Keyt Efquire, during their Minority." The Question was put, The Queftion was put, "Whether this Bill, with. It was Refolved in the Affirmative. Her Majefty, being feated on Her Royal Throne, Queen prefent: adorned with Her Crown and Regal Ornaments, attended with Her Officers of State (the Peers being alfo in their Robes), commanded the Deputy Gentleman "Whether this Bill fhall Ufher of the Black Rod to fignify to the House of Commons, "That it is Her Majefty's Pleasure, they "attend Her presently, in the House of Peers." It was Refolved in the Affirmative. ORDERED, That the Commons have Notice, that the ment. Hodie 3a vice lecta eft Billa, intituled, "An A&t for Annuities, &c.granting an Aid to Her Majefty, for carrying on the "War, and other Her Majefty's Occafions, by felling "Annuities, at feveral Rates, and for such refpective "Terms or Eftates as are therein mentioned." Who being come; their Speaker made a fhort Speech Then the Clerk of the Parliaments took the faid "1. An A&t for granting an Aid to Her Majefty, Bills passed. |