Hinshaw five, which each of them was to engage. Mr. Gerhard was something cautious not to discover who they were he engaged, before an oath of secrecy was given, but 25 he had undertaken for. Mr. Hinshaw's five were himself, Mr. Tuedore the apothecary, Mr. Wiseman, col. Aldridge, and another, and then to seize on the Tower of London, and to go on with their work. 2. If that failed, to seize on all the guards about Westminster, which they thought 2500 sufficient to do, and carry on their work here about London; and for that purpose Mr. Hinshaw, Mr. Gerhard and others viewed the Meuse, and the rest, and was heard to say, what a pity it was that so slender guards should not be seized on! And that when the soldiers were at nine-pins in the Meuse, it was but shooting off a pistol, and presently to fall on. 3. The last way to have it effected to be thus: That when the foot regiments that are for the guards about London were mustering in Tothil-fields, as they used several times to do, to come into Tothil-fields and meet them there as of their own party, and when they have laid down their arms to seize upon them, and have others to be ready at the same time every where to perfect the work. And for this purpose, if they acted this way, Col. Finch with a party of 200 was to fall into London, and do the work in the City. Major John Gerhard to fall on Whitehall. Col. Hinshaw to fall on the Meuse. Col. Daniel with 200 to fall on St. James's. Another to fall into Southwark. And one Billingsly, a butcher at Smithfield Bars, with a party to fall upon Islington; and it was pressed that the opportunity might not be neglected. And that the work might be the more feasible, they considered how as many of the soldiery as might be, might be engaged in the business. And the Papists (who had a great hand in the design) gave information of two soldiers of the army, that used sometimes to come and hear mass; and these two they sent a papist woman to, who engaged them, and their direction was, to give intelligence at Mr. Hudson's house, where Mr. Hinshaw and others of them frequented. Master Vowell was cautious, being a solid man, for his work was not to bear arms, but as a privy-counsellor to them, and he was to engage Mr. Billingsly the butcher with a party to seize the Lord Protector's house at Islington, and him Mr. Vowell recommended to be a very fit man for that work. And they had this art, to endeavour to make the Lord Protector odious to the people, in turning the design upon him by a Libel, which was scattered up and down London, that his highness and the army had a design to massacre all but their friends in all parts of England; and this libel was written by Mr. Fenshaw, which was got printed by one in Newgate-market, and Mr. Vowell had one of them. When the design was discovered, and Mr. Gerhard and some others apprehended, Mr. Vowell being at Mr. Hudson's house, it was said by him, That the design might still go on, though some were discovered; Mr. Hinshaw and Mr. Wiseman came to him to Islington to his house, from whence they went to drink their morning's draught. Mr. Vowell said, there were enough to do the work still; Mr. Wiseman said, There were many horse to fall on; Mr. Vowell said, It might be easily done. One Wharton in Black-friars was to proclaim Charles Stuart king, and col. Finch was to seize on the Lord Mayor, and make him to proclaim him; Somerset Fox and others were to raise Apprentices to join in the design; but the Lord Protector going by water disappointed them. John Wiseman was sworn, and being required to give evidence what he had to say touching the prisoners at the bar, avouched the charge against them, and said, That he wa with Mr. Hinshaw in France, who did communicate by prince Rupert to Charles Stuart the design, as is before expressed. That he saw Mr. John Gerhard oftentimes with Mr. Hinshaw while he was in France, and that he told him in England, That there was a Plot to fall on the Lord Protector, and to bring in Charles Stuart to be king, and to the rest of that design as is before expressed. And about three weeks after he met Mr. Hinshaw and Mr. John Gerhard, and they went to James's, and the Meuse, Whitehall, and other places. That Mr. John Gerhard told one Mr. Minors of the business, and how they were to fall on my Lord Protector, and so as before expressed. Then Mr. Gerhard interrupted him, saying, How should this be done with a company of 'geese?' 6 To whom Mr. Prideaur answered, That he 'knew best how it should be done, and wished he had never known it, nor gone about it. Wiseman went on in his evidence, and said, That Mr. John Gerhard being at Mr Hudson's house, did there speak about the plot to fall on the Lord Protector, &c. That he had a dispute with Mr. Hinshaw (whom the said Wiseman calleth brother by some relation), That such a time, and so and so, would be seasonable (mentioning some particulars): That another day he heard Mr. John Gerhard say, That he was to command the party, and had a pistol that would discharge three several times, Mr. Hinshaw and several other persons being then by; and that he doubted not but it would be seasonable. That there were to be about thirty persons to fall on the Lord Pretector; that his brother Hinshaw said he was to bring five, and Mr. Gerhard 25 to do the work, and named the five aforesaid that his brother Hinshaw was to bring; and that his thing until he heard the whole business confessbrother Hinshaw told him that Mr. John Ger-ed by another, and that all that was pressed to hard was to surprize the Lord Protector's him was to discharge his conscience in speakperson. And when the Plot was discovered, ing the truth; and that when he heard another he heard his brother Hinshaw say, That they to confess the Plot so fully, be desired to be. that were taken were all of Gerhard's party, heard again, and then did freely confess, acand none of his, and that there was a Libel cording to the Examination. printed to turn the Plot on the Lord Protector, as is before expressed; and that his brother Hinshaw and Mr. Vowell had soine of the Papers: That on Wednesday after it was discovered he was at Mr. Vowell's house at Islington, and his brother Hinshaw was there, and they went to the King's-Head to drink; and there his brother Hinshaw said, that the business might go on for all it was discovered, many regiments in several parts being ready to rise, enough to carry on the work. Mr. John Gerhard and Mr. Peter Vowell, the prisoners at the bar, still denied all, and said it was not true what he said. Mr. Edward Hudson, a Minister that was blind, was sworn, who said that Mr. Hinshaw desired him to write two or three words to the Scorch king, and that Mr. Hinshaw related all the business to him of the design, and the three objections by Charles Stuart, and prince Rupert's Answer afterwards, and the three ways to effect it; very much agreeing with the particulars aforementioned.--When he came to particulars touching the prisoners at the bar, he said that Mr. Vowell was his intimate friend, one that he had been much beholden to, and might have perished had not be relieved him. That Mr. Hinshaw sought to engage Mr. Vowell, but he answered that he thought himself to be unfit;' That he said he did not relish it: What Mr. Hinshaw and he did agree, he knows not. What be heard was from Mr. Hinshaw, That he did meet accidentally, that he did suspect Mr. Vowell to act, but was not sure of it; that he did suppose they had concluded, but was not sure of any thing that Mr. Vowell said he was himself unfit to engage, but he would engage a friend if he could: that Mr. Vowell said there was a great many horses at Islington, which might be surprized, that he would try what he could do; but whether he did any thing or not, he knows In the said Examination Mr. Hudson declareth the whole Plot, and the proceedings in France, Charles Stuart's objections, prince Rupert's encouragement, the three ways to effect it, and alk the particulars of the design as aforesaid, &c. And how Mr. Vowell spake with Mr. Hinshaw, Mr. Wiseman, and the two soldiers; that Mr. Hinshaw said there were many cavaliers in town in the Piot, but would never speak to two together; that some relished it well, others doubted. And some agreed to seize on tha Lord Protector and the guards, go with drums and colours to Whitehall, and the rest of the particulars, for bringing in Charles Stuart, &c. In the said Examination he also said, that Mr. Hinshaw said that they would set up major-general Brown to be at the head of them, by a letter which they hoped to get from Charles Stuart, and believed that he would accept of it, he being a friend to the king, as they called him. That it was propounded to Mr. Vowell, who did consent to do something in it, and did afterwards meet some six times at Mr. Hudson's house. That Mr. Vowell engaged Billingsly the butcher aforesaid to be a considerable man, discoursed with him of the number of horse, and Billingsly said to him that the horses at grass might be easily seized. That Hinshaw told him and Vowell, after Gerhard was taken, that none of his party was taken, and that the Plot might go on, that the French, English, and Irish from prince Rupert were to land at Rye, and other places in Sussex. The Lord President asked Mr. Hudson whe ther he did own it; to whom he answered, That they were together, and such and such things were spoken; but how far Mr. Vowell consented, he knows not. Then Mr. Robert Dale was sworn, who declared against Mr. Vowell the prisoner at the bar, That Mr. Vowell came to his house, and asked him what arms he had; he told him two pistols; he said he would buy them of him; he asked for what use; he said that he would tell him hereafter. That he came with Mr. Hinshaw and Mr. Wiseman several times to his house, who did declare that they had a design to fall on the Lord Protector (and so in all par ticulars agreeing with the rest touching the whole business of the design how it should have been done, as hath been before exprest.) And that sir Gilbert Pickering, Mr. Strickland, and two or three more of the Council were named that should be cut off.--That they invited him to assist them, and would have engaged him to fall on in the seizing of them at Islington, and they said there was one to head them, which they should know afterwards, and he said that Mr. Vowell heard these things. And that at And his Examination was read: That Mr. Vowell asked him whether he had any arms to accommodate friends, he said two pistols (and the rest of the discourse as now he had spoken before the Court); only the Examination mentioned a third person of the council, viz. major general Lambert also to be cut off. That they were provided of an head, and bid him therefore be sure to rise when he had notice. Then Mr. Hinshaw seeing two men passing along by where he was, supposing them to be soldiers, said they should be killed, and he said that Plunket would give notice when they should be ready upon the design to fall on; and that he was engaged to get as many as he could to assist in the work: That Vowell brought Hinshaw to his house. 1 another time Mr. Hinshaw, Mr. Wiseman, and Covent-garden; how he met col. Finch at the Mr. Plunket met with Mr. Vowell. piazza, who told him of the design to kill the Lord Protector, to seize on the guards, the Lord Mayor, &c. proclaim Charles Stuart king; and the rest of that story of their design, in which he agreed with the former. And that he declared to him, That they were listing apace, and they had many joined hereabouts: that col. Deane had listed all that day: that he himself had listed some: that col Finch had a party to join with him in the city. That another time he had further discourse again with him about it; that they were to meet the next day, and then it was also said, That Finch was to command a party, and that his brother John Gerhard also was to command a party, and that his brother John was then by, and heard this discourse; and that it was said there was ready about London to seize on several parts, in all, about 2 or 3,000: that col. Finch was to seize on the Lord Mayor, col. Dean on James's, col. Haines on col. Ingolsbie in Southwark (and so named other particulars like what is mentioned before): told him also the management of the design in France (agreeing with what is mentioned before), and said, he him). And he spake also of their meeting at had a commission from the king (as he called the Bell Savage at Ludgate-hill, where mention was made of his brother John Gerhard; and and that Somerset Fox was there, and engaged in the design, and his was to get in all the Apprentices he could to join in it. That at another time Hinshaw said, They had listed two or three thousand. John Hipwell, one of the two soldiers in the Plot, being sworn, said, That a Papist woman brought him to Mr. Hudson's house where he met with them, and one told him, That he had something to discover to him, if he could join in it. That he was examined how strong the guards were, and that regiment of which he was, and said the regiment were 1200: He was asked what ammunition, and other suchlike questions, to all which he gave answer. After some discourse he told him, That it was to fall on the Lord Protector, and on the guards, &c. and so told him the whole design (which he related to the same purpose as those before). That he was bid to enquire what cavaliers were in the regiment, and among the soldiery, and drink with them, and do what he could to divide the soldiery, and to make what party he could for this work, and that when the time should be for action, the word should be 'Fall on.' The next morning hearing some were taken prisoners, there was much sorrow. Then col. Aldridge was sworn, who said, That Mr. Hinshaw revealed there was a design to have fallen on the Lord Protector, and brought in Charles Stuart to be king, and related the particulars much to the purpose as is before expressed, and that Hinshaw asked him, if he would be one; that he made some queries about it; but Mr. Hinshaw told him, They had great hopes of accomplishing it, and that there was an officer of their own in the Tower that should free the prisoners, and put swords in their hands, and that all should be done upon an instant, and that then they should have money enough. Then Mr. John Gerhard was caused to withdraw awhile. Mr. Charles Gerhard was next called for, to see what he could say touching the plot, who declared, That Mr. Hinshaw had been in France with Charles Stuart, and his brother John also, and Mr. Wiseman had been there; and made a narrative of all the proceedings there, agreeing with the rest before; and spake also of several meetings at Ludgate-hill and Then Mr. John Gerbard was called to the bar again, where he appeared with the other two. Mr. Charles Gerhard was then sworn, and upon his oath gave in evidence, after his brother was brought to the bar, That the design was to fall on the Lord Protector, &c. (he gave a short narrative as before) and further said, that his brother John Gerhard had been in France. John Gerhard prisoner at the bar said, He confessed it, that he was in France when they were there, and was sometimes in their com pany, but denied that he knew any thing of any plot. Mr. Charles Gerhard being desired to go on further, said, That Mr. Hinshaw was several times at his lodgings, near Essex house, and his brother with him, and talked with him of the design, which his brother scrupled; but he told him, that if it could be accomplished, the king (as he called him) would like well of it. That his brother met Mr. Hinshaw at Covent-garden, at Mr. Jones's house in Rose-street, who had pen and ink before him, and talked of the numbers and other particulars, his brother John then in the room (and he named the particulars as before). But his brother did not relish it, and was pressed by them, nor did he know that he consented to act. Mr. Prideaux told Mr. Charles Gerhard, That he did well to be as sparing as he could against a brother, only be careful to speak the truth, though with the fairest interpretation, because conscience is nearer than a brother. The Lord President also said, That he was not to look upon either the greatness of men, or the relation of a brother in this thing, but to look upon his conscience, and to look up to his God. John Man was sworn, who declared the design in general, (as the rest all agreeing) and that Mr. John Gerhard and others had consul:ed about it. That being asked if he would engage in it, he answered, Yes: that afterwards he went to the Bell Savage, but when he came there, there were Soinerset Fox and others, and they said he could not have admission, for several were apprehended about it, and they knew not what to do. William Dod was sworn, who gave in evidence, That on Thursday morning in Whitsunweek, Somerset Fox told him, that there was a design (as aforesaid, giving him an account of the whole), but he told him that it was to be kept secret. And that they were to meet about 2 o'clock in the morning about it. That at the Bell Savage he met with Somerset Fox, and his cousin Fox the next day again, and had the like discourse. Francis For being sworn; gave in the like evidence against his cousin Somerset Fox, and that he was invited to join with them, but could not tell what to do. John Wharton was sworn, who said, he keeps a victualling house in Black-friars, and that a gentleman, a stranger, came to him, and asked him, If he would serve the king, and fell in discourse about his calling; that he told him he had married a poor widow and that the gentleman told him, that if the design went on, he might have money enough, and said that he would find him better employment tleman's name, he said, was Hinshaw, as he heard afterward. And that he told him, He would not be long before he came again. said that he did believe that they had designed The gen He to seize on the Lord Protector, and all the Horse Guards. But for his part, he was, when they should give him notice of it, only to proclaim the king; that was all that he was to do. Mr. Barnes was sworn, who spake of the Design in general, much after the same man ner as those before. was then in good forwardness, but major John Gerhard thought it could not yet be accomplished. And that when Mr. Hinshaw heard Mr. John Gerhard was taken, he said that he might thank himself; for had not he delayed it, the business might have been done two days before. The Prisoners at the bar were then asked what they had to say for themselves. Mr. John Gerhard said he was falsely accused, and that the Witnesses did not speak the truth, and denied that he had any thing to do in the plot, or knew of it. Mr. Vowell did require of the Court to be alCharge, and counsel to advise him what defence lowed pen, ink and paper, the copy of his to make for himself. And he pleaded Magna Charta again, as before, and the sixth Article of the Government of the Lord Protector. Serjeant Glyn declared, that an ordinance being declared law until the parliament shall repeal it, is to give the same authority to it, which is to an Act of Parliament, every Act being a law no longer. That the laws of old of Treason against the king are of force (were this new Ordinance not in being); For it means the Supreme Governor *; though it names only a King, it hath been made use of for Treason against a Queen, and so is to be touching a Lord Protector, or any other Supreme Governor. Mr. Ellis, Counsel of the Commonwealth, produced in Court the Government of the Lord Protector, in which that very Article, in the conclusion of it, hath a Proviso to the 30th Article. The Attorney General (Prideaux) declared, that the Charge having been so fully proved against them, yet they could not but take no❤ Fox; but were sorry to see such obstinacy in tice of the ingenuous confession of Somerset the other two, after such a barbarous and bloody design; that they should shew no signs of repentance: And therefore in behalf of the Commonwealth prayed for Justice from the Court against them. Chamber, and ordered that they should have The Court adjourned into the Painted pen, ink and paper, and any friend to come to them that they should desire in the presence of the lieutenant of the Tower, The Court adjourned until Thursday next in the afternoon: When Mr. Gerhard, Vowell, and Fox were again brought before the Court, and were demanded what they had more to say for themselves, Gethard and Vowell denied the fact, notwithstanding what had been proved against them; after which the Lord President Lisle made a short speech to convince them of the desperate wickedness of their design, and how fully the Charge had been proved, and * See Luders's "Considerations on the Law of High Treason in the Case of Levying War," 71, 72. 2 M what punishments the law hath provided in such cases; after which the Sentence of the Court was read severally to all three to this effect: That upon nature consideration of the Treasons and Murders plotted and contrived by them against his highness the Lord Protector, and the Commonwealth, and raising a bloody war in the same, the Court did adjudge them to be hanged by the neck, until they be dead. Mr. Gerhard desired the execution might be altered, and that he might be beheaded, or shot to death; and presented a Petition to the Lord Protector for that purpose. The Protector was pleased to reprieve Somerset Fox, because of his ingenuous Confession, but the other two were executed the Monday following, July 10. Vowell was executed in the morning upon a gallows erected at Charing Cross; he spake little of the crime for which he suffered; but his main discourse was to proclaim his zeal for the Old Way of Religion, and to the cause of the late king and his family; after half an hour's hanging he was cut down, and conveyed away in a coach. About four in the afternoon of the same day, Mr. John Gerhard was brought to the scaffold on Tower Hill; his behaviour was sprightly, the substance of his Discourse Cavalier-like, boasting himself of the profession of religion which was established by queen Elizabeth, king James, and king Charles, to which family he declared bis affection. He acknowledged himself guilty of former sins, for which he had deserved death heretofore; but as touching the crime for which he was to die, he spent not many words, only he confessed, that he knew of the Plot. At length he subinitted his neck to the executioner, who at one blow severed his head from his body. A true and impartial RELATION of the DEATH (and dying Speech) of Mr. John Gerhard, who was beheaded on Tower-hill, July 10,1654. [Published by his friends *.] It was thought needless by the friends of Mr. Gerhard, to declare any thing concerning his Sufferings to the world more than in their sighs, had not the sacrilegious malice of the last weekly pamphlet thrown some stains upon his name, and so incensed them to a vindication as pious as his death was. It is most certain, that there can no blots stick upon true honour, which such weak felons endeavour against it: These are cursed beasts, but their horns are short sepulchral dogs, that scrape up graves, and violate the dead, and are fierce and ravenous; but yet dogs still. And all worthy people will call their railing, praise, and what they intend a barking infamy, the greatest merit. Yet because every understanding is not of the same brightness, and those putrid libels may, by ill chance, fall into some innocent hand hereafter (and yet sure such vermin should not be endured long), therefore let wise and good See Heath's Martyrs, p. 371. men pardon him that hath undertaken this jus tice for that gentleman, and be pleased to read this sad Story, not for their satisfaction sake, but their sorrows: It may dry up a friendly tear, perhaps, and still a murmuring groan, to see the comely posture of his passion, how well all was carried by him, and how honourably; and the honest circumstances may not improbably take off from the sadness. Why should I grieve that death which had such a living glory in it; or dishonour that blood with feeble tears, which was shed so like the holy Martyrs? All that knew this person, cannot but witness his general resolution, and whether his great courage fell less than itself (as that viper hisseth), or did not rather rise greater now, whea the christian was twisted with the gentleman, let this faithful Relation witness: in which, though all terms and syllables may not be exactly the same, yet if there be a material falsehood, or a wilful flattery, may his neck that wrote it feel a viler destiny than axes are, or halters. Amicus Gerardus, sed magis Amica Veritas. From the first day of his Imprisonment be foresaw the heavy sentence hovering upon him, and therefore gave all diligence to secure himself against it; that however he underwent a temporal condemnation, he might 'escape an eternal. But after that sad doom was prenounced, then he bestirred himself amain, and made double haste for Heaven: It was for his life, and therefore he would lose no minute, but the same night gave directions to a dear friend for a minister, whom he knew to have long honoured his family, to be brought to him early next morning; and it pleased Authority to gratify him in this great desire, so that an Order was sent freely for the quiet admission of any such person to him. With tis spiritual friend he spent some hours every day which, God be praised, were not without in prayer, and other ghostly refreshments; sweet effect and impressions upon his soul. There were some other ministers, Mr. Bond and Mr. Caryl, of great observation for gravity and godliness in these times, who visited him, and who I am confident will put their seal to this truth with me, that they found him meek, humble, modest, penitent, comforted, and not far from the kingdom of God, if not already in it; but I have good hope he was in possession, and so had he, through grace. Upon the morning (which was the last he must see until that of the Resurrection) he submitted to some wholesome orders of the Church, and received her comforts by them. That done, he proceeded to, the highest enjoyment of grace that can be administered upon earth, the Holy Communion, whereof with his brother sir Gilbert Gerrard he was a partaker, with as much reverence, zeal, thankfulness, holy sor rows, and holy joys, as a devout soul could evidence: He wept as if he would have washed his Saviour's wounds, which his faith presented in his tears; and yet he said he was admirably ravished with all inward peace and |