Rumsey and Richard Goodenough, and, as far as I can remember, no more; so we found it was carried on by them, contrary to the knowledge or approbation of those who managed the general design: then we declared our great dislike of it, telling him, it was a base, dishonourable and cowardly action, and would seem odious to all the world, that any pretending themselves Protestants, should be concerned in such a bloody action; and that we thought it was his cowardice put him upon it, to which he said, that he could not fight, but would be as forward with his money as any one of his capacity. At this meeting, Rumsey and West would be often saying, there was nothing like the lopping business, meaning the taking off the King and Duke; and that it might be easily done, as they went to or from the play-house; but I never heard any agree with them in it. Rumsey was still upon the old strain of killing the King and the Duke, saying, at this the last meeting I was at, going for Bristol next morning, that it might be done in Windsor-park, and that he would undertake it; but not except every one there present would go with him, to which not one consented."

These passages are very material, as they form part of a confession made by a man already con

demned to death, but still influenced by the hope of obtaining the King's pardon. They fix the project of assassination upon Rumsey and West, and none other: for the two Rumbolds, and Goodenough, are named upon their authority.

Holloway was asked, at his execution, if he was ever acquainted with Lord Russell; to which he replied in the negative.

The solemn denial of Armstrong is still more weighty. Though he had lived a dissolute life, his last days were spent in prayer and thoughts of a future state: "his pride and his resentments," says Burnet, "were subdued and forgotten." From such a man, we may expect the truth. He says, in the paper he delivered to the sheriff, "I take God to witness, I never was in any design to take away the King's life; neither had any man the impudence to propose so base and barbarous a thing to me; neither was I ever in any design to alter the government of England. What I am accused of, I know no otherwise than by reports, and prints; which I take to be uncertain. So that it cannot be expected I should make particular answers to them. If I had been tried, I could have proved my Lord Howard's base reflections upon me to be a notorious falsehood; for there were at

least ten gentlemen, besides all the servants in the house, can prove I dined there that day."

Baillie of Jerviswood, who was the chief person concerned in the Scotch part of the conspiracy, also denied, in a manner which forces belief, his knowledge of any plot for murdering the King and Duke. He was, as we have seen, weak and faint, and could not remain at the bar of the justiciary, even sitting, without the help of frequent cordials. When the King's Advocate had finished, he desired leave to speak a few words, not being able to say much on account of his great weakness; which being granted, he said, that he did not expect to live many days, but he found he was intended for a public sacrifice, both in life and estate. He complained that the witnesses had recollected many things which had not passed in his presence: "But there is one thing," he added, as we are informed by Wodrow," which vexes me extremely, and wherein I am injured to the utmost degree; and that is the charge for a plot to cut off the King and His Royal Highness, and that I sat up at nights to form a declaration to palliate or justify

* Lord Howard had accused him of being absent on that day, on an expedition to interrupt the King and Duke. Burnet is mistaken in saying that Armstrong denied having been engaged in any design "against the government." His words, as we see above, were, "to alter the government."

such a villainy. I am in probability to appear, in some hours, before the tribunal of the Great Judge; and, in presence of your Lordships, and all here, I solemnly declare, that never was I prompted, or privy to any such thing, and that I abhor and detest all thoughts or principles for touching the life and blood of His Sacred Majesty, or his royal brother. I was ever for monarchical government."

"And then, looking directly upon the King's Advocate, he said, My Lord, I think it very strange you charge me with such abominable things: you may remember, that when you came to me in prison, you told me such things were laid to my charge, but that you did not believe them. How then, my Lord, come you to lay such a stain upon ine, with so much violence? Are you now convinced in your conscience, that I am more guilty than before? You may remember what passed between us in the prison.'

"The whole audience fixed their eyes upon the Advocate, who appeared in no small confusion, and said, 'Jerviswood, I own what you say: my thoughts there were as a private man; but what I say here is by special direction of the privy council;' and pointing to Sir William Paterson, clerk, added, he knows my orders.' Well,' says Jerviswood, if your Lordship have

one conscience for yourself, and another for the council, I pray God forgive you; I do.' I do.' And turning to the Justice-General, he said, My Lord, I trouble your Lordships no further.'"*

It will be remembered, that Colonel Rumbold, who, by marrying a maltster's widow, had become the proprietor of the Rye-House, was accused of having lent his house for the assassination. Yet, as far as I remember, this accusation depends on the authority of none but Rumsey and West. His answer to it I shall relate in the words of Mr. Fox, who has added such valuable remarks to the narrative, that I could not wish for a better conclusion to this part of my enquiry. When relating the fate of those who came over with Argyle, he says:

"Rumbold, covered with wounds, and defending himself with uncommon exertions of strength and courage, was at last taken. However desirable it might have been thought, to execute in England a man so deeply implicated in the Rye-House plot, the state of Rumbold's health made such a project impracticable. Had it been attempted, he would, probably, by a natural death, have disappointed the views of a government, who were eager to see brought to the block a man whom they thought, or pre