The Grand Designs of the Papists, Letter 1
Sir William Boswels first Letter to the Archbishop concerning the Plot.
May it please your Grace,
THe offers (whereof your Grace will find a Copy here inclosed) towards a further and more particular discovery, were first made unto me at the second hand, and in speech, by a friend of good quality and worth in this place: But soon after, (as soon as they could be put into Order) were avowed by the principal Party, and delivered me in writing by both together; upon Promise and Oath, which I was required to give, and gave accordingly, not to reveal the same to any other man living but your Grace, and, by your Grace's hand, unto his Majesty.
In like manner they have tied themselves not to declare these things unto any other but my self, until they should know how his Majesty and your Grace would dispose thereof. The Principal giving me withall to know, That he puts himself and this Secret into your Grace's power, as well because it concerns your Grace so nearly, after his Majesty, as that he knows your wisdom to guide the same aright; and is assured of your Grace's fidelity to his Majesties Person, to our State, and to our Church.
First, Your Grace is humbly and earnestly prayed to signifie his Majesties pleasure (with all possible speed) together with your Grace's disposition herein, and purpose to carry all with silence from all, but his Majesty, until due time.
Secondly, When your Grace shall think fit to shew these things unto his Majesty, to do it immediately, not trusting to Letters, or permitting any other person to be by, or in hearing; and to entreat and counsel his Majesty, as in a case of Conscience, to keep the same wholely and solely in his own bosome, from the knowledge of all other Creatures living, but your Grace, until the business shall be clear, and sufficiently in his Majesties and your Grace's hands to effect.
Thirdly, Not to enquire or demand the names of the parties from whom these overtures do come, or any further discoveries and advertisements in pursuit of them which shall come hereafter, until due satisfaction shall be given in every part of them. Nor to bewray unto any person but his Majesty, in any measure or kind, that any thing of this nature, or of any great importance is come from me.
For as I may believe these overtures are verifiable in the way they will be laid; and that the parties will not shrink: So I make accompt, That if never so little a glimpse or shadow of these informations shall appear by his Majesties, or your Graces speech or carriage unto others, the means whereby the business may be brought best unto tryal, will be utterly disappointed: And the parties who have in Conscience towards God, and devotion to his Majesty, affection to your Grace, and compassion of our Countrey, disclosed these things, will run a present and extream hazard of their persons and lives. So easily it will be conjectured (upon the least occasion given upon his Majesties or your Graces parts) who is the discoverer: By what means, and how he knows so much of these things; And where he is. These are the points, which together with the offers, they have pressed me especially to represent most seriously unto your Grace.
For my own particular, having most humbly craved pardon of any errour or omissions, that have befaln me in the managing of this business, I do beseech your Grace to let me know,
First, Whether, and in what order I shall proceed hereafter with the parties?
Secondly, What points of these offers I shall chiefly, and first put them to enlarge and clear?
Thirdly, What other points and enquiries I shall propose unto them? And in what manner?
Fourthly, How far further I shall suffer my self to hear and know these things?
Fifthly, Whether I shall not rather take the parties answers, and discoveries sealed up by themselves, and having likewise put my own seal upon them, without questioning or seeing what they contain, so to transmit them to his Majesty or your Grace?
Sixthly, Whether I may not insinuate upon some fair occasion, That there will be a due Regard held of them, and their service, by his Majesty and your Grace: When all particulars undertaken in these general offers, and necessary for perfecting the discovery and work intended, shall be effectually delivered to his Majesty or your Grace?
Upon these Heads, and such other as His Majesty or your Grace shall think proper in the business, I must with all humility beseech your Grace to furnish me with instructions, and warrant for my proceedings, under his Majesties hand, with your Graces attestation, as by his Majesties goodness, and Royal disposition is usual in like cases.
May it please your Grace to entertain a Cypher with me upon this occasion; I have sent the Counterpart of one here inclosed: In the vacant spaces whereof your Grace may insert such names more, with numbers to them, as you think requisite.
If these overtures happily sort with his Majesties and your Graces mind, and shall accordingly prove effectual in their operation, I shall think my self a most happy man, to have had my oblation in so pious a work for my most gracious Sovereign and Master: More particularly, in that your Grace, under his Majesty, shall be, Opifex rerum, & mundi melioris origo. Which I shall incessantly beg in my prayers at his hands, who is the Giver of all good things, and will never forsake, or fail them, who do not first fail, and fall from him: The God of mercy and Peace. With which I remain evermore
I have not dared to trust this business (without a Cypher) but by a sure hand, for which I have sent this bearer, my Secretary, Express, but he knoweth nothing of the contents hereof.
Your Graces, Most dutifull and obliged servant, William Boswell. Hague in Holland, 9. Sept. 1640. Sti…loci. Sir William Boswels indorsement. For your Grace. The Arch-bishops indorsment with his own hand. Rec. Sept. 10. 1640. Sir William Boswel about the Plot against the King, &c.