The Information and Examination of a SMITH and his JOƲRNEYMAN. Committed to Newgate by Sir William Turner Knight, for Conspiring the Death of the KING.
The Information of John White, against Jennings and Saltmarsh given before Sir William Turner Knight; One of His Majesties Justices of the Peace, for the City of London.
JOhn White saith, he was Apprentice to the aforesaid Jennings, a Lock-Smith in Jewen-street, and that Nicholas Saltmarsh the Jorneyman, about the 13th. of June last, came in late at Night, and entred into discourse with him about the five Jesuits that was to be tried, and other News, but Saltmarsh said, if he might confide in White, he would tell him that which was News indeed.
Whereupon this Informant White promised secrecy: then Saltmarsh told White, that about the time of Colemans Execution, this Mr. Jennings would have hired him to Pistol the King in St. James's Park, Encouraging him that it was the way to preferment, and that there would be those ready to rescue him after the fact; and that the man was happy that did it.
This Informant White, notwithstanding he had promised secrecy, told Saltmarsh that neither in Duty or Conscience could he conceal this; which tended to the ruine of the King and Kingdom.
Then Saltmarsh threatned White, that if he did discover it he would forswear it, so that this Informant White should not be believed.
This Informant saith, that through ignorance, want of assistance and liberty, he could not discover it in three days, at last asked leave of his Mr. Jennings to go and discover this Treason, but instead of assistance, Jennings his Master put this Informant White into Bridewell.
This Informant farther saith, that before and after he was in Bridewell, Jennings tamper'd with him to deny his words, and he would discharge him, but this Informant White, found means in Bridewell to have Jennings and Saltmarsh to be apprehended, and brought before Sir William Turner, and gave this against them upon Oath.
The Information of — Fellow-Apprentice with White.
This Informant saith, that about the 13th. of June last, in bed he heard Saltmarsh tell White, that their Master Jennings would have hired him to Pistol the King, and he concur'd in all circumstances to the Information his Fellow Apprentice White had sworn before.
The Examination of Nicholas Saltmarsh, Jorneyman Lock Smith.
This Examinant Saltmarsh, confesses he came in late about the 13th of June last, but denies he ever mentioned Pistolling of the King, but saith White began a discourse that he had cast a figure, and found that this Examinant Saltmarsh and Jennings, had had some discourse about killing the King.
This Examinant Saltmarsh farther saith, that White Obliged him to secrecy, and then proposed, if this Examinant would swear, that his Master Jennings would have hired him to pistol the King, it would be 500. pounds in their ways, by a Late Proclamation that offered 500. pounds to those that could discover any that would kill the King. But this Examinant Saltmarsh would not joyn with White, and saith, he never had such discourse with his Master Jennings about killing the King, but saith, White would have drawn him in to swear against his Master Jennings to get 500. pounds as abovesaid.
The Examination of — Jennings Lock-Smith.
This Examinant saith, That he never had any Discourse with his Journeyman Saltmarsh about killing the King, but owneth, that his Apprentice White asked leave to go to discover the Treason; and this Examinant saith, he promised to assist White, but afterwards thinking it was out of malice to Saltmarsh, and finding himself charged also, and that White went about to take away the Examinants Life, this Examinant was advised by his own Father to put his Apprentice White into Bridewell; But this Examinant Jennings utterly denies, that ever he tampered with his Apprentice White to deny his words, either before or after he was in Bridewell.
One Mr. — made Oath unto that, as followeth.
That he was sent for to go with Jennings and others to Bridewell, to see what could be done with Jennings his Apprentice White, to see if he would deny his words, and be sorry for what he had said of his Master, and that he would get him a discharge, but White persisted that he had spoken nothing but what was truth, and would not deny his words.
After some hours spent, this being the sum of their Examinations, as near as can be remembred, Jennings and Saltmarsh were committed to Newgate upon suspition of High Treason, to be tried next Sessions at the Old Baily.
White was remanded to Bridewell, and to be well provided for, and no friend hindred from coming to him.