Wee had before this provyded and brought into the house 20 barrells of Powder, which wee removed into the Cellar, and covered the same with billets and fagots, which we provided for that purpose. * * * * * _F._ About Easter, the Parliament being proroged tyll October next, wee dispersed our selfs and I retired into the Low countryes, _by advice and direction of the rest, as well to acquaint Owen with the particulars of the plot, as also_[472] lest by my longer staye I might have grown suspicious, and so have come in question. In the meane tyme Percy, having the key of the Cellar, layd in more powder and wood into it. I returned about the beginning of September next and then receyving the key againe of Percy, we brought in more powder and billets to cover the same againe. [_A. The draft._] * It appeareth the powder was in the cellar, placed as it was found the 5 of November, when the Lords came to proroge the Parliament, and sayeth that he returned agayne to the sayd Howse neare the cellar on Wednesday the 30 of October. [He confesseth he was at the Erle of Montgomeryes marriage, but as he sayeth with noe intention of evill, havinge a sword about him, and was very neere to his Majesty and the Lords there present.] Forasmuch as they knew not well how they should come by the person of the Duke Charles, beeinge neere London, where they had no forces,--if he had not been all soe blowne upp,--He confesseth that it was resolved amonge them, that the same day that this detestable act should have been performed, the same day should other of their confederacye have surprised the person of the Lady Elizabeth, and presently have proclaimed her queen [to which purpose a Proclamation was drawne, as well to avowe and justify the Action, as to have protested against the Union, and in no sort to have meddeled with Religion therein. And would have protested all soe agaynst all strangers] and this proclamation should have been made in the name of the Lady Elizabeth. * Beinge demanded why they did not surprise the Kinges person and draw him to the effectinge of their purpose, sayeth that soe many must have been acquaynted with such an action as it could not have been kept secrett. He confesseth that if their purpose had taken effect untill they had power enough they would not have avowed the deed to be theirs; but if their power,--for their defence and safetye,--had been sufficient they themselfes would have taken it upon them. [_B. The Confession as signed._] And so [I] went for a tyme into the country, till the 30 of October. * * * * *