[162] On this point we are furnished with more than the usual amount of variety as to details. Cecil, writing to the ambassadors (Cornwallis, Edmondes, etc.), says there were "two hodgsheads and some 30 small barrels." The King's _Discourse_ mentions 36 barrels. Barclay (_Conspiratio Anglicana_) says there were over 9,000 lb. of powder, in 32 barrels, and that one of extra size had been placed under the throne, for treason could not without dread assail Majesty even when unarmed. The indictment of the conspirators named 30 barrels and 4 hogsheads. Sir E. Coke always said 36 barrels. Barlow's _Gunpowder Treason_ makes the extraordinary statement, frequently reproduced, that "to the 20 Barrels of Powder laid in at first, they added in July 20 more, and at last made up the number Thirty-six." Faukes (November 5th) said that of the powder "some was put in hoggesheads, some in Barrels, and some in firkins." Faukes also says that the powder was conveyed to the place in hampers. John Chamberlain, writing to Dudley Carleton, November 7th, 1605, says it was carried in satchels. Barlow (_ut sup._) quotes the amount as 9,000 or 10,000 lb. [163] November 23rd, 1605. [164] _The Gunpowder Plot_, by L., 1805. It seems highly probable that the "cellar" was used as a public passage. [165] Hugh F. Martyndale, _A Familiar Analysis of the Calendar of the Church of England_ (November 5th). London, Effingham Wilson. [166] _Letter to Cornwallis and Edmondes_, November 9th, 1605. [167] H. F. Martyndale, _ut sup._ [168] Letter to the Ambassadors, _ut sup._ [169] _An Advertisement written to a Secretarie_, etc. (1592), p. 13. [170] Sir R. Naunton, _Fragmenta Regalia (Harleian Miscellany_, ii. 106). [171] Blount to Parsons (Stonyhurst MSS.), _Anglia_, vi. 64. [172] Such letters are found amongst the State Papers. [173] The amount, it would seem, cannot have been less than this. A barrel of gunpowder, containing four firkins, weighed 400 lb., and had the casks in the cellar all been barrels, in the strict sense of the word, the amount would therefore have exceeded six tons. Some of these casks, we are told, were small, but some were hogsheads. The twenty barrels first laid in are described as "whole barrels." (Faukes, January 20th, 1605-6.) [174] An interesting illustration of this point is furnished by a strange piece of evidence furnished by W. Andrew, servant to Sir E. Digby. Sir Everard's office was to organize the rising in the Midlands, after the catastrophe, but he apparently forgot to supply himself with powder till the very eve of the appointed day. Andrew averred that on the night of November 4th, his master secretly asked him to procure some powder in the neighbouring town, whereupon he asked, "How much? A pound, or half a pound?" Sir Everard said 200 or 300 lb. Deponent purchased one pound. (Tanner MSS. lxxv. f. 205 b.) One Matthew Batty mentioned Lord Monteagle as having bought gunpowder. (_Ibid._ v. 40.)