Page:A history of the gunpowder plot-The conspiracy and its agents (1904).djvu/162

138 would have been at least free from persecuting, as his promise was before his coming into his Realm, and as divers his promises have been since his coming, saying that he would take no soul money nor blood. Also, as it appeared, was the whole body of the Council's pleasure when they sent for divers of the better sort of Catholics, as Sir Tho. Tressam and others, and told them it was the King's pleasure to forgive the payment of Catholics, so long as they should carry themselves dutifully and well. All these promises every man sees broken, and to trust them further in despair most Catholics take note of a vehement look, written by Mr. Attorney, whose drift, as I have heard, is to prove that the only being a Catholic is to be a traitor, which look coming forth after the breach of so many promises, and before the ending of such a violent Parliament, can work no less effect in mens' minds that every Catholic will be brought within that compass before the King and State have done with them. And I know, as the Prince himself told me, that if he had not hindered there had somewhat been attempted "before our offence," to give ease to Catholics. But being so prevented, and so necessary to avoid, I doubt not but your lordship and the rest of the Lords will think of a more mild and undoubted safe course, in which I will undertake the performance of what I