GUNPOWDER PLOT. This conspiracy, one of the most iniquitous and daring treasons recorded in history, was the memorable offspring of religious bigotry. It had its origin in the disappointed zeal of the Catholics, and has more than any thing to fix upon themselves that very intolerance, of which they have given so many and such dreadful exa,uples.
After the death of Mary, who was regarded as a martyr to their cause, they rested their last hope on the favour and protection of her son. Of these they pretended to have received the most unequivocal assurance; and mere tolera tion was among the lowest of their anticipations. James quickly undeceived them ; and though certainly less hos tile to their religion than jealous of the papal supremacy, he sheaved a confirmed resolution of at all times enforcing against them the enactments of the two preceding reigns. Their surprise and rage at this conduct were excessive. They saw nothing before them but submission or revenge; and they chose their part. Robert Catesby, a gentleman of ancient family, and whose character in other respects suited little with the desperation of a zealot, formed the terrible scheme of at once avenging and retrieving their lost ascendancy. He imparted his thoughts to a few zea lous Catholics, among whom were Piercy, Rookwood, and Sir Everard Digby. A meeting was held, to consult what measures would best accomplish their purpose. Piercy, in the true spirit of fanaticism, proposed to assassinate the king, and to be himself the instrument ; but Catesby, with deeper purpose, laid before them a wider plan of vengeance. He represented to them the inefficacy and the danger of striking a single victim, which would but mark out them selves for a more dreadful atonement. He showed them that the whole of their enemies might be struck at once., by running a mine Wow the House of Parliament, and all should be assembled, at the opening of the session, blowing them up in one common ruin, and consigning them, as he chose to express himself, 44 from flames above to flames below." The scheme was received witlienthu siasm. A few more Catholics were taken into the plot ; and, with the others, had their consciences absolved by the Jesuits Garnet and Tesmond. Among these was the fa
mous Guy Fawkes, who had been sent for from Flanders, and was well fitted, by his zeal and intrepidity, to take a prominent share in this extraordinary cnterprize.
The plot being now fully concerted, a house adjoining the House of Parliament was hired in Pieuy's name, and the operation commenced towards the end of the year 1604. Nothing could exceed the industry with which it was for warded. A store of provisions was taken in, to prevent the necessity of interruption ; and the conspirators came aimed to the work,.determined to succeed, or perish in the attempt.
Between the houses was a partition wall, three yards thick. This, after much labour, they succeeded in pier cing; but just as the work opened to the other side, they were alarmed by an unaccountable noise from below. Fawkes, who passed himself for Piercy's valet, went out to enquire into the cause, and learned, to their inexpressible satisfac tion, that the sounds they had heard proceeded from a coal vault under the House of Lords, where coals were at that moment selling off, and that the vault itself would be let af ter the sale. The conspirators seized with eagerness the opportunity, bought up the remainder of the coals, and hired the place. Thirty-six barrels of gunpowder were procured from Holland, conveyed vault, concealed under coals and faggots, and the doors boldly thrown open, as if to challenge inspection.
Matters being thus far in preparation, there remained but one obstacle to the completion of the enterprize. The Duke of York and the Princess Elizabeth, on account of their youth, would be absent from Parliament, and escape destruction. It was resolved, therefore, that when the eX plosion- should have done its work, Piercy, who, as a gen tleman pensioner, had access to the Palace, should carry off or assassinate the Duke, while Sir E. Dighy, having assem bled his friends on pretence of a hunting match, was to seize the princess, then at Lord Harrington's house in War wickshire, and proclaim her queen.