AT THE PLACE OF EXECUTION. 135 loving wife that ever man had, and, in my conscience, one of the best of women; nay, I am so far from suspecting her virtue, that she is the only loss I regret on earth, and can freely part with every thing else here below without repining, which in all my trouble I have owned before all people, and particularly Mr Master, Mr Ordinary, and Mr Smithies of Cripplegate, who can all testify those tears and endeared expressions that have passed between us when any of them did me the kindness to visit me in my distress. And I do, from the bottom of my heart, freely forgive the witnesses that swore against me those words I never spoke; for, as I shall answer at the great tribunal, I said no other or more words than these: How, now, friend, have you had your heat this morning? For all the ill they have done me, give them repentance, good God! Even for those that have contributed to the shedding of my blood, I pray thee shed thy bowels of mercy! I do heartily thank those noble and honourable persons, and all other my friends that have so charitably interposed with his Majesty on my behalf (though it hath proved unsuccessful). I pray God, nevertheless, to return their kind endeavours a thousandfold into their own bosoms! Lord, return it to them and theirs! Lord Jesus, receive my soul! Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen, Amen, Amen. ROBERT FRANCIS. 136 LETTER OF THE EARL OF CRAFURD No. IV. EARL OF CRAFURD to the EARL OF MELVILL, MY LORD, Yesterday in the afternoon, Nevill Penn (after near an hour's discourse I had with him in name of the Council, and in their presence, though at several times, by turning him out, and then calling him in again) was questioned upon some things that were not of the deepest concern, and had but gentle torture given him, being resolved to repeat it this day, which accordingly, about six in the evening, we inflicted on both thumbs and one of his leggs, with all the severity that was consistent with humanity, even unto that pitch that we could not preserve life and have gone further, but without the least success; for his answers to our whole interrogators that were of any import were negatives. Yea, he was so manly and resolute under his suffering, that such of the Council as were not acquainted with all the evidences, were brangled, and began to give him charitie that he might be innocent. It was surprising to me and others that flesh and blood could, without fainting, and in contradiction to the grounds we had insinuat of our knowledge of his accession in matters, endure the heavy penance he was in for two houres; nor can I suggest any other reason than this, that by his religion and its dictates, he did conceive he was acting a thing not only generous towards his friends TO THE EARL OF MELVILL, 137 and accomplices, but likewise so meritorious, that he would thereby save his soule, and be canonised among their saints. My stomach is truly so far out of tune by being a witnes to an act so farr cross to my natural temper, that I am fitter for rest than anything ells; nor could any less than the danger from such conspirators to the person of our incomparable King, and the safety of his government, prevailed over me to have in the council's name been the prompter of the executioner to increase the torture to so high a pitch. I leave it to other hands to acquaint your Lop: how severals of our number were shie to consent to the torture, and left the Board, when by a vote they were overruled in this. I shal not deny them my charitie, that this was an effect of the gentleness of their nature, though some others of a more jealous temper than I am put truly another construction upon it. Penn does now crave banishment for a year to Holland, under a deep penaltie. I think he would willingly stoop to it that it were under the pain of death; but I am no agent for him, and only speaks out his own words, which, after his torture, he desired I might represent to my master, for the sake of God, which I no way engaged for; and only acquaints your Lop: that you have the outmost information in this matter that can be given you by, my dear Lord, your Lops: ever faithfull and affectionate humble servant, CRAFURD.* * Leven and Melville Papers, p. 582-Bannatyne Club Publication. 138 OF DATE 11TH DECEMBER 1690. 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