a glass of sack, some bread and butter, and a knife. The woman of the coffeehouse sent him all but the knife, which was accidentally omitted. He was brought into the clerks' room, and kept there till the cabinet council was assembled; in that room he found a penknife, and took it away unperceived; which, as it is supposed, he hid in his sleeve; for there was none found in his pockets, which were searched before his examination.
There were present, at the committee of cabinet council, the lord keeper, lord president[1], duke of Ormond, duke of Newcastle, duke of Buckingham, duke of Queensberry, earl Poulet, lord Dartmouth, Mr. Harley, Mr. secretary St. John.
[Mr. Tilson, Mr. Hare, undersecretaries, sat at a table by themselves.]
Monsieur de Guiscard being brought in to be examined, Mr. secretary St. John, whose business it was to interrogate him, asked him some questions about his corresponding with France; and whether he had not sent letters thither? Monsieur de Guiscard denied it boldly: mean time his colour came and went. Earl Poulet, before he was brought in, had desired Mr. St. John to change places with Mr. Harley, that Guiscard's face might be full in the light, and his countenance better perceived, in any alteration that might happen at the questions that should be asked him.
The presence of that august assembly; the obligations the criminal had to some in particular, who had honoured him with their favour; and to all in
- ↑ Laurence Hyde, earl of Rochester, was appointed lord president in September 1710; and died May 2, 1711.
