Next Day a Proclamation was to come out for the apprehending three of four Troopers, who were sent over by King James, with a thousand Pounds Reward for each:  Mr. George Harris, who was the fourth, being the only Evidence against the other three.  No sooner were we return’d from Gravesend, but Harris had Intelligence brought him, that Cassells, one of the three, was at Mr. Allens in the Savoy, under the Name of Green.  Upon which we went directly to the Place; and enquiring for Mr. Green, we were told he lodg’d there, and was in his Room.

I was oblig’d by my Order to go along with them, and assist ’em; and very well was it that I was so:  For in consideration of the Reward in the Proclamation, which, as I have said, was to come out the next Day, Harris and the rest were for deferring his Seizure, till the coming out of that Proclamation; but making answer, that in case of his Escape that Night, I must be responsible to my Superiors; who, under the most favourable Aspect, would construe it a Neglect of Duty, they were forc’d to comply; and so he was taken up, and his Name that Night struck out of the Proclamation.  It is very true, by this faithful Discharge of my Trust, I did save the Government one Thousand Pounds; but it is equally so, that I never had of my Governors one Farthing Consideration for what others term’d an over-officious Piece of Service; though in Justice it must be own’d a Piece of exact and disinterested Duty.

Some few Days after, attending by Direction at the Secretary’s Office, with Mr. Harris, there came in a Dutchman, spluttering and making a great Noise, that he was sure he could discover one of the Conspirators; but the Mein and the Behaviour of the Man, would not give any Body Leave to give him any Credit or Regard.  However, the Man persisting in his Assertions, I spoke to Mr. Harris to take him aside, and ask him what Sort of a Person he was; Harris did so; and the Dutchman describing him, says Harris, returning to me, I’ll be hang’d if it be not Blackburn.  Upon which we had him question’d somewhat more narrowly; when having no room to doubt, and understanding where he was, Colonel Rivet of the Guards was sent for, and order’d to go along with us to seize him.  We went accordingly; and it proving to be Blackburn, the Dutchman had five Hundred Pounds, and the Colonel and others the Remainder. Cassels and Blackburn, if still alive, are in Newgate, confin’d by Act of Parliament, one only Witness, which was Harris, being producible against them.

When Blackburn was seiz’d, I found in the Chamber with him, one Davison, a Watch-maker, living in Holbourn.  I carry’d him along with me to the Secretary of State; but nothing on his Examination appearing against him, he was immediately discharg’d.  He offer’d afterwards to present me with a fine Watch of his own making, which I refus’d; and he long after own’d the Obligation.