Licens'd Septemb. 6. 1689.

THe last Week some Designing Persons , as mentioned in the Gazette , took the boldness to Seize both the Scots and Irish Mails , carrying away the King's Pacquets from each ; which as it is a matter of that high Concern , so it Demonstrably bespeaks , that the Romish Party , who have a natural Propensity to practise Mischief against the Government , design to have some extraordinary Project put in Execution : But , as praised be God , none of their Contrivances have hitherto met with Success , so the merit of the Cause , as well as the indefatigable care of the Government is such , as to defeat the Designs of the Disaffected and Grumbletonian Incendiaries , a more notable Instance has not been extant .

The Mails aforesaid being seized , and therby the King's Advice discover'd , extraordinary Diligence was used , to find out the Authors of this mischievous Proceeding ; and considering that not the Gaols , but rather some Taverns ought to be inspected , a double Diligence and Scrutiny was made into several places , where , under the Notion of meeting and drinking purely with a Friend there , Complotting and Caballing was the Intent , and as the Sequel demonstrates , the Cause . So the Government having got Information , that a more than ordinary Number of Gentlement , &c. held a Rendezvous at one Brooks's , who keeps the New Cock and Bottle in the Strand near Charing-cross . Two Messengers were appointed on Thursday Evening to beat up their Quarters , who , considering the Number of the Enemy they were like to Encounter with , prudently repaired to the Captain of the Guard at Whitehall , and he forthwith sent a Lieutenant with one File of Granadiers , and four of Musquets , to assist them in the Action ; Command being first given to load with Ball , and not to speak a word one to another in their passage ; which was performed with that Precaution and Diligence , that they arrived at the aforesaid Tavern without the least Mistrust or Preknowledge , who boldly entering the House , without staying for the Drawer to shew them a Room , they found out one themselves , but the Door being shut , took the liberty to force an Entrance , where meeting with a great Number of Papists , they , like the true Irish , were so bashful at their sight , that some hid themselves in the Chimney , behind the Curtains , &c. and would have disposed of their Papers , but were forced to surrender themselves with their Weapons , and what they had about them that might be mischievous . The like diligence was used in other parts of the House , where was scarce a place but they found some , and others escaping on the Tops of the Houses ; but being brought all into a Room , and commanded to sit down , there was found to be Thirty seven of them , besides a Woman , there being little Mischief done where one of their Sex is not concerned .

The Lieutenant , and Messengers took the Names of them Seriatim , and found divers Papists , several Officers and other Soldiers , some whereof had formerly rid in the Lord Dover's Troop of Guards , under the Late King James : And some of the Grumbletonian Gang , who finding the Late King's Interest in all the Three Kingdoms to be near Expiring , would like a Candle give the greater Blast at going out . And there was such Cause found against the Master of the House , tho he pleaded he never saw them before , as to keep him a Prisoner with them . For most part of the Night they continued in the Tavern , but afterwards 21 of them were sent to a Messengers in St. Martin's-lane , and 16 to anothers , where they are kept Prisoners , while their Papers can be perused , and they Examined .