CONFESSIONS OF SIR FERDINANfcO GORGE. 37 1 



earl most confident in the party of London, which he 

 meant, upon a later dispute, first to assure ; and that 

 he was also assured of a party in Wales, but meant 

 not to use them, until he had been possessed of the 

 court. 



That the earl and Sir Christopher Blunt under 

 standing that Sir Walter Raleigh had sent to speak 

 with him in the morning, the said Sir Christopher 

 Blunt persuaded him, either to surprise Sir Walter 

 Raleigh, or to kill him. Which when he utterly re 

 fused, Sir Christopher Blunt sent four shot after him 

 in a boat. 



That at the going out of Essex-house gate, many 

 cried out, To the court, to the court. But my lord 

 of Essex turned him about towards London. 



That he meant, after possession of the court, to 

 call a parliament, and therein to proceed as cause 

 should require. 



At that time of the consultation on Saturday 

 night, my lord was demanded, what assurance he had 

 of those he made account to be his friends in the city ? 

 Whereunto he replied, that there was no question to 

 be made of that, for one, amongst the rest, that was 

 presently in one of the greatest commands amongst 

 them, held himself to be interested in the cause, for 

 so he phrased it, and was colonel of a thousand men, 

 which were ready at all times ; besides others that 

 he held himself as assured of, as of him, and able to 

 make as great numbers. Some of them had at that 

 instant, as he reported to us, sent unto him, taking 

 notice of as much as he made us to know of the pur- 



