Notwithstanding the almost universal credence which was given to him at the time, it has subsequently been placed beyond doubt that the plot which Oates pretend- ed to reveal was an infamous fabrication. His circum- stances, his character, the nature of his evidence, the manner of its production, not at one time but at several times, though he had previously professed to have told all that he knew, the mode in which the first disclosure was made, together with inconsistency and errors, evi- dently betray imposture. It may be urged that the universal credit given to Oates's evidence at the time is a strong proof that his story was true. There are circumstances, however, which account for the ready be- lief with which his accusations were received, although they do not prove their truth. The English Protestants had long apprehended an attempt on the part of the Ro- man Catholics to restore their religion and re-establish their power; and an anxiety on this account had lat- terly been augmented in some degree by the conduct of the king, and in a still greater degree by the duke of York's open profession of the old religion, and his at- tachment to its adherents. Moreover, there were imme- diately connected with Oates's disclosure two events giving it an apparent corroboration, which was eagerly assumed to be real by the feverish minds of contempo- rary partisans, 'i'he first of these was the sudden and violent death of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, the magis- trate who had taken Oates's depositions. No proofs could be adduced to show the manner of his death, whether he committed suicide or was murdered ; but the fact that he had taken Oates's evidence, and had
Oates in the Pillory. (From a Contemporary Print.)
OATH
256
OATH
been active in searching out the supposed plot, was suf- ficient to convince the Protestants, excited as they were, that he had been murdered by Roman Catholics, partly out of revenge and partly to aid the escape of their con- spirators. The second apparent corroboration of Gates's evidence — which, though no real confirmation, had at the time an influence in maintaining its credibility — is that it led to the discovery of a plot, though not such a ])lot as he disclosed (sec Hallam, Const. Hist, ii, 571). Gates denounced Coleman, the secretary of the duchess of York ; and upon searching his house there were found among his correspondence with P(?re la Chaise papers which proved a combination for the purpose of re-estab- lishing lloman Catholicism in England. That it was a plot, that it was on the part of the Koman Catholics, and discovered through Gates, was sufficient in the state of public feeling then prevailing to reflect credit on his dis- closures, though Coleman's plans did not coincide with the schemes which Gates pretended to have discovered. During the closing years of the reign of Charles II Gates was protected by the government, and received a pension of £1200 a year. In the following reign, as might be expected, his enemies revenged themselves. The duke of York had not long succeeded his brother on the throne before Gates was tried and convicted of perjury, sentenced to imprisonment for life, and to be whipped and stand in the pillory at intervals. The punishment was enforced with such dastardly brutality as to leave r.o doubt that it was intended, under cover of carrying oui the sentence, to take away his life. He survived, however; and after much urgent petitioning he was, after the accession of king William, declared bj' Parliament the subject of an illegal trial, and therefore pardoned and granted anew a pension of £400 a year. He was not mucli heard of after this event, and died in 1705 in comparative obscurity'. Gates is considered as the author of Eik<1>v l3am\iKij, oi- the Picture of the late Kinr] James drawn to the Life (Lond. 1696, 4to, 3d ed.) : — The Tryull of Richai'd Lawjhorn. Esq., Counsellor at Law, for conspiring the Death of the King, etc. (published by authority [ibid. 1679, fol.]): — The true Sj^eeches of Thomas Whitehread, Provincial of the Jesuits in Eng- land; William Ilarcourt, j^retended Rector of London; John Fenwicl; Procurator for the Jesuits in England; John Gavin and A nthony Turner, cdl Jesuits and Priests, before their Execution at Tyburn, June 20, 1679, etc. (ibid. 1679, fol.): — The Report of the Committee vpon the Complaint of Mr. Peter Norris (ibid. 1680, fol.) -.—The Popish damnable Plot against our Religion and Liberties, etc. (ibid. 1680, fol.) : — A Collection of Letters and other Writings relating to the horrid Popish Plott, etc. (pub- lished by order of the House of Commons [ibid. 1681, fol.]). See State Trials, x, 1079-1330 ; Evelyn, Diary ; North, Examen ; Burnet, Hist, of his Own Times, vol. i ; Crosby, Hist, of the Baptists ; Neal, Hist, of the Puritans ; Collier, Eccles. Hist, (see Index in vol. viii) ; Hume, Hist, of England; Macnulay, Hist, of England; Darling, Cycl. liibliog. ii, 1224 ; Allibone, Diet, of Brit, and Amer. Au- thors, s. v.; Knight, Pict. Hist, of England, iii, 717 sq. ; and especially the valuable article in the Engl. Cyclop., on which this article is based.
Oath (.Jewish), an appeal to God, or to authorities recognised by the respective adjurers, or to anything esteemed sacred, in attestation of an assertion or in con- firmation of a given promise or a duty undertaken. The following statement as to Hebrew oaths is based upon Ginsburg's article in Kitto's Cyclopedia, with large ad- ditions from other sources. See SwKARiNCi.