At this time he was, as
Bishop Burnet states, "looking about where he could find a lucky
piece of villainy." Unfortunately the banker came under his
notice, and Bedlow and an associate pretended to have heard
Staley say the king was a rogue and a persecutor of the people
whom he would stab if no other man was found to do the deed.
These words Carstairs wrote down, and next morning called on the
banker, showed him the treasonable sentence, and said he would
swear it had been uttered by him, unless he, Staley, would
purchase his silence. Though fully aware of his danger, he
refused to do this; whereon Carstairs had him instantly arrested
and committed for trial. Hearing of his situation, and knowing
the infamous character of his accusers, Dr. Burnet thought it his
duty to let the lord chancellor and the attorney-general know
"What profligate wretches these witnesses were." His
interference was received with hostility. The attorney-general
took it ill that he should disparage the king's evidence; Lord
Shaftesbury avowed those who sought to undermine the credit of
witnesses were to be looked on as public enemies; whilst the Duke
of Lauderdale said Burnet desired to save Staley because of the
regard he had for anyone who would murder his majesty.
Frightened by such remarks at a time when no man's life or credit
was safe, Burnet shrank from further action; but rumour of his
interference having got noised abroad, it was resented by the
public to such an extent, that he was advised not to stir abroad
for fear of public affronts.
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