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Copy of a paper in Sir John Fenwicks handwriting — What I feared is at last happened; had I gone alone I had done it; but the other was betrayed from London; It is God’s will, soe we must submitt; I know nothing can save my life, but my Lord Carlisles going over to him backt by the rest of the family of the Howards; soe beg it, and offering that I will goe abroad all his time where I cannot hurt him & that I will never drawe my sword agt [against] him. I must leave it to you, what else to say; all friends must be made; my Ld. Devonshire may perhaps by my Lady, my Ld Pembroke, my Ld Godolphin by my Lady Montgomery; Mrs Nelson with the Bishop of Canterbury; my Lord Arran might engage his brother Selkirke to use his interest with Capell; I beleive if my Lord Carlisle would goe, it were best before my tryall, or else they may cutt me short for want of time, if he can prevaile with him for a pardon, he will promise it as soone before tryall as after; at least he may prevaile for a repreive ‘till some can come over againe to him; my Ld alsoe will have an oportunity to engage Benting or gett my Ld of <Essex> to joyne with him; I cannot thinke what else to say; but the great care must be the Jury; if 2 or 3 can be gott that will starve the rest, that or nothing can save me; Money I know would doe it, but alas that is not to be had, nor shall I gett enough for counsell. I beg of you not to thinke of being shutt up with me; I know it will kill you & besides I have not such a freind as you to take care of my busines; though it would be at the comfort of my life, the little time that lasts, to have you with me & will make you easie. My dearest life greive not for me but resigne me to God almightier Will you will learn as soone as they bring me to towne where they putt me, & then I would have a servant or some body with me, and my Night Gowne sent me. I am in a sadd case with riding; that day I parted with you, I rided above 100 miles; but be not concerned, my health is well enough. I am interrupted, soe can say no more now. engage Sir John Lowther the new Lord who hath more interest than anybody; lett my Ld Scarsdale engage Germaine to engage Overkirke for me. Speake to my Lady Arlington if my tryall could be putt of till the K[ing] come back, there would be more oportunity to sollicite him.
Undated and unaddressed but clearly to his wife and written around the time of his capture and arrest trying to flee the country in June 1696. He was sent to the Tower a week later, eventually tried and executed for treason in January 1697. Another copy of this letter survives amongst miscellaneous Blackett of Matfen papers in NRO ZBL 260/2
