Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-01-27
Aleyandria Dazkttf,
TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 81.
The Guy Fawkes Plot.


The explosions in London on Saturday
recall the Infamous ''gunpowder plot" OF
1905. for which Guy Fawkes was executed
Jan. 80, 1906. The event is memorae'e
one in the history of England, and Nov. D.
tie day of the disclosure, was set apart as a
day of thanksgiving, and is religlously "c-
served in England. The historical features
of the affair may be told briefly. Guy
Fawkes was an adventurer, VINO, at the
time the plot of blowing up the House OIL
Parliament, and thus destroying the hlngs'
Lords and Commons, was conceived, "aa
serving in The Spanish army IN the Ne'het'
lands. .ro
nenal laws of Elizabeth against the Roman
lists were again put into execution, contrary
to the expectations of the followers OF ihat
faith. The plot was conceived by ROBERT
Catesby. a Roman Catholic of an ancient
family, who vowed vengeance against Tue
English rulers for the severity OF the pehai
laws. Guy Fawkes was the fourth person
admitted into the conspiracy. de Win tne
others took the oath of secrecy, and the
Sacrament was administered by Jesuit
nriest Among the other consplrators was
Thomas Winter. who selected Fawkes 10
visit Spain and solicit the Intervention OF
the King in behalf of the English Catholics
Fawkes returned to England IN l6O4,
having been unsuccessful in his mission.
Shortly afterwards Thomas Percy, another
one of the conspirators, rented house
adjoining the one in which Parliament
was to assemble, and Fawkes, who was
unknown in London, took possession or
il under the assumed name of johnson.
Parliament adjourned until February I,
1905. and on December IL, 1914, the
consDirators held secret meeting IN the
house. The work of excavating mine was
begun and seven men were engaged IN this
labor until Christmas eve. They never ap-
peared in the upper part OF the house,
where Fawkes kept constant watch.
When Parliament reassembled the work
was abandoned, but finally completed, be-
tween February and May following. About
this time Fawkes hired vault beneath the
House of Lords which had been vacated by
a dealer in coal. At night thirty-six bar
rels of gunpowder were carried into the
vault and covered with faggots.
The conspirators then adjourned to hold
a consultation. A number of wealthy men
were taken into the plot, among wno ,1
were Sir Everard Dgby, Ambrose Rock
wood and Francis Tresham. Parliament
was to meet again on November 5, and
Fawkes was appointed to fire the mine with
q slow match. Some of the new men who
had been admitted into the conspiracy de-
sired to save their Catholic friends in the
two houses. Lord Monteagle, Roman
Catholic peer, received M anonymous note
cautioning against attending the meeting of
Parliament.
The matter was laid before King James, and at
midnight. November 4, search was made OF
neighboring houses and cellars, which resulted in
the capture of Guy Fawkes as he was coming
from the cellar. Matches and torchwood were
found in his pockets Although put 10 torture,
he refused to disclose the names OF his confeder-
stes A meeting of the consprators were con-
vened, and in the excitement that followed they
were all either killed or captured. Guy FaWkes
and eight others were tried, after which they
were drawn, hanged and quartered.