and the next day arriving at Canterbury he was upon his Entrance into that City received by the Mayor Recorder Aldermen and Common-Council in their Robes with divers Gentlemen the Recorder made a very Loyal and Dutifull Speech to his Majesty expressing the great Joy his Royal Presence gave that City and assuring him of their Loyalty and Duty which was seconded by the loud and repeated Acclamations of all sorts of People the Mayor at that time surrendred the Keys of the City and had them returned by his Majesty when bearing the Sword and the eldest Alderman the Mace they marched before the King's Coach through the street which was lined by the Militia of the City and part of the Marine Regiment quartered in those parts and his Majesty's Lodgings were prepared at the Lady Coventry's House where the Sub-Deans and Prebends the Dean being absent waited upon his Majesty to pay their Duty to him and by the City he was presented with a splendid Banquet of Sweet-meats and the day was concluded with Healths and all Demonstrations of Joy by Bonfires and ringing of Bells accommodated the night But the King upon further consideration finding the Wind was set in Easterly and that a hard Frost was set in thinking at that time no safe Passage or Landing could be gained after he had done Sir Joseph Williamson the Honour to lye in his Return a Night at Cobham-Hall came to Kensington where he was received with all imaginable Demonstrations of Joy however taking the first opportunity of the Fair Wind and breaking off of the Frost he went to Graves-end where he embarked with divers of the Nobility and other Persons of Quality and the next day he was off of Margaret-Road standing with a fair Wind to the Coast of Holland where coming up with the Goree the Weather being thick and foggy and being informed by a Fisherman that he was not above a League and half from the Shore he left his Yatch and attended by the Duke of Ormond the Lord Steward and Lord-Chamberlain the Earls of Portland and Monmouth Monsieur Overkirk and Monsieur Zulestein and went off with Three Shallops designing to land in an hour or two but the difficulties he met with from the Ice and the fogginess of the Weather were such that it was about 8 the next Morning e'er his Majesty could reach the Goree where he went on Shore with his Retinue and after some Refreshment went into his Boat again and about Two in the Afternoon landed at Oramen Haak near Maesland Stuys and at Houslayerdyke was met by the Deputies of the States but his Majesty made no stay there but passed to the Hague where the States-General the States of Holland and Council of State with other Colleges made their Complements to him as also the foreign Ministers residing at that Court and a day being set apart for his Majesties more magnificent Reception the Preparations were extraordinary the States-General erecting one Triumphal Arch the Magistrates two the first to be set on the Piazza's called the Buyton Hoff the second in the publick Piazza and the third in the Market-place of the Hague The first was a triumphant Architecture compounded of the Dorick Orders with three open Gates the middlemost being the highest supported with eight Pillars upon large Basements backwards and forwards separated from the Body of the Work and upon each Basement stood two Pillars with a Copulo of 8 Faces upon the Overture in the middle and on the Copulo a Pedestal upon which his Majesty was represented on Horseback very richly gilded to the Horses on each side were fastened two Slaves or Statues of Brass colour prostrate and the whole Work as it were the colour of Freestone between the Pillars and upon each side inward and outward the Spaces are replenished with pictures in which are comprehended some Historical Representations and Hieroglyphical Figures referring to the Life and glorious Actions of his Majesty At the Frontispiece of that Arch and upon the Pillars as well backwards as forward and at each side are placed in the same order of both Sexes 8 Statues to proportion of Life and in the part of the Arch facing the end of the Town upon a high Pedestal is a Nepâ—une lying along with his Trident in his hand and this Motto Let him triumph upon the Seas At the other side of the Arch looking towards Cingel-street a Plough-man or Rustick stands upon a Pedestal with a Spade in his hand and this Motto Let him reach to Jupiter's Throne and about the Copulo was written viz. To the pious happy Renowned William the Third the triumphant Father of his Country Governour Stadtholder and Restorer of the Vnited Netherlands England's Liberator Scotland's Preserver and Ireland's Pacificator now returned Upon the Frontispiece underneath the Statues viz. After great things done at home and abroad as having made a strict League with the Princes the Revenger of his Subjects Wrongs and the Defender of the oppressed and upon a large Picture under that a Table upon which are represented several Armed Men fighting with a Dragon and this Motto viz. Being united they make a strong opposition and in the second hollow Seat this viz. Being passed beyond the Sea he has rescued great Britain and being adorned with Scepters of a vast extended power he has been received in his own Country with all demonstrations of publick Joy and in the Table beneath is represented Ballances in one Scale a Sword and in the other divers Crowns the Sword outweighing those Crowns and this Motto viz. Rewards are not answerable to Merit in the third hollow Seat viz. Our Country mourning and bewailing Europe in Tears the most ancient Family of Nassau fertile in producing Hero's Emperours and Princes afflicted A Phaenix in a Table underneath is represented burning with this Sentance viz. Born after his Fathers Death shines so much the more and in the Fourth hollow Seat viz. William born after his Fathers Death the Third of Great Britain and of Orange The hope of his own Country and the support of the Commonwealth And in a Table underneath is represented a Scepter and Three Crowns with this Motto viz. Tender Age is an Ornament to Diadems On the Backside of this Arch towards the Pallace were Four hollows in the Frontispiece with these Inscriptions First Fate favourable to Europe has bestowed him from Heaven and portending his future Majesty foxed him for Example when he was exceeding Young on the other side above a large Picture was a little Table and represented on it a young Eagle soaring to the rising Sun with this Motto viz. Young and Tender as he is he strives with all the force of his Wings against the Wind. In the Second viz. Who having spent his Youth in many Hardships tossed with Feuds Wars and Sedition in so much Hazard vanquished all before him and in the Table underneath was represented presented a Castle upon a Hill and a Spear planted at the Foot of it
from which sprouted Lawrels with this Motto viz. Darted forth in presage of Triumphs In the Third this Inscription viz. The Netherlands Tottering and he made Chief Commander by Sea and Land has re-established the Government in its first Lustre Conserved our Religion and securâ—d the People and in a Table underneath a Boat with armed Men rowing it forward with this Inscription viz. There will be another Tithys And in the Fourth hollow Seat viz. His merited Triumphs surmounting Fame it self more glorious still by happy Marriage with a Princess born of Royal Ancestors and in a Table underneath a Lyon and Unicorn the latter driving away many venemous Creatures with his horn with this Motto They drive away the venome and repell the force of it and on one side of the Pedestal where the King was placedon Horseback was written The Peoples welfare the Glory of the State and within the Ceilings of the Arches were four Historical Representations different from each other and in the First viz. He reviveth the Golden Age. in the Second We are preparing for New Worlds and New Scepters In the Third viz. Your part is to overcome and forgive and in the Fourth viz. All other things are Transitory As for the Arch it self it was adorned before and behind and at the top of the Overtures the Arms of England also the Arms of Holland with Two flying Fames appearing to blow Trumpets as for the Arch of the publick Piezza it was exceeding Magnificent the Pillars were coloured like red and white Marble the Body of the work black and white and the Basis and Chapter gilded with four Pictures Two before and the other behind the foremost representing a Battel of the Romans by Sea and Land and those behind War and Peace withother curious Devices and upon this Arch the King was represented on Horseback to the bigness of the Life with this Motto To the Triumphant King And above the King on Horseback Wreaths covering and crossing his Head and above it a Royal Crown with the Scepters a Cross underneath on one side the Arch two Squares in which behind and before were transparent Pictures done upon Silk which by the Lights put into them in the Evening discovered on the one side a Cloud and a Pillar of Fire on the other the Corner being adorned with Green and at the gilded Frize of the Arch was written by Land and Sea In repressing Tyranny and restoring the Felicity of the Age. And on the Right side of the Frize viz To him that Excells all Heroes And on the Left viz. To him who is greater than any of the Antients and on each side the Pedestal where the King was represented on Horseback were two gilded Arrows two covered with Silver and two adorned with Feathers with Trophies the Arms of England and the King's Cypher and upon the Wings of the Arch were represented divers Histories of Hercules Perseus Phaeton and Andromeda's deliverance with the Escutcheons of England Scotland France and Ireland and round about and underneath this Arch were the following words viz. Honoured with Scepters Armed with Armies provided with Fleets and received with Acclamations and on each fide this Arch were two pictures One representing Europe in Distress Neptune Ravishing of her with this Motto Snatch the wretched from the Ravisher and the Motto of the other viz. Defending Right and above the Door was written The Town of the Hague erected this Arch by the Deeree of their Magistrates That erected in the Great Market-place was no less stately adorned with Pictures and some of them transparent and upon the Arch a Rain-bow with Three Crowns seeming to hang in the Air and upon that Arch a Sphere and on it flying Fame with other-like Devices and Trophies on the Backside the Imperial Coat of Arms of Nassau That of the Emperor Adolphus of the same Family with Eight Quarters on every side and round about this Arch viz. To the First of Noble Heroes the greatest of Generals William the Third a Posthumus the Gift of Heaven and above the Pictures erected on the backside viz. Erected to the Victories and Trophiesde signed for a most valiant and prudent Commandeâ—â— And on the bottom of the Arch on one fide viz. William the Third King of Four Kingdoms Governor of the united Provinces shining with Virtue and Triumphs And indeed so admirable and curious were the Devices and Motto's of this Arch redounding to the Glory of his Majesty that for brevity sake we think fit to leave you to guess at the rest by what has been laid down The Cannon loudly breathed his Wellcome and the Peoples shouts ecchoed Feasting Crowned the Day and the Fires by night made all seem but one great Light and nothing was omitted that a willing People could any ways contribute too Nevertheless the Burgesses of the Hague had prepared a long time before for his publick Entry and had been at considerable Charges to make a glorious Appearance and all the Towns adjoyning had prepared to be present at the Solemnity In a word all the Hollanders were willing to see the King in publick and to assure themselves with their own Eye that a Prince whom they loved so infinitely and of whom the common Enemy had spread so many false Reports was still alive and returned into their Provinces which obliged the States to intreat his Majesty to make a publick Entry which he refused a long time that such Ceremonies were but the loss of that time which he had resolved to spend altogether in Action At length all that they could obtain from him was that he would Dine about a quarter of a League from the Hague at a House of the Earl of Portland's and return in his Coach through the midst of the Burgesses rang'd in Files from the Court to the end of the City which was done the first of February about four of the Clock in the Afternoon â—o the unexpressible Satisfaction of the People all the Inhabitants of the Towns round about being got together and perhaps there never was seen at the Hague such a vast Concourse of People The King receiving many Complements and Congratulations had still his mind upon weightier Affairs so that at his first appearing in the Assembly of the States-General he took his Place at the upper end of the Table and did with many obliging Expressions declare his Affection and Royal Inclination to the States-General and the Provinces telling them to this Effect as we find it translated from an Extract of the Register of the Resolutions of the States-General of the United Provinces viz. That when he was last in the Assembly of the States-General he then signified his Intention to goe over for England and thanked them for the Assistance they had given him towards the relieving England from great Grievances under which it groaned being well nigh brought to the brink of Ruine that God Almighty had been pleased to prosper his Enterprize as thereupon to Crown it with
accordingly took the Oaths and a Correspondency in the Army being discovered to be held with the Rebels Lientenant Collonel Levingston and other Officers were seized and made Prisoners so that a timely Discovery defeated the whole Design and being brought upon their Tryals before a Council of War and severally confessed their Crime throwing themselves upon the King's Mercy and a Proclamation published for apprehending the Viscount Dundee and others his Associates with a Reward of a 8000 Marks Scotch Money to such as should apprehend Dundee and deliver him to any of His Majesties Officers dead or alive and indeed he survived not long after for on the 26th of July Major-General Mackay marching from St. Johnstoun with about 4000. Foot and 40 Troops of Horse and Dragoons Two Mile on this side the Blaye of Athol came within sight of the Enemy and drew up his Men to attack them and on the 27th the Fight began about Five in the Afternoon and continued very hot for some time so that being exceeded in number some of our Regiments gave way however Dundee Charging furiously at the head of the Highlanders to encourage them was slain by a Shot although he had Armour which so discouraged his Party that they suddenly retreated and after that Collonel Cannon who had been sent out of Ireland with some Forces took upon him the Command and rallied the scattered Rebels As for the Body of the Viscount Dundee it was afterward exposed in Blaire Church and then decently buried and with him his Party lost the Prime of their Courage never after being able to make any considerable Head though the Earl of Dumferling and others undertook to manage them for many of the Highlanders scattered and went home and some of the Heads of their Clans submitted During these Transactions in Scotland the Army in England marched from all parts towards Chester and Highlake to embark on the Ships appointed under the Command of the Duke of Schomberg consisting of between Five and Twenty and Thirty Thousand effectual Men great Stores of Ammunition Provision and considerable quantities of Moneys were Shipped off and his Majesty appointed a Camp to be on Hounslow-Heath on the 14th of August to be composed of such Forces as remained but it continued not above three or four days and in the mean time a Declaration of War against France was published in Scotland During these Transactions the Iniskilling-men being in Arms made many Incursions into the Enemies Quarters beat several of their Party and possessed themselves of a great deal of Plunder and upon notice that one Maccarty was abroad with a strong Detachment marching towards Lisnaskea Lieutenant Collonel Berry early the next day marched out with 8 Troops of Horse 2 of Dragoons and 3 Companies of Foot but upon a serious search finding the Enemy with whom another Party was joyned much superiour in Number he sent to Collonel Woosly at Iniskilling for Relief and after a brisk Encounter killing a considerable Number put the rest to flight but they rallying again upon new Reinforcements another hot Engagement happened near Newtown Butler where having posted themselves advantageously they gauled our Horse with their Cannon but our Foot and dragoons passing the Defiles drove them from their Posts and seized their Cannon whereby the Horse having advantage to come up the Enemies Horse upon the first charge deserted the Foot and they finding themselves in a great strait fled likewise many being killed and taken insomuch that that Party that had so long hazâ—rded the Country was by this means quite broken and disordered 3000 being computed to be killed and lost in the Lough into which they desperately threw themselves to escape the Sword London-Derry was a place extreamly aimed at and not doubted to be won yet they found themselves mistaken in their Account as in the Relation of that Siege though but briefly will even to a wonderful Providence be manifested indeed upon the first Approach they made themselves Master of the Castle of Culmore where were only 3 pieces of Cannon and the Garrison distressed for Water and although they made Conditions to march out with their Swords yet were they plundered by the Irish And now to wave Interruption in the Thread of History though many things intervened take a brief Account of this famous Siege the greatest considering the Situation and weakness of the place against a numerous Army that has been perhaps in many Ages This City was built by divers Companies of the City of London upon their Settlement of Collonies in Ireland as a Fortress against the Incursions of the Irish and named by its Original Founders London-Derry and so prosperously is succeeded that it has hitherto baffled their most strenuous Attempts and as if Providence had so ordered to defeat the Councils of Tyrconnel Upon the first News of the Invasion all the Irish Forces were drawn out of it being mostly Papists and sent into England to assist the late King insomuch that the Protestants without much Difficulty took Possession of it when they were forced from other places and when Collonel Lundy and others despaired of holding it as a place not Tenable against such a numerous Army as drew down against it though considerable Forces were sent from England and safely arrived under the Commands of the Collonels Richards and Cunningham it being abandoned by those Commanders the enraged People resolved to defend it against the utmost Efforts of the Enemy and thereupon proceeding to choose Mr. George Walker a Minister and Major Baker their Governours during the Siege they chose Colonels and Regimented their men in all amounting to 117 Companies each Company consisting of 60 men the total 7020 Soldiers and 341 Officers and then a View being had of the Stores and necessary Orders given all Offers made by the Enemy of Favour and Protection were refused so that finding a defence was resolved upon they drew up a Demi-culverin within 118 Pearches of the Town and played without any considerable Damage unless to the Market-house whereupon a Sally was made and 200 of the Enemy killed together with Mamow the French General and other Officers of note and although the Enemies Horse came up furiously yet no more of our side than four private Soldiers and Lieutenant Mac Phedris were killed but the Besiegers not seeing this available planted four Demi-culverins at the lower end of an Orchard and those playing Incessantly hurt divers People in their Houses and other places but the Cannon playing as furiously from the Town killed a great many of their men and several Officers of note as Lieutenant Fitz Patrick Lieutenant Collonel Oneas c. together with two Fryars who were zealous in the Cause And to make more effectual work they placed some Mortars and threw in divers Bombs which did little or no Execution but to prevent further mischief â—he Besieged made another vigorous Sally and killed several of the Enemy at Penniburn-Hill in which Action they lost only 2 men and had
He threatned likewise to burâ— and lay waste all the Country if there should appear the least probability of any Troopâ— coming to their Relief yet if the Garrisoâ— would become Loyalists as he termed it 〈◊〉 and surrender the Town on any tollerablâ— Condition he would protect them from aâ— Injuries and give them his Favour But these Threats and Promises were received with Contempt and Indignationâ— which put the French-man into an extraordinary heat though to no purpose This Intriegue failing a dead Sheâ—â— or Bomb without Powder was thrown into the Town wherein was a Letter to let the Souldiers know what termâ— had been proposed as if the Governour had keep them in Ignorance but their Resolutions were firm and iâ— availed not notwithstanding some treacherous Persons dispersed Copies to the like purport and so unanimous they were that it was made Death so much as to discourse of a Surrender And now the Cruelties of the Besiegers appeared for they drove the poor halâ— naked Protestants that they had gathered in the adjacent Countries under the walls like so many Beasts for slaughterâ— of all Ages and Sex yet Providence so ordered it that in firing from the Walls by mistake as not knowing the meaning of such a Croud the Bullets hit only two or three of those that were driving them nor would the Besiegers suffer those miserable People to retire till the besieged set up their Gallows threatning to hang the Prisoners they had taken even those Prisoners themselves confessing they could not blame the besieged in putting them to death seeing their People exercised such Severity and Cruelty upon the Protestants that were under their Protection and desired leave to write to Lieutenant-General Hamilton which was allowed having written to Rosne before and received no Answer And although they had now but a slight Answer returned the Intercession of their Friends prevailed and the miserable Protestants had leave to repair to their Habitations with this Advantage that some able Persons were got into the Garrison and other â—ck or weak Persons shifted amongst them and great Industry was used secretly to incense the Soldiers against the Governour as intending for his Advantage to betray the Town but it little availed for upon a right understanding it dissipated Yet through Sickness occasioned by Famine and the many Sallies that were made on the 25th of July the Garrison was reduced to 4892 effectual men yet the same day a vigorous Sally was made the maiâ— design being to bring in some Cattlâ— the Enemy had feeding within sightâ— whilst the Action continued and sâ— well it succeeded that three hundreâ— of their men were killed besides Officers but no Cattle gained and the Garrison now being reduced to 445â— men the Famine daily increased insomuch that Horse-flesh was sold for 1 s. 8 d. the Pound the quarter of a Dog for 5 s. 6 d. a Dogs-head 2 s. 6 d. a Caâ— 4 s. 6 d. and so of other things proportionably as Rats Mice Tallowâ— Greves and all things noisome and one fat Man thinking they had an Eyâ— upon him to eat him concealed himself for some time for fear But now when even hope it self began to failâ— and nothing expected but to fall into the hands of a merciless Enemy Providence worked in a Miracle for oâ— the 13th of July an hour after Sermonâ— some Ships in the Lough were discovered making to wards the City for Major General Kirk finding the place could not hold out much longer ordered them to force their way in spite of all opposition in which they succeeded and the Mountjoy and Phoenix laden with Provision convoyed by the Dartmouth and other Men of War came up with little loss though the Enemy fired from the Shore without intermission And thus the besieged were relieved with Provision when they reckoned but upon two days Life having only 9 lean Horses left and one pint of Meal to each man 4200 men being left whereof a fourth part were rendered unserviceable The Enemy perceiving this seasonable Relief on the the last of July raised the Siege in some disorder burning and plundering as they retreated but were pursued by the besieged and some Parties of the Iniskilling-men that were abroad and many of them cut off yet they made a Halt at Straban but having notice that the Iniskilling-men had defeated the Forces under Lieutenant General Maccarty they removed their Camp breaking for haste four of their great Guns and casting twelve Cart Load of Arms into the River And thus after 105 days close Siege was this City delivered the Enemy losing between 18 and 19000 meâ— before the Walls and 100 of their beâ—â— Officers Upon the coming of Major General Kirk to this City he was received with great Joy and it was agreed that Mrâ— Walker should go for England and present their Majesties with an humble Address in the Name of himself and the Principal of those that had been in the place during the Siege in reference tâ— all the Inhabitants and upon his Arrival he was very Gracioussy received His Majesty as a mark of his special Favour ordering him Five thousand Pounds and promised him a further continuance of his Royal Goodness and he was courted admired and treated by the Nobility Clergy c. and since we have dwelt so long upon this memorable Siege that in Point of time has carried us beyond many other notable Transactions it will be convenient to look a little back and see what was done in other parts of the Kingdom Major General Kirk has been related coming with a Resolution and express Orders to relieve the besieged seeing if he longer delayed it it must fall into the Enemies hands after the Provision ships had been sent up to endeavour its relief he hasted to the Isle of Inch and found all things in a very good order and there it was he had the News of the raising the Siege and that the Enemy were marched over Clandy having blown up Kilmore Castle and Red Castle with all the Houses down the River and set the Country for Ten miles in a Flame and since we are got to Inch let us sâ— what happened in those parts being the chief Refuge of the Protestants from the 7th of July to the raising the Siege of Derry On the 7th of July a Detachment was sent of 600 men under the Command of Collonel Stewant and on the 9th he got up with the Island of Inch and there had the Luck to hear that the Irish kept at a place called Tully Six miles from Ralfemullin whereupon he sent a commanded Party of 60 Musqueteers who were put ashoar in the Night-time and on the 10th in the Morning Captain Richards the King's Engineer Landed with an Ensign and 20 men in the Isle of Inch and had scarce marched a mile before he come to the great Strand much overflowed with the Tide yet staked out a redent Work with Redoubts sending for some Field-pieces as also more Men and Instruments
Rebellion Robbing Plundering c. as opportunity offers if there be a Mark or Footstep of Religion amongst them 't is that of the Roman Catholick and by some insinuating Persons of that perswasion amongst them with great Promises of speedy Aid and many false Stories of the Success of the late King in Ireland and a Revolt in England as also magnifying the Power of the French they were drawn to this for which as you have heard they severely smarted And now though what we are about to relate may seem a kind of Digression yet being pertinent to History of this kind it will not be out of the way to relate it After the late King left Ireland he hasted to St. Germains in France to give perhaps the first notice of his defeat at which the People exceedingly wondered for they could not apprehend the cause of his Return at a time when they were held in hand that the English were beat by Sea and Land for so the Rumour was spread to bear up their Courage fancying to themselves that following his Success and having subdued all Ireland he should rather have passed over into England where as it was hotly reported the People would receive him with open Arms this began to make the more thinking part of them imagine he was utterly defeated and his Forces had received the Foil and it was reported that the Irish had given Ground at the River Boyne but they easily comforted themselves for that inconsiderable Loss when it was told them that the Duke of Schomberg was dead and soon after the News spread of the Death of King William at this they were so over-joyed that they never enquired into the Proofs of it the Report of one of the late King's Lackqueys who got out of Ireland some few days after the Battel was sufficient to perswade the whole Court of the truth of it and it was about Midnight they received the News of King William's Death yet though it is not usual to make Bonfires for the Death of an Enemy before he is defeated in Battel the Commissaries immediately run about the Streets crying out to the People to rise and make Bonfires so that in less than two hours all Paris shined with Fires and nothing was to be heard but the Shouts of the People Drums Trumpets and Hoitboys after this the Rabble made the Effigies of King William and Queen Mary dragged them through the Streets and at last threw them into a Fire the Bells rung and the great Guns roared from the Bastile nor was any thing omitted that is usually done on such occasions This Rejoycing continued for several days and though the Dutch Gazette which they received some days after expresly told them that King William was in good Health and notwithstanding they had no Letters from Count Lauzun to confirm the first News yet they would not give over their Credulities and held it a Crime that any should question the truth of it the Physicians were likewise consulted who gave their Opinion that the Wound of a Cannon Bullet was mortal and they concluded because King William had received such a Wound he must of necessity be dead but now let us leave France to its mistake and folly and return to Ireland The King having secured the City of Duklin in trusty bands and appointed all things necessary for its safety and well being published for the greater Settlement of the People minds an Act of Oblivion to all that had submitted or should submit before the 11th of August which together with the Clemency used towards those who had already submitted wrought so effectually that a great number layed down their Arms and submitted his Majesty still appointing Sheriffs and other Officers as he passed through the Countries that yielded him obedience and to shew his extream Love to the Duke of Schomberg and how much he was troubled for his Death and sensible of the Services he had done him expressed both his Sorrow and Gratitude in the most obliging Terms to Count Menard his Son and as a Pledge of his future kindness gave him the place of Grand Master of the Artillery which was before possessed by his Father Thus this Successful Battel in a manner settled the Affairs of Ireland a great many considerable Towns Castles and strong Places surrendring so that his Majesty believing his Presence more useful in England resolved to repass the Seas but then understanding that things were Calm and in good Order and that there was no further fear of the French upon the Coast this Year he resolved to stay longer and having reduced Waterford Duncannon c. he caused the Army to advance towards Limerick where Tyrconnel and Lauzun had rallied and drawn together the late King 's broken Army and on the 19th of August our Forces came within sight of the Town and in the mean time General Douglas lay before Athlone where his men suffered very much especially the Cavalry for the Irish had wasted the Country and destroyed the Forage for ten miles round of which his Majesty being informed thought it convenient not to spend more time in that Enterprize whereupon General Douglas had Orders to quit Athlone and joyn the Body of the Army at a place appointed But no sooner did Tyrconnel and Lauzun understand the approach of the English Forces but leaving Monsieur Boisleau Governour they retired from the Walls of the City having furnished it as well as they could with all things necessary for defence and Tyrconnel retired with the main Body of the Irish several miles into the Country whilst Lauzun with his French expecting there to imbark for France but the Inhabitants instead of receiving them shut their Gates and would not let them enter insomuch that they were constrained to Encamp before that place and endure much Hardship till Tyrconnel prevailed by Letters to the Inhabitants for their Admittance where they committed divers Outrages and we are told some who at first had opposed their Entrance were put to Death When our Army came near Limerick the Enemy was posted about a mile from the Town on the othèr side of the River Firing from the Thickets and other places very furiously upon our men though without doing any considerable Damage and being beaten back the King though it was late resolved to pass the River and attack the Enemy in their Retrenchments and Posts on the other side but upon debate the Officers declared their Sentiments that it was now late and that his Majesty might do it with more conveniency the next Morning but by that time through sear the Irish had dislodged in such haste that they had left part of their Tents Arms and Baggage behind them so that the River proving at this time shallower than had been known for many Years the English passed without resistance and encamped within Cannon shot of the Town and raised Works to secure them from the shot of the great Guns yet they received some Damage by them
whereupon his Majesty sent to Summon the Commander 〈◊〉 to surrender and offered advantagious Conditions on that Consideration but he sent back word in a Letter to his Majesties Secretary because he would wave giving the King the Title of Majesty wherein he wrote that the Town was intrusted to his keeping by Persons whom he was obliged to obey and therefore that the P of Orange would have a very mean opinion of him if he should surrender before so much as a Gun was fired at him wherefore he was resolved to defend the place to the last Extremity whereby he hoped to gain his Highness's Esteem Upon this the Trenches were opened and the great Guns were impatiently expected at the Camp to batter the Walls but the Convoy that guarded them together with divers Waggons laden with Ammunition and Provision were surprized by a numerous Party under the Command of Collonel Sarsfield who killed several before they could put themselves into a posture of defence not sparing the Waggoners Wives and Children they brought in their Arms they likewise burnt some of the Waggons and Carriages of the Cannon nailing up some of the great Guns and broke others but the Allarm being taken by the English Forces lying there about the Chevalier Cunningham who Commanded the Iniskilling men having notice of it marched directly towards them with a considerable Party but the Enemy made a hasty retreat yet being pursued many of them were killed and a great Booty recovered about 20 of them being killed with a Major and a Captain and by a Party sent to aâ—tack Tyrconnel who lay hovering with his Forces about 7 miles from the City of Limerick he was obliged to march higher into the Country so that the 15th of August the King's Army encamping before Limerick laid hard Siege to the place having made themselves Masters of the Enemies Out Works and killed about 80 of their men yet for want of having Cannon some time was spent without making any considerable advances for the great Guns were to come from Waterford by Sea In the mean time the Besiegers made themselves Masters of a small Fort near Limerick called Clonmel the Garrison surrendring at Discretion and being all made Prisoners of War by which means they opened a Passage into a wide Campaign Country abounding with Forage which was the main thing they wanted By this time the great Guns being come up the Batteries were raised and all things made ready for making Breaches in the Walls on the 17th .... â—â—e Prince of Wirtemberg Lieutenant-General Major General Kirk and Petâ—au Sir Henry Bellasis Brigadiers with even Battalions entered the Trenches â—nd advanced 300 paces and took two Redoubts from the Enemy on the 18th â—hey were relieved by Lieutenant-General Douglas Lord Sidney and the Count â—f Nassau Major-Generals and Brigaâ—ier Stewart who approached another strong Redoubt of the Enemies On the 19th they were relieved by the Prince of Wirtemberg and others who continued to advance towards the said Redoubt and on the 20th Lieutenant Douglas c. being on the Gaurd the Sign was given by 8 Guns about two in the Afternoon forattacking the said Redoubt and our men detached for this Service being about 150 besides Officers immeately fell on with such extraordinary Vigour and Bravery that they entred the Fort and drove out the Enemy killing about 40 of them and a Deserter who made his escape told us that the Enemy lost about 300 men this day About half an hour after we had the Redoubt the Enemy made a great Sally with Horse and Foot but the next day we finished the Trenches so as to hindeâ— any more Sallies of that Nature and oâ— the 22d raised a great Battery against their high Towers and levelled them and in the Night-time threw several Bombs and Carcasses into the Town setting many Houses in a Flame which took up a considerable time to quench and on the 23d continued to throw Red-hot Balls and Bombs which did great Execution in Firing putting the Besieged into a mighty Consternation as being no where safe from the Force of these deadly Engines nor could they not extinguish the Fires in the space of Six hours On the 24th all our Battery were finished and 30 pieces of Cannon mounted on them and the Trenehes the next day advanced within 30 paces of the Ditch on the 26th the Shot widened the Breach that was made in the Wall they day before and beat down part of their Counter scarps and Palisadoes On the 27th the King ordered an Attack to be made on the Counterscarp which was begun about Three in the Afternoon a detached Party of Granadiers made the Onset and were seconded by other Detachments who with great Resolution gained they Counterscarp and a Fort the Enemy had under the Wall â—ut in the heat of Action instead of Lodging themselves as they were ordered seeing the Breach open they rashly attempted to enter the Town following the Run-away Irish that mounted the Breach so that the Besieged turning their Cannon on them with Cartridge-shot a great many of them were cut off and some blown up or hurt by a Mine sprung in the Ditch the Dispute lasted for the space of Three hours mostly against the Old French Soldiers and in it is supposed we had killed and wounded about 100 and of the Enemy though their Loss could not be known to us no doubt as many On the 28th at Night our Trenches were advanced about 20 Yards and we had enlarged the Breaches and every one was in Expectation of a general Assault but the Rains falling so excessively and the Rivers beginning to over-flow the Garrison being withal extremely strong this Siege proved not so Successfull as was expected for his Majesty to spare his men and avoid the many Ill conveniences he foresaw by reason of the Advancement of the Season thought fit on the 30th to send away the Cannon and heavy Baggage and the next day the Army decamped and marched off in good Order towards Clonmel from whence a strong Party was detached towards Cork and Kingsale And indeed there appeared on all hands a very great Reason for the raising this Siege for by reason of the Water his Majesties Forces could not attack it on all sides so that the Besieged were not constrained to divide their Forces and the Walls were of such an extraordinary Thickness and Hardness that the Cannon made the Breaches with much Difficulty and moreover Tyrconnel had taken Care before the coming of our Army to lay the Country as much Waste as he could for several miles round so that onâ— men were constrained to go a great way for Forage and Provision and the continual Rains and bad Weather that happened about that time had so moistened the Ground that the Camp was all in a Quagmire up to the Ancles anâ— to the Knees in some places a great deâ— of Water was in the Trenches anâ— the River Shannon began to swell anâ— overflow which afterward quite filleâ—
in the Reign of King James the First and for a Second Deliverance in his present Majesties Arrival to overthrow and put to the rout Popery and Arbitrary Power was likewise observed with extraordinary Solemnity and a general Rejoycing through England and his Majesty put forth his Proclamation for the apprehending divers notorious High-way-men who for many years had infested the Roads with Robberies and Outrages with a Reward of 10 l. upon which several of them have been taken and amongst others John Bennet alias Freeman commonly called the Golden Farmer who having received Sentance at the Old-Bailey for the Murther of one Taylor he was executed on a Gibbit at Salisbury-Court-end in Fleet-street where he shot Taylor in endeavouring to apprehend him And about this time a mighty Storm arose continuing for two days and nights the Wind mostly at South making a great havock and destruction at Sea and Land insomuch that about 20 Merchants Ships and others were accounted to be cast away upon our Coast and in the Habours and forcing some disabled French Ships into our Ports the Men rather chusing to be taken than swallowed in the Waves yet our Men of War rid it out very well and those that stood out to Sea recovered their Ports after the Storm was allayed And about the beginning of this Month one Mrs. Mary Wharton an Heiress being taken away from her Guardianess his Majesty was pleased to issue out the following Proclamation for apprehending the Persons mentioned therein viz. VVHereas We have received Information that James Campbel commonly called Captain Campbel Archibald Montgomery and Sir John Johnston together with divers other ill disposed Persons designing to Ravish and against her Will to marry Mary Wharton only Child of Philip Wharton Esquire being a Virgin of a great Estate and about the Age of Thirteen years for that purpose did Arm and Assemble themselves and having found opportunity on Friday the Fourteenth day of November in the Evening at Great Queen-street did in a forcible manner seize upon the said Mary Wharton and carry her away We have therefore thought fit upon the Advice of Our Privy-Council to issue this Our Royal Proclamation and We do hereby Command and Require all our Loving Subjects to discover take and apprehend the said James Campbel Archibald Montgomery and Sir John Johnston and all others their Confederates wherever they may be found and to carry them before the next Justice of Peace or Chief Magistrate whom we do hereby require to commit them to the next Goal And we do also hereby give notice to all Persons that shall be Aiding and Assisting in the concealing of the said James Campbel Archibald Montgomery or Sir John Johnston or any of their Confederates or furthering their or any of their Escape that they shall be proceeded against for such their Offence with the utmost rigour and severity according to Law In pursuance to this Proclamation Sir John Johnston was apprehended and upon his Tryal at the Old-Baily was Convicted and receiving Sentance of Death was accordingly executed at Tyburn the others named in the Proclamation were so prudent as to make their escapes and we do not hear any of them are as yet apprehended Parson Clewer Mrs. Collingwood and her Maid who were tryed with Sir John Johnston were acquitted as not being present at the first seizing the young Lady but collaterally concerned in this Affair However the Parliament then sitting at Westminster agreed to a Bill For disanulling and making void this Marriage and it passed into an Act by the Royal Assent to frustrate any claim of Marriage that is or shall hereafter be made by the aforementioned James Campbel to Mary Wharton her Estate appearing in Court upon the Tryal of Sir John Johnston to the value of 1500 l. per Annum and 1000 l. in Effects Dublin in the Kingdom of Ireland having as you have heard been reduced to His Majesties Obedience the restless Papists grudged the English the possession of so important a place rather as it appears not only wishing it were but contriving it might be reduced to Ashes as appeared by some Letters found by one Mr. Gambal who Commanded a scouting Party which through fear and hast had been dropped by those that carried them and amongst others one written by Mrs. Hoegan alias Ruth Coffee written to her Husband who is Collonel in the late King James's Army wherein she acquainted him that the English were secure and negligent in their Quarters by which means her Friends meaning the Rapparees had done considerable Service in most parts of the Kingdom under the Obedience of the English and more particularly in the County of Wicklow where they took some Horses and Kettle-Drums near Mullenger and that the French residing in Ireland were not unmindfull of their Cause and that Tyrconnel would soon visit them with considerable Forces from France and that the Soldiers in Dublin were few and poor and might be induced to do any thing for Bread so that if Sarsfield moved over the Shannon with any considerable Force not only the Army but the Militia would be drawn hence and then her Friends could easiy set Dublin on fire by proving Incendiaries in their own Houses and Lodgings and whilst the People were busie in saving what was valuable from the Flames they had Force enough to destroy them adds That that which hindred them in this resolution coming to a speedy Result was the Consideration the Records of the whole Kingdom would be burnt in that Conflagration that being the principal Seat of Judicature where they were kept but that upon more mature deliberation they had found out a way to solve that scruple and therefore were resolved upon the Undertaking The Woman who had writ this Letter being apprehended brought before the Lords Justices who had the Night before received His Majesties Letter to call a Privy Council they ordered Mr. Gambal to attend he upon their sitting produced the Party with the Letter and she upon Examination was so far from denying it that she declared she wrote it and thought none could blame her for doing what she had done whereupon she was secured and the Lords Justices to prevent the threatned Mischief put out a Proclamation in these Words Sidney Tho. Conningsby IT having been observed that divers Papists and others disaffected to the Government some of whom are lately come out of the Enemy's Quarters do daily resort unto this City of Dublin and into the Liberties of St. Sepulchers Thomas Court and Donore and do presume not only in the day but in the night time to meet in Numbers to the Intent as we have great reason to apprehend then to consult how to raise Disturbances to the prejudice of their Majesties Government and to continue the Rebellion of this Kingdom as also to destroy the City by Fire which some of them as we are credibly informed have threatned and designed to do for Remedy therefore of the Mischief that may happen upon
Correspondence with him and engaged him by Letters of April 20th 25th and 12th of May to meet him at Vden in order to make their final Resolution That the Prisoner Leefdale and Chamlays agreed on the manner to perpetrate the Assassination viz. That when the King should pass along the Line or ride our to take a View of the Army or when the Army should decamp Dumont should lye in Ambush and when the King should come within 100 paces he should fire upon him and that Chamlays should be ready with 3000 Horse to bring him off This may be supposed to have encouraged him on but whether he had come off or not 't is ten to one whether the French Court had ever regarded so that they had got their wicked Ends which God forbid by sacrificing a desperate Villain But nearer to the purpose That Leefdale and the Prisoner left Paris the 17th of April last and soon arrived at Mons where they stayed for Chamlays but he failing they resolved to go to the place of the general Meeting but the Business having took air Grandval and Leefdale were made Prisoners at Eynhoven All the Matters maturely deliberated and considered the Court adjudged the Prisoner guilty of High Treason and sentenced him to be Drawn Hang'd and Quarter'd his Eâ—tate to be Confiscated and to bear the Cost and Charge of the Tryal which Sentence was pronounced in the Head Quarters of the Army by the Earl of Athlone President General Van Scravenmore Lieuâ— General Talmash and divers other great Officers After this he was on the 13th of August 1692. Executed according to Sentence in the Camp owning the Fact and desiring the Prayers of such Roman Catholicks as were present for his Souls Health appearing by dying very sensible of his Crime and expressing some Reluctancy for undertaking it In Prison he drew up two Petitions to the King wherein he declared That he Acted by Barbesieux and Chamlays Orders and being told the former would be sure to dissown what was said He Reply'd He had an Original under his hand which was lodged with a Friend who would deliver it to none but himself and in that it was plainly made out The Morning before the Execution he wrote to Madam Jure to go to the Arch Bishop of Rheims to get him prayed for and let him know it cost him his Life for obeying Barbesieux Orders The Malice of the French Court being thus happily defeated by a Miraculous Providence it will not be amiss to remark another signal Preservation of His Majesty's Royal Person and the Care Heaven has over it viz. On the 8th of September this year an Earthquake happened almost general throughout Europe giving a considerable shock in England This happening between two and three in the Afternoon His Majesty was then at Dinner in an old decayed House in Flanders which shaking with great Violence not a Tile fell from it till His Majesty at the Persuasion of his Nobles were retired from the danger and soon after concluding this years Campaign and giving necessary Orders for Winter Quarters he came by the way of Holland for England where he was received with great demonstrations of joy and found all things in a good settlement by the prudent care and management of his Royal Consort whom the City by the hands of Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council had humbly Addressed with Thanks for the Princely Regard she had to secure their Trade abroad and at home in ordering a Committee of Council to hear all Complaints and Grievances relating to Abuses in Trade and to redress them as far as in them lay The Parliament likewise thanked her for the prudent Management of Affairs The Winter passing over and the Parliament giving large Supplies towards the carrying on the War for the year 1693. His Majesty sent over his Orders and hastened to make an early Campaign going on the 30th of March for Gravesend where he embarqued and sailed for Holland and the Elector of Bavaria being by the King of Spain appointed Governour of Flanders during his Life he sent the Duke of Arco to Congratulate His Majesty's safe Arrival at the Hague and to open the Campaign with Action 80 French were taken Prisoners by 100 Newburghers to a Village called Maltern yet this did but lead on to greater Actions For the Vadois in the Valleys fell upon the French and killed a great Number of them taking many Prisoners of Note and a great Convoy going to Pignerol however the French getting their Forces together in the Palatinate ravaged and burnt divers places as Frankendale Spires and the Famous Town of Heydleburg hlowing up the Castle and demolishing the Fortifications ravaging the Country and plundering the Poor Inhabitants in all places where they came but the Governor of Heydelburg for cowardly surrendering it no sooner arrived in Prince Lewis of Badens Camp on the Rhine but he was put under an Arrest and the French finding the Spaniard strong in Flanders to prevent his sending any more Forces made a War in Catalonia where with much difficulty the Duke De Nouailles took Roses but in the mean while the Duke of Wirtemberg with a Considerable Detachment of Horse and Foot from the King's Army in Flanders forced the French Lines and marching without Opposition put the Country under Contribution raising a Million of Livers sacking divers small places and taking very much Booty Whilst these things happened at Land Fortune was something unfavourable to us at Sea for our Streights and Turkey Fâ—eet convoyed by Sir George Rook with about 20 Men of War Dutch and English near Lagos-Bay sell in with the French main Fleet but whilst some of the Men of War disputed it most of the Merchants creeping under the shoar got into divers harbours as Cadiz Alicant Lagos and some into the Tagus so though the Enâ—my's Design was fairly laid yet in the main miscarryed and our Men of War being of the lesser Rates finding they were unable to resist so great a Fleet made a safe Retreat and Returned into the Channel The Campaign in Flanders passing over in Bickering and Skirmishes taking some small Places and Booties on both sides a bloody Scene of War came on for the French commanded in chief by the Duke of Luxemberg being privately reinforced by suddainly draining their Garrisons and they having Notice That a good part of our Army was absent with the Duke of Wirtemberg framed a Design to Attaque the Confederate Camp near Landen and accordingly they prepared for a secret March all night on the _____ of _____ The King had by his Scoutâ— notice of their March with a Resolution to attack the Considerate Camp so that the Foot were ordered to their Arms and the Troopers to Mount in which Poâ—â—ure they remained all Night At break of day the Enemy appeared in two Lines upon the higher Grounds of St. Gratruden-Landen and an other Body advanced towards our Retrenchments on the side of Winden at Sun rise they
the Streights to favour the Duke D' Nouailes Warring in Catalonia the English Admiral joyned by divers Dutch Men of War followed and blocked Tourville up in Touloâ—n altogether disappointing him of his Design In the mean while the Lord Barky with a Squadron and some Land Forces on Board Commanded by Lieut. General Talmash made a Descent at Cameret Bay under the favour of 7 Men of War battering the Fort but the French being strongly entrenched with Horse and Foot they were constrained to Retreat the Lieut. General being wounded in the Thigh which gangreening he dyed of that Wound soon after at Plymouth yet our Canon ruined the Enemies Batteries and killed them a great many men But about the middle of July Diep a considerable Sea-Port in Normandy was bombed by the English and Dutch almost all consumed by Fire the great Magazine being blown up and some Ships in the Harbour were burnt On the 17th of July they came before Hacerdegrace an other eminent Sea-Port Town and found the Shoars strongly guarded and although the Enemy fired furiously from their Batteries the Bomb Boats stood in and burnt with their Bombs a great part and the rest had followed the same fate had not the Sea grown high by reason of a strong Wind. The next day the Lord Berkley sailed towards La Hogue alarming all the French-Coast Towns in his way and soon after he made an Attempt upon Dunkirk with a great Machine filled with Bombs and Carcasses which being fired rent and shattered their Out-works in a dreadful manner and afterward bombed Callis not any of the French Men of War daring to stir out of the Harbour Whilst things passed thus at Sea the King took Huy in Flanders and Prince Lewis of Balen Commanding the Imperial Army on the Rhine together with the Saxon Troops entered the French Countries forced their Army to a Retreat cutting off many in the Rear and brought away a great Booty having put the Country for many miles under Contribution and to strengthen the Alliance the Elector of Bavaria Marryed the King of Poland's Daughter After this happened many Skirmishes by Parties during the Campaign in which the Enemy for the most part were put to the worst â—nd many of the French deserted and came over with Horse and Arms declaring the great Scarcity that was in the French Camp The French this year set upon the Island of Jamaica but were beaten off again by the Inhabitants after they had surprisingly committed some Outrages hoping at this time for success upon the Account of the ill condition they supposed the Island to be in by the shocks of a violent Earthquake that had ruined Port-Royal and destroyed many People and the Vaudois in the Valley of Lucern and other places falling on the French that came to surprize them killed many and took more Prisoners The Turks and Tartars that came with a great Convoy to the Relief of CÃ menic were overthrown by the Poles losing 5000 Men and 5000 Wagons laden with Oyl Rice and other Provisions Our Fleet in the Streighâ—s pressed hard on the French blocking them up in their Harbours so that they could not get out to sail for Brest the great Ships were disarmed and the Seamen compelled to travel over Land leaving only a few to Man some Cruizers And thus as to Material Action this Summer ended and the King returning by way of Holland having received the Thanks of the States General returned for England and was met by the Queen with unexprerssible Joy But as all things on Earth are Transitory so this hâ—ppened But in the mean while the Parliament sitting the King told them among other things that a stop had been this Year put to the Torrent of the French proceedings which had altogether put them to a stand and was a happy Omen of Future Success and that nothing might be wanting on his part to oblige his loving Subjects an Act passed for the frequent meeting of Parliaments to the high satisfaction of the Kingdom But now a sad and Melancholy Cloud of Sorrow Over-spread the Nation for on the 22 of December the Queen was taken with a Vomiting and Pain in her Back and Head which soon after turned to the Small-Pox of the worst sort upon which she was Prayed for in the Churches and Chapples But the prevaling Disease to Rob three Nations of so Vertuous and Pious a Princess deriâ—ing Art she much lamented Died on the 28 of the same Month and was laid in State at White-Hall her Corps being brought thither from Kinsington and a considerable time after was with all Funeral Pomp conveyed to King Henry the Seventh's Chappel and Intrered among her Royal Ancestors a stately Mausoleum being raised for her Remembrance in the Abby of Westminster where it was observed that a Bird called a Robin-Red-Breast perched daily on it and at certain Hours Sung Melodiously to the Numerous Spectators and to shew their Affection to the Deceased Queen not only ours and most People of note in the Nation went into Mourning but all the Courts of the Confederates In the beginning of the Year 1695. the Parliament having given the King Liberal supplies greater Preparations than the last were made and the Confederates were in a considerable Posture so that the King early in the Spring went by the way of Holland to Flanders attended with divers Nobles and put the Army in such a Posture as not to fear the Attacks of the Enemy but rather to seek them and dare them to Battel Indeed the Duke of Luxenburg was dead however the French King Nominated the Duke de Villeroy in his stead as General of his Army in Flanders though wanting his Experience in Martial Affairs Therefore the French Court doubting the success of their Arms in the open Field underhand Treatchery at the beginning of the Campagne was used Dixmâ—yde and Demse was thereupon surrendered to them contrary to the Minds of his Garrison Officers and Soldiers in General for which Monsieur D' Ellenburg was afterward Beheaded and others concerned in so base an Action suffered disgrace However the French for a time retaind the Garrison Soldiers and compelled most of them to Enter into their Service against their minds This much dissatisfied the King of England and thereupon after many Skirmishes that happened between Parties he laid Seige to Namure a City that Commanded a large Province where the French had geathered great Riches and accordingly on the third of July it was Invested and the Siege carried on with all imaginable Vigor by the Duke of Bavaria and other Princes so that the City was taken but then the Marsschal de Boufflers who had thrown himself into it retired to the Castle on the other side the River upon Articles signed the fourth of August by the Elector of Bavaria and Count Guiscard Governour of the place a Second Siege in a manner was laid to the Castle being very strongly Fortified and in it a numerous Garison yet such was the Courage
notice from Chambers and another Scout at Kensington that the King was to go a Hunting that day but all was quashed again upon further Notice that his going was put off and the Guards hastily return'd Yet on the 22d it was resolved to be done near Turnham-Green Captain Porter being to Command one Party and Brigadier Rookwood another to Attaque the Guards while Sir George Barclay with another Party was to set on the King's Coach to Murder him and others they should find in it But in the mean time remorse of Conscience smote Monsieur De la Rue who was privy to all the Design that he proved restless and altogether uneasie in his Mind till on the 18th he went to Brigadier Levison with a charge speedily to acquaint the King with it which he did and soon after the Conspirators meeting Pendergrass one of them being absent they suspected he had discovered them and resolved among themselves to Stab or Pistol him wherever they met him of which having notice from Captain Porter he immediately went to Kensington and discovered the Conspiracy to my Lord Portland who communicated it to the King upon which concurring Informations a List was had of the Names of many of the Conspirators and Advertisements from the Duke of Wirtemburg that the French Forces to the number of 20000 were drawn down to Dunkirk Calais and other Sea ports where a great Fleet of Transport Ships and Men of War lay ready to Embark them Then the King put off his intended going a Broad on the 22d and resolutions were taken to Seize the Conspirators so that the Lord Cutts in order to it receiving his Majesties Instructions went with a strong Guard and that Night and on Sunday Morning secured about Fifteen of them and many more were soon after Apprehended upon His Majesty's putting out a Proclamation wherein divers of them were Named with the Reward of 1000 l. to any that should Apprehend one of them and so for every one with a prohibition to Entertain Harbour Aid or Further their Escapes also that all Seaports should be stopped and none suffered to pass without a Certificate under His Majesties Sign Manual Bur the Duke of Berwick who had been in London in order to forward this Business was got away as it is thought the day before the Plot was kown to be discovered carrying many Letters to King James who sent him with them to the French Ksng to give him an account of the preparations and forwardness of the Disaffected Party here whereupon the Troops were Embarked to have Landed in Kent Sussex and in the Mouth of the River but His Majesty going to the House of Peers and sending for the Commons informed them of the intended Assassination of his Royal Person and intended Invasion from France telling them further that he had ordered the Royal Navy to be fitted out and sent for such a number of Troops as might be able to oppose the Attempts of the Enemy that divers of the Conspirators were Secured and that he would take such other necessary care as he doubted not through the Mercy and the blessing of God would disappoint their Designs Upon this both Houses waited on his Majesty with a very Loyal Address and entred into an Association to stand by His Majesty and if he should come to a violent Death to revenge it on his Enemis and their Adherents which good Example has been since follow'd by the greatest part of the Kingdom Upon this all Papists were by Proclamation to retire Ten Miles from the Cities of London and Westminster except House keepers and Merchant Strangers c. And other Proclamations were put out to Apprehend more of the Conspirators as their Names came to be known and a day of Publick Thanksgiving ordered for the discovery and defeat of this horrid Conspiracy which was Religiously observed April the 16th And now the French who ye knew nothing of this happy Discovery but expecting the Signal from Dover by casting up a Bomb as had been agreed when the King should be Murdered were stranely Surpriz'd to see Admiral Russel with a Squadron of Sixty Men of War Fire-ships Bomb ketches and other Vessels on their Coasts blocking them up so that we having beaten many of their Vessels to pieces and Bombarded Calais setting it on Fire in several places they were Constrained to disembark Thus a wonderful Providence having defeated their Designs it was thought fit to bring the Cospirators to Justice and an Indictment of High-treason being found against Robert Charnock Edward King and Thomas Keys they were on Wednesday the 11th of March Arrainged at the Sessions-House in the Old Baily for designing the Assassination of the King in Order to the bringing in a Foreign Power and a Jury of twelve Men being Sworn Captain Forter gave Evidence against them that they had several meetings to Consult about Measures for taking away the Life of the King particularly at the Globe Tavern in Hatton-Garden the Nags head in Covent-Garden at the Sun in the Strand at the Blew-Posts in Old Spring-Garden and other places that Mr Charnock had brought him Accquainted with Sir George Barcklay and that it was agreed in these meetings to Attack the King's Guards and Assassinate him and then they were to seize the Exchequer Tower and Magazens other to provide them with Money and Stores Charnock after faying that when once the little Spark was out of the way King James would be presently here He had also been over in France with him to desire him to prevaile with the French King to send an Army hither That a Commission to Leavy War sent That they had often Drank a health to the Squeezing the Rotten Orange The other Evidence against them were De La Rue Pendergrass Bartram and Boise who all agreed that the Prisoners liad Consented to the Assassination of his Majesty and was to Act in the Attempt So that after a long and fair hearing and all Objections Answered the Evidence summed up the Jury with-drew and within half an Hour brought them in Guilty of the High-Treason and the same Evening they Received Sentence to be Drawn Hanged and Quarter'd and on Wednesday the 1â—th of Mâ—rch they were Executed at Tyhurn where they made no Verbal Speech But Charnock owned in a Paper he then delivered to the Sheriff that King James intending to Invade England he and others to Facilitate the Invasion had Agreed to Attack the Prince of Oranges Guards meaning the King but for any Order of Commission from King James to Assassinate his Majesty he denied to be knowing of it faying the late King had rejected such Proposals when they were made to him he Confessed he heard of a Commission arrived for levying War but had not seen it Labouring to clear she body of the Roman Catholicks of having and Knowledge of the Detestable design King said in his Paper that he never saw any Order or Commission from King James for the promoting the Assassination and
was dismissed from before that honourable House and this Lord as is said having timely notice of his Tryal before the Commissioners of the Admiralty was carried on Board the Kent â—ing in the River Medway where he was tryed by a Jury of Sea Captains who after a long hearing of the Witnesses and what he had to say in his own defence upon a long Debate he was acquitted perhaps contrary to his own Expectation The Parliament still Sitting his Maâ—esty came to the House of Lords and gave the Royal Assent to an Act For Granting their Majesties a certain Impoâ—tion upon all East-India Goods and Maâ—factures and upon all wrought Silks and â—veral other Goods and Merchandize to be Imported after the 25th of December 1690. An Act For continuing several former â—â—cts therein mentioned for laying several â—â—ties upon Wines Vinegar and Toâ—â—ce An Act For punishing Officers and Soldiers who shall Muting or Desert their Majesties Service and for punishing false Musters An Act For reviving a former Act for regulating the Measure and Price of Coals An Act For Paving and Cleansing the Streets of London and Westminster c. with 16 private Acts And his Majesty was pleased to constitute the Right Honourable Henry Lord Viscount Sidney one of his Principal Secretaries of State and at a Chapter of the most Noble Order of the Garter held at Kensington in the Presence of the Sovereign his Highness George William Duke of Zell eldest Prince of the most Serene House of Brumswick and Lunenburg was Elected a Knight Companion of the said Order And now his Majesty being intent on his Voyage for the Hague the Parliament hastened to dispatch the Bills before them the Chief of which we have lately mentioned at what time his Majesty made the following Speech to both Houses My Lords and Gentlemen I Must repeat to you upon this occasion how sensible I am of Your good Affections to me and of Your sincere Endeavours to promote the true Interests of Your Country in continuing to provide further Supplies towards the defraying the Charges of the War and as I am very secure that you will not fail on Your part to do all that shall be necessary in order to that end so I assure you I shall not be wanting on mine to see that there be a diligent and strict Application of the Supply you gave to the Vses only for which you intend them I have lately told You that the posture of Affairs abroad would not admit of defering my Journey to the Hague much beyond this time and I put You in mind of it again now in hopes that Consideration will prevail with You to use all possible dispatch in what still remains to be done for the more vigorous Prosecution of the War I must not conclude without mentioning to You Gentlemen of the House of Commons that if some annual Provision could be made for the Augmenting of the Navy and building of some new Ships of War it would be a very necessary Care at this time both for the Honour and Safety of the Nation Upon this Gracious Speech the Commons returning to their House made a further Inspection into the Accounts of the publick Charges by their Committees c. and in fine found them stated to their Satisfaction Whilst these things were in hand his Majesty's Equipage was preparing for Holland and several Troops passed over to be in a readiness against his Arrival so that things being now come to a ripeness for that Glorious Undertaking His Majesty on the 5th of January being seated on the Throne in the House of Lords the Commons attending gave the Royal Assent To an Act For Appointing and Enabling Commissioners to examine take and state the publick Accounts of the Kingdom An Act For raising the Militia of this Kingdom for the Year 1691. Although the Months pay formerly advanced be not â—â—paid An Act For Relief of poor Prisoners for Debt or Damage An Act For preventing Vexations Suits against such as Acted for their Majesties Service in defence of the Kingdom An Act For the Encouraging the Distilling of Brandy and Spirits from Corn and for laying several Duties on low Wines or Spirits of the first Extraction An Act For Granting their Majesties several Additional Duties on Beer Ale or other Liquors for four Years from the time that an Act For doubling the Excise upon Ale Beer and other Liquors during the space of one Year doth expire An Act for the more effectual putting in Execution an Act intituled an Act For prohibiting all Trade and Commerce with France and Four private Acts. His Majesty after this made the following Speech My Lords and Gentlemen HAving lately told you that it would be necessary for me to go into Holland much about this time I am very glad to find that the Success of your Endeavours to bring this Session to a happy Conclusion has been such that I am now at â—iberty to do it and I return you my hearty Thanks for the great dispatch you have made in finishing the Supplies you have designed for carrying on the War which it shall be my Care to see duly and punctually applied to that Service to which you have given them and I do likewise think it proper to assure you that I shall not make any Grant of the forfeited Lands in England and Ireland till there be another opportunity of settling that matter in Parliament in such manner as shall be thought most Expedient My Lords and Gentlemen AS I have reason to be very well satisfied with the Proofs you have given me of your good Affections in this Sessions of Parliament so I Promise my Self the continuance of the same at your Return into your several Countries and as every day produces still fresh Instances of the Restlessness of our Enemies both at home and abroad in designing against the Prosperity of of this Nation and the Government Established so I do not doubt but that the Vnion and good Correspondence between Me and my Parliament and my earnest and constant Endeavours for your Preservation on the one hand joined with the Continuance of your Zeal and Affection to support 〈◊〉 on the other will by the Blessing of God be at all times too strong for the utmost Malice and Contrivance of our common Enemies After this gracious Speech had been received with much applause the Lord-Chief Baron Speaker of the House of Lords declared to both Houses That it was his Majesties Pleasure that they should adjourn themselves until the 31th of March ensuing and that if his Majesty should think fit the Parliament should then sit he would give them timely notice thereof by his Proclamation and accordingly both Houses of Parliament did adjourn to the time mentioned The King having all things in a readiness for his Voyage left White-Hall on the 6th of January about Noon attended by the great Officers of his Houshold and divers others of the Nobility and Gentry and lay that night at Sittingborne