of this City and in this and all other things this Court will endeavor to maintain the Rights and Priviledges of the Chair and of the whole City and wherein ye think that we do otherwise the Law must Judge between us With this Answer the Lord Mayor commanded them in the Kings name to depart He also commanded Sheriff Pilkinton to go out and cause 'em to depart which Mr. Sheriff could not disobey thô he himself and all that party were dissatisfied with the Answer And thus this matter rested at that time Wednesday 9th of Aug. the King was pleased to send Sir Lionel Jenkins to fetch the Privy Seal from the Earl of Anglesey which was accordingly deliver'd up And in the beginning of Michaelmass Term following disposed to the Marquiss of Hallifax On the 15th day of August the Dutchess of York was deliver'd at St. James's of a Daughter which was on the 16th day Baptized by the Bishop of London and named Charlotte-Maria The God-father was the Duke of Ormond the Countesses of Clarendon and Arundel Godmothers But the Infant dyed in less than 3 Months During this Long Vacation Mr. Box who had been chosen Sheriff to serve with Mr. North did think fitting to fine rather than take upon him the Office Hereupon the Lord Mayor at a Common Hall held the 19th of September proposed the Electing of an other Sheriff in his place which thô much opposed by the adverse party crying no North no North no Election c. Yet the Lord Mayor went on in the Election and by the Majority of his party Peter Rich Esq a Lieutenant Collonel in Southwark and twice a Burgess in Parliament for that Burrough was chosen and so declar'd whereupon the Mayor dissolved the Court and returned to his House Notwithstanding which the two Sheriffs continued the Assembly and put the question to their own party then remaining the other side being departed with the Mayor whether they wou'd abide by their former choice of Papillon and Dubois or not and thereupon notwithstanding that the Mayor sent 'em word the Court was dissolved and requir'd 'em to depart made a Pole and then cast up their Books and declared the said Papillon and Dubois Sheriffs Elect. But the next Morning my Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen waiting upon the King at Whitehall gave a full account of the Proceedings Whereupon the two Sheriffs were sent for to the Council severely checkt and told that they had been Guilty of a High Misdemeaner and in fine dismist upon good Bail to Answer to an Information for the same On the 28th of September in the morning Mr. Dudly North and Mr. Rich were according to Custom sworn Sheriffs of London and Middlesex before the Lord Mayor in the Hustings At which time to prevent a Tumult a Company of the City-Train-Bands were drawn up in Guild-Hall The 30th of September the said Sheriffs were presented by the Recorder in the Exchequer and Sworn there the old Sheriffs giving up their Office at the same time But on Michaelmass day being the Customary time for Election of a Lord Mayor of London the Faction Muster'd their utmost Strength against Sir William Prichard the next in Course setting up against him not only Gould but Cornish who had been Sheriff but the year before and at the first appearance Gould and Cornish had the Majority of Votes till at last upon a long Scrutiny and a thorough examination into the Capacity of the Voters it was found that a great number had appear'd for them who were not legally intituled to Voices no less as reported than 60 of one Company viz. the Merchant Taylors which kind of people being struck out of the Number it appeared that Sir William Prichard had 2138 Votes and Gould 2124. Whereupon on the 25th day of October Sir William was by the Court of Aldermen declar'd at Guild-Hall Lord Mayor Elect and the usual Ceremonies then and there perform'd to him as such with mighty acclamations from all the Loyal party in London The 30th of October he was Sworn at Westminster At which Solemnity some Factious Companies refused to attend as other years On the 6th of November the 5th happening on a Sunday the Rabble were so unruly after the Bonfires that they gather'd together in a great number at least 1500. Crying a Monmouth and knocking down such as they suspected not to be of their own Gang and committing many other riotous actions in Cheapside and thereabouts till dispersed by my Lord Mayor and Sheriffs assisted by some of the Train-Bands who took several of the Rioters and committed them some to Newgate some to the Counters This occasion'd a stricct Order of Council November 10th That no person whatsoever should presume to make any Bonfires without special Order so to do by the Magistrates Which Order being vigilantly observed by the Justices of Middlesex and my Lord Mayor who with the Sheriffs rid up and down the Streets of London all Friday Night the 17th of November No Riotous Actions and Burning of the Pope was suffer'd that Night as usual some years past Afterwards at the Latter end of this Mich. Term Mr. Williams and Mr. Wallop Councellors at Law moved in the Court of Kings Bench for a Mandamus to be directed to Sir John More and the Aldermen of London to Swear either Gould or Cornish into the Office of Mayor of London but this Motion was lookt upon as ridiculous and my Lord Chief Justice refused to give it the least Countenance such a Mandamus in the Disjunctive being a thing never heard of and absur'd in it self This Term also it was That by publick Authority all the Weekly Intelligencies which hetherto were publisht every Day but Sunday were prohibited and the Hawkers silenc'd On the 24th of November the great Cause was Tryed at the Kings Bench Bar between his Royal Highness and the late Sheriff Pilkinton for these words spoken of the Plantif viz. He Fired the City and is now come to cut our Throats This was the greatest Scandalum Magnatum that was perhaps ever Tryed and the Words being proved by Sir William Hooker and Sir Henry Tulse Aldermen of London the Jury found for the Plantiff and gave 100000 l. Damages On the last day of the Term Pilkinton render'd himself in discharge of his Bail a Prisoner in Execution Into whose place of Alderman was Elected Mr. Sheriff North. On Wednesday the 29th of November Dyed at his House in St James's Park the Illustrious Prince Rupert Prince Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Cumberland c. in the 63d year of his Age. After whose Death His Majesty was pleased to confer the Constable-ship of Windsor-Castle on the Right Honourable the Earl of Arundel On Monday the 18th of December The Right Honorable Henneage Earl of Nottingham Lord high Chancellor of England departed this Life Into whose Office Succeeded Sir Francis North then Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas Sir Francis Pemberton then Lord Chief Justice of the
Wickham 100 Marks Swinnock 500 Marks and Jekel 200 Marks On the 19th of May being the last Saturday in Easter Term Sir Patience Ward one of the Aldermen of London was Tryed at the Kings Bench Bar upon an Information of Perjury for giving false Evidence upon Oath in the Cause Tryed last Mic. Term between the Duke and Pilkinton The Perjury was proved upon him by the Oaths of several Aldermen and other persons of great Credit among which were two of the Jury that Tryed the said Cause between the Duke and Pilkinton Whereupon the said Sir Patience was Convicted and found Guilty by the Jury but the Judgment of the Court was respited till next Term. The better part of the City of London both for Number and Quality appear'd about this time very Loyal and as an Instance of their Good Affections it was Resolved at a Common-Council held at Guild-Hall May 22. That whereas Sir William Pritchard Knight Lord Mayor of this City was in a rude manner lately Arrested at the Suit or in the name of Mr. Papillon and Mr. Dubois and whereas it hath been alledged by the said Mr. Papillon and Mr. Dubois that the Action upon which the said Arrest was was prosecuted at the Instance of the Citizens of London the Members of this Court to deliver themselves and the said Citizens from this untrue imputation do declare that they were not privy or consenting to the said Action or Arrest and do disown and disapprove the same And not long after Broom the Coroner was by the Common-Council put out of that Office and made uncapable of enjoying any place of preferment in the City Soon after viz. on the 25th of May was set up in one of the Niches of the Old Exchange a Curious Statue of King Charles the First with this Inscription underneath cut in Marble ΕΙΚΩΠΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΗ Serenissimi ac Religiosissimi Principis Caroli Primi Angliae Scotiae Franciae Hiberniae Regis Fidei Defensoris Bis mar â—ris in Corpore in Effigie Impiis Rebellium manibus ex hoc loco deturbata confracta A. D. MDCXLVIII Restituta hic demum collocata A. D. MDCLXXXIII Against the beginning of Trinity Term the Scaffolds in Westminster-Hall after they had stood there and cumber'd the Hall for above Three Years were by order from my Lord Chamberlain taken down and removed On Wednesday the 6th of June was held a Common Council at Guildhall in London where all the Treasonable and irregular Acts of that Court in the Times of Rebellion were Repeal'd and a Bill past in the said Common Council for declaring and asserting the Antient Rights of the Chair by which Bill my Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen were restored to their negative Voice which had been taken away by an Act in the late Rebellious Times and never question'd before that Also it was at this Common Council declar'd and Enacted That my Lord Mayor has sufficient and lawful Power of Choosing one Sheriff And accordingly my Lord Mayor did the next day declare his Choice at the Bridg-House Feast by Drinking to Mr. Alderman Daniel as one of the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex for the Year insuing On the first Tuesday in Trinity-Term Judgment was given in the Court of Kings-Bench in the Quo Warranto brought last Trinity-Term against the City of London of which I made mention in the last Year The Pleadings were large on both sides The chief Crimes on which this Writ was grounded were Two For exacting Tolls in their Markets illegally and for framing and Printing a scandalous Petition wherein they charged the King with obstructing the Justice of the Nation by Proroguing the last Parliament Whether these were sufficient Causes of seizing their Liberties was argued pro and con by the Sollicitor General and the Recorder last Hillary-Term and by the Attorney-General and Mr. Pollixsin last Term very largely and elaborately And now my Lord Chief Justice Saunders being Sick and absent Justice Jones having concisely Summed up all the Proceedings past in a very pithy and solid Speech gave Judgment and declar'd it to be the unanimous opinion of that Court That the Liberties and Franchises of the City of London be seized into the Kings Hands After which he Declar'd by the Kings express Order That Judgment should not be enter'd till His Majesties Pleasure be further known Thursday the 14th of June was held a Common Council in London at which Court the following Petition was Order'd to be Presented to the King at Windsor it was entituled the humble Petition of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common Council Assembled It acknowledged their hearty and unfeigned sorrow for the misgovernment of that City of late Years which occasion'd a Quo Warranto to be brought against them and Judgment therein That they are deeply sensible and thankfully acknowledge the Kings great Favour in not requiring Judgment to be immediately enter'd thereon In this distressed condition they humbly cast themselves at His Royal Feet imploring His Princely Compassion and Grace begging Pardon for all Offences with most solemn promises and assurances of constant Loyalty and obedience to His Majesty His Heirs and Successors and of a regular Administration of His Government in that City for the future and humbly beg His Majesties Commands and directions This Petition was carried and Presented by the Lord Mayor and several Loyal Aldermen and Citizens of London on Munday the 18th of June After which my Lord Keeper by the Kings Command Declar'd That for the sakes of so many of the present Magistrates and other eminent Citizens in London who are of undoubted Loyalty and affection to His Majesties Service His Majesty will shew the City all the Favour they can reasonably desire In fine That His Majesty requires their Submission to these Regulations That no Lord Mayor Sheriff Recorder Common Serjeant Town-Clerk or Coroner of London or Steward of Southwark shall be capable of or admitted to the exercise of their respective Offices before His Majesty shall have approved them under his own Sign manual That His Majesties disapproving the Mayor twice He may if he please nominate a Lord Mayor himself so also for Sheriffs Nevertheless the Election of these Officers may be according to the antient usage of the City with some small Restrictions then specified On Wednesday the 20th of June was held a Court of Common Council again at Guild-Hall the Question being put whether they should assent and submit to His Majesties Order of Regulation as above exprest it was carried in the affirmative by the Majority of 18 Voices The Yeas being 104 and the Nays 86. Towards the end of this Trinity-Term was discover'd a Damnable Plot and Conspiracy carried on by those who call themselves True Protestants Mr. West of the Temple was first apprehended examined and Committed And His Majesties Proclamation Dated the 23 of June came out for the apprehension of others who had Conspired against the Lives of
for secluding him from the Succession of these Crowns when they should happen to fall to him by the old known Laws of Inheritance Which action being of such mighty Consequence to the Peace or perpetual Trouble of this Nation and the Question being so happily settled it being also a leading President to many other healing actions which have happen'd since let me once take leave to break the concise Method which I at the beginning of these Notes propounded and remember in this place some Verses writ immediately upon that Transaction by a true Lover of his King and the Royal Family Glorious and great Indeed These these are they Who truly thus their noble Blood display And by the Soul which they this day have shewn Make all the Lawrels of their Line their own These are old Englands Peers hearts that despise To be o'reawd by Number and by Noise No they 're too Brave too Loyal and too Wise Thus did their mighty Ancestors combine When Force misplac'd the Crown from the right Line Thus they stood firm to Truth and never fail'd Tell the unblemisht Rose of York prevail'd And must again that sad Dispute appear No we are much too young for Plato's year Our Renown'd Peerage will not have it so The Demi-Gods and Heroes Thunder NO What remote noise is this Hark how it grows Neerer and lowder now the Torrent flows All Europe shouts aloud Spring-Tydes of Joy Salute the Brittish sle Hark how they cry Fame now is yours more from one Law refus'd Than half the Numerous Laws ye ever us'd Anno 33. Car. 2. Anno Dom. 1681. IN the beginning of this Year City and Country were busy in the Election of Members to serve in the next Parliament to be holden at Oxford For the most part the Old Members were chosen again I shall give a short account of what happen'd at London on this occasion by which a guess or estimate may be made of the Transactions elsewhere The Election for that City was perform'd at Guild-Hall on Fryday the 4th of February and the choice which the Common Hall fixt upon were Sir Robert Clayton Sir Thomas Player Thomas Pilkinton and William Love Esquires To which four as soon as the Election was over a Paper was presented in the Name of the Citizens of London then Assembled in Common Hall containing a return of their most hearty thanks for their faithful and unweary'd endeavors in the two last Parliaments to search into and Discover the depth of the Plot to preserve His Majesties Royal Person the Protestant Religion and the well Establisht Government of this Realm to secure the meeting and sitting of frequent Parliaments to assert our undoubted Rights of Petitioning and to punish such who would have betray'd those Rights to promote the long wisht for Union of His Majesties Protestant Subjects to Repeal the 35. El. and the Corporation Act and more especially for their endeavors in promoting the Bill of Exclusion of James Duke of York In fine they conclude that being confidently assured that they the said Members for the City will never consent to the granting any Mony-supply till they have effectually secured us against Popery and Arbitrary Power they resolve by Gods assistance to stand by their said Members with their Lives and Fortunes After this another Paper was presented from the said Citizens to the two Sheriffs requesting them in the Name of all the said Citizens then Assembled in Common Hall to return their grateful acknowledgment to the Earl of Essex and by him to the rest of the Lords who presented the late Petition and Advice to His Majesty In like manner were the former Members of Parliament again Chosen in most places and in many such Papers of Address presented to them in their respective Countries as had been done by the Communalty of London to their Members Also contrary to the Old Customes of the Members Treating the Country where they stood now the Country in most places Treated them or at least every Man bore his own Charges About a Week before the Session the King left London and removed to Oxford appointing certain Companies of Foot and Troops of Horse to keep Garison in the Meuse during His absence Many Members of the House of Commons especially those of London went to Oxford accompany'd or attended with the Cerimonious Cavalcade of a numerous Train of Friends On the 14th of March The King and Queen enter'd Oxford Received and Presented by the Mayor and Body of that City at the East-Gate and from thence attended with Acclamations and all sort of Demonstrations of Joy to Christ-Church The next Day the Body of the University waited on Their Majesties and received the Honour to kiss Their Hands presenting at the same time to the King a large Oxford Bible and to the Queen the Cuts belonging to the History and Antiquities of the University both Richly bound The 21st of March being now arrived and the Members of both Houses of Parliament Assembled at Oxford according to the Kings Writs of Summons the Lords sate in the Gallery at the Schools and the Commons in the Convocation House His Majesties Speech at the opening of the Sessions contained That the unwarrantable Proceedings of the last House of Commons were the occasion of the Dissolution of the last Parliament That as he will never use Arbitrary Government himself so He is resolved never to suffer it in others That whosoever shall calmly consider the Proceedings in the last Parliament may perhaps more wonder at His Patience so long than that He grew weary at last That it is as much His Interest and care as theirs to preserve the Liberty of the Subject because the Crown can never be safe when that is in Danger that neither Liberty nor Property can subsist long when the just Rights and Prerogatives of the Crown are Invaded or the Honour of the Government brought low and into disreputation that He hath call'd this Parliament so soon to shew that no Irregularities in Parliaments shall make him out of Love with them That the Just care they ought to have of Religion ought not to be so managed and improved into unnecessary fears as to be made a Pretence for Changing the Foundation of the Government that He hopes the Example of the ill success of former heats will dispose them to a better Temper that they would not lay so much weight upon any one Expedient against Popery as to determine all other are ineffectual that they ought to remember that without the safety and Dignity of the Monarchy neither Religion nor Property can be preserved that He cannot depart from what he had formerly so often declar'd touching the Succession but to remove all reasonable fears that may arise from the possibility of a Popish Successors coming to the Crown if means can be found out that in such a Case the Administration of the Government may remain in Protestant Hands he shall be ready to hearken to any such Expedient by
very little the substance of what he had to say or discover being by him delivered to Dr. Hawkins Minister of the Tower for his Wife and therefore it is to be presumed that he Dyed no Papist in regard he had the assistance of a Protestant Minister which all Papists have been known to rerefuse on those occasions His Discovery is since Printed About this time several Factious People were committed to the Tower for High Treason namely Rouse Hayns White and one Colledge commonly call'd the Protestant Joyner But above all let it be remember'd that on July 2. the Earl of Shaftsbury commonly call'd by way of Excellency The Protestant Earl was before the Council at Whit hall to which the King came from Windsor that day on purpose accused of High Treason and for the same committed to the Tower and his Papers seized At the Sessions at the Old Bayly which followed soon after the Earl of Shaftsbury and the Lord Howard moved to be Bail'd but they were answered by the unanimous opinion of the Judges That it was not in the Power of that Court to Bail out of the Tower At the same Sessions it was that a Bill of Indictment of High Treason was delivered to the Grand-Jury of London against Colledge commonly call'd the Protestant Joyner but the Jury made for the purpose as is supposed appear'd so partial and Arbitrary in their proceeding that notwithstanding the home Oaths of several Witnesses among which were Dugdale and Smith two of the great Evidence against the Plotters and another who had been a Member of the House of Commons they brought in the Bill Ignoramus But another Bill being exhibited soon after to the Grand-Jury at the Assizes at Oxford against the said Colledge part of the Treasonable Words and Matters being Transacted there the Bill was found there on the same Evidence which was rejected at the Old Bayly And in August he was Tryed Condemn'd and Executed at Oxford The Weather that happen'd this Summer was memorable for an extraordinary Drought all over England and also beyond Sea all April May and June and some part of July but about the beginning of July fell such plentiful Rains that the Ground which in all parts was Scorcht up like the High-Ways almost to a miracle became as fresh and Green again as on May Day Dayseys and the other Flowers of the Spring appear'd again towards the End of July With Grass in abundance in some places and expectations of a second Hay-time to recompence the want of the first On the 28 of July the Parliament sate in Scotland where his Royal Highness Presided as His Majesties High Commissioner At the opening of the Sessions the Kings Letter was read setting forth That He had call'd them at that time to advise of such things as may truly conduce to the security and Interest of that Kingdom and as an eminent Expression of His Favor He hath named his most dear and most intirely beloved Brother James Duke of Albany and York to be His Commissioner there c. After this the Duke made a Speech Declaring the high esteem he had of the great Honor and happiness the King had been pleased to do him in making choice of him to serve as his Commissioner in that his antient Kingdom since it shews to all the World the Goodness the King hath for him and Confidence he hath in him and capacitates him not only to serve His Majesty as becomes a Loyal Subject but also to evince the real concern he hath for the good of that Kingdom and his readiness to serve it and improve its Interest That His Majesty had commanded him to assure them that he will inviolably maintain and protect the Protestant Religion as by Law Establisht in that Kingdom and the Church Government by Arch-Bishops and Bishops That he will maintain and allow the Properties and Rights of His Subjects according to the due course of Law and that he doth expect that they will not be short of the Loyalty of their Ancestors in vigorously asserting and cleering His Royal Prerogative and in declaring the Rights of His Crown in its natural and Legal course of Descent c. After this the Duke entertained the whole Parliament at a Splendid and Royal Feast The Lords by themselves and the Commons by themselves at several Tables On the First of August The Parliament returned a most Loyal and Dutiful Answer to His Majesties Letter which Answer being so mighty full of true Loyalty it would be an Injury to abridge it in this place every Line every word carrying the true and emphatical marks of gratitude and Duty I therefore refer to the Print Also in pursuance and Confirmation of their Loyal Affections on the 14th of Aug. the Parliament past a Bill entituled An Act acknowledging and asserting the Right of Succession to the Imperial Crown of Scotland By which they recognize and declare That the said Crown is by Inherent Right and the nature of the Monarchy as well as by the fundamental and unalterable Law of the Realm transmitted and devolved by Lineal Succession according to proximity of Blood and that no difference in Religion no Law nor Act of Parliament can alter or divert the Right of Succession and Lineal descent of the Crown to the neerest and Lawful Heirs and therefore they declare it High Treason by Writing Speaking or any other manner of way to endeavor the alteration suspension or diversion of the Right of Succession At the same time they past another Act ratifying all former Laws for the security of the Protestant Religion On the 31st of August Oates was by Order of Council expell'd from Whitehall his Sallery taken off and accused of Misdemeanors Great Numbers of Poor French Protestants about this time flockt over out of France to whom our King was so Gracious as by Act of Council to declare His Pleasure that all His Officers and Magistrates should give 'em the same Countenance and Favour with His own Subjects That He would take 'em into His Protection That He would grant 'em His Letters of Denization forthwith upon their request and That He would intercede with the next Parliament to obtain for them an Act of Naturalization He also granted very ample Letters Patents for Collecting Monies all over England for their Relief Dated the 10th of September this Year On Michaelmas Day being the Customary Day for the Annual Choice of the Lord Mayor of London Sir John Mooor an Addresser was Chosen into that Office for the Year Insuing tho' with a great and unusual opposition by the Fanatick Party The New Sheriffs were Alderman Pilkinton a City Member in the two last Parliaments and one Mr. Shute Which two New Sheriffs being employ'd to invite the King to the Lord Mayors Feast The King was Graciously pleas'd to accept of the Invitation and Declar'd That He liked the Message but not the Messengers This Summer the King was pleas'd to appoint under Him certain Deputies or
Windsor but the Ceremony was put off to a further day and on the First of Jan. following he was elected into the Order at Whitehall Saturday the 25th of August the Dutchess of York and Princess visited Bartholmew Fair attended by the Earl of Clarendon with several other Lords and Ladies of the Court not in State but partly Incognito The Day for Election of Sheriffs for London and Middlesex which of Course is on the 24th Day of June was this year adjourn'd to the 5th Day of September on which Day the Livery Men of the City being Assembled at Guild-Hall they confirm'd my Lord Mayors choice of Peter Daniel Esq and chose to serve with him Francis Dashwood Esq Sheriffs for the year insuing At the same time Mr. Deputy Ailworth was chosen into the Office of Chamberlain of the City of London in the Room of Sir Thomas Player removed All which with the other Elections of Bridgmaster and Ale-Cunner was perform'd with the ancient gravity and Moderation and not at all with such Riotous and Factious heats and animosities as of late years The 9th of September was Solemnized according as it had been appointed with Thanksgiving in all Churches for Gods Gracious preservation of His Majesty and his Royal Brother from the late cursed Conspiracy of those that call themselves True Protestants Nor were those of the Communion of the Church of Rome unmindful of this deliverance but did also concur with His Majesties Protestant Subjects in expressing their Loyal Joy on the same occasion and on the same 9th of September did Celebrate in all their publick Chappels at London an extraordinary Service on this account In this Month the right Honourable Sir Francis North Lord Keeper was Created a Baron of this Kingdom by the Title of Lord Guilford On Michaelmass Day the usual time for the Election of a new Lord Mayor the Choice was Adjourn'd over for six Days longer but before that Day came the King being displeased at the Delays of the City in not Signing the Particulars by their Common Council formerly yielded relating to their Charter caused the Attorney-General to enter Judgment of Seizure in the Quo Warranto which was done on Thursday October the 4th and thereupon His Majesty gave Sir William Prichard His Commission to Execute the Office of Lord Mayor of London during pleasure so also to the two new Sheriffs Mr. Daniel and Mr. Dashwood all which were Sworn with the usual Oaths At the same time Mr. Jenner of the Inner Temple was knighted by the name of Sir Thomas Jenner and made the Kings Recorder of London in the Room of Sir George Treby displaced About the same time it was that the Eminently Loyal Sir George Jeoffreys was made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench in the place of Sir Ed. Saunders who dyed last Term And in the Common Pleas Sir Francis Pemberton being put out Sir Thomas Jones was made Lord Chief Justice there in his Room And Sir Francis Pemberton practized at the Common Pleas Bar as a Serjeant in the following Term. On Sunday the 7th of October my Lord Mayor and the two Sheriffs appear'd at Guild-Hall Chappel as usually in their Gowns and Chains but none of the Aldermen in their Gowns and Chains but several of the Loyal Aldermen attended in their ordinary habits 16 of them being made Justices of the Peace by the Kings new Commission in which 8 Factious Aldermen were left out viz. Allin Frederick Laurence Clayton Ward Shorter Gold and Cornish But on Saturday the 13th of October The King sent a new Commission to the City impowering the abovesaid 16 Loyal Aldermen together with 8 new Aldermen viz. Sir Benjamin Newland Sir Benjamin Bathurst Sir John Buckworth Samuel Dashwood one of the present Sheriffs Charles Duncomb Jacob Lucy Peter Palavazine and Benjamin Thorogood to act as Aldermen in their several Wards in the said Commission mention'd And accordingly several of them attended on my Lord Mayor the Day following at Guild-Hall Chappel after the usual form and manner in Gowns and Chains and the next Week assembled in a Court of Aldermen as formerly On Saturday the 27th of October Aaron Smith who had given scandalous Instructions to Colledge at his Trayal at Oxford and had also behaved himself insolently at the said Tryal and who had been since Tryed upon an Information for the same and found Guilty was now brought to the Kings-Bench Bar and received Judgment for his said offence viz. 500 l. Fine to Stand in the Pillory the Tuesday following at Westminster and at the Old Exchange the next Tuesday after to be bound to his good Behaviour for one Year and Imprisonment till this be performed Monday the 29th of October being the next Day after Simon and Jude is the annual Solemnity of Swearing the Lord Mayor of London in the Exchequer And accordingly this Year His Majesty having appointed Sir Henry Tulse by His Commission to execute that Office during His Pleasure he was after the usual manner attended to Westminster by the Companies did the usual Ceremonies in Westminster-Hall made the usual Cavalcade in London but without Pageants and Dined at Grocers-Hall the other Companies Dining at their several Halls as in former Years On the 5th of November several Tumults and Riotous Actions being Committed by the Rabble in and about London especially upon the Sieur Citters Ambassador from the Vnited Provinces by assaulting his Coach and throwing into it several Squibs Stones and Firebrands whereby his Lady who was then with him was dangerously wounded and Complaint hereof being made to the King in Council on the 7th of November His Majesty was pleas'd to order for the future That no Person or Persons whatsoever do presume to throw any Squibs or other Fireworks in the Streets of London or Westminster or other place within the Weekly Bills of Mortality nor assemble together for the making of Bonfires And the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Justices of Peace in their respective Limits are required to take due care for the Performance of the said Order of Council In this Michaelmas-Term Mrs. Celier who had formerly stood in the Pillory and been Fined 1000l for which she had lain a Prisoner in Newgate for several Years was now Bail'd out upon a Writ of Error which she had brought to reverse all the Proceedings On the 22d of November this Michaelmas-Term Algernoon Sidney Esq who had been arraign'd for High Treason on the 7th Instant was Tryed for the same and found Guilty at the Kings-Bench Bar and on the 26th being the Monday following he was brought to the said Bar and received Sentence of Death as usual in the Cases of High Treason and was beheaded at Tower-Hill on the 7th of December following On Saturday the 24th of November The Duke of Monmouth came in voluntarily about 5 at Night and surrender'd himself to Mr. Secretary Jenkins having before writ a very Submissive Letter to His Majesty entirely resigning himself to His Majesties disposal
Treaty a Determination fitting only for God Almighty since none but He can tell the terms of Peace who knows the event of War You desire him not to suffer a Ship of theirs to come from France under pain of Confiscation not excepting Allies Prince or Ambassadors if any among them that he does not believe any Assembly of Men ever gave so great and publick a provocation to the whole World without so much as considering to provide one Ship Regiment or penny towards justifying it that however if by your assistance he may be put into Armes sufficient for such a Work He will not be weary till Christendom be restored to such a Peace that it shall not be in the power of any one Prince to disturb it that the Rights of making and managing War and Peace are in His Majesty and if you think he will depart from any part of that Right you are mistaken the Reins of Government are in his hands and he hath the same care to preserve them there as to preserve his own Person he keeps both for his Peoples protection and safety and that if this House will encourage His Majesty to go further in Alliances you must consider of raising speedy supplies for from the consideration of those he must take his measures Some things of note however were done before the Supply was concluded The House of Commons took off all written Protections which had been by some Members granted to such as were not really their Servants to an incredible number Voting no Protection allowable to any but their Menial Servants actually in Service and that without a written Certificate And now was the Earl of Shaftsbury releas'd from his Confinement in the Tower where he had been close Prisoner ever since last Spring and restored to his place in Parliament having first made the following Submission at the Lords Bar Feb. 25. viz. 1. I do acknowledge that my endeavouring to maintain that this Parliament was Dissolved was an ill advised Action for which I humbly beg pardon of the Kings Majesty and this most Honourable House 2. I do acknowledge that my bringing a Writ of Habeas Corpus in the Kings Bench was a high violation of your Lordships Priviledge and a great aggravation of my former offence for all which I beg pardon Subscribed Shaftsbury The next Day he sate in the House of Lords On the 27. The City was not a little Allarm'd with the French Kings taking of Ghent and the great danger of several other places of note in Flanders That Night were sent from London 12 Companys of Foot for Ostend follow'd the next Day by the Dukes of Monmouth and Albermarle the Earls of Mulgrave and Plymouth c. most of which Lords soon after return'd About a Fortnight after this a Poll-Bill for raising Monys past both Houses and presently after the Commons express their impatiency for a War their Transactions running in these Terms March 14. Upon several motions made for considering of the deplorable condition of the Nation resolved in a Committee of the whole House That it is the opinion of this Committee that an Address be presented to the King humbly to advise His Majesty that His Majesty to quiet the minds of his Loyal Subjects and to encourage the Princes and States Confederates against the French King would be graciously pleased to proclaim and enter into an actual War with the French King and to give his Majesty assurances that this House will constantly stand by and aid His Majesty in the prosecution thereof with necessary and plentiful suppplies and assistances and that His Majesty will presently dismiss the French Ambassador and recal his from France and Niminghen Which Address was the next Day drawn up accordingly and sent to the Lords for their Concurrence but never proceeded further Wednesday 27th of March the Parliament was Adjourn'd by the Kings Order till the 11th of April being the Week after Easter the King having first Sign'd the Poll-Bill in which was a strict Appropriating Clause for the Mony so Levy'd to be applied to no use but the intended French War also another Clause Prohibiting the Importation of any French Commodities for Three Years Soon after which the French King prohibited ours for Ten Years Thursday the 11th of April the Parliament met again and Adjourn'd to the Monday following at which time by the Kings appointment they chose a New Speaker in the House of Commons Sir Robert Sawyer one of the Kings Council Learned and a great Practicer in the Exchequer and from thence Adjourn'd over to Monday the 29th of April During these Intervals a strict Fast is kept on Wednesday the 10th of April in London and the Wednesday Fortnight following through England to implore Gods Blessing upon His Majesty and his Kingdoms and for the averting of Gods Judgments Monday the 29th of April the Houses met again the King and Lords in their Robes My Lord Chancellor in a long Speech recited all the Addresses that they had made in relation to a War with France what the King had already done in pursuance of the same and joyning an effectual League with the Confederates to that end and how ready the King was to pursue their desires but that now he discovered the Dutch were entring upon a Treaty of Peace with the French King and that without his consent or privity and therefore His Majesty demands the advice of his Houses how to proceed Monday following being the 6th of May Sir Robert Sawyer excused himself in a Letter that he could not attend the House by reason that he was taken very ill of the Stone occasioned by his long sitting last Saturday whereupon the Old Speaker was again chosen and reinstated in the Chair The same Day the King returned a short Answer to an Address of the House of Commons Voted on the said last Saturday which contain'd their humble Advice that he would forthwith enter into the present Alliance with the Confederates and an Actual War with France c. To which this Answer was read by one of the Secretaries of State viz. C. R. HIs Majesty having been acquainted with the Votes of the 4th Instant is very much surprized both with the matter and manner of them but if His Majesty had had Exceptions to neither yet His Majesty having asked the Advice of both the Houses doth not think fit to give any Answer to any thing of that nature till he hath a concurrent Advice of both Houses Among which mentioned Votes of the 4th Instant beside the Advice abovesaid this was past by a majority of 16 Voices That the late Leagues made with the States-General of the United Provinces are not pursuant to the Addresses of this House nor consistant with the good and safety of the Kingdom In the mean time the Commons are not at all discouraged with this Answer but draw up an Address and present it to the King at Whitehall on Saturday the 11th of May in the afternoon
this was because the Stat. 13 of this King requires two Lawful and credible Witnesses in Cases of Treason and Dangerfield being not esteem'd such there remain'd only one Witness viz. Oates Saturday the 26th of June being four Days before the Term ended the Grand Jury of Middlesex came to the Kings-Bench Bar and by their Foreman Charles Humphrevile Esq presented to the Bench a Petition Subscribed by 21 of them and desired my Lord Chief Justice to present it to the King for the sitting of the Parliament but the Court refusing to Act in it received it not And the said Jury were at the same time Discharged from further attendance It is said that they had at that time some Bills and Presentments before them against several Persons for being Popish Recusants in Order to their Conviction all which they would have found and presented in few Hours time had they not been Discharged among the rest a Bill against the Duke of York brought into the said Jury and Promoted and in some sort attested by several Lords and Members of Parliament viz. Huntington Shaftsbury Gray of Wark Brandon Russel Candish Sir Gilbert Gerrard Sir Edward Hungerford Sir Scroop How Sir William Cooper Sir Thomas Wharton John Trenchard Esq Thomas Thynn Esq and William Forester Esq And note that the Proceedings of the Petition abovesaid were disowned by another Grand Jury of Middlesex who the same Day came in and presented the Court with a Paper Subscribed by them to that purpose desiring the Court to take particular notice of their dissent to the irregular Proceedings of the other Jury On the last Day of the Term several who should have been Tryed about the' Plot were in regard the Attorny-General had not Evidence sufficient against them some Bail'd and some absolutely Discharged by vertue of the late Act of Habeas Corpus 31. Car. 2. Among the first were Sir James Symonds Edward Peters and Needham with several others who were reputed Priests Mr. Howard Mr. Heveningham both the Ropers Sir John Gage and young Langhorn were absolutely Discharged from their long Imprisonments some having lain by it for 23 Months and the reason of their Discharge was because Mr. Attorney-General declar'd that he had but one Witness against them Sir Anthony Dean and Mr. Pepys were also at the same time absolutely Discharg'd from further attendance But one Holcroft a Conventicle Preacher having removed himself by Habeas Corpus from Cambridge Goal and appearing to be a very Seditious and dangerous Person and to be in Prison not only by Warrant of the Justices on the Oxford Act but also on 17. Car. a Capias Excommunicatum was 2. c. 2. remanded On the first of July being the Day to which the Parliament had been formerly Prorogued it was further Prorogued by Commission to the 22d of the same Month the Duke of York being present in the House and from thence to the 23d of August Bethel who had been one of the Committee of Safety in the late Times and Cornish two reputed Phanaticks had been chosen Sheriffs of London last Midsummer for the Year insuing but appearing since uncapable to bear Office in any Corporation by the Stat. 13. Car. 2. Stat. 2. c. 1. a New Election was appointed to be at Guildhall on the 14th of July against which time they capacitated themselves by receiving the Sacrament and abjuring the Covenant c. As appointed by the said Act and stood for a New Choice against whom two other Competitors appear'd Fox and Nicholson in so much that they came to a Poll a thing unusual during which time a Rlotous Assault was Committed on the Person of Sir Simon Lewis one of the then Sheriffs by Osborn a Draper and others of Bethels Party which being Represented to the King the same Night by the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs in Person he Ordered a Commission of Oyer and Terminer to be Issued out for Tryal of the said Riot They continued Polling till Monday following and from thence by Adjournment to Thursday The King in the mean time being entertain'd at Supper at Sheriff Lewis's House Tuesday July 20. On the 29th of July and not before the Votes were declar'd at a Common Hall then Assembled at the Guild-Hall to stand thus Bethel 2276. Cornish 2483. Box 1428. Nicholson 1230. Whereupon the two first were declared lawfully Chosen with great Acclamations At the same time an Address was Presented to the Lord Mayor by Thomas Papillon Esq in the Name of the Commons of the City thereby Disowning all tumultuous and disorderly Proceedings in their last Assembly other than what might be the effect of Emulation for His Majesties Service and the Preservation of their own just Rights desiring his Lordship to Represent the same to the King and that he would in their Names humbly beseech His Majesty that the Parliament might speedily Assemble To which the Lord Mayor Answered in a short Speech That he had not misrepresented any thing touching their last Assembly to His Majesty That their Address touching the Parliament might have been spared in regard the King had been pleased not long since to declare to him and assure him That this Parliament should sit in November next however that he would not be wanting with all humility to lay the whole matter before him On the 23d of August being the Day to which the Parliament had been Prorogued the Houses met and were further Prorogued to the 21st of October following The King promising that they should sit then and Publishing His Proclamation to that purpose Several Remarkable Passages happen'd this long Vacation As the Death of the Earl of Ossery into whose Place of Lord Chamberlain to the Queen Succeeded the Earl of Feversham The Death of Bedloe one of the Evidence concerning the Plot. Also the Prince Palatine Eldest Son of the Elector being here in England on a Visit to the King he received News of the Death of his Father in Germany during his absence It was also during this Vacation that Elizabeth Celier before mention'd Publisht a Narrative of her Tryal and Sufferings in which were some words like Reproach to the Government for which she was Tryed found Guilty of Publishing a Libel Fined 1000 l. to stand Thrice in the Pillory Good Behavior during Life and her Book to be Burnt by the Hangman And now comes on the long expected 21st Day of October and with it the first Session of this Parliament The Day before which The Duke and Duchess of York began their Journey for Scotland by Sea The King Accompanying them as low as Woolwich and there Dineing with them on Shipboard The same Day many Members of both Houses to the Number of 200 as reported met in a kind of Caball at Dinner at the Sun Tavern behind the Exchange On the 21st the Kings Speech contain'd That He had during this long Prorogation made Alliances with Holland and Spain That He desired Mony of them for the Relief of Tangier which had already exhausted
in expressing their Indignation against that most Execrable and Trayterous designed Association lately Discovered by His Majesty which certainly in the Judgment of all good Men may more corrupt the Blood of the wicked Inventers than if they should be discovered and attainted by Law That the said Treason was not only against the King but the Monarchy c. To this purpose were several other Congratulations or Addresses to the King some before some after this of Middlesex viz. from Norwich from Hereford from the Lieutenancy of London c. All which were a Second Edition of Loyalty or a New sort of Addresses circulating from most parts of the Nation a Second time The Conclusion of this Year brought forth a Remarkable passage in the City of London Some unknown but base and malignant hearted Rascal had in the Night cut mangled and defaced the Duke of Yorks Picture which with the Kings both Nobly Painted hung up in Guild-Hall as a signal Ornament to the City Soon after which Action The Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen Publisht in Print a Declaration In which protesting their deep Resentment of that insolent and vilinous Act to be abhorr'd by every good and Loyal Subject and being greatly concern'd and desirous to find out the Author thereof they therefore unanimously Publish and declare That whosoever can discover the Person who Committed that Fact the said Lord Mayor and Aldermen will not only acknowledge the said Discovery as a most acceptable Service to the said City but also pay to such Discoverer the Sum of 500. l. upon the offenders Conviction Dated the 27th of January 33. Car. 2. and Signed Wagstaff In return to which Act of the City his Royal Highness sent a Gentleman out of Scotland to complement the Mayor and Court of Aldermen and thank 'em for their respect and Justice to his Cause Anno 34 Car. 2. Anno Dom. 1682. IN the beginning of this Year a most Barbarous and inhuman Murder was committed on the Person of Thomas Thinne of Longlect Esq a Gentleman of great Quality and Note both in City and Country The Bloody Murderers were Christopher Vratz George â—oroski and John Stern all Forainers and Servants or Dependants on a Swedish Lord called Count Coningsmark which first named three suddainly coming up to Mr. Thirne's Coach as he was passing in it near the Haymarket on Sunday Night the 12th of February one of them shot him into the Body with Two Brace or Bullets The Murderers were soon after apprehended and Committed to Newgate On the 28th of February they were Tryed found Guilty and Condemned and were most deservedly all Three Hanged and one of them Hang'd in Chains on the Road not far from Mile-End In March His Royal Highness Arrived out of Scotland he Landed at Yarmouth on the 10th where he was Treated at Dinner by the Magistrates with all the Ceremonies of Honour they could express and from thence attended by the High Sheriff of Norfolk and a Train of the Neighbouring Gentry to Norwich where again he was Nobly entertain'd by the publick Magistrates with Banquets and Bonfires and lay that Night at the Bishops House the next Day about 6 in the Evening he arrived at New-Market where he was received by both their Majesties with all the Marks of kindness and affection having been met several Miles out of Town by the Noblemen and Gentlemen then attending about the Court. The next Day being the 12th of March the King was Presented at Newmarket with an Address of Abhorrency from the Artillery Company in Bristol of which sort of Address I made some mention towards the end of last year yet because the Association there mention'd is more particularly daecipher'd in this from Bristol than any formaer I have seen I can not omit to observe that the said Loyal Artillery Company in Bristol did by their said Address Express from the bottom of their Souls an utter Abhorrence of all Covenants and Associations whatsoever made against or without His Majesties approbation especially that Treasonable one seized in the Closet of the Earl of Shaftsbury wherein the securing the Protestant Religion and the defence of His Majesties Royal Person and Estate is made the pretence but the subversion of the Establisht Religion and the final destruction of His Majesty and Lawful Successors is the real design and this to be performed by devolving the whole power of His Majesties Crown and Scepter into the Major part of the Members of both Houses subscribing that Association thô dissolved without regard to their quality or number His Majesties Guards for the defence of His Royal Person falsly stiled mercenary Forces and a terror to all the good People of the Land His Majesties Royal Brother to be excluded and destroyed if he comes into England and all who shall oppose that Rebellious accursed hellish and unpresidented Association are to be pursued to dedruction thô in defence of His Majesties Title concluding that they will assert and defend the Rights and Prerogatives of His Majesty and Lawful Successors in opposition to all Unions and Societies made to the Contrary and that they cannot think that Man fit to be a Representative in Parliament who will not disown such Associations These words are contain'd in that Address and by this President we see what good Subjects abhor Not long after this the University of Cambridge sent their Vice-Chancellor Dr. Coga to wait on the King at Newmarket with a Loyal Address of Abhorency at which time also the said Vice-Chancellor waited upon the Duke and in the name of the said University Wellcom'd him into England acknowledging that by his Royal Highness good Conduct the Government of Scotland both in Church and State is settled in Peace and therefore they could by no means doubt but that under His Majesty his Royal Highness ' s presence would have a great Influence in effecting the same here in England by which means all Great Brittain being joyn'd in one the Church of England and Rights of the Crown may for ever flourish To which his Royal Highness was pleas'd to Answer after Thanks for their kind Expressions that he was very glad of this and all other occasions to declare that he would ever stand by the Church of England as now establisht and countenance the Members of it as having seen by experience that they are the best Supporters of the Crown and that he would use his Endeavors and Interest for preservation of the Kings person and the Government in the State and the Church of England as now establisht by Law Several other Addresses also which were made to the King had words in them congratulating the Dukes return into England And when his Royal Highness came with His Majesty to London His Majesty was on the 10th of April attended by the Lord Mayor the Recorder and Court of Aldermen who having paid their Duty to the King they went to St James's where they waited upon his Royal Highness Congratulating his safe