of His Majestys Revenue by the Prohibiting Act it was carry'd in the Negative Yeas 145 Noes 202. Saturday the 22th of June the Lords sent down the Bill for Disbanding with an enlargement of the time prefixt for one Month longer to which the Commons would not agree but desired a Conference at which to give their Lordships the reasons why they could not consent to the alteration Monday the 25th of July the Parliament was Prorogued to the first of August the King having then past the following Bills 1. An Act for granting a supply to His Majesty of 619388 l. 11 s. 9 d. for Disbanding the Army and other uses therein mentioned 2. An Act for granting an Additional Duty to His Majesty upon Wines for Three Years 3. An Act to enable Creditors to recover their Debts of the Executors and Administrators of Executors in their own wrong 4. An Act for Burying in Woollen 5. An Act for Admeasurement of Keels and Boats carrying Coals 6. An Act for Reviving a former Act of the 13th of this King ch 2. for avoiding unnecessary Suits and delays and for continuance of an other Act of 22. 23. Car ' 2. ch 10. touching intestates Estates 7. An Act for further Relief and Discharge of poor Prisoners for Debt 8. An Act touching Highways 9. An Act for preservation of Fishing in the River Severn On which said first of August they being again met they were again Prorogued over to the 29th Day of the same Month. Soon after that also there came out a Proclamation requiring a full Assembly at the said 29th Day But in the mean time the French being beaten from the Siege of Mons by the English chiefly under Command of my Lord of Ossery on the part of the Prince of Orange the King Issued out another Proclamation dated the 8th of August whereby reciting the last Proclamation but in regard the State of Affairs abroad was alter'd since then he is pleas'd to Prorogue the Houses over till the first Day of October next requiring then a full Assembly after this it was again Prorogued to the 21st of October In the mean time a Peace is concluded between France Spain and Holland and a Truce for some Months with the Emperor On Saturday Sunday Monday and Tuesday the 28th 29th and 30th of September and first of October the Privy-Council sate twice a Day The business a Popish Plot several were committed and others examin'd among whom Sir George Wakeman Physician to the Queen and Mr. Coleman belonging to Her Royal Highness the Dutchess of York which said Dutchess went with the Lady Ann that very Tuesday Morning to visit the Princess of Orange designing a stay only of 14 Days This Discovery of a Plot opening every Day more and more the aforesaid Mr. Coleman and Mr. Langhorn of the Temple were committed close Prisoners with several others their Studies search'd their Papers seized and sent to Whitehall And now just before the meeting of the Parliament one Sir Edmondbury Godfrey a Justice of the Peace in Middlesex a severe Enemy of the Papists as by some reported was found Dead in a Ditch not far from Hampstead He appear'd to the Coroners Jury to be strangled tho' afterwards his own Sword was run through him and so found with Money in his Pocket This was lookt on by the Town as a Confirmation of the above-mention'd Plot. On the appointed 21st of October the Houses met The Kings Speech contain'd these words and these words only concerning the Plot I have been informed of a Design against my Person by Jesuites of which I shall forbear any Opinion lest I may seem to say too much or too little but leave the matter to the Law The Chancellor on the same Head had these Expressions And tho' His Majesty doth in no sort prejudg the Persons accused yet the strict enquiry into this matter hath been a means to Discover so many other unwarrantable Practices of theirs that His Majesty hath reason to look to ' em The Examination of this Plot and the concurrent Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey employ'd the Commons so assiduously that towards the beginning of this Session they sate whole Days from Morning till late at Night The Product was a Fast Voted the minutes and Votes of the House of Commons forbid to be divulg'd several Lords Committed Bellasis Arundel of Warder Powis Stafford Petre Castlemain c. Soon after this came out a Proclamation appointing a Fast through all England on the 13th Day of November Thursday the 31st of October the House of Commons resolved upon the Evidence that hath already appear'd to this House this House is of Opinion That there hath been and is an Execrable and Hellish Design contrived and carry'd on by Popish Recusants for Assassinating and Murthering the King for Subverting the Government and for destroying the Protestant Religion by Law Establisht The same Day Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was Buried The Solemnity proceeded from Bridewell to St. Martins in the Fields 72 London Ministers Marching two and two before the Body and above 1000 Men in the same Order following after The next Day in pursuance of an Address presented to the King by the Commons the Saturday before came out a Proclamation whereby all Papists or such reputed be Banisht 10 Miles from London and Westminster to remove themselves by the 7th Day of November except Housholders and they to take the Oaths or suffer the Penalties inflicted by Law The same Day the Commons in Parliament resolved That an Address be made to the King that the Trained-Bands of London Westminster and Surry be rais'd for preservation of His Majestys Person and the Parliament during this Session On Munday the 4th of November came out an Order of the King in Council proposing That whoever can Discover any Officer or Soldier in any of the Kings Guards Horse or Foot who has taken the Oaths and Test and since turn'd Papist such Discoverer shall have 20 l. for every Man so Discovered Monday the 4th of November It was moved in the House of Commons that an Address be made to the King to remove the Duke of York from his Presence and Councils but the debate was Adjourn'd over to Fryday next at which time it being again moved the debate was again Adjorn'd over to Thursday following The next Day being Saturday the 9th of November His Majesty went to the Lords House in His Robes and made a Speech to both Houses Wherein after he had return'd them His most hearty Thanks for their very great and extraordinary care for preservation of His Person in this time of Danger He told 'em That he was as ready to joyn with them in all ways and means that may Establish a firm security to the Protestant Religion as their own Hearts can wish and this not only during His Life but in future Ages even to the end of the World And therefore He is come to assure 'em that whatsoever reasonable Bills they shall
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
Kings Bench being removed to be Chief Justice in the Common Pleas and Sir Edmund Saunders of the Middle Temple made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. On St. Thomas's Day the Election began for Common-Council Men in London which went generally for the Royallists and accordingly at the first Common-Council that was held it was caried by the Majority of Votes That thanks should be return'd to Sir John Moor for his good Administration of the Office of Lord Mayor last year which was done accordingly Before I conclude this 34th year of His Majesties Reign I must observe that this year was remarkable for the coming of Two very Extraordinary Embassadours to our Soveraign never known before in England One was from the Emperour of Fez and Morocco his name Hamet Ben Hamet Ben Haddu Ottor a Man of great Eminency in his own Country as report says His business about setling a Peace with Tangier much respected he was here carest at Court and at both the Universities and he seemed to express no less esteem for our Nation But at his return upon what account I know not he was reported to be received by his Master with disgrace The other Embassadour was from the King of Bantham or Surosoam in the East-Indies His business about the East-India Trade The end of this year was also remarkable for several new Titles of Honour to which His Majesty was pleased to promote several Eminent persons who had for their signal Loyalty deserved His Favour viz. 1. The Duke of Ormond Created a Duke of the Kingdom of England but by his old Title of Ormond 2. The Marquiss of Worcester Created Duke of Beaufort 3. The Lord Norris Created Earl of Abingdon 4. The Vicount Campden Created Earl of Gainsborow 5. Conniers Lord Darcy Created Earl of Holderness 6. The Lord Windsor Created Earl of Plimouth 7. The Lord Townsend Created Vicount Townsend of Raynham 8. Sir Thomas Thinne Baronet Created Baron Thinne of Warminster and Vicount Weymouth 9. Collonel George Legg Created Baron of Dartmouth 10. The Lord Allington Created a Baron of this Kingdom by the Title of Baron of Wymandley 11. Ralf Stawell Esq Created Lord Stawell of Somerton Also Collonel Churchill was Created Lord Churchill of Ay mouth in the Kingdom of Scotland On the 20th of January departed this Life in Holland Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury who had left this Kingdom some Months before under the Imputation of Treasonable Machinations and sled for the protection of those States to whom he had formerly when Lord Chancellor of England applied the old Roman Threat Delenda est Carthago Anno 35. Car. 2. Anno Dom. 1683. THe Horses of England are Famous on many Accounts among others for Racing It was upon this Consideration that the French King invited into France several of our most Noted Racers by exposing a Plate or Prize of 1000 Pistoles to be run for before him in the Plain d' Achere near St Germain en lay And accordingly on the 25th of Feb. S. N. the said Race was Run before the King Queen and Dauphin by several of our prime Horses where the Duke of Monmouth's Horse won and was afterwards purchased by the said King Also that King partly upon this account was pleas'd at that time to countenance the Honourable Bernard Howard Esq a younger Brother of the Duke of Norfolk so far as to allow him to come in his Coach within the Louvre a Preheminence due only to the Princes of the Blood and some few others of highest quality in France In March ill news arrived from the East Indies importing the loss of the great Town of Bantham to the Dutch who under colour of assisting the Rebel Prince of Bantham against the King his Father came with forces and seized upon the Town turning out the English there to the great Damage of our English Factory who for a further weight to their sufferings about the same time lost their Ship Joanna cast away at Sea outward bound and in her above 10000 l. On Thursday the 22th of March happn'd a suddain Fire at Newmarket about 8 in the Evening which Consumed a great part of that Town but by the Providence of God came not on that side of the Way where the Kings Palace stood The Monday following the King Queen Duke and Dutchess Returned to Whitehall where the Court continued till Saturday the 14th of April on which Day His Majesty and His Royal Court Departed to Windsor On Tuesday the 24th of April happen'd one of the most famous and Extraordinary Exploits that was ever known in London One Broom Clark of Skinners Hall and Coroner of London having a Latitat out of the Kings Bench in an Action upon the Case at the Suit of Mr. Papillon and Mr. Dubois against my Lord Mayor Sheriff North and several Loyal Aldermen the said Broom acquainting them with the Writ they all submitted to his Arrest and went with him as Prisoners to Skinners Hall and there remain'd under his Custody till one a Clock at Night In the mean time 8 Companies of the Militia are raised by order of the Leutenancy and are posted all that Night in several parts of the City to prevent any Tumults which might happen on so new a thing as the Arrest and detainer of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London a thing never heard of before in the times of Peace And it so happen'd that one Fletcher a Common Serjeant of the Poultry Counter having an Action of Debt upon Bond of 400 l. against the said Broom which Action had been enter'd the Week past and Broom acquainted with it who promised to give Bail but the Serjeant finding that promise not perform'd and perceiving him to act so Malipertly with the Chief Magistrates of the City he makes no further delay but Arrests his person in Skinners Hall and carries him forthwith to the Counter Broom being thus gone and no body left in Charge of my Lord Mayor and his fellow Prisoners they demanded if there was any about the House that had any orders to detain 'em any longer in that place which being Answer'd in the Negative they all departed peacibly to their several homes On Tuesday the 8th of May was Tryed at Guild-Hall before my Lord Chief Justice Saunders the Great Riot committed last June at the Election of Sheriffs for London and Middlesex And this was upon an Information exhibited in the Crown Office by Mr. Attorney-General of which I made mention formerly Upon a full Evidence 14 persons were found Guilty viz. The then Sheriffs Pilkinton and Shute The Lord Gray of Wark Sir Thomas Player Cornish Bethel Jinks Goodenough Deagle Jekel Freeman Wickham Keys and Swinock On the Last Day but one of Trinity-Term they were all Fined severally as follows Pilkinton 500 l. Shute 1000 Marks Cornish the same Summ Lord Gray the same Sir Thomes Player 500 Marks Bethel 1000 Marks Jinks 300 Marks Deagle 400 Marks Freeman 300 Marks Goodenough 500 Marks Keys 100 Marks
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
In fine the same method of proceedings may be made use of against the Commons by the Lords These Inconveniencies the King is Resolved to abolish and hath Commanded me to say to you State super vias antiquas If this Session do not repair the misfortunes and amend the faults of the last it will look like a fatality upon the Nation He whose house is destroyed by Fire would find but little Comfort in saying the Fire did not begin by his means but it will be a perpetual Anguish to him to remember that it lay in his power to extinguish it And so concludes with strong persuasives to Peace and a Composure of all Differences Monday May 27. Resolved in the House of Commons That the House taking into Consideration the State of His Majesties Affairs and the great charge and Burthen that His Majesty and the Nation lyes under by the Army now in Being are humbly of Opinion That if His Majesty please to think fit to enter into the War against the French King this House is and always will be ready to support and assist him in that War But if otherwise That they will proceed to the Consideration of providing for the Speedy Disbanding of the Army The House further Ordered That the Members of this House who are of His Majesties privy Council do acquaint the King with these Votes and pray His Majesties Answer To this the King returned the following Answer which was read in the House of Commons the next day It contained That the French King hath made such offers of a Cessation till the 27th of July as His Majesty doth not only believe will be accepted but will end in a General Peace yet since that is not certain he does not think it prudent to dismiss either Fleet or Army before that time nor doth he think it will add much to the charge in regard the raising Mony and paying them off would take up that time were they to be Disbanded as speedily as possibly In the mean time he desires Mony for their subsistance that as hetherto they have been the most orderly Army that ever came together they may be encouraged to continue so And concludes with reminding the House of the 200000 l. formerly mentioned in His Speech which he wants for His Houshold The next day of sitting being Thursday the 30th of May the Commons Vote unanimously That all Forces rais'd since the 29th of September last except those transported to Forrain Plantations be forthwith paid off and Disbanded and that they Consider of a Supply for that purpose The last of May being the first day of Trin. Term Sir William Scroggs at that time Puisne Judge in the Common-Pleas took his place in the Kings Bench as Lord Chief Justice of England to which he was preferr'd by the Kings especial Favour on the removal of Sir Richard Rainsford who resigned a few days before And was Succeeded in the Common-Pleas by Baron Bartu and Serjeant Brampston promoted to his Place in the Exchequer June 4th the Commons Vote 200000 l. to be raised by a Monthly Tax in Six Months after the Land Tax now in being be expired with a Clause That this be for the Disbanding of the Army by the end of this present June The next day they Voted the King 200000 l. more Towards the Defraying the expences of the Fleet. Soon after which the King sent them a Message by one of the Secretaries of State containing That His mind was still the same with what he delivered the 23 of May last That the Army and Fleet ought to be kept up till the expected Peace be concluded He also recommended to their Consideration whether it were not dishonourable for him to recal His Forces in Flanders from those Towns which he had taken into His Protection before they could provide themselves of other Succours Here upon they extend the time as to the Forces in Flanders to the 27 of July Saturday the 15th of June The Commons Resolved That after Tuesday following no motions should be made for any new Supplys of Money till after the Recess nor any more private Bills brought in till after the said Recess The Tuesday following the King sent for the Commons up to the Lords House and told 'em in a long Speech That the season requiring a Recess by the middle of next Month at farthest it is convenient that we part fairly and with a perfect confidence of one another Therefore he opens His Heart freely to them in some particulars of nearest concern That what he told 'em at the beginning of this Session concerning a Peace seems already to be determined at least as to Spain and Holland in which Peace His part will be not only that of a Mediator but also to give His Warranty in it That Spain writes word that unless England bares the charge of maintaining Flanders even after the Peace they will not be in a Condition to support it long That to this end it is necessary not only to keep up our Navy at Sea but to give the World some assurance of being well United at home That thô the House of Commons may think such a Peace as ill a bargain as War because it will cost them Mony yet if they seriously consider that otherwise Flanders had been lost perhaps by this time He believes they will give much greater Summs than this will cost rather than the single Town of Ostend should be in the French hands and 40 of their men of War in so good a Haven overagainst the Rivers Mouth That we cannot but be pleased to understand the Reputation we have gained abroad by having in 40 days rais'd an Army of 30000 Men and prepaired a Navy of 90 Ships Therefore if they desire to keep up the Honour of the Crown at home and look to the safety of the Balance of Affairs abroad and pursue the War of Algiers if they desire he should pass any part of His life in quiet and all the rest in confidence and kindness with them and other suture Parliaments if so That they must find a way not only to settle for His life His Revenue as at Christmass last but also to add a new Fund of 300000 l. Per annum upon which he will pass an Act to settle 50000 l. upon the Navy and Ordinance and shall be also always ready to consent to all such Laws as they shall propose for the good of the Nation Then he reminds 'em to inable him to keep His word with the Prince of Orange in the payment of His Neices Portion which is 40000 l. the first payment being now due and demanded by him This Speech being ended the Commons returned back and Voted His Majesty the thanks of the House for His gracious expressions in His Speech Yet nothing of importance was done that day but a Denial of the 300000 l. Per annum demanded and not only so but a motion being made for a Compensation on the lost part
present to be past into Laws to make them safe in the Reign of His Successor so as they intend not to Impeach the Right of Succession nor the Discent of the Crown in the true Line and also as they restrain not any Power or just Right of His Protestant Successor such Bills shall find from him a ready concurrence Soon after this came out another Proclamation whereby all Roman Recusants and such reputed were enjoyn'd under the Penalty of the Laws to repair to their own homes and not to remove more than Five Miles from thence without Licence Excepted out of this Proclamation the Inhabitants of London and Westminster Monday the 18th of November the House of Commons being informed that Sir Joseph Williamson Secretary of State had lately Countersigned several Commissions for Roman Recusant Officers with a Non-obstante to the Oaths and Test he was by the said House Committed to the Tower The next Day the King sent for the Commons to attend him at the Banquetting-House and told 'em That tho' they Committed His Servant without acquainting him yet He intends to be freer with them and acquaint them with His intentions to release His Secretary which accordingly He did that Day About this time a Bill having been sent up from the Commons to the Lords House for Excluding all Popish Members to sit in either House of Parliament it was past in the said Lords House with some little alterations and a Clause in Favour of His Royal Highness and the said Bill being sent back to the Commons it past there also November 21st with the said alterations but not without some difficulty for Sir Jonathan Trelauny and one Mr. Ash being heated in debate and words of reproach passing between 'em Sir Jonathan struck the other a cuff on the Ear which being return'd by Ash over the Face they were both about to Draw but this disturbance being at last quieted by the Speaker Trelauny was sent to the Tower there to remain all this Sessions and Ash received a Reprimande from the Speaker About the same time came out an Order of Council explaining the late Proclamation whereby all Papists were Banisht 10 Miles from London not to extend to Merchant strangers and such Outlandish who repair hither on the account of Travail And now the Commons begin to look towards the Army again resolving November 25. That it is necessary for the safety of His Majesty's Person and Preservation of the Government that the Forces raised since the 29th of November 77. be forthwith paid off and Disbanded and for this the King requires more Mony In the mean time Oats the great Discoverer of the Plot accuses the Queen hereupon the King places a stricter Guard upon him than ever but the Commons Novemb. 29. order an Address to be made to His Majesty That the said Oats be freed from his restraint attended by his own Servants and that a competent allowance be appointed for his maintenance and that the Queen with all her Servants and all Popish Recusants or such suspected be removed from Whitehall Saturday Novemb. 30. the King had two Bills presented to him one of which viz For Exclusion of all Popish Members to fit in either House of Parliament with a Clause in favour of the Duke of York He past The other which was for raising a third part of the Militia to be in constant Arms for a time He refused alledging That that were to put the Militia out of his Power which thing He would not do no not for one hour but if the Parliament will assist Him with Money for that purpose He will take care to raise such a part of the Militia as shall secure the Peace of the Government and His own Person In the mean time while these things are transacting in Parliament one William Staly a Goldsmiths Son a Roman Recusant is Arraigned at the Kings Bench Bar found guilty and condemned of High Treason for speaking certain words against the Kings Life and accordingly was hanged and quartered at Tyburn but on Petition the King granted his Quarters to his Father who abusing the Kings mercy buried him in Covent-Garden Church-yard with too much State and Ceremony for which reason by His Majesties Order his Quarters were that very night taken up conveyed to Newgate and soon after set up on the Gates of London The same week that Staly was executed Mr. Coleman was arraigned and tryed at the aforesaid Bar and condemned of High Treason The Evidence was the aforementioned Oats and one Bedloe and his own Letters but both the aforesaid Tryals being in Print I shall take no farther notice of particulars The King gave back all Mr. Colemans Estate to his Wife and Children and his Quarters to be Buried Thursday December 4 The Commons Impeacht the Lords Arundel of Warder Bellasis Poâ—is Petre and Stafford of Treason other high Crimes and Misdemeanors severally which several Impeachments were carried up by five several Members of the House of Commons Two Days before the said Lords had been found Guilty upon special Indictments to the same purpose by the Grand Jury of Middlesex before special Commissioners sitting at Westminster but now for some Reasons those proceedings were waved and it was thought more effectual to proceed by way of Impeachment before the House of Lords in Parliament Tuesday December the 17th Ireland Pickering and Groves were Condemned of High Treason as Conspirators in the Plot but their Execution was respited for some time At the same time Whitebread and Fenwick were arraigned but their Tryal put off till the 15th of January And now some of the Members of Parliament begin to accuse one another December the 23d Mr. Mountigue Son to the Lord Mountigue and late Ambassador in France now a Burgess for Northampton carries up five Articles against the Lord Treasurer and Sir John Earnly another Member of the House of Commons accuses the said Mr. Mountigue of holding a Correspondence with the Popes Nuncio at Paris In the mean time the Parliament sit incessantly without Adjournment these Hollidays but only for Christmas-Eve and Christmas Day requiring a full appearance of all their Members not disabled as well Lords as Commons enjoyning all in Town not to depart under strict penalties and sending their Messengers for all absent in the Country But it pleas'd the King on Monday the 30th of December to Prorogue both Houses till the 4th of February following Not long before which the Commons had given more Mony for the Disbanding the Army but inserted a Clause in the Bill for the Mony to be paid into the Chamber of London which proviso would not pass in the Lords House and therefore the Bill remain'd abort During this Interval the Reports were various touching the next sitting it being sometimes affirmed that the Session was further Prorogued till the 25th of February then again that the Parliament would certainly meet at the 4th of February the Day first appointed till at last on the 24th Day of
undecent Expressions was by order of the Lords House burnt by the Common Hangman at the Exchange and in the Pallace yard On the 4th of January His Majesty was pleased to send His Message to the House of Commons in Answer to their Address of December 21. abovemention'd in which Message He let them know That he had received their Address with all the disposition they could wish to comply with their reasonable Desires but upon perusal of it he was sorry to see their thoughts so wholly fixt on the Bill of Exclusion as to determine that all other remedies for the Suppressing of Popery will be ineffectual That His Majesty is confirm'd in His opinion against That Bill by the Judgment of the House of Lords who rejected it That He thinks there remains nothing more for Him to say in Answer to the foresaid Address then to recommend to this House the Consideration of all other means for the preservation of the Protestant Religion to which they have no reason to doubt His concurrence whensoever they shall be presented to Him in a Parliamentary way And in conclusion again He urges them to the preservation of Tangeir On the Friday following being the 7th of January the House entred upon the Consideration of the said Message and resolve as the opinion of the House That there is no security or safety for the Protestant Religion the Kings Life or the Well constituted and establisht Government of this Kingdom without passing a Bill for disabling James Duke of York to inherit the Imperial Crown of England and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging and that to rely upon any other means or remedies without such a Bill is not only insufficient but dangerous That till such a Bill be past this House cannot give any Supply to His Majesty without danger to His Majesties person Extream hazard of the Protestant Religion and unfaithfullness to those by whom this House is intrusted That all persons who advised His Majesty in His last Message to this House to insist upon an opinion against the Bill for Excluding the Duke of York have given Pernicious Council to His Majesty and are Promoters of Popery and Enemies to the King and Kingdom And as such they name George Earl of Hallifax Henry Marquiss of Worcester Henry Earl of Clarendon against which as also against Lewis Earl of Feversham and Laurence Hide Esq they Vote an Address to be presented to His Majesty to remove them from all Offices of Honour and Profit and from His Majesties Councils and Presence for ever They further Vote and Resolve the same day That whosoever shall herafter Lend or cause to be Lent by way of advance any Mony upon the Branches of the Kings Revenue arising by Customs Excise or Hearth Mony shall be adjudg'd to hinder the sitting of Parliaments and shall be responsible for the same in Parliament On the Monday following being the 10th of Jan. the King was pleas'd to determin this Session by Proroguing the Parliament to the 20th day of Jan. then next following at the same time passing only Two Publick Bills viz. One about Irish Cattel and One about Burying in Woollen The House of Commons were it seems aware of this Prorogation and therefore that very morning the first thing they did after they were sate and before the Usher of the Black Rod came in they Resolved That whosoever advised His Majesty to Prorogue this Parliament to any other purpose then in Order to the passing of a Bill for the Exclusion of James Duke of York is a Betrayer of the King the Protestant Religion and of the Kingdom of England a Promoter of the French Interest and a Pensioner to France On the 13th of Jan. a Court of Common Council being Assembled in London they ordered to be drawn up and Presented to the King a Petition setting forth That whereas the Parliament had convicted one of the 5 Popish Lords in the Tower and were about to convict the other 4 of High Treason That they had Impeacht the Chief Justice Scroggs and were about to impeach other Judges and all this in order to the preservation of His Majesties Life the Protestant Religion and Government That they were much surprized to see the Parliament Prorogued in the hight of their buisiness That their only hopes were that this was done only in order to bring such Affairs about again as were necessary to the Settling the Nation They therefore pray'd that His Majesty would be pleas'd to let the Parliament sit at the day appointed and so to continue till they had effected the great Affairs before them To this effect were the words of their Petition which was further ordered to be delivered that night or as soon as may be by the Lord Mayor attended with the new Recorder George Treby Esq and certain Members of the Court of Aldermen and Common Council But before the said 20th day of Jan. arrived the King was pleased by his Proclamation bearing date at Whitehall Jan. 18. to dissolve this Parliament and intimate His Royal pleasure and intentions to call an other to sit on the 21st of March following at Oxford Not long after this viz. on the 25th of Jan. the Earl of Essex and other Lords Presented to the King a Petition setting forth That whereas the Nation and His Majesties Person were in imminent danger from the Papists unto which no stop or remedy could be provided unless by a Parliament That several Parliaments being call'd and assembled they were Prorogued and dissolved before any sufficient order could be taken therein c. That His Majesty had been prevailed with to call another at Oxford where neither Lords or Commons can be in safety but will be dayly exposed to the Swords of the Papists and their adherents the liberty of speaking thereby destroyed and the validity of their Acts and proceedings left disputable the straightness of the place unfit for such a Concourse of persons as now follows every Parliament and the Witnesses which are necessary to give Evidence upon the Commons Impeachment unable to bear the charges of such a Journey and unwilling to trust themselves under the Protection of a Parliament that is it self evidently under the Power of Guards and Soldiers They therefore pray that the Parliament may sit at Westminster This was subscribed Monmouth Kent Huntington Bedford Salisbury Clare Stamford Essex Shaftsbury Mordant Evers Pâ—get Grey Herbert Howard Delamer About the same time the King was pleased to displace my Lord Sunderland from the Office of Secretary of State and to confer the said Office on my Lord Conway and several other Members of the Privy Council were then also alter'd And thus concluded the 32d year of His Majesties Reign observable for divers matters but above all for the Transactions of the Lords in Parliament who by their Prudent and Judicious proceedings on the 15th of November defeated the industrious malice of the Dukes Enemies by rejecting the Bill past by the Commons
Holland His Tryal was put off till the first Thursday next Term which is the 9th of June On the 14 of May being the last day but one of the Term the Earl of Danby was brought by Habeas Corpus from the Tower to the Kings Bench Bar where by his Council he urged hard that he might be Bail'd but the Court being unsatisfied that they had sufficient Jurisdiction in his Case he being committed by Authority of Parliament and as it seemd not being within the benefit of the Habeas Corpus Act he was remanded back to the Tower On the last day of Easter Term Fitz-Harris was again brought into the Kings Bench Court to give Evidence to the Grand-Jury upon a Bill of Indictment against De Puy who had been Groom of the Robes to the Duke The Jury desired that the Evidence might be given to them privately But the Court overruled that and Fitz-Harris declared upon Oath Publickly in Court a great deal of Scandalous stuff not fit to be mentioned relating to the Death of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey which the said De Puy had told him a little before the Death of the said Knight but all this Fitz-Harris spoke from De Puy's mouth Of his own knowledge he said only this That the Earl of Danby coming down the great Stairs at Winsor he heard him say that now he would make Godfreys heart ake To this he added that De Puy told him presently after the Murder that the Earl had sent Godfrey on an arrant from which he would never return Upon this Evidence the Earl of Danby's name was inserted into the Bill of Indictment against De Puy as accessary to the said Murder of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey and the Bill was accordingly found against them both At the same time it was that the said Jury presented the Court with a Petition that they would intercede with the King for the sitting and Continuance of a new Parliament During all this Easter Term and many Months after many Loyal Addresses flowed to the King from all parts of England full of Congratulations and nothing of that factious strain which had almost rendred the very word Petitioning to be scandalous among these Loyal Addresses that from Norwich ran highest for the Kings Prerogative and a little reflecting on the exorbitances of the late Commons but as if this were a notorious Scandal to the Parliament the Grand-Jury of Middlesex above mentioned presented the same as a publick Libel but this did not discourage the Loyal party who still continued their Addresses It would be tedious to name all and how kindly they were received by the King who never suffered those who brought 'em to depart without some gracious mark of His Favor Not so to those who took upon them in their Petitions to direct His Majesty about the Calling and continuance of Parliaments To this Purpose its observable that the City of London were divided in these matters Part of them being most of the Court of Aldermen and some of the Common-Council had drawn up a Loyal Address in like manner as the whole Burrough of Southwark had done this they Presented to the King at Windsor by the Hands of Sir William Turner and Sir John Moor with abundance of Countenance and Favour But another Party having composed a far different Petition both for form and matter and it being also the same Day carried to Windsor by the Lord Mayor one Alderman and the Recorder they were refused to be admitted to the Kings Presence but orderd to attend at the Council at Hampton Court the Thursday following where they received a Repremend from my Lord Chancellor Finch now newly created Earl of Nottingham At the same time it was that the Leiutenancy of the City of London attended with their Loyal Offers of their Lives and Fortunes among these was Sir George Jeffryes the Kings Serjeant and late Recorder of London with his Sword on as one of the said Leiutenancy On the 8th of June in Trinity Term was Dr. Oliver Plunket Tryed for High Treason at the Kings Bench Bar the Evidence against him were all profest Papists as said and came out of Ireland the chief matters Sworn against him That he was made Primate of Ireland by the Pope at the King of France's recommendation that upon that account he having ingaged to do that King all the Service he could he had actually Levied among his Popish Clergy great Sums of Mony therewith to introduce the French Dominion into that Kingdom and extirminate the Protestants Upon this Evidence he was found Guilty The next day being Thursday the 9th of June Fitz-Harris was Tryed at the same Bar for High Treason the chief Evidence against him were Everard and Sir William Waller for the Prisoner appear'd Oats and Colonel Mansell and told a long story Scandalous in it self but of no weight My Lord Chief Justice therefore according to the Evidence which was home and clear against the Prisoner directed the Jury to find for the King which being also the directions of the other 3 Judges the Jury after above an half hours consultation brought in their Verdict Guilty Presently after this Tryal Mrs. Fitz-Harris the Prisoners wife and her Maid accused my Lord Howard of Escrick of the Contrivance of that Treasonable Libel of which her Husband was Convicted upon which accusation the said Lord was committed to the Tower on Sunday morning June 12. On the Wednesday following being the 15th of June Plunket and Fitz-Harris were severally brought to the Kings Bench Bar and received Judgment of Condemnation as in cases of High Treason About this time it was that the King in Council was pleas'd to order a Parliament to be call'd in Scotland on the 28th of July I must not forget that on the last day of Trin. Term a Bill of Indictment against the Lord Howard being delivered in to the Grand-Jury of Edmunton Hundred then serving in the Kings Bench for the County of Middlesex Sworn to by Mrs. Fitz-Harris and her Maid and some others and the said Jury not thinking the Evidence sufficient they were about to indorse it with an Ignoramus when Mr. Ward one of the Clerks of the Crown Office attending upon them withdraw'd it from before ' em Of this action they complain'd to the Court but being told that the Attorney General might stop these proceedings as he saw occasion or words to that purpose with which the Jury being nothing satisfied they went immediately and preferr'd a Bill of Indictment against the said Ward to the July of Oswelston Hundred then attending for this misdemanor which Bill the said last mention'd Jury found On Friday the First of July Dr. Oliver Plunket the Popish Primat of Ireland and Edward Fitz-Harris were both Executed at Tyburn for the several Treasons of which they were severally Tryed and Condemn'd the last Term. Plunket in a long Speech declar'd his Innocency forgave his Enemies and Pray'd for the King Queen and Duke of York But Fitz Harris said
His Most Sacred Majesty and his Royal Highness viz. Collonel John Rumsey Richard Rumbold Maulster Richard Nelthorp Esq Edward Wade Gent. Richard Goodenough Gent. Capt. Walcot William Thompson James Burton and William Hone For the Discovery of any of which 100 l. was offer'd as a reward to the Discoverer Also another Proclamation came out not long after Dated the 28th of June For the Apprehending of James Duke of Monmouth Ford Lord Gray Sir Thomas Armstrong Knight and Robert Ferguson who were also fled for the Discovery of any of which 500 l. was offer'd as a reward to the Discoverer The Crimes alledged in the said Proclamations are For Traiterously Conspiring to Compass the Death and Destruction of the King and His dearest Brother the Duke of York to effect which they have held several Treasonable Consultations to Levy Men and to make an Insurrection in this Kingdom On the 2d of July the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council of the City of London in a Body waited on His Majesty in the Banqueting-House and Presented him with their Address of Congratulation Importing their thanks to Almighty God for bringing to Light this impious and Execrable machination designed for the destruction of His Majesties Royal Person and of his dearest Brother James Duke of York and for the Destruction of His Majesties best Subjects and to involve this and the future Generation in Confusion Blood and misery carried on by Conventiclers and Atheistical Persons c. Which Address being Graciously received by His Majesty they then Waited on His Royal Highness and made their Complement to him on the same occasion Soon after this the Members of the Middle-Temple Address'd in the like manner who thought themselves concern'd more than ordinary to shew their Loyalty in regard some of the first Discover'd Conspirators did unhappily appear to be of that Society After which almost innumerable Addresses on the same Subject flow'd from all parts of the Kingdom At the same time also the Ambassadors and Ministers of Foraign Princes Congratuled His Majesty in their Masters Names for His happy Delivery from the Designed Assasination The King of France also Publisht in His Dominions an Edict or Proclamation for the Apprehension of those Four mention'd in our Kings Proclamation of June the 28th and proposed 500 Pistols for the Discovery of each On the 12th of July was Tryed at the Old Bayly the above mention'd Captain Walcot for this horrid Conspiracy and upon a full and cleer Evidence was found Guilty of High Treason The next Day the Lord Russel eldest Son and Heir apparent to the Earl of Bedford was Tryed for the same Treason and upon a cleer Evidence given by the Lord Howard of Escrick and others was found Guilty The same Day also Hone and Rouse were Tryed and found Guilty of the same horrid Crime All which received Sentence of Death the next day from the Recorder Sir George Treby viz. the Lord Russel by himself and Walcot Hone and Rouse together but the Judgment was the same to be drawn Hang'd and Quarter'd During the Tryal of the Lord Russel 4 Companies of the Guards were drawn into Smithfield and there posted all the Day two Companies of the Trained Bands in St Bartholmews Hospital and a Party of the Life Guard Waited at the Gates of the Old Bayly attending upon the Lord Howard In the mean time viz. on Friday the 13th of July about 9 of the Clock in the Morning a sad and desparate action was Committed on himself by one of these unhappy Conspirators Arthur Earl of Essex being a Prisoner in the Tower on the account of this execrable Treason was so far transported by the Devils Temptations as to dispair of all mercy and during a short absence of them that attended to Murder himself by Cutting his own Throat with a Raisour On Friday the 20th of July Three of the foresaid Traytors were executed at Tyburn viz. Walcot Hone and Rouse according to the Common Judgment in Treason Drawn Hang'd and quartered But the Lord Russel by reason of his noble Birth had the favour from the King to have the Common Judgment mitigated thô he was against such mitigation as is reported in the case of the late Vicount Stafford and was on the day following viz. Saturday the 21th of July Beheaded in Lincolns-Inn Fields For which purpose a Scaffold was erected that Morning on that side of the Fields next to the Arch going into Duke Street in the middle between the said Arch and the corner turning into Queen-street 10 Companies of the Guards and a Troop of Horse were drawn up in the Fields at that time to secure the Peace against so vast a Concourse of People as appeared there on that occasion The Lord Russel was Beheaded by three stroaks of the Executioner at half an hour after 10 in the morning On the same Day the 21th of July was assembled a Convocation of the University of Oxford in their Convocation House there at which in a Solemn and formal manner they Condemn'd 27 Propositions as false seditious and impious and most of them Heretical and Blasphemous infamous to Christian Religion and destructive of all Government both in Church and State Which wicked Propositions were Collected out of several modern Authors namely Buchanan Milton Hobs Goodwin Baxter Julian Protestant Reconciler c. Which said Books were at the same time Ordered to be Burnt and were Burnt in the Court of the Schools of the said University On Saturday the 28th of July being St. Anns Day about 10 in the Evening The Lady Ann second Daughter to his Royal Highness was Married to Prince George Brother to the King of Danemark Which Prince arrived at Whitehall the Thursday sennight before The Ceremony of the Marriage was performed by the Bishop of London in the Presence of the King Queen Duke and Dutchess with most of the Great Personages of the Court. All That Night and the next the Bells Proclaimed the Publick Joy And presently after they received the Congratulations of all the Embassadours and Publick Ministers in Town The like also from the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen in their Scarlet Soon after which was publisht His Majesties Declaration to all his loving Subjects dated the 28th of July whereby was set forth a short Narration of the Treasonable Conspiracy as it hath been lately discovered by undoubted proof and the Confession of divers of the Accomplices for which happy discovery His Majesty appointed by the said Declaration a Solemn day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God to be celebrated throughout the Kingdom on Sunday the 9th day of September next and that the said Declaration be publickly read in all Churches as well on Sunday the 2d Day of September as on the Day of Thanksgiving aforesaid The same Day of Thanksgiving was also appointed to be observed in Scotland On Tuesday the 7th of August Prince George was design'd to be Install'd Knight of the most Honourable Order of the Garter at