accordingly took the Oaths and a Correspondency in the Army being discovered to be held with the Rebels Lientenant Collonel Levingston and other Officers were seized and made Prisoners so that a timely Discovery defeated the whole Design and being brought upon their Tryals before a Council of War and severally confessed their Crime throwing themselves upon the King's Mercy and a Proclamation published for apprehending the Viscount Dundee and others his Associates with a Reward of a 8000 Marks Scotch Money to such as should apprehend Dundee and deliver him to any of His Majesties Officers dead or alive and indeed he survived not long after for on the 26th of July Major-General Mackay marching from St. Johnstoun with about 4000. Foot and 40 Troops of Horse and Dragoons Two Mile on this side the Blaye of Athol came within sight of the Enemy and drew up his Men to attack them and on the 27th the Fight began about Five in the Afternoon and continued very hot for some time so that being exceeded in number some of our Regiments gave way however Dundee Charging furiously at the head of the Highlanders to encourage them was slain by a Shot although he had Armour which so discouraged his Party that they suddenly retreated and after that Collonel Cannon who had been sent out of Ireland with some Forces took upon him the Command and rallied the scattered Rebels As for the Body of the Viscount Dundee it was afterward exposed in Blaire Church and then decently buried and with him his Party lost the Prime of their Courage never after being able to make any considerable Head though the Earl of Dumferling and others undertook to manage them for many of the Highlanders scattered and went home and some of the Heads of their Clans submitted During these Transactions in Scotland the Army in England marched from all parts towards Chester and Highlake to embark on the Ships appointed under the Command of the Duke of Schomberg consisting of between Five and Twenty and Thirty Thousand effectual Men great Stores of Ammunition Provision and considerable quantities of Moneys were Shipped off and his Majesty appointed a Camp to be on Hounslow-Heath on the 14th of August to be composed of such Forces as remained but it continued not above three or four days and in the mean time a Declaration of War against France was published in Scotland During these Transactions the Iniskilling-men being in Arms made many Incursions into the Enemies Quarters beat several of their Party and possessed themselves of a great deal of Plunder and upon notice that one Maccarty was abroad with a strong Detachment marching towards Lisnaskea Lieutenant Collonel Berry early the next day marched out with 8 Troops of Horse 2 of Dragoons and 3 Companies of Foot but upon a serious search finding the Enemy with whom another Party was joyned much superiour in Number he sent to Collonel Woosly at Iniskilling for Relief and after a brisk Encounter killing a considerable Number put the rest to flight but they rallying again upon new Reinforcements another hot Engagement happened near Newtown Butler where having posted themselves advantageously they gauled our Horse with their Cannon but our Foot and dragoons passing the Defiles drove them from their Posts and seized their Cannon whereby the Horse having advantage to come up the Enemies Horse upon the first charge deserted the Foot and they finding themselves in a great strait fled likewise many being killed and taken insomuch that that Party that had so long hazâ—rded the Country was by this means quite broken and disordered 3000 being computed to be killed and lost in the Lough into which they desperately threw themselves to escape the Sword London-Derry was a place extreamly aimed at and not doubted to be won yet they found themselves mistaken in their Account as in the Relation of that Siege though but briefly will even to a wonderful Providence be manifested indeed upon the first Approach they made themselves Master of the Castle of Culmore where were only 3 pieces of Cannon and the Garrison distressed for Water and although they made Conditions to march out with their Swords yet were they plundered by the Irish And now to wave Interruption in the Thread of History though many things intervened take a brief Account of this famous Siege the greatest considering the Situation and weakness of the place against a numerous Army that has been perhaps in many Ages This City was built by divers Companies of the City of London upon their Settlement of Collonies in Ireland as a Fortress against the Incursions of the Irish and named by its Original Founders London-Derry and so prosperously is succeeded that it has hitherto baffled their most strenuous Attempts and as if Providence had so ordered to defeat the Councils of Tyrconnel Upon the first News of the Invasion all the Irish Forces were drawn out of it being mostly Papists and sent into England to assist the late King insomuch that the Protestants without much Difficulty took Possession of it when they were forced from other places and when Collonel Lundy and others despaired of holding it as a place not Tenable against such a numerous Army as drew down against it though considerable Forces were sent from England and safely arrived under the Commands of the Collonels Richards and Cunningham it being abandoned by those Commanders the enraged People resolved to defend it against the utmost Efforts of the Enemy and thereupon proceeding to choose Mr. George Walker a Minister and Major Baker their Governours during the Siege they chose Colonels and Regimented their men in all amounting to 117 Companies each Company consisting of 60 men the total 7020 Soldiers and 341 Officers and then a View being had of the Stores and necessary Orders given all Offers made by the Enemy of Favour and Protection were refused so that finding a defence was resolved upon they drew up a Demi-culverin within 118 Pearches of the Town and played without any considerable Damage unless to the Market-house whereupon a Sally was made and 200 of the Enemy killed together with Mamow the French General and other Officers of note and although the Enemies Horse came up furiously yet no more of our side than four private Soldiers and Lieutenant Mac Phedris were killed but the Besiegers not seeing this available planted four Demi-culverins at the lower end of an Orchard and those playing Incessantly hurt divers People in their Houses and other places but the Cannon playing as furiously from the Town killed a great many of their men and several Officers of note as Lieutenant Fitz Patrick Lieutenant Collonel Oneas c. together with two Fryars who were zealous in the Cause And to make more effectual work they placed some Mortars and threw in divers Bombs which did little or no Execution but to prevent further mischief â—he Besieged made another vigorous Sally and killed several of the Enemy at Penniburn-Hill in which Action they lost only 2 men and had
He threatned likewise to burâ— and lay waste all the Country if there should appear the least probability of any Troopâ— coming to their Relief yet if the Garrisoâ— would become Loyalists as he termed it 〈◊〉 and surrender the Town on any tollerablâ— Condition he would protect them from aâ— Injuries and give them his Favour But these Threats and Promises were received with Contempt and Indignationâ— which put the French-man into an extraordinary heat though to no purpose This Intriegue failing a dead Sheâ—â— or Bomb without Powder was thrown into the Town wherein was a Letter to let the Souldiers know what termâ— had been proposed as if the Governour had keep them in Ignorance but their Resolutions were firm and iâ— availed not notwithstanding some treacherous Persons dispersed Copies to the like purport and so unanimous they were that it was made Death so much as to discourse of a Surrender And now the Cruelties of the Besiegers appeared for they drove the poor halâ— naked Protestants that they had gathered in the adjacent Countries under the walls like so many Beasts for slaughterâ— of all Ages and Sex yet Providence so ordered it that in firing from the Walls by mistake as not knowing the meaning of such a Croud the Bullets hit only two or three of those that were driving them nor would the Besiegers suffer those miserable People to retire till the besieged set up their Gallows threatning to hang the Prisoners they had taken even those Prisoners themselves confessing they could not blame the besieged in putting them to death seeing their People exercised such Severity and Cruelty upon the Protestants that were under their Protection and desired leave to write to Lieutenant-General Hamilton which was allowed having written to Rosne before and received no Answer And although they had now but a slight Answer returned the Intercession of their Friends prevailed and the miserable Protestants had leave to repair to their Habitations with this Advantage that some able Persons were got into the Garrison and other â—ck or weak Persons shifted amongst them and great Industry was used secretly to incense the Soldiers against the Governour as intending for his Advantage to betray the Town but it little availed for upon a right understanding it dissipated Yet through Sickness occasioned by Famine and the many Sallies that were made on the 25th of July the Garrison was reduced to 4892 effectual men yet the same day a vigorous Sally was made the maiâ— design being to bring in some Cattlâ— the Enemy had feeding within sightâ— whilst the Action continued and sâ— well it succeeded that three hundreâ— of their men were killed besides Officers but no Cattle gained and the Garrison now being reduced to 445â— men the Famine daily increased insomuch that Horse-flesh was sold for 1 s. 8 d. the Pound the quarter of a Dog for 5 s. 6 d. a Dogs-head 2 s. 6 d. a Caâ— 4 s. 6 d. and so of other things proportionably as Rats Mice Tallowâ— Greves and all things noisome and one fat Man thinking they had an Eyâ— upon him to eat him concealed himself for some time for fear But now when even hope it self began to failâ— and nothing expected but to fall into the hands of a merciless Enemy Providence worked in a Miracle for oâ— the 13th of July an hour after Sermonâ— some Ships in the Lough were discovered making to wards the City for Major General Kirk finding the place could not hold out much longer ordered them to force their way in spite of all opposition in which they succeeded and the Mountjoy and Phoenix laden with Provision convoyed by the Dartmouth and other Men of War came up with little loss though the Enemy fired from the Shore without intermission And thus the besieged were relieved with Provision when they reckoned but upon two days Life having only 9 lean Horses left and one pint of Meal to each man 4200 men being left whereof a fourth part were rendered unserviceable The Enemy perceiving this seasonable Relief on the the last of July raised the Siege in some disorder burning and plundering as they retreated but were pursued by the besieged and some Parties of the Iniskilling-men that were abroad and many of them cut off yet they made a Halt at Straban but having notice that the Iniskilling-men had defeated the Forces under Lieutenant General Maccarty they removed their Camp breaking for haste four of their great Guns and casting twelve Cart Load of Arms into the River And thus after 105 days close Siege was this City delivered the Enemy losing between 18 and 19000 meâ— before the Walls and 100 of their beâ—â— Officers Upon the coming of Major General Kirk to this City he was received with great Joy and it was agreed that Mrâ— Walker should go for England and present their Majesties with an humble Address in the Name of himself and the Principal of those that had been in the place during the Siege in reference tâ— all the Inhabitants and upon his Arrival he was very Gracioussy received His Majesty as a mark of his special Favour ordering him Five thousand Pounds and promised him a further continuance of his Royal Goodness and he was courted admired and treated by the Nobility Clergy c. and since we have dwelt so long upon this memorable Siege that in Point of time has carried us beyond many other notable Transactions it will be convenient to look a little back and see what was done in other parts of the Kingdom Major General Kirk has been related coming with a Resolution and express Orders to relieve the besieged seeing if he longer delayed it it must fall into the Enemies hands after the Provision ships had been sent up to endeavour its relief he hasted to the Isle of Inch and found all things in a very good order and there it was he had the News of the raising the Siege and that the Enemy were marched over Clandy having blown up Kilmore Castle and Red Castle with all the Houses down the River and set the Country for Ten miles in a Flame and since we are got to Inch let us sâ— what happened in those parts being the chief Refuge of the Protestants from the 7th of July to the raising the Siege of Derry On the 7th of July a Detachment was sent of 600 men under the Command of Collonel Stewant and on the 9th he got up with the Island of Inch and there had the Luck to hear that the Irish kept at a place called Tully Six miles from Ralfemullin whereupon he sent a commanded Party of 60 Musqueteers who were put ashoar in the Night-time and on the 10th in the Morning Captain Richards the King's Engineer Landed with an Ensign and 20 men in the Isle of Inch and had scarce marched a mile before he come to the great Strand much overflowed with the Tide yet staked out a redent Work with Redoubts sending for some Field-pieces as also more Men and Instruments
went home and Collonel Cannon retired with his men to Loughabar the Laird James Murray and the young Laird oâ— Ballacan demanded the Benefit of the King Indemnity for themselves and the Father of the latter and many of the Marquess of Athol's Vassals came in with their Cattle and Substance submitting themselves and taking the Oaths Whereupon Collonel Cannon who made the only Figure for the late King retreated towards the Isle of Mull doubtful whether be should continue longer or go to Ireland and the Major-General the better to keep those parts under put a Garrison in the Castle of Blaire and upon his March Northward most of the Leading men of the Highland Clans came in and took the benefit of the Indemnity and delivered up their Arms upon which he returned to Edenburgh accompanied with the Earl of Argyle and the Lords of Levingston and Duffus with the Earl of Collendar were set at Liberty having together with the Earls of South-Esk Brodalbane and the Lord Strathmore c. taking the benefit of the Indemnity and gave sufficient Sureties for the Securities of the Peace so that several Troops of the King's Forces in that Kingdom were embarked for Ireland and the Face of things appeared very Calm and Serene in that Kingdom so that on the 1st of October a Proclamation was published for the Adjournment of the Parliament from the 8th of October to the 20th of December ensuing and the Major General took great care to view the Garrisons in the North to be the better provided in the Spring against any Commotions that might happen by new Insurrections On the 20th of September the Parliament met at Westminster pursuant to a late Adjournment where his Majesties Pleasure was signified that they should Adjourn further to the 19th of October ensuing and that he intended they should then sit whereof he had ordered Notice to be given by Proclamation and accordingly the Two Houses Adjourned and about this time we had a very good Account from the Western Plantations that the English stood upon their Guard and had in most Places gotten the better of the French driving them off the Islands and possessing themselves of many Important Places in the Particulars of which we shall be somewhat large hereafter During the glorious Success of our Arms in Ireland there wanted not a treacherous Design but it was happily discovered for a Captain of one of the French Regiments being informed that four Souldiers and a Drummer who were Papists designed to go over to the Enemy he caused them to be secured and found Letters about one of them to Monsieur D' Avaux and upon strict Examination he declared he had the Letters from one Du Pleshy aâ—â—apist who served as a private Souldier in one of the French Regiments though he had been formerly a Captain of Horse in France from whence he was forced to retire upon the Account of a Murther and this Person being seized he did confess that he had written to the late King and D' Avaux giving them an Account that there were divers Papists in the French Regiment and promising to bring them over to the Irish Camp upon Condition he might have the Command of them and his Pardon in France upon which Confession he and his Accomplices were tryed before a Council of War and being Sentenced were accordingly Executed After which the three French Collonels made strict enquiry what Papists were in their Regiments and found about an 150 which by the Generals Order were secured and sent Prisoners to England most of them having this Summer deserted the French Service and came for England by the way of Holland upon notice such Regiments were raising but what their further Intentions were remains doubtful however if Treachery was their design of entering the Service it was by this timely discovery defeated and frustrated The beginning of November a Party of the Army decamped from the Plains of Dundalk where they had lain about eleven weeks and soon after the Duke of Schomberg marched away with the remainder to Lisnegarny and so to Lisburn no extraordinary Action happening in the Field during this Incampment the Enemy declining giving any opportunity of that kind though their Army was near one half superiour in Number Yet soon after they sent out a select Party to Newry as soon as the day began to dawn in hopes to surprise some of our advanced Parties but the greatest Execution they did was to kill the Out Centinels though they gave warning by two Discharges and although they got into the Town they were soon beaten out by a Party of Collonel Ingoldsby's Regiment in which dispute a Captain and six or seven Souldiers were lost and a Lieutenant and an Ensign wounded Yet soon after they rallied and got over the Bridge but again they were beaten and divers slain they carrying off several Officers dead to prevent their loss coming to our Knowledge And now the Garrison of Charlemont being a curb upon those Parts some Parties were sent out to view the Place but found all the Hedges and advantageous Passes lined by the Enemy yet they were forced from thence by our Men and several of them killed and soon after Brigadie Stewart receiving notice that some Parties of the Enemy were scouting about with a design to surprise the Town and Pass at the Newry he drew out the Horse and Foot he could hastily get together making about 250 and at the head of them attacked the Enemy so vigorously that they fell into rout and disorder thirty being killed on the Place and 17 or 18 taken Prisoners of which five were Officers And by this Defeat a considerable Booty of Cattle were taken Nor were other of our Parties idle for Collonel Woosly commanding a Party of the Iniskilling-men marched with much secresie in the Night to Belturbat which brought such a Terrour upon that Garrison as made them surrender upon the first Summons agreeing to be conducted to the next Garrison Whilst these things were doing a strong Party of the Irish went out to plunder and possess themselves of the Lady Newcomen's House of which she having timely notice fortified it against them with a Garrison of her Tenants only and beat off the Enemy in several Attacks till such time as they brought Bombs and Field-pieces to play upon it and then aâ—ter some further resistance capitulated That she and her Servants should continue in the House without molestation but that the Garrison should march out to Eisnegarny with their Arms and Baggage And now a further Eye being had upon Charlemont the General went to view it with a small Party and without any Opposition brought away 50 Horses that were feeding under the Carmom of the Garrison And for the better ordering the Army and that a more immediate Blessing might be upon it the General caused his Proclamation to be published forbidding Cursing Swearing and Prophaneness in Commanderâ— and Souldiers under pain of Displeasure and other Punishments This for a
Correspondence with him and engaged him by Letters of April 20th 25th and 12th of May to meet him at Vden in order to make their final Resolution That the Prisoner Leefdale and Chamlays agreed on the manner to perpetrate the Assassination viz. That when the King should pass along the Line or ride our to take a View of the Army or when the Army should decamp Dumont should lye in Ambush and when the King should come within 100 paces he should fire upon him and that Chamlays should be ready with 3000 Horse to bring him off This may be supposed to have encouraged him on but whether he had come off or not 't is ten to one whether the French Court had ever regarded so that they had got their wicked Ends which God forbid by sacrificing a desperate Villain But nearer to the purpose That Leefdale and the Prisoner left Paris the 17th of April last and soon arrived at Mons where they stayed for Chamlays but he failing they resolved to go to the place of the general Meeting but the Business having took air Grandval and Leefdale were made Prisoners at Eynhoven All the Matters maturely deliberated and considered the Court adjudged the Prisoner guilty of High Treason and sentenced him to be Drawn Hang'd and Quarter'd his Eâ—tate to be Confiscated and to bear the Cost and Charge of the Tryal which Sentence was pronounced in the Head Quarters of the Army by the Earl of Athlone President General Van Scravenmore Lieuâ— General Talmash and divers other great Officers After this he was on the 13th of August 1692. Executed according to Sentence in the Camp owning the Fact and desiring the Prayers of such Roman Catholicks as were present for his Souls Health appearing by dying very sensible of his Crime and expressing some Reluctancy for undertaking it In Prison he drew up two Petitions to the King wherein he declared That he Acted by Barbesieux and Chamlays Orders and being told the former would be sure to dissown what was said He Reply'd He had an Original under his hand which was lodged with a Friend who would deliver it to none but himself and in that it was plainly made out The Morning before the Execution he wrote to Madam Jure to go to the Arch Bishop of Rheims to get him prayed for and let him know it cost him his Life for obeying Barbesieux Orders The Malice of the French Court being thus happily defeated by a Miraculous Providence it will not be amiss to remark another signal Preservation of His Majesty's Royal Person and the Care Heaven has over it viz. On the 8th of September this year an Earthquake happened almost general throughout Europe giving a considerable shock in England This happening between two and three in the Afternoon His Majesty was then at Dinner in an old decayed House in Flanders which shaking with great Violence not a Tile fell from it till His Majesty at the Persuasion of his Nobles were retired from the danger and soon after concluding this years Campaign and giving necessary Orders for Winter Quarters he came by the way of Holland for England where he was received with great demonstrations of joy and found all things in a good settlement by the prudent care and management of his Royal Consort whom the City by the hands of Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council had humbly Addressed with Thanks for the Princely Regard she had to secure their Trade abroad and at home in ordering a Committee of Council to hear all Complaints and Grievances relating to Abuses in Trade and to redress them as far as in them lay The Parliament likewise thanked her for the prudent Management of Affairs The Winter passing over and the Parliament giving large Supplies towards the carrying on the War for the year 1693. His Majesty sent over his Orders and hastened to make an early Campaign going on the 30th of March for Gravesend where he embarqued and sailed for Holland and the Elector of Bavaria being by the King of Spain appointed Governour of Flanders during his Life he sent the Duke of Arco to Congratulate His Majesty's safe Arrival at the Hague and to open the Campaign with Action 80 French were taken Prisoners by 100 Newburghers to a Village called Maltern yet this did but lead on to greater Actions For the Vadois in the Valleys fell upon the French and killed a great Number of them taking many Prisoners of Note and a great Convoy going to Pignerol however the French getting their Forces together in the Palatinate ravaged and burnt divers places as Frankendale Spires and the Famous Town of Heydleburg hlowing up the Castle and demolishing the Fortifications ravaging the Country and plundering the Poor Inhabitants in all places where they came but the Governor of Heydelburg for cowardly surrendering it no sooner arrived in Prince Lewis of Badens Camp on the Rhine but he was put under an Arrest and the French finding the Spaniard strong in Flanders to prevent his sending any more Forces made a War in Catalonia where with much difficulty the Duke De Nouailles took Roses but in the mean while the Duke of Wirtemberg with a Considerable Detachment of Horse and Foot from the King's Army in Flanders forced the French Lines and marching without Opposition put the Country under Contribution raising a Million of Livers sacking divers small places and taking very much Booty Whilst these things happened at Land Fortune was something unfavourable to us at Sea for our Streights and Turkey Fâ—eet convoyed by Sir George Rook with about 20 Men of War Dutch and English near Lagos-Bay sell in with the French main Fleet but whilst some of the Men of War disputed it most of the Merchants creeping under the shoar got into divers harbours as Cadiz Alicant Lagos and some into the Tagus so though the Enâ—my's Design was fairly laid yet in the main miscarryed and our Men of War being of the lesser Rates finding they were unable to resist so great a Fleet made a safe Retreat and Returned into the Channel The Campaign in Flanders passing over in Bickering and Skirmishes taking some small Places and Booties on both sides a bloody Scene of War came on for the French commanded in chief by the Duke of Luxemberg being privately reinforced by suddainly draining their Garrisons and they having Notice That a good part of our Army was absent with the Duke of Wirtemberg framed a Design to Attaque the Confederate Camp near Landen and accordingly they prepared for a secret March all night on the _____ of _____ The King had by his Scoutâ— notice of their March with a Resolution to attack the Considerate Camp so that the Foot were ordered to their Arms and the Troopers to Mount in which Poâ—â—ure they remained all Night At break of day the Enemy appeared in two Lines upon the higher Grounds of St. Gratruden-Landen and an other Body advanced towards our Retrenchments on the side of Winden at Sun rise they
in me which I take very kindly and shall endeavour by all my Actions to confirm you in it I assure you That my own Ambition shall never be an Argument to incline me to ingage in a War that may expose the Nation either to Danger or Expence but in the present Case I look upon the War so much already declared in effect with France against England that it is not so much an Act of Choice as an inevitable Necessity in Our own defence I shall only tell you That as I have ventured my Life and all that is dear to me to rescue this Nation from what is suffered I am ready still to do the same in order to the preserving it from all its Enemies and as I do not doubt of such an Assistance from you as shall be sutable to your Advice to me to declare War against a powerful Enemy so you may rely upon me That no part of that which you shall give for the carrying it on with Success shall by Me be diverted to any other use And that the World might see the King was in earnest he put out a Declaration to encourage the French Protestants to transport themselves into England by which those large Territories must of necessity be weakened they making no inconsiderable number Also a Proclamation prohibiting the Importation of all sorts of Manufactures or Commodities whatsoever of the Growth Product or Manufacture of France which were as the Lightning forerunning the Thunder-bolt viz. Denunciation of War and His Majesty going to the Parliament House and seated in the Throne he gave his Royal Assent to an Act for raising Money by Poll and otherwise towards the reducing of Ireland and an Act for preventing Doubts and Questions concerning the Collecting the publick Revenue also a Private Act He likewise settled the Judges of the several Courts of Westminster c. the Chief Justice of Chester Attorney-General Solicitor-General c. During these happy Transactions in England things went with a high hand in Ireland on the Popish side though the Protestants few in number were not wanting to make all the Resistance they could whilst the more Timerous such as could get off left the Kingdom and the greatest parts of their Effects behind them though the Masters of Ships on pain of Death were commanded not to carry them off Monsieur d' Avaux and the French Generals bearing all the sway in the Army and Councils of the late King but a Squadron of the English crusing on the Coast pursued the French Fleet standing that way and followed them till they found they were got into Bantrey Bay on the Irish Coast being about 44 Sail whereupon the next Morning the Fight began we continued battering upon a Stretch till Five in the Afternoon when the French Admiral tacked from us and stood farther into the Bay In this Action Captain Aylmer of the Portland with a Lieutenant and 94 Seamen were killed and about 250 wounded and the Enemy according to Computation lost a far greater number About six days after this Sea Encounter their Majesties were pleased to denounce War against the French King the Declaration bearing Date the 7th of May declaring the Reasons Necessity and Justness of the War most of the Confederates now in Alliance having done the like before On the 11th of May his Majesty gave the Royal Assent to an Act for the better securing the Government by disarming Papists and reputed Papists with divers other Acts and a Proclamation was exhibited for amoving Papists and reputed Papists from the Cities of London and Westminster and ten miles distant except such as were qualified to stay by reason of their Places Stations or Vocations as specified by an Act Entituled An Act for amoving Papists c. The Commissioners from the Estates of Scotland being now arrived viz. The Earl of Argyle Sir James Montgomery and Sir John Dalrimple to offer the Crown of that Kingdom they waited upon their Majesties seated on the Throne under a Canopy of State in the Banquetting-house and first presented a Letter from the Estates to his Majesty then an Instrument of Government and Thirdly a Paper containing the Grievances which they desired might be redressed and then an Address to his Majesty for turning the meeting of the Estates into a Parliament all Signed by his Grace the Duke of Hamilton President of the Meeting and read to their Majesties upon which the King was pleased to return a favourable Answer After this the Coronation Oath was tendred the Earl of Argyle speaking the words and the King and Queen holding up their Right hands after the manner of taking Oaths in Scotland repeating them after him Their Majesties having Signed the Coronation Oath and the Commissioners and the Scotch Nobility present had the Honour to kiss their Hands About this time the Duke of Schomberg and the Earl of Devonshire were installed Knights Companions of the Noble Order of the Garter The Fleet that had engaged the French being put into Portsmouth his Majesty went thither being every where received with all the Demonstrations of Joy where he was pleased to dive on and declared his Royal Intention of conferring the Title of Earl of this Kingdom upon the Admiral and accordingly he was afterward created Earl of Torrington Baron of Torbay c. Captain Shovel and Captain Ashby were then Knighted and such as were engaged with the French had Ten Shillings a man bestowed on him as a Donative On the 24th of May his Majesty gave the Royal Assent to an Act for Exempting their Majesties Protestant Subjects dissenting from the Church of England from the Penalties of certain Laws c. The Estates of Scotland meeting on the fifth of June the Duke of Hamilton acquainted them That His Majesty had been pleased to send him a Commission to represent his Royal Person in the ensuing Parliament and that the had received Instruction from His Majesty to give His consent to an Act for the turning the Meeting of the Estates into a Parliament and then to Adjourn to the 17th all which was performed and exactly observed and the English Forces under the Command of Major-General Mackay and others being entered that Kingdom the D. of Gourdon who till this time had possession of the Castle finding no hopes of Relief surrendred it upon divers Articles to Sir John Lanier and so that important place that had for a long time been a Terrour to the City of Edinborugh as Commanding it with its Cannon was put into safe Hands the Duke casting himself wholly upon the King's Mercy without making any Article for himself although he took care to do it for others saying He had so much respect for all the Princes of King James the Sixth's Line as not to make Conditions with them for his own particular Interest so he rendred himself entirely to King William's Discretion and the Parliament meeting according to appointment passed an Act for Recognizing and Asserting Their Majesties Authority and
them on every side they were so much battered that hardly three were capable of making any defence which constrained them to make their way through the French Fleet and bear away to the Coast of England between Beversire and Ferly Admiral Frakle Jean Dick and Captain Northbey were slain the Vreislandt having lost her Masts and not being to be towed off by reason of the Calm was taken towards the end of the Fight and to come nearer Admiral Evertson declared That of all the Dutch Officers and Soldiers there was not one but did his Duty and had ours engaged with the like Bravery no doubt the French had gone home in a worse condition than the Spanish Armado did in 1588 but what is past cannot be recalled and so it remains what was imperfectly done with more Courage and Bravery The Dutch Ships were under Vice-Admiral Collenburgh  Guns 1. The Vtreicht 64 2. Alkâ—are 52 3. Thoâ—â—n Guns 60 4. West-Friesland 82 5. Princess 92 6. Castriâ—â—m 52 7. Agathâ— 50 Under Admiral Evertsen  Guns 8. The Stadtenland 52 9. Maeght Van Enchysen 72 10. Nort Hollands 44 11. Maega Van Dort 60 12. Hollandia 70 13. Velue 60 14. Province of Utreicht 50 15. De Mees 64 Under Vice-Admiral Vandar  Guns 16. The Vreislandt 68 17. Elswont 50 18. Rigersburge 74 19. Gekroondeberge 62 20. North Hollandt 72 21. Vere 60 22. Cortine 50 The States-General having received the News of his unhappy Mischance assembled without any Consternation and after some Debate gave express Orders for the building of Fourteen new Men of War and all hands were employed in that work that their Quota might be extraordinary as soon as the Seas would give leave to be in Action of this kind And to proceed farther in this Matter it is reported in a Letter that a person of Honour sent from England to the Lord Darsly that the Holland Squadron behaved themselves with so much Bravety that if the L. T. had fought in all probability we had won an absolute Victory Had our Fleet been as successfull as His Majesties Arms in Ireland no doubt even France had trembled and looked pale and even the hopes of those that wished well to our Enemies had sunk into Despair of having them fulfilled and soon dwindled into nothing and indeed this Miscarriage in a large manner bore up the Spirits of the Irish and Scotch in Rebellion to whom the advantage was magnified to the highest degree insomuch that it was credibly reported amongst them that the English Fleet was destroyed and a mighty Army of French landed and joyned with such as were in Arms for the late King's Cause and perhaps it was so agreed in secret Confederacies but it succeeded not the mighty Project being frustrated and blasted by the vigilancy of those in Power and the readiness and chearful undertaking of the Militia taking Arms in their respective Countries to oppose the Invading Enemy and keeping under such as were willing to give them any Assistance had their Attempt been more prosperous as no doubt some restless Spirits wished it might have been Whilst the French Fleet was on the Coast labouring to gain Intelligence by sending their Boats and other ways of the Power and Strength of the Kingdom one Godfrey Cross an Inn-keeper in Kent was seen to go aboard one of their Boats which conveyed him to the Fleet whereupon some that knew him resolved to watch his return and thereupon apprehending him upon search two dangerous or treasonable Letters were found in his possession so that being committed to Goal he was some time after tryed at the King's-Bench-Bar at Westminster and there upon a full hearing Convicted of High-Treason and pursuant to that Verdict Sentenced to be Drawn Hanged and Quartered which Sentance was accordingly executed on him near St. Thomas à Waterings between Southwark and Deptford in the Kentish Road. Whilst things happened in Ireland and on the Coast of England c. the Scotch in Rebellion promising themselves great Advantages as deceived by false Reports assembled to the number of Fifteen Hundred in the County of Murray Commanded in Chief by Collonel Buchan and Collonel Cannon sending word to the Villagers that if they would not come and join them they would burn and destroy their Houses and Goods of which Sir Thomas Levingston had no sooner notice but with a considerable Force he advanced towards them by speedy Marches and being near them marched all night so that discerning their Camp by their Fires and perceiving the Resolution of his Soldiers to engage he let them rest about half an hour to refresh themselves and then getting Intelligence of the Fords of a River that lay between him and them and within Musket-shot of the Enemy he found the lower one guarded by a strong Party but that about a Mile up the River left unguarded whereupon he took the latter and passed without Opposition making a false attack at the other with Two Hundred Firelocks to amuse the Guard the Project was so well man gâ—â—â—â—nd executed that our Horse and Dragoons were upon the Pell-mel before they perceived them so that a General Consternation happening they made but little resistance and then turning their Backs fled in all imaginable hurry and Confusion and being pursued by our Horse and Dragoons Four hundred of them were killed and the rest totally routed and dispersed and if a great Fog that then happened had not put an end to the pursuit they had been utterly destroyed their chief Commanders hardly escaping the Soldiers by this enriched themselves with a considerable Booty having got all the Enemies Bag and Baggage their Provision with a great quantity of Claret Meal c. and a Standard which was to have been set up for the late King James The Prisoners taken in this Action were many and divers of them of Note viz. Captain Allen Malclean Captain John Malclean Captain Lieutenant Cullo Lieutenant John Maclean Lieutenant Halliburton Lieutenant Midleton Lieutenant Shewell Lieutenant Christian Lieutenant Drummond Ensign Ray Ensign Dunbar Ensign Aucinaghton Captain Hutcheous Lieutenant Beard Captain James Buchan Captain Brown Lieutenant Searcher Lieutenant Brandy Lieutenant Aughmonty Ensign Rose some of these were taken in the Fight and Pursuit others in the Castle of Lethindy and were sent under a strong Guard to the Tollbooth and Canigate of Edenburgh This Defeat utterly broke the Measures they had taken and weakened the poor Remains of the Rebels these being not only the choicest but the greatest number they could draw into the Field being mostly Men of desperate Fortunes having nothing to lose and therefore contrary to what many of the Heads of their Clans had promised they took up Arms to get what they could by Plunder For to be plain the Highlands of Scotland are a sort of People that have rarely any Consideration of Honour Friendship Obedience or Government than what consists with their Profit and therefore in all Revolutions and Changes are ready to break out into
whereupon his Majesty sent to Summon the Commander 〈◊〉 to surrender and offered advantagious Conditions on that Consideration but he sent back word in a Letter to his Majesties Secretary because he would wave giving the King the Title of Majesty wherein he wrote that the Town was intrusted to his keeping by Persons whom he was obliged to obey and therefore that the P of Orange would have a very mean opinion of him if he should surrender before so much as a Gun was fired at him wherefore he was resolved to defend the place to the last Extremity whereby he hoped to gain his Highness's Esteem Upon this the Trenches were opened and the great Guns were impatiently expected at the Camp to batter the Walls but the Convoy that guarded them together with divers Waggons laden with Ammunition and Provision were surprized by a numerous Party under the Command of Collonel Sarsfield who killed several before they could put themselves into a posture of defence not sparing the Waggoners Wives and Children they brought in their Arms they likewise burnt some of the Waggons and Carriages of the Cannon nailing up some of the great Guns and broke others but the Allarm being taken by the English Forces lying there about the Chevalier Cunningham who Commanded the Iniskilling men having notice of it marched directly towards them with a considerable Party but the Enemy made a hasty retreat yet being pursued many of them were killed and a great Booty recovered about 20 of them being killed with a Major and a Captain and by a Party sent to aâ—tack Tyrconnel who lay hovering with his Forces about 7 miles from the City of Limerick he was obliged to march higher into the Country so that the 15th of August the King's Army encamping before Limerick laid hard Siege to the place having made themselves Masters of the Enemies Out Works and killed about 80 of their men yet for want of having Cannon some time was spent without making any considerable advances for the great Guns were to come from Waterford by Sea In the mean time the Besiegers made themselves Masters of a small Fort near Limerick called Clonmel the Garrison surrendring at Discretion and being all made Prisoners of War by which means they opened a Passage into a wide Campaign Country abounding with Forage which was the main thing they wanted By this time the great Guns being come up the Batteries were raised and all things made ready for making Breaches in the Walls on the 17th .... â—â—e Prince of Wirtemberg Lieutenant-General Major General Kirk and Petâ—au Sir Henry Bellasis Brigadiers with even Battalions entered the Trenches â—nd advanced 300 paces and took two Redoubts from the Enemy on the 18th â—hey were relieved by Lieutenant-General Douglas Lord Sidney and the Count â—f Nassau Major-Generals and Brigaâ—ier Stewart who approached another strong Redoubt of the Enemies On the 19th they were relieved by the Prince of Wirtemberg and others who continued to advance towards the said Redoubt and on the 20th Lieutenant Douglas c. being on the Gaurd the Sign was given by 8 Guns about two in the Afternoon forattacking the said Redoubt and our men detached for this Service being about 150 besides Officers immeately fell on with such extraordinary Vigour and Bravery that they entred the Fort and drove out the Enemy killing about 40 of them and a Deserter who made his escape told us that the Enemy lost about 300 men this day About half an hour after we had the Redoubt the Enemy made a great Sally with Horse and Foot but the next day we finished the Trenches so as to hindeâ— any more Sallies of that Nature and oâ— the 22d raised a great Battery against their high Towers and levelled them and in the Night-time threw several Bombs and Carcasses into the Town setting many Houses in a Flame which took up a considerable time to quench and on the 23d continued to throw Red-hot Balls and Bombs which did great Execution in Firing putting the Besieged into a mighty Consternation as being no where safe from the Force of these deadly Engines nor could they not extinguish the Fires in the space of Six hours On the 24th all our Battery were finished and 30 pieces of Cannon mounted on them and the Trenehes the next day advanced within 30 paces of the Ditch on the 26th the Shot widened the Breach that was made in the Wall they day before and beat down part of their Counter scarps and Palisadoes On the 27th the King ordered an Attack to be made on the Counterscarp which was begun about Three in the Afternoon a detached Party of Granadiers made the Onset and were seconded by other Detachments who with great Resolution gained they Counterscarp and a Fort the Enemy had under the Wall â—ut in the heat of Action instead of Lodging themselves as they were ordered seeing the Breach open they rashly attempted to enter the Town following the Run-away Irish that mounted the Breach so that the Besieged turning their Cannon on them with Cartridge-shot a great many of them were cut off and some blown up or hurt by a Mine sprung in the Ditch the Dispute lasted for the space of Three hours mostly against the Old French Soldiers and in it is supposed we had killed and wounded about 100 and of the Enemy though their Loss could not be known to us no doubt as many On the 28th at Night our Trenches were advanced about 20 Yards and we had enlarged the Breaches and every one was in Expectation of a general Assault but the Rains falling so excessively and the Rivers beginning to over-flow the Garrison being withal extremely strong this Siege proved not so Successfull as was expected for his Majesty to spare his men and avoid the many Ill conveniences he foresaw by reason of the Advancement of the Season thought fit on the 30th to send away the Cannon and heavy Baggage and the next day the Army decamped and marched off in good Order towards Clonmel from whence a strong Party was detached towards Cork and Kingsale And indeed there appeared on all hands a very great Reason for the raising this Siege for by reason of the Water his Majesties Forces could not attack it on all sides so that the Besieged were not constrained to divide their Forces and the Walls were of such an extraordinary Thickness and Hardness that the Cannon made the Breaches with much Difficulty and moreover Tyrconnel had taken Care before the coming of our Army to lay the Country as much Waste as he could for several miles round so that onâ— men were constrained to go a great way for Forage and Provision and the continual Rains and bad Weather that happened about that time had so moistened the Ground that the Camp was all in a Quagmire up to the Ancles anâ— to the Knees in some places a great deâ— of Water was in the Trenches anâ— the River Shannon began to swell anâ— overflow which afterward quite filleâ—
entered the Harbour receiving some Shot from a Battery of eight Guns but having sent two or three Armed Boats on shore the Enemy were forced from their Guns and they being dismounted their Carriages were thrown into the Sea the following day about four in the Morning the greatest part of the Land-Forces were sent up to the Passage six Miles from Cork the rest marching in the Afternoon so that the 24th between 5 and 600 Seamen Gunners and Carpenters were Detached to be employed in mounting and placing the Cannon to batter the Town and then before day divers Boats with Armed Men were sent up to assist in attacking the place Stores and Provisions for their Subsistance arriving from Waterford and upon our encamping within a Mile of the Town the Enemy drew out but upon our Firing some small pieces of Cannon upon two Troops of their Dragoons they all retired and that Evening 1000 Men were detached with Orders to possess themselves of several Advantagious Posts within Musquet-shot of the Town upon which the Enemy set Fire to the Suburbs and thereupon the Earl of Marl borough with several Officers went to take a nearer view and found the Enemy had quitted a place called Catts-Fort of which an advanced Detachment immediately took Possession and then the Camp advanced within Musquet-shot on the South and the Danish Forces under the Command of the Prince of Wirtemberg did the like on the North so that on the 26th of September our Guards were advanced unto the Ruins of the Suburbs played upon the Old Fort from two Batteries and the next day made a Breach in the Wall from Two Batteries of 24 Pounders and Three 18 Pounders so that fearing our men would enter by Storm they beat a Parley in the Evening sending out an Officer to Capitulate and Hostages were exchanged but the Enemy not agreeing to the Terms proposed on the 8th in the Morning Four Regiments were appointed under the Command of Brigadier Churchill to pass to the Island lying near the Wall where the Breach was made which passing through the Water they performed with great Courage although at Low-tide it was up to the Armpits the Granadiers Commanded by the Lord Colchester having the Van marched forward exposed to all the Enemies Fire through the Island within 20 Yards of the Town-wall Among the Voluntiers who went on with the first Detachment were the Duke of Grafton who was dangerously wounded with a Shot of which soon after he died the Lord O Brian Collonel Granville Captain Cornwall Captain Leighton Captain Fairborne Captain Neville and several other Sea-Officers and immediately after this the Enemy beat a Second Parley but the Lord Marlborough would allow them no other Conditions than to be Prisoners of War and to that they agreeing the Capitulation was Signed And was to this Effect viz. That the Garrison should be received Prisoners of War that there should be no prejudice done to the Officers Soldiers or Inhabitants that the General would use his endeavour to obtain his Majesties Clemency towards them that they should deliver up the Old Fort within an hour and the Two Gates of the City the next day at 8 in the Morning that all the Protestant Prisoners should be immediately released that all the Arms of the Garrison and Inhabitants should be put into a secure place and that an exact Account should be given of the Magazines as well Provision as Ammunition and accordingly the same Night we put 200 men into the Old Fort and the next Morning took Possession of the Town the Garrison which consisted of between 4 and 5000 men being made Prisoners of War according to the Articles of Agreement among whom of Note were the Earls of Clancarty and Tyrone Collonel Maâ—gillicot who was Governour with several other Officers and in the taking this Important place on our part not above 50 men were killed Upon this great Success the Enemies flying Army retired farther and a Detachment of Horse and Dragoons were sent out of our Camp to Summon the Town and Forts of Kingsale a very advantagious Sea-Port and things being put in order here the Army soon followed for on the 1st of October the Earl of Marlborough marched out of Cork to Five-mile-Bridge and the next day came near the Town which was possessed by an advanced Detachment who prevented the Enemy from burning it in their retreat to the Forts and towards the Evening he encamped and took his Posts about the new Fort and Major General Tetteau was ordered with 800 men to attack the Old Fort in which the Deserters and others reported there were but 150 in order to which he passed the River in Boats he found there which prevented his going ten miles about and by break of day on the 3d. of October stormed the place making a shew of attacking it where it was weakest whilst in the mean time he a caused Detachment to make an Assault in another place where the Enemy least apprehended it and this succeeded so well that our Men all at once gained the Bastions at what time several Barrels of Powder took fire and blew up above 50 of the Enemy and many others were killed by our men the rest flying into an old Castle in the midst of the Fort for instead of 150 as had been reported there were about 450 men in the place of which about 220 were killed and blown up and the rest submitting were made Prisoners During this Consternation some endeavouring to escape to the New Fort by Water and the Tide being against them they were mostly killed in their Boats by our Shot from the Shoar as for the Governour of this Fort and several Officers they were found dead upon the Ramparts and our Soldiers got a great deal of Plunder This Fort being intirely won the Lord Marlborough sent to Summon the New Fort that yet held out to which the Governour sent word that it would be time enough to Talk of that a Month hence whereupon the heavy Cannon coming up two Attacks were ordered to be made by the English on the Right and the Danes on the Left and continued from the Batteries raised to play against the place with great fury Whilst these breathing Thunders were shaking our Enemies out of their strong Holds a thing very unusual in these parts a terrible Earthquake happened at Dublin and in divers parts of England giving at one and the same instant very terrible shocks On the 5th of October the Trenches were opened against the new Fort and on the 9th they had advanced them to the Counterscarp but the ill Weather hindered the coming up of our Cannon â—ill the 11th at what time part of it arrived and on the 12th in the Morning Six pieces were mounted at the Danes attack and two Mortars at the English which Fired all that day on the 13th Two 24 Pounders were placed on the same Battery and on the 14th the rest of the Cannon arrived three of which were placed
in the Reign of King James the First and for a Second Deliverance in his present Majesties Arrival to overthrow and put to the rout Popery and Arbitrary Power was likewise observed with extraordinary Solemnity and a general Rejoycing through England and his Majesty put forth his Proclamation for the apprehending divers notorious High-way-men who for many years had infested the Roads with Robberies and Outrages with a Reward of 10 l. upon which several of them have been taken and amongst others John Bennet alias Freeman commonly called the Golden Farmer who having received Sentance at the Old-Bailey for the Murther of one Taylor he was executed on a Gibbit at Salisbury-Court-end in Fleet-street where he shot Taylor in endeavouring to apprehend him And about this time a mighty Storm arose continuing for two days and nights the Wind mostly at South making a great havock and destruction at Sea and Land insomuch that about 20 Merchants Ships and others were accounted to be cast away upon our Coast and in the Habours and forcing some disabled French Ships into our Ports the Men rather chusing to be taken than swallowed in the Waves yet our Men of War rid it out very well and those that stood out to Sea recovered their Ports after the Storm was allayed And about the beginning of this Month one Mrs. Mary Wharton an Heiress being taken away from her Guardianess his Majesty was pleased to issue out the following Proclamation for apprehending the Persons mentioned therein viz. VVHereas We have received Information that James Campbel commonly called Captain Campbel Archibald Montgomery and Sir John Johnston together with divers other ill disposed Persons designing to Ravish and against her Will to marry Mary Wharton only Child of Philip Wharton Esquire being a Virgin of a great Estate and about the Age of Thirteen years for that purpose did Arm and Assemble themselves and having found opportunity on Friday the Fourteenth day of November in the Evening at Great Queen-street did in a forcible manner seize upon the said Mary Wharton and carry her away We have therefore thought fit upon the Advice of Our Privy-Council to issue this Our Royal Proclamation and We do hereby Command and Require all our Loving Subjects to discover take and apprehend the said James Campbel Archibald Montgomery and Sir John Johnston and all others their Confederates wherever they may be found and to carry them before the next Justice of Peace or Chief Magistrate whom we do hereby require to commit them to the next Goal And we do also hereby give notice to all Persons that shall be Aiding and Assisting in the concealing of the said James Campbel Archibald Montgomery or Sir John Johnston or any of their Confederates or furthering their or any of their Escape that they shall be proceeded against for such their Offence with the utmost rigour and severity according to Law In pursuance to this Proclamation Sir John Johnston was apprehended and upon his Tryal at the Old-Baily was Convicted and receiving Sentance of Death was accordingly executed at Tyburn the others named in the Proclamation were so prudent as to make their escapes and we do not hear any of them are as yet apprehended Parson Clewer Mrs. Collingwood and her Maid who were tryed with Sir John Johnston were acquitted as not being present at the first seizing the young Lady but collaterally concerned in this Affair However the Parliament then sitting at Westminster agreed to a Bill For disanulling and making void this Marriage and it passed into an Act by the Royal Assent to frustrate any claim of Marriage that is or shall hereafter be made by the aforementioned James Campbel to Mary Wharton her Estate appearing in Court upon the Tryal of Sir John Johnston to the value of 1500 l. per Annum and 1000 l. in Effects Dublin in the Kingdom of Ireland having as you have heard been reduced to His Majesties Obedience the restless Papists grudged the English the possession of so important a place rather as it appears not only wishing it were but contriving it might be reduced to Ashes as appeared by some Letters found by one Mr. Gambal who Commanded a scouting Party which through fear and hast had been dropped by those that carried them and amongst others one written by Mrs. Hoegan alias Ruth Coffee written to her Husband who is Collonel in the late King James's Army wherein she acquainted him that the English were secure and negligent in their Quarters by which means her Friends meaning the Rapparees had done considerable Service in most parts of the Kingdom under the Obedience of the English and more particularly in the County of Wicklow where they took some Horses and Kettle-Drums near Mullenger and that the French residing in Ireland were not unmindfull of their Cause and that Tyrconnel would soon visit them with considerable Forces from France and that the Soldiers in Dublin were few and poor and might be induced to do any thing for Bread so that if Sarsfield moved over the Shannon with any considerable Force not only the Army but the Militia would be drawn hence and then her Friends could easiy set Dublin on fire by proving Incendiaries in their own Houses and Lodgings and whilst the People were busie in saving what was valuable from the Flames they had Force enough to destroy them adds That that which hindred them in this resolution coming to a speedy Result was the Consideration the Records of the whole Kingdom would be burnt in that Conflagration that being the principal Seat of Judicature where they were kept but that upon more mature deliberation they had found out a way to solve that scruple and therefore were resolved upon the Undertaking The Woman who had writ this Letter being apprehended brought before the Lords Justices who had the Night before received His Majesties Letter to call a Privy Council they ordered Mr. Gambal to attend he upon their sitting produced the Party with the Letter and she upon Examination was so far from denying it that she declared she wrote it and thought none could blame her for doing what she had done whereupon she was secured and the Lords Justices to prevent the threatned Mischief put out a Proclamation in these Words Sidney Tho. Conningsby IT having been observed that divers Papists and others disaffected to the Government some of whom are lately come out of the Enemy's Quarters do daily resort unto this City of Dublin and into the Liberties of St. Sepulchers Thomas Court and Donore and do presume not only in the day but in the night time to meet in Numbers to the Intent as we have great reason to apprehend then to consult how to raise Disturbances to the prejudice of their Majesties Government and to continue the Rebellion of this Kingdom as also to destroy the City by Fire which some of them as we are credibly informed have threatned and designed to do for Remedy therefore of the Mischief that may happen upon
the Streights to favour the Duke D' Nouailes Warring in Catalonia the English Admiral joyned by divers Dutch Men of War followed and blocked Tourville up in Touloâ—n altogether disappointing him of his Design In the mean while the Lord Barky with a Squadron and some Land Forces on Board Commanded by Lieut. General Talmash made a Descent at Cameret Bay under the favour of 7 Men of War battering the Fort but the French being strongly entrenched with Horse and Foot they were constrained to Retreat the Lieut. General being wounded in the Thigh which gangreening he dyed of that Wound soon after at Plymouth yet our Canon ruined the Enemies Batteries and killed them a great many men But about the middle of July Diep a considerable Sea-Port in Normandy was bombed by the English and Dutch almost all consumed by Fire the great Magazine being blown up and some Ships in the Harbour were burnt On the 17th of July they came before Hacerdegrace an other eminent Sea-Port Town and found the Shoars strongly guarded and although the Enemy fired furiously from their Batteries the Bomb Boats stood in and burnt with their Bombs a great part and the rest had followed the same fate had not the Sea grown high by reason of a strong Wind. The next day the Lord Berkley sailed towards La Hogue alarming all the French-Coast Towns in his way and soon after he made an Attempt upon Dunkirk with a great Machine filled with Bombs and Carcasses which being fired rent and shattered their Out-works in a dreadful manner and afterward bombed Callis not any of the French Men of War daring to stir out of the Harbour Whilst things passed thus at Sea the King took Huy in Flanders and Prince Lewis of Balen Commanding the Imperial Army on the Rhine together with the Saxon Troops entered the French Countries forced their Army to a Retreat cutting off many in the Rear and brought away a great Booty having put the Country for many miles under Contribution and to strengthen the Alliance the Elector of Bavaria Marryed the King of Poland's Daughter After this happened many Skirmishes by Parties during the Campaign in which the Enemy for the most part were put to the worst â—nd many of the French deserted and came over with Horse and Arms declaring the great Scarcity that was in the French Camp The French this year set upon the Island of Jamaica but were beaten off again by the Inhabitants after they had surprisingly committed some Outrages hoping at this time for success upon the Account of the ill condition they supposed the Island to be in by the shocks of a violent Earthquake that had ruined Port-Royal and destroyed many People and the Vaudois in the Valley of Lucern and other places falling on the French that came to surprize them killed many and took more Prisoners The Turks and Tartars that came with a great Convoy to the Relief of CÃ menic were overthrown by the Poles losing 5000 Men and 5000 Wagons laden with Oyl Rice and other Provisions Our Fleet in the Streighâ—s pressed hard on the French blocking them up in their Harbours so that they could not get out to sail for Brest the great Ships were disarmed and the Seamen compelled to travel over Land leaving only a few to Man some Cruizers And thus as to Material Action this Summer ended and the King returning by way of Holland having received the Thanks of the States General returned for England and was met by the Queen with unexprerssible Joy But as all things on Earth are Transitory so this hâ—ppened But in the mean while the Parliament sitting the King told them among other things that a stop had been this Year put to the Torrent of the French proceedings which had altogether put them to a stand and was a happy Omen of Future Success and that nothing might be wanting on his part to oblige his loving Subjects an Act passed for the frequent meeting of Parliaments to the high satisfaction of the Kingdom But now a sad and Melancholy Cloud of Sorrow Over-spread the Nation for on the 22 of December the Queen was taken with a Vomiting and Pain in her Back and Head which soon after turned to the Small-Pox of the worst sort upon which she was Prayed for in the Churches and Chapples But the prevaling Disease to Rob three Nations of so Vertuous and Pious a Princess deriâ—ing Art she much lamented Died on the 28 of the same Month and was laid in State at White-Hall her Corps being brought thither from Kinsington and a considerable time after was with all Funeral Pomp conveyed to King Henry the Seventh's Chappel and Intrered among her Royal Ancestors a stately Mausoleum being raised for her Remembrance in the Abby of Westminster where it was observed that a Bird called a Robin-Red-Breast perched daily on it and at certain Hours Sung Melodiously to the Numerous Spectators and to shew their Affection to the Deceased Queen not only ours and most People of note in the Nation went into Mourning but all the Courts of the Confederates In the beginning of the Year 1695. the Parliament having given the King Liberal supplies greater Preparations than the last were made and the Confederates were in a considerable Posture so that the King early in the Spring went by the way of Holland to Flanders attended with divers Nobles and put the Army in such a Posture as not to fear the Attacks of the Enemy but rather to seek them and dare them to Battel Indeed the Duke of Luxenburg was dead however the French King Nominated the Duke de Villeroy in his stead as General of his Army in Flanders though wanting his Experience in Martial Affairs Therefore the French Court doubting the success of their Arms in the open Field underhand Treatchery at the beginning of the Campagne was used Dixmâ—yde and Demse was thereupon surrendered to them contrary to the Minds of his Garrison Officers and Soldiers in General for which Monsieur D' Ellenburg was afterward Beheaded and others concerned in so base an Action suffered disgrace However the French for a time retaind the Garrison Soldiers and compelled most of them to Enter into their Service against their minds This much dissatisfied the King of England and thereupon after many Skirmishes that happened between Parties he laid Seige to Namure a City that Commanded a large Province where the French had geathered great Riches and accordingly on the third of July it was Invested and the Siege carried on with all imaginable Vigor by the Duke of Bavaria and other Princes so that the City was taken but then the Marsschal de Boufflers who had thrown himself into it retired to the Castle on the other side the River upon Articles signed the fourth of August by the Elector of Bavaria and Count Guiscard Governour of the place a Second Siege in a manner was laid to the Castle being very strongly Fortified and in it a numerous Garison yet such was the Courage
A TRUE HISTORY Of ALL the Memorable Transactions That have happen'd in England Scotland Ireland Flanders c. Relating to State Affairs Sieges Battles Sea-Fights and other Naval Matters WITH A particular Relation of all the PLOTS and CONSPIRACIES against the Life of King William and his Government at Home and Abroad Also by what Means they were Discovered and Defeated by Signal Providences From his coming to the Crown to this present year 1696. Especially a large Account of the late Horrid Conspiracy to Assassine his Sacred Life and bring in a French Power LIKEWISE The Confessions and Executions of divers of the CONSPIRATORS and other things worthy of Note LONDON Printed for Henry Rhodes at the Star the Corner of Bride-Lane in Fleet-street 1696. Price bound one Shilling The Preface to the READER REader In this laboured Work you are Accomodated with all the Memorable Transactions that have happened in Courts Camps and on the Watery Element ever since the Establishment of the happiness of these Kingdoms in admitting an Illustrious Prince and Princess to the Throne Born for great Actions and particularly by prudent Councils Heroick Valour and Conduct to strike off the Chains of Opressed Europe viz. From the Coronation of King William and the late Queen being the Quintesential matter of large Volumes wherein at a small Expence both of Mony and Time you may look back upon the great Actions of mighty Princes and be Induced to Admire and Adore Almighty God for his wonderful Providences in preserving the Life of his Anointed from the Hands of violent Men and in so doing the Happiness and Tranquility of a numerous People whose safety and wellfare depend upon so Precious a Pledg of Heavens Love and Favour In this Book you may as in Map take an easy Prospect of the great Affairs that have been Transacted not only in his Majesties Dominions but in Neighbouring Nations and see Laurels Sprouting and geathered from Sea and Land the Malice of our Enemies defeated and not only their Arms foil'd and weakned but all their Plots Conspiracies and dark Councils discovered and turned back upon them to their Confusion more particularly the last Conspiracy and Intended Invasion that they had laid as they thought so sure as made them Confident of Enslaving our Religion Laws Liberties c. and that Heaven may so continue its Favours towards is us the Prayers of Your Frind to serve you J. S. ENGLAND's NEW REMEMBRANCER c. AFter the happy Coronation of Their Majesties King William and Queen Mary was on the 11th of April 1689. solemnized at Westminster with all the Magnificence Pomp and Splendor of a willing Nation spreading a general Joy through every Corner of the Land carrying a sound of Triumph even to the farthest Shoar divers great Officers and Ministers of State and others fitly qualified for the Interest of the Government made and intrusted and as a Loyal Gratitude and great Example to others on the 12th of April the Knights Citizens and Burgesses then Assembled in Parliament waited upon their Majesties to Congratulate their Coronation which was done by Henry Powle Esquire their Speaker and had the Honour to kiss their Majesties hands and on the 19th following both Houses Addressed his Majesty to render him Thanks for his Declaration and repeated Assurances that he will maintain the Church of England as by Law and that he would be pleased to Summon a Convocation of the Clergy of the Kingdom to consider more fully of the Matters in point of Religion which was accordingly done And the Kingdom of Scotland tho' incommoded with Insurrections in the Highlands not to be behind-hand in Loyalty to a Prince who had put his Life and all that was dear to him in the Ballance to rescue them from impendent Ruine having declared the King and Queen Soveraigns of that Kingdom put forth a Proclamation that none should presume to own or acknowledge the late King James the Seventh for their King obey accept or assist any Order or Commission that should be admitted by him or any way to correspond with him by writing c. and Commissioners were nominated to go for England to offer the Crown to their present Majesties and they took all convenient Care to raise Forces to quiet and suppress those that disturbed the publick Peace upon which the Viscount Dundee who headed a Party of the Rebels retired to the North with about 80 Horse but soon after his number increased as will appear in the Series of this History The Duke of Gourdon upon the first Account of the Revolution in England c. having seized the Castle of Edenbungh the strongest Hold in Scotland he was closely besieged and pressed so straitly that all Communication was cut off But the bleeding State of Ireland was to be considered where the late King was already Landed and as well a formidable Army as a confused Rabble of Papists with all the Outrages imaginable oppressed the Protestants by plundering and burning their Houses imprisoning their Persons and threatning a universal Massacre so that notwithstanding an Order of Imbargo in Scotland Ships were allowed to go over to fetch off those miserable People that fled the Persecution of their implacable Enemies and stood trembling on the Shoar in hopes of a seasonable opportunity to be transported The Parliament of England being highly sensible of the Danger Ireland was in there being a great many Forces and other Supplies Landed from France and many Towns not Tenable abandoned and swept away the Commons Addressed his Majesty in these Words WE your Majesties most Loyal and Dutiful Subjects the Commons in this present Parliament Assembled most humbly lay before Your Majesty our earnest Desires that Your Majesty would be pleased to take into Your most serious Consideration the Destructive Methods taken of late Years by the French King against the Trace Quiet and Interest of Your Kingdom and particularly the present Invasion of Your Kingdom of Ireland and supporting Your Majesties Rebellious Subjects there not doubting in the least but through Your Majesties Wisdom the Alliance already made with such as may be hereafter concluded on this occasion by Your Majesty may be effectual to reduce the French King to such a Condition that it may not be in his Power hereafter to violate the Peace of Christendom nor prejudice the Trade and Prosperity of this Your Majesties Kingdom To this end We most humbly beseech Your Majesty to rest assured upon this our hearty and solemn Promise and Engagement that when Your Majesty shall think fit to enter into a War against the French King We will give Your Majesty such Assistance in a Parliamentary way as may enable Your Majesty under the Protection and Blessing of God Almighty has ever afforded you to support and go through with the same To this Request and Resolution of the Commons very grateful to the Nation His Majesty was pleased to Answer viz. I Receive this Address as a Mark of the Confidence you have
18 wounded and farther to recompence it from a shot of one of the Bastions a Gunner of theirs was killed and one of their Guns broken whereupon they proceeded to draw a Trench cross Windmill-Hill from the Bog to the River raising another Battery but a Sally being made from Ferrey-Gate about four in the Morning one part of the Assailants beat the Enemies Dragoons from the Hedges and the other possessed themselves of the Trenches and possessed themselves of an advantageous Ground with considerable Booty killing in this Sally 200 of the Enemy and wounding 500 of which many dyed with the loss of 3 men and 20 wounded and so barbarous were the Enemy that having taken in these or other frequent Sallies Lieutenant Douglas and Captain Coningham after Quarter given basely put them to the Sword and for a farther Mark of their Treachery having allured Mr. Walker the Governour to a Treaty upon hanging out a white Flag they fired at him about a 100 shot even upon the Proposals of the Treaty but he saved himself by the shelter of an Adjacent house and they not finding their Attacks succeed they removed their main Body and pitched their Tents upon Belly Vgry-hill two miles from the Town yet kept it straitly besieged and possessing themselves of the Wells of Water much Blood was shed in Sallies to recover them On the 4th of June the Besieged made an Attack at a Windmill work with a Body of Horse and Foot the former being mostly composed of Gentlemen had bound themselves in an Oath to mount the Besiegers Line but although they came on in good Order with loud Huzzas they were beaten off and although the Foot had Faggots and after those failed them they took up dead Bodies to defend them against the Besieges and the Horse had mostly Armour yet 4000 of them were killed with the loss of about 6 on our side and Captain Butlers being taken Prisoner by too eagerly pressing after the Enemy and some few killed by their great Shot from the other side the Water but in the Night-time the Enemy played their Bombs of 273 pound weight which in their fall ploughed up the Streets and broke down several Houses and killed several sick People that were not capable of leaving their Houses and in the day-time their great Guns thunderâ— upon the Walls so that by this tiâ—â— through Sickness more than the Shot 〈◊〉 the Enemy the Garrison was reduceâ— to 6185 men and now there being 〈◊〉 multitude of useless People in the Towâ— Famine which no Walls can keep ouâ— began to stare them in the Face and many dyed through want yet there yeâ— remained hope for on the 15th of June they discovered a Fleet of 30 Sail in thâ— Lough and had notice it was the Fleeâ— sent from England under the Commanâ— of Major General Kirk with Men Provision and Ammunition for their reliefâ— but though some Ships attempted to comâ— up the River yet they were at that timâ— hindred by the Fire of the Enemy from the Shoar they having raised severaâ— Batteries as also by Bombs made oâ— Timber Chain and Cable laid a-crosâ— in the narrow passage and fastened from Shoar to Shoar where the Forts werâ— strongest and therefore for some time only Signs passed between the Town anâ— the Ships and no Communication cousâ— be had but by such as privately Swaâ— the River in the night-time or made other private Attempts for great Rewards in which some were intercepted and others lost and by this means Maâ—or General Kirk sent this Letter to Mr. Walker to incourage him in a stout â—esistance SIR I Have received yours by the way of Inch I writ to you a Sunday last that I â—ould endeavour all the ways imaginable for â—our Relief and I find it impossible by the River which made meâ—sond a Party to Inch â—â—hether I am going my self to try if I can â—â—at off their Camps or divert them so that â—â—ey shall not press you I have sent Officers Ammunition Arms Great Guns c. to â—niskilling who have 3000 Foot and 1500 Horse and a Regiment of Dragoons that â—as promised to come to their Relief and at the same time I will attack the Enemyby Inch. I expect 6000 men from England every Minute they having been shipt these â—8 days I have store of Victuals for you and â—m resolved to relieve you England and Scotland are in a good posture and all things very well settled be good Husbands of your Victuals and by God's help we shall overcome these barbarous People Let me hear from you as often as you can and the Mesâ—enger shall have what Reward he will I have several of the Enemy has desertedâ— me who all assure me they cannot stay loâ—â— I hear from Iniskilling the Duke of Beâ— wick is beaten I pray God it be true 〈◊〉 then nothing can hinder them from joyniâ— you or me In the mean time Famine raged exceedingly and though many Attempâ—â— were made to reach the Ships by thâ— River yet the Boats could not enduâ—â— the Fire of the Enemy and Major Bâ—ker falling ill Collonel Michelburn waâ— was chose as Assistant Governour tâ—â— Mr. Walker The Enemy seeing hoâ—â— little their Force prevailed Couzard 〈◊〉 Rosen the French Marshal General newlâ— arrived at their Camp swore by thâ— Belly of God he would demolish thâ— Town and bury the Besieged in thâ— Ruines with other the like Rhodomantaâ— does but neither these not his cunninâ— Insinuations availed and although thâ— Iron Bullets were spent the Besiegeâ—â— cast Balls of Brick over with Lead tâ— the like weight and indeed it was timeâ— for this French General began to stiâ— himself in running a Line placing morâ— Mortars and Culverines and making divers formal Approaches but by the vigilence of the Besieged they succeded not 〈◊〉 his purpose and in that Attempt a â—â—eat many men were lost and upon a â—esperate Sally the Lord Clancarty was â—eaten out of the Trenches with the loss 〈◊〉 an 100 of his best men and several â—â—fficers and Souldiers were wounded â—â—ho died of those Wounds though the â—rish bore themselves mightily upon this â—â—ord in consideration of a Superstitiâ—â—us Prophecy saying That a Clancarty â—â—ould knock at Derry Gate On the 30th of June Major Baker dyed much lamentâ—d of the whole Garrison and about â—â—e same time Lieutenant General Hamilton came to offer Conditions but was â—ejected with Reproach and Scorn as â—aving betrayed his trust in revolting to â—he Enemy Upon which General Rosne â—ent a Letter to this Effect That if the Besieged did not deliver the Town to him â—y six of the Clock in the Afternoon on â—he first day of July he would dispatch his Orders as far as Balishanny Charlemont â—elfast and the Barrony of Inishowen and â—lunder all protected as well as unprotected Protestants that were either related to the Besieged or their Faction and that they should be driven under the Walls of Derry where they should perish if not relieved by that Town
to work with and about a 11 in the Morning the Ground growing dry a great many distressed Protestanta came thither with their Cattle to hinder which a Party of the Enemiea Horse came to the opposite Shoar but as they attempted to pass the Strand they were beaten back and Lieutenant Collonel St. John's coming in with 200 fresh men they retired and 〈◊〉 men having fresh Assistance and Supplies fortified themselves in that Island raising a Battery of four small Pieces which kept the Enemies Horse at a distance they having posted 5 Troops of Dragoons as if they intended to make an Attack upon the Works before they could be brought to perfection and a Ketch was sent to Fern Lough to setch off 40 Irish Protestants who were retired into a small Island and Cattle taken from the Enemy sent to the Fleet in Lough Derry and on the 12th some of the Enemies Troops of Horse came upon the Strand and made a halt about half way drawing up likewise on the other side Three Troops of Horse and Dragoons but our men drawing up Tow Field-pices and Firing amongst them they divided and fell into a strange disorder and by this means they were beaten to the foot of the Hills so that more Forces coming Time was allowed to finish the Batteries and Redoubts joyning them by Lines of Communication and in a while Ten Companies were compleatly formed and the Duke of Berwick with 1500 Horse attempting a Party of our men at Ralfemullin they Barrocaded the Streets and so stoutly de fended themselves that he was beat off with the Loss of 240 men and on our fide Lieutenant Cuningham and an Ensign was wounded and now the Enemy having for several days past made motion of attacking our men were nevertheless kept in awe by our Guns and still our Works were vigorously carried on and Forces increased The French General Rosne upon his approach was wounded in the Leg and his Horse in the Body Stones were beaten up by a Cannon Bullet and Two Troopers near him killed and Parties daily sent out brought in so many Cattle that in that small Island they had no less than a 1000 Head and subsisted in spight of the many Attempts that were made upon them the miserable People flowing from all Parts for Succour and Refuge On the 13th of August the Duke of Schomberg Landed at Carickfergus with all the Forces under his Command and sent Two Regiments to Belfast and after a reasonable Refreshment of himself and his Army proceeded to settle the Affairs of that disordered Kingdom passing on by slow Marches after he had secured the Passes and caused the Enemy to retire before him so that the Country came in on all hands to bring Provisions for the Army and offer their Services amongst the Enemy so that a great many Gentry and others were Listed and Entertained Provision appearing to be very plentiful and the Town of Carrickfergus wherein the Irish had Garrison refusing to surrender Seven Regiments of Foot were commanded to invest it and the Cannon was brought before it the Ground broke c. which the Enemy seeing desired to come to a Parley but that granted and they requiring time to know the late King's Pleasure and have his Leave to surrender it broke off and the Cannon and Bombs played against the place battering the Lord Dungal's House where the Besieged had planted Two pieces of Cannon as likewise against the Half Moon and the Trenches were carried on with great Diligence very fierce Firings of great and small Shot being continued on both sides in which we lost a Captain and a Lieutenant with some few Soldiers and on the 22 of August 50 Ships came into the Lough having on Board four Regiments of Foot and one of Horse and the Siege being vigorously carried on the Besieged on the 23d desired another Parley agreeing to surrender it if they might march with part of their Baggage but no other Conditions than to be made Prisoners of War would be granted so that after a very great Havock made with the Cannon and Bomb which beat down and set several places on Fire they on the 27th hung out a White Flag and surrendred on the Condition to march on to the next Irish Garison and kell their marching out Sir Henry Ingol was Regiment was put into the Townly that the Army being augmented by mor Forces from England marched towards Belfast and on the Second of September were Two miles beyond Lisnegarny whilst the Enemy in their retreat set divers places on Fire which so incensed the General that he sent to let them know if they desisted not he would give them no Quarter which caused the saving Dundalk for the Enemy abandoned it without setting Fire to it on whose Plains our Army incamped expecting the heavy Cannon and other necessaries whilst the Enemy between 40 and 50000 strong fortified themselves with Trenches about Ardee Flying Parties being now abroad a Body of the Enemy about Conaught to the number of 5000 Horse and Foot intending to make themselves Masters of the Town of Sligo Collonel Lloyd drew up the Iniskilling-men and other Forces to the number of 1000 Horse Dragoons and Fooâ— and lining the Hedges of the Lane of Boyle with his Foot posted his Horse on a rising Ground Charged the â—â—emy so sudden and unexpectedly that 〈◊〉 a hot Dispute they were put o 〈◊〉 and the Collonel taking a Cirâ—â—â—erence with his Horse and Diagoons got unto Boyle Through which the Enemy needs must pass and Charged them in the Front whilst the Foot fell in their Rear so that after a Bloody and obstinate Fight about 700 were killed on the place and near half as many taken Prisoners amongst which O Kelly who commanded them and 40 other Officers and the Plunder was very great for besides Arms and Ammunition 8000 Head of Cattle were taken from them which they had taken from the poor Country People This Victory created such Joy in the Camp that the Guns by Order of the General were Fired round During this Success in Ireland the Affairs in England and Scotland were carried on very prosperously several very Loyal Addresses were presented to their Majesties the People every where chearfully expressing their Resolutions to oppose the Enemy with their Lives and Fortunes And as our Arms were Successful against the Rebels in Ireland so were they in Scotland for on the 22d of August a Party of the Rebels assisted by the Athlone-men came towards Dunkell where the Lord Angus's Regiment was posted who received them so warmly that they were driven back to the Hills with the Loss of 115 killed and several taken Prisoners on our side Lieutenaâ—â— Collonel Cleeland was killed with 7 meâ—â— and Major Henderson with about 14 moâ—â— wounded upon which Major-Generaâ— Mackay resolved to march into Athoâ—â— This smart Encounter put such aâ— effectual stop to the Incursions of thâ— High-landers that many of them oâ—â— of Love with their Trades dispersed anâ—
time put a stop to that so unnecessary and unprofitable Wickedness too much reigning amongst Officers and Souldiers and the Army was supplyed with Provisions and Stores from England bearing the Ill conveniencies of the Weather which were great without the least Regret though several died of the Distempers of the Country Wherefore to keep them in Action the better to prevent it about the middle of February upon Advice the Enemy was in motion near Dundalk he drew out a strong Party and marched to Dramore whilst Collonel la Melionere and Sir John Lanier who advanced as far as Carlingford returned with an Account that only three Regiments of the Enemy were at Dundalk that Garrison as likewise Drogheda containing their former Garrisons without any Reinforcement upon which most of our Troops were commanded back only a flying Party of 500 Horse and Dragoons with a like number of Foot were sent abroad to observe the Motions of the Enemy and keep them from plundering the Country between whom and the Out-Parties some Skirmishing happened The General being returned to his head Quarters at Lisburn received an Account from Collonel Woosly of a great defeat he had given the Enemy at the Town of Cavan the Particulars were That Marching from Belturbat with a Detachment of 300 Horse and 700 Foot he passed the River at Night two Miles beyond Calyhay's but it was not done so secretly but the Enemies Scouts discovered it and gave the Alarm by firing their Muskets and making a great fire upon the Hill However notwithstanding the badness of the Ways he got to the. Town about half an hour after day-break when contrary to expectation he found the Duke of Berwick arrived that Night with 2500 men making with the Garrison about 4000 drawn up in good order near the Fort but the Collonel disposing of his men as the Ground would give a Conveniency he charged the enemy and after an hours hot dispute beat them out of the Field in which Action the Duke of Berwick had his Horse shot under him and Collonel O Rely Governour of Cavan was killed on the spot with two Lieutenant-Collonels and divers others of Note Whereupon our men entered the Town and fell to plundering which the Enemy perceiving made a strong Sally from the Fort and had cut off a great many of them in that Disorder had not the Collonel came opportunely in with a fresh Reserve of about 250 Foot and 80 Horse and to get his Souldiers out of the Town he found himself constrained to set it on Fire and having quitted it and joyned those that were fighting the Enemy about 150 strong were beaten into the Fort with considerable loss but the Army being tired out in the Action it was not thought convenient to attack it at that time and this firing the Town proved very disadvantageous considering the Plunder that might have been had for all the Houses were full of Bread Meal Oats Beans and the like Stores to suffice the Garrison for six Months And here it was reported by the Prisoners that the Duke of Berwick was to command a Body of 10000 men to be detached out of all the Regiments and so to make Incursions as he saw Opportunity but by this defeat the design was frustrated for all the Ammunition that was in the Town was blown up In this Action we lost about twenty men and amongst them Major Trahern Captain Armstrong and Captain Mayo with one Captain La Maugere a French reformed Officer and Captain Blood an Engenier were wounded though the loss of the Enemy is computed at no less than 300 and amongst the others four Captains five Lieutenants two Ensigns one Quartermaster and about 200 taken Prisoners and those that fled the Field were many of them desperately wounded and scattered all the way with the Arms they threw down for the greater speed and pushing on this Success Many other Places of Note were gained and good Booties of Cattle daily brought in by the flying Parties though the Season proved somewhat sharp and intemperate About this time the Queen of Spain being on Board under a Convoy of a Squadron of English-men of War and being upon our Coast the Duke of Norfolk was sent to Complement her Majesty in the Name of Their Majesties of England and it was performed with much Ceremony and Grandeur and the Wind soon after coming about fair she arrived safe in the Groin and so passed to Madrid and the English Ships after having this Honour were dismissed with liberal Gratitude to the Commanders And now Elections for Members of Parliament went on apace every one contending to chuse Loyal and worthy Gentlemen to undertake a Trust on which the welfare and safety of the Nation depends and the King put out a Proclamation for a General Fast to implore the Protection of Almighty God in the Preservation of his Majesties Sacred person and Prosperity of his Arms in Ireland and the Naval Forces to begin the 12th day of March and be Religiously observed every Third Wednesday in the Month and accordingly it was observed till his Majesty returned from Ireland Crowned with Victory and Success and then it was turned into a Day of Thanksgiving On the 20th of March the Parliament Pursuant to his Majesty's Writs of Summons met at Westminster and his Majesty being in his Royal Robes seated on the Throne in the House of Peers attended with the usual Solemnity the Commons were sent for by the Black-Rod who attended at the Bar of the Lords Sir Robert Atkins Knight of the Bath Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer by his Majesties Command signified to them That they should forthwith proceed to the Choice of a Speaker and present him to his Majesty the next Morning after which they returned to their House and made Choice of Sir John Trevor Knight and the next Morning he was approved by his Majesty and his Majesty proceeded to make a very Gracious Speech telling them amongst other things his Resolution was to go foâ— Ireland his Presence being necessarily required for the Reducing that Kingdomâ— further signifying his Presence to leave the Government in the Queens handâ—â— during his absence and accordingly before his Departure an Act passed to that end and the Right Honourable Sir John Lowther of Lowther-House Baron Vice-Chamberlain to his Majesty's Household Richard Hambden Esquire Chancellor and Under Treasurer of the Exchequer Sir Stephen Fox Knight and Thomas Pellam Esquire were appointed Lords Commissioners of the Treasury And now the rest of the Danish Forceâ— Landing in Ireland our Army grew very formidable so that the Garrison of Charlemont being Blocked up Collonel Cullimotte possessed himself of a small Village within a mile of it upon notice of which the Enemy came out with about 300 men yet were repulsed with considerable Loss and the next day our men cast up Works to stop the Sallies the Enemy was obliged to abandon their Out-Works and Collonel Cullimotte marched with a party of his Regiment and
Rebels and getting Intelligence of their number and how they lay encamped he came about the middle of the Night to Ballagh Castle and having notice there were Two Fords one near the Enemies Camp where they had posted a strong Par y in a Church another further up the River which was not Guarded so that slighting the former he passed the latter with the greatest part of Troops and ordered the rest to attack the Enemy in the Church who upon the first Firing fled to their Camp which our Horse and Dragoons entered about the same time and put those they found there into so great a Consternation and Confusion that they immediately betook them to flight but e'er they could recover the Hills many were slain in the pursuit the Computation being no less that 400 and 100 taken Prisoners most of them Gentlemen and Officers Collonel Cannon and Collonel Buchan escaping very narrowly not having had time to put on their Cloaths After this Sir Thomas Levingston sent a Party to attack the Castle of Lethindy in which the Enemy had a Garrison under the Command of Collonel Buchan's Nephew who surrendered at Discretion and our Men besides Arms Ammunition and 400 Bowls of Meal took the Standard designed to be set up for the late King James and in this extraordinary Action it is not known that one Man was killed on our side nor above four or five wounded On the 13th of May Don Pedro de Ronquillo Ambassador Extraordinary from the King of Spain had a publick Audience of his Majesty to notifie thâ— Marriage of the King his Master from whom as also from the Queen Mother of Spain he delivered Letters to his Majesty wherein they thanked his Majesty for sending a Squadron of his Ships with the Queen and expressed the great Esteem they had for his Majesty's Royal Person and Friendship And now after a long Blockade and the Reducement of the Stores of Charlemont in Ireland that Garrison being pressed by our Troops found it self necessitated to capitulate though it was strongly situated and on the 11th of May the Governour demanded a Parley which was allowed with leave to send to the Lieutenant General the next day the Lieutenant a Governour and a Collonel came from thence and the same day the Articles were agreed on for the Surrender of the Place very Advantagious and Honourable to his Majesty and in pursuance of the Capitulation the Governour Tege O Regan and the Garrison who had in a manner consumed all their Provisions marched out 800 strong leaving in the Place a good quantity os Ammunition 17 pieces of Brass Cannon and two Mortars And the Duke of Schomberg upon this Surrender went to Legacory to see the Garrison as they marched away and afterward visited the Place which is very strong and considerable by its Situation being one of the strongest Places the Rebels held in these Parts so that it gave a Prospect to the future Success of intirely subduing the Kingdom Whilst these Affairs went forward in Ireland the Parliament was active in England and great Preparations were made for his Majesty's passing over to facilitate the Irish War in order to which on the 20th of May his Majesty gave the Royal Assent to an Act For the Exercise of the Government by her Majesty during his Majesty's Absence An Act For Reversing the Judgment in Quo Warranto against the City of London and for Restoring the City of London to its Antient Rights and Priviledges An Act To declare the Right and Freedom of Election of Members to serve in Parliament for the Cinque Ports and several private Acts. And now the Season advancing for Action the Forces moved apace towards High-Lake and other advantagious Ports in order to their Embarking for Ireland nor did the King delay this great and glorious Undertaking which proved Successfull to the three Kingdoms as in the Sequel will appear for all things being in a readiness he left White-hall on the fourth of June with a very splendid Equipage and the next day arrived at Litchfield where he was received as in all other Places through which he passed with a great Concourse of the Gentry and all possible Demonstrations of Duty and Affection from all sorts of People and having stayed some time at Chester and about the Coast he Embarked on the Fleet attending him and stood over for the Coast of Ireland arriving on the 14th at Carrickfergus and from thence by Land he went to Belfast the Duke of Schomberg and divers great Officers waiting on him his Reception being with General Joy and the Loud Acclamations of the People His Majesty at his Arrival found his Forces in a very good Condition Provisions plentiful and the Ground full of Corn and Grass well grown with all things to his Satisfaction And on the 19th his Majesty went from Belfast to Hilsburg and from thence to Loubricklin and the Newry the Forces marching in two Bodies And soon after they Encamped on the Plains of Dundalk In the mean while a considerable Body of the Enemy lay about Ardee there Intrenching themselves as if they were bent upon a desperate Opposition Since we have made this Progress in Affairs it may not be amiss to look a little back and consider what happened in relating to Dublin the Metropolis of Ireland upon King William's Arriving in that Kingdom The Camp before his Landing had been laid out about Atherdee and the late King had disposed his Army to Randesvouz there from divers parts of the Kingdom and oâ— the 16th of July he marched out oâ— Dublin to joyn them with about 6000 French Foot most old Soldiers well Armed and Clad One Regiment of these were Dutch Protestants who were narrowly observed for fear oâ— deserting The whole Irish Army was composed of about 36000 men besides 15000 which remained in Garrisons â— and the same day the Late King left the Town there marched in 6000 of the Country Militia and the Collonels Luttrel and Mac Gillicuddy as his Assistants were left Governours It was expected the Irish would have been disheartned upon the News of King William's Landing and the late Kings leaving the Town but on the contrary boy'd up with vain hope they rejoyced as if they had got the King of England in their Possession and the day their own being too fondly assured the French Fleet would cut off his return or that an Insurrection would be made in England as being told that 100000 men were ready to rise under the Notion of declaring for a Common-wealths so that the Protestants knew not what to think being mostly Imprisoned or under Restraint and the Irish Papists were so assured of Success that some of them told their Protestant Friends they would be glad to go to Mass within a Twelve-month and this hope afterward appeared to be grounded on the little Intelligence the English had of the strength of the Irish Army as was manifested by the Letters of Tyrconnel to the late Queen
in France surprised at Dundalk yet this gave the Protestants an apprehension of their Houses being burnt and plundered in case the Irish Army was worsted of whose Success they had not the least thought as knowing their Cowardice where they came upon equal terms for they had neglected at all times to fortifie the place and on the 19th when the late King was gone to encamp the Governour ordered all People walking the Streets without Bayonets or Swords to be taken up for the Papists had a secret notice not to go without them so that this fell upon the Protestants only and accordingly many were secured out of which they culled those they suspected and sent them to divers Prisons and then they put out a Proclamation That not above Five Protestants should meet in any place above the Family upon pain of Death and thereupon the Churches were shut up which by an extraordinary Providence had been kept open except Christ-Church and frequently twice every day at Prayers for although the Protestant Clergy that remained there had lost their Subsistance by an Act of the Irish Parliament yet the People voluntarily contributed with great Zeal and Diligence so that they acquitted themselves bravely being particularly influenced by the Bishop of Meath and Dr. King Dean of St. Patricks but the latter was on the 24th of June made Prisoner in the Castle and many other Protestants of note in the College now made a Garrison and other publick places The Galloway Protestants being about 200. having been those of Sir Tho. Southwell's Party brought up in order to be exchanged were removed from White Fryars to the Round Church and all the Newgate Prisoners were put to them where they were almost stifled as for those that had been made Prisoners of War they were brought from Kilmainham to St. John's Church insomuch that the liberal Contributions raised every Sabbath-day for their relief was intercepted and they reduced to great Extremity few Protestants daring to walk the Streets This was the Case of the Citizens of Dublin before the Battel of the Boyne and it was given out That the late King resolved as much as in him lay to avoid Fighting designing to weary out the English by walking them along the River supposing it was impossible for them to pass it seeing his Forces as he thought were sufficiently strong to defend the Banks at such a disadvantage and after he had done that to cross the Country to Limerick However as it appeared he distrusted the Issue for to provide against the worst he sent to Sir Patrick Trant first Commissioner of the Revenue and another Gentleman for Waterford there to prepare Ships for carrying him off if the Army was defeated as apprehending by reason of the violent pushing on of the English towards Dublin he could not prevent coming to a Battel within Ten days unless he abandoned the defence of that City which he then seemed resolute to defend yet soon after advancing further and changing his Measures divers Councils were held to various purposes Some light Skirmishes happened in divers parts of the Kingdom and our Party abroad brought in considerable Booties the main Body of the Army still watching the motion of the Enemy so that they had little rest and every day grew nearer to a Battel so that nothing was wanting to draw it on but the Enemies standing a Field which was wished by our Soldiers full of Courage and Vigour bearing the fatigue of much Duty and frequent Marches promising in their Looks and Behaviour a prosperous Event Now the Enemy being encamped at Dundalk and having secured it as likewise the Bridge called Four-mile-Bridge which made it difficult for our Army to force the passage it was resolved the Forces should March to Market-Hill and from thence to fall into the great Road that leads from Armagh to Dundalk whereupon his Majesty ordered Major Scravemore with a Detachment of 300 Horse and 200 Dragoons to observe the Road and visit the Passes also to find out a convenient place to Encamp in approach as near as possible to Dundalk to discover the posture of the Enemy which succeeded so well that a small Party of the Enemy seeing this Detachment marching early towards Market-Hill supposed it had been the Vanguard of our Army and gave that Account whereupon the Enemy immediately decamped and marched off their whole Army and a Party of 25 Dragoons and 50 Troopers went so near as to discover all their Motions and see them set fire to their Camp and returned with that News which was so surprizing that it not easily gained Credit however it being confirmed His Majesty thought fit to change the March and Orders were sent immediately to the Forces at Armagh and Tenargee to begin their March by the great Road towards Dundalk and a Detachment of 50 Dragoons and 200 Foot going from the Newry towards Dundalk were drawn into an Ambush of 500 Horse which the Enemy had laid for them between whom a sharp Encounter happened and in it we had 20 of our Men killed or wounded and the Enemy lost as many with the Officer that Commanded their Party whose Horse our Men brought back with them And now the King resolving to push oâ— and oblige the Enemy to fight or retreaâ— marched on the 13th of June by breaâ— of day from his Camp at Ardee towards Drogheda where he found thâ— late King's Army encamped along thâ— River Boyne above the Town but it being late before the Foot and Artillerâ— arrived his Majesty could do no moâ—â— that day than visit the posture of the Enemy and the Fords thereabouts which he found to be very difficult to pass whereupon he encamped his Army with in reach of their Cannon which had almost given us the must fatal blow iâ— the World his Majesty receiving a Shâ—â— on his right Shoulder with a Six Pounder the Wound was large but not deepâ— rasing only the Skin and as soon as 〈◊〉 was Dressed he took Horse and continued on Horse-back four hours and iâ— the Evening Commanded Count Schomberg with the Right Wing of Horse and two Regiments of Dragoons of the Left Wing Trelawney's Brigade of Foot and 5 small Field-pieces to go early in the Morning to Two or three Fords about Three miles beyond the Camp and there endeavour to find a passage and either attack the Enemy in the Flank or oblige them to decamp The Count upon his arrival found 8 Squadrons ready â—o receive him but in a little time without much resistance he be at them off passed the Ford driving them before him and drew up his men on the other side ready to march towards the Enemy so soon as he should receive the King's Orders to whom he had sent the News of the advantage he had gained Upon this the Enemy detached a great number of their Troops who put themselves in order as if they would give Battle which his Majesty perceiving and that the Right Wing had passed
the Ford and were posted over against the Enemy commanded three Attacks to be made the First at a good Ford before a small Village which was advantagiously possessed by the Enemy at the Second the Foot waded to the Armpits and at the Third the Horse was forced to Swim The Dutch Regiment of Foot-Guards passed over first wading to the middle sustaining all the Enemies Fire and not returning it till they came up close whereupon all that were in the Village and behind the Ditches gave back but before the Third Battalion of that Regiment had passed the Ford five of the Enemy's came up at the dâ—â—stance of a Pikes length to beat 〈◊〉 back but our men Fired so thick upoâ— them that they were forced to retreaâ— in disorder with the loss of many meâ— and one of their Colours but our meâ— advancing beyond the Village weâ—â— twice vigorously attacked by the Enemies Horse but to no purpose 〈◊〉 the mean time the Danes came up tâ— the Left as also the Brigades of Haâ—more and Melionere on the Right thâ— first was attacked only by the Dragoons and the other by the Horse but neither of them could do much by reason they had no Pikes In the mean time 30 of the Officers anâ— others of the Enemies Life-Guard comâ—ing fiercely up were all killed but 〈◊〉 who endeavouring to escape through the Village unluckily met with thâ— Duke of Schomberg who was there killed with a Pistol-shot in the Neck anâ— divers Cuts over the Neck with Swordâ— falling form his Horse without speaking a word and a French Captain who alighted to relieve him waâ— Shot in his Arm he had not above 300â— behind him when the Enemies Horse made a desperate Charge in which he received two Cuts in the Forehead but not very considerable the French beâ—ind him Firing very furiously it is thought he received from one of them the Wound of which he died and yet more to allay the Glory and Joy of Victory so near at hand Doctor Walker who behaved himself so gallantly in defence of London-Derry having passed the Ford received a Shot in the Belly of which he died Upon this the King marched with the few Horse he had about him and 17 Battalions of Foot to the Assistance of those Troops that were engaged with the Enemy who in the mean time had not advanced much towards the Right Wing whom his Majesty re-inforced with 12 Battalions of Foot and 9 Squadrons of Horse and with them marched against the Enemy who without staying his Approach retired before him in much Confusion and our Horse pressed on to overtake them in such haste that they left the Foot behind them taking only 5 Field-pieces which did some Execution after which our Dragoons backed by the Horse attacked their Rear-Guard at which time the King appearing with his Troops upon the Mountains they all fled and the Country being full of Bogs and narrow Passes they the more easily escaped our Foâ—â— pursued them but to Duleek four Milâ— from the place of Battel where thâ— King stayed but the Horse followed thâ— Chace four Miles further till Nighâ— came on and parted them and theâ— the King sent to Command them to return to the place where the Foot remained and sent to the Camp at Drogheda for Tents and Baggage intending tâ— encamp there and rest his Troops for a day most of the Enemies Baggage feâ— into the hands of our Men as Chariots Tents Cannon Ammunition Arms and the Arms of one whole Regiment was found Regimentally laid the Owners being run from them without striking a stroke the number of the Slain was very considerable not being accounted less than three or four thousand and amongst them many of Note Lieutenant General Hamilton was taken Prisoner Upon this great Defeat of the Enemy the King sent Collonel De Melionere to summon Drogheda and let them know that if they forced him to bring his Cannon they must expect no Quarter which so terrified the Governour that he renâ—â—ed up the place The late King retreating with part of â—â—is broken Army staid not till he reached Dublin where sending for the Maâ—istrates and calling a Council he told â—â—em that he had a very good Army in England which had deserted him when â—â—e expected most from it altho' they â—â—ad not quite deserted him yet their not â—â—anding for the greater part of them a â—ingle Charge but cowardly flying had â—urned it much to the same effect as to â—is Interest saying amongst other Expressions He would never trust himself â—t the Head of an Irish Army again and that now he must shift so must they but Commanded them not to fire the Town â—s had been before deliberated in Council in case things came to extremity and having staid there one Night filling the place with Fear and Confusion he went away the next Morning with the Duke of Berwick the Earl of Tyrconnel and the Marquess of Powis The Count de Lauzun who Commanded the French Horse had not left with him above 3500 the rest being killed and wounded As soon as the late King had quitteâ— Dublin the Protestants were releaseâ— who possessing themselves of the Militâ— Arms which were easily yielded to them and with the assistance of the Bishops oâ— Meath and Limerick formed a Committee to take care of things senâ— Letters to the King to give him an Account of what had passed and humbly to pray his Majesty to Honour the City with his Presence for most of the considerable Papists upon News of the Defeat and the hasty departure of the late King fled from Dublin and we afterwards had an Account that the late King having discharged a great part of his menial Servants went to Bray and so along by the Sea to Waterford where he took shipping for France and got out to Sea but was driven in again yet continued restless till he got clear off so that the Terrour of Popish Cruelty which they had a long time apprehended vanished from the Protestants yet some disorders happened by the Rabble's getting together and had perhaps ended in the plundring and pulling down the Papists Houses and outraging their Persons had not Captain Fitz-Gerald and others stayed their Fury by Threats and Entreaties getting together some well affected persons to secure the Castle and guard the Stores for the King's use and kept things in good order till a Troop of Dragoons entered who were received with unspeakable Joy by the Protestants and on the 4th of July the Duke of Ormond and Monsieur Overkirk where sent by the King with Nine Troops of Horse and his Majesty following after and encamping near Finglas came to St. Patrick's Church the Sunday following and heard a Sermon Preached by Dr. King the Substance being about the Power and Providence of of God in protecting his People and defeating their Enemies Sermon ended His Majesty went back to his Camp to Dinner suffering only his Guards and some prime Commanders to enter
them up and drowned the Fields round about so that at least the Communication of Quarters would have been hindred if not many men destroyed by the Innundation as has often happened by the overflowing of that great River All these pregnant Reasons obliged his Majesty to abandon the Siege and refer the reducing Limerick to a more favourable Season and Opportunity so that after he had raised the Siege and found that the Season would not permit him the undertaking of any Consideration meriting his Presence he resolved to return for England constituting the Lord Viscount Sidney and Sir Thomas Conningsby Governours of Ireland and having as well as could be expected settled the other Offices and Trusts in confiding hands and giving all necessary Orders his Majesty embarked Accompanied by the Prince of Denmark and attended by his men at Duncannon and arrived safe at Kingsroad near Bristol and so having Dined at a Farmer's-house by the way to put off the many Invitations of the Nobility that time would have delayed he came to Windsor to the extraordinary Joy and Rejoycing of the whole Kingdom for his safe Return and Success in Ireland and now having been so long detained in Ireland let us look a little back into the Affairs of England The Queen in whom the Regency was placed during the King's absence managed the weighty Affairs of Government with extraordinary Prudence and Conduct as appeared in the raising the Militia and keeping a strict Eye over such dissaffected Persons as perhaps wanted but an opportunity to rise in Arms had they found the French forward to Land but her Majesties Care and the good Order she took for every thing broke all their Measures and prevented the mischiefs that threatned the Kingdom so that the French Fleet as strong and numerous as they were durst attempt nothing considerable on the Coast the Militia of London shewed their willing and chearful Resolution to oppose the Attempts of the Enemy in a gallant appearance in Hide-Park before her Majesty to her great Satisfaction being between 9 and 10000 effectual men well Armed and appointed and the whole Militia of England up in Arms in their respective Counties were computed to be about 150000 Horse and Foot Upon Complaints against the Earl of Torrington for the Miscarriage in the Fleet he was sent for in Custody of Messengers and appeared before the Council at White Hall by whom in regard there were strong presumptions against his Lordship he was committed to the Tower and carried thither by Water to prevent perhaps any Rudeness that might have been occasioned by the incensed Rabble The wounded of Dutch and English Seamen came daily to London where they were provided for in the several Hospitals the People all the way they came bestowing Money on them and when they were recovered Care wasta ken to send the former into Holland and as soon as we had certain information that the French Fleet had quitted the Coast and were gone into their Harbours the Trained-Bands and other Militia were sent home in the mean time a great many Hands were set at work to Rig and Equip the Fleet with all speed so that 32 Men of War rode at Spithead and the Dutch had recruited again to 28 stout Ships and came to to the Gunfleet having immediate Orders to joyn the English and eight Regiments were embarked at Portsmouth not counting the Marine Regiments Commanded by the Earl of Marlboróugh in Chief as General and Mr. Trelawney as Major-General there was shipped likewise all manner of Warlike Ammunition and in brief whatever is necessary for the Field or the Siege of Towns so that it being not certainly known on what design they were bent at such a season of the Year the Peoples Conjectures were various but it soon appeared they were bound for Ireland and what they did there you 'll find in the sequel of this History About this time we had News of the great Success of the English over the French in America and that they had beaten them out of the Isle of St. Christophers and many other places of Note and taken great Booties of Cattel Corn and others Stores and Provisions And from America we have further notice that a great number of French were according to the Articles agreed on sent to Martinico and that the English had reduced the Fort on the Island of Statie and farther Advice that two of our Privateers fell in with Twelve Merchant Ships on the Coast of England bound for St. Maloes under the Convoy of a Frigat of Twelve Guns and took four of them forcing the rest on shore about Cherbourg where they were all shipwracked except the Frigat and most of the Men drowned On the Eighth of September the Parliament met at Westminster when after a short continuance the House of Peers adjourned to the Friday following and the Commons till the ensuing Thursday and His Majesty was pleased to order in Council a Commission to be prepared for the Proroguing the Parliament to the second day of October ensuing and a Proclamation was issued out to give notice that the Parliament should then sit and to require the Peers of this Realm and the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons to give their Attendance on the said second day of October accordingly and no sooner was the notice of His Majesties Glorious Atchievements spread abroad but the Ambassadours and Ministers of Forreign Potentates congratulated his Success and Universal Joy filled the Courts of the Neighbouring Princes The Parliament of Scotland sitting gave their Majesties a new Subsidy of three Months Cess on Lands and layed a Tax of Fourteen Pence upon every Fire-Hearth Hospitals and such as live upon Charity only accepted and a discovery was made that the Collonels Buchan and Cannon intended to go Northward and joyn the Earl of Seaforth and the rest of those of the Name of Mekenzy to have surprized the Garrison of Inverness but they marching over the Hills and coming within Eighteen Miles of Sterling where the Earl of Drumlanerig was posted with 3000 Horse and Foot he attacked them and the Major-General Mackay being in the Rear as in pursuit upon the Advice that had been given the design was altogether frustrated and the Rebels obliged after a long fatigue to shift for themselves receiving a considerable Loss insomuch that they being daily discouraged again dwindled away notwithstanding the fair promises that had been made them of extraordinary supply of Men and Money and the wiser part or such as had other ways wherewithal to subsist withdrew and left the more obstinate to strive against the Stream that would in all probability drive them back to their Ruine and perhaps after the many Attempts of open Force our Enemies might have proceeded to have given us the most fatal blow in the world by base and ignoble ways and villainous attempts We shall for once begging his pardon in this matter quote the New Observator an Author of Credit
on the English Battery for the Danes on their side had made a reasonable large Breach and the Night following to disturb the Enemy they made a false attack on the 15th the Cannon played all the Morning and every thing was prepared to have laid our Galleries over the Ditch but at One a Clock the Enemy beat a Party and desired Hostages might be exchanged in Order to a Treaty about the surrender of the Fort which being done the Articles were Agreed and Signed about Midnight by which the middle Bastion was to be delivered up the next Morning and the Garrison consisting of about 1200 men to march out the next day after with their Arms and Baggage and to be conducted to Limerick in taking this place there were killed and wounded in the several attacks about 150 men and now there having been divers Persons made Prisoners of War at this place Cork and other places several of the Principal of them were sent Prisoners to England amongst others Collonel Ricaut who escaped out of the Tower of London but we hear since he was taken in Kent upon his applying himself to a Justice of Peace for a Pasport to go to Holland and recommitted to the Tower About this time we had a very full Account of the proceedings of ou◠Forces against the French in the West-Indies or Leeward Islands of which it will not be amiss to set down a brief Account for the Satisfaction of those that have Relations there or Trade thither viz. As soon as the Fleet commanded by Captain Lawrénce Wright arrived at Nevis the Governour raised the Forces of that Island and of Antigoa and Montferrat and Embarking set Sail towards St. Christopher's and came to Frigats-Bay with a Design to Land some Forces but finding the Coast Guarded by about One thousand men that had strongly intrenched it it was resolved that Sir Timothy Thornhill with between Four or five thousand men should Land the following Night in another small Bay about half a mile from that and fall upon the Backs of the Enemy in their Trenches and by that means facilitate the Landing of the rest at Frigats-Bay and accordingly about one in the Morning they were all Landed and were guided over the Mountains by a Negro and by break of day they met a Party of the Enemy but soon routed them and beat them to their main Body so that in this Consternation General Codrington Landed with about 600 men and attacked the Enemy on the other side who after a resistance of Two hours were beaten from their Trenches and put to flight and during the heat of this Action the rest of our Forces landed and pitched their Colours in the the French Trenches and being put in Order marched towards Backstar but in about 4 miles march they found the Enemy that had Rallied and posted between Two Hills so that a hot Dispute began but our men advancing close upon them after an hours fighting put them to flight and so marched to Backstar without Interruption whereupon Captain Wright weighed with his Squadron and Sailed down to Backstar Road with a Resolution to batter the Town and Fort but the Enemy spared him that trouble for they had abandoned them before his coming and fled to the Mountains leaving part of the Town on Fire and in the mean time the General continued his March with the Land-Forces and Lodged them on a plain about a mile beyond the Town near the Jesuites College having sent a Party to the Town to quench the fire which they quickly did In these Actions we had about 130 men killed and wounded and some of them of Note and of the Enemy about 200 were killed however the General resolved to follow the Enemy and the Fleet thereupon set Sail into Old Road near which the Land Forces then encamped and brought several Guns on shoar it was resolved that a Battery should be raised against a Fort the Enemy had there and after a considerable Battery and forcing the main Body of the Enemy to retire that then lay encamped at a small distance the Fort desired a Truce for Three days and the next Morning sent Articles about surrendering being allowed to march out with all the Baggage they could carry and about Forty Gentlemen with their Arms this Garrison at the beginning of the Siege consisted of 480 men but 60 were killed and wounded in the Siege Upon this Surrender Sir Timothy Thornhill with his Regiment marched to the Island of St. Eustacia where he Landed without any resistance they had in that Island a strong Fort which upon the sight of our Land-Forces and Fleet beat a Parley and though at first they came to no Agreement yet seeing our great Guns mounted they upon a Second Partly surrendered upon the Terms given those of St. Christopher's and in this Fort there were about 80 men so that the scattered Remains of the French Army seeing all lost fled to the Woods and Mountains having for the most part sent their Wives and Children to other Islands On this occasion so serviceable to the Crown of England General Codrington Captain Wright Admiral of the of the Fleet Collonel Holt Commander of the Duke of Bolton's Regiment Sir Timothy Thornhill who commanded the Militia of those Islands with all other Officers and Soldiers in general behaved themselves with great Conduct and Bravery in their respective Stations shewing great Resolution and Affection to their Majesties Service And now divers Addresses were presented to his Majesty to Congratulate his Safety and happy Return and the Parliament was not slow in considering ways to raise a considerable Fund of Money to carry on vigorously the War at Land and Sea for although a great part of Ireland was reduced by the Success of his Majesties Arms yet those that held out were not so contemptible but they might be doubted And indeed soon after the taking Kingsale the Enemy with 1500 Horse and Dragoons advanced to Macrone the rest of their Troops being reckoned in all between 8 and 10000 men not being above Five miles behind but upon notice that Lieutenant Ginkle was marching towards them with the Forces quartered about Cashel they decamped and hastened towards Limerick and in their retreat plundered and burnt several Towns and Villages though they wanted where with all to subsist On the 12th of October the Breda Frigat took fire in Cork Harbour and blew up so that most of the men were lost Captain Tennet the Commander was taken up alive and died within two hours after and of 26 Irish Officers and Soldiers who were Prisoners on Board not above 4 or 5 were saved soon after this we had the Account of Lieutenant General Douglas who had taken the Castles of Bahom and Rea in which Baldarock O Donnel had put a 100 men who were all made Prisoners of War so that by reducing these two important places the Irish were confined to the Province of Vlster yet they continued Roving about in Parties and
many other necessary Orders were given and upon some buzzings abroad by Disaffected Persons to raise ajealousie of the Commanding Officers in the Fleet as if there was some Design to betray it to the Enemy A very Loyal Address was signed by them and sent to the Queen promising all Constant Fidelity and Loyalty which much rejoyced her so that she was pleased to say the had always this Opinion of the Commanders but was glad this was come to satisfie others And indeed they made good their Promise for our Fleet being well Mann'd and timely getting out under the Command of Admiral Russel Sir John Ashby Sir George Rook Sir Cloudsly Shovel Mr. Carter c. being joyned by the Dutch Squadron under Admiral Allemond On the 19th of May out Scouts gave the Signal for seeing the Enemy and very early in the Morning we made the French Fleet in a Line Cape Baresleur bearing South-west and by South so that about Eleven a Clock they bore down and Engaged Admiral Russel at some distance Tourville commanding as Chief on their side and the Engagement continued with great Fury till Three in the Afternoon and something more at what time the French began to bean away then it grew calm till six at what time a Fresh Gale springing up the Blew Squadron renewed the Fight and continued it till Ten at Night during the Engagement three Ships were heard to blow up concluded to be French because we wanted not one of ours then It was calm all the Night and foggy next Morning but about eight of the Clock clearing up the French were discovered about Two Leagues off very much lessened not above Thirty Six Men of War who were flying and so closely they were pursued that running on their own Coast Vice-Admiral Delaval burnt under Cape H. the Royal Sun wherein Tourville was Embarqued carrying 104 Guns being the bravest Ship that ever Sailed from France Also the Admirable his Second of 102 Guns the Conquerant of 80 Guns and 3 of lesser Rates The Prisoners declared That during the Fight four or five of their bigger Ships were destroyed In the mean while Admiral Russel came before le Hogue into which many French Men of War were gotten and sent Vice-Admiral Rook in with his Boat who burnt six of them as also the next Morning seven more with seven Transport Ships and Ammunition Vessels 6 of them being of 3 Decks and afterward many others were destroyed so that their Loss was very great viz. about 36 Capital Men of War besides many of small Note some thousands of the Enemy perishing in the Fight and Waves to avoid the Flames and this was done in the sight of the Late King and Land Forces that were to make the Invasion We lost not one Ship and not many Men of Note only Colonel Hastings who Commanded a Marine Regiment and Rear Admiral Carter who failing the Expectation of the French fell on with great Fury and having his Leg shot off dyed through the great Effusion of Blood This Glorious Victory made King James send a Melancholy Letter to his Brother Lewis the Fourteenth excusing it on his hard Fortune that his Forces fighting in his Interest had caused the Current of his Victories to turn against him desiring that himself and his might retire to any Corner of the World that upon the account of his Ill Starr'd Fortune that an always before Victorious Monarch might not have his Glory ecclips'd but the French King by a surprizing Advantage having in thirty days taken the Town and Castle of Nâ—mure was so puffed up that he seemed to lay little stress upon this great Loss and Disappointment in his Expectations of carrying England by Invasion and therefore sent the Late King a Consolating Letter to raise his drooping Spirits However there was great Joy in England and all the Confederate Countries for this Seâ— Victory and the great Disappointments our Enemies lay under by it The King of England soon after their taking Namure being desirous to engage the French to Battle pressed them to it often but they used all possible means to avoid it but his Majesty being informed that the Duke of Luxemburg was upon the point of Marching to Enguien he decamped from Genappe thinking to prevent him but did not so that Luxemburg being first there posted himself in such a manner between Enguien and Sâ—eenkerken that his Majesty thought he might be able to attack him and on the second of August he put all things in a readiness so the Execution of the design and about one in the Afternoon our Men were fully Engaged with the Enemy so that the Duke of Wirtemberg pushed them so vigorously with his Infantry that he seized on several pieces of Cannon in the mean time some of our fresh Foot coming up there began a terrible Fight for some hours so that many were slain on both sides and many brave Commanders fell especially in the marrow way where the Enemy flanked our Men through the Hedges and behind cast up Banks so we lost Lieutenant General Macay who had before Reduced the Rebels in Scotland the English and Scotch Colonels Douglass and the Lord Angus Colonel Gees who commanded the Regiment of Nassaw and others of note the Enemy doing the like on their side The King in this brave undertaking exposed his Penson amidst the Firing from the beginning to the end riding continually in the hottest of the fight to give every where the necessary Orders and having led on himself several Battalions against the Enemy he was also the first at the head of the Troops and the last in the Rear upon the retreat so that his preservation was looked on as a Miracle and had not the disadvantage of the Ground hindered the French had been certainly beat out of their Camp however we took several Colours and Prisoners of note Yet against this brave and generous Prince who has so often outbraved their Swords and Fire in the head of his Army a place where Lewis the Fourteenth never appeared in Fight they had again bent their Treachery to take away his Life by base and Cowardly ways which in the Field they Trembled to Assault The Scene of Villany was laid at the French Court and divers Desperados bribed and maintained to take an opportunity of Assassinating his Majesty when he should ride out of his Camp or otherwise as they found it convenient The chief under Agent in the wicked Conspiracy was a French Knight of desperate Fortune viz. the Sieur Grandval But the managers of greater Rank as the Marquiss of Barbesieux the French Kings Secretary of State who no doubt moved by his Masters directions this Wretch upon the design being discovered by one of his Confederates was apprehended and Examined where there being a strong Proof against him he was brought to his Trial before a Court Martial at his Majesties Camp at Limbeck where divers Noble-men and great Commanders being assembled it was charged against him that he
advanced nearer and our Cannon began to Play so that for about two hours they made no Motion but about six they came down from the high Ground in several Lines and when they were within the reach of our Cannon they left the middle of the Plain and caused their Infantry to File off to the Right towards Winden and Larre and on the Left towards near Landen sustained by Horse marching on both sides of the Plain causing a Body to pass on the other side of the Rivulet of Landen to make a shew as if they would fall on our Left Wing whilst they should make the greatest Effort on our Right Which about seven hours after they Attacked The Fight for several Hours Lasted with doubtful Success the Enemy advanced and were three times repulsed and some Squadrons that got over the Rivulet below Larre and came into our Camp were mostly cut off whilst these things passed the Elector of Bavaria gave order to the Right Wing to charge advantageously so that thereupon the Enemy gave way and were driven into the Plain and Brigadeer Ramsey who had been forced to give Ground regained his Post as did the duke of Hanover with his Infantry also the Prince of Brandenburg with his Foot The French never theless remained in some parts of the Village of Winden but finding they could not force the Right Wing they Attacked near Landen on our Left where having been beaten back after a very furious Fight they renewed their Attack with fresh Troops which obliged the King to come from the Right to give the necessary orders at the Left where the Fight was Renewed every warmly with small shot which continued about an hour and then we became Masters of the Village so that the Enemy beaten out carried their Troops to their Left and our Right yet keeping part of the Village of Winden and the Hedges of the rising Ground which laied the Flank of our Retrenchement open to them The King who was in every place where his presence would be useful after having given necessary Orders on the Left returned to Winden and brought up twice to our Retrenchments the English and Scotch Foot where they behaved themselves as they had done every where else with great resolution and Courage The Elector of Bavaria the mean while disposed two Battalions on the Enemies Left Flank whilst three others Attacked them in the Front but before this could be put in Execution the Enemy strengthned with new Forces became masters of the Passage into the Village and made an overtur through which the Horse began to pass sustained by the Foot that lay behind the Hedges the Horse that passed that first were beaten back but our Foot at the Retrenchment not being able any longer to endure the Fire in their Flank retired and our Cannon on that side abating its Fire the Enemies Horse crouded through the passage and began to extend them towards their Left all along the Hedges which were possessed by their Foot As soon as they had formed their Squadron they Attacked the Troops of Hanover and Brandenburg on the Left of the Right Wing and forced them to retire by taking the advantage of the Motion of part of them as also they did the Spanish Troops and Hanover Horse His Majesty to rectify these disorders caused part of the Left Wing to Advance but being far off the Enemy did not give them time to form themselves but having beat the Dutch Horse on the Left before the English had got into the Line they after having fought desperately were quire Encompassed So that the King finding the Enemy over-powered us himself this day having led up nine times the Battalions and Squadrons to Fight and wonderfully Preserved among showres of Bullets He sent Orders to the Generals of Foot and those of the Left Wing to retire to Leewen a Fort near the Camp and the King's Dragoons and Granadiers made their Retreat through Dormel the Foot and part of the Horse Right Wing by Orsmel The King by this time having given the necessary Orders and finding himself in a manner Encompassed on all sides thought fit to go over the River and passed with great difficulty the Bridge that had been made near Hespen where he found his Guards and other Troops Rallied by the Elector of Bavaria In this great and long Continued Battle the Enemy lost about 13000 Men of their best Officers and Soldiers many Persons of great note our loss being Computed about 6000. The Renowned Duke of Ormond was taken Fighting Valiantly and we took the Duke of Barwick for whom he was afterward Exchanged and so our Army retired towards Brussels Upon this Retreat the Duke of Wirtemberg was immediately sent for with the Forces under his Command and other Recruits coming in the Army was made up to near 80000 Men so that the French having had a fatal Experience of English Valour durst attempt nothing further on that side yet in Savoy Monsieur Catinat gave Battle to the Dukes Army where in an obstinate sight of 7 hours a great many of the French Nobility were slain and some on our side especially the Valiant Young Duke of Schomberg who being perswaded to retire would not leave the Head of his Battalion but charging into the thickest of the Enemy and doing wondrous Acts of Chivalry was at last over-powered with Numbers and slain and though the Duke of Savoy's Army retired from the Field the French bought the Bloody Victory at a dear rate and in repassing the Mountains late in the Season many thousands of them perished in the Snow with some Waggons Canon and Ammunitiou-Carriages And thus as to what is memorable concluded the Campaign of the year 1693. In the opening the Campaign 1694. the Enemy by reason of their great Losses and Diseases among their Horses were slower than usual in taking the Field so that the Confederates had time to get together and become very formidable and his Majesty on the 5th of May embarqued Fubs Yacht attended by 8 Dutch Men of War and sailed for Holland and from thence passed to the Army in Flanders where he was joyfully received About this time the Elector of Saxony dyed at Dresden by whose Death the French gave out they should reap great â—â—nefit but were disappointed for Prince Frederick Augustus his Brother succeeding him in that Principality confirmed to the Confederates all the deceased Elector had agreed to and entred into a strict League with them and the great Master of the Teutonick Order who stood in Competition with Prince Lewis of Bavaria for the Bishop of Liege dying the French Party at Rome endeavoured to hinder the Confirmation of the lâ—tter But the Pope to whom it was referred declared in favour of that Prince and our Naval Forces being abroad under the Command of Admiral Russel destroyed a great Fleet of French Ships in conquest Bay laden with Corn and Naval Stores from Sweden Denmark c. and the French main Fleet being gone into
of the Confederates that they gave the Besieged little Rest the Batteries Incessantly playing and divers Bombs thrown into the Castle and out-works which did great damage and though when the Trenches approached the Enemy made divers vigorous Sallies yet were they beaten off with considerable loss and many brave Officers on both sides slept in the Bed of Honour But whilst they manfully defended the Place Expecting to be relieved Villeroy with an Army of 100000 Men stood looking on not daring to Attack the out-Guards of the Confederates and at last having made some Bravadoes drew off writing in Excuse to his Master that he had called several Councils of War wherein the General Officers unanimously Concurred that the Confederates lay so Advantageously posted that it was not safe to hazard the Success of a Battle The Besieged being in this manner left to shift for themselves the Besiegers having beaten down a great part of the Works prepared for a general Assault both upon the Castle and Cohorn-Fort and the Signal was given to fall on with 10000 Men the Lord Cutts with 3000 Spaniards and Bavarians Major General Le Cave with 2000 Brandenburghers and Major General Swerin with 2000 Dutch one upon the Devils-house and two upon Fort William and the Fourth upon Terra Nova The Encounter was Bloody and Obstinate for four hours however at length the Besiegers became Masters of the Devils-house and Cohorn-Fort lodging themselves therein but the Attack upon Terra-Nova had not the same Success where after they had planted their Colours on the Breaches of the Old Castle they were repulsed by the Besieged During this Assault the Enemy Sprang two Mines the Besiegers by casting in Bombs blew up two small Magazines in Williams Fort and the next day every thing was in readiness for a second General Assault and the Elector of Bavaria to Encourage his Officers and Soldiers promised a Reward to every one according to their Demerits But the Besieged prevented it by a timely Parley which attended by the Surrender of the Castle The effect of the Articles of Surrender being these That the outward Fortifications should be deliver'd up on the second of September by nine in the Morning That the Besieged should quit the Castle the 5th with 2.24 Pownders 2.12 Pownders and 2.6 Pownders 2 Mortars That they should be furnished with Horses for their Cannon and Mortars and Waggons and Boats to Convey the Garrison thence with what Baggage should be allowed them That the Besieged should leave Officers and Commissaries to take care of the Sick and Wounded and the remaining Baggage that cannot be carried away when the Garrison Marches out and other Articles to the same purpose And thus was the famous City and Castle of Namure Regained after it had been three Years in the Hands of the French and in it the Enemy lost about 11000 Men and the Confederates not a less number before the Town and Castle But upon the passing out of the Garrison the Mareschal de Boufflers was Arrested by way of reprizal for the Troops and Foot Forces detained contrary to the Cartel that were taken in the Garrisons of Dixmuyde c. But he was Honourably used and upon an Order from the French King for the Release of these Soldiers Ordering them to be Reduced under their former Commands he was discharged though he departed with much displeasure and not without Muttering some threats which no doubt he hoped to put in Practice if Heaven by a wonderful Providence had not prevented the intended Assassination and Descent which on all Hands is Evident he approved of The Siege ended and no Enemies that might give Suipicion of Danger appearing in the Field the place was ordered to be Fortified and a good Garison put into it and some other places of lesser Note being Secured The Season advancing the King disposing things in good Order the Forces being then ready to go into Winter Quarters returned to England where he was recieved with the accustomed Rejoycings for his happy Return But whilst he was Consulting the good of his People restless minds were at Work to Involve us in Blood and Ruin being agitated and encouraged by the Courts at Versalies and St. Germain For divers Persons coming over to that end of which Sir George Barklay as yet seems the chief Agent a design was contrived against the most Precious Life in the World in order according to the usual French Method to Facilitate an Invasion So mean a Barbaritie when a Prince Exposes himself so bravely in the Field in the Head of his Army against the most daring of his Enemies that certainly no Barbarian can refrain to abhor and detestate what you will find in the Remainder of this history to be contrived by one who vainly Stiles himself the Great whilst the Magni blush to allow such an Epethite to any but the Brave and Generous A horrid Conspiracy against the King's Life was contrived in France and divers Ruffians sent over to Execute it to favour an Invasion by King James with a French Power For tho' their purpose was defeated Anno 1692. by the Destruction of their Fleet at La Hogue and in other Ports they gave not over their design for I find from that time it continued privately to be carried on in Expectation of a more favourable opportunity And tho' the Conspirators met with many disappointments they considered not the Providence that so Ordered it but went rashly on in their wicked purposes till many of them were taken in the Snare they were so secretly laying for others And Winter last was Twelve-Months they began to push on with Vigour though they found Grandval had miscarried and was deservedly Executed as has been said and in January 1695. divers were sent over from France to receive Orders from Sir George Barklay here for Assassinating the King who as a Mark to be known by them had always when he went abroad a white Hankerchief half Hanging out of his Pocket and several were Entred into Pay the Troopers that came over having five Shillings a day Subsistence Mony and in January there were several meetings about concerting this wicked Affair However they came to no positive Result as to the manner of Acting it till February In the mean while they had divers Supplies of Mony by Orders from France and on the 10th of Feb. they sent two of their Accomplices to View the Groud on the other side the Water near Richmond how they might most Advantageously do it when the King went a Hunting but that Place was disliked as too Open and they came to a point do do it in a narrow Lane near Turnham-Green by about 40 Men well Arm'd on Horse-back most of the Horses and Arms being already provided and planted at Inns and Livery-Stables in Westminster Holbourn and about 5 in Sommerset-House under the charge of Mr. Lewis the Earl of Feversham's Gentleman of his Horse So that on the 15th they made ready for this Undertaking having