upon the Arival of the Princess having had the consent of the Prince and his Royal Consort to accept of the Kingly Dignity delayed not in their Resolves to have them Proclaim'd King and Queen of England France and Ireland Scotland being an Independant Kingdom and not within the Jurisdiction of a Parliament of England Whose Crown however was soon after Presented by the States in like manner of the Proceedings in which we shall have occasion to speak hereafter THE Resolves in Order to the Proclaiming being on these considerations That WILLIAM and MARY Prince and Princess of Orange be Declared King and Queen of England France and Ireland with all the Dominions and Dependencys thereunto belonging to hold the Crown and Royal Dignity of those Kingdoms and Dominions during their Lives and the Life of the Surviver of them and that the Sole and Full Exercise of the Kingly Power be only in and Executed by his Highness in the Name of Himself and the Princess for the Term of their Lives and after their Decease the Crown and Dignitys Royal of the Kingdoms and Dominions to be left to the Heirs of the Body of the Princess and for default of such Issue to the Princess Ann of Denmark and the Heirs of her Body and for default of such Issue to the Heirs of the Body of the Prince AND then an Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy was Enacted Viz. I A. B. Do sincerely Promise and Swear that I will be Faithful and bear True Allegiance to Their Majestys King WILLIAM and Queen MARY So Help me GOD. I A. B. do Sincerely Promise and Swear that I do from my Heart abhor Detest and Abjure as Impious Heretical the Damnable Doctrine and Position that Princes Excomunicated or Deprived by the Pope or any Authority of the See of Rome may be Deposed or Murthered by their Subjects or any other whatsoever And I do Declare that no Forreign Prince Person Prelate State or Potentate hath or ought to have any Jurisdiction Power Superiority Preheminence or Authority Ecclesiastical or Spiritual withthis Realm So Help me GOD. THIS and other Proceedings preceding the Happy Proclaiming the Wish of the Nation Ensued for the Officers at Arms Sergeants at Arms Trumpets and others whose Office it was to attend in this Important Occasion being in a Readiness by the Order His Grace the Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal of England at White-hall-gate and Sir Themas St. George Garter Principal King at Arms receiving a Proclamation was Ordered by the Lords forthwith to Proclaim it And York Herauld after the Third Sounding of the Trumpets Proclaim'd it Garter King at Arms Reading it by Periods whilst he repeated in the presence of the Lords and Commons and a vast number of Gentry and others who by their Acclamatitions of Joy expressed their high satisfaction in what was done and so in Excellent Order they proceeded through Temple-Bar and between the Two Temple-Gates made the Like Proclamation and twice more Repeated it Viz. At Woodstreet-End in Cheapside and before the Royal-Exchange in Cornhill being in all these places concluded with Joyful Shouts and Acclamations and soon after they were with the same desire of a willing people Proclaimed in the Cities and chief Borroughs and Towns of England and in the Dominion of Wales c. AND now our Epethite by their advancement to the Royal Dignity must be changed The King on the 25th of February for himself and on the behalf of the Queen was pleased to express to both Houses in Answer to their Declaration his high Satisfaction in what they had done and graciously Promised them the Utmost of his Care and Protection for the Security and Preservation of their Laws Liberties and Religion and was extreamly willing to Concur with them in any thing that might be for the Good and Advancement of the Kingdom and to do all that in him lay to promote the Glory and Welfare of the Nation And soon after the Lord Bishop of London went with the Body of the Clergy of that City to pay their Majesties an Humble Tender of their Duty and Fidelity Expressing the great Satisfaction they conceived upon Their Majesties Accession to the Throne and being admitted to Kiss the King and Queens Hands His Majesty at the same time giving them a Satisfactory Assurance of his Extraordinary Affection to the Church of England and of his utmost protection and encouragement to them concluding I assure you you shall find it so and may depend upon it And in this indeed as it is promised in Holy Writ we have found in the care and protection of a King Queen the truly Nursing Father and Nursing Mother of the Church THE Convention having resolved it self unto a Free Parliament an Act was Passed Entituled An Act for removing and preventing all Questions and Disputes about the Assembling and sitting of the present Parliament and preparations were making for the Relies of the opressed Protestants in Ireland whom the Irish Papists countenanced by the Earl of Tyrconnel who had declared for the Late King James Miserably Murthered Plundered Harassed in most parts of that Kingdom But Scotland had got the upper hand of those that stood out for the Abdicated King And it their Convention upon the Receipt of a Letter from his Majesty of England they after a few Debates Declar'd the Throne Vacant and soon after concluded to lay their Crown as England had done at thee Feet of King WILLIAM and Queen MARY That they should be Crowned King and Queen of Scotland and the Crown with an Instrument to Rugulate and settle particulars Offered them WHILST the Genious of Scotland Bowed thus Low to the best of Princes a Proclamation was Issued out here by the King and Queen to Inform the Peers and such as claimed by Tenure or Offices that the Solemnitie of the Coronation was to be performed on the Eleventh of April 1689 and accordingly Magnificent preparations were made against that happy day and on the Ninth of April in order to it An Act Passed Entituled An Act for Establishing the Coronation Oath The form of it being in the manner following viz. THE Arch-Bishop or Bishop shall say Will you Solemnly Promise and Swear to Govern the People of this Kingdom of England and the Dominions thereto belonging according to the Statutes in Parliament agree'd on and the Laws and Customs of the same The King and Queen shall say I Solemnly Promise so to do Arch-Bishop or Bishop Will you to your Power cause Law and Justice in Mercy to be Executed in all your Judgments King and Queen I will Arch-Bishop or Bishop Will you to the utmost of your Power Maintain the Law of God the True Profession of the Gospel and the Protestant Reform'd Religion Established by Law and will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of this Realm and unto Churches Committed to their Charge all such Rights and Priviledges as by Law do or shall appertain to any of them King and Queen
J. Drapentier Sculpeit HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE Mary Queen of England Scotland France Ireland Defender of the Faith c Obit Dece 28 1694 Etate Sua 32. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE Pious and Glorious LIFE and ACTIONS OF THE Most Illustrious Princess MARY Queen of England Scotland France and Ireland c. CONTAINING The most Memorable Things and Matters relating to Her Royal Self c. from Her BIRTH till the most Deplorable time of Her ever to be Lamented DEATH on the 28th of December 1694. Faithfully Done by J. S. LONDON Printed for John Gwillim in Bishopsgate-street and Sold by most Booksellers 1695. TO THE READER WHEN we undertake a Work of this Nature the weight of so Illustrious a Subject ought to strike us not only with awe and reverence but make us Consider in the most serious manner how we proceed in it when indeed the most Celebrated Pens in Europe may come short of the Worth and Lustre of so Pious and Renowned a Princess whose Fame may be said to have Travelled with the Sun and whose Virtues shall stand a living Monument to all Ages when Tombs of Marble and stately Piramids are eaten by time or crumbled into Ruins Her Renown shall be fresh in the minds of Men whilst the world lasts and then passing beyond time shall have Eternety in store till then Like a guiding Star Her Great Example may direct our Lives in ways of Piety and be held truly to deserve that part oâ— her Royal Title that stiled heâ— Defender of the Faith THAT She was the best oâ— Queen's the Mourning Nationâ— Tears do sadly express in Hâ—â— Loss And the Royal Sorrow of a Grieving Monarch declareâ— Her the best of Wives Therefore as her worth was exceedinâ— great so her loss is unexpressiblâ— to us though to her past aâ— Peradveuture the Gain is as Excellent and Glorious in a happy State as Changing an Earthly for a Heavenly Crown can render it BUT to come some what nearer to the purpose of our intended History The Reader may find in it all that is Excellent and worthy in the Person and Character of a Queen who made it her endeavour through the Series of her Life to give a worthy Example to her People and leave a Fame behind Her of being Her Sex's Glory and Wonder Who ' like the Renowned Elizabeth Industriously laboured for the Nations good especially in the support and encouragement of that best part of Government which procures Gods Favours and Blessings on all the other parts viz. The true Religion in the Purity of Worship as She found it Established and had persevered in from her Infancy Rejoycing only in doing good and promoting those that made Piety their brightest Ornament so that Her Pallace seem'd a Temple where Virtue unfeigned Devotion flourished Her Closet a place fit for Angels to Visit and Admire with Holy Joy and Respect So that Her Actions leave no room for Flattery being all Centered in that Merrit which Transcends such meanness that might attend on other Women and flow from Mercinary Pens to set them off with borrowed Luster BUT not to Detain you longer from that which may prove yet more pleasing to all True English Spirits we shall only add That what is Inserted in this small Vollum is Grounded upon the most Exact and Certain Truths Carefully Collected and Comprized in a Method suitable to so Illustrious a Theme VALE A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE Pious and Glorious LIFE and ACTIONS OF THE Most Illustrious Princess MARY Queen of England c. WHEN with our Pens we approach Majesty and undertake to Write the Actions of Illustrious Persons who deservedly command a Character suitable to their Greatness we ought to move with such caution and care that hast and unadvisedness will not permit of There is a kind of Veneration due therefore the Ballance ought to be poifed with all the justness and evenness imaginable or like those that raise a stately Fabrick lay a Foundation suitable to the intended Superstructure Express it in such Words and Truths as may put gainsayers to Silence or convince prejudiced Persons if any such there be of their Errors And if ever a deserving History of a sublime Nature prest the Pens of Men to Celebrate a Memory worthy to be Character'd in Gold and Crown'd with Stars we here though in Sorrow for the Worlds enestimable loss have found it and with humble submission approach with willingness however weak and defficient our endeavours may prove and labour to pay a Tribute due to one whose high Deserts and wonderous Excellencies express themselves in a liveliness beyond the Eloquence of the smoothest Oratory or the frame of Words can utter Though Tears or Grief after such a Loss would let them flow with all the Sweetness Rhetoritions can model or contrive THE Queen That very Name gives scope to thoughts and delates them like expanded Gold But when with that Name Her Virtues are consider'd we find them boundless or unlimited and our selves at a loss to bring them to Center in suitable expressions THIS Great Princess so long the Joy of Three Kingdoms and the Peoples Blessing Descended by the Fathers side from a long Race of Princes that sway'd the Brittish Scepter Memorable in History for great Actions and Renown'd at Home and Abroad She was Eldest Daughter to the Late King James by his first Wife Ann Dutchess of York Daughter to the Earl of Clarendon She was Born at the Royal Pallace of St. James's on the 30th of April 1662. when the Nations Joy was arriv'd at an Extraordinary height for the Settlement and Happiness it found under the easie Government of a Restor'd King viz. King Charles the Second Which Joy was yet more encreased by the Birth of an Illustrious Princess that in her Infancy gave hopes of those great and Glorious things that have been since manifested to the World THIS happy News being soon spread through the three Kingdoms great were the Congratulations and Joy Bells Ringing every where and Bonfires and Illuminations were in all Remarkable Places and many Rich Presents by the Nobles and Ladys at Court were made to the Royal Infant And She was Christened according to the Ceremonies of the Church of England and after her Royal Grandmother Named MARY Tended and Nurs'd she was with great care in the most Royal manner And as God gave her a Beautiful Shape and Countinance to which were added a Pomp of winning Graces even in her tender Years so he was pleased to continue towards her a Healthful Constitution of Body for the most part and Endowed her with an Aire and Livelyness beyond those of her Years BUT not to insist upon her Infancy when she was in her Cradle we find she was no sooner capable of Education but King Charles her Uncle of Blessed Memory took care she should be Educated in the Protestant Religion as Established in the Church of England Which Royal Care suited extreamly with
had made it his Request to have her in Marriage both of the King and the Duke who had not refused but condescended to his request and proposals and therefore thought it requisite to give their Lordships an account of it expecting in Return their speedy Approbation that he might the sooner return to them c. THEY had no sooner received this Advice with the Highest satisfaction imaginable but they immediately assembled to consult about and consider the weighty reasons that obliged the Prince to make so agreeable a choice to make them happy in placing his affections on the most Virtuous and Celebrated Princess in Europe approving it with Congratulation and joy and made the high satisfaction they conceived known by a publick Edict declaring their good opinion and esteem of so great an Alliance promising not only to respect but to observe it to the utmost And further to testify their consent they sent their Approbation on the Fourth of November to the Prince THINGS being Happily brought to this pass and all things being prepared for the Celebration of the Marriage it was performed the Day the States Approbation Arived being the Prince's Birth-Day The Bishop of London Tying this Happy Knot of Wedlock according to the apointed Ceremonies of the Church of England the King presenting the Royal Bride THE News of this Vnion was sounded aloud through the Three Kingdoms by Ringing of Bells and Joyful Acclamations of the People with Bonfires and other Illuminations The Gentry and Nobility giving very plentifully to the Poor And the Royal Pair received the Congratulations of the most eminent persons of the Nation having been before entertained in the City at the Annual Investure of the Lord-Mayor on his being Sworn before the Barrons of the Exchequer at Westminster Divers Congratulatory Poems were made by the best hands Illustrating upon a Subject that was before very Glorious in the Eyes of the Nation AFTER some few Days spent at Court in Feasting and Royal Treatments of Balls and Musick and Songs of Triumph having farther received the Complements of the Nobility and Chief Ministers of State the Royal Pair on the 29th intending for Holland took their leave attended with a Train of Noblemen and Ladies Embarqued in the Yatches and waited on by divers Men of War order'd to that purpose Sailed with a Prosperous Gail and Landed at Ter-Hyde passing from thence to Hounslery-Dyke where they continued for some time and received private visits till things could be prepared for a Reception suitable to their Characters at the Hague THINGS being prepared in the most Splendid manner upon their approach they were met by Divers Nobles and found the Bridge Crowned with Garlands and Twelve Companys of Burghers drawn up in Arms ranged in order to receive them The People every where expressing the highest Satisfaction imaginable in their Geeneral Acclamations and Shouts of Joy and upon the passage of the Bridge they were met by Twenty Four Virgins Singing Songs of Joy suitable to the occasion who going before the Cavelcade strowed the way with Fragrant Herbs Flowers on their Approaching to the Town-House they found a Triumphal Arch fixed very Magnificent with Land-Skips and Sylvian Sceens with Two Hands on the Top Clasping each other Hierogliphically signifying Amity And over the Market-Place in the High-Street another Arch was Erected with Devices and a Motto suitable to that occasion During this Entrance the Burghers made divers Volly's of Shot and the Loud Thunderings of the Cannon spread their Approach yet wider the Congress being very Great and Numerous THERE were likewise divers Curious Fire-Works imitating Fountains and Trees of Fire Golden-Hair Stars and Ciphers of Flame At Night the Streets were Illuminated and Bonefires Blazed in all the noted Towns of the Provinces and the Entertainments were very Splendid and Magnificent The French continuing their unjust Encroachment King Charles upon this Alliance dispatch'd his Commission Impowring the Lord Hyde his Ambassador at the Hague to make and confirm a strict Alliance with the States General mutualy to assist stand by and defend each other till they should oblige the French King to reason by putting a stop and bounds to his Ambitious Designs and the Parliament of England at that time declar'd very earnest in the business offering to raise divers great Sums of Money for promoting this affair for the recovering Satisfaction for injurys done by such means as should be thought most expedient and agreenble so that the King sent the Lord Montague his Ambassador to France to press for a speedy Restitution of such places as were taken and Detained from his Confederates and Allies and upon the triflings and delays of that Court to come to any result as to the Satisfaction demanded An Army was raised and the King of England recalled his Forces that were in the French Service who were partly sent home but without any payment of their Arrears which was very considerable And so early an effect had this Happy Marriage in the Alliance it made with England and that the French King was in a great Measure put to a stand how to proceed The Duke of Monmouth being sent over with about 3000 English Horse and Foot and the Prince by these and other Auxillary Troops did give a great Defeat to the Duke of Luxemburg who Commanded the French Army near Mons in Hannault had thereupon News that Pursuant to a former Treaty set on foot a Peace was concluded between the States General of the Vnited Provinces and the Crown of France upon the latter delivering several Towns that he had with great Expence of Blood and Treasure taken from the Former So the War by this means being at an end on this side he returned to the Hague where he was received by the People with the usual Joy but from his Illustrious Princess inexpressible seeing his pretious Life had been protected by Providence in so Eminent a Danger as his Royal Person was expos'd unto For in the Fight a French Captain being in full Career to Charge him at a disadvantage Monsieur Overkirk in a happy moment Shot that Enemy who was reaching at the most Pretious Life in the World for which good service as a grateful acknowledgment the States presented him with a Sword whose Hilt was Massy Gold a Golden Pair of Horse-Buckles and a Pair of Pistols Inlayed with Gold And thus we see this Happy Vnion in a great measure brought very early an unexpected Peace to the Waring Nations THE French King having made a Peace with the States General it was not long after the rest of the Confederates accorded the like So that the Prince retired from the toils of War had now again the Pincess's Company and Convesation which was so Winning and Attractive that nothing but mighty affairs where Fame and Glory call'd him forth to stop the impetuous Torrent and support a Tottering State could have made so long a Separation or Distance AS for the Joy the Court conceived at
this happy Return of a Prince whose presence like the Sun coming on this side the Aequinoctial to revive the Earth with Vernal Rays of kindly heat after it had been bound in Icey Chains by the Winters Tyranny made them forget their former apprehension of Danger and rendred them Airy and Lively in hopes of many Happy Days under such a Benign Influence it is beyound our expression and so we leave it to the imagination of the Reader BUT this Peace to the Protestants under Jurisdiction of the French King was not so Grateful for that Restless Monarch too Prone to violence having a Cessation of Arms abroad turned wonted Cruelty upon his own Subjects of the Reformed Religion though upon his Accession to the Throne they had been the greatest sticklers for him and the chiefest means that placed him there but their Loyalty nor Protestations of a continued Fidelity availed little when it was resolved their Estates and Effects should flow into his Coffers UNDER pretence of having but one Religion in his Kindom he sent his Dragoons and Bald-Pated Priests into all the Provinces to Convert them with Plunder Fire Sword Racks and many New invented Tortures the Sufferings of those Poor people being more then space will allow to be enumerated in this History especially being somewhat forreign to the intended subject matter Let it suffice then that their Sufferings moved all the Princes in Christendom to pitty but their own who ought to have had the greatest concern for them The Pope and we believe we might have said the Turk detested this Cruelty that Ruined near 100000 Families under the Specious pretence of Religion MANY of these distressed people fled to England others to Holland c. where they gave Her Highness a new opportunity of exercising of her Virtuous inclination to the performance of Charitable Deeds so naturally inherent to her goodness in disposition and tender Compassion to the Distressed So that by her Liberal Example others Were incited and stirred up in the Bowels of Commiseration to relieve those Fugative People who had left their Countrey Estates and substance for the sake of a good Conscience for would they have turned their Backs upon that Religion they had received and Embraced the Romish Idolatry and Superstitions they had been permitted to live in some quiet at home but with what part of their Goods or Estate those that were compelled to Apostatize can by their severe treatment or kind best Testify AND because as may be supposed their Highnesses Charity extended in a great measure to the Relief and Shelter of these poor Protestants So much Monsieur was inraged that contrary to the Treaty of Nimeg uen he in full Peace and the height of Security Commanded Monsieur Moran Superintendant of Provence to March 2000 Men into His Highnesses Principality of Orange which was done under the Command of his Lievtenan General of Languedock where he threw down the Walls of that City Plunder'd the Inhabitants and used divers Crueltys to make many of them turn Roman-Catholicks but in that they could little prevail yet for all the just complaints made by the States General upon the occasion of this violation of the Treaty at the complaint of his Highness to them of the wrong he and his Subjects had sustained No satisfactory answer could be obtained but the French King unjustly and ungenerously detains it till a Juster Sword shall Reeve it from and put it again in the Hands of the Rightful Possessor AND thus we see the different tempers of Princes the one Labouring to Succour and Relieve the Subjects of his Enemy flying to him for Refuge and Protection whilst the other is only pleased with violence and oppression and labouring to destroy his and his own Subjects Let these Nations consider then in what a Fair Line their Lot is fallen under the Auspicious Influence of so Mild and Gracious a Prince When the Poor Distressed Subjects of France Groan beneath the weight of his Burden whose Will is his Law whilst their Lives and Estates depend in a manner upon his pleasure WHILST things were carryed on in this manner the Princess had cause of Sorrow in the Surprising News she received of the Death of her Uncle King Charles the Second who after Five or Six Days Indisposition of a grievous Appoplexie Dyed at Whitehall February the 6th 1684. And although the setting of this Great and Prudent Monarch gave her Father Accession to the Brittish Throne yet his Love and Tender Care of Her Welfare and Prosperity all along had made so deep an impression in her Princely Heart that it Melted her Eyes in Pearls of unfeigned Sorrow and threw a Cloud of Sadness over the Livelyness of her Active Spirits nor was her Royal Consort wanting as in her Joys so to share with her in her Grief for never any Royal Pair were observed to Simpathize so nearly with each other in the passions of the Mind as these Illustrious Persons which showed the Quintiscential perfection of Love in its Brightest Mortal Refinement UPON this Sadness as well that Court as the Court of England went into the Deepest Mourning and on the 14th of February the Royal Corps in a Private Funeral was Buried in King Henry the 7ths Chappel in a Vault under the East End of the South-Isle THE Prince to divert his Melancholy on this sad occasion went to visit several Towns to take a view how they stood in Repair as to their Fortifications as also to settle the Military affairs and upon Returning from Hounslyr-dyke to the Hague gave Audience to divers Forreign Ministers and having visited some other Towns he was Met at Loo by her Highness where there were splendid Entertainments and Rejoycings and King James after the Death of King Charles having been Proclaim'd and on the 23d of April 1685 Crown'd at Westminster Sent the Marquess D' Alberville his Ambassador to Holland who in December had Audience of the Prince and States whereupon they Adjourned till the Seventh of January IN the mean while on the first of that Month the Princess with preparations of Curious Fire-Works Representing a Battel Ranged in Four Lines and Furnished out with several Batterys in a very Lively manner expressing the Actions of a Fight AND now King James having Declar'd himself a Roman Catholick and upon the Defeat and Cutting off the Duke of Monmouth in England and the Earl of Argyle in Scotland and gotten him a Standing Army though the Parliament design'd it should be Disbanded things began to run high and Rome drave on Jehue like to gain her End And after a time other practices failing she began openly to push at the Church of England Swarms of Priests and others of the Romish Order daily flocking into this Kingdom like Swarms of Locusts And attempting with the same boldness in Holland and especially about the Princes Court notwithstanding the Intercession that had been made on their behalf by some Minesters Residing there the Court of Justice at the
withal Father Peter the Jesuit dismist the Council and the King declar'd he was willing that Roman Catholicks should remain uncapable to be Members of the House of Commons Oh the wonderful Conversions of Fear what the Prayers and Intreaties of the Nobles Bishops and the desires of all the good Protestants in England could not do the very name of their Highnesses preparation brought to pass But not to Dwell too long on this Matter THE Prince whose actions are swift in Execution as his purposes delayed not though it was in the dead of Winter and his Fleet was put back in the Harbour by contrary Winds and suffer'd some little damage resolved on this great Work on the Fifth of November a day whereon another great deliverance happened to this Nation and tho' long since yet fresh in our minds He came with his whole Fleet before Torbay in the County of Devon not having met wih any Opposition from the English Fleet though he passed by within Cannon Shot insomuch that this gave a happy Presage that God had Bowd the Hearts of the People to be at their Highnesses Devotion and what more confirmed it was when the first Men were put on Shoar Viz. about 500 to put themselves in a Posture for the better securing the Landing of the rest so far were the Countrey people from Flying their Habitations or any Consternation that on the contrary they came Flocking to Welcome them on Shoar bringing them a supply of such Provisions as they had and when the Prince Landed such were the Shouts and Applaudities that these Western Countreys never Rung with the like Melody THE Fleet consisting of 635 Men of War Flyboats Pinks and Fireships and the Forces that Landed 14352 a great many of them being Brandenburgers Hess Casselers Sweeds c. And with them divers great Commanders with some English Noblemen and a great many others AND now the Nations Genious bends low to Welcome and to Complement a Heroe who brought her Safety with him for as well the Nobles as others came Crouding in and only a March was made and not a War for those who had boasted such mighty things before Fled and Scatter'd at the Martial Noise of his Drums and Trumpets that very Army on which they had so much Rely'd coming in a great measure over to him and to be brief he with little oâ— no Effusion of Blood King Jameâ— being retir'd took a quiet possession of the Kingdom amidst the Loud Shouts and Acclamations oâ— the People being every where Addressed and Congratulated THIS News Flying into Holland caused not only Excess of Joy in the Princess for the Safety oâ— her Illustrious Consort whose greaâ— undertaking had Subjected Heâ— Spirits to Doubts and Fears oâ— the Hazards that might attend such an Enterprize but with her thaâ— whole Nation Simpathiz'd by expressing the high Satisfaction theâ— conceived upon his Success and Prosperous Fortune And wheâ— he had here at the earnest request of the States Assembled in Convention taken the Administration of the Publick affairs of Government into his Hands and after King James's leaving the Kingdom and going to France the Citizens of London and Westminster went in a great Body to the Parliament-house where they delivered two Petitions the Substance of them being to this Effect Viz. THAT they most Humbly and Earnestly Desired that His Most Illustrious Highness the Prince of Orange might be speedily setled in the Throne by whose Conduct Courage and Reputation the Nation and Protestant Religion might be Secured and Defended from it's Enemys at home and abroad That Ireland which was then in Rebellion might be rescued from its deplorable condition and to conclude the Kingdoms setled on a lasting Foundation and Security in Peace and Liberty UPON this Her Highness having been Complemented at the Hague by all the Persons of Quality that on purpose Resorted to the Court and among others their Electorl Highnesses of Brandenburg She having made to the Latter a very Splendid Entertainment it was concluded here that the Illustrious Princess should be sent for over to be Partner in those Crowns the Wisdom of the Nation had concluded to lay at the Pincess's Feet to which she consenting And being on her Departure for England the States of Holland the States General the Courts of Justice the Council of State and the Colledges either in Bodys or by their Deputys attended her and made their Complements and Congratulations on the happy occasion and in this the Forreign Ministers residing at Court had a share and the Persons of Quality of both Sexes The Majestrates made it their Request that the Burghers might wait on her in Arms but she modestly refused it as being too tedious a Cerimony for the intended Expeditness however the States of Holland Deputed Three of their Body to Wait upon her till she should be Embarqued and gave Orders to the Sieur Allemond with Divers Men of War to Joyn Admiral Herbert who attended with a Squadron and several Yatches to Transport her for England THE people at her Departure scarce refraining expressing their Sorrows in Tears that so much Virtue and Goodness had left their Shoar to inrich another Land They had seen her worth and valued it at such a Rate that though she went as it were in Triumph to possess Crowns and Kingdoms they Grudged to be Deprived of such a Blessing or spare it to any other Like the People of Mittelene when Cornelia the Wife of Pompey the Great was to go with her Lord after the Pharsalian War left their Shoars tho' in a different State and Circumstance they all crouded on the Rocks and Sands and fixed their eager eyes on the Ship She was in till the distance of space had removed it from their sight For setting sail with a Prosperous Wind She soon reached the shoars She was distined by Providence to Crown with blessings where Her Welcome was Proclaimed by the Guns from the Ships in the Road and from the Forts and after them by the Ringing of Bells and the Joyful Acclamations of the People and as She came up the River the Tower on which the Royal Banner was Display'd made London Sensible in a Language of Fire breathed from its Thundering Cannons that its Beloved Darling approached to Croud upon it greater advantages than it had long time participated ON the 12th of February in the Evening the Princess Arived at White-hall where she was received according to her Royal Character by the Nobles and great Ladys of the Court and by the Prince with all the Tender endearments and Expressions of kindness and affection The same Night she received the Complements of the Nobility at Court whilst the Streets every where Shined with Bonfires and Illuminations and the Bells charmed the Air into a stilness by the Harmony of their desired Musick and to be Brief a general Joy spread it self through the Kingdoms for her presence of which so long an absence had deprived it THE Lords and Commons
All this I Promise to do After this the King and Queen laying their Hands on the Holy Gospel shall say These things which I have here before Promised I will Perform and Keep So help me GOD. AND by Virtue of the same Act this Oath is to be Administred to the Kings and Queens that shall hereafter succeed to the Crown THE Nations Jubilie as we may term it being now come The King and Queen came from White-Hall to Westminster whilst the Heraulds and other Officers at Arms were ordering the Procedings after a litle stay about Eleven in the Morning the whole Proceeding passed into the Great Hall from the Lords House and Painted Chamber at the upper end whereof a Throne was Erected and on it Their Majesties took Their Seats under a Canopy of State whilst the Master of the Jewel-House brought and presented the Swords to the Lord High Constable viz. That of State that called Curtana and the Two Pointed Swords in their proper Order who delivered them in the same Order to the Lord Great Chamberlain who having Drawn them Presented them on the Table before the King and Queen as also the Spurs UPON this the Dean and Prebendaries of Westminster brought and Presented the Crowns and the other Regalia in their proper manner and these again were delivered to those whose Claim it was to bear them THINGS being thus fixed the Proceeding passed from Westminster-Hall to the Abby in Excellent Order and every one placed in their Station and Degree Silence being made the Recognition was begun by the Lord Bishop of London at the end of which there was a General Shout and Acclamation of high Satisfaction among the People The King and Queen then Offered and the Noblemen that carry'd the Regalia Offered them severally at the Altar there to be disposed of Then the Bishops of St. Asaph and Bangor Sung the Littany after which the Communion Service begun The Epistle was Read by the Bishop of Carlisle and the Gospel by the Bishop of St. Asaph After this the Nicene Creed was Read and by this time the Bishop of Salisbury being in the Pulpit Preach'd an Excellent Sermon on the Occasion from these Words Viz. THE GOD of IsrAel said The rock of Israel spake to Me He that Ruleth over Men must be Just Ruling in the Fear of GOD And he shall be as the Light of the Morning when the Sun Riseth even a Morning without Clouds as the Tender Grass Springeth out of the Earth by Clear Shining after Rain 2 Sam. 23.3 4. To which the Pious Queen was all the while observed to be very Attentive The Charms of Power and Greatness with all the Splendid Pomp and Cerimony could not avert her thoughts from the more Serious Contemplation of Holy things BUT not to Digress in the midst of this Cerimony The Sermon ended Their Majesties took the beforementioned Oath and Voni Creator being Sung and the Anointing Oyl Consecrated Their Majesties were Conducted to the Chairs placedon a Theatre Disrobed of their Crimson Mantles and Solemnly Anointed then presented with the Spurs and Sword which were Offer'd up and Redeemed by the Right Honourable the Earl of Portland UPON this the King and Queen were Clad and Invested with the Imperial Robes and the Orbs delivered to them and after that the Rings and Scepters c. And about Four in the Afternoon the Royal Diadems were placed on Their Heads by the Lord Bishop of London Assisted by the Bishop of Rochester Then the Trumpets Sounded the Drums Beat the Thundering of the Great Guns with the Peoples Shouts Proclaimed the News The Peers and Peeresses hereupon put on their Coronets and the BIBLE was presented to the King and Queen after this they Kissed the Bishops and then Te Deum was Sung and thereupon they Ascended the Throne The Arch-Bishop and Bishops doing their Homage and Kissed Their Majesties Left Cheeks and then the Temporal Peers did the like whilst the Treasurer of the Houshold cast the Meddals among the people and after this began the Communion and the King and Queen made their second Offering and Receiving the Holy Sacrament they Entred in their Robes of State to St. Edwards Chappel where they were Divested of the Imperial Pall c. And having Robes of Purple Velvet put on them they returned with their Crowns on their Heads in the same Order they came the Peers and Peeresses now wearing their Coronets and Entring the Great Hall at Westminster a Royal Entertainment was provided of all that is Rare and Costly several Tables being Furnished out in the most Delicious manner and Charles Dymock Esq Their Majesties Champion between the First and Second Course came Riding Compleatly Armed into the Hall Conducted by the Lord High Constable and the Earl Marshal on Horse-back likewise and his Challenge pronounced by York Herauld Viz. If any Person of what Degree soever High or Low shall Deny or gainsay our Soveraign Lord and Lady King William and Queen Mary King and Queen of England France and Ireland Defenders of the Faith to be Rightful King and Queen of England or that they ought not to enjoy the Imperial Crown of the same Here is their Champion who saith he Lyeth and is a False Traytor being ready in Person to Combate with him and in this Quarrel will Venture his Life against him on what Day soever he shall be appointed After this Their Majesties Royal Stiles were Proclaim'd in Latin and English and every thing was performed with the Exactest Order and Decency concluding about Eight of the Clock when Their Majesties returned to Whitehall and the rest of the Evening was spent in Bonfires Ringing of Bells and other Demonstrations of Joy THIS happy Corronation usher'd in the King and Queens being Proclaim'd in Scotland for after the States had passed the Vote to that purpose in the Convention of that Kingdom they Assisted by the Magistrates Lord Provost and Council of the City of Edinborough went to the Market Cross where Lyon King at Arms assisted by the Heraulds and Pursuvants Proclaimed them King and Queen of Scotland c. The Trumpets Sounding and the Peoples Shoutings expressing the Joy conceived on this Occasion And soon after they were Proclaimed in all the Citys and principal Boroughs of that Kingdom ON the 18th of April 1689 the Sieur Shemettan Extraordinary Envoy from the Duke of Brandenburg Complement Their Majesties in his first Audience upon their Accession to the Throne Nor was the Scots Nation slow in presenting their Crown The States Deputing the Earl of Argyle Sir James Montgomery and Sir John Dalrimple their Commissioners to that purpose At the same time causing a Day of Thanksgiving to be set apart for their Deliverance from Popery c. ON the 11th of May the Scots Commissioners waited on the King and Queen in the Banquetting-House at Whitehall and presented a Letter from the States of Scotland and after that an Instrument of Government then a Writing Containing divers grievances which they Humbly
well begun Their Majesties Proclamation was Issued forth for the Religious Observing of a Fast on the 12th of March and every third Wednesday in the Month till his Majesty who now purposed to go for Ireland Return'd And the first Parliament being Desolved another met on the 20th of March 1690. And the King signifying to them that intending to pass the Seas where his Prescence was necessary for the Reducing of Ireland he thought it Necessary to leave the Government during his absence in the Queens Hands Then an Act was passed to Impower Her to Mannage the Affairs of Government till his Return And on the 14th of June 1690. the King Landed with a Royal Army at Carickfergus in Ireland which brought such a terror upon the Enemy that they began to Retire in all parts of the Frontiers but were closely followed and pressed to an Engagement which they declined as much as possible THE Queen Mannaging Affairs at home with all that Conduct which became a Wise and Virtuous Princess The Navy Royal being at Sea under the Command of the Earl of Torringion Admiral the French King hoping some great Advantage from the Kings Absence or to Encourage the Irish Army whose little Courage began to droop set forth a very considerable Fleet the greatest we may say that has been seen of that Nation on the Seas But the English Sea-men disdaining to Fear being on the contrary full of Courage On the 30th of June the two Navys drew up in Lines off of Beachy and about Nine in the Morning the Dutch having the Van-Guard gained the Weather-Gage of the Enemy and falling on Fought very bravely for three Hours which made those they Engaged with hear away with all the Tack they could make But about One a Clam happening prevented the Dutch from pursuing the Advantage they had gained and the French hindred by that Calm were constrained to begin the Fight again which with Extraordinary Fury continued till Five in the Afternoon But for what Reason the English Admiral not coming up to Second them as they expected we determin not for but a few English Ships who were carryed on by the Courage of their Captains Engaging the Main Body of the French falling into the Rear of the Dutch they were so Batter'd that they sound themselves constrained to make their way thorough the French Fleet and stand for the Coast of England between Beversire and Farly loosing divers Officers of Note and several of their Ships Burnt by the Enemy and altho ' the French Fleet consisted of 82 Men of War besides Fireships and Tenders and ours was Inferiour to them in Number has we had a Drake to our Admiral they had no doubt run the same Risque as the Spanish Armado did in 1588 but what was done could not then be recalled yet was soon after repayed with such a stroak as made all France tremble at the unwelcome Bonfires that were made on their Coasts by the Renowned Admiral Russel as will appear in the Sequel For this Defect Admiral Torrington was sent to the Tower and afterward Tryed on Board the Kent in the River Medway but had the Fortune to be Acquitted and the French upon the retiring of our Fleet having Burnt a few Fishers Cottages at Tinmouth and there hearing the Militia of the counties of England were for the most part in Arms they durst Adventure no further but returned to their Ships and after a little Hovering about the Coast and Stealing a few Sheep out of the Marshes went home making a mighty boast of a Victory that they had not Gained THIS however little availed their Confederates in Ireland for the King though as he was viewing the Enemies Camp having received a Wound on the Shoulder with a great Shot passing the River Boyne fell upon their Army with such Bravery that Notwithstanding they far out numbred him he put them to the Rout in all parts in less than three Hours whole Regiments running away without being charged as appeared by their Arms found on the Ground in Regimental Order whereupon the Late King James within a Day or two took Shipping and Sailed for France upon this Dublin Opened her Gates and most of the considerable Towns in those parts soon after Surrendred and the Countys that had been long Hazarded were setled and found Ease and Peace THIS News caused rejoycings in England whilst the Queen with great Conduct and Prudence managed in the Kings Absence the weighty affairs of the Kingdom carrying her self with such a Courage and Constancy as Daunted the boldest repiner at her Virtues The Militia was raised the Coast Guarded and a strict Eye had over those suspected to be dissaffected to the Government and care every where taken by Her Majestys Order for the Security of the Peace and Quiet of the Kingdom so that the people were not only free from all consternations and apprehensions of Danger but on the contrary full of Courage and Smiled with Disdain on the weak attempts and bravado's of our Enemys The Trained Bands of London with much Gallantry Chearfulness and Resolution March'd into Hide Par and Drew up in a Splendid Appearance to the number of 10000 Effectual Men compleatly Armed and Appointed and there Her Majesty was pleased to be present taking a view of them whilst they exercised approving of their readyness and Loyalty at such a juncture and by her presence gave them the highest satisfaction Imaginable which they expressed in their Resolves To Live and Dye in her Defence against all Invaders or Clandestine Enemies but there being to further occasion at that time they returned home in the same Excellent Order they had Marched thither and all things remained still and quiet and both ours and the Dutch Fleet were Recruited Gallantly in a little time SOON after this Her Majesty received News that the English had Beaten the French in America Landed on St. Christophers and Siezed the greatest part of the Booty in the Island and Divers French Merchant Ships of considerable Burthen and Richly Laden were taken by our Privateers and Men of War for the Fleet was again at Sea and soon after to repair what had before happened set Sail for Ireland and was mainly assisting in the taking of Cork and Kingsail and the Kings Returning after His Glorious Success created great Joy and thanks for the wonderful Mercy and Providence in preserving his Pretious Life from the Dangers that Threatned it and restoring to us him in health and safety Upon His Majestys Happy Arival after his Glorious Enterprise having by his wonted Courage and Conduct in a great Measure Secured a Kingdom that was at the Point of being over-run by an Enemy who made their chief boast in resolves to Root out the Protestant Religion so long setled and Flourishing there The Joy was not only great in the Queen and Court but all over England as appeared by the many Addresses to Congratulate his Safety and Happy Return Encomiums made on the Welcome
Sums that were given by Parliament in Freely parting with their Money for the Support of the Royal Dignity and carrying on a War against our Professed Enemys Provision was likewise made with the greatest Celerity Imaginable for Building Ships of War Raising Forces and what ever besides was Requisite for Agrandizing the Fame and Reputation of Their Majesties and their Kingdoms So that a Greater Harmony in the minds of the Generality of Men was never observed in this Nation AND now the Princes abroad in Alliance and Confederated in the War against France resolving on a General Congress at the Hague to Concert Affairs and settle matters for the Vigorous Prosecution of their enterprize and His Majesty finding his Presence very Necessary in that Grand Assembly minded the Parliament of it in a Gracious Speech and Desired them to hasten the matters before them which accordingly they did with all convenient speed and divers Acts passed the Royal Assent very much conducing to the Advantage of the Government And so both Houses having Adjourned for some time the King took leave of the Queen and Court and with some Difficulty by reason of the Ice he notwithstanding all Difficulty being Landed Safe Attended by His Grace the Duke of Ormond the Lord Steward Lord Chamberlain the Earls of Portland and Monmouth Sieurs Overkirk and Zulestein and going from Oram-Haak near Mase-Landsluys the place where they came on Shoar to Hounslyr-Dyke the Deputys of the States Ordered to that Purpose Attended on His Majesty to Welcome him and Congratulate his Happy Arival and so passing to the Hague the States of Holland and Council of State with the Heads of the Colledges made their Complements to him AND here a Grateful Nations Joy appeared in the most Magnificent Manner Divers Stately Arches of Triumph being placed in the chief parts of the Town with Motto's and Devices suitable to the great Occasion And the Evening concluded with Fire-Works Illuminations and all the Demonstrations that might Render it Acceptable And divers Princes of the Confederates being there they Proceeded to Consult of the Weighty Affairs that concerned the Good and Interest of all Christendom which was then setled in the best manner as the Product and Issue of those happy Councils have since manifested to the World THE Queen having again the Government in her Hands during the Kings Absence manag'd it with that Prudence and Discretion which made the Nation see how much it was beholden to so Excellent a Princess Our Secret and Forreign Enemys who laboured to take Advantages on all occasions found their Designs frustrated and all their Dark Pollicys countermined and those mischiefs they designed others turned upon themselves though in their Extremity some of them found Mercy beyond their Expectations from those who prefer it to Justice from a Queen who was all Mercy and Compassion and a King whose Virtues and Heroick Spirit moved him to Compassionute even his Enemys who had Causlesly made themselves to their Detriment and Hazzard of their Lives but passing this over we proceed to matters of more weight and moment THE King returning from the Congress after the Happy setling of Affairs was received with Universal Rejoycings of the People And by the Pious Queen with such Joy that is beyond our Expression And having setled Affairs with Wonderful Prudence here the English Forces passing over to Flanders he delayed not to be at the Head of them and with his presence so Encouraged and Refreshed the Spirits of the Army that all things Succeeded beyond what many Expected So that the Campaign ended Successfully and gave us an earnest of what have been since Evident to the World and the Queen had the Grateful thanks and acknowledgment of her Nation for her Prudence and Conduct in the Management of Affairs and in Her Royal Condescending Goodness and Modesty expressed Her Self Glad that She had done any thing that Pleased Her People c. WINTER being Come Great Preparations at Home and Abroad were made against the Opening the Campaign for the Year 1692. The Fleet was Equip'd very early The Honourable Admiral Russel Commanding it under whose conduct the Seamen were very much Revived in their Courage and Resolution Nor did the Dutch delay to Joyn ours with a very Gallant Squadron of Ships of War Resolute to Revenge the Injurys they had Sustained the preceding Year And all things here went Successfully on Whilst the King was preparing to Pursue his Victories Abroad Scotland had entirely gained the upper hand of its Enemys and Ireland under the Conduct of Lievtenant General Ginkle and other Brave Commanders was Reduced and Owned its Rightful Soveraign of which Proceedings we shall give a further Account hereafter THE Nation at this time was full of Spirit and that antient Courage revived in it that has for many Ages been renowned through the World Providence concurring with our desires to make us a Prosperous and Happy People in spight of all Oposers either open or clandestine The best of Queens by her influence adding new Life and Vigour to her Loyal and deservedly affected Subjects and like a guiding Star leading or directing them to their happiness She Arose like another Debora a Mother in our IsrAel to relieve her Kingdoms from Opression and make them flourish that after our Calamities we might hear of Joy and Rejoycing That the Rains being over and the Winter past the fragrant Flowers of prosperity might appear in our Land Whilst the noyse of the Turtle promised us the Springing up from the Field of War a Blessed Crop of a continued and lasting Peace when those that have Disturb'd it shall be compelled to do reason and like a Cormorant be constrained to disgorge in a little time what he has been so long a swallowing Providence to this Nation has been always kind and that watchful Fate that Guards the Virtuous will no doubt gain the Ascendant over their Enemys THE Fleet as we have said being bravely Equiped and the Seamen full of Courage nothing was wanting but on whom to express their Valour and shew the World that the Kings of England have not their Epethite of Lords of the Ocean in vain and indeed there was not an Enemy long wanting for the French either being deceived in the number of our Ships or in hopes only our sinall Frigats were abroad or that being otherways gulled by false Intelligence that there might be a Defect in our Fleet tending to a Revolt of some part of it They put to Sea under Monsieur Tourville their Admiral in Search of ours who were very desirous of finding them and in Conclusion gave them such a welcome as they had never before received on the Brittish Ocean A Dreadful Scene of War ensuing which Scattered the Tossing Billows with the Wracks of our Opposers and made the Watery Fry Tremble at the Repeated Vollies of our Terrestial Thunder Our Guardian Angel now Commissioned by Omnipotence Scatter'd Death and Destruction Round him and Crimson'd the Rumpled
Guns and the Fort of Eighty Guns with two Frigates and three of lesser rank The Prisoners who were taken from the burnt Ships declared That during the time of the Battle Four or Five of their biggest Ships were destroyed Reer-Admiral Carter and Collonel Hastings after much Bravery and Resolution were both killed in the Fight Admiral Russell before Labogue the 23d of May ordered Vice-Admiral Rook with a Squadron of Ships being the smaller Men of War and Fire-Ships and all the Boats in the Fleet mann'd with Seamen with Fire-Arms to set fire to those French Ships which lay before them penn'd up by our great Men of War It pleased God to bless their enterprize so well that that Night Six of their Ships were set on Fire and utterly Destroyed and the next Morning Six more Run the same Fate with one that Overset and was Entirely lost Six of these being Capitals of Three Decks from Seventy to Ninety Guns and upwards the others from Sixty to Seventy Our Men in the Boats behaving themselves so Bravely that they Boarded them and made their own Guns Fire upon their Platforms on Shoar Beating the Enemys therefrom where they were in great Confusion beholding their Ruin in the Destuction of their Ships Thus it has Pleased God of his Infinite Mercy so to Bless the Arms of Their Sacred Majesties that those that Threatned England with an Invasion and utter Ruin may be convinc'd of their Mistake and feel the Effect themselves of which we hope this is an Happy Omen Thus have we given you an Account of the Destruction of their Principal Men of War For which we ought to Bless God that hath brought their Great Designs to Naught and Confounded their Enterprize and Preserv'd England as he hath done heretofore in 1588. in Queen Elizabeths days of famous memory THESE Blazing Fires on the Coast of France proved very unwelcome not only Affrighting those who were Spectators from the Shoar but made even Paris Tremble and Drew a Curtain of Melancholy over the Pleasures at the Court of Versalies when they contemplated how much their once unbounded hopes had been set back or frustrated this and the Preceding Year How they had altogether lost their Footing in Ireland For the King of Englands intent upon the Great Affairs in Flanders having appointed the Barron D' Ginkle his Lievtenant General in the before mentioned Kingdom Ballymore with little resistance Surrendred Athlone was taken by Storm and a Formidable Army Composed of French and Irish utterly Routed and Dispersed at Agbrim St. Ruth the French General being Kill'd in the beginning of the Battle Galloway soon after was gained and lastly Lymerick when it had endured a Considerable Siege Vigorously carry'd on Capitulated upon Articles and upon the Surrender of it all the Irish according to that Capitulation returned to their Obedience except such as were Decoy'd to France And as a Trophey of this Success restoring a Kingdom to its Trade and Flourishing State the Banners and Ensigns taken at Aghrim were placed for some time in St. James's Park by Whitehall to show Heavens Providence in the Justness of Their Majesties Arms and the Swiftness of the Victorys obtained for which and the Great Defeat at Sea England expressed her Joy in all suitable demonstrations AND that we might make due Returns to Almighty God whose Hand had so Signally appeared in all our Proceedings Prayers and Praises were put up for his wonderful Mercys and Deliverances THE Campaign for this Year concluding in Flanders His Majestys Return was Congratulated with all the Demonstrations a Loyal Nation was capable of expressing in Gratitude to a Prince who had Hazzarded so much for their Safety and Preservation And Affairs being setled and in an Almost unexpected quiet throughout the Three Kingdoms by Their Majesties Prudence and Conduct the Alliance abroad being firmly fixed The King departed again from Whitehall and with a Prosperous Gail passed over to Holland where he was Received with the usual Expressions of Joy and all the Tender Respect of a Willing and Grateful People whose Safety his Ancestors and his own Heroick Virtues Courage and Conduct had â—â—â—served and Confirmed in the Settlement of their Government Trade and Liberties c. BUT long he Stayed not after he had Received the Complements and Congratulations of Holland before he passed to the Camp in Flanders to give what Orders were Necessary for Opposing the Designs of the Common Enemy During these Transactions the Affairs in England were in a Prosperous Condition the Queens Prudence in all her management of Affairs scarcely admitting of a President in her Sex The Fleet was Equiped and all things Ordered in the most Excellent manner The Courage of the Seamen was as great as ever and our Land Forces being Drawn out of Ireland and that Kingdom being entirely Reduced as has been already mentioned were the better at Leisure to give the French King a Diversion nearer Home who had sent his Troops so far to Disturb a Countrey to which he had not the least Pretension or Claim and accordingly the Confederate Army appeared so Formidable that Lewis the 14th tho' we had some News told us he design'd it upon more Mature Advisement Ventured not into the Field concluding the Chamber-Musick to be more Pleasant and Secure than the Noise of Drums and Trumpets or Wedging into the Grim Ridges of such a War in Person by which we perceive the difference in Princes and ought to know how to esteem a Blessing directed by the Hand of Heaven as a Sheltring Shield to Protect us with so much Undaunted Bravery and Resolution The Merchants so encouraged set out a great many Gallant Ships to Trade in divers parts of the Trading World and amongst others the Turkey Fleet with a considerable Convoy of Men of War under the Command of Sir George Rook Sailed our Main Fleet standing with them about Fifty Leagues W. S. W. off of Vshant were they parted with Sir George on the 6th of June not having seen or heard of the Enemys Fleet yet in the Streights they unexpectedly fell in with them not having before any certain Advice where they were However such was the Courage and Prudence of ours and the Dutch Commanders as well Merchantmen as Men of War that the Enemy lost their expected advantage very few of the Ships falling into their hands though their whole Naval Force had in a manner encompassed them most of the Merchants Ships getting into safe and friendly Ports and the Men of War after they had given them that opportunity making a Brave Retreat with divers of the rest AND now the City of London to express the true sense they had of the Queens Prudent Conduct in the management of weighty affairs and kindness to them made their Address to her by the Hands of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council in the following Words Viz. To the QVEENS Most Excellent Majesty WE Your Majesty's Most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects the Mayor Aldermen
and Commons of the City of London in Common Council Assembled out of a Deep Sense of the Infinite Goodness of God to this Nation in the Signal Deliverance of His Sacred Majesty from those Dangers for which he hath so lately for our Sakes exposed his Royal Person even to the Admiration of his Enemys Do Heartily and Vnfeignedly in the first place return to Almighty God our most Humble Thanks and in the next in all Humility Congratulate Your Majesty upon soâ—â—ensible a Providence as the Preservation of that Prince in whose Life not only our Laws and Religion but the Liberty of Europe is so entirely wrap'd up AND Your Majesty having been so Graciously Pleased by the Lord Keeper to signifie the Deep Sense of the great Losses at Sea which have befallen the Traders of this City and Kingdom And the Directions Your Majesty has given to the Committee of Your Majesty's Most Honour able Privy Council as well to Examine into the Causes of such Misfortunes as to take Effectual Care to prevent the like for the future by encouraging Your Majesty's Subjects to make their Application to the said Committee We do with all Chearfulness Render Our Hearty Thanks to Your Most Gracious Majesty for so great a Consideration in no wise Doubting but Your Majesty will continue to give such Good and Seasonable Directions that the Trade of this Your Kingdom in which the Prosperity of it doth so much depend may be better Supported for the future AND as we have hitherto from a Sense of our Duty Demonstrated to the World our Great Zeal for Your Majesty's Service we having now a fresh Opportunity of shewing the same by the Chearful and Vnanimous advancing of Money for the Present Emergencies of Your Majesty's affairs Humbly Beg Leave to Assure Your Majesty of our firm Resolution to continue our Hearty Endeavours upon all Occasions to support Your Majesty's Royal Authority and Government against all Persons to the utmost of our Power THIS was received by the Queen with very Gracious Expressions highly Satisfactory to those that Presented it who as a farther mark of Her Favour had the Honour of Kissing Her Hand SOON after a Proclamation was Published for Preventing the Exportation of Corn to France and Ruising the Price of it at home and for the setling Poor People on Work For indeed the French Provinces by reason of the Scarcity of Corn were in great straits and the French King used all possible means to draw it out of other Kingdoms to prevent the Encroaching Famine notwithstanding which and the disappointments he met withal a great many of his Subjects Miserably perished by Hunger whilst that King exacted by an Arbitrary way their Corn and other Provisions from them to lay up his Stores and Supply his Magazines on the Frontiers AND the King after the close of the Campaign and his having Escaped very great Dangers and Signalized his Courage to his Immortal Glory at the Battle of Landen in Flanders returning to England that God might still continue his Mercys and Favours towards us A Day of Publick Thanksgiving was set apart by Their Majestys Proclamation bearing Date the Second of November 1693. Which was very Religiously and Devoutly Observed through the Kingdom on the Appointed Days And the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen waited on Their Majesties to Congratulate His Majesty's Happy Return and His Wonderful Preservation in that Signal Providence that had protected him in the greatest of Dangers to which he had exposed his Royal Person for our safety and all the Nation Sympathiz'd with them in their Joy THE Winter was chiefly passed over in great Preparations by Sea Land the Parliament chearfully giving Their Majesties those Supplys that were Necessary for the carrying on a War promising Success Safety to the most Significant Kingdoms states of Europe And early in the Spring the Turkey and Streights Fleet again set forward on their Voyage but met with some disappointments in the Streights by Stress of Weather And now Admiral Russel taking a Second time his Commission which the the last Year was in the the Hands of 3 Admirals joyntly The Fleet hastned to Sea and got out so Early that the French found a main disappointment in the repeated losses they sustained A great many of their Corn Ships those with Noval Stores being taken by ours And the Kings intent upon the great Affairs abroad the 3d of May 1694 left Witehall accompany'd by the Queen who having taken her leave of him soon after embarqued for Holland and after receiving the usual Complements passed to the Campaign finding all things in a very early readiness and a posture promising Success THE Navy Royal having been out some time in the Narrow Seas no Enemy daring to appear Admiral Russel with the greater part of ours and the Dutch Squadron had Orders to Sail to the Streights and in Conjunction with the Spanish Ships of War and Gallys prevent the Designs the French had on the Coasts of Catolonia whose unexpected coming put Monsieur Tourville the French Admiral into such apprehensions of danger that instead of adventuring to Engage us or Besiege Barcelonia by Sea or intercept our Streights Turkey Fleet he ordered his Ships into the Harbour before Toulon barring up as well as he could the Haven and making Platforms on Shoar to defend it and at last Disarmed his Capital Men of War and sent a great part of the Seamen over land to Brest WHILST these Successes happened further off a Terrour and Consternation was brought on the Coast of France opposite to our Shoar for the Lord Berkly keeping the Narrow Seas with a strong Squadron Entred the Port of Diep Bomb'd that Important Town and lay'd it in Ruins and afterward had almost the like Success at Havre de Grace putting a great many Stately Buildings in Elames which brought such a terror on the people that many on the Coast left their Habitations And Dunkirk was likewise Attempted but by reason of the badness of the Harbour for Entrance and Weather we could not there have the like advantage THE Confederates during these Transactions pressed the French Armys in Savoy upon the Rhine and in Flanders The Turks were forced to a shameful Retreat in Hungary and the Tartars that came to Relieve Caminick were Routed by the Poles Huy in Flanders was taken from the French and their Boasted Resolutions appeared every where to be in the Declining Scale so that the Campaign successfully ending on the part of the Confederates by Land our Grand Fleet still keeping their station for Wintering in the Spanish Ports The King having received the Complements and Thanks of the States General c. Landing in England was met by the Queen with Unexpressible Joy and the Cities of London Westminster in the Evening as they came to Town were filled with Illuminations Bonfires were made and the Bells Tuned to the Musick of the Peoples Joyful Acclamation and through these