the Defence of that Kingdom On the 19 th of May the Parliament met at Westminster pursuant to the Writs of Summons and the Commons being by the Black Rod sent for up to the House of Lords the Lord Keeper declared to them That it was his Majesties Pleasure to defer Speaking to them till both Houses had taken the Oathes appointed to be taken by Act of Parliament and then he would Declare his Mind to them concerning the Cause of Calling them And further That the Gentlemen of the House of Commons should go apart and proceed immediately to the Choice of a Speaker and accordingly they chose Sir John Trevor who was approved by the King And on the 22 d. of May the King made a Speech to both Houses promising to maintain the Government in Church and State in all its Rights and Priviledges demanding a Settlement of the Revenue for Life and further supplies â— proceeded to let them know he had received News that the Earl of Argyle was Landed in the VVest Highlands of Scotland with the Men he brought with him out of Holland and that he had put out Two Declarations one in his own Name and the other in the Names of those he brought over with him c. Upon this the Commons going to their House Voted the Revenue should be settled and that a Bill should be brought in for that purpose And the Lords and Commons declared their Resolutions to stand by and assist him And the Scots began likewise to stir to prevent the Danger that threatned that Kingdom from a geathering Army passing divers Acts and putting forth sundry Proclamations and raising Forces especially in the Highlands for the Earles Declation spread abroad many believed they contained somewhat of Reason and thereupon went unto him so that in a short time from about 300. he brought over with him he became about 3000. strong fortefying some Places and keeping the Islands On the 30 th of May Thomas Dangerfield was tryed at the King's Bench-Bar for Writing and Publishing a Book called his Narative and a Verdict passed against him and in the Afternoon at a Nisiprius held at Guild Hall Mr. Richard Baxter was Tryed and Convicted for Writing Notes upon the New Testament and the same Day the Act for setling the Revenues on the King for Life as it was in King Charles's Time passed the Royal Assent On the 1 st of June about Five in the Morning Her Royal Highness the Princess Ann of Denmark was Delivered of a Daughter which in the Afternoon was Christened by the Lord Bishop of London by the Name of Mary The Earl of Argyle being by this time on the firm Land sent out his Summons from Campletown in these Words viz. Being by the Blessing of God came safe to this Place with a Resolution according to a Declaration emitted for the Defence of the Protestant Religion and our Lives and Liberties against Popery and Arbitrary Government and all the Fensible Men of Illa being come this Length and this Country being this Day together at a General Rendesvous these are to require all Heritors Tenants and Others and all the Fensible Men within the division of Cowal between Sixty and Sixteen with all their Useful Arms and Two Week Loan to come to Tarbet against Tuseday the 26th Instant at Twelve of the Clock without fail or sooner if possible And in Order to this he sent to Cowal and dispersed divers Letters and a great many Persons came in but the Highlanders for the most part declared for the King However the Earl on the 26 th of June Marched from Campletown in Kintaire with Two Troops of Horse and 700. Foot to Tarbet and there met 200. of the Illa Men and 200. more were expected and mustered on the 28 th and the Three Ships belonging to him the greatest carrying 30â— Guns and other small Vessels afterward taken up came likewise into the Port and from thence he passed to divers other places Sailing round the Islands and taking in such Men as would join him and amongst other Letters we find the following dated at Campletown May 22. 1685 and directed to the Laird of Lupe Loving Friends It hath pleased God to bring me safe to this Place where several of both Nations do appear with me for the Defence of the Protestant Religion our Lives and Liberties against Popery and Arbitrary Government whereof the particulars are emitted in Two Declarations by those Noblemen Gentlemen and Others and by me for my self Your Father and I lived in great Friendship and I am glad to serve you his Son in Defence of the Protestant Religion and I will be ready to do it in your particular when there is Occasion I beseech you let not any out of Fear or bad Principles perswade you to neglect your Duty to God and your Country at this time or to believe that the D. York is not a Papist or that being one he can be a Righteous King Then know that all England is in Arms in Three several Places and the Duke of Monmouth appears at the same time upon the same Grounds that we do and few Places in Scotland but will join and the South and West want but till they hear I am Landed for so they resolved before I left Holland Now I beseech you make no delay to separate from those that abuse you and are carrying on a Popish Design but come with all the Men of your Command to assist the Cause of Religion where you shall be most welcome to your Loving Friend to serve you Argyle P. S. Let this serve Young Loigie Skipuag and Charles Mc. Echan By this time the Charlotte Yatch was arriv'd in the Clyde and several Men of War were dispatched from England as the Falcon Mairmaid c. and several Warrants were issued out for Persons in England that had retired from their Houses and publick notice given in the Gazette for the apprehending them On the 13 th of June an Express came to the King at White-Hall by the Mayor of Lyme that on the 11 th there appeared Three Ships off that place and about 7 in the Evening the Duke of Monmouth Landed with about 150. Men and possessed himself of that Town sending some of his Men into the Neighbouring Counties to incite the People to Rise whereupon a Proclamation was put forth for Apprehending him his Adherents Adbettors Accomplices and Advisers And the King sent notiâ—e of the Dukes Landing to both Houses of Parliament then Sitting at Westminster who severally Addressed him and promised him in their Addresses to stand by him with their Lives and Fortunes intreating him to have more than ordinary Care of his Royal Person to secure it from any Attempt c. And on the 15 th of June a Proclamation was Published to Suppress the Duke's Declaration Entituled The Declaration of James Duke of Monmouth and the Noblemen Gentlemen and others now in Arms for the Defence and Vindication of the Protestant Religion
them except Two who withdrew took the Oaths and the like soon after did most of the Members that were absent after which an Act was Read regulating the Articles whereupon there rose a debate and an adjournment of a few days ensued The Parliament of England having prepared divers Bills for the Royal Assent On the 22 d. of June the King went to the Lords House And passed an Act for granting of their Majesties an aid of 12 d. in the pound for one year for the necessary defence of the Realm An Act for enabling the Lords Commissioners of the great Seal to execute the Office of Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper An Act for reversing the Attaindurâ— of Henry Cornish Esq late Alderman of 〈◊〉 City of London and divers others relating to Trade and the Affairs of private Persons and this Month there being a Paper Spread Abroad in Secret Intituled a Declaration of King James the Second divers Persons were Seized and Impâ—â—soned Whilst these things passed in England and Scotland a pretended Parliament was Convened at Dublin in Ireland who amongst other things passed an Act for Papist's to pay their Yyths to their own Clergy and an other for Liberty of Conscience Repealing Pointings Acts as likewise the Acts of Setlement and Explanation and made an Act for taking off the Twelve Pence per Pound to Ministers in Corporate Towns and an Act for Attaindure of several thousand of Persons by Name and several French Protestants that had fled theither for shelter were delivered to the Count de Avoâ—x in order to be sent for France and mony being wanting a Copper Coin was made and Ordered by Proclamation to pass Current for six pence unless in the Treasury and Custom-house although it was not the value of one of our â—arthings by which means most of the Current Monies was Ingrossed to the great discouragement of the People and whilst the Body of the English Army Commanded by the Duke of Schomberg was preparing to make a descent on that Kingdom between 7 or 800 Irish were sent over into Scotland to strengthen Dundee's Party under the Command of Collonel Cannon in hopes to divert the King's Forces and retard their passing the Seas but it had not its desired Ends for divers other Persons who were to joyn them being discovered in a Letter brought to the Lord High Commissioner by an unknown Hand and by other ways which occasioned the seizing of such as were Accused or suspected In the End the Design dwindled to little or nothing especially upon Dundee's being Slain in a Battle against Major General Mackay in which his Forces were Routed with considerable loss On the 24 th of July Her Royal Highness the Princess Ann of Denmark was Delivered of a Son at Hampton-Court the Queen being present the whole time of her Labour and the King with most of the Persons of Quallity about the Court came into her Royal Highnesses Chamber before her Delivery and the Young Prince whom the King was pleased to Declare Duke of Gloucester was on the 27 th Christened by the Lord Bishop of London by the Name of WILLIAM the King and the Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold being God-Fathers and the Lady Marchioness of Hallifax God-Mother and her Royal Highness's safe Delivery and the Birth of a Prince was received with great Demonstrations of Joy and Satisfaction throughout England About this time we had the account of the Defeat of Dundee in Scotland and his being Slain after which happened another Encounter briefly thus Major General Mackay having received Advice on the 31. of July That the Enemy was gon towards Angus he marched from Sterlin with a Detachment of Horse of the Lord Colchester's Regiment and some Dragoons and coming the next day to St. Johnstown he understood that 500 of their Foot and 2 Troops of Horse had been sent thither to Seize upon some Stores of Meal that was left there for the use of the King's Forces and were carrying it away to their main Body whereupon by speedy March he over-took them in a Plain not far from St. Johnstown and immediately Charged their Horse who brought up the Rear and having routed them fell upon the Foot who were all killed and taken Prisoners together with Capt. Hacket who Commanded them the which and the former Defeat caused those that were left to retreat further into the North and labour for new Succors On the 14 th of August the Soldiers near at hand the better to keep them in Exercise and train them in War marched to Hounslow Heath and there Encamped but soon after they broke up and the English Soldiers were appointed to Mount the Guards at White Hall c. and take their Posts and Places as formerly for the Guard of Their Majesties Persons c. And divers Troops and Regiments drew out from their Quarters and Marched to High-lake where the Ships for their Transportation into Ireland lay at Anchor And a Declaration of War against France was Published in Scotland Prohibiting likewise all Commerce with the Subjects of France The Duke d' Scombergh arriving with English Army on the 13 th of August the Lough of Carickfergus on Bangor-side without any Opposition he sent 2 Regiments to Bellfast the Irish thâ—â— were there retiring before them and the Country came in with great store of Provisions which proved so Cheap that his Grace sent a great part of what the Ships had brought over back again And those in London Derry the Inskilling Men and other Protestants being hereupon Incouraged and having well provided themselves by the Spoils they had taken upon several Defeats they had given the Enemy became very Formidable making In-roads at their Pleasure and taking great Booties though the Popish Army upon their retreat from before London-Derry had Burnt a great many Villages with much Forrage destroying what they could not carry away And the General still advancing with the English Army the Enemy retreated before him whereupon having reduced several Places and restored as he passed the Country to some considerable Settlement he some time after Encamped near Dundalk expecting a Favourable opportunity to set upon the Enemy Mr. George Walker late Governour oâ— London-Derry having been wellcomed an caressed in Scotland which he took in 〈◊〉 way arrived at Hampton-Court the latter end of this Month where he was received by their Majesties with many expressions of the Gracious Sense they have of his Services and as a present mark of His Royal Favour and Bounty His Majesty was pleased to bestow upon him 5000 l. assuring him that this should not at all lessen the Kindness he intended to shew him and his Family and that he would likewise have a particular care of the rest of the Officers and other Gentlemen who had so well behaved themselves at Derry After which Mr. Walker presented his Majesty an humble Address from the Governours Officers Clergy and other Gentlemen of the City of Derry which was favourably
the only Story that has been made of me And I shall make it my endeavour to preserve this Government in Churcb and State as it is now by Law Established I know the Principles of the Church of England are for Monarchy and the Members of it have shewed themselves Good and Loyal Subjects Therefore I shall allways take Care to defend and support it I know too that the Laws of England are sufficient to make the King as great a Monarch as I can wish and as I shall never depart from the Just Rights and Prerogative of the Crown so I shall never invade any Man's Property I have often ventured my Life in Defence of this Nation and I shall still go as far as any Man in preserving it in all its Just Rights and Liberties Upon this fair promising Speech the Lords of the Council became Humble Suitors to the King that it might be Printted and Published for the Satisfaction of the People which was accordingly done and although some People as yet doubted of K. James's being a Roman Catholick he now put them out of doubt by going publickly to the Chappel so that these Protestant Lords that waited on him thither would not enter with him but attended his coming out c. On the 9 th of February a Proclamation was Exhibited for continuing the Collection of Customs and Subsidies of Tonage and Poundage and Orders were taken for the Funeral Solemnity of the Deceased King and every one that appeared or attended at Court were commanded by an Order of the Earl Marshal to be in the deepest Mourning except Long Cloaks and that as well the Lords as Privy Councelloâ— and Officers of his Late Majesties as of the present Houshold should cover their Coaches and Chairs and cloath their Livery Servants with Black Cloath and that none presumed to use any Varnish or Bullion Nails to be seen on their Chairs or Coaches except his Majesty the Queen Consort Queen Dowager and their Royal Highnesses and the Proclamation Ceremony was upon notice performed in all the chief Cities Towns and Places of the Three Kingdoms c. and a great many Addresses of Condolence and Congratulation were presented from the Societies and Inns of Court and from divers parts of the Kingdom before the Funeral of Charles the Second was performed to particularize which would be too tedious to the Reader and swell this Book at too large a Price nor was Scotland behind in these Proceedings for the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and others of the Council proceeded in their Formalities to the Market Cross and made the Solemn Publication and returned a suitable Answer to the Letter the King had sent them to give notice of what had happened an other was sent in the Name of the Arch-Bishops and Bishops of that Kingdom of Congratulation and Condolence Ireland appeared not behind Hand for his Grace the Duke of Ormond Lord Lieutenant of that Kingdom having received the News on the 10 th of February in the Evening The next Day the Ceremony of Proclaiming was performed and a Proclamation was issued forth on the 16 tb directing the payment of the Duty arising by Excise and the Right Honourable Lawrence Earl of Rochester Lord President of the Council was appointed Lord High-Treasurer of England the King Declaring the Lord Marquess of Hallifax Lord President of the Council in his stead Likewise the Earl of Clarendon Lord Privy Seal and the D. of Beaufort Lord President of Wales who were sworn accordingly The Lord Godolphin was appointed Chamberlain to the Queen and Henry Bulkly Esq Master of his Houshold Sir Stephen Fox eldest Clark of the Green Cloth Sir William Boreman second Clark Sir Winston Churchil Eldest Clark-Comptroller and Sir Richard Mason Youngest Clarkâ—Comptroller being in the same Places during the Reign of King Charles the Second And for some time an industrious Party laboured to accost the Court with Addresses being the prime subject of publick Papers and the great Business of the Lord Chief Justice Jefferys at this time was against Higlers and Carryers for carrying Letters some of which were tryed and fined at the Kings-Bench Bar Westminster Many Forreign Ambassadors arrived with Complements of Condolance and Congratulation and the Solemnity of the Coronation being appointed on the 23d of April being St. Georges day a Proclamation was issued forth bearing date the sixth of March in order to the Preparation on that occasion and the King resolving to call a Parliament to sit at Westminster on the 19th of May great Preparations were made upon the Writs being issued out in order to Elect Members for the Shires Cities Boroughs c And an Order bearing date the 20th of March was Published for the Apprehending of Highway-men and Robers any Person so doing before that Order should be recalled upon Conviction to have Ten Pounds as a Reward And a great many Officers were changed in the Kingdom of Ireland whereupon sundry Addresses ensued On the 14 th of April 1685. the Ambassadors of the States General of the United Provinces made their Publick Entery and had a House made Ready for their Reception in St. James's Square and had their first Publick Audience on the 20 th being Conducted to it by the Lord North and Sir Charles Cotterel Master of the Ceremonies And the 23 d. of April being come the Proceeding of the Coronation Set in Order passed from VVestminster Hall to the Abby and there was performed with the usual Ceremonies very Splendid and Magnificent which ended it returned to the aforesaid Hall where a Royal Entertainment was prepared and the King's Champion came in on Horse-Back and made his Challenge c. and most of the Towns throughout England were that Night filled with Bone-Fiers And on the same Day the Parliament of Scotland met at Edenburg and passed on the 28 th Two Acts one for settlâ—ng the Protestant Religion and the other for settling the Excise of Inland and Foreign Commodities upon the King and his Lawful Heirs and Successors for ever On the 30 th of April Sir Roger Le' Estrange Author of the Observatâ—r was Knighted in the King's Bed-Chamber and on the 6 th of May his Grace the Duke of Norfolk was Elected Knight Companion of the Noble Order of the Garter and invested with the George and Garter having first been Knighted by the Soveraign The Enemies of Dr. Oats having by this time prevailed against him he was tryed on the 8 th and 9 th of May upon Two Informations of Willful Perjury at the Kings-Bench Bar Sir George Jefferys being Lord Chief Justice and after a long Hearing a Verdict passed against him upon either Indictment and his Sentence proved very severe and was put in Execution with all manner of Rigour yet he lived contrary to the Expectation of Many to weather that Storm and see the short Triumph of his Enemies On the 28 th of May a Proclamation was Published in Scotland for the stirring up the several Counties and Shires for
his Head set upon the Bridg gate The King upon this Success put out a Proclamation for a Sollemn and Publick Thanksgiving throughout the Kingdom and the Popish Priests who began to appear more Bare-faced than ever Magnified the Victory in their Sermons and Discourses Attributing it solely to the Virgin Mary nay some of them were so vain as to afirm that she was seen flying over the Armies with a drawn Sword during the Fight but we believe they might mistake her for a Meteor that appeared that Evening with a very swist motion and spreading light passing quite through the City of London The Duke of Monmouth the Lord Grey and a German Officer being brought to White-Hall on the 13 th of July they were sent by Water to the Tower and although great Intercession was made for the Duke by the Queen Dowager and others he was on the 15 th brought upon a Scaffold on Tower-Hill and after having made a large Speech and Discoursed with the Bishops that waited on him shewing much Penitence and declaring he dyed in the Communion of the Church of England he layed down his Head and whether through the the Inability of the Executioner or a fear that seiz'd him the Execution was Barbarous for He received five stroaks before his Head was severed from his shoulders his Body and Head were delivered to his Servants who carried them away in a Mourning Herse in order to its private Interment and thus fell this great Man who had been so long the Darling of the Multitude and upon whose Inconstant Breath he to much bore himself till it brought him to Ruin as for the Lord Grey he was afterward Pardoned and the Brandenburger dismised but others fared not so well for a Bloody Scene ensued which was Acted with too much Heat and Cruelty and several Proclamations were set forth commanding divers Persons that Absconded to surrender themselves and soon after the Earl of Stamford the Lord Delamere and the Lord Brandon were Committed to the Tower the first of which was discharged the second Pardoned and the last Acquitted by his Peers Our Ships being on the Coast of Sally to Curb those Pirates Maned out their Boats and boldly passed their Bar Burning their Ships in the Port within Pistol shot of the Town and notwithstanding the Continual Fire that was made only one Man was mortaly wounded and five lightly hurt On the 12 th of July Henry Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal of England Henry Earl of Peterborrough Groom of the stole to the King and Lawrence Earl of Rochester Lord High-Treasurer of England were Installed Knights of the Garter at the Royal Chaple of St. George within the Castle of Windsor and on the 30 th the Earl of Feversham was Installed and the White Staff of Lord Chamberlain of the King 's House-hold was given to the Earl of Aylesbury On the 4 th of August pursuant to the Adjornment the Parliament met at Westminster and the Lord Treasurer whom the King appointed to perform the part of Lord Keeper in his Absence having declared to the House of Lords that they should further Adjourn to the 9 th of November and the like being Signified to the Commons by the Earl of Midletoâ— both Houses Adjourned accordinglyâ— And the French King and Duke of Orleance sent to Congratulate the King upon his Victory the first by the Marescha de Humiers and the last by the Count de Tonnerre and on the 8 th of August the City of York had their Charter restored which was received with great Joy and a Declaration bearing date the 25 th was put forth to Regulate the Soldiers and prevent any disorders they might commit the King resolving to keep up his Army and the Lord Cheif Justice Jefferys and others being sent into the VVest with Commission to Try those that were in Prison for taking part with the Duke of Monmouth Made a miserable Havock of those People Condemning great Numbers and causing them to be Hang'd in all the principal Towns and their Quarters to be set up in such abundance that the stench Infected the Air and brought a kind of a Contageon few of those that went from London except such as turned Evidences against others Escaped many as well Women as Men were publickly Whip'd and others had their Estates seiz'd and a great many were thrust on Ship-board and Sold to the Transmarine Plantations so that there was nothing but Weeping and Lamentation to be heard yet it nothing moved the Inexorable Judge to Compassion for a Proclamation coming forth forbiding any to Harbour or Relieve any of them that had been with the Duke they were forced to wander up and down in Woods their nearest Relations not daring to Relieve them so that several were Starved to Death or Perished for Want of Necessaries such as could get shiping went for Holland and other places of Refuge and on the 3 d. of September Alice Lisle a very Ancient Lady was Executed upon a publick Scaffold at VVinchester by having her Head Severed from her Body pursuant to a Sentence for no other Crime than giving Entertainment in her House to one John Hix who had been with the Duke which brought such a Terror upon others that a Father delivered up his own Son and those that had concealed any was forced to dismiss them and Orders were every where given to search for Suspected Persons so that the Popish Priests by making Interest for Pardons got extraordinary sums of money nor did the Lord Chief Justice less Inrich himself as since it has appeared by taking 15000 l. of one Person for a Pardon and no doubt a great deal of many others and the Lord Keeper North Dying on the 5 th of September the Great Seal was keept for the Lord Chief Justice till the Bloody Harvest was finished and this month Dyed that Great and Eminent States-man Sr. Leoline Jenkins and was Buried with much Formality and Ceremony in Jesus Colledge Chaple at Oxford to which he had been a considerable Benefactor The Lord Cheif Justice being by this time sufficiently Gluted with Blood returning to VVhite-Hall about the latter end of September having before been made Barron of VVem had now the Broad Seal delivered to him with the Title of Lord Chancellour Sr. Edward Herbert Cheif Justice of Chester was made Lord Cheif Justice of the Kings-Bench and Sr. Edward Lutwich Succeeded him in his place of Cheif Justice of Chester and Sr. Robert VVright was removed from the Exchequer to the Kings-Bench and many other Alterations were made On the 19 th of October Henry Cornish Esq was brought to his Tryal at the Old Baily upon an Indictment of High Treason and was found Guilty upon very slender Evidence There was likewise Tryed one William Ring for Harbouring and Concealing Joseph Kelloway and Henry Lawrence who had been with the Duke of Monmouth in the West as likewise John Ferneley for Harbouring and Concealing James Burton a Person Outlawed for high Treason and
And the suddainness of the affairs requiring the Soldiers to Quarter in private Houses a Declaration was Published to prohibit it unless such Houses as were willing to entertain them And divers of the Sea-men having deserted their Ships were ordered to return at a set time and for the better Incouragement of the Navy the Arrears and Wages that should grow due was promised to the Officers and Sea-men serving in the Fleet according to the known Method The Royal African Company out of a sense of their Duty and Respect on the 16 th of January at a General Court Unanimously chose His Highness to be their Governour for the Year ensuing and presented him with 1000 l. in their Joynt-Stock and the High Sheriff together with the considerable Gentry of the County of Cambridge entered into an Association engaging themselves Solemnly to stand by His Highness with their Lives and Fortunes c. and soon after the like was done by divers others The 22 th of January being come the Lords Spiritual and Temporal assembled at Westminster the Lord Marquess of Hallifax Executed the place of Speaker in the House of Lords and the Commons chose Henry Powle Esq to be their Speaker after which His Highness's Letter was read in both Houses on the occasion of their Meeting and the Lords and Commons resolved upon an Address of Thanks and humbly therein desired him to continue the Administration of Affairs till further application should be made by them to His Highness and the 31 th of January was appointed for a publick Day of Thanksgiving in the Cities of London and Westminster and 10 Miles distance for the great Deliverance and on the 14 of February all over England and then the Lords and Commons went to St. Iames's to present their Address The Soldiers as well as the Seamen were likewise encouraged about this time with promise of their Pay and Arrears c. and many Disorders being committed by unruly People in Forrests and Chaces by Destroying the Deer and cutting down Timber a Declaration was published for the preventing them Commanding the Magistrates to be strict and dilligent in apprehending the Offenders and now the Prince having at the supplication of the Lords and Commons sent for His Royal Consort She passed the Seas Attended by divers English and Dutch Men of War and was received with great Demonstrations of Joy at White-Hall where she arrived by Water on the 12 th of February being that Night Visited by most of the Nobility at Court and the next Day in the Morning the Lords Spiritual and Temporal being assembled at Westminster and having agreed upon an Instrument of Writing for Declaring the Prince and Princess of Orange King and Queen of England France and Ireland with all the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging and upon presenting it in the Banquetting House having received their consent about Eleven of the Clock they were Proclaimed at White-Hall by the Officers at Arms and afterwards at Temple-Bar at Woodâ— street-End and before the Royal Exchange with all the Ceremonies and Splendour that attends the occasion the People every where expressing their Satisfaction by loud acclamations and four Regiments of the City Militia lined the way So the Day concluded with Ringing of Bells and Bonefires And hereupon the King and Queen joyntly placed in the Administration of the Government which King James was Declared to have Abdicated by both Houses as also the Succession settled in case of Failure of Issue a Proclamation was published to continue all Persons being Protestants who on the first of the last of December were in Office of Sheriff Justice of the Peace Commissioners Collectors and other Offices and Places concerning the Managing Collecting Receiving and Paying of the Revenue of the Kingdom should be continued in the said Office till their Majesties Pleasure was further known The Papists in Ireland Arming in great Numbers in that Kingdom committed about this time great Outrages on the Protestants Plundering Disarming and Imprisoning them so that divers as they could make their Escape fled for England yet the North parts held out against them being in Arms under the Lord Kingston and others making a very brave Defence to prevent the going over of other Papist's and Disafected Persons the English Ports that lay favourable to that Kingdom were ordered to be stop'd As for Scotland it had submited it self Voluntarily to the Protection of King William and Queen Mary yet the Duke of Gourdon held the Castle against the whole Kingdom being Guarded by about 100 of his Accomplices mostly Papist's but in the end was Obliged to Surrender as will appear hereafter On the 18 th of February the King went by Water to the House of Lords in all the usual Splendor and Majesty and being Seated on the Throne and the Commons Attending he made a very Gracious Speech to both Houses Relating to the Circumstances of Affairs and then Returned to White-Hall and a Privy-Council of Honourable and Worthy Persons were Chosen and the Papist's such as were not House-keepers commanded to remove from the Cities of London and Westminster c. And a Universal Joy over-spread the Kingdom upon the News of the Proclaiming the King and Queen all the Cities and most remarkable Towns shined with Fires the Bells every where Ringing great Feasting and Drinking of Healths c. The King having frequently Repeated His Good Will towards and his Resolution to Protect the Church of England On the 21 st of February the Lord Bishop of London with the Clergy of the City to the Number of 100 waited upon the King and Queen with an Humble Tender of their Fidelity and were Graciously Received having the Honour to kiss their Hands and the King gave them a further Assurance of his Affection to that Church and of all Protection and Encouragement Concluding viz. I Assure you that you shall ever find it so and may Depend upon it On the 23 d. the King gave the Royal Assent to an Act for Removing and Preventing all Questions and Disputes about the Assembling and Siting of the present Parliament and afterwards went with the Queen to Divertise himself at Hampton-Court and in the beginning of March he was pleased to Constitute Sir John Mayâ—ard Anthony Kecke and William Rawleson Serjeants at Law since Knighted Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal of England the Lord Willoughby of Ersby Chancellor of the Dutchy and County Palatine of Lancaster the Lord Lovelace Captain of the Band of Gentlemen Pentioners and the Lord Lucas cheif Governour of the Tower of London and divers other Worthy Persons were put in Places of Trust He likewise Granted a Conge de Elire to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathederal Church of Sarum with his Letters Missive for the Electing Dr. Burnet Bishop of that See void by the Death of Dr. Seth Ward And Hearth-Money proving grievous to the Subjects especially the poorer sort the King upon the humble Request of the Commons was pleased to give
his Consent That the Act should be made null and void for which they returned him an Address of Thanks and upon the same occasion the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council made and Presented their Address On the 16 th of March the King passed Two Acts one for Impowering His Majesty to apprehend and detain such Persons as he shall find just Cause to suspect are Conspiring against the Government and an Act for anulling and making void the Attainder of William Russel Esq commonly called Lord Russel and then made a very Gracious Speech requiring them to settle the Oaths that Papists might be excluded and Protestants that were willing and able to serve might be admitted to places of Trust About this time we had News That a great part of the Regiment of Foot once Commanded by the Lord Dumbarton had revolted and seized on the Money designed for their Pay and Marching away with some Field Pieces had Proclaimed K. James commiting several Disorders and Outrages in the County of Suffolk and other places whereupon the Parliament besought his Majesty to Issue out a Proclamation for apprehending and surpressing them which was accordingly done and more Forces sent to quell them however at first they prepared to make resistance but the King's Horse being ready to attack them they threw down their Arms and surrendred upon Discretion and were most of them the Officers especially brought up to London the greatest part of the Soldiers were sent to the English Army assisting the States General against France and several of the principal Officers were tryed at the Assizes holden for the County of Suffolk and being found Guilty cast themselves upon the King's Mercy expressing a hearty Sorrow for what they had done and were thereupon Reprieved The Coronation Day being appointed on the 11 th of April 1689. A Proclamation was published to give Notice thereof to such as had Claims by Tenure of Land Service Dignity Places Honour Offices or Trust that they might timely make their Claims in order to have things done regular upon so great and solemn Occasions And the Lord Lieutenants of the respective Countys were perfected So that all things tended to good order and settlement in England but the Affairs of Ireland admitted of no such Happiness for the late King being Landed there with French Forces and drawn to him a considerable Army of Irish Papists For a time we had but a Melancholly account of Affairs in that Kingdom however several places held out and put a stop to the Torrent of the Enemy and such as were uncapable of Resisting were obliged to take such Conditions as they could get On the 22 th of March Thomas Pilkington Esq since Knighted Elected to be Lord Mayor for the City of London for the remaining part of the Year in the room of Sir John Chapman who Dyed in his Mayoralty was presented to the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal and afterwards Sworn at the Hustings in Guild-Hall according to the ancient Custom and at Five in the Afternoon he was Sworn without the Tower-Gate by the Lord Lucas Chief Governour of the Tower in pursuance of their Majesties Writ directed to him and of the ancient usuage at such time as the Exchequer Court is not holden at Westminster And the Day before an Act passed the Royal Assent for a present Supply for their Majesties The Convention of the Estates of Scotland met at Edenburgh to consult the settlement of the Affairs of that Kingdom as it had been appointed the 16 th of March they chose his Grace the Duke of Hamilton their President and settled their Committee of Five out of every Estate for Examining the Elections and then took the matter of the Castle of Edenburgh into their Consideration and sent to the Duke of Gourdon who yet held it out requiring him to put it into their hands whereupon he required an Indemnity for all that had passed and a Security for the future which the Convention condescending to in so far as he had acted as a Papist they sent the Earls of Tweedale and Lothain with an Indemnity in Writing for himself and all that were with him upon which he desired 24 Hours to consider it but though this was granted it appeared in the end that he only delayed to gain time when after several Messages sent to and fro the Convention sent up the Heralds at Arms in their Formalities to charge him in the Name and Authority of the Convention Immediately to deliver up the Castle upon pain of Treason and upon refusal he was Proclaimed at the Mercat Cross and all Persons forbid upon pain of Treason to Converse Correspond or Treat with him or to Aid Abet or Succour him and so they proceeded to Forfeit him And the King of England's Letter was read with great applause and a Committee appointed to draw up an Answer in the most thankful and dutiful manner but there being a Letter likewise sent by the late King James brought by one Mr. Crane before they would suffer it to be read they passed an Act by the unanimous consent of the House asserting the Lawfulness of the Convention notwithstanding any thing that might be alledged in the said Letter to the contrary and the Person that brought it was committed to the Custody of a Serjeant at Arms but upon his humble Petition he in a few Days was set at Liberty and obtained a Pasport to return to his Master And the Convention approved proved of all that the Noblemen and Gentlemen at London had done in praying His Majesty to take upon him the Administration of the Government The Viscount Dundee being Discovered to have a secret Conference with the Duke of Gourdon and upon being Summoned Flying with between 30 and 40 Horse stronger Forces were raised and 3 Regiments were sent from England under the Command of Major General Mackay and thus passed over the Material Transactions of the Year 1688. just a hundred Years since the Spanish Invasion was defeated and brought to nothing In the beginning of the Year 1689. the Lord Ross arrived with a Letter from the Convention of Scotland which he presented to his Majesty viz. May it please Your Majesty AS Religion Liberty and Law are the dearest concerns of Mankind so the deepest sence of the extream hazard they were exposed to must produce suitable Returns from the Kingdom of Scotland to Your Majesty whom in all Sincerity and Gratitude we Acknowledge to be under God our great and seasonable Deliverer and we heartily Congratulate that as God has Honoured Your Majesty to be an Eminent Instrument of the Preservation of his Truth so he has rewarded Your Undertaking with Success in the considerable Progrese you have made in Delivering us and in preserving to us the Protestant Religion We return our most Dutiful Thanks to Your Majesty for the accepting the Administration of Publick Affairs and convening the Estates of this Kingdom and we shall with all convenient Dilligence take Your
Majesties Vice-Chamberlain from the Prince of Denmark by the Lord Cornbury Master of his Horse and from the Princess by Lieutenant Collonel Sandys and soon after had their Audiences with Regard due to their Charracter and Their Majesties were on the like Occasion Congratulated by divers other Foreign Ministers About this time happened an Extraordinary Act of Bravery which for its Prodigeous Effect may well be Incerted viz. Robert Casâ—n Master of the Richards Advice a Collier about 400 Tun 6 Guns 12 Men 2 Boys and one Passenger meeting Two French Privatiers of Foulness one of 18 Guns and a 130 Men and other of 4 Guns 55 Men who Boarding the Advice were several time beaten off with considerable loss so that after several Attempts and a Fight of Four hours 20 of the French being kill'd 12 wounded and two that were left on Board taken Prisoners the Privatiers stood away and left the Collier to Prosecute his Voyage The Estates of Scotland on the 24 th of May having Received His Majesties Letter Signifying to them that at their Desire he had Resolved to turn them into a Parliament Authorizing them to Adjourn themselves to the Fifth of June following That all their Members being Required to be present they might proceed to dispatch what Affairs should most Conduce to the Setlement of the Nation Thereupon they Ordered Unanimously a Letter of Thanks to be Written to His Majesty for His most Gracious Letter to them and then in Pursuance thereof Adjourned to the 5 th of June Giving Orders for all their Members to be present on that day and the Privy Council Assembling during the Interval took upon them the Care and Management of such Affairs as properly belonged to their Charge giving Order for the Raising a new Battery against the Castle upon the Hill within the Town Walls whilst Major General Mackay Opposed the Progress and Proceedings of the Viscount Dundee who kept himself in Lochquelabar to Joyn the High-land-Clans he expected to come to his Assistance A Declaration was Published about this time giving great Incouragement to the Officers Seamen and Marriners employed in the Navy and divers French Prizes were brought into several Ports of this Kingdom â—aden with Wines Brandy and other valuable Commodities And the French Fleet was dared in the Harbour of Brest into which the greatest part was put for Succour and Shelter from the English who kept the Seas and all Persons were forbid by Proclamation to Trade or Traffick with any Person or Persons whatsoever in the Kingdom of Ireland without leave first obtained in that behalf or to correspond or to have Communication with any Person in any part or place within the same except such as are in Obedience to the present Government The Convention of Scotland meeting on the 5 th 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 he had received Instructions from his Majesty for turning the Meeting of the Estates into a Parliament and then to Adjourn to the 17 th and thereafter not only to consent to such a Law as may Redress the particular Articles of Grievances but likewise to any other Acts they should advise for the securing the Religion Peace and Happiness of the Kingdom After which the King's Commission and Letters to the Estates was read and the Lord Commissioner declared it was the King's Pleasure that the Earl of Crawford should preside in Parliament whereupon he was called to the Presidents Seat and the Estates passed an Act declaring that the Three Estates met together on the 5 th of June 1689. Consisting of the Noblemen Knights and Burgesses are a Lawful and Free Parliament to all Intents and Purposes soever and that it shall be High-Treason for any Person to Disown Quarrel or Impugne the Dignity and Authority of this Parliament upon any pretence whatsoever And this Act being touched with the Scepter according to the manner of passing Acts in Scotland the President by the Command of the Lord Commissioner adjourned the Parliament to the 17 th of June and divers Persons who had been imprisoned upon Suspition of corresponding with the Duke of Gourdon and the Viscount of Dundee were set at Liberty and a Party of the King's Forces upon notice that some of Dundees Men had engaged the Laird of Grant who had 30. Dragoons allowed him to convey him to his House advanced to the number of 150. Dragoons commanded by Sir Thomas Levingston Collonel of the Scots Dragoons and Lieutenant Collonel Hawley of Berkley's Regiment who met and encountred near a Rockey Hill about 500. Men most of the Macleans newly come up whom they beat and pursued so closely amongst the Hills whither they retired that about 100. of them were killed and on the Kings part only the Laird of Andgour and a Captain of Berkleys with 5 or 6 Draggoons These and other Proceedings of the like nature greatly discouraged the Duke of Gourdon who came to Terms of Articles after several Parlies which were these THE Duke of Gourdon hath so much Respect for all the Princes of King James the Sixth Line as not to Condition with any of them for his own particular Interest so he renders himself entirely to King William's Discretion I. That Lieutenant Collonel Winderham Lieutenant Governour of the Castle shall submit himself to King William's Pleasure his Life being secured and all the rest of the Garrison shall have their Lives Liberties and Fortunes secured and Passes granted to those that will take Oathes not to bear Arms against the present Government II. The Garrison is allowed to march out with their Swords and Baggage belonging properly to themselves III. That all Gentlemen Voluntiers Servants and Others within the Garrison shall have the same Capitulation with the rest of the Garrison IV. That all manner of Persons shall have the benefit of the first Article who have kept Correspondence with the Castle and who have not been in Arms and being at present at Edenburg or in the same County shall be indemnified and have the Benefit of the Capipitulation V. The Sick Soldiers shall have Liberty to dispose of themselves as they think best they behaving themselves as becometh VI. That all the Officers and Gentlemen Servants and Soldiers shall have the same Benefit which others have they living peaceably VII A considerable Post within the Castle shall be immediately how soon security is granted to the Garrison for the above written Articles put in Possession of those Forces under the command of Major General Lanier Upon these Conditions the strong Castle of Edenburg which had for a considerable time been a Terrour to the City and parts thereabout was surrendered and the Duke kept under Confinement till the King's Pleasure was known And the Parliament meeting on the 17 th of June proceeded to pass an Act for the asserting and recognizâ—ng Their Majesties Authority and afterward all of
received and care was taken for the supplying the Necessities of such as had been forced to Fly that Kingdom to avoid the Persecution and it was ordered by the Lords of the Committee for the affairs of Ireland that all Persons that do receive half Pay from their Majesties upon the Irish Establishment should Immediately Transport themselves into Ireland and repair to his Majesties Army under his Grace the Duke of Schombergh General of his Majesties Forces And now upon the Publication of the King's Pardon in Scotland to such as would come In in time and lay hold on the Offered Grace divers Persons of Note and others took the Advantage and Submitted themselves The High-landers likewise dispersed so that Collonel Cannon who Commanded in Cheif was Reduced for the most part to the straightness of the Isle of Mull and greatly distressed for want of Provisions and other Necessaries and to straiten him the more General Mackay Garrisoned divers places in the North and divers of the Heads of Clans that had stood out came in and took the Oath to the King and Queen giving sufficient Surites for the Peace and all things seemed to promise a prosperous Issue to the Affairs of that Kingdom On the 20 th of September the Parliament met ar Westminster pursuant to their late Adjournment and His Majesty having Signified his Pleasure to both Houses that they should further Adjourn to the 19 th of October the two Houses Adjourned accordingly and had further notice to meet by Proclamation The Parliament of Scotland was likewise Adjourned by Proclamation from the Eighth of October to the 20 th of December And the King going to New-Market was Highly Complemented by the Vice-chancelor of the Uniuersity of Cambridge and the Heads of the Houses the Doctors c. in their Formalities to which His Majesty returned a very Gracious Answer and then they were one by one presented by his Grace the Duke of Somerset their Chancelor and Admitted to kiss the King's Hand and the next day His Majesty went to Cambridge and was very Splendidly Entertained and divers Addrsses were Humbly Presented in this Progress from Sundry Corporations c. which were very Favorably Received The Army in Ireland being about this time Advanced some what near the Enemy a design was discovered in the Camp Carried on by some French Papists Mâ—sqing themselves under the Pretext of Protestants for a Captain in one of the French Regiments being Informed by a Soldier that four other Soldiers and a Drummer that were Papist's designed to go over to the Irish Army he caused them to be seized and found Letters about one of them to Mounsieur de Avaux who upon Examination Confessed he had a Letter from one du Plessy a Papist serving as a private Centinal 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 account of a Murther he had committed there who being likewise seized upon Examination Confessed that he had Written to the late King and de Avaux giving them an account that there were divers Papist's in the French Regiments and promising withal to bring them over to the Irish Camp upon condition he might have the Command of them and a Pardon in France whereupon he and his five Accomplices being Tryed before a Council of War and the design being Apparrent they received Sentence of Death and were Executed accordingly after which the three French Collonels made a strict Inquiry what Papist's there were in their Regiments and found 150 who by order of the General were Secured and sent Prisoners to Carlingfâ—rd in order to their being Transported for England and most of these had deserted the French Service this Summer and passed into Holland and from thence to England where they Listed themselves in the Regiments of French the Protestants that were then Leavying the Officers Raising their Companies in so much hast that they had not time to Examine them strictly and perhaps their Disserting and coming over might be a French Trick to Embroyl our Army but however it was timely discovered and defeated On the 13 th of October Dr. Edward Stilling flâ—et Bishop Elect of Worcester Dr. Simon Patrick Bishop Elect of Chichester Dr. Gilbert Ironside Bishop Elect of Bristol were Consecrated in the Chapple of Fullham by the Bishop of London St. Asaph and Rochester by vertue of a Commission Granted to them on that behalf and the next day Thomas Earl of Pembroek and Montgomery was Sworn one of the Lords of His Majesties Privy-Council and took his place at the Board accordingly On the 19 th the Parliament met at Westminster whither the King went Attended with the usual Solemnity and being in His Royal Robes Seated on the Throne in the House of Lords made a very Gracious Speech to both Houses on the occasion of their Meeting and after a short Prorogation of three days the Parliament met again and His Majesty Refered them to what he had said to both Houses on the 19 th And for the better Encouragement of erchants and others that should carry Necessaries into Ireland for the Service of the King's Forces an Order was Published to excuse the paying any Duty or Custom from the first of November for 3 Months ensuing On the 29 th of October Sir Thomas-Pilkington being continued Lord Mayor for the Year ensuing went toi Westminster in the Morning by Water attended by the Companys in their Barges after the usual splendid manner and being Sworn before the Barons of the Exchequer return'd to Black-Fryers Stairs where he Landed and passed to Guild-Hall where their Majesties were pleased to Dine with him as did a great many of the Nobility and Members of the House of Commons with the Privy Councellors Judges Bishops c. The whole Entertainment being to the high Satisfaction of all and the King and Queens Pictures were set up the Night before in the Court of Hustings as also a Triumphal Arch c. The King about this time was pleased to Create Richard Lord Coot Baron of Coloony in the Kingdom of Ireland an Earl of that Kingdom by the Name of Earl of Bellemont And a French Man of War of 15 Guns Laden with Arms and bound for Ireland was taken by the St. Albans and Dover Frigats and brought into Falmouth the 6 th of November and they narrowly missed another of 36 Guns on Board which were reported to be the Ld. Dover and the Marquess d' Albyville going to King James On Board the Prize taken were 4000 small Arms and a considerable quantity of Powder with several French Officers And several French Prizes were brought into other Ports Although the greatest part of the English Army in Ireland was in Winter Quarters yet Charlemont was kept Blocked up and divers Skirmishes happened between Parties in which the Irish were worsted as at the Hills before Charlemont and at Newry Bridge and Town c. Loosing a great many of their
best men On the 16 th of December the King went to the House of Lords at Westminster attended with the usual Solemnity and gave the Royal Assent to An Act granting to their Majesties an Aid of two Shillings in the Pound for one Year An Act for Declaring the rights of the Subject and settling the Succession of the Crown And some other Acts for Naturalizing Persons c. On the 23 th of December the King passed an Act to prevent Doubts and Questions concerning the Collection of the Publick Revenue An Act to punish Officers and Soldiers who shall mutiny or desert their Majesties Service and for punishing false Musters And a private Act for settling a Joynture c. On the first of January a Chapter being held by the Soveraign and Knights Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter Frederick Elector of Brandenburgh was chosen a Knight Companion of the Order into the Stall of the Late Elector of Brandenburgh his Father The King of Denmark having sent about 6000 Horse and Foot to assist their Majesties of Great Britain Shipp'd in a very considerable Fleet they notwithstanding the projects of the French to disappoint it arrived safe in England and Scotland and were kindly received and care taken for passing them into Ireland to which Service they were chiefly designed being all well Disciplin'd and well Accourtred Men. On the 16 th the King came to the House of Lords and being Seated on the Throne the Commons attending gave the Royal Assent to An Act for a Grant to Their Majesties of an additional Aid of 12 d. in the Pound for one Year An Act for the Charging and Collecting the Duties upon Coffee Tea and Chocolate at the Custom-House and a private Act. And for the firmer settlement of the Kingdom of Scotland by putting the places of greatest Trust in confiding Hands His Majesty has been pleased to Constitute Lords Commissioners For the Great Seal The Duke of Hamilton the Earl of Argyle and the Earl of Southerland For the Privy Seal The Earl of Forfar the Earl of Kintore and the Lord of Carmichael For the Treasury The Earl of Crawford the Earl of Cassels the Earl of Tweddale the Lord Ruthuen and Mr. Melvil For the Clerk Register's Office The Lord Betheaven the Master of Burleigh Sir Duncan Campbell of Auclimbreak Sir Thomas Burnet of Lays and John Hay of Park Sir George Campbell of Cesnock Lord Justice Clerk On the 27 th of January His Majesty being seated on the Throne in the House of Lords sent for the Commons and gave the Royal Assent to An Act for the renewing of the Poll Bill and for an additional Poll. An Act to prevent Vexations Suits against such as acted in order to the bringing in their Majesties and Four private Acts. And then proceeded to make the following Gracious Speech My Lords and Gentlemen I Am very sensible of the readiness you have shewed to supply me with Money for the carrying on the Wars I am engaged in That I am glad of this occasion to give you Thanks for your careful dispatch of that matter which was absolutely necessary for the common safety The best return I can make your Kindness is to assure you that as far as it will goe it shall be imploy'd to the purposes it was given It is a very sensible Affliction to me to see my good People Burthened with heavy Taxes but since the speedy recovering of Ireland is in my Opinion the only means to ease them and to preserve the Peace and Honour of the Nation I am resolved to go thither in Person and with the Blessing of God Almighty endeavour to reduce that Kingdom that it may â—o longer be a Charge to this And as I have already ventured my Life for the Preservation of the Religion Laws and Liberties of this Nation so I am willing again to expose it to secure you the quiet enjoyment of them The Spring draws on and it being Requisite I should be early in the Field I must immediately apply my Thoughts to give Orders for the necessary Preparations which that I may have the more leisure to do I have thought convenient to put an End to this Sessions Then Mr. Speaker by His Majesty's Command said My Lords and Gentlemen IT is His Majesties Pleasure that this Parliament be Prorogued to the second Day of April next And this Parliament is Prorogued to the second Day of April next And thereupon His Majesty returned to his Palace FINIS