his Master against his Son who had risen in Rebellion against him and soon after outed him of his Kingdom by the help of the Dutch and our East-India Company of their Trade in that part of the Country As for the Emperor of Morocco he kept not the Truce or Treaty his Ambassador had made whereupon the King finding one Town very chargeable to keep against a populous Country and that it turn'd to no great advantage by reason the Mould could not be finished as had been proposed he sent the Lord Dartmoueh to fetch off the Garrison the Inhabitants and their Effects and then fired the Town and blew up the Works which had cost a Million of Mony And now the Court being disgusted at the proceedings of the City of London a Quo Warranto was brought against their Famous and Ancient Charter and the Controversie admitted of many long Arguments and Debates at the Kings Bench Bar between the Kings Council and the Council for the City but it being over-ruled in the end it was declared by the Judges that the Liberties and Franchises should be Seized into the King's hands however Judgment was not entered up but the King appointed the Lord Mayor Sheriffs c. to Act by Commission reserving to himself the Nomination of the Chief Magistrates and the Common Council was laid aside and so it continued 'till the Charter was restored Anno 1688. of which hereafter for the City finding it in vain to contend when the Opinions of the Judges were against them found themselves constrained to acquiesce in what was done as did afterwards most of the Corporations of England likewise the Companies or Bodys Corporate of London c. whose Charters and Franchises were either Seized or Surrendered About this time the Nation was allarmed by the appearing of Keeling West and others who Deposed there was a Design against the Life of the King c. whereupon the Earl of Eslex the Lord Russel Captain VValcot VVilliam Hone John Rouse were Imprisoned and Proclamation published for the apprehending the Duke of Monmouth and others that fled many of which upon their not rendring themselves were attainted by Out-lawry but the Duke a considerable time after came in and was received into Favour the proceedings upon Out-lawry having been stopped by the Kings special Command but the Duke out of Discontent soon after went for Holland and from thence after his Fathers Death Invaded England of which hereafter However this Business proved very Bloody for the Earl of Essex was found with his Throat cut in the Tower Rouse Hene and VValâ—ot were Executed at Tyburn the Lord Russel was Beheaded in Lincoln-Inn-Field Collonel Sidney on Tower-Hill and Sir Thomas Armstrong being surprized and brought from Holland and James Holloway from Nevis were executed upon their Out-lawrys by a rule of Court made for their Execution all of them making very penitent ends and upon this score divers were Executed afterwards as will appear in the Reign of K. James The Earl of Shaftsbury a little before this matter broke out Dyed in Holland whither he was retired and his Body was brought over and Buried in England This Storm being a little over the happy Marriage was Consummated between the Lady Anne and his Royal Highness Prince George Brother to the King of Denmark the Ceremony being performed by the Bishop of London in the presence of the King Queen Duke Dutchess and most of the great Persons of the Court and followed with great demonstrations of Joy and Satisfaction throughout the Kingdom and a great Muster of the Land Forces was soon after held on Putney-Heath where the King and most of the Court went to take a view of them And such a Frost happened that the like had never been known in England before all the Rivers were Frozen over and the Harbours and Havens were stopped up so that Carts and Coaches might move on the Waters but neither Boats nor Shipping could stir for the space of six Weeks People keeping Fairs upon the River of Thames with all manner of Disports as likewise upon other great Waters and divers Fowle and Cattle were starved to Death many of the Elder sort of People despairing to out-live so sharp a Season but the Wind turning it Thawed of a suddain without much harm The King having appointed Sir William Goslin and Sir Peter Vandeput by Commission under the Great Seal to be Sheriffs of London and Middlesex on the 28 th of September 1684. they were Sworn at Guild-Hall before the Lord Mayor anâ— Court of Aldermen and on the 30 th at Westminster in the Exchequer Chamber taking upon them the charge of Sherâ—ffs 〈◊〉 the ensuing Year On the 2 d. of October the City of Oxford had a New Charter sent and thereupon according to what was nominated therein Mr. Walker was sworn Mayor and Mr. Baker Town-Clerk the latter making a large Speech upon the occasion and afterward great Feasting ensued to Treat and Wellcome the Earl of Abindon who brought the Charter And about this time many other Charters were sent down to divers Cities Corporations c. in lieu of those that had been surrendered or were taken away by proceedings in the Courts of Westmincter and a new Engine was Invented by sundry Undertakers to make Sea-water fresh which was tryed and approved by many persons of Quality of divers Nations and experienc'd Sea-Commanders as well as Foreign Ministers of State and His Grace the Duke of Grafton being appointed Recorder of Bury St. Edmonds by the new Charter he was received there with many demonstrations of Joy and sworn the 20 th of October And Justice Windham Dying in this Month Mr. Baron Street was removed to the Common-Pleas and in his stead Sir Robert Wright was Constituted and Sir James Smith being Commissionated by the King to be Lord Mayor for the ensuing Year was Sworn before the Barons of the Exchequer on the 29 th and the Entertainment was performed with the usual Solemnities Great Storms about this time happened at Sea and Land which did considerable damage breaking many Ships in pieces and over-setting some Houses And Dr. Turner being removed to the Bishoprick of Ely Dr. Sprat Dean of Westminster was Consecrated Bishop of Rochester at the Chapple at Lambeth by the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury aâ—â—isted by several other Bishops and two Addresses were presented to the King the one from the Lieutenant and Governour General of the Collony and Dominion of Virginia together with the Council of the same and the other fromt the Burgesses and General Assembly of the said Dominion in the Name of themselves and the Commons to congratulate his happy continuance in the Throne and the sensibility they had of their own Tranquility under his Reign c. On the 6 th of November the Tryal commenced at Guild-Hall between Sir William Pritchard formerly Lord Mayor of London and Mr. Papillion c. before the Lord Chief Justice Jefferies where the Jury gave Sir William 10000 l.
its Enemies and as I do not doubt of such an Assistance from you as shall be suitable to your Advice to me to declare War against a powerful Enemy so you may relye upon me that no part of that which you shall give for the carrying it on with success shall be diverted by me to any other use And that the Protestants who had Fled from Ireland might not suffer want in England great care was taken to provide for them and most People wherever they came contributed liberally to their relief and assistance and the King was pleased to put forth a Declaration to encourage the French Protestants that should Transport themselves their Families and Estates into this Kingdom and a Proclamation Prohibiting the Importation of all sorts of Manufactures and Commodities whatsoever of the Growth Production and Manufacture of France in way of Trade c. On the 1st of May His Majesty was pleased to give the Royal Assent to an Act for raising Money by Pole and otherwise towards the Reducing of Ireland an Act for preventing Doubts and Questions concerning the Collecting the Publick Revenues and a private Act to Sell Lands for Paying of Debts c. For the better Supply and Support of Their Majesties Navies Two Proclamations were Issued out one to Prohibit Seamen from Serving Foreign Princes and the other for Prohibiting them from Deserting Their Majesties Navies and His Majesty having been pleased to call by His Writ divers worthy Persons to take upon them the State and Degree of Serjeants at Law they performed the Ceremony with all the Decency and Grandure that usually attends it and gave Rings with this Motto viz Veniendo Restituit Rem and the King was further pleased to Constitute Sir John Holt Lord Chief Justice of the King 's Bench. Sir William Dolbin Sir VVilliam Gregory Giles Eyers Esq Justices of the same Sir Henry Pollexfen Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas Sir John Powel Thomas Rokeby Esq Peyton Ventris Esq Justices of the same Sir Robert Atkins Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer Sir Edward Nevill Nicholas Lechmer Esq John Turton Esq Barons of the same John Trenchard Esq Chief Justice of Chester Sir George Treby His Majesty's Attorney General John Summers Esq His Majesties Solicitor General During these things the French Fleet attempting to Land Forces in Ireland Admiral Herbert with a Squadron of the English Ships stood over to Kingsale on the 24 th of April in hopes to meet them and on the 29 th his Scouts made a Signal that they discovered a Fleet keeping their Wind which caused the Admiral to keep His all Night to hinder them getting into Kinsale and the next Morning had notice they were gone into Baltimore being 44 Sail whereupon he stood away towards the place but not finding them there the Scouts however got sight of them again in the Evening to the Westward of Cape clear whereupon steering after them it was sound they had got into Bantry so that the English Ships lay off the Bay all Night and by break of Day stood in where they found them at Anchor who presently got under Sail and bore down upon the English in a Line of 28 Men of War and five Fireships and when they came within Musquet-shot of the Defiance being the head-most of the English the French Admiral put out the Signal of Battle which they began with small and great Shot and the English made several Boards to gain the Wind or engage them close but that way of working not being advantageous the English Admiral stood off to Sea as well to have got his Ships into a Line as to have gained the Wind of the Enemy but the French were so cautious in bearing down that this advantage and opportunity could not be obtained so that our Admiral continued Battering upon the Stretch 'till Five in the Afternoon at what time the French tacked and stood further into the Bay and the English Admiral 's Ship and some of the rest being disabled in their Rigging could not follow them but continued some time before the Bay and gave them a Gun at parting In this Action Capt. George Aylmer of the Portland with 1 Lieutenant and 9 Seamen were Killed and about 250 Wounded and of the French without doubt a greater number and not without good Supposition one of their great Ships sunk although they had double the number of Ships and the advantage of the Wind. Upon this further Invasion of the French King made upon the Kingdom of Ireland Their Majesties of Great Brittain delayâ—ed no longer to Publish Their Declaration of War against him Given at Hampton-Court the 7 th of May 1689. Seting forth Reasons that moved Their Majesties to denounce War and the Unjust and Perfideous Dealings of the French King c. as well against Their Majesties Subjects in Europe as in America c. And to prevent upon this Rupture any Disturbance from Papist's an Act Intituled an Act for the better Securing the Government by Disarming Papist's and Reputed Papist's passed And now the Case of Algernoon Sidney Esq who lost his Head on Tower-Hill being before the Parliament amongst other Acts one was passed for Anulling and making Void his Attainder Collonel Lundy who had been Appointed Governour of London Derry in Ireland forsaking that place as supposing it not Tenable upon the Approach of the Irish Army and it being likewise left by Coll Richards and Collonel Coningham who brought back the Regiments under their Commands the Inhabitants and such as came in Arms from other Parts to Assist them Resolving however upon their Defence Choose that Brave Gentleman Mr. George Walker a Minister of their Governour and Major Baker his Assistant who although the Irish took Kilmore a Fort that lies advantageous to it defended they it almost to a Miracle against above 30000 Men till it was Relieved by Major General Kirk with Provision by Water the Inhabitants and Garison having Eat all manner of unclean things as Dogs Cats Rats Mice c. And thereupon the Enemy having lost a great number of Men and some of their best Commanders found themselves constrained to raise the Siege after they had lain before it Battering with their Cannon and Casting in Bombs from the 19 th of April to the end of August and a great party of the Protestants Fortifying themselves in the Isle of Inch and other Places made a Resolute defence beating off such as were sent to Attacque them and frequently taking great Booties by which means they Subsisted and held out till they were Succour'd and Recruted from England About this time the Papist's were commanded by Proclamation to leave London and Ten Miles about it unless such as were Excepted in an Act for this purpose and we had the happy News of the taking two French Men of War by the Nonsuch Frigate as likewise a Privatier and several of their Merchants by other English Frigates and Vessels On the 11 th of May â—he Commissioners Appointed to
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
Damages and on the 18 th of November Mr. Rosewel was Trayed and sound Guilâ—y of High-Treason for Speaking words in a Meeting-house at Rederiff and on the 20 th Elias Best received Judgment for speaking certain words and was Fin'd 1000 l. Ordered to stand Twice in the Pillory and to find Sureties for good Behaviour during Life and a Rule was made for all Clerks of the Peace and common Clerks of several Cities Towns and Burroughs for Extracting the Names of such as had been Defaulters in refusing to go to Church into the Exchequer On the 24 th of November Dr. Mew was Translated from the See of Bath and Wells to that of Winchester vacant by the Death of Dr. Morley In this Month several desperate Persons in the Kingdom of Scotland affixed in the Night time a Paper on divers Crosses in the Towns and Villages and doors of Churches declaring War against the King under the Name of Charles Stuart and their Resolution to kill and destroy all that Served and Adhered unto him and in Pursuance thereunto about 36 Footmen and 16 Horse coming in the Night time to a Country Inn called Swiney Abby Seized on Two of the Kings Horse-Guards in their Beds and cuting them in peices carryed away a great deal of their Flesh as in Triumph On the 2 d. of December the Artillery Company kept their Anual Feast at Merchant Taylors-Hall where their Royal Highnesses the Duke of York as their Captain General and the Prince of Denmark were present with many of the Nobility and other Persons of Quallity and were Splendidly Entertained And the Duke of Albemarle being made Recorder of Colchester was received there on the 20 th with great Splendor and the Earl of Bath was Constituted Governour of Plymouth to whom the Inhabitants of several Corporations delivered up their Surrenders and Charters desiring him to lay them at His Majesties Feet which he performed with a Petition on their behalf the King accepted them with demonstrations of his Favour saying he very well remembered the Duty and Loyalty of that Country viz. Cornwall and was very well pleased with this fresh demonstration of it by them and for the better securing the Roads a Proclamation was put forth for the Apprehending Highway-men with the Reward of 10 l. upoâ— Conviction And in Scotland on the 23 d. of December Robert Baily was Tryed and found Guilty of endeavouring to stir up Rebellion in the Kingdom and in the Afternoon was Executed as in Case of High-Treason and his Head and Quarters set up in divers places and now many of the Cities and Corporations of England having delivered up their Charters had the same or new ones Restored as Leeds Carlisle Lincoln c. and an Order of the Courts of Kings-Bench and Common-Pleas was Published that all Clerks and Attorneys should Enter themselves in one of the Inns of Court or Inns of Chancery or dwell as near as possible leaving word with the Buttler of the places of their Aboads upon pain of being put out of the Roles of Clerks and Attorneys On the 13 th of January the King sent to the Lord Mayor of the City of London a Silver-Box Sealed up with his own Seal in which was Inclosed the Receipts of the several Cements used by the Pattentees of making Sea water fresh as also the Receipt of the Metalline Composition and Ingredients certified under the Hand of the Honourable Mr. Robert Boyle to be kept so Sealed up by the present and Succeeding Lord Mayors least a Secret of so great Importance to the Publick might come to be lost if lodged only in the knowledge of a few Persons herein Concerned On the 25 th of January Dr. Thomas Kenn was Consecrated Bishop of Bath and VVells by the Lord Arch Bishop of Canterbury and other Assistant Bishops the next day did Homage to the King but now to the Grief of all Loyal English Men the Life of this Great Monarch who had Tryed the Smiles and Frowns of Fortune and seen her in all her shapes grew to a Period for on the Second of February he was taken as he was rising with a violent fit of the Appoplexy and it was given out by some that he was Dead which caused the Councel on the Fourth to publish the following Notice viz. At the Council Chamber White-Hall the 4 th of February 1684. at Five in the Afternoon The Lords of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council have thought fit for the preventing false Reports to make known that His Majesty upon Monday Morning last was seized with a most violent Fit that gave great Cause to fear the Issue of it but after some hours an Amendment appeared which by the blessing of God being improved by the Application of seasonable and proper Remedies is now so advanced that the Physicians have this Day as well as Yesterday given this account to the Council viz. That they conceived his Majesty to be in a Condition of Safety and that he will in a few Days be freed from his Distemper but they were deceived in their Account for on the Sixth of February he Dyed having been pestered and tormented at his Death by the impertinency of Father Hudleston and other Popish Priests who now growing bold as perceiving this Monarch past Recovery had the Impudence to bring their Trumpery about him and after his Decease to give out that he Dyed a Roman Catholick and Wrote several Pamphlets and Libels to justifie their Assertions Upon the Death of this Prince his Brother was immediately Proclaimed King by the Stile of James the Second c. at White-Hall-Gate Temple-Bar and before the Royal-Exchange with the usual Solemnity having caused all the Lords and Others of the Deceased King's Privyvy-Council that were present to be Sworn of His Privy-Council and an Order was Published for all that were in Places of Trust to continue them till further notice there being a Clause in the Order viz. Reserving in his own Judgment hereafter the Reformation and Redress of any abuse in Misgovernment upon due Knowledge and Examination thereof Notwithstanding which the Popelings who knew this was their time to play their Cards soon undermined a great many Worthy Persons and got them out of their Employments but the Church of England being at present look'd upon as the main Pillar of the Throne the King spared not to give that Church especial promises of his Favour c. in the following Speech made at his first Sitting in Council My Lords Before I enter upon any other Business I think sit to say something to you since it hath pleased Almighty God to place me in this Station and I am now to Succeed so Good and Gracious a King as well as so Kind a Brother I think fit to Declare to you That I will endeavour to follow his Example and most especially in that of his great Clemency and Tenderness to his People I have been reputed to be a Man for Arbitrary Power but that is not
more foolish sort of Biggots that the Virgin Mary had commanded the Wind not to shift its Quarter till Lady-day at soonest And various Reports flying abroad every one freely speaking as they thought or stood affected a Proclamation was published to prevent the spreading of false News but the Rumours rather increased then lessened On the 29 th of October Sir John Chapman was sworn Lord Mayor of the City of London before the Barons of the Exchequer but the Solemnity was not great at his return by reason of the Consternation the People were in also to prevent Tumults that might have happened notwithstanding the Judges and several of the Lords of the Privy-Council dined with him at Grocers Hall In the begining of November the Wind suddenly coming about the Dutch Fleet weighed Anchor and got to Sea consisting of 635. Men of War Flyboats Pinks and Fire-Ships on Board which was his Royal Highness the Prince of Orange since King of England c. with divers great Commanders as well English Noblemen as others and 〈◊〉 Horse and Footâ— and on the 3 d. of November about 10â— of the Clock in the Morning it appeared abouâ— half Seas over between Dover and Callais steering a Chanâ—â—l Course Westward the Wind a very fresh Gale at East North East and was between Six and Seven Hours passing by Dover◠〈◊〉 Fleet lying still the Seameâ— not being willing to sight on this Occasion Yet a Fly-Boat and some Stragling Victuallers were brought into the River by Scoutships and such as were cruizing for Discovery and on the Fifth of November the Day of our former Deliverance from the Powder Plot about 300â— Sail of the Dutch Fleet came into Torbay and divers into Brixham Key where they Landed some Souldiers whilst the rest were sâ—nt on Shoar in Boats without any Opposition The Country People who in other cases being timerous and frighted from their Habitations here on the contrary came flocking to the Shoar and brought such Provisions as they hastily could get to comfort and refresh the Soldiers The Army being Landed Marched toward Exeter increasing as it went and that City upon its approach opened the Gates and many of the Towns-Men Listed themselves only the Bishop left his Pallace and came 〈◊〉 London where the King appointed him to the Archiepisâ—â—pal See of York In which his Grace has been since confirmed and now the Armies be ginning to move the King 〈◊〉 out an Order for the punctual Payment of Quarters and good Behaviour c. and a Proclamation to suppâ—â—â— Declaration omitted by the Prince and the Trainâ—â— Aâ—â—sâ—ery was ordered to be in a Readiness to mâ—rch to Salisbury but the Court was extreamly startled upon News that the Lord Cornbury was gone over with a considerable Number of Horse and Dragoons and that the Noblemen and Gentlemen went in daily and even the whole Army or the greater part of it shewed an open unwillingness to Fight against those that came to deliver us from Popery c. Upon these Proceedings Exetar â—air and other Fairs in the West were 〈◊〉 and on the 17 th of November in the Afternoon the King went to Windsor and from thence continued his â—ourneâ— towards Salisbury 〈…〉 a General Bâ—nde 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 dering the Privy Council to meet in his Absence for the dispaâ—â— of Affâ—irs as Occasion should require and the 〈◊〉 Forces held to be 3 or 4000. that wâ—re 〈◊〉 over a little before by the Earl of Tyrconnel marched into the West Whilst these things were doing the Lord Delamere mustered a great many Forces upon Boddon Downs and Declared for the Prince The King arriving at Salisbury was Lodged in the Bishop's Pallace and while he continued there a Skirmish happened between an advanced Party of Foot who had gone too far from the main Body or else were going to the Prince's Army and Collonel Sarsefield who commanded a Party of the King's Horse Dragoons and Granadiers in which the former being very unequal in number were worsted some being after a resolute defence killed others taken Prisoners and the rest escaped on the Kings part Four were killed and Two wounded one mortally this happened near Wincanton where the Foot upon the pursuit made after them had posted themselves in a strong ground and had had the better had not a Countrey-man discovered a place where the Horse might enter The King finding great Numbers as well Soldiers in his own Pay as others to go daily over Published a Proclamation of General Pardon to such as would return within the space of 40. Days as also Pardon and Protection to all such Foreigners as should do the like but it little or nothing availed for we do not hear of any that returned With these Discouragements the King came hastily from Salisbury having first given Order for his Army to retreat which was done with great Precipitation even contrary to Expectation considering for several Campaigns it had attracted the wonder of many on Hounslow Heath The King thus returning and hearing that several strong Places had declared against him thought it convenient in order to quiet the People to Call a Parliament and Ordered the Lord Chancellour to Issue out Writs for summoning a Parliament to meet at Westminster the 15 th of January ensuing and made Collonel Edward Griffin a Baron of this Kingdom by the Name and Title of Lord Griffin of Braybrook in the County of Northampton after which he caused his Proclamation to be Published for Calling a Parliament On the 9 th of December his Grace the Lord Arch-Bishop of York did Homage to the King the Ceremonies of his Translation to that See having been performed the Day before at Lambeth-House by the Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury assisted by the Bishops of St. Asaph Ely Rochester and Pâ—terborough Whilst these things happened Hâ—ll â—ork Plimouth and some other Places were secured for the Prince's Interest by divers Noble â—on and Gentlemen and the whole Kingdom inclined to his Side and his Army which was greatly encreased advanced a pace towards London when some of the advanced Parties finding an Opposition in the Town of Reading by some Scotch and Irish Troops of Horse and Dragoons posted there they after a hot Skiâ—mish â—orced their 〈◊〉 and clearing â—he Town drove them to â—â—yford-Bridge where the main Guard had taken its Station and those fearing a greater Party 〈◊〉 thought fit to retire and leave the passage free though not above Nine or Ten were killed in the skirmish This News flying swiftly to White-Hall alarmed the 〈◊〉 and put all into hurry and confusionâ— The 〈◊〉 whose Councils as it is 〈◊〉 believed had brought the 〈…〉 packed up their 〈…〉 themselves 〈…〉 who in the height of his 〈…〉 professed nothing grieâ—â—d him more than that he had not stayed â—n the Reign of K Charles the Second and â—ered with his 〈◊〉 had by this â—hanged his Mind and 〈◊〉 no Stomach to be placed as a Martyr in the Roman â—alender for having gotten a huge
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