within three Moneâ—â—s and that he himself will ratify is within six Weeks And this ended thus long and bloody War in Europe But with much dissâ—isfaction to almost all the Allies Especidly Denmark and Bâ—andeâ—burg but many wayes advantagious to France and withal not very Honoâ—â—rable to England whose Mediation contiâ—ed even to the last and yet had not the happiness of Signing any one of the Treanes SECT 5. Sect. 5 Now let us return home And enquire what has been doing in England all this while In the preceeding year Popish-Plot in England â—â—ptember 29. 1678. about the 29 of September 1678. Doctor Oates made a Discovery of a Popish Plot agâ—inst the Life of the King the Protestant Religion and for the Subversion of the Government on which Sir George Wakeman the Queens Physician Coleman Secretary to the Dutchess of York and several Jesuites and Preists were apprehended and committed As were not long after the Earl of Powis Viscount Stafford Lord Arundel of Warder Lord Petre and Lord Bâ—asis these last five were all committed Prisoners in the Tower of London Sir Edmundbury Godfrey a Justice of peace Sir Edmundbury Godfrey Murdered who was appointed to Examine the Prisoners first committed was Murdered on the 12 of October which confirmed all Men in beliefe of the Conspiracy and on the 1st of November the Parliament Nemine Contradicente did declare themselves fully perswarded of the same Soon after Godfreys Murther came to be discovered by one Bedlow prompted thereto by his Conscience on whose evidence and one Prance's Green Berty and Hul were Convicted and Executed Examinations And farther Inquiries relating to the Plot going on for two or three Moneths The long Parliament dissolved and and another called to sit the 6th of March in all which time the King continued seâ—mingly doubtful and incredulous of the same and finding the Parliament more Zealous and forward in prosecuting that Affair then he approved of on the 24th of January Dissolves them after they had sat seventeen Years and above eight Moneths And called another to sit the 6th of March following On the 28th of February He requires the Duke of York by a Letter to withdraw from England Duke of York leaves England which he obeys and retires with his Family first to the Hague and then to Brussels To make all things appear more pausible The King choses a New Council viz. Names of the Privy Councillers 1 Prince Rupert 2 Arch Bishop of Canterbury 3 L. Finch Chancellor 4 Earl of Shalsburry Lord President of the Council 5 Earl of Anglesay Privy Seal 6 Duke of Albemarle 7 Duke of Monmouth Master of Horse 8 Duke of Newcastle 9 Duke of Lauderdale Secretary of State for Scotland 10 Earl of Salisbury 11 Earl of Bridgewater 12 Earl of Sunderland Secretary of Stato for England 13 Earl of Essex 1 st Commissioner of the Treasury 14 E. of Bath Groom of the Stool 15 Viscount Falconbridge Viscount Hallifax 16 Lord Bishop of London 17 Lord Roberts 18 Lord Hollis 19 Lord Russel 20 Lord Cavendish 21 Henry Coventry Esquire Secretary of State 22 Sir Francis North Lord Cheif-Justice of Common Pleas. 23 Henry Capel Knight of the Bath and 1st Commissioner of the Admirality 24 Sir John Ernley Knight Chancellor of the Exchequer 25 Sir Thomas Chichely Knight Mr of the Ordinance 26 Sir William Temple 27 Edward Seymor Esqr 28 Henry Poule Esqr Take notice We have stept back to bring up the the English Plot and other Affairs of Brittain begun in 1678 and join them now to the year 1679. The King finding his new Parliament slow in advancing Money for disbanding the Army Parliament dislolved and one called to sit the â—7 of October 1679 and withall beginning to nible at a Bill for Excluding the Duke of York first he prorogues them from the twenty seventh of May to the fourteenth of August and in the mean time July the twelth he dissolves them So as this Parliament proved as short lived as the former was long And another Parliament is called to sit the seventeenth of October following SECT 6. Sect. 6 At this time troubles began to arise in Scotland for on the first of June a great party of the Presbeterions to the Number of fifteen Hunder'd Rendevouz'd under the Command of Robert Hamilton at Lowden-hill and Marching to Glasgow from thence Issued a Declaration Covenanters up in Armes in Scotland giving their reasons for taking up of Armes But this business has been so often and so fully published and so universally known as I think a repetition or a particular Relation of the progress and event altogether unnecessary farther then to tell you that the King sent the Duke of Monmouth speedily down to Scotland who so managed the matter Defeated by the Duke of Monmouth June 22. 1679. that on the twenty second of June Encountering this ill governed multitude at Bothuel-bridge he defeated them totally near eight Hundered being killed and a greater Number taken And so an end was put to this undertaking Tho the main designe was to render the Duke of Monmouth Odious to the Presbiterians Duke of Monmouth declared a Baâ—â—aâ—d by sending him on this expedition yet it proved quite otherwayes for the whole Protestant party were now so affrayed of a Popish Successor that they cast their eyes on Monmouth so favourably as they lookt on him as the only Person after the Kings death to stave off the Succession of his Brother whom they so much dreaded so this project failing the next was to declare him â—llegitâ—â—te which on the third of March following the King did very solemnly giving it in writing with his own hand it these words Given under the Kings hand For the avoyding of any dispute which may happen in time to come Concerning the Succession of the Croun I do hereby declare in the presence of Almighty GOD that I never gave nor made any Contract of Marriage noâ— was Married to any Woman in whatsoever but to my present wife Queen Kathaâ—â—â—e now living CHARLES REX Whitehall March the third 1679. CHAP. V. Anno 1680. An. 1680. Duke of York returns to England About the latter end of August 1680 the King fell sick which the Duke of York heâ—ing of he came to England and on the second of September went to the King at Windsor the Consequent whereof was the Banishment of the Duke of Monmouth Monmouth banished who reteired to Vtrecht and a little after the Duke of York went back to Bruss is but with no design to stay long there for on the twelth of October he with his whole Family arrived at St James's to the astonishment of many And on the twenty seventh of November after Both return soon to England All Monmouths places taken from him the Duke of Monmouth came to London being welcomed by the Citizens with all possible expressions of Joy which so displeased the Court and Irritated the King as all his
might be published which was done At St. James's about Sixty Peers Sign'd an Association and meeting with the Commons at Westminster on the 25. of December they Sign and present an Address to the Prince desiring him to take upon him the Administration of Affairs both Civil and Military till the Meeting of a Convention the 22d of January which he agreed to And so we conclude this Year with the Death of one of the most generous and bravest Princes in Europe An. 1689 Elector of Brandenburg his Death the Elector of Brandenburg who dyed the 10. of May the Sixty Ninth Year of his Age. CHAP. XIV Anno 1689 SECT 1. Sect. 1 The Convention of Parliament meeting the 22d of January fall presently to their work The Commons Vote the Throne Vacant and the first Vote passed in the House of Commons is as followeth Resolved That King Jame the 2d having endeavoured to subvert the Constitution of this Kingdom by breaking the Original Contract between King and People and by the Advice of Jesuites and other wicked persons having violated tho Foundamental Laws and having withdrawn himself out of this Kingdom hath Abdicated the Government and that the Throne is thereby Vacant Debeat about the word Abdicate This was sent up to the House of Lords who not liking the word Abdicated Erazed it and put in the word Deserted This alteration the Commons would on no terms allow This occasioned a stiffe debate between the Two Houses for several days at last on a inutnal conference held on the 5th of February the Lords agreed to the Vote in the first Terms Voted by the Commons The next thing taken into consideration WILLIAM and MARY Voted and Declared King and Queen was the Form of Government to be established and after Mature deliberation a Declaration is drawn up wherein all King James's Enormities and Miscarriages in Government are fully held forth for which Reasons and because of his Abdicating the Government the Throne is Vacant And finally It is resolved and finally declared that WILLIAM and MARY Prince and Princess of Orange shall be King and Queen of England with the Dominions thereto belonging dureing Their Lives and the Life of the Surviver of them And after their Deceases the Crown and Royal Dignity to be succeeded to by the Heirs of the Body of the said Princesse And for default of such â—ssue by the Princess Ann of Denmark and the Heirs of her Body And for default of such Issue to the Heirs of the Body of the said Prince of Orange And the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons do Pray the said Prince and Princess of Orange to accept of the same accordingly And that the Oaths hereafter mentioned be taken by all persons of whom the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy might be taken in Law in stead of them And that the said Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy be abrogated The Oath of Allegiance I A. B. Do sincerely Promise and Swear That I will bear Faith and true Allegiance to Their Majâ—sties King WILLIAM and Queen MARY So help Me GOD. Oath of Abjuration I do Swear That I do from my Heart Abhor Detest and Abjure as Impious and Heretical this Damnable Doctrine and Position that Princes Excommunicated or deprived by the Pope or any Authority of the See of Rome may be deposed or Murthered by their Subjects or any other whatsoever And I do declare that no Forreign Prince Person Prelate State or Potentate hath or ought to have any Jurisdiction Power Superiority Preheminence or Authority Ecclesiastical or Spiritual within this Realm Soon after the King and Queen are proclaimed and so take peaceable possession of the English Crown SECT 2. Sect. 2 A Convention of the States of Scotland met about this time and the Throne is declared Vacant there also Act of Recognition in Scotland and an Act of Recognition is drawn up which is so generally known as I need nor here repeat it Only the substance of it was to declare the now King and Queen of England c. to be King and Queen of Scotland also And the same Oath of Allegiance as was Sworn in England to be Sworn in Scotland also William and Mary declared King and Queen of Scotland This Act being past The Earl of Argyle Sir John Dâ—lrymple and Sir Robert Montgomery of Skermurly are sent up Commissionâ—rs and on the 11 of May tendered the Coronâ—tion Oath to Their Majesties who holding up their Right Hands repeated it word by word after the Earl And immediatly the Convention was turned into a Parliament Castle of Edinburgh surrendered On the 13. of June the Duke of Gordon Sur rendered the Castle of Edinburgh And on the 16 of July there was an Engagement between Major General Mckay Dundee killed and the Lord Dundee at Kiâ—licrankie where the former was defeated and the latter killed in the Field After whose Death King James's party dwindeled away doing nothing considerable thenceforth For soon after Leivtenent Collonel Cleland with the Earl of Augus's single Regiment engaged with near Four thousand of them at Dunkel and gave them an entire overthrow where the Leivtenent Collonel a very brave Man was unfortunatly killed SECT 3. Sect. 3 Tho matters went backward with King James's party in Scotland Tirconel was Active in Ireland Tirconel Active its Ireland leaving a great many Regiments of the Irish and with all possible Diligâ—nâ—e Arming them and training them up in Martial Exercise to make them capable of Service when ever the late King should hâ—ve use for them The late King bemoaning his Caâ—amity to the Emperour Craved his Assistance Who Answers him with many pertinent and reasonable Exâ—uses Emperors Letter to the late King why he could not be serviceable to him at that time his circumstances being considered and withal gives him a modest but sharp Reprimand for the bad measures he had taken in putting his whole confidence in France and rejecting the offers of such Allies as would have been more freindly and faithfull to him But though the late King had small encouragement from the Emperour Ireland or any other Prince except the French King being informed of Tirconnels diligent endeavours in Ireland The late King goes to Ireland thither he goes with about a Thousand eight hundred French Auxiliaries and landed the 12 of March 1689. and found a great number in Armes for him and almost all the Countrey at his Devotion save a fâ—w in the North who for want of Encouragement and Aid from England were unable to make any considerable debeat and on the 14 of March were defeated by Livetenant General Hamilton at Drumore most of them flying to Londonderry and Inneskillin where they defended themselves with great Bravery till relieved by Collonel Kirks Arrival in the Lough where he lay seven or eight Weeks before he gave any relief to Londonderry being hindered as he alledged by cross Winds though a worse cause was
French under the Command of Monsieur Louvois who it is believed had before this time secretly corrupted severals of the Inhabitants of that City He using great diligence and secrecy appears before the Town with a great number of Troops On the 28th of September seizes on the Fort of Kieâ— that guards the Bridge of the City and presently summonds the Magistrates to render the Oath of Fidelity and obedience to the King his Master Whereupon the Magistrates make no hesitation to submit only for formes sake they propose some Conditions which were agreed to and Signed the 30th of September 1681. And tho this sudden and strange Act. Allarum'd both the Empire and the Emporour himself yet the former was so intent on keeping up a suffiâ—ient force against the Incroachments of France And the Latter having all his thoughts busied how to defend himself and the Empire against the Invasion of the Turks which threatned him and came on next year that this business of Strarburg was little minded or regarded at this time CHAP. VII Anno 1682. We return again to England The Ignoramus Bill of my Lord Sâ—astsbury stuck so deep in the Stomachs of the Court faction The Charter of London questioned as they set all their Wits on the Tenter hooks how to take the Election of Sherisls out of the power of the City for doing which no expedient could be found An. 1683. but by taking away their Charter to which end in Hillary Term 1682 they bring a quo warranto against the City Judgement against the City and so the King and the City enter the Lists which occasioned strife Debeats and hard Struglings on both sides for a long time but in Conclusion the Court party prevailing in Trinity-term following Judgement is given against the City to the general astonishment of the whole Nation Prince Ruperts Death On the 29th of November 1692 Dyed Prince Rupert in his House in Spring-Garden in the sixty three years of his Age Beloved generally of all England and his Death bewailed CHAP. VIII Anno 1683. SECT I. Sect. 1 Now the Court frames a new Plot and father it on the Presbyterians of surprizing the Guards Presbyterian Plot of Murdering the King and his Brother on their return from New-mercat and of raising the People at Blackheath on a pretended Foot-Ball match The main design being against the Earl of Essex and the Lord Russel who are presently apprehended and confined in the Tower where in a few days after it was given out Essex murdered in the Tower that the Earl of Essex had cut his own Throat but by many remarkable circumstances and especially the odd proceedings at the Coroners inquest the certainty of this lyes under great suspition and is much doubted of by all impartial and uninterested persons That very day on which Essex Murder happened the Lord Russel was on his Tryal Lord Russel Executed July 21th 1683 and being Condemned was Executed in Lincolnes Inn fieilds a few days after protesting his innocence at his last Hour and leaving a Paper in the Sheriffs Hands to declare the same to the World dated July 21. 1683. But too long to be inserted hero These Tragical Acts were followed with the Execution of Bateman And three more soon after Walcot and Rouse And though some escaped with Life yet they were oppressed with exorbitant Fines from Ten thousand to an hundered Thousand Pounds for Scandalous Words against the Duke of York The next person of quality brought on the Stage was the Honourable Collonel Sidney a Man inferior to few for his Noble Extract Algernoon Siâ—ney Impeached Condemned and Executed but for his excellent vertues hardly to be matcht by any who being ranked in the same Categorie with Essex and Râ—ssâ—â— Conâ—piring to depose the King and stirring up Rebellion is Impeached convicted and Condemned for High Treason and Executed on Tower-hill the 7th of December 1683 making such an excellent Speech on the Scaffold as makes the name and Memory of Algernoon Sidney Savory and famous SECT 2. Sect. 2 Notwithstanding these Bloody proceedings somewhat more was requisite to making the King an absolute Despotical Prince The Charters of all Corporations questioned and that was to ingross the Charters of all the Corporations in England and get them wholly in the Kings Hands as they had that of London knowing that this would quite subvert and alter the constitution of the Parliament For the House of Commons consisting of Five hundered and Thirteen Membâ—rs whereof only Ninety two are Knights of Shires near five parts of six must consist of Burgesses and Citizens and all those if this project take effect must doubtless be of the Kings chusing and must have their dependency on the Court favour and so it may be easily judged where the plurality of Votes would run when matters fell in debate between the Court and its opponents So all the Wits about Court are actively employed in carrying on of this important Affair which by many strange and irregular methods at last they accomplished A farther step the Court made by demolishing and quirting the Garison of Tangier Tangier quitted and demolished and the Forces brought over to Enland the keeping whereof for above twenty years had cost the King an Hundered thousand pound per annum and by bringing over the Forces being most part Papists both Officers and Souldiers and quartering them in the most considerable parts of England In this pitiful state we shall leave England for a while and take a view of the terrible War ensueing betwixt the Emperour of Germany and the Turks The French Kings pretensions in Germany Flanders c. In the mean time take notice that the French King not only Seizes the Towns of Homburg and Bissul the only two places remaining to the Duke of Lor rain of all his Dutchy but ripping up all the old Monuments and Records of the Parliament of Metz he indeavours by them to prove a Title to many Countries and Villages both in Germany and Flanders and actually claymes them This did so allarme all the potentats on the Continent as the Emperour Swâ—dland and the States of Holland Franconia and several other free and Imperial Cities enter into a Mutual League of Defence The league of Ausburg which was called the League of Ausburg In bringing which to pass the Prince of Orarge was Eminently active But the King of England was not at all concerned in this grand affaires on which my Author makes a-severe re-mark SECT 3. Sect. 3 But tó returne to Germany and Hungary take notice of the ground of this War which was occasioned by a discontented party in Hungary of whom Count Teckeley became the sole Head after the fall of Serins several Expedients being proposed for accommodating matters between them and taking no effect nothing would satisfie the mal-contents but the calling in of the Turks to assist them The Emperour finding them resolved on this thought
the Sword Which so terrified the Spaniards as they abandoned the Garisons of S' Felix Quinola and the Castle of St Elme On the 19 Noailles laid Seige to Gironue which tho they made a shew of resistance at first they surrendered on the 29. and on Ignominious Terms â—oo And presently after he took in the Towns of Ostralick and Castle Folet making all the Souldiers therein Prisoners of War SECT 3. Sect. 3 By this time Admiral Russel is gâ—t on the Coasts of Spain and down the Meattervanean couping up Tourvilie in his Harbour of Tholoun Admiral Russel in the Straitâ— from whence he attempted once to make his Escape but Russel watched him so narrowly as he drove him in to his Harbour again and leave we him there in souce for the rest of Winter till we see what is a doing in Germany where we find no great Matters Tourvills couped up in Thoulon by him for the Prince of Baden Commanding the Imperial Army and de Lorge the French the Latter passed the Rhine in Jure and marched towards Haiâ—bâ—on near which the Prince was encampâ—d who went out to meet him but at Lorg considering of it declined Fighting and marched towards Wilâ—â—ock the Prince pursues him and near â—â—â—s loâ—k a sharp skirmish happened between the French and Germanâ— wherein the former lost near three hundred and the latter half as many Both Armies moved again and marched towards Landau where there was great expectation of a full engagement but heavy Rains falling frustrated the design And so the Prince with his Army repassed the Rhine carrying away Fourteen thousand Cattle and destroying a vast quantity of Forrage in the Country and some Magazines of the French and herewith ended the Campaign on this side In Savoy there was nothing done this year worthy of Relation And as little in Hurgary for though the Turks were considerably stronger than the Imperialisls yet the Grand Visier could find no means to force Caprara the General to Fight nor durst he attack him in his Cump at Carlowitz So as on the 1st and 2d of October he drew off his Army and sent them into Winter Quarters and published Eight Causes very reasonable for so doing As to Affairs in Venice Venice Their Captain General and Doge Morosini dyed the 6th of January at Napoli de Romama Death of Morosini Doge of Venice and they made choice of Seigmor Zeno for Captain General in his place About the beginning of June General Delsino with Twelve thousand Foot and a thousand Horse landed on the 15 within a Mile of Ciclut General Delsino takes Ciclut and plying the Town horly with Cannon and Mortar and many sharp Assaults he made himself Master of the Town by the 21. of that Month. The Turks were so vexed at the loss of this place as they presently beseige it with Sixteen thousand men but the Garison Delsino left in it made so stout a defence as the Turkâ— after the loss of Two thousand Men were forced to raise the â—eige Cobluch yeilded to Delphino Soon after this Delphino took Cobluch after a Seige of 9 dayes only And on the 7th of September General Steinau Landed with an Army in the Island of Scio Scio yeilded to General Steinau and on the 9. he seised on the Suburbs of the City the next day he played on the Castle with four Cannon and four Mortars and set it on Fire in several parts and on the 14 they sprung a Mine the hideous noise whereof together with the havock the Bombs had made so terrified the defendents as presently they capitulate and surrendered on condition they should be transported safe into lesser Asia which was done accordingly SECT 4. Sect. 4 The Poles seemed still to be the faintest and slowest of the Allies Pole and tho they had Blockaded Camimeck last year Ta tars routed by the Poles at Caminice they could not find themselves strong enough to hinder the Tartars this year from releiving it with no less than Three hundred Waggons laden with all manner of provisions and guarded with Twenty thousand Tartartan Horse most of whom carryed a Sack of Corn behind them and ravaging all the Country about The Poles being enraged herewith fell upon them Killed Three thousand and drove the rest out of the Country and this was all they did this Summer Death of the Elector of Saxony This year on the 7th of May dyed the Elector of Saxony a young Prince and in the full vigour of his Age he dyed of the small Pox at Dresaan The King at his return from Flanders told his Parliament on the 20th of November that all Affairs both by Sea and Land were in a much better posture than when they parted last as in truth they were which gave a great satisfaction to all Queen Mary's Death But Alas That which happened soon after imbittered all our sweet Morsels for this fatal year made a Mournful conclusion by the Death of our most Gracious Soveraign Lady MARY Queen of great Britain France and Ireland who dyed of the small Pox at her Palace of Kinsungton on the 28 of December Many learned Pens have attemped a Character of Her though all came very short of Her Merit But very remarkable was that Answer of the Kings who knew Her best to the Bishop of Canterbury who went to Comfort Him on that great Loss Who saâ—d He could not chuse but Greive seing She had been His Wife for 17. years and yet He never knew Her guilty of an Indiscretion A general Greif for the Queens Death Hereon followed the Parliaments and the whole Nations Condolence of the King upon this great Loss and their Protestations to stand by Him against all opponents whatsoever both at Home and Abroad And if ever Addresses were unseigned and affectionat they were those made upon this occasion since it has been obvious to any Man of observation that that sad Providence did very much heighten Mens Affections to His Majestys Person which being before as it were divided between Him and that Beloved Princess were now entirely cemented into one and all concentered in Him CHAP. XX. An. 1695. SECT 1. Sect. 1 Notwithstanding the universal Sorrow occasioned by the Death of Our excellent Queen the Parliament went on effectually with their Work tending to the publick well and safety passing several Acts to that end and all agreeable to His Majesties Will and Desire Affairs in Flanders reqâ—iring the Kings speedy repair thither He was pleased before His Departure to appoint Lords Justices for the Administration of the Government during His Absence viz. The Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Lord Justices of England The Lord Keeper The Earl of Pembâ—ook The Duke of Devonshire The Duke of Shrew bury The Farl of Dorset and the Lord Godolphine And so on the 12 of May He departed for Holland Villeroy General of the French Armies after Luxemburgs Death The Famous Luxemburg Dying
of Argos 3000 Turks â—illed and the new General Molino joining their Forces making Ten thousand Foot and Two thousand Horse encountered him and after a Bloody fight for 3 Hours forced him from the feild of Battle with the loss of Three thousand of his Men. And that night he fled out of the Morea with so much haste as he left in his Camp 14 peices of Cannon 2 Mortars mary Bombs and much Provision with 700 Oxen and 320 Camels and Horse as a Booty to the Conquerours who in this Action lost not above Five hundred Men. The King of Poland did nothing considerable this Campaign most of his time bâ—ing taken up in reconciling a Feud between the Bishop of Vilna Pole and the General of Lathuama both his own Subjects this being the bad fate of a Prince who holds a precarious Crown Nor did the Muscovites any thing against the Tartars England but the blocking up of Asoph The King comes to England Parliament dissolved and a new one called We come home now to England The King returning from Flanders in October was received with universal Joy for His great Success that Can paign and on the 11 of October He â—â—sued a Proclamation for dissolving the then Parliament and calling a new one to meet on the 22d of November following At this time came an Envoy from the great Duke of Tuscany to Congratulate His Majestys happy accession to the Throne On which my Author has a pretty drolling remark taken out of Suâ—tonâ—us who sayes the Iâ—â—â—enâ—es coming too late to condole with the Emperour Tibertus for the lose of his Son Diusus who Answered them and I also condole with you the Death of Your great Country-man Hector The Kings Speech to the Parâ—â—ament At the meeting of the Parliament The King made an excellent Speech wherein he highly extol'd the valour of the English in the great Actions of the last Campaign And withal laid before them the necessity of considerable Supplys for carrying on the War and for other indispensable needful uses cautioned them against Heaâ—s and Divisions and exhorted them to that quick dispatch of business as the importance of Affairs required And a little after he ordered Admiral Rooâ— to go into the Straits in room of Admiral Russel An. 1696 now come home with our great Ships Death of the Bâ—shâ—p of Mentz This year on the 30 of March dyed Auselm Francis Frencrick de Angetherm Bishop of Mentz And was succeeded in the Bishoprick and Electorat by Lethaer Francis de Schonborn his Coadjator and â—ishop of Bemberg CHAP. XXI Anno 1696. SECT 1 Sect. 1 England This year began with a great deal of Murmuring and Complaint about reforming the Coin Aâ—dâ—â—â—bâ—e Piâ—t discovered but that Affair was so prudently managed by the Parliament as the querulous humour lasted not so long as the Mal contents desired and endeavoured For the happy and seasonable discovery of their double hellish â—lot of assasinating the King and the Invasion of England from France gave all thinking Men somewhat of greater importance to employ their thoughts on than the inconveniency attending the rectifying of the Coin This wicked project had its first contrivance in the latter end of the year 1694. bâ—t by several turns of a favourable Providence to us was Embarrassed till this time My Author having fully traced this Affair with all its circumstances from first and last I shall only give you a summary account of what I think most material The preparations for the Invasion were carried on in France with that expedition as when the late King came to Catais on the 18 of February he found all in a readiness and immediatly ordered the Troops the Artillery and Stores to be put on board with all possible speed The French Invasion fidstratâ—â— Which the King having notice of ordered Admiral Russel to rendevouse the Fleet in the Downs with all haste in which their was so quick dispatch and celerity used as in 4. or 5 dayes the Admiral had a fleet of near Sixty Men of War in a Line of battle with which he stood over presently for the Coast of Catais and Dunkirk which laid an absolute Embergo on the French Fleet. Where I leave them and return to the Assasins who consulting and proposing several ways and means for accomplishing their Bloody and Villanons design at last concluded on attacking the King at a Bridge between â—rentâ—ord and Turnham-green by which place His Majesty used often to return from Hunting And had so fully conâ—erted and settled the matter in all points as they fixed on a day for putting this Hellish Enterprise in Execution which was to be on the 15 of February But that Providence which has so miraculously and so often preserved His Royal Person prevented His going Abroad that day as he had design'd This unexpected Cross-bite did so daunt 2 or 3 of the Villains as they broke off and abandon'd the design but the Devil was so predominant in the rest of the Desperadoes as they persisted still and on a new meeting and consultation appointed the 22d of February for prepetrating the horrid Fact at the place formentioned The Plot discovered But several days before this heaven had blown up their Plot for on the 14 of February one Mr. Pendergass who was invited into the Assasination but consented not came to the Earl of Portland tho an absolute stranger to him and breifly said My Lord I pray perswade the King to stay at home to Morrow for if he go Abroad he will be Murdered One Mr. De la Rue made the same Discovery a little after And that Night Pendergrass and he being introduced to the King gave a full relation of the whole Conspiracy yet all this while made no mention of the Conspirators Names but the King pressing this home to them his obligeing carriage and Expressions and the weighty reasons he gave for the necessity of that Discovery prevailed so with them as they gave him a List of all their Names whereon he presently issues a Proclamation for their apprehension promising 1000 pound for every one of the Offenders that should be taken and brought to Justice The King made a pertinent Speech to the Parliament on this occasion On which after congratulating His Majesties safety on the 25 of February they enter into an Association to defend His Person and to Revenge his Death and farther they made an Act that all persons who bare any Office of Profite and Trust should besides Swearing the Oath of Fidelity sign this Association otherways to be rendered uncapable of their Employments And in the mean time several of the Assasin's being apprehended Three of the Conspirators Executed Robert Charnock the most wicked and inveterat of them all Edward King and Thomas Keys were Brought to Tryal on the 11 of March And upon full evidence being all found guilty of High Treason were sentenced and upon the 18 of the