Majesty was likewise pleased to mind them of Ireland and to let them know that in his opinion 20000 men would be required to render the reducing it short and easie as likewise setting out a Fleet which in conjunction with that of Holland might be so entirely Master of the Seas that nothing might be sent from France to Ireland or elsewhere that might give a disturbance to us or our Allies farther recommending to their consideration the settlement of the Revenues that they might be collected without dispute promising that whatever should be given in order to publick ends should be strictly applyed to them with many other Gracious expressions concluding that as they so freely offered to hazard all that is dear to them so he would as freely expose his Life for the Support of the Protestant Religion and the Honour and Safety of the Nation And now the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common Council assembled as a grateful Acknowledgment to the Lords and Commons for their excellent Conduction in Affairs and especially their resolution to assist and stand by his Majesty in supporting his Allies abroad in reducing Ireland in defence of the Protestant Religion and Laws of the Kingdom drew up two humble Addresses of Thanks one to the Lords and the other to the Commons which were presented and very kindly received the first of these was presented by the Recorder and the last by the Sheriffs of the Honourable City who were dismissed with expressions of high Esteem c. For the said City an Address of Thanks was likewise presented to his Majesty by the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council upon his most condescending and unparallell'd Goodness in the Message he was pleased to send to the two Houses in relation to the Duty of Hearth-mony promising as bound in duty and great obligations to be ready to serve and assist his Majesty as far as they were able in the support of his Crown and Dignity and for the maintaining the Protestant Religion and Laws of the Land and the speedy relief of the distressed Protestants in Ireland c. About this time we had News that the greatest part of the Regiment of Foot late commanded by the Lord Dumbarton and some Companies of Fuziliers made a Mutiny near Ipswych and seized on the Money sent down to pay them with four Field-pieces and refusing to obey the King's Orders marched away doing great damage and bringing a greater terrour upon the Country people proclaiming King James c. whereupon both houses Addressed his Majesty that he would be pleased to take such effectual Course as in his Princely Wisdom should be thought fit for the suppressing and bringing them to Justice and that in the mean time he would issue out his Royal Proclamation declaring them and their Adherents to be Rebels and Traitors requiring all good Subjects to apprehend subdue and prosecute them c. To which His Majesty was pleased to answer That he thanked both Houses for their Address and that he had sent a Force of Horse and Dragoons sufficient to suppress them and that he would issue out a Proclamation as was desired On the 16th of March His Majesty went by water to the House of Lords attended with the usual Solemnity and being in his Royal Robes seated on the Throne and the Commons sent for up His Majesty gave the Royal Assent to an Act impowering him to apprehend such Persons as he should find just cause to suspect are conspiring against the Government and to an Act for annulling and making void the Attainder of William Russel Esquire commonly called Lord Russel and then in a gracious Speech amongst other things recommended to them the settling the Oaths to be taken by all persons to be admitted to places of Trust so that Papists might be excluded and room left for all Protestants that are willing to serve the better to strengthen us against the common Adversaries and the same day a Proclamation was signed by His Majesty declaring those mutinous Officers and Soldiers together with their Adherents Rebels and Traitors c. commanding all good Subjects to apprehend subdue and prosecute them as such To shew this was no general defection of the Soldiers but rather these few drawn into so great a folly and over-sight by sinister means the same day an Address was humbly presented to His Majesty signed by the Officers superiour and subordinate with the unanimous Subscriptions of the private Soldiers of the Regiment of Foot under the conduct of the Right Honourable the Lord Mordant expressing therein their unfeigned Loyalty willing Obedience and ready Zeal to serve his Majesty in all places and on all occasions Nor was it long e'er those in Rebellion were brought under for on the 19th of March the Regiments of Horse commanded by Sir John Lanier and Collonel Langston having joined the Dutch Troups of Horse and Dragoons under the command of Lieutenant General Ginkell and being informed that the Rebels were marching towards Seaford they advanced in good Order the Dragoons making the left Wing the Rebels no sooner perceived the Troups but they drew up in Batalia planting their four Field-pieces to the best advantage having on one side a great Hedge and on the other considerable Waters which obliged the Dragoons to swim but perceiving the Resolution of the King's Troups to reduce them to their Obedience they beat a Parly and laying down their Arms surrendred upon discretion so that there were taken the four Field-pieces and twenty Officers and five hundred Soldiers were made Prisoners and sent up to London under a Guard of Horse and there secured in divers Prisons whilst another party of Horse continued to search after such as had dispersed some of which were afterward taken and secured in divers Prisons Sir John Chapman Lord Mayor of the City of London dying on the of March the worthy Thomas Pilkington Esq since being Knighted elected Lord Mayor of that City for the remaining part of this Year was on the 22d presented to the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal and afterwards sworn at the Hustings according to Custome and at five in the Afternoon was sworn without the Tower Gate by the Right Honourable the Lord Lucas chief Governour of the Tower in pursuance of their Majesties Writ to him directed and of the antient usage at such a time as the Exchequer Court is not holden at Westminster Having before made mention of the intended Convention in Scotland and now the time appointed for its sitting being come it will not seem foreign to this History to insert some remarkable passages and Transactions relating to it and the Affairs of that Kingdom On the 14th of March in obedience to the King of England's Letter the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons assembled at Edinburgh in one House as the Custome is and chose Duke Hamilton their President and considering the Duke of Gourdon a Roman Catholick held the Castle whose Cannon
E. of Oxford E. of Shrewsbury his Majesties Principal Secretary of State. E. of Bedford E. of Bath E of Macelesfield E. of Nottingham principal Secret. of State. E. of Fauconberg E. of Monmouth Lord Mordant E. of Montague E. of Marlborough Lord Churchill E. of Portland Mr. Bertinck Groom of the Stole to his Majesty Visc Newport Treasurer of his Majesties Houshold Visc Lumley Visc Sidney Ld. Bishop of London Ld Wharton Ld. Delamere Sir Robert Howard Kt. Sir Henry Capell Kt. Sir John Lowther Barronet Vice-Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold Mr. H. Powle Speaker of the H. of Commons Mr. Edward Russell Mr. Richard Hambden Mr. Hugh Boscawen Thomas Wharton Esq Comptroller of his Majesties Houshold William Harbord Esq Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal Sir John Maynard Kt. Sir Anthony Kecke Kt. Sir William Rawlinson Kt. Commissioners for the Office of Lord High Admiral Arthur Herbwert Esq Earl of Carbery Sir Michael Wharton Bar. Sir Thomas Lee Bar. Sir John Chichely Kt. Sir. John Lowther of White-haven Bar. William Sacherverill Esq Lords of the Treasury Earl of Monmouth Lord Delamere Lord Godolphin Sir Henry Capel Kt. Richard Hampden Esq New Knights of the Garters Duke Frederick Mareschal de Scomberg General of his Majesties Forces and Master-General of the Ordnance Earl of Devonshire Duke of Ormond New Bishops Dr. Burnet Bishop of Salisbury Dr. Trewlawny B. of Exet. Ld. Lovelace Captain of the Band of Gentlemen-Pensioners Ld. Lucas Chief Governour of the Tower of London Ld. Willoughby of Eresby Chancellour of the Dutchy of Lancaster Sir Henry Pollixfen Kt. Attorney-General Sir George Treby Kt. Solicitor-General Clerks of the Privy-Council Sir John Nicholas Kt. of the Bath William Blaithwayt Esq Charles Montague Esq Richard Colling Esq Commissioners for the Customs Hon. George Booth Esq Sir Richard Temple Bar. and Kt. of the Bath Sir John Worden Bar. Sir Robert Southwell Bar. Sir Robert Clayton Kt. Sir Patient Ward Thomas Pelham Esq Commissioners for the Excise Sir Henry Fane Kt. Sir Henry Ashurst Kt. Sir Humphrey Edwin Kt. Thomas Frankland Esq Francis Parry Esq John Danvers Esq John Wilcox Jun. Esq The Lords Lieutenants appointed by his Majesty Bedford E. of Bedford Berks D. of Norfolk Bucks E. of Bridgw Cambr. E. of Bedford Chesh Ld. Delamere Cornw. E. of Bath Cumb. E. of Carlysle Derby E. of Devon. Devon E. of Bath Dorset E. of Bristol Essex E. of Oxford Glouc. E. of Matclesfied Heref. E. of Matclesfield Hertf. E. of Shrewsbury during the Minority of the E. of Essex Hunt. E. of Manchester Kent E. of Winchester Lanc. E. of Derby Leic. E. of Rutland Linc. E. of Lindsey Midds E. of Clare Monm E. of Macclesf Norf. D. of Norfolk Northum Ld. V. Lumly Northamp E. of Monm Nott. E. of Kingston Oxon E. of Abingdon Salop Ld. Visc Newp Som. L. Vis Fitz-harding Southamp D. of Bolton Stafford Ld. Paget Suffolk Ld. Cornwallis Surrey D. of Norfolk Sus E. of Dors Midd. Warw. E. of Northampt. Worcester E. of Shrewsb Westm Sir. J. Lowther Wilts E. of Pembroke York East R.E. of Kings North. R.E. Falconb West Rid. E. of Danby S.N. Wales E. of Maccl A List of the Chaplains to be waiting on their Majesties March. DR Horneck Dr. Bright Mr. Kidder Dr. Fowler April Dr. Tillotson Dr. Stillingfleet Dr. Stratford Mr. Young. May. Mr. Brograve Dr. Scott Dr. Alderidge Mr. Wake June Dr. Fuller Dr. Grove Dr. Ironside Dr. Baily July Dr. Hescard Dr. Megott Dr. Tennison Mr. Bramson August Dr. Belk Dr. Hough Mr. Wiggan Mr. Williams September Dr. Sharp Dr. Craddocke Dr. Edwards M. Staino October Dr. Goodman Dr. Beveridge Dr. Freeman Dr. Turner November Dr. Jane Dr. Smith Dr. Hall. Dr. Doughty December Dr. Patrick Mr. Pelling Dr. Horden Mr. Blagrave January Mr. Lamb. Mr. Manningham Dr. Hooper Dr. Mills February Mr. Fielding Dr. Onely Dr. Brabant Dr. Mountague Officers newly made to the Queens Majesty EArl of Wiltshire Ld. Chamberlain Ld. Coot Treasurer Abel Tassind ' Allone Esq Principal Secretary and Master of Requests Countess of Derby Groom of the Stole FINIS
he could not in that kind advantage the King's Affairs which were now grown desperate betook himself to his Retirement so that the Militia found themselves disbanded The Noblemen who were sent to treat with his Highness the Prince of Orange about accommodating the affairs of the Kingdom not being able to effect in all points what the King desired the Infant which had been sent to Portsmouth either as supposed the securest place or to pass the Seas was sent for back in great haste and the Priests began to shift for themselves Father Petre was missing with divers others who it is supposed perceiving the desperateness of their condition made an early escape and several Councils were held most of them privately in the King's Closet to advise what was to he done in the Juncture of affairs when on the 9th of December in the Evening News came that greatly allarm'd the Court and put it for the most part in a hurry and consternation viz. That the Prince's Forces had made their way through Reading and gained the Pass of Twyford-bridge without any considerable resistence And thus we find the account of this Action About 1500 Horse and 3 Troups of Irish Dragoons being quartered or posted in the Town of Reading were put into a Consternation upon the Report that a strong advanced Party of the Prince's Army were on their march to beat up their Quarters so that after some Consultation of the Officers it was concluded they should draw off to Twyford-Bridge and there make good their Post which accordingly they did but the Scouts that were sent abroad to discover coming in and giving them an account that the Roads were clear the Commander in chief commanded that Claverhouse Regiment of Scotch Horse and the Irish Dragoons should march back and repossess the Town of Reading which they did on the Eighth of December at Night with Orders to be in readiness and upon their Guards to prevent surprize so that most of them kept on Horse-back some in the Market-place and others at the Posts assigned them but there being yet no news of the advanc'd Party they were commanded by their Officers to alight and refresh themselves and their Horses when at ten of the Clock in the Morning the Trumpet sounded to Horse the Prince's Forces being at the Town 's end almost before they were discovered whereupon a sharp dispute ensued with brisk Firing on both Parties the Irish Dragoons bearing the brunt of the Encounter though the Scotch Horse in small detatched Bodies made some Firings but they were over-powered driven out of the Town and obliged to retreat to Twyford-Bridge and in conclusion many of the King's Party Deserted and the rest were constrained to quit the Pass and make the best of their Retreat In this Skirmish we cannot learn that above Thirty were killed and several wounded But now the King having no considerable Forces especially none capable of making Head against a prevailing Army the Queen who had been at Wind for the day before to fetch the Infant taking her solemn leave of the King crossed the Thames on the Tenth of December about Three in the Morning where her Coaches waited for her and so with the Child and a slender Attendence made for Dover or some Port near it and there took Shipping for France where she soon after landed and had a place of Residence appointed her by the French King. The Queen having left White-Hall as also a great many of the Courtiers the King the same Evening called an extraordinary Council and sent for the Lord Mayor of London and the Sheriffs who waiting upon His Majesty were amongst other things charged to have a Care of the City and keep it in Peace and Quietness as much as in them lay and then were dismissed However the Council held a long Debate and a meeting was appointed the the next Morning but contrary to the Expectation of almost the whole Kingdom the King about Three a Clock in the Night took Barge at the Privy Stairs with a small Equipage and went down the River on his Departure without giving notice to any of the Officers of his Houshold who were then in The King's Departure was no sooner spread abroad but the Lords Spiritual and Temporal that were about Town assembled and finding White-Hall full of Consternation after some Debates they gave order for the dismissing Popish Officers and Soldiers and giving Directions for the keeping of that Palace from Pillage or Spoil which in that Confusion might have happened they adjourned immediately to the Guild Hall of the City of London where by their Order the Lord Mayor had summoned the Court of Aldermen and thither they sent for Collonel Bevil Skelton Lieutenant of the Tower and ordered him to resign up that important Citadel to the Lord Lucas in trust of the City till other Measures could be taken and proceeded to approve and sign the following Declaration viz. We doubt not but the World believes that in this great and dangerous Conjuncture We are Heartily and Zealously concerned for the Protestant Religion the Laws of the Land and the Liberties and Properties of the Subject and we did reasonably hope that the King having Issued out his Proclamation and Writs for a Free Parliament We might have rested secure under the Expectation of that Meeting but His Majesty having withdrawn himself and as we apprehend in order to his Departure out of the Kingdom by the pernicious Counsels of Person ill-affected to our Nation and Religion We cannot without being wanting to our Duty be silent under the Calamities wherein the Popish Counsels which so long prevailed have miserably involved us We do therefore unanimously resolve to apply our selves to his Highness the Prince of Orange who with so great Kindness to these Kingdoms so Vast Expence and so much hazard to his own Person hath undertaken by endeavouring to procure a Free Parliament to rescue us with as little Effusion of Christian Blood as possible from imminent Dangers of Popery and Slavery And we do hereby declare That we will with our utmost Endeavours assist his Highness in the obtaining such a Parliament with all speed wherein our Laws our Liberties and our Prosperities may be secured the Church of England in particular with a due Liberty to Protestant Dissenters and in general the Protestant Religion and Interest over the whole World may be supported and encouraged to the Glory of God the Happiness of the Established Government in these Kingdoms and the advantage of all Princes and State in Christendom that may be herein concerned In the mean time we will endeavour to preserve as much as in us lies the Peace and Security of these great and populous Cities of London and Westminster and the parts adjacent by taking Care to disarm all Papists and secure all Jesuits and Romish Priests who are in or about the same and if there be any thing more to be performed by us for the promoting His Highness's Generous
Three in the Afternoon and was received with most profound respect and submission by the Mayor and Aldermen in their Formalities the Steward of that Corporation Congratulating his Arrival in a most Elegant Speech and afterwards he went to the Prince of Denmark's Lodgings prepared for his Reception And whilst His Highness was preparing for London News came that the King attempting to pass the Seas at Feversham in disguise was stay'd by some of the Towns-men who were fearching for such as were endeavouring the like who being ignorant that it was his Majesty carried him in a rude manner to a house in the Town taking from him some Jewels considerable quantity of Gold and his Crucifix of a great Value Not did those rude People desist from their Incivilities till a Gentleman coming to see the Prisoners they had taken and knowing the King fell on his Knees to pay him duty whereat the multitude being strangely surprized a great part of them retired and others begged his Majesties Pardon offering to restore what they had taken from him but he would not receive his Gold again but gave it them in Generosity as a free Gift The Lords at White-Hall hearing of his Majesty's being at Feversham sent to wait upon him and pray him to return to his Palace Royal to which he seemed not at first inclinable though being pressed to a Return he at last consented But His Highness the Prince of Orange having fully determined to come to London with all speed he thought it in many respects improper for the King and himself to be there at one and the same time in the present State of Affairs upon notice his Majesty was returning he sent Monsieur Zulestein to meet him on the way and intreat him to return to Rochester but Monsieur Zulestein missing him by taking another Road than that by which he came the King arrived at White-hall the 16th of December in the Evening attended by divers Noblemen and a Guard of Horse and from thence he sent the Lord Feversham to invite his Highness to come to St. James's and take that Palace as his Place of Residence with what number of Troups he thought convenient The Prince deliberating upon this with the Lords at Windsor the day before he had appointed to be in Town and having communicated to them the Message and left them to debate the matter it was agreed that it was in no kind advisable for the Prince to accept the Invitation and there being on the other side a necessity the Prince should be in Town the next day the Lords thought the shortness of time could admit no better Expedient than that the King might be desired to remove to some Place within a reasonable distance from London upon which Ham a House belonging to the Dutchess of Lander-dale was concluded on and in order to this a Paper was drawn and Signed by the Prince viz. WE desire you the Lord Marquess of Hallifax the Earl of Shrewsbury and the Lord Delamere to tell the King that it is thought convenient for the greater safety of his Person that he do remove move to Ham where he shall be attended by Guards who will be ready to preserve him from any disturbance Given at Windsor the 17th of December 1688. This Paper being Signed by the Prince the three Lords mentioned therein were appointed to carry it and it was resolved before the delivery that his Highness's Guards should be possessed of all the Posts at White-Hall to prevent the possibility of a disturbance from Guards belonging to several Masters which besides other ill consequence might peradventure have involved even the King 's own person in the danger that might have happened from any dispute it was by computation supposed that the Prince's Guards might have reached them by Eight at Night but it so fell out by reason of the dirtiness of the ways c. that it was past ten before they were come and in drawing the King's Guards from White-Hall so much time was spent that before the Lords could proceed in their Message it was past twelve in which that they might preserve all possible Decency and Respect and not suddenly break in upon the King with a Message of this kind they sent to the Lord Middleton his principal Secretary of State the following Letter My Lord THere is a Message to be delivered to His Majesty from the Prince which is of so great Importance that we who are charged with it desire we may be immediately admitted and therefore desire to know where we may find your Lordship that you may introduce My Lord your Lordships most Humble Servants c. This Letter was signed by three Lords and the Lord Middleton sent back word by the Messenger he would be ready at the Stairs of the Guard-Chamber to carry the Lords to the King where accordingly they found his Lordship and he brought them to the King whom they found in Bed and after having made an Apology for coming at a time that might disturb him the Prince's Message before mentioned was delivered to him which after he had read he said he would comply with it the Lords as they were directed humbly desired that if it might be done with conveniency to His Majesty that he would be pleased to remove so early as to be at Ham by Noon to prevent by that means his meeting the Prince in his way to London To this the King readily agreed and afterwards asked if he might not appoint what Servants should attend him to which the Lords replied it was left to His Majesty to give Order in that as he pleased And after the Lords had taken their leave and were gone as far as the Privy Chamber the King sent for them again and told them that he had forgot to acquaint them with his Resolution before the Message came to send the Lord Godolphin the next Morning to the Prince to propose his going back to Rochester he finding by the Message Monsieur Zulestein was charged with that the Prince had no mind he should be at London and therefore he now desired that he might rather return to Rochester the Lords replied that they would immediately send an account to the Prince of what His Majesty desired and did not doubt of such an Answer as would be to his satisfaction and accordingly they immediately dispatched back again a Messenger who finding the Prince at Sion gave him an account of all that had passed and before Eight of the Clock in the morning had a Letter from the Sieur Benting by the Prince's Order agreeing to the King's Proposal of going to Rochester and accordingly the Guards and Barges being made ready to attend him his Coach and Sumpters appointed likewise to follow him he reached Gravesend on the 18th in the Evening and passed over Land in his Coach attended by several others where His Majesty was pleased to chuse the House of Sir Richard Head for the place of his Residence at that time One thing
there was remarkable between the King 's first with-drawing himself and his return which considering people are apt to conclude might be designed for a general Notice for the Papists to have risen in Arms and fell upon the Protestants in their Houses had not his Highness's Prudent Conduct broken their Measures and rendred their Purpose insignificant and that was a general Allarm given in the dead of the Night at almost one and the same time in the most considerable Cities and Towns in England upon pretence the Irish were killing burning and destroying all before them which appeared to be carried on industriously by persons set on purpose to spread that false Allarm or it could not other ways have been done in so many distant places at once which put people into a great Hurry and Consternation till day appeared and convinced them of the Fallacy so that whatever was intended God prevented its taking effect And now the satisfaction of the longing People drew near for on the day the King left White-Hall His Highness the Prince of Orange with a very splendid Equipage entered the Town about three in the Afternoon and came to he Palace of St. James's where he received the Complements of all the Nobility and other persons of the chiefest Quality in Town and at Night the Streets were enlightened with Bonfires the Bells every where ringing and all places filled with a large demonstration of unfeigned Joy so that the Face of things were visibly changed insomuch that even the Rabble that a little before â—ould know no Order were now calm â—nd in a thorow quiet Upon the Arrival of His Highness the Common Council of the City of London assembled and unanimously agreed and ordered That all the Aldermen of that City and their Deputies with two Common Council Men for each Ward should wait upon and congratulate His Highness upon his happy Arrival at such a time and place as his Highness should appoint and that the two Sheriffs and Mr. Common Serjeant should wait upon him to know his pleasure when he would be attended by that Committee and accordingly the next day they attended His Highness at St. James's and on the 20th the Lord Mayor being indisposed the Aldermen and their respective Deputies with some of the Common Council-men of each Ward waited on the Prince to congratulate him on his happy Arrival which was performed by Sir George Treby in a Florid Speech The High Sheriff Nobility and Gentry of the County of Cambridge about this time drew up and signed an Address to his Highness wherein they not only beg his Protection and implore his aid to restore these Kingdoms from Popery and Slavery but also assure his Highness that they will contribute their utmost endeavours in perfecting so Glorious a Work and return his Highness their unfeigned thanks for the Progress he has made already with great Cost Labour and Hazard both by Sea and Land c. which was presented to his Highness and received with particular marks of his Favour And now the King's Forces that were disbanded not having any certain Stations or places of gathering Quarters were appointed the respective Troups and Regiments whither the Officers and Soldiers were commanded forth-with to repair and seeing many had embezzled their Arms and Order was put forth signed by his Highness commanding those that had them in custody to re-deliver them to the Soldiers the Officers of the Ordinance or common Stores of the Tower c. Whilst these things happened the King after several days continuance at Rochester withdrew himself with a slender Train about twelve of the Clock in the Night on the 22d of December making a back way with great secrecy and caution to the Sea-Port where he embarked and was afterward known to be landed in France and favourably received by the French King having left a Paper behind him given out to contain his Reasons for withdrawing himself And Portsmouth that held out with some Obstinacy under the Duke of Barwick and Sir Edward Scot Deputy Governour submitted and received a Garison sent thither by the Prince's Order On the Twenty Fifth of December the Lords Spiritual and Temporal assembled at the House of Lords at Westminster humbly proposed and requested of his Highness To take upon him the Administration of publick Affairs both Civil and Military and the Disposal of the Publick Revenue for the Preservation of the Protestant Religion Rights Laws Liberties and Properties and of the Peace of the Nation and that he would take into his particular Care the present Condition of Ireland and endeavour by the most speedy and effectual means to prevent the danger threatening that Kingdom all which they requested his Highness to undertake and exercise till the meeting of the intended Convention 22d of January c. At the same time this great and honourable Assembly made their request to his Highness desiring him that he would cause his Letters to be Written subscribed by himself to be sent to the Lords Spiritual and Temporal being Protestants and for Election to the several Counties Universities Cities Boroughs and Cinque Ports of England Wales and Town of Berwick upon Tweed for Electing Persons fitly qualified so that being duly chosen for Knights of the Shire and Burgesses they might meet and sit at Westminster the Twenty Second of January ensuing And these were signed by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal then assembled On the 26th divers of the Members of Parliament in the Reign of the late King Charles II. and the Aldermen and Common Council of the City of London pursuant to his Highness the Prince of Orange's Desire met at St. James's to whom his Highness made a gracious Speech in the following words YOV Gentlemen that have been Members of the late Parliaments I have desired you to meet me here to advise the best manner how to pursue the Ends of my Declaration in calling a free Parliament for the preservation of the Protestant Religion the restoring of the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdom and settling the same that they may not be in danger of being again subverted And you the Aldermen and Members the Common Council of the City of London I desire the same of you and in regard your numbers are like to be great you may if you think fit divided your selves and sit in several places Upon which they immediately agreed to go to the Commons House at Westminster where being sate they chose Henry Powle Esq their Chair-man and upon Debate they resolved upon Heads for an Address to be made to his Highness and appointed Persons to draw up and prepare the same and in the Afternoon it was done accordingly read and approv'd and his Highness having appointed to receive it the next day he was attended by them and the Address read by Mr. Powle much to the same effect as what had been before proposed by the Lord viz. Returning his Highness their hearty and unfeigned Thanks and expressing their extraordinary
of that Declaration and appearing in great numbers his Highness was pleased by another Declaration dated the 14th of January to command them within three days to depart the said Cities and ten miles compass or otherwise to be taken proceeded against and expect the utmost severity that the Law for their Offences can inflict upon them commanding all Magistrates to make diligent search and apprehend and imprison such as should be found in Contempt of the said Declarations c. The Fame of his Highness's Success being sufficiently known in the United Provinces three Deputies were sent to congratulate his Success who landing at the Tower were received with the Discharge of the Cannon and other signal Respects as became their Character from whence they passed to the Lodgings appointed for them in the Coaches sent to wait upon them with a splendid Equipage His Highness had no sooner signified to the City of London that the publick Treasure was in a manner exhausted and not sufficient to defray the necessary Expences of the Nation but a Committee was ordered to attend him to know the Summe that might supply that defect and 100000 l. being named and proffered to be secured and re-paid with Interest in six Months a great many eminent and generous Citizens immediately came to the Guild-Hall of London and offered their Subscriptions which were there accordingly taken almost to admiration for in a short time about 300000 l. was subscribed and directions being given for the Receivers to attend it was brought in with such Expedition that they were forced to encrease their number These being the most weighty Affairs transacted in England let us a while look into those of Scotland our Sister Kingdom where we find that upon his Highness's Arrival in these Parts the terrour wrought so effectually with the Popish Ministers of State and others that found themselves launched beyond the Laws of that Kingdom and Constitution of Government that they thought of nothing more than shifting for themselves some of which had the luck to escape and others were seized the multitude was up in divers places demolishing the Mass-Houses and not only contented with that but committed sundry Disorders and in the Encounters and Scuffles that were thereby occasioned even in the City of Edinburgh several were killed and wounded which made the Noble-men and Gentlemen attend him to lay before his Highness the willingness of the people of Scotland to submit to his Protection c. and upon notice of their Intentions his Highness the Prince of Orange having caused to advertise such of the Scotch Lords and Gentlemen as were in Town to attend in a Room at St. James's on the 7th of January about three in the Afternoon his Highness met them there and made to them the following Speech My Lords and Gentlemen THE only Reason that enduced me to undergo so great an Vndertaking was that I saw the Laws and Liberties of these Kingdoms overturned and the Protestant Religion in imminent Danger and seeing you are so many Noble-men and Gentlemen I have called you together that I may have your Advice what is to be done for the securing the Protestant Religion and restoring your Laws and Liberties according to my Declaration As soon as his Highness had retired the Lords and Gentlemen went to the Council-Chamber at White-Hall and there having chosen the Duke of Hamilton their President debated what Advice was sit to be given his Highness in that juncture but came to no Conclusion farther than to give the Clerks that attended Instructions to draw up in Writing what they then thought most expedient On Tuesday the 8th of January the Honourable Assembly met again and the Writing was presented upon which they debated the most expedient way for Convening the general meeting of the Estates of Scotland and at last agreed in their Opinion ordering the Writing to be fair drawn over with the Amendments On Wednesday the 9th of January they met at Three of the Clock and the Address was prepared giving his Highness Thanks for his Pious and Generous Undertaking for preserving the Protestant Religion and restoring the Laws and Liberties of these Kingdoms desiring him to take upon him the Administration of the Affairs Civil and Militatary and dispose of the publick Revenues and Fortresses of the Kingdom of Scotland untill the general Meeting of the States of the Nation which they humbly prayed his Highness to call to be holden at Edinburgh the 14th of March next and to issue out his Letters for the calling them being Protestants These being the Heads and Substance of this Address it was subscribed by 30 Lords and about 80 Gentlemen and was presented to his Highness in their presence by the Duke of Hamilton at St. James's who thanked them for the Trust they reposed in him and desired a time to consider upon so wheighty an Affair When the next day his Highness again met the Scotch Lords and Gentlemen at St. James's and made them the following Speech My Lords and Gentlemen IN pursuance of your Advice I will untill the Meeting of the Estates in March next give such Orders concerning the Affairs of Scotland as are necessary for the Calling the said Meeting for the preservation of the Peace the applying of the publick Revenue to the most pressing uses and putting the Fortresses into the Hands of Persons in whom the Nation can have a just Confidence and I do farther assure you that you will always find me ready to concurr with you in every thing that may be found necessary for the securing the Protestant Religion and restoring the Laws and Liberties of the Nation By this time the Earl of Crauford the Earl of Louthian and others being come to Town the former of these Earls desired his Highness that they might subscribe the Address which was accordingly granted his Highness leaving signal marks of a high satisfaction in the Countenances of the noble Assembly which demonstrated how much they were pleased with his Answer nor no sooner did the News arrive at Edinburgh but it was received with the ringing of Bells loud Shouts and Acclamations of Joy and in the same manner swiftly overspread that Kingdom The English Soldiers many of them having been imposed upon by ill affected Persons to doubt their Pay c. his Highness was pleased to put forth a publick Assurance that he had taken care for the satisfying and making good to every Officer and Soldier their full Pay and Arrears due to them untill the first day of January 1688. and for the making constant and punctual payment of Subsistence Money and clearing of the Army in the usual method without any the least diminution of their former Pay ordering all Officers to repair to their respective Commands and Soldiers to their Quarters and Rendezvouz under such penalties as a refusal may incur and that nothing might be wanting on his part His Highness in another Paper gave the like notice and assurance to the Sea-men belonging to
the English Fleet under the Command of the Lord Dartmouth And now the Royal African Company intreated his Highness to doe them the Honour of taking upon him to be their Governour for the ensuing year and made him a Present of 1000 l. in their Stock worth 2000 l. which he very favourably accepted Now the great Convention on which the Eyes of all Europe are fixed drawing near the Members who were chosen and returned came to Town the Houses were prepared for the Reception of the august Assembly and on the 21th of January the High-Sheriff with all the considerable Gentlemen of Estate in the County of Cambridge having unanimously entered into an Association whereby they solemnly engage themselves to stand by His Highness the Prince of Orange with their Lives and Fortunes in his glorious Design of Redeeming these Kingdoms from Popery and Slavery Mr. Cotton of Madingly was to wait upon His Highness and presented it in the Name of the County to which His Highness was pleased to return a very gracious Answer On the 22th of January according to the grand Appointment the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons assembled at Westminster the Lord Marquess of Halifax officiated the Place of Speaker in the House of Lords and the Commons chose Henry Powle Esq to be their Speaker who accordingly took his place After which a Letter from his Hâ—ghness the Prince of Orange was read in both Houses on the Occasion of their Meeting viz. My Lords I Have endeavoured to the utmost of my power to perform what was desired from me in order to the publick Peace and safety and I do not know that any thing hath been omitted which might tend to the preservation of them since the Administration of Affairs was put into my hands it now lieth upon you to lay the Foundation of a firm security for your Religion your Laws and Liberties I do not doubt but that by such a full and free Representative of the Nation as is now met the Ends of my Declaration will be attained and since it hath pleased God hitherto to bless my good Intentions with so great success I trust in him that he will complete his own Work by sending a Spirit of Peace and Vnion to influence your Counsels that no interruption may be given to a happy and lasting settlement The dangerous condition of the Protestant Interest in Ireland requiring a large and speedy succour and the present state of things abroad oblige me to tell you That next to the danger of unseasonable Division amongst your selves nothing can be so fatal as too great delay in your Consultations the States by whom I have been enabled to rescue this Nation may suddenly feel the in Effects of it both by being too long deprived of the Service of their Troups which are now here and of your early assistence against a powerfull Enemy who hath declar'd War against them and as England is by Treaty already engaged to help them upon any such Exigencies so I am confident that their chearfull Concurrence to preserve this Kingdom with so much hazard to themselves will meet with all the Returns of Friendship and Assistence which may be expected from you as Protestants and English men when ever their Condition shall require it This Letter being read and unanimously approved and applauded with the highest satisfaction the Lords and Commons resolved upon an Address to be presented to his Highness of Thanks for what he had done and humbly to desire him to continue the Administration of publick Affairs till farther application should be made by them to his Highness Which Address being presented to his Highness on Wednesday the 22th of January he was pleased to return them this Answer viz. Die Mercurii 23. Januarii 1688 / 9. My Lords and Gentlemen I Am glad that what I have done hath pleased you and since you desire me to continue the Administration of Affairs I am willing to accept it I must recommend to you the consideration of Affairs abroad which maketh it fit for you to expedite your Business not only for making a Settlement at home upon a good Foundation but for the safety of all Europe After this an Order was passed on the same day That no Papist or reputed Papist should presume to come into the Lobby Painted Chamber Court of Requests or Westminster Hall during the sitting of the Convention Then the Speaker of the honourable House of Commons put the House in mind of the present Affairs of the Kingdom recommending the speedy care of providing for its safety to the respective Representatives declaring The danger it was lately in and putting them in mind of the desperate State of Ireland He farther minded them of the growth of France and concluded in recommending these things to their prudent Care and Conduct c. After these and other weighty considerations an Order was made by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons for a publick Thanksgiving for our great and miraculous deliverance from the imminent Danger that so lately hung over our Heads Thursday the 31st of January instant being appointed for the City of London and Ten Miles distance and Thursday the 14th day of February following for the rest of the Kingdom Thus all things concurring towards a happy Settlement and Uniting of Protestants c. in England and Scotland let us look a little into the Affairs of Ireland which as yet has not the like prospect as being very much inhabited by Native Irish Papists devoted Enemies to the Protestant Religion The Earl of Tyrconnel whom the King had made his Lieutenant or Deputy of that Kingdom taking the advantage of the hurry and disorder the Affairs of England had put the People into magnified their Fears and used his endeavours to gain them to a Revolt but finding the Protestants in no wise forward to joyn or take part with him he instantly sent his Letters through all the Provinces and Countries to cause the Gentry and Peasants to take up Arms on the behalf of the King and the defence of their Religion declaring if the King himself should in that juncture desire it he would not deliver up his Sword so that leaving no endeavours to strengthen himself untried he in a short time drew together a formidable Army and secured divers Places of strength fortifying the Houses and Castles of several Noblemen whereupon it was thought fit to send to him and know his Intentions but no farther satisfaction at that time could be gained than that he was resolved to stand for the King's Interest and expect his Commands c. and accordingly upon notice that he upon his a second time withdrawing himself was in France the Report went currant that he sent thither to know his Pleasure in the mean while though he offered no open Hostilities to the Protestants yet in many Places he oppressed them by Quartering his Soldiers at discretion in their Houses seizing their Arms and taking Hostages His Highness the Prince
Religion established by Law And will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of this Realm and to the Churches committed to their Charge all such Rights and Privileges as by Law do or shall appertain to any of them King and Queen All this I promise to doe After this the King and Queen laying his and her hand upon the holy Gospel shall say King and Queen These things which I have here before promised I will perform and keep So help me God. Then the King and Queen shall kiss the book And this Oath by the same Act is to be administred to all the Kings and Queens that shall succeed to the Imperial Crown of this Realm at their respective Coronations by one of the Archbishops or Bishops and to be done in publick Thus every thing being in a readiness and the expected day arrived their Majesties being come from White-Hall to Westminster the Heralds began to put the Proceedings in order the Peers in the Lords House and the Peeresses in the painted Chamber so that about eleven in the morning their Majesties and the whole Proceeding were conducted into Westminster-Hall where at the upper end a Throne being erected their Majesties took their Seats under their Cloath of State on the inside the Table which done the Master of the Jewel-house presented to the Lord High Constable the Sword of State also the Sword Curtana and the two pointed Swords in their order who in the like order delivered them to the Lord Great Chamberlain and he having drawn them out of the Scaboards laid them on the Table before their Majesties as likewise the Spurs After which the Dean and Prebendaries of Westminster bring the Crowns and other Regalia presented them severally and then they were delivered to those Lords whose Office or Trust it was to bear them Then the Proceeding began from Westminster Hall to the Abbey where being entered and each seated or placed in order the Lord Bishop of London began with the Recognition which ending with a general Shout and universal Acclamation of Joy their Majesties offered and the Lords who carried the Regalia offered them at the Altar severally to be there disposed after which the Litany was sung by the Bishops of St. Asaph and Bangor which ended the Communion Service began the Epistle taken out of the 1 Pet. 2. ver 13 17. was read by the Bishop of Carlisle and the Gospel out of Mat. 22. 16 22. was read by the Bishop of St. Asaph after which followed the Nicene Creed and by this time the Bishop of Salisbury being in the Pulpit after repeating the Lords Prayers took his Text 2 Sam. 23.3 4. viz. The Lord God of Israel said the Rock of Israel spake to me he that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God and he shall be as the Light of the morning when the Sun riseth even a morning without Clouds as the tender Grass springing out of the Earth by clear shining after rain The Sermon which lasted half an hour being ended their Majesties took the new established Oath before mentioned and after Veni Creator was sung and the Holy Oil consecrated their Majesties were conducted to their Royal Chairs placed on the Theatre where the Honourable Members of the House of Commons who with their Speaker were seated in the north Cross might have a full prospect and there being disrobed of their Crimson Mantles their Majesties were solemnly annointed and presented with the Spurs and Sword which being offered up and redeemed by the Earl of Portland their Majesties were invested with the Imperial Robes and Orbs after that with the Rings and Sceptres and about four of the Clock the Crowns were placed on their heads by the Lord Bishop of London assisted by the Lord Bishop of Rochester upon which the Drums beat the Trumpets sounded the great Guns were fired yet were drowned in a manner by the loud shouts and joyfull Acclamations of the People and the Peers and Peeresses putting on their Coronets the holy Bible was presented to their Majesties and after the Benediction they vouchsafed to kiss the Bishops and then Te Deum was sung and they ascended the Throne the Archbishop and Bishops doing jointly Homage and kissed their Majesties left Cheeks and after them the Temporal Peers did the like whilest the Medals were cast about by the Treasurer of the Houshold inscribed on one side Ne totus absumatur and on the other Gulielmus Maria Rex Regina After this began the Communion their Majesties making their second Offering and having received the Holy Sacrament they went in State into St. Edward's Chapel where being divested of the Imperial Palls c. and robed in Purple Velvet returned to Westminster-Hall with their Crowns of State on their Heads the Peers and Peeresses wearing their Coronots where a very splendid Entertainment was furnished at sundry Tables and between the first and second course Charles Dymcke Esq their Majesties Champion came on Horseback completely armed between the Lord High Constable and Earl Marshal both on Horseback and made his Chalenge which was pronounced by York Herald in these words viz. If an Person of what degree soever high or low shall deny or gainsay our Sovereign Lord and Lady King William and Queen Mary King and Queen of England France and Ireland Defenders of the Faith to be rightfull King and Queen of this Realm of England or that they ought not to enjoy the Imperial Crown of the same Here is their Champion who saith he lyeth and is a false Traitor being ready in Person to combate with him and in this Quarrel will adventure his Life against him on what day soever be shall be appointed After which their Majesties Styles were proclaimed in Latin French and English and about eight in the evening they returned to White-Hall This caused great Rejoicing in Holland as well as England the States ordering it to be exprest by Bells Bonfires and Fireworks c. The Convention in Scotland declared their Majesties King and Queen in the following manner viz. After the Vote had passed the Estates assisted by the Ld. Provost Magistrates and Council of Edinburgh attended by Lyon King at Arms Heralds Pursuvants and Trumpets went to the Cross on foot proclaimed their Majesties ' King and Queen of Scotland and deputed some of the Estates to offer the Crown with an Instrument of Government for settling that Kingdom A Table of the chief Ministers of State and Officers of Trust newly made by the King and Queen of England The most Honourable Privy-Council HIS Royal Highness Prince George of Denmark Duke of Cumberland c. Lord A. B. Cant. Marquess of Caermarthen E. of Danby and L. President of the Council Marquess of Halifax L. Privy-Seal D. of Norfolk Earl-Marshal of England Duke of Bolton Marquess of Winchester E. of Lindsey L. Great Chamberlain of Engl. E. of Devonshire L. Steward of his Majesties Houshold E. of Dors Midds Ld. Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold