His Purse That He would not have them meddle with the Succession of the Crown in the Right Line but proceed in the Discovery of the Plot and to the Tryals of the Lords c. After this the Chancellor making no set Speech the Commons return'd to their own House and unanimously chose for their Speaker Mr. Williams of Grays-Inn Recorder of Chester One of the first things the House of Commons did was to Purge their own House of certain Members Sir Robert Can a Burgess for Bristol for having said there is no Plot but a Presbyterian Plot Sir Francis Withins head Steward of Westminster and one of the Burgesses for the same for having Declar'd himself abhorrent to the late Tumultous Petitions for the Parliaments sitting The first of these was expell'd the House and Committed to the Tower the other only expell'd But both Order'd to receive their Censure on their Knees And several other Members were declar'd Guilty of the last mention'd Offence On the 30th of October the King Publisht a Proclamation promising His Pardon to all that within two Months shall come in and make any further Discovery of the Plot. And this was done upon an Address of Parliament In the mean time the Commons not satisfied in punishing their own Members who had appear'd against Petitioning for the Parliaments fitting they take notice of others who were without their Walls and among the rest Sir George Jeffreys becomes the Object of their Displeasure who being Recorder of London the Kings Serjeant at Law and Chief Justice of Chester is for the pretended Crime above specified on the 13th of November Voted a Betrayer of the Rights of the Subject and an Address Order'd to be made to His Majesty to remove him from all Publick Offices At the same time it was Order'd that a Committee enquire into all such Persons as have been advising or promoting the late Proclamation stiled a Proclamation against Tumultuous Petitioning But about the same time a matter of much greater concern was thus mannaged On the 11th of November was past in the House of Commons a Bill entituled An Act for securing the Protestant Religion by disabling James Duke of York to Inherit the Imperial Crown of England and Ireland and the Territories thereunto belonging Which Bill was on the 15th carryed up to the Lords House by my Lord Russel attended by almost all the Commons who gave a Hum at the Delivery They being departed it was read once and being put to the Vote whether it should be read a second time it was carryed in the Affirmative by two Voices On the second reading it was debated till 11 a Clock at night the King being present all the while and then thrown out of the House by a Majority of about 30 Votes in which Majority were all the Bishops then present which were 14. Several other matters were transacted in Parliament of great moment but in regard the Daily Votes and transactions of the House of Commons was by Order of that House daily made publick in Print I refer the Reader for Particulars to what has been publisht and in these Papers take notice only of some of the most material Passages Among which it may be observed that Mr. Seymour the late Speaker and for whose Election the Commons in the late short Parliament did very much stickle was now ordered to be Impeacht and thò not at the same time yet not long after Impeachments were Voted and drawn up against Sir Francis North Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas Sir William Scroggs Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench Sir Thomas Jones second Justice of the said Court and Sir Richard Weston Puisny Baron of the Exchequer for several pretended Misdemeanors In the mean time William Lord Viscount Stafford one of the 5 Popish Lords in the Tower was brought to his Tryal on an Impeachment of High Treason The Tryal began in Westminster Hall on Tuesday the 30th of November being the next day after the Term ended Which Impeachment and Evidence upon the same was managed by a Committee of the Commons The Tryal lasted for a Whole Week and The Evidence against him were Oates Turberville and Dugdale Of the Lords who sate upon the Tryal the Lord Chancellor being Lord High Steward 31 pronounced him not Guilty and 55 Guilty And accordingly Judgment was pronounced against him on Wednesday the 7th of December But his Execution was respited till Wednesday the 29th of December on which day he was Beheaded on Tower-Hill protesting with his last breath his Innocency as to those Crimes of which he stood Condemn'd It is observable that Bethel and Cornish being then Sheriffs of London and having received the Kings Writ for the Execution of the said Viscount Stafford by severing his Head from his Body according to the constant Course in such Cases had notwithstanding the Confidence to demur upon it whether he ought to be Beheaded or according to the Common Judgment hang'd and quartered and for this they apply'd themselves to the two Houses of Parliament To which the most Honourable House of Lords Answered roundly That the Kings Writ ought to be obey'd But the Commons by way of Concession viz. That they were Content that the said Lord be Executed by severing his Head from his Body only During these Transactions a Comet with a most Prodigious Stream of light appear'd in the West the Star from which the Blaze proceeded was but small and when first discover'd appeared not much above the Horizon but every night afterwards it appear'd higher and higher in the beginning of the Night and consequently setting later and later its Lustre and magnitude also decaying I am neither able nor willing to make any Remarques on the Nature of these Meteors Or to say how far such noxious Exhalations may incline Mankind to Mischief And least of all will I pretend to Interpret whether this Finger of the Almighty is thus seen in the Heavens to Point out Good or Bad Events All that I design is innocently to observe and Remember the Naked Matters of Fact as they happen without disguize or Comment Two things more very observable happen'd before Christmass One was An Address of the House of Commons presented to His Majesty on the 21st of December in answer to His Speech of the 15th wherein he demanded once more Supplies of Mony for the defence of Tangier The effect of the said Address was to deny in as modest Terms as could be all Supplies of Mony for that purpose unless His Majesty would be pleas'd to pass a Bill to Seclude the Duke of York from Inheriting to the Crown and to enable the Protestants of this Nation to Associate themselves for the security of the Protestant Religion the Defence of the King and Kingdoms The other was a most Remarkable Speech Spoke in the House of Lords by the Earl of Shaftesbury the King being then present at least wise so pretended and Printed which being full of Audacious and
which the Religion may be preserved and the Monarchy not destroy'd that therefore they would provide for Religion and Government together with regard to one another because they support one another and that they would make the known Establisht Laws of the Land the Rules and Measures of all their Votes because He is resolved they shall be His. After this Speech the Commons return'd to their House and Chose for their Speaker William Williams Esq who had managed that Office in the last Parliament Who being the next Day presented made a Speech to the King and claim'd by humble Address as his Words were The Antient Rights of the Commons Nothing of extraordinary note passed till Saturday the 26th of March on which Day it was that the House of Commons were informed that the Lords had refused to proceed upon the Impeachment of the Commons against Edward Fitz-Harris for High Treason but had directed that he should be proceeded against at the Common Law Hereupon they Vote That this refusal of the Lords to proceed in Parliament upon such Impeachment is a Denial of Justice and a Violation of the Constitutions of Parliaments an Obstruction to the further Discovery of the Popish Plot and of great Danger to His Majesties Person and the Protestant Religion And further they resolve That for any inferior Court to proceed against Edward Fitz-Harris or any other Person lying under an Impeachment in Parliament for the same Crimes for which he or they stand Impeached is an high breach of the Priviledge of Parliament On the Monday following the Bill against the Duke of York was Read the first time and Order'd a second Reading When on a suddain the King sends for the Commons up to the House of Lords and tells them That He perceived heats betwixt the Lords and them and therefore He had Order'd the Chancellor to Dissolve the present Parliament which he accordingly did immediately The same Day the King left Oxford and came to Windsor that Night the next Morning by Eight a Clock to Whitehall Not long after this His Majesty was pleas'd to Publish in Print a Declaration to all his Loving Subjects in which He set forth the Reasons which induced Him to Dissolve His two last Parliaments His reasonable desires which He had proposed to 'em with their unwarrantable proceedings in return declaring however that He is not yet out of Love with Parliaments but that He will frequently advise with them as His great Council which He hopes ere long to find in a better Temper much to this purpose were the Contents of that Declaration which by His Majesties Order in Council was appointed to be Read in all Churches and Chappels About the same time all the Factious News call'd Domestick Intelligence and Weekly Printed for Francis Smith Ben. Harris and Langly Curtis were by Order of Council as reported put down and silenced And the abovemention'd Francis Smith a Notorious Libel Printer was Committed to Newgate In Easter Term this year Sir Francis Pemberton became Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench in the Room of Sir William Scroggs who had obtain'd a Writ of Ease Great Expectation there was to see what the Court would do in the Case of Edward Fitz-Harris and some Hesitation the Grand-Jury of Middlesex of which one Mr. Godfrey Brother and Heir to the late Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was the Foreman made to receive the Bill of Indictment against him in regard he had been Impeacht by the House of Commons till they were inform'd and satisfied by the Court that all the Judges of England had the Day before met and resolved upon that question Nemine Contrad cente that they might lawfully proceed in the Tryal notwithstanding the aforemention'd Votes of the House of Commons after this the said Jury found the Bill and Fitz-Harris was Arraign'd at the Bar on the last Day of April he was thrice bid to hold up his Hand insisting upon the Impeachment in Parliament but at last he held up his Hand and heard his Indictment Read which was for High Treason exprest in a certain Writing call'd The True Englishman full of most horrid Expressions against the King as if he were a Conspirator in the Plot and exciting the Nation to rise as one Man against him c. To which Indictment he put into Court a Dilatory Plea against the Jurisdiction alledging that he being Impeacht by the Commons in Parliament he cannot be Tryed here but this Plea not being under Councils Hand was refused to be received however the Court gave him time to consider whether he would stand by such a Plea in regard it might be fatal unto him in case it should be over-Ruled and assign'd him for Council Sir Francis Winnington Mr. Williams Mr. Pollexfen and Mr. Wallop as he desired to argue the said Point of Judicature next Wednesday if he persisted in such Plea On the said Wednesday being the 4th of May the Prisoner was again brought to the Bar attended with His Council at which time the Kings Attorney Sir Robert Sawyer enter'd a Demurrer to the Prisoners Plea and insisted chiefly on the manifest defect of form in regard the Plea run that the said Fitz-Harris was Impeacht at the late Parliament at Oxford de Alta proditione but does not say of what sort or manner of Treason nor sets forth the Impeachment at large which a Plea ought to do when it is to the Jurisdiction After this the Council of the Prisoner joyn'd in Demurrer but upon their earnest motion tho' opposed by the Attorney General time was given them to next Saturday Morning to maintain the said Plea by Argument if they can At which time it was argued largely by Williams Winnington Wallop and Pollexfen for the Prisoner and by the Attorney General the Sollicitor Serjeant Jeoffreys and Sir Francis Withens for the King the Kings Council and also the Court declaring that they medled not at all with the Priviledge of the House of Commons or Jurisdiction of the Lords in Parliament which was not in the Point tho in truth the Council for the Prisoner would fain have put that upon 'em but only as to the form of the Plea After all the debate which lasted from 8 till after 12 that Day the Lord Chief Justice declar'd that the Court would take a convenient time to consider before they gave their Judgment On the Wednesday following being the 11th of May the Prisoner being again brought to the Bar by the Lieutenant of the Tower my Lord Chief Justice in the Name of the whole Court gave Judgment and declar'd That he and his Brothers had Consider'd of the Plea that they had also consulted with others of the Judges and that himself Justice Jones and Justice Raymond were of opinion that the Plea was insufficient Dolbin doubting the Plea was therefore over ruled and the Prisoner ordered to Plead over and accordingly he pleaded not Guilty and alledging that a material Evidence on his part was now in
of this City and in this and all other things this Court will endeavor to maintain the Rights and Priviledges of the Chair and of the whole City and wherein ye think that we do otherwise the Law must Judge between us With this Answer the Lord Mayor commanded them in the Kings name to depart He also commanded Sheriff Pilkinton to go out and cause 'em to depart which Mr. Sheriff could not disobey thô he himself and all that party were dissatisfied with the Answer And thus this matter rested at that time Wednesday 9th of Aug. the King was pleased to send Sir Lionel Jenkins to fetch the Privy Seal from the Earl of Anglesey which was accordingly deliver'd up And in the beginning of Michaelmass Term following disposed to the Marquiss of Hallifax On the 15th day of August the Dutchess of York was deliver'd at St. James's of a Daughter which was on the 16th day Baptized by the Bishop of London and named Charlotte-Maria The God-father was the Duke of Ormond the Countesses of Clarendon and Arundel Godmothers But the Infant dyed in less than 3 Months During this Long Vacation Mr. Box who had been chosen Sheriff to serve with Mr. North did think fitting to fine rather than take upon him the Office Hereupon the Lord Mayor at a Common Hall held the 19th of September proposed the Electing of an other Sheriff in his place which thô much opposed by the adverse party crying no North no North no Election c. Yet the Lord Mayor went on in the Election and by the Majority of his party Peter Rich Esq a Lieutenant Collonel in Southwark and twice a Burgess in Parliament for that Burrough was chosen and so declar'd whereupon the Mayor dissolved the Court and returned to his House Notwithstanding which the two Sheriffs continued the Assembly and put the question to their own party then remaining the other side being departed with the Mayor whether they wou'd abide by their former choice of Papillon and Dubois or not and thereupon notwithstanding that the Mayor sent 'em word the Court was dissolved and requir'd 'em to depart made a Pole and then cast up their Books and declared the said Papillon and Dubois Sheriffs Elect. But the next Morning my Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen waiting upon the King at Whitehall gave a full account of the Proceedings Whereupon the two Sheriffs were sent for to the Council severely checkt and told that they had been Guilty of a High Misdemeaner and in fine dismist upon good Bail to Answer to an Information for the same On the 28th of September in the morning Mr. Dudly North and Mr. Rich were according to Custom sworn Sheriffs of London and Middlesex before the Lord Mayor in the Hustings At which time to prevent a Tumult a Company of the City-Train-Bands were drawn up in Guild-Hall The 30th of September the said Sheriffs were presented by the Recorder in the Exchequer and Sworn there the old Sheriffs giving up their Office at the same time But on Michaelmass day being the Customary time for Election of a Lord Mayor of London the Faction Muster'd their utmost Strength against Sir William Prichard the next in Course setting up against him not only Gould but Cornish who had been Sheriff but the year before and at the first appearance Gould and Cornish had the Majority of Votes till at last upon a long Scrutiny and a thorough examination into the Capacity of the Voters it was found that a great number had appear'd for them who were not legally intituled to Voices no less as reported than 60 of one Company viz. the Merchant Taylors which kind of people being struck out of the Number it appeared that Sir William Prichard had 2138 Votes and Gould 2124. Whereupon on the 25th day of October Sir William was by the Court of Aldermen declar'd at Guild-Hall Lord Mayor Elect and the usual Ceremonies then and there perform'd to him as such with mighty acclamations from all the Loyal party in London The 30th of October he was Sworn at Westminster At which Solemnity some Factious Companies refused to attend as other years On the 6th of November the 5th happening on a Sunday the Rabble were so unruly after the Bonfires that they gather'd together in a great number at least 1500. Crying a Monmouth and knocking down such as they suspected not to be of their own Gang and committing many other riotous actions in Cheapside and thereabouts till dispersed by my Lord Mayor and Sheriffs assisted by some of the Train-Bands who took several of the Rioters and committed them some to Newgate some to the Counters This occasion'd a stricct Order of Council November 10th That no person whatsoever should presume to make any Bonfires without special Order so to do by the Magistrates Which Order being vigilantly observed by the Justices of Middlesex and my Lord Mayor who with the Sheriffs rid up and down the Streets of London all Friday Night the 17th of November No Riotous Actions and Burning of the Pope was suffer'd that Night as usual some years past Afterwards at the Latter end of this Mich. Term Mr. Williams and Mr. Wallop Councellors at Law moved in the Court of Kings Bench for a Mandamus to be directed to Sir John More and the Aldermen of London to Swear either Gould or Cornish into the Office of Mayor of London but this Motion was lookt upon as ridiculous and my Lord Chief Justice refused to give it the least Countenance such a Mandamus in the Disjunctive being a thing never heard of and absur'd in it self This Term also it was That by publick Authority all the Weekly Intelligencies which hetherto were publisht every Day but Sunday were prohibited and the Hawkers silenc'd On the 24th of November the great Cause was Tryed at the Kings Bench Bar between his Royal Highness and the late Sheriff Pilkinton for these words spoken of the Plantif viz. He Fired the City and is now come to cut our Throats This was the greatest Scandalum Magnatum that was perhaps ever Tryed and the Words being proved by Sir William Hooker and Sir Henry Tulse Aldermen of London the Jury found for the Plantiff and gave 100000 l. Damages On the last day of the Term Pilkinton render'd himself in discharge of his Bail a Prisoner in Execution Into whose place of Alderman was Elected Mr. Sheriff North. On Wednesday the 29th of November Dyed at his House in St James's Park the Illustrious Prince Rupert Prince Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Cumberland c. in the 63d year of his Age. After whose Death His Majesty was pleased to confer the Constable-ship of Windsor-Castle on the Right Honourable the Earl of Arundel On Monday the 18th of December The Right Honorable Henneage Earl of Nottingham Lord high Chancellor of England departed this Life Into whose Office Succeeded Sir Francis North then Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas Sir Francis Pemberton then Lord Chief Justice of the
Windsor but the Ceremony was put off to a further day and on the First of Jan. following he was elected into the Order at Whitehall Saturday the 25th of August the Dutchess of York and Princess visited Bartholmew Fair attended by the Earl of Clarendon with several other Lords and Ladies of the Court not in State but partly Incognito The Day for Election of Sheriffs for London and Middlesex which of Course is on the 24th Day of June was this year adjourn'd to the 5th Day of September on which Day the Livery Men of the City being Assembled at Guild-Hall they confirm'd my Lord Mayors choice of Peter Daniel Esq and chose to serve with him Francis Dashwood Esq Sheriffs for the year insuing At the same time Mr. Deputy Ailworth was chosen into the Office of Chamberlain of the City of London in the Room of Sir Thomas Player removed All which with the other Elections of Bridgmaster and Ale-Cunner was perform'd with the ancient gravity and Moderation and not at all with such Riotous and Factious heats and animosities as of late years The 9th of September was Solemnized according as it had been appointed with Thanksgiving in all Churches for Gods Gracious preservation of His Majesty and his Royal Brother from the late cursed Conspiracy of those that call themselves True Protestants Nor were those of the Communion of the Church of Rome unmindful of this deliverance but did also concur with His Majesties Protestant Subjects in expressing their Loyal Joy on the same occasion and on the same 9th of September did Celebrate in all their publick Chappels at London an extraordinary Service on this account In this Month the right Honourable Sir Francis North Lord Keeper was Created a Baron of this Kingdom by the Title of Lord Guilford On Michaelmass Day the usual time for the Election of a new Lord Mayor the Choice was Adjourn'd over for six Days longer but before that Day came the King being displeased at the Delays of the City in not Signing the Particulars by their Common Council formerly yielded relating to their Charter caused the Attorney-General to enter Judgment of Seizure in the Quo Warranto which was done on Thursday October the 4th and thereupon His Majesty gave Sir William Prichard His Commission to Execute the Office of Lord Mayor of London during pleasure so also to the two new Sheriffs Mr. Daniel and Mr. Dashwood all which were Sworn with the usual Oaths At the same time Mr. Jenner of the Inner Temple was knighted by the name of Sir Thomas Jenner and made the Kings Recorder of London in the Room of Sir George Treby displaced About the same time it was that the Eminently Loyal Sir George Jeoffreys was made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench in the place of Sir Ed. Saunders who dyed last Term And in the Common Pleas Sir Francis Pemberton being put out Sir Thomas Jones was made Lord Chief Justice there in his Room And Sir Francis Pemberton practized at the Common Pleas Bar as a Serjeant in the following Term. On Sunday the 7th of October my Lord Mayor and the two Sheriffs appear'd at Guild-Hall Chappel as usually in their Gowns and Chains but none of the Aldermen in their Gowns and Chains but several of the Loyal Aldermen attended in their ordinary habits 16 of them being made Justices of the Peace by the Kings new Commission in which 8 Factious Aldermen were left out viz. Allin Frederick Laurence Clayton Ward Shorter Gold and Cornish But on Saturday the 13th of October The King sent a new Commission to the City impowering the abovesaid 16 Loyal Aldermen together with 8 new Aldermen viz. Sir Benjamin Newland Sir Benjamin Bathurst Sir John Buckworth Samuel Dashwood one of the present Sheriffs Charles Duncomb Jacob Lucy Peter Palavazine and Benjamin Thorogood to act as Aldermen in their several Wards in the said Commission mention'd And accordingly several of them attended on my Lord Mayor the Day following at Guild-Hall Chappel after the usual form and manner in Gowns and Chains and the next Week assembled in a Court of Aldermen as formerly On Saturday the 27th of October Aaron Smith who had given scandalous Instructions to Colledge at his Trayal at Oxford and had also behaved himself insolently at the said Tryal and who had been since Tryed upon an Information for the same and found Guilty was now brought to the Kings-Bench Bar and received Judgment for his said offence viz. 500 l. Fine to Stand in the Pillory the Tuesday following at Westminster and at the Old Exchange the next Tuesday after to be bound to his good Behaviour for one Year and Imprisonment till this be performed Monday the 29th of October being the next Day after Simon and Jude is the annual Solemnity of Swearing the Lord Mayor of London in the Exchequer And accordingly this Year His Majesty having appointed Sir Henry Tulse by His Commission to execute that Office during His Pleasure he was after the usual manner attended to Westminster by the Companies did the usual Ceremonies in Westminster-Hall made the usual Cavalcade in London but without Pageants and Dined at Grocers-Hall the other Companies Dining at their several Halls as in former Years On the 5th of November several Tumults and Riotous Actions being Committed by the Rabble in and about London especially upon the Sieur Citters Ambassador from the Vnited Provinces by assaulting his Coach and throwing into it several Squibs Stones and Firebrands whereby his Lady who was then with him was dangerously wounded and Complaint hereof being made to the King in Council on the 7th of November His Majesty was pleas'd to order for the future That no Person or Persons whatsoever do presume to throw any Squibs or other Fireworks in the Streets of London or Westminster or other place within the Weekly Bills of Mortality nor assemble together for the making of Bonfires And the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Justices of Peace in their respective Limits are required to take due care for the Performance of the said Order of Council In this Michaelmas-Term Mrs. Celier who had formerly stood in the Pillory and been Fined 1000l for which she had lain a Prisoner in Newgate for several Years was now Bail'd out upon a Writ of Error which she had brought to reverse all the Proceedings On the 22d of November this Michaelmas-Term Algernoon Sidney Esq who had been arraign'd for High Treason on the 7th Instant was Tryed for the same and found Guilty at the Kings-Bench Bar and on the 26th being the Monday following he was brought to the said Bar and received Sentence of Death as usual in the Cases of High Treason and was beheaded at Tower-Hill on the 7th of December following On Saturday the 24th of November The Duke of Monmouth came in voluntarily about 5 at Night and surrender'd himself to Mr. Secretary Jenkins having before writ a very Submissive Letter to His Majesty entirely resigning himself to His Majesties disposal
A Compendious View Of the late TUMULTS TROUBLES In This KINGDOM BY WAY OF ANNALS For SEVEN YEARS VIZ. From the beginning of the 30th to the End of the 36th Year of the Reign of His late Majesty King Charles II. of Blessed Memory By J. W. Esq Longa est Injuria Longae Ambages Sed summa sequar Fastigia Rerum Vir. Aen. 1. London Printed by Edw. Jones for S. Lownds over against Exeter Exchange in the Strand 1685. To the Right Honourable HENRY Earl of Clarendon Vicount Cornbury and Baron HIDE of Hindon One of the Lords of His Majesties Most Honourable Privy-Council MY LORD I Present your Lordship with a small Compendium of many Great and Strange Revolutions The Greatest perhaps that ever happen'd in England in so short a space of Time A Tempestuous season in which some Waves have dasht against your Lordship thô of so eminent a Character for Loyalty and Goodness But when Princes themselves suffer 't is the best Subjects Glory to suffer with them This My Lord was no New thing to your Lordship who was in a manner born a Sufferer for Monarchy and whose Blooming Years had the Honour to share in the same Exile with your King 'T is strangely fatal to consider that those against whom the disaffected Party made of late the Lowdest outcry were Old Cavaliers A Word almost forgotten had not that Occasion brought it again to Memory It seems there needs no more than to read the Faction backwards and one may see by their false Clamours who were the Kings best Ministers and Friends 'T was the true Honour and Allegiance of that August Assembly in which your Lordship made one of the Better Part that has Eternized the Fame of Englands Baronage and made it Glorious and beloved for ever No will Posterity forget a just Applause to the Illustrious Name of Clarendon when they read it in the List of those Truly Noble Peers who in Duty to the Crown and Royal Family incurr'd the Angry Vote of a numerous a Violent and Over-daring Party Your Lordship being so far and so honourably concern'd in the History of these Times it is my Ambition to take this Occasion to declare my self MY LORD Your Lordships Most Obedient Humble Servant James Wright THE Preface THere are some Scandals so Gross that the Bare Repetition of them is a sufficient Refutation and manifestation of their Falsehood In like manner some Actions are so unwarrantable to all men of Reason that only to relate them is to disgrace the Actors and those Principles that occasion'd such extravagant behaviour Such I esteem the factious Tumults and Riotous Proceedings which of late Years have disturb'd the Quiet of so many honest Men and Loyal Subjects to the Terror of this and Amazement of all the Neighboring Nations The Vehemency of which Revolutions did appear too like that of Naples in the Year 1647. 'T is true these were not so suddain nor altogether so Bloody which must be ascribed to the Almighty Power and Goodness of God and the Vigilant Prudence of His late Majesty of glorious Memory We see what the Party offer'd Not to mention the Street-Tumults How like were the Riots at our Guild-Hall to those at their Church of the Carmelites And to their tumultuous burning the Gabellers Goods I think I may not unaptly compair our burning the Pope and other Burnings And to parallel their Massaniello a poor Fisherman but of stupendious Authority had not we also a little Creature of as Low and obscure Quality bateing his assumed Cassok who was as much adored and I may say almost Deifyed by the Rabble I am heartily sorry and asham'd to think That the chief chief Disparity between their Case and ours will appear to the Disadvantage of the English For what the Neopolitans did they were induced to on the sole Account of their grievous and Intolerable Gabells but we a free and happy People became Seditious and so very unquiet for no present Cause but only future apprehensions and as the Event has shewed 'em to be meer Chimaerical and empty Fears But praised be God Peoples Eyes begin to be open and time has apply'd a Collyrium that makes us see cleerly through the Pretences and Vmbrage that was raised to serve a Faction It is easy now to distinguish the stalking horse from the Fowler that sculks behind Which thing of late Years many either cou'd not or wou'd not see being inwardly as Purblind as he was outwardly that misled ' em And in this I think the Nation is not a little obliged to the Excellent Author of the Observator A person who may be compared to some Pictures that are placed too neer the sight to discover their true value I am confident that the next Age who will behold him at a more advantagious and impartial Distance will have a truer and far greater esteem of his Merits I do not at all admire but think it extream natural that the Disloyal Party and their Adherents do hate him with such a perfect hatred How could they Possibly do otherwise to one who discovers their Cheat and puts 'em by from what they had been so long designing when they were arrived almost to the very Day of Execution The Subject of this little Book most of which was Printed before His late Majesty fell ill is only to remember in a short Abstract what strange and unwarrantable Proceedings have been within the space of Seven Years lately past with what Heats they were transacted how Truth and Loyalty were run down with noise and Cant and how People were scared out of their Wits with such Monstrous Legends that had not we who are now alive seen it with our Eyes who would have believed it Posterity will scarce credit the folly of their Ancestors or if they do they will blush to think an Englishman cou'd be so far imposed upon The Memory of these things ought to keep People from Runing upon the same Shelves and Sands where formerly we were in Danger to have perisht He that would give a Punctual and Particular Account of all the Narratives Discoveries Tryals Executions Speeches Votes Accusations Examinations Commitments Tumultuous Elections Petitions Ryots Libells and Seditious Attempts of all sorts during the said time must write a History more Voluminous than Fox or Hollinshead I pretend not therefore to observe all particulars that happen'd in this space of time but only those which I thought most Material and of greatest Note What I have related was set down every thing at the time when it happen'd Meer matter of Fact without any Reflections otherwise than as the thing it self does reflect to the Dishonour of that Faction which has occasion'd all these past Troubles and to the Glory of that God who has deliver'd us out of the Danger I hope those who have been seduced and misled by Specious pretences into ill Actions as Charity bids me think there are many such will by reflection on the past see and abhor
containing Their humble thanks to His Majesty for demanding their advice that accordingly they gave it they beseech Him to communicate to them His Resolutions thereupon and whereas they conceive that the Inconveniencies and Dangers which the Kingdom now lies under might totally or in a great measure have been prevented in case His Majesty had accepted of the Advice by them given in their Addresses of the 26 of May Last and the 31 of January That therefore he would please to remove those Counsellors that advised him to give those answers which he did to the said Addresses that he would please to accept of this Petition in good part as proceeding form persons heartily devoted to him c. In fine that he would please to remove the Duke of Lautherdale from His presence and Councils Which being read the King immediately returned Answer in these few words only That he was much Surprized at the Extravagancy of their Address and unwilling at present to give it such a due Answer as it deserves On the Munday following the King past several private Bills and then caused the Parliament to be Prorogued till Thursday come Sevenight being the 23 of this instant May by which means this Session which had been of a long Continuance by Adjournment was determin'd and all Bills and business in either House then Depending defeated and returned to the same State as when first moved But withal such Bills as had been rejected are now in a Capacity of being moved again which no Bill can be in the same Session when once rejected On the aforementioned Thursday the 23. of May the Parliament met again and the House of Commons being sent for by the Black Rod to attend His Majesty in the House of Lords the King delivered His pleasure to this effect That he is resolved as far as He is able to save Flanders either by a War or Peace which way he sees most conducing either ways he thinks it convenient to keep up His Army and Navy at Sea for some time till a Peace be concluded but leaves it to them to consider of Supplies for their Continuance or Disbanding and in either case not to discourage so many Worthy and Gallant Gentemen who have offerd their Lives and Service to their Country and that in pursuit of the Parliaments advice and Resolutions That a Branch of His Revenue is now expiring another part of it is cut off by a Clause in the Poll-Bill That he has borrowed 200000 l. upon the Excize at their request of all which they are to consider That he hath no Intentions but of good to them and His people nor ever shall Desires they will not drive him into extremities which must end ill both for them and Him and which is worst of all for the Nation desires to prevent all disorders and mischeifs that may befal by our disagreement but in case any do leaves it to God Almighty to Judge who is the occasion of it In fine That he will not for the future suffer the Course and Method of passing Laws to be changed by taking together several matters in one Bill This was immediately followed by a long but excellent Speech of my Lord Chancellor which thô something too large for the intended Brevity of these Notes must not be omitted The substance therefore contained That Holland is become resolved to seek all occasions they can of coming out of the War in regard the Spaniards fail them That the States to that end entred into a League Offensive and Defensive with His Majesty to obtain a Peace by force if it could not be had otherwise which promised Success till it was heard abroad that this League the onely thing by which His Majesty could oblige the States had been so ill understood at home as to meet with some very unfitting and very undeserved Reflexions and that they understood there was a Resolution of giving no Mony till satisfaction first had in matters of Religion which in all Countrys are the longest debates that can be entred upon and at this time should least have been stirr'd when they understood that the King had received an Address and had exprest His resentment of it then they concluded it was in vain to rely any longer on England for England was no longer it self All sides began to wish for Peace as well Spain as Holland and if the Cessation now endeavoured be effected no doubt but a Peace will follow What Influence that Peace will have is uncertain We have given no small provocation to a Mighty King it therfore concerns us to secure our selves by preserving Peace and Unity at home he that foments Divisions now does more harm to his Country than a Forrain Enemy can do no fear of Arbitrary Government can justify no Zeal to Religion can sanctify such a Proceeding He minds them of the Late times when Religion and Liberty were truly Lost by being made a handle and pretence for Sedition when Prelacy was calld Popery and Monarchy Tyranny c. and can we now endure to see men break the Act of Oblivion every day by reviving the Memory of forgotten Crimes in new Practices It s worth Consideration whether we do not bring some kind of scandal upon the Protestant Religion when we seem so far to distrust the truth and power of it that after so many Laws past to guard it and so many miraculous deliverancies from the attempts made against it we should still be affraid of its continuance Hath not the Late Act made it impossible for the most conceal'd Papist that is to get any kind of Imployment As little reason there is to be jealous of our Liberties and Property Can there be a greater evidence of the Moderation of a Prince and His tenderness of the Liberty of the Subject than to suffer as he does every day so much licentious and malitious Talk to pass unpunisht Search all Nations through all Ages and shew fewer greivances and less cause of Complaint and a happier people than we at are this Day He proceeded then to the matter of the Revenue to the same purpose with what the King had said before but enlarging Tells em The King will no more accept a good Bill how valuable soever unless it comes in the old and decent method of Parliaments that the late way of tacking together in one Bill several Independent and incoherent matters seems to alter the whole frame and Constitution of Parliaments takes away the Kings Negative Voice in a manner forcing Him to take all or none it takes away the Negative Voice too of the House of Lords by the same Consequence It looks like a kind of Defamation of the Government and seems to suppose the King and House of Lords to be so ill affected to the Publick that a good Bill cannot carry it self through by the Strength of it's own Reason and Justice without being helped by Clauses it gives up the greatest share of Legislature to the Commons
of His Majestys Revenue by the Prohibiting Act it was carry'd in the Negative Yeas 145 Noes 202. Saturday the 22th of June the Lords sent down the Bill for Disbanding with an enlargement of the time prefixt for one Month longer to which the Commons would not agree but desired a Conference at which to give their Lordships the reasons why they could not consent to the alteration Monday the 25th of July the Parliament was Prorogued to the first of August the King having then past the following Bills 1. An Act for granting a supply to His Majesty of 619388 l. 11 s. 9 d. for Disbanding the Army and other uses therein mentioned 2. An Act for granting an Additional Duty to His Majesty upon Wines for Three Years 3. An Act to enable Creditors to recover their Debts of the Executors and Administrators of Executors in their own wrong 4. An Act for Burying in Woollen 5. An Act for Admeasurement of Keels and Boats carrying Coals 6. An Act for Reviving a former Act of the 13th of this King ch 2. for avoiding unnecessary Suits and delays and for continuance of an other Act of 22. 23. Car ' 2. ch 10. touching intestates Estates 7. An Act for further Relief and Discharge of poor Prisoners for Debt 8. An Act touching Highways 9. An Act for preservation of Fishing in the River Severn On which said first of August they being again met they were again Prorogued over to the 29th Day of the same Month. Soon after that also there came out a Proclamation requiring a full Assembly at the said 29th Day But in the mean time the French being beaten from the Siege of Mons by the English chiefly under Command of my Lord of Ossery on the part of the Prince of Orange the King Issued out another Proclamation dated the 8th of August whereby reciting the last Proclamation but in regard the State of Affairs abroad was alter'd since then he is pleas'd to Prorogue the Houses over till the first Day of October next requiring then a full Assembly after this it was again Prorogued to the 21st of October In the mean time a Peace is concluded between France Spain and Holland and a Truce for some Months with the Emperor On Saturday Sunday Monday and Tuesday the 28th 29th and 30th of September and first of October the Privy-Council sate twice a Day The business a Popish Plot several were committed and others examin'd among whom Sir George Wakeman Physician to the Queen and Mr. Coleman belonging to Her Royal Highness the Dutchess of York which said Dutchess went with the Lady Ann that very Tuesday Morning to visit the Princess of Orange designing a stay only of 14 Days This Discovery of a Plot opening every Day more and more the aforesaid Mr. Coleman and Mr. Langhorn of the Temple were committed close Prisoners with several others their Studies search'd their Papers seized and sent to Whitehall And now just before the meeting of the Parliament one Sir Edmondbury Godfrey a Justice of the Peace in Middlesex a severe Enemy of the Papists as by some reported was found Dead in a Ditch not far from Hampstead He appear'd to the Coroners Jury to be strangled tho' afterwards his own Sword was run through him and so found with Money in his Pocket This was lookt on by the Town as a Confirmation of the above-mention'd Plot. On the appointed 21st of October the Houses met The Kings Speech contain'd these words and these words only concerning the Plot I have been informed of a Design against my Person by Jesuites of which I shall forbear any Opinion lest I may seem to say too much or too little but leave the matter to the Law The Chancellor on the same Head had these Expressions And tho' His Majesty doth in no sort prejudg the Persons accused yet the strict enquiry into this matter hath been a means to Discover so many other unwarrantable Practices of theirs that His Majesty hath reason to look to ' em The Examination of this Plot and the concurrent Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey employ'd the Commons so assiduously that towards the beginning of this Session they sate whole Days from Morning till late at Night The Product was a Fast Voted the minutes and Votes of the House of Commons forbid to be divulg'd several Lords Committed Bellasis Arundel of Warder Powis Stafford Petre Castlemain c. Soon after this came out a Proclamation appointing a Fast through all England on the 13th Day of November Thursday the 31st of October the House of Commons resolved upon the Evidence that hath already appear'd to this House this House is of Opinion That there hath been and is an Execrable and Hellish Design contrived and carry'd on by Popish Recusants for Assassinating and Murthering the King for Subverting the Government and for destroying the Protestant Religion by Law Establisht The same Day Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was Buried The Solemnity proceeded from Bridewell to St. Martins in the Fields 72 London Ministers Marching two and two before the Body and above 1000 Men in the same Order following after The next Day in pursuance of an Address presented to the King by the Commons the Saturday before came out a Proclamation whereby all Papists or such reputed be Banisht 10 Miles from London and Westminster to remove themselves by the 7th Day of November except Housholders and they to take the Oaths or suffer the Penalties inflicted by Law The same Day the Commons in Parliament resolved That an Address be made to the King that the Trained-Bands of London Westminster and Surry be rais'd for preservation of His Majestys Person and the Parliament during this Session On Munday the 4th of November came out an Order of the King in Council proposing That whoever can Discover any Officer or Soldier in any of the Kings Guards Horse or Foot who has taken the Oaths and Test and since turn'd Papist such Discoverer shall have 20 l. for every Man so Discovered Monday the 4th of November It was moved in the House of Commons that an Address be made to the King to remove the Duke of York from his Presence and Councils but the debate was Adjourn'd over to Fryday next at which time it being again moved the debate was again Adjorn'd over to Thursday following The next Day being Saturday the 9th of November His Majesty went to the Lords House in His Robes and made a Speech to both Houses Wherein after he had return'd them His most hearty Thanks for their very great and extraordinary care for preservation of His Person in this time of Danger He told 'em That he was as ready to joyn with them in all ways and means that may Establish a firm security to the Protestant Religion as their own Hearts can wish and this not only during His Life but in future Ages even to the end of the World And therefore He is come to assure 'em that whatsoever reasonable Bills they shall
present to be past into Laws to make them safe in the Reign of His Successor so as they intend not to Impeach the Right of Succession nor the Discent of the Crown in the true Line and also as they restrain not any Power or just Right of His Protestant Successor such Bills shall find from him a ready concurrence Soon after this came out another Proclamation whereby all Roman Recusants and such reputed were enjoyn'd under the Penalty of the Laws to repair to their own homes and not to remove more than Five Miles from thence without Licence Excepted out of this Proclamation the Inhabitants of London and Westminster Monday the 18th of November the House of Commons being informed that Sir Joseph Williamson Secretary of State had lately Countersigned several Commissions for Roman Recusant Officers with a Non-obstante to the Oaths and Test he was by the said House Committed to the Tower The next Day the King sent for the Commons to attend him at the Banquetting-House and told 'em That tho' they Committed His Servant without acquainting him yet He intends to be freer with them and acquaint them with His intentions to release His Secretary which accordingly He did that Day About this time a Bill having been sent up from the Commons to the Lords House for Excluding all Popish Members to sit in either House of Parliament it was past in the said Lords House with some little alterations and a Clause in Favour of His Royal Highness and the said Bill being sent back to the Commons it past there also November 21st with the said alterations but not without some difficulty for Sir Jonathan Trelauny and one Mr. Ash being heated in debate and words of reproach passing between 'em Sir Jonathan struck the other a cuff on the Ear which being return'd by Ash over the Face they were both about to Draw but this disturbance being at last quieted by the Speaker Trelauny was sent to the Tower there to remain all this Sessions and Ash received a Reprimande from the Speaker About the same time came out an Order of Council explaining the late Proclamation whereby all Papists were Banisht 10 Miles from London not to extend to Merchant strangers and such Outlandish who repair hither on the account of Travail And now the Commons begin to look towards the Army again resolving November 25. That it is necessary for the safety of His Majesty's Person and Preservation of the Government that the Forces raised since the 29th of November 77. be forthwith paid off and Disbanded and for this the King requires more Mony In the mean time Oats the great Discoverer of the Plot accuses the Queen hereupon the King places a stricter Guard upon him than ever but the Commons Novemb. 29. order an Address to be made to His Majesty That the said Oats be freed from his restraint attended by his own Servants and that a competent allowance be appointed for his maintenance and that the Queen with all her Servants and all Popish Recusants or such suspected be removed from Whitehall Saturday Novemb. 30. the King had two Bills presented to him one of which viz For Exclusion of all Popish Members to fit in either House of Parliament with a Clause in favour of the Duke of York He past The other which was for raising a third part of the Militia to be in constant Arms for a time He refused alledging That that were to put the Militia out of his Power which thing He would not do no not for one hour but if the Parliament will assist Him with Money for that purpose He will take care to raise such a part of the Militia as shall secure the Peace of the Government and His own Person In the mean time while these things are transacting in Parliament one William Staly a Goldsmiths Son a Roman Recusant is Arraigned at the Kings Bench Bar found guilty and condemned of High Treason for speaking certain words against the Kings Life and accordingly was hanged and quartered at Tyburn but on Petition the King granted his Quarters to his Father who abusing the Kings mercy buried him in Covent-Garden Church-yard with too much State and Ceremony for which reason by His Majesties Order his Quarters were that very night taken up conveyed to Newgate and soon after set up on the Gates of London The same week that Staly was executed Mr. Coleman was arraigned and tryed at the aforesaid Bar and condemned of High Treason The Evidence was the aforementioned Oats and one Bedloe and his own Letters but both the aforesaid Tryals being in Print I shall take no farther notice of particulars The King gave back all Mr. Colemans Estate to his Wife and Children and his Quarters to be Buried Thursday December 4 The Commons Impeacht the Lords Arundel of Warder Bellasis Poâ—is Petre and Stafford of Treason other high Crimes and Misdemeanors severally which several Impeachments were carried up by five several Members of the House of Commons Two Days before the said Lords had been found Guilty upon special Indictments to the same purpose by the Grand Jury of Middlesex before special Commissioners sitting at Westminster but now for some Reasons those proceedings were waved and it was thought more effectual to proceed by way of Impeachment before the House of Lords in Parliament Tuesday December the 17th Ireland Pickering and Groves were Condemned of High Treason as Conspirators in the Plot but their Execution was respited for some time At the same time Whitebread and Fenwick were arraigned but their Tryal put off till the 15th of January And now some of the Members of Parliament begin to accuse one another December the 23d Mr. Mountigue Son to the Lord Mountigue and late Ambassador in France now a Burgess for Northampton carries up five Articles against the Lord Treasurer and Sir John Earnly another Member of the House of Commons accuses the said Mr. Mountigue of holding a Correspondence with the Popes Nuncio at Paris In the mean time the Parliament sit incessantly without Adjournment these Hollidays but only for Christmas-Eve and Christmas Day requiring a full appearance of all their Members not disabled as well Lords as Commons enjoyning all in Town not to depart under strict penalties and sending their Messengers for all absent in the Country But it pleas'd the King on Monday the 30th of December to Prorogue both Houses till the 4th of February following Not long before which the Commons had given more Mony for the Disbanding the Army but inserted a Clause in the Bill for the Mony to be paid into the Chamber of London which proviso would not pass in the Lords House and therefore the Bill remain'd abort During this Interval the Reports were various touching the next sitting it being sometimes affirmed that the Session was further Prorogued till the 25th of February then again that the Parliament would certainly meet at the 4th of February the Day first appointed till at last on the 24th Day of
May demanded at the Bar of the Lords House whether he would rely upon and abide by the Plea of his Pardon return'd for Answer That being advised by his Council that his Pardon is good in Law he doth insist upon his Plea and desires that his Council may be heard With which their Lordships acquainting the Commons they Order a return to be made to their Lordships by the whole House in these words on the 5th of May. My Lords the Knights Citizens and Burgesses in Parliament Assembled are come up to demand Judgment in their own Names and the Names of all the Commons of England against Thomas Earl of Danby who stands Impeacht by them before your Lordships of High Treason and divers high Crimes and Misdemeanors To which he has pleaded a Pardon which Pardon the Commons conceive to be illegal and void and therefore they do demand Judgment of your Lordships accordingly On the 6th of May it was ordered in the House of Lords that Saturday next be appointed for the Earl of Danby's Plea to be argued and that the five Lords in the Tower be tryed this Day Sennight With which Orders they acquainted the Commons the next Day and that their Lordships had appointed an Address to be made to His Majesty to appoint a Lord Steward for the said Tryals The Commons not well satisfied with these proceedings desire that a Committee of both Houses may be nominated to consider of the most proper ways and methods of Proceeding upon Impeachments according to the usage of Parliament But the Lords refused to agree to the Proposal as inconformable to the Rules and Orders of proceedings of their House which is and ever must be tender in matters relating to their Judicature Upon this Answer the Commons resolve May 9. That no Commoner whatsoever presume to maintain the validity of the Pardon pleaded by the Earl of Danby without the leave of this House first had and that the Persons so doing shall be accounted Betrayers of the Liberties of the Commons of England After this it seems that the Lords did recede from their former resolution for on the 11th of May they acquainted the Commons by Message That they had appointed a Committee consisting of Twelve Lords to joyn with a Committee of the House of Commons to consider of propositions and circumstances in relation to the foresaid Tryals Which joint Committee of both Houses meeting they dis-agreed about the Bishops being present at the Tryals for the Lords having resolved in their House That the Lords Spiritual have a right to stay in Court in Capital Cases till the Court proceed to the Vote of Guilty or Not Guilty Hereupon the Commons resolved on the other side to insist upon it that the Lords Spiritual ought not to have any Vote in any Proceedings upon Impeachments against the Lords in the Tower The two Houses seeming to disser on this point the Bishops thought to find out a Medium and on the 16th of May desired leave of the House of Lords that they might withdraw themselves from the Tryals of the said Impeached Lords with the Liberty of entring their usual Protestations But this did not satisfie the House of Commons who on the 24th of May Resolve that they cannot proceed to the Tryal of the Five Lords before Judgment be given on the Earl of Danby's Pardon and in the point of the Bishops Voting in Capital Offences For which they drew up Reasons and the 26th of May delivered the same to the Lords at a Conference which being very large and in print I shall here omit And in this posture did the Publick Transactions in Parliament appear on the 27th day of May at which time it pleas'd His Majesty to Prorogue both Houses until the 14th day of August next About this time the King was pleased to remove Sir John Robinson from being Lieutenant of the Tower and confer the Place on Captain Cheek The Troubles in Scotland which broke out in this Month gave occasion of much discourse and no little alarm in England They begun in the Barbarous Murder of Dr. Sharp Archbishop of St. Andrews on the 3d of May as he was travelling from Edinburgh to his own Residency The Murderers were a company of Inveterate Covenanters who in regard the said Bishop had been formerly one of their Party and now revolted as they called his honest Reformation bore him a most immortal hatred having attempted his Life several times before But the Assassins stop not at Murder for soon after this they gather into a Body in the Western parts of Scotland and fall into open Rebellion and Treason on the 29th a Party of the Rebels well mounted and armed came to Rugland proclaim the Covenant and burnt the following Acts of Parliament viz. The Act concerning the Kings Supremacy The Recissory Act by which all the Mock-Laws made in the times of the late Anarchy were repeal'd The Act for establishing Episcopacy And the Act appointing the Anniversary of the 29th of May They also publisht an Insolent Declaration full of Treason and the very Spirit of Scotch Covenanters commonly there called WHIGS With such as these their Army increased daily to such a considerable number that the King Commissioned the Duke of Monmouth as Generalissimo to suppress the Insurrection which not long after with the assistance of the Loyal Gentry and Heretors of that Nation he did in one Battle killing some and taking several Hundreds of Prisoners of which some few being hang'd especially those who were more immediately concern'd in the Arch-Bishops Murder the rest were Transported But to return to London On the 13th of June Thomas White alias Whitebread Provincial of the Jesuits in England William Harcourt John Fenwick John Gaven and Anthony Turner all Jesuits were Tryed at the Old-Baily and found Guilty of High Treason as Conspirators in the late Plot The next Day Richard Langhorn Esq a Barister of the Inner-Temple was Tryed at the same Bar for the same Crime and being also found Guilty all six had Sentence of Condemnation and were accordingly Executed the five Jesuits on Fryday the 20th of June and Mr. Langhorn on the 14th of July following All departing this Life with the greatest Protestations of Innocence as to the Crimes Objected as could be possibly expected On the last Day of Trinity-Term being the 9th of July Sir Anthony Dean and Samuel Pepys Esq two Members of the present Parliament were on a long debate let to Bail in the Court of Kings-Bench at Westminster the Principals in a Recognizance of 10000 l. a piece and every one of the Bail 5000 l. They had been Committed to the Tower by Order of the House of Commons on the 20th of May last their Accusation Treason Piracy and Felony on the Stat. 31. El. 4. And being on the first Day of this Term removed by Habeas Corpus into this Court the said Crimes were here charged against 'em in several Affidavits by Scot and Moon but it seems the
multitudes of His Majesties Subjects which Proceedings being contrary to the Common and known Laws of this Land and tending to promote discontents among the People and to raise Sedition and Rebellion His Majesty doth therefore strictly charge and commad all and every his loving Subjects of what Rank or Degree soever that they presume not to agitate or promote any such Subscriptions nor in any ways joyn in any Petition of that manner to be preferred to His Majesty upon peril of the utmost rigour of the Law that may be inflicted for the same At the same time His Majesty issued out another Proclamation declaring His Resolution to Prorogue the Parliament from the 26th of January to the 11th of November next Notwithstanding the scope of these two Proclamations the business of Petitioning went forwards several were perfected and delivered not long after one from London Subscribed with many Thousands of hands others from York Essex Surrey and Wiltshire all which the King receiv'd but coldly and as appeared afterwards ineffectually for on the 26th of January being the Day to which the Parliament was Prorogued His Majesty was pleased to make a short Speech to both Houses containing That when he declared in Council His Intention of putting off the Parliament to a time so remote as November it was not without mature Consideration That he cannot be perswaded from any thing that has happened since in reference to Affairs within the Kingdom to alter or repent of that Resolution That notwithstanding considering the present danger which threatens some of our Neighbours and Allies He thinks fit to appoint a day for their meeting again in April yet the Distractions and Jealouses at home are of such a nature and so heightned and improved by the malice and and Industry of ill men that he is unalteablylos opinion that a longer Interval of Parliament will be absolutely necessary for composing and quieting of Mens minds in order to which he is afraid the most proper Remedies would prove ineffectual without the assistance of some further time He resolves therefore that on the said meeting in April there shall be a further Prorogation unless the Condition of our Allies abroad do then require our immediate assistance Hereupon he commanded the Lord Chancellor to Prorogue the Parliament to the 15th of April In the mean time Articles of high Misdemeanor were offer'd by way of Complaint to the King and Council against the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs by Oates and Bedloe who had formerly declar'd themselves unwilling to give any Evidence against any Papists or concerning the late Popish Conspiracy in any Court where the said Chief Justice should fit as Judge But the Prosecution of this Affair soon fell and the Cause never came to be heard further than the Chief Justices Answer In the beginning of Hillary Term Sir Thomas Gascoigne a York-shire Knight of 85 years of age was Arraigned at the Kings Bench Bar in Westminster Hall upon an Information of High Treason in conspiring the Death of the King and the Subversion of the Government He was afterwards brought to his Tryal at the same Bar the Jury were all York-shire Gentlemen the Foreman Sir Thomas Hodson The chief Evidence against him one Balron who had formerly been Baily of his Colepits and one Mowbray who had also belonged to his Family but their Testimony it seems not being of that Weight or credibility with the Jury as some expected they brought in their Verdict Not Guilty whereupon the Prisoner was immediately discharged We are now arrived at the end of the 31st year of His Majesties Reign a year observable for many Revolutions thô all concluding peaceably and well through the Mercy of God and the Wisdom of our Superiours the factious Rabble having been never more ready for Combustion since the late Wars of Cursed Memory Anno 32 Car. 2. Anno Dom. 1680. THE Conclusion of the last Year left his Royal Highness in Scotland but the beginning of this must be remarkable for his return to England which healing Action in the entrance will I hope as a good Omen prognosticate Peace and Happiness to the King and Kingdom during the rest of this Thirty second Year of His Majesty's Reign On the 31 of January the Duke acquainted the Lords of the Privy Council at Edinburg That he had received a Letter from the King calling him very speedily to Court That though he did very chearfully obey His Majesty's Commands and went with much joy to attend Him yet he could not part from their Lordships so soon without a great deal of Reluctancy and Trouble having both at his reception and during the short time of his abode there met with all possible demonstration of civility and kindness both from the Nobility Gentry and from the Representatives of the several Bodies of the Nation particularly from the Council of which he had so just a resentment that he could not in all his life forget them and should not fail upon all occasions to meet their great kindness and affection shewn him with all the service he was capable to do them That he would acquaint His Majesty that He had in Scotland a brave and loyal Nobility and Gentry a regular Privy Council and the Judicatures filled with able Persons well affected to His Majesty's Service and Interest That he had observed the disaffected Party were nothing so considerable as their Friends in England studied industriously to represent them to be He then recommended to the Council the setling of the Differences between several Gentlemen of the Highlands whom he had always observed to be firm to His Majesty's Interest The Lord Chancellor in the name of the Council acknowledged the great happiness they had had in hi Presence Conduct and Advice and declared how much devoted they all were to the Service of His Majesty and his Royal Highness and that they could not express the great grief they had to part so soon with him to whose Council and Presence they owe so many Advantages After this the Duke Duchess and all their Retinue began their Voyage by Sea for London where he arrived at the Court Privy Stairs on the 24th of February about Three in the afternoon not without all the due signs of Joy and Welcome There arrived at the same time from the Privy Council of Scotland a Letter full of Loyal Expressions to the Kings Service with abundance of Recommendation and Protestations for the Duke's Interest Two days after his arrival his Royal Highness was attended by the Lord Mayor Court of Aldermen Recorder and Common Council of the City of London at which time the Recorder having in all their names Congratulated his safe arrival they all kist the Hands both of the Duke and Duchess On the 11th of February His Majesty was pleased to declare in Council that He had granted His Secretary Coventry leave to resign his Place of Secretary of State That His intention was to continue him however of His Council And that
England having been demanded their Opinions made their Report in Council and declared for Law That His Majesty may Prohibit the Printing and Publishing of all News-Books and Pamphlets of News whatsoever not Licensed by His Majesty's Authority as manifestly tending to the Breach of the Peace and Disturbance of the Kingdom And accordingly the King issued out His Proclamation to suppress 'em May 12. On the 11th of May being about the middle of Easter Term a Bill of Indictment of High Treason against the Lady Powis was deliver'd to the Grand Jury of Middlesex who not being satisfy'd with the sufficiency of the Evidence after a long Examination brought the Bill in Ignoramus The storm of Hail that fell at London on the 18th of May about eleven of the Clock in the morning is not to be past without Observation which though it came not very thick nor continu'd long yet was of such note that some were measured above six Inches about I saw many fall bigger than Pigeons Eggs or ordinary Walnuts none less than ones finger end and hard as Stones till they had lain a while Several Rooks in the Temple Garden were beaten down from the Trees and killed with this Hail as so many Shot or Bullets On Wednesday the 19th of May Richard Tasburgh of Flixton in the County of Suffolk Esq was Tryed at the Kings Bench Bar upon an Indictment of High Treason in Conspiring the Death of the King but upon a long Evidence to little purpose was found Not Guilty the Jury never going from the Bar and discharg'd On Friday the 21 of May was brought to the same Bar by Habeas Corpus William Viscount Stafford who much complaining of his long Imprisonment was informed by the Court That all the Judges had resolved upon mature Consideration that he being Impeacht of Treason in Parliament he could not be tryed out of Parliament and for the same reason also it was out of the Power of this Court to Bail him That he and the other Lords in the Tower were not within the benefit of the late Act touching Habeas Corpus's That the Court was sorry they could not relieve him and that there was no way for him to come to his Tryal but by the sitting of the Parliament The day following Sir Henry Tichburne the elder Roper and John Caryl Esq were Bail'd at the same Bar though accused of High Treason yet in regard there appeared but one Witness against them viz. Oats they were discharged of their Confinement upon Bail On the last day of the Term the Lady Powis Sir Robert Payton and one Bedingfield were absolutely discharg'd of all attendance The same day a Bill of Indictment of High Treason was found and brought in by the Grand Jury of Middlesex against the Lord Castlemain The Nine and twentieth of May being the solemn Anniversary for the Kings Birth and Restoration past this year with the usual Church Service and the Joy of Bells but without any Bonfires at night all Bonfires not only on this but any other day whatsoever having been forbid by order of the Privy Council April 7. without Licence first obtain'd from the Council or other Magistrates Such Bonfires as of late having been observed the occasions of tumult and dangerous opportunities of Sedition This day was also observed at Edinburgh with great solemnity and triumph Fifty old Men the Number of His Majesty's Age attending the Ceremony each having a Largess of 50 s. The King and the Dukes Healths were publickly drank at the Market Cross the Conduits running Claret and abundance of Oranges Lemons and Sweatmeats thrown abroad About the 10th of June arrived ill News from Tangier the Moors on the 14th past so straitned Charles Fort with their Siege that the English Garison being but 180 Men under Captain Trelawney resolved to quit it as desperate and fight through the Enemy to the Town of Tangier accordingly they laid a Mine to blow it up after their departure and passing through the Enemies Works in the night which Passage they found more difficult than expected the whole Army of the Moors were alarmed and came in upon them kill'd neer 150 cut the Captain all to pieces about 38 men escaping through Henrietta Fort being also at the same time lost to the Enemy On the the first day of Trinity Term Mrs. Celier was tryed for High Treason at the Kings Bench Bar the Indictment run in the usual form as against the rest of the Plotters but the chief and indeed only Evidence against her Thomas Dangerfield being proved by Records then produced so great and infamous a Criminal his Testimony was refused by the Court to be admitted and chiefly in regard he stood Outlaw'd of Felony and Felony not being exprest in his Pardon she was therefore found Not Guilty and Dangerfield himself committed to custody till he could find Bail to Reverse the Outlawry to Answer the Felony and for his good Behaviour But within a few days after the said Dangerfield producing a Newgate Pardon whereby all Felonies were Pardoned and his name being found therein he was discharg'd And now it was that His Majesty in pursuance to what He had done in April and to remove all pretences of the disaffected in the Point of Succession publisht his Declaration Protesting on the Word of a King and the Faith of a Christian That He was never Married to Mrs. Bar low alias Waters the Duke of Monmouth's Mother nor to any other Woman besides the now Queen Which Declaration was on the 15th of June in this Trinity Term Registred on Record in the High Court of Chancery all the great Lords of the Privy Council who were present when His Majesty Declared and Signed the same attesting the Action upon their Corporal Oaths in open Court The Lord Chancellor declaring at the same time That this Declaration is not inrolled here to receive any augmentation of repute or force from this Court for it cannot receive more than it hath already but only to be preserved here as in a Repository or Registry and he doubts not but it will also find a more Noble Registry than this that is the Hearts of all the Loyal Subjects of the Nation Other notable passages are to be Observed this Term On the 22d of June the Lord Aston was brought to the Kings-Bench Bar in Order to his Tryal but the Attorney-General not being ready with the Kings Evidence the Tryal was put off to the Fryday following on which Day the Court did not proceed to the Tryal for the same reason and the Lord Aston was Bail'd the next Day to appear the first Day of next Term. On the 23d of the same Month the Lord Castlemain was Tryed for High Treason the Evidence against him Oates and Dangerfield the last of which tho' admitted to be Sworn yet finding no credit with the Court and Jury on the account of the Infamy of his many Crimes the Verdict was brought in Not Guilty and the Prisoner Discharged And
this was because the Stat. 13 of this King requires two Lawful and credible Witnesses in Cases of Treason and Dangerfield being not esteem'd such there remain'd only one Witness viz. Oates Saturday the 26th of June being four Days before the Term ended the Grand Jury of Middlesex came to the Kings-Bench Bar and by their Foreman Charles Humphrevile Esq presented to the Bench a Petition Subscribed by 21 of them and desired my Lord Chief Justice to present it to the King for the sitting of the Parliament but the Court refusing to Act in it received it not And the said Jury were at the same time Discharged from further attendance It is said that they had at that time some Bills and Presentments before them against several Persons for being Popish Recusants in Order to their Conviction all which they would have found and presented in few Hours time had they not been Discharged among the rest a Bill against the Duke of York brought into the said Jury and Promoted and in some sort attested by several Lords and Members of Parliament viz. Huntington Shaftsbury Gray of Wark Brandon Russel Candish Sir Gilbert Gerrard Sir Edward Hungerford Sir Scroop How Sir William Cooper Sir Thomas Wharton John Trenchard Esq Thomas Thynn Esq and William Forester Esq And note that the Proceedings of the Petition abovesaid were disowned by another Grand Jury of Middlesex who the same Day came in and presented the Court with a Paper Subscribed by them to that purpose desiring the Court to take particular notice of their dissent to the irregular Proceedings of the other Jury On the last Day of the Term several who should have been Tryed about the' Plot were in regard the Attorny-General had not Evidence sufficient against them some Bail'd and some absolutely Discharged by vertue of the late Act of Habeas Corpus 31. Car. 2. Among the first were Sir James Symonds Edward Peters and Needham with several others who were reputed Priests Mr. Howard Mr. Heveningham both the Ropers Sir John Gage and young Langhorn were absolutely Discharged from their long Imprisonments some having lain by it for 23 Months and the reason of their Discharge was because Mr. Attorney-General declar'd that he had but one Witness against them Sir Anthony Dean and Mr. Pepys were also at the same time absolutely Discharg'd from further attendance But one Holcroft a Conventicle Preacher having removed himself by Habeas Corpus from Cambridge Goal and appearing to be a very Seditious and dangerous Person and to be in Prison not only by Warrant of the Justices on the Oxford Act but also on 17. Car. a Capias Excommunicatum was 2. c. 2. remanded On the first of July being the Day to which the Parliament had been formerly Prorogued it was further Prorogued by Commission to the 22d of the same Month the Duke of York being present in the House and from thence to the 23d of August Bethel who had been one of the Committee of Safety in the late Times and Cornish two reputed Phanaticks had been chosen Sheriffs of London last Midsummer for the Year insuing but appearing since uncapable to bear Office in any Corporation by the Stat. 13. Car. 2. Stat. 2. c. 1. a New Election was appointed to be at Guildhall on the 14th of July against which time they capacitated themselves by receiving the Sacrament and abjuring the Covenant c. As appointed by the said Act and stood for a New Choice against whom two other Competitors appear'd Fox and Nicholson in so much that they came to a Poll a thing unusual during which time a Rlotous Assault was Committed on the Person of Sir Simon Lewis one of the then Sheriffs by Osborn a Draper and others of Bethels Party which being Represented to the King the same Night by the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs in Person he Ordered a Commission of Oyer and Terminer to be Issued out for Tryal of the said Riot They continued Polling till Monday following and from thence by Adjournment to Thursday The King in the mean time being entertain'd at Supper at Sheriff Lewis's House Tuesday July 20. On the 29th of July and not before the Votes were declar'd at a Common Hall then Assembled at the Guild-Hall to stand thus Bethel 2276. Cornish 2483. Box 1428. Nicholson 1230. Whereupon the two first were declared lawfully Chosen with great Acclamations At the same time an Address was Presented to the Lord Mayor by Thomas Papillon Esq in the Name of the Commons of the City thereby Disowning all tumultuous and disorderly Proceedings in their last Assembly other than what might be the effect of Emulation for His Majesties Service and the Preservation of their own just Rights desiring his Lordship to Represent the same to the King and that he would in their Names humbly beseech His Majesty that the Parliament might speedily Assemble To which the Lord Mayor Answered in a short Speech That he had not misrepresented any thing touching their last Assembly to His Majesty That their Address touching the Parliament might have been spared in regard the King had been pleased not long since to declare to him and assure him That this Parliament should sit in November next however that he would not be wanting with all humility to lay the whole matter before him On the 23d of August being the Day to which the Parliament had been Prorogued the Houses met and were further Prorogued to the 21st of October following The King promising that they should sit then and Publishing His Proclamation to that purpose Several Remarkable Passages happen'd this long Vacation As the Death of the Earl of Ossery into whose Place of Lord Chamberlain to the Queen Succeeded the Earl of Feversham The Death of Bedloe one of the Evidence concerning the Plot. Also the Prince Palatine Eldest Son of the Elector being here in England on a Visit to the King he received News of the Death of his Father in Germany during his absence It was also during this Vacation that Elizabeth Celier before mention'd Publisht a Narrative of her Tryal and Sufferings in which were some words like Reproach to the Government for which she was Tryed found Guilty of Publishing a Libel Fined 1000 l. to stand Thrice in the Pillory Good Behavior during Life and her Book to be Burnt by the Hangman And now comes on the long expected 21st Day of October and with it the first Session of this Parliament The Day before which The Duke and Duchess of York began their Journey for Scotland by Sea The King Accompanying them as low as Woolwich and there Dineing with them on Shipboard The same Day many Members of both Houses to the Number of 200 as reported met in a kind of Caball at Dinner at the Sun Tavern behind the Exchange On the 21st the Kings Speech contain'd That He had during this long Prorogation made Alliances with Holland and Spain That He desired Mony of them for the Relief of Tangier which had already exhausted
Holland His Tryal was put off till the first Thursday next Term which is the 9th of June On the 14 of May being the last day but one of the Term the Earl of Danby was brought by Habeas Corpus from the Tower to the Kings Bench Bar where by his Council he urged hard that he might be Bail'd but the Court being unsatisfied that they had sufficient Jurisdiction in his Case he being committed by Authority of Parliament and as it seemd not being within the benefit of the Habeas Corpus Act he was remanded back to the Tower On the last day of Easter Term Fitz-Harris was again brought into the Kings Bench Court to give Evidence to the Grand-Jury upon a Bill of Indictment against De Puy who had been Groom of the Robes to the Duke The Jury desired that the Evidence might be given to them privately But the Court overruled that and Fitz-Harris declared upon Oath Publickly in Court a great deal of Scandalous stuff not fit to be mentioned relating to the Death of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey which the said De Puy had told him a little before the Death of the said Knight but all this Fitz-Harris spoke from De Puy's mouth Of his own knowledge he said only this That the Earl of Danby coming down the great Stairs at Winsor he heard him say that now he would make Godfreys heart ake To this he added that De Puy told him presently after the Murder that the Earl had sent Godfrey on an arrant from which he would never return Upon this Evidence the Earl of Danby's name was inserted into the Bill of Indictment against De Puy as accessary to the said Murder of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey and the Bill was accordingly found against them both At the same time it was that the said Jury presented the Court with a Petition that they would intercede with the King for the sitting and Continuance of a new Parliament During all this Easter Term and many Months after many Loyal Addresses flowed to the King from all parts of England full of Congratulations and nothing of that factious strain which had almost rendred the very word Petitioning to be scandalous among these Loyal Addresses that from Norwich ran highest for the Kings Prerogative and a little reflecting on the exorbitances of the late Commons but as if this were a notorious Scandal to the Parliament the Grand-Jury of Middlesex above mentioned presented the same as a publick Libel but this did not discourage the Loyal party who still continued their Addresses It would be tedious to name all and how kindly they were received by the King who never suffered those who brought 'em to depart without some gracious mark of His Favor Not so to those who took upon them in their Petitions to direct His Majesty about the Calling and continuance of Parliaments To this Purpose its observable that the City of London were divided in these matters Part of them being most of the Court of Aldermen and some of the Common-Council had drawn up a Loyal Address in like manner as the whole Burrough of Southwark had done this they Presented to the King at Windsor by the Hands of Sir William Turner and Sir John Moor with abundance of Countenance and Favour But another Party having composed a far different Petition both for form and matter and it being also the same Day carried to Windsor by the Lord Mayor one Alderman and the Recorder they were refused to be admitted to the Kings Presence but orderd to attend at the Council at Hampton Court the Thursday following where they received a Repremend from my Lord Chancellor Finch now newly created Earl of Nottingham At the same time it was that the Leiutenancy of the City of London attended with their Loyal Offers of their Lives and Fortunes among these was Sir George Jeffryes the Kings Serjeant and late Recorder of London with his Sword on as one of the said Leiutenancy On the 8th of June in Trinity Term was Dr. Oliver Plunket Tryed for High Treason at the Kings Bench Bar the Evidence against him were all profest Papists as said and came out of Ireland the chief matters Sworn against him That he was made Primate of Ireland by the Pope at the King of France's recommendation that upon that account he having ingaged to do that King all the Service he could he had actually Levied among his Popish Clergy great Sums of Mony therewith to introduce the French Dominion into that Kingdom and extirminate the Protestants Upon this Evidence he was found Guilty The next day being Thursday the 9th of June Fitz-Harris was Tryed at the same Bar for High Treason the chief Evidence against him were Everard and Sir William Waller for the Prisoner appear'd Oats and Colonel Mansell and told a long story Scandalous in it self but of no weight My Lord Chief Justice therefore according to the Evidence which was home and clear against the Prisoner directed the Jury to find for the King which being also the directions of the other 3 Judges the Jury after above an half hours consultation brought in their Verdict Guilty Presently after this Tryal Mrs. Fitz-Harris the Prisoners wife and her Maid accused my Lord Howard of Escrick of the Contrivance of that Treasonable Libel of which her Husband was Convicted upon which accusation the said Lord was committed to the Tower on Sunday morning June 12. On the Wednesday following being the 15th of June Plunket and Fitz-Harris were severally brought to the Kings Bench Bar and received Judgment of Condemnation as in cases of High Treason About this time it was that the King in Council was pleas'd to order a Parliament to be call'd in Scotland on the 28th of July I must not forget that on the last day of Trin. Term a Bill of Indictment against the Lord Howard being delivered in to the Grand-Jury of Edmunton Hundred then serving in the Kings Bench for the County of Middlesex Sworn to by Mrs. Fitz-Harris and her Maid and some others and the said Jury not thinking the Evidence sufficient they were about to indorse it with an Ignoramus when Mr. Ward one of the Clerks of the Crown Office attending upon them withdraw'd it from before ' em Of this action they complain'd to the Court but being told that the Attorney General might stop these proceedings as he saw occasion or words to that purpose with which the Jury being nothing satisfied they went immediately and preferr'd a Bill of Indictment against the said Ward to the July of Oswelston Hundred then attending for this misdemanor which Bill the said last mention'd Jury found On Friday the First of July Dr. Oliver Plunket the Popish Primat of Ireland and Edward Fitz-Harris were both Executed at Tyburn for the several Treasons of which they were severally Tryed and Condemn'd the last Term. Plunket in a long Speech declar'd his Innocency forgave his Enemies and Pray'd for the King Queen and Duke of York But Fitz Harris said
the end of St. James's Park But the King return'd to Windsor that Night The next Day the King fell ill occasion'd as supposed by some Cold caught the Day before of which indisposition He recover'd again upon breathing a Vein in a few Days to the great Joy of all His Loyal Subjects On Tuesday the 6th of June Captain Ayres the Pilot of the Glocester Frigate late cast away when the Duke Sayl'd to Scotland was Tryed before Special Commissioners of Seamen and being found Guilty of that grievous loss was Sentenced by the said Commissioners to perpetual Imprisonment and accordingly was Committed to the Marshalsea Vid. Stat. 13. Car. 2 Ch. 9. Art 25. About this time it was that the Conventicles in London began to be disturb'd in good earnest and the Statute put in Execution against them On the 20th of June my Lord Mayor issued out his Orders to the Aldermen of all the Wards to Command the Constables of every Ward to be up on Sundays and assist those who should put the said Stat. in Execution against such as should resist as it seems some had the Confidence to do the Sunday before Against the 24th of June the Customary Day for Electing Sheriffs of London for the Year insuing my Lord Mayor Issued out his Summons to the several Companies to appear at Guildhall on the said 24th Day of June for the Confirmation of Mr. Dudly North whom his Lordship had chosen for one according to Custom at the Bridge-House Feast and for the choice of another Sheriff At the Day appointed a mighty Concourse of People Assembled in Guildhall before my Lord Mayor and Sheriffs fitting in the Hustings there were two Parties appear'd in Competition Mr. North and Mr. Box on the one Party and Mr. Papillon and Mr. Dubois on the other but in their Polling which was mannaged by the now Sheriffs Mr. Pilkinton and Mr. Shute it was observed that their Names were refused to be enter'd who Polled for the Confirmation of North and Election of Box and on the other side it was said that several Mens Names were enter'd who were not really present or not duly intitled to Vote whereupon my Lord Mayor Adjourn'd the Court by Proclamation to 9 a Clock June 27. and departed out of the Hall not without some abuses from the disaffected Party 30 notwithstanding which Adjournment the two Sheriffs continued to Poll on till Night The next Day being Sunday admitted of no business But on Munday Morning my Lord Mayor the Court of Aldermen and the two Sheriffs were sent for to appear before the King and Council where the matter being fully examined the two Sheriffs were sent to the Tower The Warrant for their Commitment being Signed by 24 Privy Counsellers On Tuesday the 27th of June the Common-Hall was again Adjourn'd over to Wednesday the 5th of July Friday the 30th of June the two Sheriffs above-mention'd were brought by Habeas Corpus to the Kings-Bench Bar where they were admitted to be Bail'd by four Gentlemen of considerable Estate themselves in 2000 l. piece and the Bail each in 1000 l. At the same time they pleaded Not Guilty to an Information for a Tumultuous and Riotous Assembly in holding the Common Hall above-mention'd after it was Adjourn'd and the Assembly Discharged The Sheriffs being thus at liberty met at the Common Hall on the 5th of July and notwithstanding that the Lord Mayor being Sick sent order by the Recorder to Adjourn the Hall to the 7th followlowing yet the Sheriffs and the multitude proceeded in the Election and declar'd their Choice of Papillon and Dubois On the 7th the Mayor and His Party met again at Guildhall but some disputes arising concerning the last Adjournment four Lawyers were sent for to the Court of Aldermen to argue the validity of the Thing viz. Sir George Jeffreys and Mr. Saunders for the Mayor and Mr. Polexfin Mr. Williams on the other side but coming to no Conclusion the Court was Adjourn'd further to that Day Sennight being the 14th of July On the 13th of July The King was pleased to Issue out an Order of Council in these Words HIs Majesty having been Informed by the Lord Mayor and diverse of the Aldermen of London that the Disorders and Riots arisen in the City upon the Day appointed for the Election of Sheriffs have been chiefly occasion'd by the Proceedings of the Common Hall in an irregular way contrary to what hath been antiently accustomed His Majesty by the advice of His Council hath thought fit for the better keeping of the Peace of the City to direct and hereby to require the Lord Mayor to maintain and preserve intire the antient Customes of the City and for the better doing thereof to take effectual Order that at the Common Hall to be held to morrow all Proceedings be begun anew and carried on in the usual manner as they ought to have been upon the 24th Day of June last This was Read the next Day in the Common Hall but opposed by the adverse Party with noise and Clamour some crying out for the Stat. 16. Car. 1. ch 10. to be Read wherein there is a Clause declaratory that the Privy Council have no Authority to examine determine or dispose of the Lands Tenements Hereditaments Goods and Chattles of any of the Subjects of this Kingdom But this being thought not pertinent to this purpose they proceeded my Lord Mayor declaring in the first place Mr. North duly Elected by him and that he would Pole for the other Three viz. Box Papillon and Dubois and accordingly caused Books to be fitted with three Columes only In the mean time the Sheriffs with a Salvo Jure to their former Election of Midsummer Day went on apart and Poled for four Heads The next Day being Saturday the 15th my Lord Mayor declar'd Mr. Box duly Elected by the Majority of Voices in his Books and therefore North and Box to be Sheriffs for next Year On the other Hand the Now Sheriffs declar'd Papillon and Dubois to have the Majority in their Books and so the Pole ended On the 27th of July the Court of Aldermen Assembled not without some apprehensions of a Disturbance from the Factious Two Companies were order'd to be up at the Exchange that Day and the Lieutenancy placed themselves in the Gallery before the Room where the Aldermen sate to keep off the Rabble from pressing in A great number were gather'd into Guild-Hall for an Answer to a Petition which they had formerly deliver'd to that Court requiring that Papillon and Dubois should be call'd forth to give Bond to serve for the two Sheriffs of next Year Some few of the chief of this Party being at last call'd in my Lord Mayor caused the following Paper to be Read to 'em as his final Answer GEentlemen this Court hath Consider'd of your Petition and will take care that such persons shall take the Office of Sheriffs upon them as are duly Elected according to Law and the antient Customes
Kings Bench being removed to be Chief Justice in the Common Pleas and Sir Edmund Saunders of the Middle Temple made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. On St. Thomas's Day the Election began for Common-Council Men in London which went generally for the Royallists and accordingly at the first Common-Council that was held it was caried by the Majority of Votes That thanks should be return'd to Sir John Moor for his good Administration of the Office of Lord Mayor last year which was done accordingly Before I conclude this 34th year of His Majesties Reign I must observe that this year was remarkable for the coming of Two very Extraordinary Embassadours to our Soveraign never known before in England One was from the Emperour of Fez and Morocco his name Hamet Ben Hamet Ben Haddu Ottor a Man of great Eminency in his own Country as report says His business about setling a Peace with Tangier much respected he was here carest at Court and at both the Universities and he seemed to express no less esteem for our Nation But at his return upon what account I know not he was reported to be received by his Master with disgrace The other Embassadour was from the King of Bantham or Surosoam in the East-Indies His business about the East-India Trade The end of this year was also remarkable for several new Titles of Honour to which His Majesty was pleased to promote several Eminent persons who had for their signal Loyalty deserved His Favour viz. 1. The Duke of Ormond Created a Duke of the Kingdom of England but by his old Title of Ormond 2. The Marquiss of Worcester Created Duke of Beaufort 3. The Lord Norris Created Earl of Abingdon 4. The Vicount Campden Created Earl of Gainsborow 5. Conniers Lord Darcy Created Earl of Holderness 6. The Lord Windsor Created Earl of Plimouth 7. The Lord Townsend Created Vicount Townsend of Raynham 8. Sir Thomas Thinne Baronet Created Baron Thinne of Warminster and Vicount Weymouth 9. Collonel George Legg Created Baron of Dartmouth 10. The Lord Allington Created a Baron of this Kingdom by the Title of Baron of Wymandley 11. Ralf Stawell Esq Created Lord Stawell of Somerton Also Collonel Churchill was Created Lord Churchill of Ay mouth in the Kingdom of Scotland On the 20th of January departed this Life in Holland Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury who had left this Kingdom some Months before under the Imputation of Treasonable Machinations and sled for the protection of those States to whom he had formerly when Lord Chancellor of England applied the old Roman Threat Delenda est Carthago Anno 35. Car. 2. Anno Dom. 1683. THe Horses of England are Famous on many Accounts among others for Racing It was upon this Consideration that the French King invited into France several of our most Noted Racers by exposing a Plate or Prize of 1000 Pistoles to be run for before him in the Plain d' Achere near St Germain en lay And accordingly on the 25th of Feb. S. N. the said Race was Run before the King Queen and Dauphin by several of our prime Horses where the Duke of Monmouth's Horse won and was afterwards purchased by the said King Also that King partly upon this account was pleas'd at that time to countenance the Honourable Bernard Howard Esq a younger Brother of the Duke of Norfolk so far as to allow him to come in his Coach within the Louvre a Preheminence due only to the Princes of the Blood and some few others of highest quality in France In March ill news arrived from the East Indies importing the loss of the great Town of Bantham to the Dutch who under colour of assisting the Rebel Prince of Bantham against the King his Father came with forces and seized upon the Town turning out the English there to the great Damage of our English Factory who for a further weight to their sufferings about the same time lost their Ship Joanna cast away at Sea outward bound and in her above 10000 l. On Thursday the 22th of March happn'd a suddain Fire at Newmarket about 8 in the Evening which Consumed a great part of that Town but by the Providence of God came not on that side of the Way where the Kings Palace stood The Monday following the King Queen Duke and Dutchess Returned to Whitehall where the Court continued till Saturday the 14th of April on which Day His Majesty and His Royal Court Departed to Windsor On Tuesday the 24th of April happen'd one of the most famous and Extraordinary Exploits that was ever known in London One Broom Clark of Skinners Hall and Coroner of London having a Latitat out of the Kings Bench in an Action upon the Case at the Suit of Mr. Papillon and Mr. Dubois against my Lord Mayor Sheriff North and several Loyal Aldermen the said Broom acquainting them with the Writ they all submitted to his Arrest and went with him as Prisoners to Skinners Hall and there remain'd under his Custody till one a Clock at Night In the mean time 8 Companies of the Militia are raised by order of the Leutenancy and are posted all that Night in several parts of the City to prevent any Tumults which might happen on so new a thing as the Arrest and detainer of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London a thing never heard of before in the times of Peace And it so happen'd that one Fletcher a Common Serjeant of the Poultry Counter having an Action of Debt upon Bond of 400 l. against the said Broom which Action had been enter'd the Week past and Broom acquainted with it who promised to give Bail but the Serjeant finding that promise not perform'd and perceiving him to act so Malipertly with the Chief Magistrates of the City he makes no further delay but Arrests his person in Skinners Hall and carries him forthwith to the Counter Broom being thus gone and no body left in Charge of my Lord Mayor and his fellow Prisoners they demanded if there was any about the House that had any orders to detain 'em any longer in that place which being Answer'd in the Negative they all departed peacibly to their several homes On Tuesday the 8th of May was Tryed at Guild-Hall before my Lord Chief Justice Saunders the Great Riot committed last June at the Election of Sheriffs for London and Middlesex And this was upon an Information exhibited in the Crown Office by Mr. Attorney-General of which I made mention formerly Upon a full Evidence 14 persons were found Guilty viz. The then Sheriffs Pilkinton and Shute The Lord Gray of Wark Sir Thomas Player Cornish Bethel Jinks Goodenough Deagle Jekel Freeman Wickham Keys and Swinock On the Last Day but one of Trinity-Term they were all Fined severally as follows Pilkinton 500 l. Shute 1000 Marks Cornish the same Summ Lord Gray the same Sir Thomes Player 500 Marks Bethel 1000 Marks Jinks 300 Marks Deagle 400 Marks Freeman 300 Marks Goodenough 500 Marks Keys 100 Marks
Wickham 100 Marks Swinnock 500 Marks and Jekel 200 Marks On the 19th of May being the last Saturday in Easter Term Sir Patience Ward one of the Aldermen of London was Tryed at the Kings Bench Bar upon an Information of Perjury for giving false Evidence upon Oath in the Cause Tryed last Mic. Term between the Duke and Pilkinton The Perjury was proved upon him by the Oaths of several Aldermen and other persons of great Credit among which were two of the Jury that Tryed the said Cause between the Duke and Pilkinton Whereupon the said Sir Patience was Convicted and found Guilty by the Jury but the Judgment of the Court was respited till next Term. The better part of the City of London both for Number and Quality appear'd about this time very Loyal and as an Instance of their Good Affections it was Resolved at a Common-Council held at Guild-Hall May 22. That whereas Sir William Pritchard Knight Lord Mayor of this City was in a rude manner lately Arrested at the Suit or in the name of Mr. Papillon and Mr. Dubois and whereas it hath been alledged by the said Mr. Papillon and Mr. Dubois that the Action upon which the said Arrest was was prosecuted at the Instance of the Citizens of London the Members of this Court to deliver themselves and the said Citizens from this untrue imputation do declare that they were not privy or consenting to the said Action or Arrest and do disown and disapprove the same And not long after Broom the Coroner was by the Common-Council put out of that Office and made uncapable of enjoying any place of preferment in the City Soon after viz. on the 25th of May was set up in one of the Niches of the Old Exchange a Curious Statue of King Charles the First with this Inscription underneath cut in Marble ΕΙΚΩΠΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΗ Serenissimi ac Religiosissimi Principis Caroli Primi Angliae Scotiae Franciae Hiberniae Regis Fidei Defensoris Bis mar â—ris in Corpore in Effigie Impiis Rebellium manibus ex hoc loco deturbata confracta A. D. MDCXLVIII Restituta hic demum collocata A. D. MDCLXXXIII Against the beginning of Trinity Term the Scaffolds in Westminster-Hall after they had stood there and cumber'd the Hall for above Three Years were by order from my Lord Chamberlain taken down and removed On Wednesday the 6th of June was held a Common Council at Guildhall in London where all the Treasonable and irregular Acts of that Court in the Times of Rebellion were Repeal'd and a Bill past in the said Common Council for declaring and asserting the Antient Rights of the Chair by which Bill my Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen were restored to their negative Voice which had been taken away by an Act in the late Rebellious Times and never question'd before that Also it was at this Common Council declar'd and Enacted That my Lord Mayor has sufficient and lawful Power of Choosing one Sheriff And accordingly my Lord Mayor did the next day declare his Choice at the Bridg-House Feast by Drinking to Mr. Alderman Daniel as one of the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex for the Year insuing On the first Tuesday in Trinity-Term Judgment was given in the Court of Kings-Bench in the Quo Warranto brought last Trinity-Term against the City of London of which I made mention in the last Year The Pleadings were large on both sides The chief Crimes on which this Writ was grounded were Two For exacting Tolls in their Markets illegally and for framing and Printing a scandalous Petition wherein they charged the King with obstructing the Justice of the Nation by Proroguing the last Parliament Whether these were sufficient Causes of seizing their Liberties was argued pro and con by the Sollicitor General and the Recorder last Hillary-Term and by the Attorney-General and Mr. Pollixsin last Term very largely and elaborately And now my Lord Chief Justice Saunders being Sick and absent Justice Jones having concisely Summed up all the Proceedings past in a very pithy and solid Speech gave Judgment and declar'd it to be the unanimous opinion of that Court That the Liberties and Franchises of the City of London be seized into the Kings Hands After which he Declar'd by the Kings express Order That Judgment should not be enter'd till His Majesties Pleasure be further known Thursday the 14th of June was held a Common Council in London at which Court the following Petition was Order'd to be Presented to the King at Windsor it was entituled the humble Petition of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common Council Assembled It acknowledged their hearty and unfeigned sorrow for the misgovernment of that City of late Years which occasion'd a Quo Warranto to be brought against them and Judgment therein That they are deeply sensible and thankfully acknowledge the Kings great Favour in not requiring Judgment to be immediately enter'd thereon In this distressed condition they humbly cast themselves at His Royal Feet imploring His Princely Compassion and Grace begging Pardon for all Offences with most solemn promises and assurances of constant Loyalty and obedience to His Majesty His Heirs and Successors and of a regular Administration of His Government in that City for the future and humbly beg His Majesties Commands and directions This Petition was carried and Presented by the Lord Mayor and several Loyal Aldermen and Citizens of London on Munday the 18th of June After which my Lord Keeper by the Kings Command Declar'd That for the sakes of so many of the present Magistrates and other eminent Citizens in London who are of undoubted Loyalty and affection to His Majesties Service His Majesty will shew the City all the Favour they can reasonably desire In fine That His Majesty requires their Submission to these Regulations That no Lord Mayor Sheriff Recorder Common Serjeant Town-Clerk or Coroner of London or Steward of Southwark shall be capable of or admitted to the exercise of their respective Offices before His Majesty shall have approved them under his own Sign manual That His Majesties disapproving the Mayor twice He may if he please nominate a Lord Mayor himself so also for Sheriffs Nevertheless the Election of these Officers may be according to the antient usage of the City with some small Restrictions then specified On Wednesday the 20th of June was held a Court of Common Council again at Guild-Hall the Question being put whether they should assent and submit to His Majesties Order of Regulation as above exprest it was carried in the affirmative by the Majority of 18 Voices The Yeas being 104 and the Nays 86. Towards the end of this Trinity-Term was discover'd a Damnable Plot and Conspiracy carried on by those who call themselves True Protestants Mr. West of the Temple was first apprehended examined and Committed And His Majesties Proclamation Dated the 23 of June came out for the apprehension of others who had Conspired against the Lives of
His Most Sacred Majesty and his Royal Highness viz. Collonel John Rumsey Richard Rumbold Maulster Richard Nelthorp Esq Edward Wade Gent. Richard Goodenough Gent. Capt. Walcot William Thompson James Burton and William Hone For the Discovery of any of which 100 l. was offer'd as a reward to the Discoverer Also another Proclamation came out not long after Dated the 28th of June For the Apprehending of James Duke of Monmouth Ford Lord Gray Sir Thomas Armstrong Knight and Robert Ferguson who were also fled for the Discovery of any of which 500 l. was offer'd as a reward to the Discoverer The Crimes alledged in the said Proclamations are For Traiterously Conspiring to Compass the Death and Destruction of the King and His dearest Brother the Duke of York to effect which they have held several Treasonable Consultations to Levy Men and to make an Insurrection in this Kingdom On the 2d of July the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council of the City of London in a Body waited on His Majesty in the Banqueting-House and Presented him with their Address of Congratulation Importing their thanks to Almighty God for bringing to Light this impious and Execrable machination designed for the destruction of His Majesties Royal Person and of his dearest Brother James Duke of York and for the Destruction of His Majesties best Subjects and to involve this and the future Generation in Confusion Blood and misery carried on by Conventiclers and Atheistical Persons c. Which Address being Graciously received by His Majesty they then Waited on His Royal Highness and made their Complement to him on the same occasion Soon after this the Members of the Middle-Temple Address'd in the like manner who thought themselves concern'd more than ordinary to shew their Loyalty in regard some of the first Discover'd Conspirators did unhappily appear to be of that Society After which almost innumerable Addresses on the same Subject flow'd from all parts of the Kingdom At the same time also the Ambassadors and Ministers of Foraign Princes Congratuled His Majesty in their Masters Names for His happy Delivery from the Designed Assasination The King of France also Publisht in His Dominions an Edict or Proclamation for the Apprehension of those Four mention'd in our Kings Proclamation of June the 28th and proposed 500 Pistols for the Discovery of each On the 12th of July was Tryed at the Old Bayly the above mention'd Captain Walcot for this horrid Conspiracy and upon a full and cleer Evidence was found Guilty of High Treason The next Day the Lord Russel eldest Son and Heir apparent to the Earl of Bedford was Tryed for the same Treason and upon a cleer Evidence given by the Lord Howard of Escrick and others was found Guilty The same Day also Hone and Rouse were Tryed and found Guilty of the same horrid Crime All which received Sentence of Death the next day from the Recorder Sir George Treby viz. the Lord Russel by himself and Walcot Hone and Rouse together but the Judgment was the same to be drawn Hang'd and Quarter'd During the Tryal of the Lord Russel 4 Companies of the Guards were drawn into Smithfield and there posted all the Day two Companies of the Trained Bands in St Bartholmews Hospital and a Party of the Life Guard Waited at the Gates of the Old Bayly attending upon the Lord Howard In the mean time viz. on Friday the 13th of July about 9 of the Clock in the Morning a sad and desparate action was Committed on himself by one of these unhappy Conspirators Arthur Earl of Essex being a Prisoner in the Tower on the account of this execrable Treason was so far transported by the Devils Temptations as to dispair of all mercy and during a short absence of them that attended to Murder himself by Cutting his own Throat with a Raisour On Friday the 20th of July Three of the foresaid Traytors were executed at Tyburn viz. Walcot Hone and Rouse according to the Common Judgment in Treason Drawn Hang'd and quartered But the Lord Russel by reason of his noble Birth had the favour from the King to have the Common Judgment mitigated thô he was against such mitigation as is reported in the case of the late Vicount Stafford and was on the day following viz. Saturday the 21th of July Beheaded in Lincolns-Inn Fields For which purpose a Scaffold was erected that Morning on that side of the Fields next to the Arch going into Duke Street in the middle between the said Arch and the corner turning into Queen-street 10 Companies of the Guards and a Troop of Horse were drawn up in the Fields at that time to secure the Peace against so vast a Concourse of People as appeared there on that occasion The Lord Russel was Beheaded by three stroaks of the Executioner at half an hour after 10 in the morning On the same Day the 21th of July was assembled a Convocation of the University of Oxford in their Convocation House there at which in a Solemn and formal manner they Condemn'd 27 Propositions as false seditious and impious and most of them Heretical and Blasphemous infamous to Christian Religion and destructive of all Government both in Church and State Which wicked Propositions were Collected out of several modern Authors namely Buchanan Milton Hobs Goodwin Baxter Julian Protestant Reconciler c. Which said Books were at the same time Ordered to be Burnt and were Burnt in the Court of the Schools of the said University On Saturday the 28th of July being St. Anns Day about 10 in the Evening The Lady Ann second Daughter to his Royal Highness was Married to Prince George Brother to the King of Danemark Which Prince arrived at Whitehall the Thursday sennight before The Ceremony of the Marriage was performed by the Bishop of London in the Presence of the King Queen Duke and Dutchess with most of the Great Personages of the Court. All That Night and the next the Bells Proclaimed the Publick Joy And presently after they received the Congratulations of all the Embassadours and Publick Ministers in Town The like also from the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen in their Scarlet Soon after which was publisht His Majesties Declaration to all his loving Subjects dated the 28th of July whereby was set forth a short Narration of the Treasonable Conspiracy as it hath been lately discovered by undoubted proof and the Confession of divers of the Accomplices for which happy discovery His Majesty appointed by the said Declaration a Solemn day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God to be celebrated throughout the Kingdom on Sunday the 9th day of September next and that the said Declaration be publickly read in all Churches as well on Sunday the 2d Day of September as on the Day of Thanksgiving aforesaid The same Day of Thanksgiving was also appointed to be observed in Scotland On Tuesday the 7th of August Prince George was design'd to be Install'd Knight of the most Honourable Order of the Garter at
Hereupon His Majesty and his Royal Highness went down to the Secretaries Office where the Duke of Monmouth was who shew'd himself very sensible of his Crime in the late Conspiracy making a full Declaration of it and having shew'd an extraordinary Penitence for the same and made a particular Submission to his Royal Highness for his misbehavior to him His Majesty and his Royal Highness received so much satisfaction that upon his Royal Highness ' s desire and Mediation His Majesty was pleased to Pardon the said Duke and order the Attorney-General to stop further Proceedings against him On the last Day of Michaelmas Term six Prisoners then in the Tower for High Treason were Bail'd viz. the Lord Gerard Brandon Mr. Booth Mr. Trenchard Mr. Hamden Jun. Mr. Charleton and Major Wildman all which being accused for Conspirators in the late detestable Plot and but one Witness against them they were Bail'd out in 2000 l apiece and 1000 l their Sureties except Mr. Hamden against whom there being a Bill of Indictment for High Misdemeaners he was bound in 10000 l. himself and 5000 l. his Sureties On Thursday the 6th of December one Johnson a Cracktbraind Fellow met the King as he was walking in St. James Park and laying his Hand on his Sword told His Majesty he had wrong'd him and demanded satisfaction but being seiz'd by the Guards and appearing to be Distracted upon Examination he was tied Neck and Heels together for a while at the Guard Stables and let go again On Friday the 7th of December the Duke of Monmouth being fallen again into the Kings displeasure for refusing to Sign what he had confest upon his coming in was Banisht the Court and expell'd the Royal Presence This was on the same Day that Sidney was beheaded on the Tower-Hill Friday the 4th of January the Lord Peters who had lain a long time a Prisoner in the Tower on the account of Oates's Plot without being brought to his Tryal departed this Life in his said Confinement A little before his departure the said Lord sent to the King a Letter wherein he disown'd in his last Words and upon his Salvation the matters which he stood accused of About the middle of December this Year began a very eminent and extraordinay Frost it lasted without any considerable Intermission till the 5th of February during which time the Thames was Frozen over with a solid and Contiguous Ice in all places above the Bridge Booths built thereon with Thousands of People continually walking over and Sliding I my self walkt over at the Temple and so all along the Channel to Westminster Stairs on the 9th of January Also on or about the same Day Coaches went over at Sommerset-House and at the Temple In the Extremity of this Weather the King granted His Letters Mandatory Dated the 4th of January to the Bishop of London to make a Collection in all Parishes in London and the Subburbs of the same for the relief of the Poor encouraging His Subjects to such a needful Charity by his own Example having order'd large Sums of Mony to be Issued out of His Treasury for that purpose which Letters were Read in all Churches the two following Sundays and Collections made accordingly On the 23d of January being the First Day of Hillary Term the Lawyers went over the Ice from the Temple to Westminster-Hall and back again as familiarly as on the Land some walkt on Foot and some went in Coaches which carried People from the Temple Stairs to Westminster for the same fare as by Land and plied between those two places though not in so great Numbers as the Watermen do in Summer Abundance of Booths were erected Cross between the Temple and Southwark in which place an absolute Fair was held for above a Fortnight of almost all sorts of Trades and Printing Presses erected both for Letters and Pictures a Bull Baited a Fox Hunted and a whole Ox Roasted on the Ice over against Whitehall Nor was this Frost thus Wonderful only above the Bridge but Booths were erected and People past over on the Ice frequently in diverse places below the Bridge And the Sea it self frozen for divers Miles from the Shore on the Coasts of England France and especially Holland Insomuch that for above a Fortnight no Packet Boat or any other Vessel of Intelligence could either come out of those parts or go from hence Thus ends this Year a Year of Extraordinary note in England for the happy Discovery of a Hellish Conspiracy against the Lives of his Sacred Majesty and Royal Highness and against the Antient Government of this Kingdom both in Church and State a Conspiracy contrived and carried on by Protestant Dissenters inveterate Calvinists and old Common-wealths-men Nor was this Year less remarkable abroad partly for the Death of Anna Teresia Queen of France and Alphonso King of Portugal but above all for the formidable and Bloody Descent of the Turks into Hungary Invited thither by Count Tekeley a Protestant Rebel against the Emperor The Mahumetan Army consisting of 150000 fighting Men Horse and Foot came before Vienna on the 9th of July Commanded by the Grand Visier in Person The Emperor had retired two Days before and left the City under the Command of Count Staremberg who defended it bravely notwithstanding all the Bloody Assaults and utmost endeavors of the Enemy till on the 12 2 of September the Seige was rais'd in the highth of the Defendants Extremity by the coming of the King of Poland who having joyn'd with the Imperial Forces Commanded by the Duke of Lorrain not only beat off and routed the Turkish Army with vast Slaughter and no less Booty but pursuing his Blow took from them the Fort of Barkan and the City of Gran formerly call'd Strigonium after it had been possest by the Turks 78 Years Which City had been formerly before it was lost by the Christians the Metropolitan City of Hungary To the Glory of the English Nation some of our Country Men were present at the Siege of Vienna in defence of which they Signalliz'd their Valour In particular the Lord Landsdown Eldest Son of the Earl of Bath whom for his extraordinary merits the Emperor created a Count of the Sacred Empire An Honour which the Ancestors of the Lord Arundel of Warder had formerly attain'd in the defence of Strigonium One thing more renders this Year remarkable which was partly Domestick and Partly Foraign Tangier in Africa being possest by the Portugals came to the Crown of England with our now Queen Catherine and having cost our King since he had it vast Sums of Mony in defending it against the Moors and also in making the greatest part of a Mole there which not being found so feasible as expected the Charges very great and certain the Expectation of any advantage from thence very uncertain His Majesty was pleased about the end of this last Summer to commission my Lord Dartmouth attended with about 20 Sail of Ships to go and
utterly to demolish the said Town Castle and Mole at Tangier to choke up the Haven and to bring off the Ordinance and English Inhabitants to England sending the Foraigners to their several Countries but first compounding with every Man for his Ground Estate and Property in their several Houses all which was accordingly done in about six Months time Anno 36 Car. 2. Anno Dom. 1684. I Begin my Historical Collections this Year with an Occurrence of Extraordinary Note viz. the Bayling the Lords in the Tower which tho' often moved for yet could never be obtain'd till now The Earl of Danbys Case was argued this Hillary Term and on the last Day of the Term being February the 12th the Judges in the Kings-Bench did severally give their Opinions and their Reasons for the same concluding all in one Judgment That his Lordship ought to be Bail'd and accordingly Bail was taken His Bail were The Duke of Somerset The Duke of Albemarl The Earl of Oxford The Earl of Chesterfield The other Lords being within the same Reason were admitted to the same Advantage as also the Earl of Tyrone who had lain Prisoner in the Gate-House about the same space of time with those in the Tower Their several Bail were For the Earl of Powis The Duke of Norfolk The Duke of Beaufort The Earl of Pembroke The Earl of Peterborough For the Lord Arundal of Warder The Earl of Dorset The Earl of Scarsdale The Earl of Bath The Earl of Clarendon For the Lord Bellasis The Earl of Aylesbury The Earl of Westmerland The L. Vicount Falconbridge Sir John Talbot For the Earl of Tyrone The Earl of Roscommon The Earl of Mount-Alexander The Earl of Carlingford The Lord Annesley The Principal Lords were bound in a Recognizance of 10000 l each and their several Bail in 5000 l each upon Condition that the abovemention'd principal Lords do appear in the House of Lords the next Sessions of Parliament and not depart without leave of that Court. On the same Day Mr. John Hamden received Judgment He had been accused and Committed for High Treason in the late accursed Conspiracy but in regard there wanted the Circumstance of Two Witnesses against him which is necessary in all Cases of that nature he was Indicted and Tryed in the Kings-Bench Court this Term and found Guilty of a High Trespass and Misdemeaner in Conspiring to Levy War c. and now his Judgment was That he should pay 40000 l for a Fine to the King and find Sureties for his good Behavior during Life and to be Committed till this be paid and done The Lord Brandon Mr. Booth Major Wildman Mr. Charleton Mr. Trenchard and some others who had been accused for being in the said Conspiracy and had been since admitted to Bail were on this last Day of Hillary-Term absolutely discharg'd It is observable in relation to the late great Frost That the extremity of that Weather had made such a Mortality and Sickness as I may call it among Fish not only of fresh Rivers and Ponds but even at Sea that abundance of Fish of almost all sorts were observed to dye of themselves and float to Shore upon which account several Physitians of the Roman Catholick Religion having consider'd of the eating of Fish they agreed that it must needs be unwholsome whereupon a general dispensation was granted by the Ecclesiasticks of that Party to all Roman Catholicks for the eating of Flesh three Days in the Week viz. Sundays Tuesdays and Thursdays all the Lent this Year A thing not known before Acts of Hostility being fiercely pursued this Spring between the French and Spaniard both by Sea and Land His Majesty of Great Brittain being concern'd on neither side but at Amity with both was pleas'd to Command by His Proclamation Dated at Newmarket March the 12th That the Peace should be kept inviolably on both sides in all Roads Creeks and Ports of His Dominions and that all His Commanders and Officers should oppose themselves against any that should assault any of the Ships of His Allies in any His Roads Creeks or places under His Protection c. On the 14th of April Sir Leoline Jenkins obtain'd leave of His Majesty to surrender his place of Secretary of State and Sidney Godolphin Esq now Lord Godolphin was Sworn Secretary On the 21st of April James Holloway Merchant being out-law'd in Treason having been Indicted for the late Conspiracy and fled was brought to the Kings-Bench Bar where the Attorney-General declared to the Court and the Court to him That if he thought he could make himself appear Not Guilty the King would wave his Attainder by Outlary and he might stand a Tryal by a Jury But he Declar'd That he could not undertake to make himself appear Not Guilty for he had confest his Guilt to the King Whereupon a Rule of Court was made for his Execution on the 30th of the present April on which Day he was accordingly Executed On Saturday the 10th of May Titus Oates was arrested at the Amsterdam Coffee-House in an Action of Scandalum Magnatum at the Suit of His Royal Highness the Duke of York for calling the said Duke Traytor and other abominable Language He was carried to Woodstreet-Counter where he lay two Days and was then removed by Habeas Corpus to the Kings-Bench Prison The next Term he let Judgment go by default and on the last Day of the Term a Writ of Enquiry of Damages was Executed at the Kings-Bench Bar where the Jury upon hearing the Evidence gave 100000 l Damages About the beginning of May the King was pleased to revoke and determine the Commission formerly granted to several Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of England and to commit those Affairs to the Care of His Royal Highness Also in this Month of May a Noble and most Elaborate Statue of his Now Majesty in gray Marble was erected on a Curious Pedestal of the same in the very middle or Center of the Old-Exchange The Garb and Habit was that of a Roman Caesar The Workman that Cut it was Mr. Grinlin Gibbons the most Famous Statuary that England ever produced and equal if not Superiour to the best of Europe in this Age. This was performed at the charge of the Hamborough Company and Cost 500 l. The Inscription on the Pedestal is Carolo II Caesari Britannico Patriae Patri Regum Optimo Clementissimo Augustissimo Generis humani Delicijs Vtriusque fortunae Victori Pacis Europae Arbitro Maris Domino Vindici Societas Mercatorum Adventur Angliae Quae per CCCC jam prope Annos Regia Benignitate floret Fidei intemeratae Gratitudinis Aeternae Hoc Testimonium Venerabunda posuit Anno Sal. Humanae MDCLXXXIV On the 28th of May His Majesty was pleased to declair in Council at Hampton-Court That he thought it fit and for His Service that his Royal Highness should be present at the Meetings of the Council And accordingly the Duke Sate that Day and
continued so to do On Wednesday the 11th of June Sir Thomas Armstrong was brought to London and committed to Newgate in order to his Execution being Outlawd in High Treason He had been taken at Leyden in Holland by Order of the States there and immediately brought to Roterdam and Shipt away for England There needed no Tryal of him in regard he fled and was Outlawd and did not yield himself within a year so as to have any benefit of the Stat. 5. E. 6. 11. Wherefore he was Executed at Tyburn on the 20th of June being a Friday the same Day of the same Month and the same Day of the Week on which the five Jesuits were Executed in the same manner at the same place just five years before His head was set up on Westminster-Hall between those of Cromwell and Bradshaw one of his Quarters upon Temple Bar two others at Aldersgate and Algate and the 4th was said to be sent down to Stafford for which Town he had been a Burgess in Parliament On Thursday the 26th of June His Royal Highness the Duke of York being Captain of the Artillary Company of London did them the Honour to march in their Head through the City to the Artillary Ground and there Lead 'em up in Person with mighty Joy and Acclamations On the 7th of July the City of Durham surrender'd their Charter into the Hands of their Prince the Bishop of Durham soon after which surrender He granted them a new one reserving to himself the Confirmation of their Mayor Aldermen and Chief Officers in like manner as the King had done before in other parts of this Kingdom Most Corporations having surrenderd and renew'd about this time On the first of October was made a Review or Muster of His Majesties Land Forces on Putney Heath a most Gallant Military appearance The Horse that Day consisted of the Three Troops of Guards and of their Three of Granadiers of the Earl of Oxfords Regiment of Horse Guards and the Lord Churchills Regiment of Dragoons The Foot were Two Batalions form'd from the Royal Regiment of Guards and their Granadiers One Batalion from the Coldstream Regiment of Guards and Granadiers One Batalion from the Earl of Dunbarton's Regiment and their Granadiers and One from the Admiral Regiment The total of Horse and Foot which then Rendavouz'd were above 4000 advantagiously Trained and well clad Men. All being that Day commanded by the Earl of Craven At which Review both their Majesties and Royal Highnesses were present with great satisfaction About this time His Majesty was pleas'd to Dissolve the Commission formerly granted in the year 1681 to certain Commissioners to dispose of Ecclesiastical Preferments belonging to the Crown So that the said Preferments are now again in His Majesties immediate disposal Sir William Prichard the late Loyal Lord Mayor of London having this Summer brought His Action upon the Case against Mr. Papillon for causing him to be Arested in the time of his Mayeralty without any legal cause of Action of which I made mention in the last year the cause was Tryed before my Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys by Nisi Prius at Guild-Hall on the 6th of Nov. And upon a full hearing of the Evidence the Jury found for the Plaintiff and gave him 10000 l. Damages Other matters of Publick Concern were transacted this Michaelmass Term. Several Factious persons were convicted and Sentenced for Speaking Scandalous and Sedicious Words of the Government In perparticular Elias Best commonly call'd the Protestant Hop-Merchant was fined 1000 l. to stand thrice in the Pillory and good Behaviour during Life Dalby and Nicholson two of Oates's Men for the like and one Mr. Butler of Northamptonshire convicted upon an Information for presenting and Reading to the Knights of the Shire chosen for that County at the last Election a Seditious Paper of Address to them from some factious persons for which he was fined 500 Marks and good behaviour during Life And to shew What matters are too frequently transacted in Conventicles one Thomas Roswell a Conventicle Preacher at Redriff was this Term Tryed and convicted of High Treason in speaking certain very foul and Treasonable Words on the 14th of September last in his Preachment at his said Conventicle but some questions arising in Relation to the form of his Indictment which being argued by Council on both sides the Court took time to advise of their Judgment till next Term and before that arrived the said Roswell obtained His Majesties Gracious Pardon But as if this was not sufficient to shew the ill Principles of the Dissenting Party about the same time news arrived at London of the most Barberous Act in Scotland that has been heard of in many Years Some desperate Rebells there had in the Night time affixed a most Villanous and Trayterous Paper on several Crosses and Church Doors in that Country and therein declared War against the King under the name of Charles Stuart and publisht their Resolutions to kill and destroy all those that serve and adhere to Him in pursuance whereof they came on the 19th of November at Night being about 36 Footmen and 16 Horsemen to an Inn called Swine-Abby 13 Miles from Edinborough and there Barberously Murder'd two Gentlemen of His Majesties Horse Guards in their Beds cutting and mangling their Bodies and carrying away with them several Pieces of their Flesh Also this Michaelmass Term on the 13th of November Titus Oates was in the Kings Bench Court indicted for Perjury in Relation to Ireland's being in London at that time the said Oates Swore to at his Tryal to which Indictment he pleading Not Guilty the Tryal was appointed to be next Term. After this at the Sessions in the Old Bayly December 12th he was again Indicted upon an other Indictment of Perjury in Relation to his being Present at the supposed Consult of the Jesuits at the White-Horse Tavern and upon Not Guilty pleaded this also was appointed to be Tryed in the Kings Bench. Court next Term And the Indictment was removed thither The Roads being this Winter extreamly infested with Robbers His Majesty was pleased on the 19th of December to Order in Council and declare His pleasure for redress That all His Officers of Justice and other His loving Subjects do use their utmost Diligence and Endeaver for the apprehending all Robbers and Highway Men And for the Encouragement of such as shall apprehend any such Offender it was further Order'd That such Person or Persons who shall at any time from the present till the 19th of December 1685 and after that day till His Majesty shall please to recall this Order either by Proclamation or His Order in Council apprehend any Robber or Highway Man and cause him to be brought into Custody shall within 15 days after his Conviction have a Reward of 10 l. for every such Offender so apprehended and Convicted And all Sheriffs of the Respective Counties where such Conviction shall be had are by the said Order
Jenner Sir Thomas 182 The five Jesuites Tryed and Executed 55 Ignoramus Juries 118 120 126 127 146 Jones Sir Thomas 90 182 Ireland Pickering and Groves 35 K. KIng Charles I. His Statue and Inscription 169 A Monument and Funeral Voted for Him 4 King Charles II. His Statue and Inscription 199 His Admirable Prudence and Conduct 208 L. LAnghorn Richard 55 Langhorn Junior 83 Landsdown Lord 191 Lauderdale Duke 14 Lewis Sir Simon 84 London Petition 97 Address to their Members 103 Loyal Address 116 Lord Mayor of London Arrested 165 The Act disown'd by the Common Council 167 Loyal Lieutenancy of London 116 Vid. Quo Warranto M. LOrd Mayor and Aldermen of London go to Windsor to Congratulate 57 Arested 165 Middlesex Grand Jurys 82 Loyal Address 130 Militia 33 Monmouth Duke 54 57 60 74 79 80 163 185 187 Moor Sir John the Loyal Lord Mayor of London 116 125 149 159 N. NEwmarket Fire 164 News Factious silenced 75 109 158 North Sir Francis 90 109 181 North Sir Dudly 148 Norwich Loyal Address 115 O. OSsery Earl 86 Otes Titus 33 124 198 203 204 Oxford the King and Queen receiv'd there 105 Parliament there 105 Vniversity condemn 27 Propositions Seditious and impious 178 P. PArliament The long one Dissolved 37 Another call'd at Westminster 40. Dissolved 56. Another call'd at Westminster 58. Sit. 87. Dissolved 98. Another call'd and sit at Oxford 105. Dissolved 108 Papists Banisht 10 Miles from London and Westminster 29 32 Not to remove above five Miles from their homes 31. Excluded from sitting in Parliament 32 33 Payton Sir Robert 59 77 Papillon Thomas 85 165 202 Pemberton Sir Francis 109 159 182 Pepys Samuel 55 Peter Lord 187 Petitioning in an illegal manner 61 62 69 Pilkinton Thomas 125 158 Plot business its beginning 26 Plunket Oliver 116 118 119 Pope burning 59 157 Popish Lords Committed 28 Impeacht 35 45 47. Bail'd 194 Powis Countess 59 75 77 Prance Miles 38 Pritchard Sir William 156 165 167 182 202 Privy Council 45 Proclamations for a Fast 28 43. Against Papists 29 31 32. Against illegal Petitions 62. For Discovery 88. Against Highway-men 70 205. Against Duels 70 Against News Pamphlets 75. For Apprehension of Conspirators 174. Of Neutrality 196 Pretections of the Commons discharg'd 8 Q. QAarrel in the House of Commons 32 Quo Warranto London 146 170 171 172 181 R. RAces of English Horses in France 163 Reading Nathaniel 46 Rebellion in Scotland 54 204 Review of the Land Forces 201 Rich Peter 154 Riots 107 157 166 184 Roswel Thomas 203 Rouse John 119 126 176 177 Rupert Prince Palatine Dies 159 Russel Lord 176 177 S. SAunders Sir Edmund 159 182 Sawyer Sir Robert 11 12 Scaffolds in Westminster-Hall removed 169 Scotland Rebellion there 54 204 Loyal Parliament there 121 Their Acts 123 128 Bishops there write to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 141 Scrogs Sir William 21 58 64 90 Seymer Speaker 43 90 Shaftsbury Earl 8 93 119 127 128 144 161 Shandois Lord 73 Sheriffs of London Committed to the Tower 149 Bail'd Ibid. Shute Samuel 125 Sidney Algernoon 185 Smith Aaron 183 Smith Francis 109 Staley William 34 Stafford Vicount 76 91 92 Statue of King Charles 1. 169 Of King Charles 2. 208 Symonds Sir James 83 T. TAngier 78 87 93 94 191 Tasburgh Richard 76 Thanksgiving Meeting Prohibited 142 Appointed for the Discovery of the Conspiracy 179 181 Thinne Thomas 135 136 Titchburn Sir Henry 77 Trade with France Prohibited 10 Treby Sir George 176 182 Tulse Sir Henry 184 Tumult at Edinburgh 142 at Dublin 144 V. VIenna Siege and Relief 190 Votes Printed 90 W. WAkeman Sir George 27 56 Walcot Hone and Rouse 176 War with France promoted by the House of Commons 5 7 9 10 12 Ward Sir Patience 167 Weston Sir Richard 90 Whitfield Thomas 69 Williamson Sir Joseph Secretary of State 31 32 39 Wilmore John 145 156 Withens Sir Francis 72 88 Wi. Williams Speaker 88 107 Y. YOrk the Most Illustrious Duke 30 39 40 49 57 58 60 66 68 87 93 94 95 96 132 137 139 140 141 143 146 174 198 200 201. Some Books Printed for Sam. Lowndes over against Exeter-Exchange 1. AN Introduction to the Old English History Written by Robert Brady M. D. Folio 2. A general Chronological History of France beginning before the Reign of King Pharamond and ending with the Reign of King Henry the Fourth by the Sieur de Mezeray Fol. 3. Parthanissa that most Fam'd Romance the six Volumes Compleat by the Right Honourable the Earl of Ossory Fol. 4. Clelia an excellent New Romance the whole Work in five Parts Fol. 5. The Compleat Horseman and expert Farrier Written by Thomas de Grey the 5th Edition 6. Saducismus Triumphatus or a full and plain Evidence concerning Witches and Apparitions by Joseph Glanvil Chaplain in Ordinary to his late Majesty with some Additions by Dr. Moor and Dr. Horneck the 2d Edition 7. Two choice and useful Treatises the one Lux Orientalis Written by Mr. Glanvil the other A Discourse of Truth by the Reverend Dr. Rust Lord Bishop of Bromer in Ireland with Annotations on them both by Dr. More 8. The Great Law of Consideration Written by Dr. Horneck the 4th Edition 9. Papismus Regiae potestatis eversor Reverendus admodum Episcopus Lincoln Anglicè Scripsit 10. An Anatomick-Chirurgical Treatise of Glandules and Strumaes or Kings-Evil-Swellings c. by John Brown one of His Majesties Chyrurgions 11. Paul Festeaus French and English Grammer being the Newest and exactest Method now extant for the attaining to the Elegancy and Purity of the French Tongue the Fifth Edition 12. Claudius Maugers Letters in French and English the Second Edition with Additions 13. The Mirror of Fortune or the True Characters of Fate and Destiny 14. The Situation of Paradise found out being an History of a late Pilgrimage unto the Holy-Land 15. Credulity and Incredulity in things Divine and Spiritual by Morick Causabon D. D. Prebendary of Canterbury 16. The French Rogue being a pleasant History of his Life and Fortune 17. Cicero against Cataline in four Invective Orations Englished by Christopher Wase 18. China and France in Two Parts 19. The Fire of the Altar by Dr. Horneck the 2d Edition 20. Cambridge Jests or Witty Alarms for Melancholy Spirits the 2d Edition 21. Idea Eloquentiae Authore Joanne de Kerhuel S. E. M. An Advertisement THere is now in the Press and will be Published the next Term these two Books viz. A Compleat History of England c. in Folio Written by Dr. Brady The Crucified Jesus c. Written by Dr. Anthony Horneck