Majesty was likewise pleased to mind them of Ireland and to let them know that in his opinion 20000 men would be required to render the reducing it short and easie as likewise setting out a Fleet which in conjunction with that of Holland might be so entirely Master of the Seas that nothing might be sent from France to Ireland or elsewhere that might give a disturbance to us or our Allies farther recommending to their consideration the settlement of the Revenues that they might be collected without dispute promising that whatever should be given in order to publick ends should be strictly applyed to them with many other Gracious expressions concluding that as they so freely offered to hazard all that is dear to them so he would as freely expose his Life for the Support of the Protestant Religion and the Honour and Safety of the Nation And now the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common Council assembled as a grateful Acknowledgment to the Lords and Commons for their excellent Conduction in Affairs and especially their resolution to assist and stand by his Majesty in supporting his Allies abroad in reducing Ireland in defence of the Protestant Religion and Laws of the Kingdom drew up two humble Addresses of Thanks one to the Lords and the other to the Commons which were presented and very kindly received the first of these was presented by the Recorder and the last by the Sheriffs of the Honourable City who were dismissed with expressions of high Esteem c. For the said City an Address of Thanks was likewise presented to his Majesty by the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council upon his most condescending and unparallell'd Goodness in the Message he was pleased to send to the two Houses in relation to the Duty of Hearth-mony promising as bound in duty and great obligations to be ready to serve and assist his Majesty as far as they were able in the support of his Crown and Dignity and for the maintaining the Protestant Religion and Laws of the Land and the speedy relief of the distressed Protestants in Ireland c. About this time we had News that the greatest part of the Regiment of Foot late commanded by the Lord Dumbarton and some Companies of Fuziliers made a Mutiny near Ipswych and seized on the Money sent down to pay them with four Field-pieces and refusing to obey the King's Orders marched away doing great damage and bringing a greater terrour upon the Country people proclaiming King James c. whereupon both houses Addressed his Majesty that he would be pleased to take such effectual Course as in his Princely Wisdom should be thought fit for the suppressing and bringing them to Justice and that in the mean time he would issue out his Royal Proclamation declaring them and their Adherents to be Rebels and Traitors requiring all good Subjects to apprehend subdue and prosecute them c. To which His Majesty was pleased to answer That he thanked both Houses for their Address and that he had sent a Force of Horse and Dragoons sufficient to suppress them and that he would issue out a Proclamation as was desired On the 16th of March His Majesty went by water to the House of Lords attended with the usual Solemnity and being in his Royal Robes seated on the Throne and the Commons sent for up His Majesty gave the Royal Assent to an Act impowering him to apprehend such Persons as he should find just cause to suspect are conspiring against the Government and to an Act for annulling and making void the Attainder of William Russel Esquire commonly called Lord Russel and then in a gracious Speech amongst other things recommended to them the settling the Oaths to be taken by all persons to be admitted to places of Trust so that Papists might be excluded and room left for all Protestants that are willing to serve the better to strengthen us against the common Adversaries and the same day a Proclamation was signed by His Majesty declaring those mutinous Officers and Soldiers together with their Adherents Rebels and Traitors c. commanding all good Subjects to apprehend subdue and prosecute them as such To shew this was no general defection of the Soldiers but rather these few drawn into so great a folly and over-sight by sinister means the same day an Address was humbly presented to His Majesty signed by the Officers superiour and subordinate with the unanimous Subscriptions of the private Soldiers of the Regiment of Foot under the conduct of the Right Honourable the Lord Mordant expressing therein their unfeigned Loyalty willing Obedience and ready Zeal to serve his Majesty in all places and on all occasions Nor was it long e'er those in Rebellion were brought under for on the 19th of March the Regiments of Horse commanded by Sir John Lanier and Collonel Langston having joined the Dutch Troups of Horse and Dragoons under the command of Lieutenant General Ginkell and being informed that the Rebels were marching towards Seaford they advanced in good Order the Dragoons making the left Wing the Rebels no sooner perceived the Troups but they drew up in Batalia planting their four Field-pieces to the best advantage having on one side a great Hedge and on the other considerable Waters which obliged the Dragoons to swim but perceiving the Resolution of the King's Troups to reduce them to their Obedience they beat a Parly and laying down their Arms surrendred upon discretion so that there were taken the four Field-pieces and twenty Officers and five hundred Soldiers were made Prisoners and sent up to London under a Guard of Horse and there secured in divers Prisons whilst another party of Horse continued to search after such as had dispersed some of which were afterward taken and secured in divers Prisons Sir John Chapman Lord Mayor of the City of London dying on the of March the worthy Thomas Pilkington Esq since being Knighted elected Lord Mayor of that City for the remaining part of this Year was on the 22d presented to the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal and afterwards sworn at the Hustings according to Custome and at five in the Afternoon was sworn without the Tower Gate by the Right Honourable the Lord Lucas chief Governour of the Tower in pursuance of their Majesties Writ to him directed and of the antient usage at such a time as the Exchequer Court is not holden at Westminster Having before made mention of the intended Convention in Scotland and now the time appointed for its sitting being come it will not seem foreign to this History to insert some remarkable passages and Transactions relating to it and the Affairs of that Kingdom On the 14th of March in obedience to the King of England's Letter the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons assembled at Edinburgh in one House as the Custome is and chose Duke Hamilton their President and considering the Duke of Gourdon a Roman Catholick held the Castle whose Cannon
E. of Oxford E. of Shrewsbury his Majesties Principal Secretary of State. E. of Bedford E. of Bath E of Macelesfield E. of Nottingham principal Secret. of State. E. of Fauconberg E. of Monmouth Lord Mordant E. of Montague E. of Marlborough Lord Churchill E. of Portland Mr. Bertinck Groom of the Stole to his Majesty Visc Newport Treasurer of his Majesties Houshold Visc Lumley Visc Sidney Ld. Bishop of London Ld Wharton Ld. Delamere Sir Robert Howard Kt. Sir Henry Capell Kt. Sir John Lowther Barronet Vice-Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold Mr. H. Powle Speaker of the H. of Commons Mr. Edward Russell Mr. Richard Hambden Mr. Hugh Boscawen Thomas Wharton Esq Comptroller of his Majesties Houshold William Harbord Esq Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal Sir John Maynard Kt. Sir Anthony Kecke Kt. Sir William Rawlinson Kt. Commissioners for the Office of Lord High Admiral Arthur Herbwert Esq Earl of Carbery Sir Michael Wharton Bar. Sir Thomas Lee Bar. Sir John Chichely Kt. Sir. John Lowther of White-haven Bar. William Sacherverill Esq Lords of the Treasury Earl of Monmouth Lord Delamere Lord Godolphin Sir Henry Capel Kt. Richard Hampden Esq New Knights of the Garters Duke Frederick Mareschal de Scomberg General of his Majesties Forces and Master-General of the Ordnance Earl of Devonshire Duke of Ormond New Bishops Dr. Burnet Bishop of Salisbury Dr. Trewlawny B. of Exet. Ld. Lovelace Captain of the Band of Gentlemen-Pensioners Ld. Lucas Chief Governour of the Tower of London Ld. Willoughby of Eresby Chancellour of the Dutchy of Lancaster Sir Henry Pollixfen Kt. Attorney-General Sir George Treby Kt. Solicitor-General Clerks of the Privy-Council Sir John Nicholas Kt. of the Bath William Blaithwayt Esq Charles Montague Esq Richard Colling Esq Commissioners for the Customs Hon. George Booth Esq Sir Richard Temple Bar. and Kt. of the Bath Sir John Worden Bar. Sir Robert Southwell Bar. Sir Robert Clayton Kt. Sir Patient Ward Thomas Pelham Esq Commissioners for the Excise Sir Henry Fane Kt. Sir Henry Ashurst Kt. Sir Humphrey Edwin Kt. Thomas Frankland Esq Francis Parry Esq John Danvers Esq John Wilcox Jun. Esq The Lords Lieutenants appointed by his Majesty Bedford E. of Bedford Berks D. of Norfolk Bucks E. of Bridgw Cambr. E. of Bedford Chesh Ld. Delamere Cornw. E. of Bath Cumb. E. of Carlysle Derby E. of Devon. Devon E. of Bath Dorset E. of Bristol Essex E. of Oxford Glouc. E. of Matclesfied Heref. E. of Matclesfield Hertf. E. of Shrewsbury during the Minority of the E. of Essex Hunt. E. of Manchester Kent E. of Winchester Lanc. E. of Derby Leic. E. of Rutland Linc. E. of Lindsey Midds E. of Clare Monm E. of Macclesf Norf. D. of Norfolk Northum Ld. V. Lumly Northamp E. of Monm Nott. E. of Kingston Oxon E. of Abingdon Salop Ld. Visc Newp Som. L. Vis Fitz-harding Southamp D. of Bolton Stafford Ld. Paget Suffolk Ld. Cornwallis Surrey D. of Norfolk Sus E. of Dors Midd. Warw. E. of Northampt. Worcester E. of Shrewsb Westm Sir. J. Lowther Wilts E. of Pembroke York East R.E. of Kings North. R.E. Falconb West Rid. E. of Danby S.N. Wales E. of Maccl A List of the Chaplains to be waiting on their Majesties March. DR Horneck Dr. Bright Mr. Kidder Dr. Fowler April Dr. Tillotson Dr. Stillingfleet Dr. Stratford Mr. Young. May. Mr. Brograve Dr. Scott Dr. Alderidge Mr. Wake June Dr. Fuller Dr. Grove Dr. Ironside Dr. Baily July Dr. Hescard Dr. Megott Dr. Tennison Mr. Bramson August Dr. Belk Dr. Hough Mr. Wiggan Mr. Williams September Dr. Sharp Dr. Craddocke Dr. Edwards M. Staino October Dr. Goodman Dr. Beveridge Dr. Freeman Dr. Turner November Dr. Jane Dr. Smith Dr. Hall. Dr. Doughty December Dr. Patrick Mr. Pelling Dr. Horden Mr. Blagrave January Mr. Lamb. Mr. Manningham Dr. Hooper Dr. Mills February Mr. Fielding Dr. Onely Dr. Brabant Dr. Mountague Officers newly made to the Queens Majesty EArl of Wiltshire Ld. Chamberlain Ld. Coot Treasurer Abel Tassind ' Allone Esq Principal Secretary and Master of Requests Countess of Derby Groom of the Stole FINIS
Proceedings are printed at large and not greatly to our purpose but to them I therefore refer the more inquisitive Reader The Prince continuing still in the City of Exeter gave necessary Orders for the Settlement of the Revenue of those Parts arising by Excise and other Duties where the King's Officers were at that time remiss in their Attendence some of them being Roman Catholicks and fled he appointed the Lord Wiltshire Mr. Herbert and Mr. Row Commissioners for the more prudent Management and sent out Parties to purchase Horses for their Service His Highness recreating himself at times by taking a view of the Country but his Army almost hourly increasing he commanded detached Parties to advance and possess themselves of convenient Posts and in the mean time we had News that the Lord Delamere came to Manchester with a strong Party and there declared for His Highness the Prince of Orange and made a Speech to his Tenents and others desiring them to meet him the next day at Bodon Downs the intended Place of Rendezvouz where accordingly he found a great appearance who willingly submitted themselves to be disposed under his Command But the Lord Lovelace being on his way to join with the Prince with a Party of Horse was surprized in his Inn at Cirencester by the Militia and after a stout resistence in which the Major that commanded together with his Son and some others were killed his Lordship was taken Prisoner and afterward carried to Gloucester but was there rescued by a Party of the Prince's Horse The King upon notice that his Highness the Prince of Orange had left Exeter and was advancing with his own and the additional Forces that were come in caused the Train of Artillery to be drawn out of the Tower being before prepared on Carriages fit to March and passing towards Salisbury he prepared his Equipage to be at the Head of his Army which was ordered to draw together about Salisbury and accordingly setting out from White-Hall with no great Attendence he arrived there the 19th of November about Four in the Evening and was met by the Duke of Berwick the Earl of Feversbam and other Commanders on Horse-back a Mile from the Gates of the City where he was attended by the Mayor and Aldermen in their Formalities to the Bishop's Palace appointed for his Lodgings and there perceiving an almost general falling off of the Nobility and Gentry as well as the Forces under his Pay and that divers Lords were up in the North he issued out a Proclamation bearing Date the 20th of November offering a Pardon to all his Subjects that had taken up Arms under the Prince if they returned in Twenty Days and rendered themselves to the Officers Military and Civil c. Whilst these things happened a Party of the Prince's Men being abroad and advancing beyond their Strengths were pursued and charged by Coll. Sarsfield with 70 Horse and 30 Dragoons and Granadiers and overtaking them at Wincanton they posted themselves behind the Hedges upon which the Dragoons and Granadiers were obliged to dismount and march up to the Hedges so that they began to Fire very briskly on both sides and several were killed and wounded but Collonel Sarsfield getting into the Field with his Horse and Charging them in the Rear they were most of them killed and taken Prisoners Amongst the Slain was one Cambell a Lieutenant who commanded them and on the King's Party four were killed and Cornet Web mortally wounded This slender Success was clouded upon Notice that the Earl of Bath had Seized upon Plymouth and made the Earl of Huntington the Governour thereof Prisoner the whole Garison declaring for His Highness upon reading his Declarations the Fleet likewise began to grow cold and many of the Commanders began to declare for the Prince so that the King not thinking it convenient to hazard a Battel with an Army he could no ways ensure to his Interest upon the near Approaches of the Prince's Forces with whom were now a great part of the Nobility he hastily left Salisbury drawing off those Forces he had there and remanding the Train of Artillery returned to White-Hall where he arrived on the 26th of November in the Evening and appointed Collonel Beville Skelton Lieutenant of the Tower in in the Place of Sir Edward Hales and according to what had been desired by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in their Petition gave Order to the Lord Chancellour for Issuing out Writs for the Summoning a Parliament to sit the 15th day of the ensuing January and Commissioners were nominated to treat with the Prince A Proclamation was likewise publish'd to give timely notice to those that were Electors or would stand for Candidates The Bishop of Exeter was likewise nominated Lord Arch-Bishop of the long vacant See of York and did Homage to the King the day after the Ceremonies of his Translation from the See of Exeter to the Archiepiscopal See of York which were performed at Lambeth by his Grace the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury assisted by the Bishops of St. Asaph Ely Rochester and Peterborough Whilst these things were doing News came that the Lords in the North had seized upon York and made the Governour Prisoner declaring for the Prince of Orange and disarming all Papists of note their Number and Power daily increasing so that the Lord Mollenax who was up with a party for the King in those Parts found himself in no condition to make any head but soon after was deserted by most of his Followers and the strong Garison of Hull was secured to the Interest of His Highness by the Deputy Governour and by the Assistence of the Soldiers of his Party the Towns-men and some Sea-men that were in the Port the securing it according to the Relation being on this manner On the 3d. of December about 9 of the Clock the Guards being set and the Tat-too over the Deputy-Governour as it was his place was preparing to go the Rounds but the Lord Langdale the Governour told him he had appointed the Lord Montgomery and Major Fountain to supply that Duty for the Night whereupon some Words passing the Deputy Governour made his Party and drawing up the Soldiers in Battalia siezed the Guards and made the Lord Langdale the Lord Montgomery and others Prisoners and at break of day a Party was sent over the Bridge to seize the Castle and Block-Houses with the new Citadel so that the Inhabitants and Sea-men concurring with the Soldiers that strong Place was entirely secured and the Mass-House demolished with great joy and ringing of Bells and the Prince's Colours were placed upon the high Church the Papists that had come thither for shelter were turned out and the Governour dismissed and guarded a part of the way to his House to prevent the danger that threatened him from the Mobile who began to be very insolent Divers other places declared likewise for the Prince and the Duke of Beaufort who had Commanded the County Militia perceiving
Intentions for the publick Good we shall he ready to doe it as Occasion shall require This was signed by the two Arch-Bishops five Bishops and Twenty two Noblemen and it was there concluded that the Earl of Pembroke the Lord Viscount Weymouth the Lord Bishop of Ely and the Lord Culpepper should forthwith attend his Highness the Prince of Orange with the said Declaration and at the same time acquaint him with what was farther done at that Meeting The Lords having left the Guild Hall the Lord Mayor Court of Aldermen and the Common Council assembled and amongst other Matters it was agreed by Vote that an Humble Address should in their Names and on the behalf of the City be presented to His Highness the Prince of Orange In haec verba May it please your Highness WE taking into Consideration Your Highness's fervent Zeal for the Protestant Religion manifested to the World in your many and hazardous Enterprises which it hath pleased Almighty God to bless you with miraculous success we render our deepest thanks to the Divine Majesty for the same and beg leave to present our humble thanks to your Highness particularly for your appearing in Arms in this Kingdom to carry on and perfect your glorious Design to rescue England Scotland and Ireland from Popery and Slavery and in a Free Parliament to establish the Religion the Laws and Liberties of these Kingdoms upon a sure and lasting Foundation We have hitherto lookt for some Remedy for those Oppressions and imminent Dangers we together with our Protestant Fellow Subjects labour under from His Majesties Concessions and Concurrences with your Highness's just and pious purposes expressed in your Gracious Declaration But herein finding our selves finally disappointed by His Majesties with-drawing himself we presume to make your Highness our Refuge and do in the Name of the Capital City implore your Highness's Protection and most humbly beseech your Highness to vouchsafe to repair to this City where your Highness will be received with universal Joy and Satisfaction This Address being highly approved by all present Four Aldermen and Eight Commoners were appointed to wait upon his Highness and present him with the said Address and accordingly it was presented and very favourably received And the Lieutenancy of the City of London being the same day assembled drew up an Address to be presented to his Highness on the behalf of themselves the Militia c. which being to the same Effect with the former we think it needless to insert This Address was delivered by four of the Members of the Lieutenancy and very kindly received by his Highness By this time the Earl of Feversham then commanding the King's Forces having received His Majesties Letter by which he understood he had withdrawn himself and wherein he received such Orders as the King thought necessary to leave he sent to acquaint his His Highness the Prince of Orange with what had happened in the following Letter SIR HAving received this Morning a Letter from His Majesty with the unfortunate News of his Resolution to go out of England and that he is actually gone I thought my self obliged being at the Head of his Army having received his Majesties Orders to make no opposition against any Body to let your Highness know with the Advice of the Officers here so soon as it was possible to hinder the Misfortune of Effusion of Bloud I have ordered already to that purpose all the Troups that are under my Command which shall be the last Order they shall receive from me c. This Order caused the Troups to fall off and disband as well because they knew themselves without a Head as not knowing how to come by their Pay if they continued in the Service and indeed many of the Foot Soldiers were driven to great extremity being by this Disbanding destitute of Moneys Lodging and other neccessaries and had for a while nothing to subsist but the Charity of the People And although the Irish Battalion seemed for a time obstinate to continue in Arms yet the Commands they received from His Highness the Prince of Orange and the necessity that they felt constrained them to submit This Dispersing of the Solders made his Highness publish a Declaration requiring all Commanders in chief by Beat of Drum or otherwise to call together the several Officers and Soldiers belonging to their respective Regiments Troups and Companies in such places as they should find most convenient for their Rendezvouz and there to keep them in good Order and Discipline And likewise directing and requiring all such Officers and Soldiers forthwith to repair to such places as shall be appointed for that purpose by the respective Collonels or Commanders in chief Whilst these things passed in the Army the multitude got together in divers places spoiling and demolishing the Popish Mass-Houses and Chapels much defacing the Dwelling Houses of several Eminent Papists who were fled for fear of being secured and though the Magistrates laboured to quiet the Tumults and Disorders of this kind yet they found their Authority too feeble till the Mobile had spent their rage in London c. They pull'd down the Convent of Monks in St. John's which had been two Years Building at a vast Expence and Burnt the greatest part of the Timber and Materials in Smithfield having before siezed some of the Goods as they were removing them and burnt them in Holborn They likewise defaced and demolished the Chapels in Lime-strect and Lincolns-Inn Fields with that of the Spanish Ambassadour's at Wild-house where violently breaking into his Excellency's Lodgings they got great store of Plunder in Plate Money and riâ—… Goods c. And in like manner they served the Lodgings of the Resident of Florence in St. James's Hay-Market and offered divers Affronts and Abuses to other Houses gathering in such Numbers from all parts that it is almost incredible insomuch that neither the Watches nor Trained-Bands thought it safe to oppose the Torrent but the next day it was pretty well allayed and then search was made in divers places for such as were fled from Justice and amongst others to the no small wonder of the People the Lord Chancellour Jeffries was taken at a blind House in Hope and Anchor Alley in Wapping disguised like a Sailer and endeavouring to make his escape in a Vessel that lay by the Key for Hamborough and being brought before the Lord Mayor who by reason of an Indisposition that then siezed him not being capable of examining the Matter he was contented to go the Tower to preserve himself from the rage of the Rabble that loudly threatened him with Destruction and being guarded thither with a Detachment of the Trained-Bands was received by the Lieutenant of the Tower to whom upon Notice the Lords at White-Hall sent a Warrant of Commitment to keep the Body of George Lord Jefferies Baron of Wem in safe Custody c. On the 4th of December His Highness the Prince of Orange came to Windsor about
there was remarkable between the King 's first with-drawing himself and his return which considering people are apt to conclude might be designed for a general Notice for the Papists to have risen in Arms and fell upon the Protestants in their Houses had not his Highness's Prudent Conduct broken their Measures and rendred their Purpose insignificant and that was a general Allarm given in the dead of the Night at almost one and the same time in the most considerable Cities and Towns in England upon pretence the Irish were killing burning and destroying all before them which appeared to be carried on industriously by persons set on purpose to spread that false Allarm or it could not other ways have been done in so many distant places at once which put people into a great Hurry and Consternation till day appeared and convinced them of the Fallacy so that whatever was intended God prevented its taking effect And now the satisfaction of the longing People drew near for on the day the King left White-Hall His Highness the Prince of Orange with a very splendid Equipage entered the Town about three in the Afternoon and came to he Palace of St. James's where he received the Complements of all the Nobility and other persons of the chiefest Quality in Town and at Night the Streets were enlightened with Bonfires the Bells every where ringing and all places filled with a large demonstration of unfeigned Joy so that the Face of things were visibly changed insomuch that even the Rabble that a little before â—ould know no Order were now calm â—nd in a thorow quiet Upon the Arrival of His Highness the Common Council of the City of London assembled and unanimously agreed and ordered That all the Aldermen of that City and their Deputies with two Common Council Men for each Ward should wait upon and congratulate His Highness upon his happy Arrival at such a time and place as his Highness should appoint and that the two Sheriffs and Mr. Common Serjeant should wait upon him to know his pleasure when he would be attended by that Committee and accordingly the next day they attended His Highness at St. James's and on the 20th the Lord Mayor being indisposed the Aldermen and their respective Deputies with some of the Common Council-men of each Ward waited on the Prince to congratulate him on his happy Arrival which was performed by Sir George Treby in a Florid Speech The High Sheriff Nobility and Gentry of the County of Cambridge about this time drew up and signed an Address to his Highness wherein they not only beg his Protection and implore his aid to restore these Kingdoms from Popery and Slavery but also assure his Highness that they will contribute their utmost endeavours in perfecting so Glorious a Work and return his Highness their unfeigned thanks for the Progress he has made already with great Cost Labour and Hazard both by Sea and Land c. which was presented to his Highness and received with particular marks of his Favour And now the King's Forces that were disbanded not having any certain Stations or places of gathering Quarters were appointed the respective Troups and Regiments whither the Officers and Soldiers were commanded forth-with to repair and seeing many had embezzled their Arms and Order was put forth signed by his Highness commanding those that had them in custody to re-deliver them to the Soldiers the Officers of the Ordinance or common Stores of the Tower c. Whilst these things happened the King after several days continuance at Rochester withdrew himself with a slender Train about twelve of the Clock in the Night on the 22d of December making a back way with great secrecy and caution to the Sea-Port where he embarked and was afterward known to be landed in France and favourably received by the French King having left a Paper behind him given out to contain his Reasons for withdrawing himself And Portsmouth that held out with some Obstinacy under the Duke of Barwick and Sir Edward Scot Deputy Governour submitted and received a Garison sent thither by the Prince's Order On the Twenty Fifth of December the Lords Spiritual and Temporal assembled at the House of Lords at Westminster humbly proposed and requested of his Highness To take upon him the Administration of publick Affairs both Civil and Military and the Disposal of the Publick Revenue for the Preservation of the Protestant Religion Rights Laws Liberties and Properties and of the Peace of the Nation and that he would take into his particular Care the present Condition of Ireland and endeavour by the most speedy and effectual means to prevent the danger threatening that Kingdom all which they requested his Highness to undertake and exercise till the meeting of the intended Convention 22d of January c. At the same time this great and honourable Assembly made their request to his Highness desiring him that he would cause his Letters to be Written subscribed by himself to be sent to the Lords Spiritual and Temporal being Protestants and for Election to the several Counties Universities Cities Boroughs and Cinque Ports of England Wales and Town of Berwick upon Tweed for Electing Persons fitly qualified so that being duly chosen for Knights of the Shire and Burgesses they might meet and sit at Westminster the Twenty Second of January ensuing And these were signed by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal then assembled On the 26th divers of the Members of Parliament in the Reign of the late King Charles II. and the Aldermen and Common Council of the City of London pursuant to his Highness the Prince of Orange's Desire met at St. James's to whom his Highness made a gracious Speech in the following words YOV Gentlemen that have been Members of the late Parliaments I have desired you to meet me here to advise the best manner how to pursue the Ends of my Declaration in calling a free Parliament for the preservation of the Protestant Religion the restoring of the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdom and settling the same that they may not be in danger of being again subverted And you the Aldermen and Members the Common Council of the City of London I desire the same of you and in regard your numbers are like to be great you may if you think fit divided your selves and sit in several places Upon which they immediately agreed to go to the Commons House at Westminster where being sate they chose Henry Powle Esq their Chair-man and upon Debate they resolved upon Heads for an Address to be made to his Highness and appointed Persons to draw up and prepare the same and in the Afternoon it was done accordingly read and approv'd and his Highness having appointed to receive it the next day he was attended by them and the Address read by Mr. Powle much to the same effect as what had been before proposed by the Lord viz. Returning his Highness their hearty and unfeigned Thanks and expressing their extraordinary