their Majesties Fleet and the Parliament went chearfully on in giving their Majesties Supplies for the carrying on the War and amongst other Acts his Majesty gave the Royal Assent to an Act for doubling the Excise upon Beer Ale and other Liquors during the space of one Year and afterward was pleased to make the following Speech to both Houses My Lords and Gentlemen I Take this occasion with great Willingness to assure you I am extreamly sensible of the Zeal and Chearfulness of Your Proceedings in this Session of Parliament and of the Readiness your Gentlemen of the House of Commons have shewed in Granting such large Supplies towards the pressing occasions of the Navy and Army And I do farther assure You that I shall not be wanting on my part to see them carefully Applied to the Vses for which You intend them At the same time I must observe to You that the posture of Affairs abroad does necessarily require my Presence at the Hague before the end of this Year and by Consequence I must desire you to lose no time in the dispatching and perfecting such further Supplies as are still necessary for the Navy and Army and not for them only but it is high time also to put you in mind of making some Provision for the civil Expence of the Government which has no Funds for its Support since the Excise which was designed for that Service and also other Branches of the Revenue have been applyed to other publick Vses and therefore I must earnestly recommend it to Your speedy Consideration The Parliament was not slow in fulfilling his Majesties Requests but proceeded with such indefatigable Care Zeal and Industry that they soon let our Enemies see they were resolved to go Couragiously thorough with all they had undertaken His Majesty who ever made it his Business to Honour and Recompence those that had well deserved it about this time was pleased to confer a Mark of his Royal Favour upon Collonel Cutts in creating him a Baron of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Style and Title of Baron Cuits of Gowran in that Kingdom And accordingly his Majesty dispenced his Favours to such as merited them without respect to Degree or Person Scotland at this time appeared in a very good Settlement and the Affairs of that Kingdom disposed to their Majesties Interest insomuch that it was not doubted but every thing would redound to a Peace and Settlement the Rebells being every where routed or forced to a Complyance and those that stood out were to extream Necessities those that were supposed to be dangerous being every where seized so that any Design is rendred thereby invalid In Ireland his Majesty appointed the Lords of his Privy-Council as followeth viz. The Lord Primate of Ireland the lord Chancellor for the time being the High Treasurer for the time being the Archbishop of Dublin for the time being James Duke of Ormond Edward Earl of Meath Henry Earl of Drogheda Francis Earl of Longford Richard Earl of Ranelagh Arthur Earl of Granard Adam Viscount Lisburn The Bishop of Meath for the time being Robert Fitz Gerrard Esq the Vice-Treasurer for the time being the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the time being the Chief Justice of the King's-Bench for the time being the Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas for the time being the Chief Baron of the Exchequer for the time being the Master of the Rolls for the time being the Principal Secretary of State for the time being the Master of the Ordnance for the time being Sir Henry Fane William Hill Esquires The Judges that are appointed were these For the Kings-Bench Sir Richard Raynell Chief Justice Mr. Justice Lyâ—don Sir Richard Stephens one of the Justices For the Common Pleas Mr Justice Cox Mr. Justice Jeffordson For the Exchequer Lord Chief Baron Hely Mr. Baron Echlin Sir Standiâ— Harstrong one of the Barons and 〈◊〉 this manner the Judicature being settled by his Majesty's indefatigable Care and Prudence there little of doubt Remains but these Gentlemen supported by the Military Forces will by their Conduct put that Kingdom into good Order and divers of the Bishopricks being vacant in Ireland his Majesty was pleased to dispose of them in this manner viz. Dr. Marsh Bishop of Ferus to be Archbishop of Cashel Dr. Tenison Bishop of Killala to be Bishop of Cloglier Dr. Digby Bishop of Limerick to be Bishop 〈◊〉 Elphin Dr. William King to be Bishâ—â— of London-Derry Dr. Vigors Dean 〈◊〉 Armagh to be Bishop of Ferus Dr. Wilson Dean of Rapho to be Bishop of Limerick Dr. Fitzgerald Dean of Cloim to be Bishop of Colnfort Dr. Lloyd Dean of Achonry to be Bishop of Killala About this time their Majesties ships Grusing in the Soundings under the Command of Sir Clousley Shovel discovered a French man of War of 18 Guns and 10 Pattereroes to which the Crown and Debtford gave Chace and the Crown being got up with her after they had exchanged some Guns laid her on Board and took her the French Captain and his Lieutenant were wounded and the Master with divers men killed and several other French ships within a short time after were brought in by the English and Dutch and the Lord Sydney and Sir John Trevor Speaker of the House of Commons were sworn to be of his Majesties Privy Council The Earl of Torrington having continued a Prisoner in the Tower and their Majesties having declared the Commissioners of the Admiralty invested with all the Power Priviledge and Authority which formerly the Admirals of England were wont to enjoy and which had been Granted them by former Parliaments he had notice of his Tryal though he had desired he might be tryed in Parliament and had been carried up to the Bar of the House of Commons where amongst other things he set forth that the French had 82 men of War and the English and Hollanders not above 56 that in several Debates in several Councils of War between the English and Dutch Officers it was concluded That the Enemy was too strong to be attacked and that it would be sufficient to attend their Motion and hinder them from Landing that the Hollanders had not above 10 Ships that were able to Fight that they were beaten because they did not keep their Line but suffered themselves to be surrounded by the Enemy that after all this they would make him bear the blame of their ill Conduct that the Secretary of State did not rightly inform him of the Condition of the Enemies Fleet that they might see by the Letter written to him by the Secretary of which he produced a Copy and by the Queens Orders which Commanded him to Fight the Enemy that he had not exposed the Honour of the Nation with a Fleet much inferiour to the Enemies but in obedience to the Orders sent him then he was asked why he did not Second the Dutch when he saw they fought so well to which not giving such a Satisfactory Answer as was expected the cause
in me which I take very kindly and shall endeavour by all my Actions to confirm you in it I assure you That my own Ambition shall never be an Argument to incline me to ingage in a War that may expose the Nation either to Danger or Expence but in the present Case I look upon the War so much already declared in effect with France against England that it is not so much an Act of Choice as an inevitable Necessity in Our own defence I shall only tell you That as I have ventured my Life and all that is dear to me to rescue this Nation from what is suffered I am ready still to do the same in order to the preserving it from all its Enemies and as I do not doubt of such an Assistance from you as shall be sutable to your Advice to me to declare War against a powerful Enemy so you may rely upon me That no part of that which you shall give for the carrying it on with Success shall by Me be diverted to any other use And that the World might see the King was in earnest he put out a Declaration to encourage the French Protestants to transport themselves into England by which those large Territories must of necessity be weakened they making no inconsiderable number Also a Proclamation prohibiting the Importation of all sorts of Manufactures or Commodities whatsoever of the Growth Product or Manufacture of France which were as the Lightning forerunning the Thunder-bolt viz. Denunciation of War and His Majesty going to the Parliament House and seated in the Throne he gave his Royal Assent to an Act for raising Money by Poll and otherwise towards the reducing of Ireland and an Act for preventing Doubts and Questions concerning the Collecting the publick Revenue also a Private Act He likewise settled the Judges of the several Courts of Westminster c. the Chief Justice of Chester Attorney-General Solicitor-General c. During these happy Transactions in England things went with a high hand in Ireland on the Popish side though the Protestants few in number were not wanting to make all the Resistance they could whilst the more Timerous such as could get off left the Kingdom and the greatest parts of their Effects behind them though the Masters of Ships on pain of Death were commanded not to carry them off Monsieur d' Avaux and the French Generals bearing all the sway in the Army and Councils of the late King but a Squadron of the English crusing on the Coast pursued the French Fleet standing that way and followed them till they found they were got into Bantrey Bay on the Irish Coast being about 44 Sail whereupon the next Morning the Fight began we continued battering upon a Stretch till Five in the Afternoon when the French Admiral tacked from us and stood farther into the Bay In this Action Captain Aylmer of the Portland with a Lieutenant and 94 Seamen were killed and about 250 wounded and the Enemy according to Computation lost a far greater number About six days after this Sea Encounter their Majesties were pleased to denounce War against the French King the Declaration bearing Date the 7th of May declaring the Reasons Necessity and Justness of the War most of the Confederates now in Alliance having done the like before On the 11th of May his Majesty gave the Royal Assent to an Act for the better securing the Government by disarming Papists and reputed Papists with divers other Acts and a Proclamation was exhibited for amoving Papists and reputed Papists from the Cities of London and Westminster and ten miles distant except such as were qualified to stay by reason of their Places Stations or Vocations as specified by an Act Entituled An Act for amoving Papists c. The Commissioners from the Estates of Scotland being now arrived viz. The Earl of Argyle Sir James Montgomery and Sir John Dalrimple to offer the Crown of that Kingdom they waited upon their Majesties seated on the Throne under a Canopy of State in the Banquetting-house and first presented a Letter from the Estates to his Majesty then an Instrument of Government and Thirdly a Paper containing the Grievances which they desired might be redressed and then an Address to his Majesty for turning the meeting of the Estates into a Parliament all Signed by his Grace the Duke of Hamilton President of the Meeting and read to their Majesties upon which the King was pleased to return a favourable Answer After this the Coronation Oath was tendred the Earl of Argyle speaking the words and the King and Queen holding up their Right hands after the manner of taking Oaths in Scotland repeating them after him Their Majesties having Signed the Coronation Oath and the Commissioners and the Scotch Nobility present had the Honour to kiss their Hands About this time the Duke of Schomberg and the Earl of Devonshire were installed Knights Companions of the Noble Order of the Garter The Fleet that had engaged the French being put into Portsmouth his Majesty went thither being every where received with all the Demonstrations of Joy where he was pleased to dive on and declared his Royal Intention of conferring the Title of Earl of this Kingdom upon the Admiral and accordingly he was afterward created Earl of Torrington Baron of Torbay c. Captain Shovel and Captain Ashby were then Knighted and such as were engaged with the French had Ten Shillings a man bestowed on him as a Donative On the 24th of May his Majesty gave the Royal Assent to an Act for Exempting their Majesties Protestant Subjects dissenting from the Church of England from the Penalties of certain Laws c. The Estates of Scotland meeting on the fifth of June the Duke of Hamilton acquainted them That His Majesty had been pleased to send him a Commission to represent his Royal Person in the ensuing Parliament and that the had received Instruction from His Majesty to give His consent to an Act for the turning the Meeting of the Estates into a Parliament and then to Adjourn to the 17th all which was performed and exactly observed and the English Forces under the Command of Major-General Mackay and others being entered that Kingdom the D. of Gourdon who till this time had possession of the Castle finding no hopes of Relief surrendred it upon divers Articles to Sir John Lanier and so that important place that had for a long time been a Terrour to the City of Edinborugh as Commanding it with its Cannon was put into safe Hands the Duke casting himself wholly upon the King's Mercy without making any Article for himself although he took care to do it for others saying He had so much respect for all the Princes of King James the Sixth's Line as not to make Conditions with them for his own particular Interest so he rendred himself entirely to King William's Discretion and the Parliament meeting according to appointment passed an Act for Recognizing and Asserting Their Majesties Authority and
a Detachment of Collonel St. John's making in all about 20 Officers and 80 Soldiers whom he caused to embark in Three Boats when being come within half a mile he Landed and leaving a Guard with the Boats marched bravely to the Town though they were discovered at a good distance the Moon then shining yet they passed the Ditch and made themselves Masters of the main Guard dividing themselves in two Parties one marching towards the Gate of the Castle to hinder the Enemy from Sallying and the other to attack a Redoubt that covered their Bridge within Thirty paces of the Counterscarp being guarded by 15 men and a Serjeant and after some resistance entred killing Six and taking the rest Prisoners and whilst this was doing Monsieur de la Borde took another Redoubt with 30 men and plundered and burnt the Houses as far as Armagh which the Enemy had abandoned but day coming on our men retired with much Booty their Drums beating and Colours flying and in this Enterprize the Enemy lost 50 men besides wounded and taken Prisoners on our side Major la Borde was killed with a Cartridge-Shot of the last Cannon Two more Officers wounded and one Soldier killed nor were other Parties idle so that several small places were taken and other Blocked up till the Season grew more ripe for Action In Scotland Affairs went pretty well the Rebels since the Death of Dundeâ— and the defeat of his Party daily dwindled insomuch that those who had been concerned in it began to think of making their escape and the Heads of the Highland Clans grew so discouraged that they laid down their Arms and dismissed their Followers making an Interest to have the Benefit of the King's mercy and under Promise and Obligation to live peaceably and obedient to their Majesties and their Government many of them obtained it however several that were making their escape to the late King in Ireland were taken amongst which were the Two Sons of the Provost Bell of Glasgow one Forrester a Clergy-man and one Dunbar that had been a Gunner in the Castle of Edenburgh but upon their Submission and Promise of discovery were admitted to Bail or other ways set at Liberty and the Countess Dowager of Arrol removed at her Request to â—enburgh Castle the Lord Bellcarrus was likewise Bailed with many others that submitted and made a Resolution to be obedient to the Government so that those restless People seeing their Error in disturbing the Government under which they may live peaceably will no doubt give over their Pretensions to defend they know not what and we may expect to hear that Kingdom free from Broils and Incumbrances of War so that Matters being at this pass his Majesties High Commissioner and the Lords of the Privy Council in pursuance of his Majesties Pleasure signified to them by his Letter issued out a Proclamation about the latter end of March for continuing the Adjournment of the Parliament from the 27th of March to the 15th of April ensuing Certifying all the Members that the Parliament would then Sit. Many of our Ships being abroad tho' no considerable Action yet a great many considerable Prizes were brought in and great Preparations madefor Stores and Manning of the Ships a great number of Voluntier Seamen coming in or entring themselves on Board and the Land Forces were recruited with great diligence sp that the Face of things appeared very active and chearful and now the Season advancing the Army in Ireland moving towards the Enemy they retreated so that Collonel Tiffuny Commanding at Ballishannon taking the advantage sent out 200 Fire-Locks of his own regiment and 20 Dragoons Commanded by his Lieutenant Collonel with Orders to advance within two miles of Sligo where the Enemy kept all their Cattle and accordingly they arrived there before day and brought away Cattle Sheep and Horses to the value of 2000 Pounds but the Enemy taking the Alarm pursued them and disputed it for a time but having lost a Captain and 16 Soldiers they retired in disorder and our men went off with the Booty The Parliament of England now sitting at Westminster his Majesty came to the House of Lords with the usual Solemnity and being in his Royal Robes seated on the Throne and the Commons attending he passed an Act For Granting their Majesties a Subsidy for Tonage and Poundage and other Sums payable upon Merchandize Exported and Imported An Act For Enabling the Sail of Goods distrained for Rent in Case the Rent be not paid in a reasonable time An Act To Enable Algernoon Earl of Essex to make a Wife a Joynture and for raising of Monies for the Payment of 60000 Pounds borrowed to make up the Lady Morpeth's Portion and to make a Settlement of his Estate on his Marriage An Act To make some Provisions for the Daughters and younger Sons of Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury with several other private Acts of the like Nature His Majesty in his Princely Wisdom considering that the Trade from England to Ireland was necessary to such parts as we possessed was pleased to pass this Order in Council viz. It is this day ordered by his Majesty in Council that the late Embargo be and it is hereby suspended and taken off from all Vessels Trading along the Coasts of this Kingdom and from all Ships with provision bound for such parts of Ireland as are under Obedience to their Majesties the respective Masters and Owners of such Vessels given security to the Officers of the Customs in the Ports from whence they shall set Sail not to Trade under pretence of this Liberty unto any Foreign parts or into any part of Ireland that is not now under Subjection to their Majesties This greatly encouraged industrious Persons to send over such Necessaries as wonderfully relieved the Army and put it in heart for vigorous Action insomuch that the Enemies advance parties were beaten and forced to quit several advantagious Posts but leaving this Kingdom a while and return to Scotland to consider the Affairs of that Nation not yet thoroughly quieted from the Attempts of some restless men who resolved to be buried in the Ruins of their tottering Fortunes and so it happened that on the 4th of May the Lords Commissioners and the Privy Council received from Sir Thomas Levingston Governour of Inverness an Express of the defeat of the Highland Rebels who were drawn together to make a descent into the Lowland Country as follows Sir Thomas Levingston being informed that the Rebels had appointed their General Randezvous at Siratspey and that Collonel Buchan and Collonel Cannon were already arrived there with 2000 men and that they expected within four days to be four Thousand strong he thereupon drew together his own Regiment of Dragoons Two Troops of Horse Commanded by Captain Hays and Captain Burnet Six Companies of the Laird of Grant's Regiment 400 men of Sir James Lesley's and a Company of Highlanders commanded by Captain Mackay and with these Forces he marched towards the
time put a stop to that so unnecessary and unprofitable Wickedness too much reigning amongst Officers and Souldiers and the Army was supplyed with Provisions and Stores from England bearing the Ill conveniencies of the Weather which were great without the least Regret though several died of the Distempers of the Country Wherefore to keep them in Action the better to prevent it about the middle of February upon Advice the Enemy was in motion near Dundalk he drew out a strong Party and marched to Dramore whilst Collonel la Melionere and Sir John Lanier who advanced as far as Carlingford returned with an Account that only three Regiments of the Enemy were at Dundalk that Garrison as likewise Drogheda containing their former Garrisons without any Reinforcement upon which most of our Troops were commanded back only a flying Party of 500 Horse and Dragoons with a like number of Foot were sent abroad to observe the Motions of the Enemy and keep them from plundering the Country between whom and the Out-Parties some Skirmishing happened The General being returned to his head Quarters at Lisburn received an Account from Collonel Woosly of a great defeat he had given the Enemy at the Town of Cavan the Particulars were That Marching from Belturbat with a Detachment of 300 Horse and 700 Foot he passed the River at Night two Miles beyond Calyhay's but it was not done so secretly but the Enemies Scouts discovered it and gave the Alarm by firing their Muskets and making a great fire upon the Hill However notwithstanding the badness of the Ways he got to the. Town about half an hour after day-break when contrary to expectation he found the Duke of Berwick arrived that Night with 2500 men making with the Garrison about 4000 drawn up in good order near the Fort but the Collonel disposing of his men as the Ground would give a Conveniency he charged the enemy and after an hours hot dispute beat them out of the Field in which Action the Duke of Berwick had his Horse shot under him and Collonel O Rely Governour of Cavan was killed on the spot with two Lieutenant-Collonels and divers others of Note Whereupon our men entered the Town and fell to plundering which the Enemy perceiving made a strong Sally from the Fort and had cut off a great many of them in that Disorder had not the Collonel came opportunely in with a fresh Reserve of about 250 Foot and 80 Horse and to get his Souldiers out of the Town he found himself constrained to set it on Fire and having quitted it and joyned those that were fighting the Enemy about 150 strong were beaten into the Fort with considerable loss but the Army being tired out in the Action it was not thought convenient to attack it at that time and this firing the Town proved very disadvantageous considering the Plunder that might have been had for all the Houses were full of Bread Meal Oats Beans and the like Stores to suffice the Garrison for six Months And here it was reported by the Prisoners that the Duke of Berwick was to command a Body of 10000 men to be detached out of all the Regiments and so to make Incursions as he saw Opportunity but by this defeat the design was frustrated for all the Ammunition that was in the Town was blown up In this Action we lost about twenty men and amongst them Major Trahern Captain Armstrong and Captain Mayo with one Captain La Maugere a French reformed Officer and Captain Blood an Engenier were wounded though the loss of the Enemy is computed at no less than 300 and amongst the others four Captains five Lieutenants two Ensigns one Quartermaster and about 200 taken Prisoners and those that fled the Field were many of them desperately wounded and scattered all the way with the Arms they threw down for the greater speed and pushing on this Success Many other Places of Note were gained and good Booties of Cattle daily brought in by the flying Parties though the Season proved somewhat sharp and intemperate About this time the Queen of Spain being on Board under a Convoy of a Squadron of English-men of War and being upon our Coast the Duke of Norfolk was sent to Complement her Majesty in the Name of Their Majesties of England and it was performed with much Ceremony and Grandeur and the Wind soon after coming about fair she arrived safe in the Groin and so passed to Madrid and the English Ships after having this Honour were dismissed with liberal Gratitude to the Commanders And now Elections for Members of Parliament went on apace every one contending to chuse Loyal and worthy Gentlemen to undertake a Trust on which the welfare and safety of the Nation depends and the King put out a Proclamation for a General Fast to implore the Protection of Almighty God in the Preservation of his Majesties Sacred person and Prosperity of his Arms in Ireland and the Naval Forces to begin the 12th day of March and be Religiously observed every Third Wednesday in the Month and accordingly it was observed till his Majesty returned from Ireland Crowned with Victory and Success and then it was turned into a Day of Thanksgiving On the 20th of March the Parliament Pursuant to his Majesty's Writs of Summons met at Westminster and his Majesty being in his Royal Robes seated on the Throne in the House of Peers attended with the usual Solemnity the Commons were sent for by the Black-Rod who attended at the Bar of the Lords Sir Robert Atkins Knight of the Bath Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer by his Majesties Command signified to them That they should forthwith proceed to the Choice of a Speaker and present him to his Majesty the next Morning after which they returned to their House and made Choice of Sir John Trevor Knight and the next Morning he was approved by his Majesty and his Majesty proceeded to make a very Gracious Speech telling them amongst other things his Resolution was to go foâ— Ireland his Presence being necessarily required for the Reducing that Kingdomâ— further signifying his Presence to leave the Government in the Queens handâ—â— during his absence and accordingly before his Departure an Act passed to that end and the Right Honourable Sir John Lowther of Lowther-House Baron Vice-Chamberlain to his Majesty's Household Richard Hambden Esquire Chancellor and Under Treasurer of the Exchequer Sir Stephen Fox Knight and Thomas Pellam Esquire were appointed Lords Commissioners of the Treasury And now the rest of the Danish Forceâ— Landing in Ireland our Army grew very formidable so that the Garrison of Charlemont being Blocked up Collonel Cullimotte possessed himself of a small Village within a mile of it upon notice of which the Enemy came out with about 300 men yet were repulsed with considerable Loss and the next day our men cast up Works to stop the Sallies the Enemy was obliged to abandon their Out-Works and Collonel Cullimotte marched with a party of his Regiment and
Rebels and getting Intelligence of their number and how they lay encamped he came about the middle of the Night to Ballagh Castle and having notice there were Two Fords one near the Enemies Camp where they had posted a strong Par y in a Church another further up the River which was not Guarded so that slighting the former he passed the latter with the greatest part of Troops and ordered the rest to attack the Enemy in the Church who upon the first Firing fled to their Camp which our Horse and Dragoons entered about the same time and put those they found there into so great a Consternation and Confusion that they immediately betook them to flight but e'er they could recover the Hills many were slain in the pursuit the Computation being no less that 400 and 100 taken Prisoners most of them Gentlemen and Officers Collonel Cannon and Collonel Buchan escaping very narrowly not having had time to put on their Cloaths After this Sir Thomas Levingston sent a Party to attack the Castle of Lethindy in which the Enemy had a Garrison under the Command of Collonel Buchan's Nephew who surrendered at Discretion and our Men besides Arms Ammunition and 400 Bowls of Meal took the Standard designed to be set up for the late King James and in this extraordinary Action it is not known that one Man was killed on our side nor above four or five wounded On the 13th of May Don Pedro de Ronquillo Ambassador Extraordinary from the King of Spain had a publick Audience of his Majesty to notifie thâ— Marriage of the King his Master from whom as also from the Queen Mother of Spain he delivered Letters to his Majesty wherein they thanked his Majesty for sending a Squadron of his Ships with the Queen and expressed the great Esteem they had for his Majesty's Royal Person and Friendship And now after a long Blockade and the Reducement of the Stores of Charlemont in Ireland that Garrison being pressed by our Troops found it self necessitated to capitulate though it was strongly situated and on the 11th of May the Governour demanded a Parley which was allowed with leave to send to the Lieutenant General the next day the Lieutenant a Governour and a Collonel came from thence and the same day the Articles were agreed on for the Surrender of the Place very Advantagious and Honourable to his Majesty and in pursuance of the Capitulation the Governour Tege O Regan and the Garrison who had in a manner consumed all their Provisions marched out 800 strong leaving in the Place a good quantity os Ammunition 17 pieces of Brass Cannon and two Mortars And the Duke of Schomberg upon this Surrender went to Legacory to see the Garrison as they marched away and afterward visited the Place which is very strong and considerable by its Situation being one of the strongest Places the Rebels held in these Parts so that it gave a Prospect to the future Success of intirely subduing the Kingdom Whilst these Affairs went forward in Ireland the Parliament was active in England and great Preparations were made for his Majesty's passing over to facilitate the Irish War in order to which on the 20th of May his Majesty gave the Royal Assent to an Act For the Exercise of the Government by her Majesty during his Majesty's Absence An Act For Reversing the Judgment in Quo Warranto against the City of London and for Restoring the City of London to its Antient Rights and Priviledges An Act To declare the Right and Freedom of Election of Members to serve in Parliament for the Cinque Ports and several private Acts. And now the Season advancing for Action the Forces moved apace towards High-Lake and other advantagious Ports in order to their Embarking for Ireland nor did the King delay this great and glorious Undertaking which proved Successfull to the three Kingdoms as in the Sequel will appear for all things being in a readiness he left White-hall on the fourth of June with a very splendid Equipage and the next day arrived at Litchfield where he was received as in all other Places through which he passed with a great Concourse of the Gentry and all possible Demonstrations of Duty and Affection from all sorts of People and having stayed some time at Chester and about the Coast he Embarked on the Fleet attending him and stood over for the Coast of Ireland arriving on the 14th at Carrickfergus and from thence by Land he went to Belfast the Duke of Schomberg and divers great Officers waiting on him his Reception being with General Joy and the Loud Acclamations of the People His Majesty at his Arrival found his Forces in a very good Condition Provisions plentiful and the Ground full of Corn and Grass well grown with all things to his Satisfaction And on the 19th his Majesty went from Belfast to Hilsburg and from thence to Loubricklin and the Newry the Forces marching in two Bodies And soon after they Encamped on the Plains of Dundalk In the mean while a considerable Body of the Enemy lay about Ardee there Intrenching themselves as if they were bent upon a desperate Opposition Since we have made this Progress in Affairs it may not be amiss to look a little back and consider what happened in relating to Dublin the Metropolis of Ireland upon King William's Arriving in that Kingdom The Camp before his Landing had been laid out about Atherdee and the late King had disposed his Army to Randesvouz there from divers parts of the Kingdom and oâ— the 16th of July he marched out oâ— Dublin to joyn them with about 6000 French Foot most old Soldiers well Armed and Clad One Regiment of these were Dutch Protestants who were narrowly observed for fear oâ— deserting The whole Irish Army was composed of about 36000 men besides 15000 which remained in Garrisons â— and the same day the Late King left the Town there marched in 6000 of the Country Militia and the Collonels Luttrel and Mac Gillicuddy as his Assistants were left Governours It was expected the Irish would have been disheartned upon the News of King William's Landing and the late Kings leaving the Town but on the contrary boy'd up with vain hope they rejoyced as if they had got the King of England in their Possession and the day their own being too fondly assured the French Fleet would cut off his return or that an Insurrection would be made in England as being told that 100000 men were ready to rise under the Notion of declaring for a Common-wealths so that the Protestants knew not what to think being mostly Imprisoned or under Restraint and the Irish Papists were so assured of Success that some of them told their Protestant Friends they would be glad to go to Mass within a Twelve-month and this hope afterward appeared to be grounded on the little Intelligence the English had of the strength of the Irish Army as was manifested by the Letters of Tyrconnel to the late Queen
the City upon his approach to the City he had been presented with two Loyal Addresses the one by the Bishops of Meath and Limerick in the name of the Clergy and the other by the Magistrates in the name of themselves and the Citizens expressing an extraordinary sense of Gratitude and Joy for so great a Deliverance having a little before been Prisoners and every hour in danger of their Lives This great Defeat and scattering of the Enemies Forces brought a sear upon the Garrisons they had left and the Town of Wexford being deserted by its Governour it declared for the King which happened in this manner Collonel Butler Lord Lieutenant of the County passing after the late King upon his Flight sent for his Son to follow him into France as likewise to Captain O Kelly who Commanded the Castle to set it on fire and bring away his Company but this Letter falling into a Protestant Gentleman's Hands he concealed the firing part of the Letter so that the Castle escaped and after this Company was withdrawn the Protestants rose and disarming the Papists sent to the King to acquaint him with what had passed who thereupon sent to secure it and many other places followed its Example And now the King to give the poor deluded People that had been drawn into this War an assurance of his Protection put forth his Declaration of Pardon to the Irish Commonalty that returned to their Allegiance and would live peaceably and look after the Harvest to get it in for a Winter Supply being ordered to pay those Rents held from Protestants to the Proprietors but to keep the Rents of such as had been in Rebellion in their hands till they had notice from the Commissioners of the Revenue to whom they should be accountable but as for the Ringleaders of the Rebellion they were exempted the benefit of this Declaration During this glorious Success in the Kingdom of Ireland it was something clouded nearer home for the French King to favour his Design in Ireland in the beginning of June set forth the greatest Fleet that ever saluted the Ocean from France and stood to our Coast to make a shew to fight our Fleet then under the Command of the Earl of Torrington our Admiral who on the 24th of June sailed from St. Hellens the Wind at North East and stood towards the French Fleet which was seen the Evening before off of Fresh water-gate in the Isle of Wight in order as it was expected to fight them but the Wing taking them short he came to an Anchor off of Dunnose within Five Leagues of the French who at Eight the next Morning were at Anchor in Compton-Bay so that every one was big with the Expectation of an Engagement the French no ways seeming to decline it and our Men were full of Courage and desirous of nothing more than to be at it and that Afternoon their Majesties Ship the Lyon and several Dutch men of War joyned our Fleet and many other additional Strengths were joyned by such Ships coming in as had been cruzing abroad and on the 30th of June off of Beechy the two Fleets drew up in Lines and about Nine in the Morning the Dutch that had the Vanguard fell on and fought very bravely as likewise some of the English but not being seconded by reason of the Admiral 's unexpected standing away several of the Dutch Ships were burnt and sunk and the English that sought much battered though not without doing considerable damage to the Enemy this Fight continued till towards the Evening when the French bear away and came afterwards to an Anchor The principal Officers killed were the Dutch Rear-Admiral Jan Dick Rear-Admiral Brackle and Captain Nordle Of the English Captain Botham and Captain Pumroy with two Captains of the Marine Regiments and Captain Goes lost his Ship as to the particulars of the Enemies Loss no certain Account is yet come to our hands their Fleet consisted of 82 Men of War besides Fireships and Tenders keeping the Coast and moving their Galleys near Torbay and at last that they might have something to talk on when they came home they sent their Boats ashore at Tinmouth a little Village of Fisher's Cots and set it on Fire as also two or three small Vessels in the Harbour but they durst not abide the coming down of the Militia who were up in those parts but stealing a few Sheep and some small Plunder they retired to their Ships and having lain some time on the Coast to no further purpose returned to Brest with the story of a vast Expence A further Account of this Action we have from a very good Hand which take for your better Satisfaction viz. Before the arrival of Admiral Evertsâ—â— who was to Command the Dutch it was agreed between the two Nations that the Hollanders should have the Vanguard which in all likely hood was to do them Honour but after they had been under Sail about three Hours they were obliged to come to an Anchor by reason of the Fogs and bad Weather but soon after they perceived the French Fleet to bear up towards them with the Wind at East and immediately they weighed Anchor and endeavoured to gain the Weather-Gage viz. the Dutch which they did with that Success that the Earl of Torrington gave the â—ignal for the first Squadron to engage but the French thought fit to retire and for four days after the two Fleets were always in view of each other but in regard the French Fleet was much the stronger both for number and bigness of Ships it was judged not fit to fight in the open Sea and the Earl of Torrington did his part so well that he avoided engaging till he was come to Bevesire which was favourable for his purpose and there it was that he received the Queen's Orders not to delay engaging if the Wind and Weather would permit which was the reason that we went to seek the Enemy who expected us in order of Battel and so about Nine in the Morning the Engagement began between the blue Squadron of the French and the Vangaurd of the Dutch and both sides fired desperately for three hours till the French Squadron not liking their Entertainment bore away with all the Tack they could make but about One there happened a Calm which not only prevented the Hollanders pursuit but put them into a little disorder upon which the French which the same Calm hindred from getting away were constrained to begin the Fight again which lasted till Five of the Clock in the Evening with an extraordinary Fury As for the English but a few Vessels fought and those were carried on by the Courage of the Captains as 't is said against Torrington's Will the rest stood â—ookers on so that the main Body of the French fell into the Rear of the Dutch so that having fought from Morning till Evening and having defended themselves so long against such a prodigious number of the Enemy that assailed
burnt several Villages and lone Houses however being frequently met by our men divers were cut off and upon notice they had a Design upon Caperquin and the other Passes upon the Black-Water Lieutenant-General Ginkle immediately drew his Troops that way and marched to Clonmell upon which they retired with all imaginable speed burning by the way the Lord of Orrery's House at Charleville And now a parcel of Vagabond People got together and chose themselves Leaders called by the Name of Rapparees and did great mischief in Plundering the Villagers taking away and destroying their Cattle and many times Firing their Houses and murthering them to prevent which growing mischief our Forces were Quartered in the most advantagious Posts and frequently snapped them up and many of them were put to Death as Thieves and Robbers not being Soldiers of War The Design of expelling the Rebels out of Scotland was about this time put in Execution with great Vigour so that it was thought convenient to dispossess them of the strong Holds they yet maintained in that Kingdom and thereupon the Castle of Fedret was attacked but those that were in Garrison perceiving our Forces preparing to Storm it desired a Parley and after a short time to debate about the matter those that held it surrendred at Discretion and the Lord Fendrat with 18 Persons more of Quality besides their Servants c. were made Prisoners but to allay this good News we had Advice from the Isle of Mull whether some of the Principal of the Rebels were retired that the Dartmouth Frigat which came to block them up and hinder their escape was driven from her Anchor in the Sound of Mull by a violent Storm that suddenly arose and forced upon a Rock where she broke in pieces and Captain Porringer the Commander with most of the Men perished in the Waters yet the Earl of Argyle entered that Island with his Forces and put the Rebels to great Distress On the 21st of October an humble Address was presented to their Majesties from the Mayor Aldermen and Common-Council of Nottingham by one of the Aldermen Accompanied with divers of the Gentry of the County to Congratulate his Majesties Success in Ireland and his happy Return which was graciously received The renowned Duke of Grafton's Body being brought over from Ireland was received and interred with all manner of Honour Decency and Respect as became a Person of his Quality Conduct and Valour and on the 28th the Earl of Marlborough arrived at Kensington from Kingsale having disposed of things in Ireland to the best advantage and was very favourably received by their Majesties and much applauded for his Valour and Conduct in reducing two such important places as Cork and Kingsale in so short a time and with so little Loss The Sieur de la Tour Baron of Bourdeaux Counsellour of State to his Royal Highness the Duke of Savoy President of the Finances in the Savoy Intendent of his Houshold and his Envoy Extraordinary to their Majesties had on the Second of November his first publick Audience of the King and Queen to congratulate their Majesties happy Accession to the Crown and since the Speeches he made have received such general Approbation that we must acknowledge it is not without reason that the Court of Savoy is looked upon as one of the most politick Courts of Europe it will not be amiss to recite the Speeches he made as we find them done into English The Speech of the Duke of Savoy's Envoy to the King of England Sir HIS Royal Highness congratulates Your Majesty's glorious Access to the Crown due to your Birth merited by your Vertue and maintained by your Valour Providence ordain'd it for your Sacred Head for the Accomplishment of Heavens Designs from all Eternity that Providence which after long forbearance raises up chosen Instruments at length to suppress Violence and protect Justice The wonderful beginnings of your Reign are assur'd Presages of the Blessings which Heaven is preparing for the Integrity of your Intentions which have no other Aim than to restore this flourishing Kingdom to that Grandeur which it anciently enjoyed and to break off those Chains under the weight of which all Europe at present groans This magnanimous Design so worthy the Hero of our Age soon fill'd his Royal Highness with unspeakable Joy tho' he were constrain'd to keep it undisclos'd for a time in the privacies of his Heart and if afterwards he could not forbear to let it break forth the Obligation for that Happiness is due to your Majesty who have at length inspir'd him with Hopes of Liberty after so many years of Servitude My Words and the Treaty which I have already sign'd at the Hague with your Majesties Envoy but faintly express my Master 's passionate Desire to unite himself to your Majesty by an inviolable Devotion to your Service The Honour which he has of being one that appertains to your Majesty has knit the first knot of this Union and the Protection You grant him with so much Generosity has brought it to the perfection of being indissolvable These are the sincere Sentiments of his Royal Highness with which I dare not presume to intermix any thing of my own For how ardent soever my Zeal may be how profound soever my Veneration of your Majesty's Glory I know not how better to express it than by the Silence of Respect and Admiration The Envoy addressing himself to the Queen made this Speech Madam VErtue at the same time with your Majesties ascended the Throne and all Europe beheld it with Admiration But the Effects have been to none more joyfully Grateful than to his Royal Highness while You have the Goodness to be the Support of his Concerns and He the Honour to depend so nearly on your Majesty I return your Majesty most humble Thanks on his behalf and beg your Protection of a Prince most confidently assur'd that he shall still uphold the Dignity of his High Degree if Heaven vouchsafes to support the Justice of his Cause by the King's Valour and your Majesty's Prudence That Prudence which you made appear last Summer after a most wonderful manner not only winning the Hearts of your Subjects by the Mildness of your Government but striking a Terror into your Enemies by the Constancy of your Courage This is a Felicity that will always attend your Majesties Heroic Vertues and unite to your Immortal Glory the Eternal Happiness of your Kingdoms And this Madam is that which I altogether wish with as fervent a Zeal as the most faithful of your Servants The 4th of November being his Majesties Birth-day was celebrated with great Demonstrations of Joy and dutifull Affection to their Majesties and their Government the Nobility and Gentry appeared at Court in great Splendour and in the Evening were entertained with a very rare Consort of Musick Vocal and Instrumental and afterwards with a Play And the 5th of November ever memorable for the miraculous Discovery of the Powder Treason
was dismissed from before that honourable House and this Lord as is said having timely notice of his Tryal before the Commissioners of the Admiralty was carried on Board the Kent â—ing in the River Medway where he was tryed by a Jury of Sea Captains who after a long hearing of the Witnesses and what he had to say in his own defence upon a long Debate he was acquitted perhaps contrary to his own Expectation The Parliament still Sitting his Maâ—esty came to the House of Lords and gave the Royal Assent to an Act For Granting their Majesties a certain Impoâ—tion upon all East-India Goods and Maâ—factures and upon all wrought Silks and â—veral other Goods and Merchandize to be Imported after the 25th of December 1690. An Act For continuing several former â—â—cts therein mentioned for laying several â—â—ties upon Wines Vinegar and Toâ—â—ce An Act For punishing Officers and Soldiers who shall Muting or Desert their Majesties Service and for punishing false Musters An Act For reviving a former Act for regulating the Measure and Price of Coals An Act For Paving and Cleansing the Streets of London and Westminster c. with 16 private Acts And his Majesty was pleased to constitute the Right Honourable Henry Lord Viscount Sidney one of his Principal Secretaries of State and at a Chapter of the most Noble Order of the Garter held at Kensington in the Presence of the Sovereign his Highness George William Duke of Zell eldest Prince of the most Serene House of Brumswick and Lunenburg was Elected a Knight Companion of the said Order And now his Majesty being intent on his Voyage for the Hague the Parliament hastened to dispatch the Bills before them the Chief of which we have lately mentioned at what time his Majesty made the following Speech to both Houses My Lords and Gentlemen I Must repeat to you upon this occasion how sensible I am of Your good Affections to me and of Your sincere Endeavours to promote the true Interests of Your Country in continuing to provide further Supplies towards the defraying the Charges of the War and as I am very secure that you will not fail on Your part to do all that shall be necessary in order to that end so I assure you I shall not be wanting on mine to see that there be a diligent and strict Application of the Supply you gave to the Vses only for which you intend them I have lately told You that the posture of Affairs abroad would not admit of defering my Journey to the Hague much beyond this time and I put You in mind of it again now in hopes that Consideration will prevail with You to use all possible dispatch in what still remains to be done for the more vigorous Prosecution of the War I must not conclude without mentioning to You Gentlemen of the House of Commons that if some annual Provision could be made for the Augmenting of the Navy and building of some new Ships of War it would be a very necessary Care at this time both for the Honour and Safety of the Nation Upon this Gracious Speech the Commons returning to their House made a further Inspection into the Accounts of the publick Charges by their Committees c. and in fine found them stated to their Satisfaction Whilst these things were in hand his Majesty's Equipage was preparing for Holland and several Troops passed over to be in a readiness against his Arrival so that things being now come to a ripeness for that Glorious Undertaking His Majesty on the 5th of January being seated on the Throne in the House of Lords the Commons attending gave the Royal Assent To an Act For Appointing and Enabling Commissioners to examine take and state the publick Accounts of the Kingdom An Act For raising the Militia of this Kingdom for the Year 1691. Although the Months pay formerly advanced be not â—â—paid An Act For Relief of poor Prisoners for Debt or Damage An Act For preventing Vexations Suits against such as Acted for their Majesties Service in defence of the Kingdom An Act For the Encouraging the Distilling of Brandy and Spirits from Corn and for laying several Duties on low Wines or Spirits of the first Extraction An Act For Granting their Majesties several Additional Duties on Beer Ale or other Liquors for four Years from the time that an Act For doubling the Excise upon Ale Beer and other Liquors during the space of one Year doth expire An Act for the more effectual putting in Execution an Act intituled an Act For prohibiting all Trade and Commerce with France and Four private Acts. His Majesty after this made the following Speech My Lords and Gentlemen HAving lately told you that it would be necessary for me to go into Holland much about this time I am very glad to find that the Success of your Endeavours to bring this Session to a happy Conclusion has been such that I am now at â—iberty to do it and I return you my hearty Thanks for the great dispatch you have made in finishing the Supplies you have designed for carrying on the War which it shall be my Care to see duly and punctually applied to that Service to which you have given them and I do likewise think it proper to assure you that I shall not make any Grant of the forfeited Lands in England and Ireland till there be another opportunity of settling that matter in Parliament in such manner as shall be thought most Expedient My Lords and Gentlemen AS I have reason to be very well satisfied with the Proofs you have given me of your good Affections in this Sessions of Parliament so I Promise my Self the continuance of the same at your Return into your several Countries and as every day produces still fresh Instances of the Restlessness of our Enemies both at home and abroad in designing against the Prosperity of of this Nation and the Government Established so I do not doubt but that the Vnion and good Correspondence between Me and my Parliament and my earnest and constant Endeavours for your Preservation on the one hand joined with the Continuance of your Zeal and Affection to support 〈◊〉 on the other will by the Blessing of God be at all times too strong for the utmost Malice and Contrivance of our common Enemies After this gracious Speech had been received with much applause the Lord-Chief Baron Speaker of the House of Lords declared to both Houses That it was his Majesties Pleasure that they should adjourn themselves until the 31th of March ensuing and that if his Majesty should think fit the Parliament should then sit he would give them timely notice thereof by his Proclamation and accordingly both Houses of Parliament did adjourn to the time mentioned The King having all things in a readiness for his Voyage left White-Hall on the 6th of January about Noon attended by the great Officers of his Houshold and divers others of the Nobility and Gentry and lay that night at Sittingborne