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
them on every side they were so much battered that hardly three were capable of making any defence which constrained them to make their way through the French Fleet and bear away to the Coast of England between Beversire and Ferly Admiral Frakle Jean Dick and Captain Northbey were slain the Vreislandt having lost her Masts and not being to be towed off by reason of the Calm was taken towards the end of the Fight and to come nearer Admiral Evertson declared That of all the Dutch Officers and Soldiers there was not one but did his Duty and had ours engaged with the like Bravery no doubt the French had gone home in a worse condition than the Spanish Armado did in 1588 but what is past cannot be recalled and so it remains what was imperfectly done with more Courage and Bravery The Dutch Ships were under Vice-Admiral Collenburgh  Guns 1. The Vtreicht 64 2. Alkâ—are 52 3. Thoâ—â—n Guns 60 4. West-Friesland 82 5. Princess 92 6. Castriâ—â—m 52 7. Agathâ— 50 Under Admiral Evertsen  Guns 8. The Stadtenland 52 9. Maeght Van Enchysen 72 10. Nort Hollands 44 11. Maega Van Dort 60 12. Hollandia 70 13. Velue 60 14. Province of Utreicht 50 15. De Mees 64 Under Vice-Admiral Vandar  Guns 16. The Vreislandt 68 17. Elswont 50 18. Rigersburge 74 19. Gekroondeberge 62 20. North Hollandt 72 21. Vere 60 22. Cortine 50 The States-General having received the News of his unhappy Mischance assembled without any Consternation and after some Debate gave express Orders for the building of Fourteen new Men of War and all hands were employed in that work that their Quota might be extraordinary as soon as the Seas would give leave to be in Action of this kind And to proceed farther in this Matter it is reported in a Letter that a person of Honour sent from England to the Lord Darsly that the Holland Squadron behaved themselves with so much Bravety that if the L. T. had fought in all probability we had won an absolute Victory Had our Fleet been as successfull as His Majesties Arms in Ireland no doubt even France had trembled and looked pale and even the hopes of those that wished well to our Enemies had sunk into Despair of having them fulfilled and soon dwindled into nothing and indeed this Miscarriage in a large manner bore up the Spirits of the Irish and Scotch in Rebellion to whom the advantage was magnified to the highest degree insomuch that it was credibly reported amongst them that the English Fleet was destroyed and a mighty Army of French landed and joyned with such as were in Arms for the late King's Cause and perhaps it was so agreed in secret Confederacies but it succeeded not the mighty Project being frustrated and blasted by the vigilancy of those in Power and the readiness and chearful undertaking of the Militia taking Arms in their respective Countries to oppose the Invading Enemy and keeping under such as were willing to give them any Assistance had their Attempt been more prosperous as no doubt some restless Spirits wished it might have been Whilst the French Fleet was on the Coast labouring to gain Intelligence by sending their Boats and other ways of the Power and Strength of the Kingdom one Godfrey Cross an Inn-keeper in Kent was seen to go aboard one of their Boats which conveyed him to the Fleet whereupon some that knew him resolved to watch his return and thereupon apprehending him upon search two dangerous or treasonable Letters were found in his possession so that being committed to Goal he was some time after tryed at the King's-Bench-Bar at Westminster and there upon a full hearing Convicted of High-Treason and pursuant to that Verdict Sentenced to be Drawn Hanged and Quartered which Sentance was accordingly executed on him near St. Thomas à Waterings between Southwark and Deptford in the Kentish Road. Whilst things happened in Ireland and on the Coast of England c. the Scotch in Rebellion promising themselves great Advantages as deceived by false Reports assembled to the number of Fifteen Hundred in the County of Murray Commanded in Chief by Collonel Buchan and Collonel Cannon sending word to the Villagers that if they would not come and join them they would burn and destroy their Houses and Goods of which Sir Thomas Levingston had no sooner notice but with a considerable Force he advanced towards them by speedy Marches and being near them marched all night so that discerning their Camp by their Fires and perceiving the Resolution of his Soldiers to engage he let them rest about half an hour to refresh themselves and then getting Intelligence of the Fords of a River that lay between him and them and within Musket-shot of the Enemy he found the lower one guarded by a strong Party but that about a Mile up the River left unguarded whereupon he took the latter and passed without Opposition making a false attack at the other with Two Hundred Firelocks to amuse the Guard the Project was so well man gâ—â—â—â—nd executed that our Horse and Dragoons were upon the Pell-mel before they perceived them so that a General Consternation happening they made but little resistance and then turning their Backs fled in all imaginable hurry and Confusion and being pursued by our Horse and Dragoons Four hundred of them were killed and the rest totally routed and dispersed and if a great Fog that then happened had not put an end to the pursuit they had been utterly destroyed their chief Commanders hardly escaping the Soldiers by this enriched themselves with a considerable Booty having got all the Enemies Bag and Baggage their Provision with a great quantity of Claret Meal c. and a Standard which was to have been set up for the late King James The Prisoners taken in this Action were many and divers of them of Note viz. Captain Allen Malclean Captain John Malclean Captain Lieutenant Cullo Lieutenant John Maclean Lieutenant Halliburton Lieutenant Midleton Lieutenant Shewell Lieutenant Christian Lieutenant Drummond Ensign Ray Ensign Dunbar Ensign Aucinaghton Captain Hutcheous Lieutenant Beard Captain James Buchan Captain Brown Lieutenant Searcher Lieutenant Brandy Lieutenant Aughmonty Ensign Rose some of these were taken in the Fight and Pursuit others in the Castle of Lethindy and were sent under a strong Guard to the Tollbooth and Canigate of Edenburgh This Defeat utterly broke the Measures they had taken and weakened the poor Remains of the Rebels these being not only the choicest but the greatest number they could draw into the Field being mostly Men of desperate Fortunes having nothing to lose and therefore contrary to what many of the Heads of their Clans had promised they took up Arms to get what they could by Plunder For to be plain the Highlands of Scotland are a sort of People that have rarely any Consideration of Honour Friendship Obedience or Government than what consists with their Profit and therefore in all Revolutions and Changes are ready to break out into
in the Reign of King James the First and for a Second Deliverance in his present Majesties Arrival to overthrow and put to the rout Popery and Arbitrary Power was likewise observed with extraordinary Solemnity and a general Rejoycing through England and his Majesty put forth his Proclamation for the apprehending divers notorious High-way-men who for many years had infested the Roads with Robberies and Outrages with a Reward of 10 l. upon which several of them have been taken and amongst others John Bennet alias Freeman commonly called the Golden Farmer who having received Sentance at the Old-Bailey for the Murther of one Taylor he was executed on a Gibbit at Salisbury-Court-end in Fleet-street where he shot Taylor in endeavouring to apprehend him And about this time a mighty Storm arose continuing for two days and nights the Wind mostly at South making a great havock and destruction at Sea and Land insomuch that about 20 Merchants Ships and others were accounted to be cast away upon our Coast and in the Habours and forcing some disabled French Ships into our Ports the Men rather chusing to be taken than swallowed in the Waves yet our Men of War rid it out very well and those that stood out to Sea recovered their Ports after the Storm was allayed And about the beginning of this Month one Mrs. Mary Wharton an Heiress being taken away from her Guardianess his Majesty was pleased to issue out the following Proclamation for apprehending the Persons mentioned therein viz. VVHereas We have received Information that James Campbel commonly called Captain Campbel Archibald Montgomery and Sir John Johnston together with divers other ill disposed Persons designing to Ravish and against her Will to marry Mary Wharton only Child of Philip Wharton Esquire being a Virgin of a great Estate and about the Age of Thirteen years for that purpose did Arm and Assemble themselves and having found opportunity on Friday the Fourteenth day of November in the Evening at Great Queen-street did in a forcible manner seize upon the said Mary Wharton and carry her away We have therefore thought fit upon the Advice of Our Privy-Council to issue this Our Royal Proclamation and We do hereby Command and Require all our Loving Subjects to discover take and apprehend the said James Campbel Archibald Montgomery and Sir John Johnston and all others their Confederates wherever they may be found and to carry them before the next Justice of Peace or Chief Magistrate whom we do hereby require to commit them to the next Goal And we do also hereby give notice to all Persons that shall be Aiding and Assisting in the concealing of the said James Campbel Archibald Montgomery or Sir John Johnston or any of their Confederates or furthering their or any of their Escape that they shall be proceeded against for such their Offence with the utmost rigour and severity according to Law In pursuance to this Proclamation Sir John Johnston was apprehended and upon his Tryal at the Old-Baily was Convicted and receiving Sentance of Death was accordingly executed at Tyburn the others named in the Proclamation were so prudent as to make their escapes and we do not hear any of them are as yet apprehended Parson Clewer Mrs. Collingwood and her Maid who were tryed with Sir John Johnston were acquitted as not being present at the first seizing the young Lady but collaterally concerned in this Affair However the Parliament then sitting at Westminster agreed to a Bill For disanulling and making void this Marriage and it passed into an Act by the Royal Assent to frustrate any claim of Marriage that is or shall hereafter be made by the aforementioned James Campbel to Mary Wharton her Estate appearing in Court upon the Tryal of Sir John Johnston to the value of 1500 l. per Annum and 1000 l. in Effects Dublin in the Kingdom of Ireland having as you have heard been reduced to His Majesties Obedience the restless Papists grudged the English the possession of so important a place rather as it appears not only wishing it were but contriving it might be reduced to Ashes as appeared by some Letters found by one Mr. Gambal who Commanded a scouting Party which through fear and hast had been dropped by those that carried them and amongst others one written by Mrs. Hoegan alias Ruth Coffee written to her Husband who is Collonel in the late King James's Army wherein she acquainted him that the English were secure and negligent in their Quarters by which means her Friends meaning the Rapparees had done considerable Service in most parts of the Kingdom under the Obedience of the English and more particularly in the County of Wicklow where they took some Horses and Kettle-Drums near Mullenger and that the French residing in Ireland were not unmindfull of their Cause and that Tyrconnel would soon visit them with considerable Forces from France and that the Soldiers in Dublin were few and poor and might be induced to do any thing for Bread so that if Sarsfield moved over the Shannon with any considerable Force not only the Army but the Militia would be drawn hence and then her Friends could easiy set Dublin on fire by proving Incendiaries in their own Houses and Lodgings and whilst the People were busie in saving what was valuable from the Flames they had Force enough to destroy them adds That that which hindred them in this resolution coming to a speedy Result was the Consideration the Records of the whole Kingdom would be burnt in that Conflagration that being the principal Seat of Judicature where they were kept but that upon more mature deliberation they had found out a way to solve that scruple and therefore were resolved upon the Undertaking The Woman who had writ this Letter being apprehended brought before the Lords Justices who had the Night before received His Majesties Letter to call a Privy Council they ordered Mr. Gambal to attend he upon their sitting produced the Party with the Letter and she upon Examination was so far from denying it that she declared she wrote it and thought none could blame her for doing what she had done whereupon she was secured and the Lords Justices to prevent the threatned Mischief put out a Proclamation in these Words Sidney Tho. Conningsby IT having been observed that divers Papists and others disaffected to the Government some of whom are lately come out of the Enemy's Quarters do daily resort unto this City of Dublin and into the Liberties of St. Sepulchers Thomas Court and Donore and do presume not only in the day but in the night time to meet in Numbers to the Intent as we have great reason to apprehend then to consult how to raise Disturbances to the prejudice of their Majesties Government and to continue the Rebellion of this Kingdom as also to destroy the City by Fire which some of them as we are credibly informed have threatned and designed to do for Remedy therefore of the Mischief that may happen upon
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 Ford and were posted over against the Enemy commanded three Attacks to be made the First at a good Ford before a small Village which was advantagiously possessed by the Enemy at the Second the Foot waded to the Armpits and at the Third the Horse was forced to Swim The Dutch Regiment of Foot-Guards passed over first wading to the middle sustaining all the Enemies Fire and not returning it till they came up close whereupon all that were in the Village and behind the Ditches gave back but before the Third Battalion of that Regiment had passed the Ford five of the Enemy's came up at the dâ—â—stance of a Pikes length to beat 〈◊〉 back but our men Fired so thick upoâ— them that they were forced to retreaâ— in disorder with the loss of many meâ— and one of their Colours but our meâ— advancing beyond the Village weâ—â— twice vigorously attacked by the Enemies Horse but to no purpose 〈◊〉 the mean time the Danes came up tâ— the Left as also the Brigades of Haâ—more and Melionere on the Right thâ— first was attacked only by the Dragoons and the other by the Horse but neither of them could do much by reason they had no Pikes In the mean time 30 of the Officers anâ— others of the Enemies Life-Guard comâ—ing fiercely up were all killed but 〈◊〉 who endeavouring to escape through the Village unluckily met with thâ— Duke of Schomberg who was there killed with a Pistol-shot in the Neck anâ— divers Cuts over the Neck with Swordâ— falling form his Horse without speaking a word and a French Captain who alighted to relieve him waâ— Shot in his Arm he had not above 300â— behind him when the Enemies Horse made a desperate Charge in which he received two Cuts in the Forehead but not very considerable the French beâ—ind him Firing very furiously it is thought he received from one of them the Wound of which he died and yet more to allay the Glory and Joy of Victory so near at hand Doctor Walker who behaved himself so gallantly in defence of London-Derry having passed the Ford received a Shot in the Belly of which he died Upon this the King marched with the few Horse he had about him and 17 Battalions of Foot to the Assistance of those Troops that were engaged with the Enemy who in the mean time had not advanced much towards the Right Wing whom his Majesty re-inforced with 12 Battalions of Foot and 9 Squadrons of Horse and with them marched against the Enemy who without staying his Approach retired before him in much Confusion and our Horse pressed on to overtake them in such haste that they left the Foot behind them taking only 5 Field-pieces which did some Execution after which our Dragoons backed by the Horse attacked their Rear-Guard at which time the King appearing with his Troops upon the Mountains they all fled and the Country being full of Bogs and narrow Passes they the more easily escaped our Foâ—â— pursued them but to Duleek four Milâ— from the place of Battel where thâ— King stayed but the Horse followed thâ— Chace four Miles further till Nighâ— came on and parted them and theâ— the King sent to Command them to return to the place where the Foot remained and sent to the Camp at Drogheda for Tents and Baggage intending tâ— encamp there and rest his Troops for a day most of the Enemies Baggage feâ— into the hands of our Men as Chariots Tents Cannon Ammunition Arms and the Arms of one whole Regiment was found Regimentally laid the Owners being run from them without striking a stroke the number of the Slain was very considerable not being accounted less than three or four thousand and amongst them many of Note Lieutenant General Hamilton was taken Prisoner Upon this great Defeat of the Enemy the King sent Collonel De Melionere to summon Drogheda and let them know that if they forced him to bring his Cannon they must expect no Quarter which so terrified the Governour that he renâ—â—ed up the place The late King retreating with part of â—â—is broken Army staid not till he reached Dublin where sending for the Maâ—istrates and calling a Council he told â—â—em that he had a very good Army in England which had deserted him when â—â—e expected most from it altho' they â—â—ad not quite deserted him yet their not â—â—anding for the greater part of them a â—ingle Charge but cowardly flying had â—urned it much to the same effect as to â—is Interest saying amongst other Expressions He would never trust himself â—t the Head of an Irish Army again and that now he must shift so must they but Commanded them not to fire the Town â—s had been before deliberated in Council in case things came to extremity and having staid there one Night filling the place with Fear and Confusion he went away the next Morning with the Duke of Berwick the Earl of Tyrconnel and the Marquess of Powis The Count de Lauzun who Commanded the French Horse had not left with him above 3500 the rest being killed and wounded As soon as the late King had quitteâ— Dublin the Protestants were releaseâ— who possessing themselves of the Militâ— Arms which were easily yielded to them and with the assistance of the Bishops oâ— Meath and Limerick formed a Committee to take care of things senâ— Letters to the King to give him an Account of what had passed and humbly to pray his Majesty to Honour the City with his Presence for most of the considerable Papists upon News of the Defeat and the hasty departure of the late King fled from Dublin and we afterwards had an Account that the late King having discharged a great part of his menial Servants went to Bray and so along by the Sea to Waterford where he took shipping for France and got out to Sea but was driven in again yet continued restless till he got clear off so that the Terrour of Popish Cruelty which they had a long time apprehended vanished from the Protestants yet some disorders happened by the Rabble's getting together and had perhaps ended in the plundring and pulling down the Papists Houses and outraging their Persons had not Captain Fitz-Gerald and others stayed their Fury by Threats and Entreaties getting together some well affected persons to secure the Castle and guard the Stores for the King's use and kept things in good order till a Troop of Dragoons entered who were received with unspeakable Joy by the Protestants and on the 4th of July the Duke of Ormond and Monsieur Overkirk where sent by the King with Nine Troops of Horse and his Majesty following after and encamping near Finglas came to St. Patrick's Church the Sunday following and heard a Sermon Preached by Dr. King the Substance being about the Power and Providence of of God in protecting his People and defeating their Enemies Sermon ended His Majesty went back to his Camp to Dinner suffering only his Guards and some prime Commanders to enter
whereupon his Majesty sent to Summon the Commander 〈◊〉 to surrender and offered advantagious Conditions on that Consideration but he sent back word in a Letter to his Majesties Secretary because he would wave giving the King the Title of Majesty wherein he wrote that the Town was intrusted to his keeping by Persons whom he was obliged to obey and therefore that the P of Orange would have a very mean opinion of him if he should surrender before so much as a Gun was fired at him wherefore he was resolved to defend the place to the last Extremity whereby he hoped to gain his Highness's Esteem Upon this the Trenches were opened and the great Guns were impatiently expected at the Camp to batter the Walls but the Convoy that guarded them together with divers Waggons laden with Ammunition and Provision were surprized by a numerous Party under the Command of Collonel Sarsfield who killed several before they could put themselves into a posture of defence not sparing the Waggoners Wives and Children they brought in their Arms they likewise burnt some of the Waggons and Carriages of the Cannon nailing up some of the great Guns and broke others but the Allarm being taken by the English Forces lying there about the Chevalier Cunningham who Commanded the Iniskilling men having notice of it marched directly towards them with a considerable Party but the Enemy made a hasty retreat yet being pursued many of them were killed and a great Booty recovered about 20 of them being killed with a Major and a Captain and by a Party sent to aâ—tack Tyrconnel who lay hovering with his Forces about 7 miles from the City of Limerick he was obliged to march higher into the Country so that the 15th of August the King's Army encamping before Limerick laid hard Siege to the place having made themselves Masters of the Enemies Out Works and killed about 80 of their men yet for want of having Cannon some time was spent without making any considerable advances for the great Guns were to come from Waterford by Sea In the mean time the Besiegers made themselves Masters of a small Fort near Limerick called Clonmel the Garrison surrendring at Discretion and being all made Prisoners of War by which means they opened a Passage into a wide Campaign Country abounding with Forage which was the main thing they wanted By this time the great Guns being come up the Batteries were raised and all things made ready for making Breaches in the Walls on the 17th .... â—â—e Prince of Wirtemberg Lieutenant-General Major General Kirk and Petâ—au Sir Henry Bellasis Brigadiers with even Battalions entered the Trenches â—nd advanced 300 paces and took two Redoubts from the Enemy on the 18th â—hey were relieved by Lieutenant-General Douglas Lord Sidney and the Count â—f Nassau Major-Generals and Brigaâ—ier Stewart who approached another strong Redoubt of the Enemies On the 19th they were relieved by the Prince of Wirtemberg and others who continued to advance towards the said Redoubt and on the 20th Lieutenant Douglas c. being on the Gaurd the Sign was given by 8 Guns about two in the Afternoon forattacking the said Redoubt and our men detached for this Service being about 150 besides Officers immeately fell on with such extraordinary Vigour and Bravery that they entred the Fort and drove out the Enemy killing about 40 of them and a Deserter who made his escape told us that the Enemy lost about 300 men this day About half an hour after we had the Redoubt the Enemy made a great Sally with Horse and Foot but the next day we finished the Trenches so as to hindeâ— any more Sallies of that Nature and oâ— the 22d raised a great Battery against their high Towers and levelled them and in the Night-time threw several Bombs and Carcasses into the Town setting many Houses in a Flame which took up a considerable time to quench and on the 23d continued to throw Red-hot Balls and Bombs which did great Execution in Firing putting the Besieged into a mighty Consternation as being no where safe from the Force of these deadly Engines nor could they not extinguish the Fires in the space of Six hours On the 24th all our Battery were finished and 30 pieces of Cannon mounted on them and the Trenehes the next day advanced within 30 paces of the Ditch on the 26th the Shot widened the Breach that was made in the Wall they day before and beat down part of their Counter scarps and Palisadoes On the 27th the King ordered an Attack to be made on the Counterscarp which was begun about Three in the Afternoon a detached Party of Granadiers made the Onset and were seconded by other Detachments who with great Resolution gained they Counterscarp and a Fort the Enemy had under the Wall â—ut in the heat of Action instead of Lodging themselves as they were ordered seeing the Breach open they rashly attempted to enter the Town following the Run-away Irish that mounted the Breach so that the Besieged turning their Cannon on them with Cartridge-shot a great many of them were cut off and some blown up or hurt by a Mine sprung in the Ditch the Dispute lasted for the space of Three hours mostly against the Old French Soldiers and in it is supposed we had killed and wounded about 100 and of the Enemy though their Loss could not be known to us no doubt as many On the 28th at Night our Trenches were advanced about 20 Yards and we had enlarged the Breaches and every one was in Expectation of a general Assault but the Rains falling so excessively and the Rivers beginning to over-flow the Garrison being withal extremely strong this Siege proved not so Successfull as was expected for his Majesty to spare his men and avoid the many Ill conveniences he foresaw by reason of the Advancement of the Season thought fit on the 30th to send away the Cannon and heavy Baggage and the next day the Army decamped and marched off in good Order towards Clonmel from whence a strong Party was detached towards Cork and Kingsale And indeed there appeared on all hands a very great Reason for the raising this Siege for by reason of the Water his Majesties Forces could not attack it on all sides so that the Besieged were not constrained to divide their Forces and the Walls were of such an extraordinary Thickness and Hardness that the Cannon made the Breaches with much Difficulty and moreover Tyrconnel had taken Care before the coming of our Army to lay the Country as much Waste as he could for several miles round so that onâ— men were constrained to go a great way for Forage and Provision and the continual Rains and bad Weather that happened about that time had so moistened the Ground that the Camp was all in a Quagmire up to the Ancles anâ— to the Knees in some places a great deâ— of Water was in the Trenches anâ— the River Shannon began to swell anâ— overflow which afterward quite filleâ—
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
desired Success more favourable and speedier that he could ever have hoped so that the Consenting Nations offered him the Crowns of England Scotland and Ireland and that he had accepted them not out of any boundless Ambition as he called God to Witness but alone to preserve the Religion Well being and Tranquility of those Kingdoms and to be in a more powerful Condition of assisting the Confederates and particularly the States and to defend them against the overgrown Power of France That he could well have wished it in his Power to have given them all neceessary Assistance the last Year but that he had been hindred by the business of Ireland but the Affairs of that and his other Kingdoms being now brought to a better posture he was come over not only to converse with the Confederates about Measures to be taken the next Campaign but also to take upon him the Charge of Captain General of this State for which State from his Youth upward he hath had a very great love and Affection and that the same was daily encreased by the Proof and Tokens of Kindness that he found both from the Government and People that his Affection in this kind was so great that it could not possibly be much greater that be should always keep and preserve the same and contribute all that lay in his Power for their Welfare and at all times should be ready to venture his Life and Person for them That he hoped God â—ould be pleased to use him as an Instrument to remove all the Apprehensions they now laboured under and by settling Europe in Peace and Safety to put that State also into a full Security and that being done he should rest highly satisfied c. and concluded in recommending himself to the good Wishes of their High and Mighty Lordships The States having deliberated upon his Majesties Speech and the resolution taken thereon the Heer Wicker President of the Assembly in the name of the rest made a very affectionate return of their thanks to his Majesty for the Honour he had done their Lordships by vouchsafing his Presence amongst them and testified their great Joy for his Majesties coming into their Country together with the great obligation their Lordships had to his Majesty for the constant care and concern that his Majesty with so great Affection had born that State without the least declining any Danger withall assuring his Majesty that their high and mighty Lordships shall as much as possibly in them lies endeavour to acknowledge with all thankfulness all the good Offices done to this State by his Majesty And further wish all happiness and prosperity to attend his Sacred Person and designs with assurance also that they would to the utmost of their Power concur with his Majesty in all things contributing to the furthering what they think best to conduce to the entire Satisfaction of his Majesty These were the great Undertakings and resolutions abroad undertaken to make a glorious Progress in War and in the end fix a lasting Peace in Europe But whilst Lawrels sprouted abroad and so fair a Progress being made for carrying on the War and compelling the French King to do reason to those he had injured and the Confederacy proving formidable to the French Court they betook them to their old Stratagems viz. fomenting underhand Treatcheries not only in the Confederate Provinces abroad but in England by a wonderful providence this as many others were discovered and frustrated the intended mischief falling moâ—ily on the contrivers of it The design was laid to raise Commotions bring in the French by facilitating an Invasion the Conspirators having already betraied to them the stength of the Nation and given them an exact Account of our Sea-Ports Fort and Fleets and how they were best to be attacked but before this could be any ways brought about the Lord Viscount Preston John Ashton and Edmund Elliot were to go over to give the French Court an Account â—â—w things were disposed in England but were â—aken in the River in a small Vessel they had â—â—ed to carry them for France by Captain Billop â—nd a Packet of Letters was found with a Plumet fastned to it ready to have been thrown overâ—oard if the Surprise had not suddainly happend therein was contained the heads of the Design also the Lord Prestons Seal and the Seal of his Office when he was Secretary of State to the late King James upon which notwithstanding the â—â—id Lord offered Mony for the concealing the Papers they were brought with them to White-Hall and the Papers being of dangerous consequence containing matters of high Treason the three mentioned parties after a strict Examination were committed to New-Gate and an inditment of High Treason being found against them by a Middlesex Grand-Jury they were on the 16th of January Arraigned upon their Inditment at the Sessions-House in the Old-Baily pleading not Guilty then the Lord Preston pleaded for longer time to prepare for his Trial which was granted to the Saturday following viz. the next day then he insisted on his Peerage but was over ruled by the Court that having been prejudged in Parliament by reason his Patent was dated at St. Germain in France after the Abdication of King James and thereupon having a Pannel of the Jury allowed him and made his Exceptions Twelve were Sworn and the Court proceeded for his holding Correspondence with the Enemies of the Nation and designing to betray the Fleet Sea-Ports c. into their Hands by giving them Intelligence of the Strength of them and the measures we were taking when having made all the Defence he thought convenient and Objected what he would as to the Evidence or any other matter material to his purpose The Jury receiving their Charge from the Court withdrew for about an hour and then gave in their Verdict that he was guilty of the High-Treason as layed in the Indictment On the Monday Mr. Ashton who had been a Captain under the Late King came upon his Tryal and was Charged with the like High-Treason It was proved the Treasonable Papers were found about him and that he was endeavouring to escape with them to France to give Notice to our Enemies to Invade the Kingdom that he was knowing and consenting to the wicked Practices on foot for the designed Subversion of the Government and many other Treasonable Matters by Overt Act adjudged High-Treason so that having made a feeble Defence excusing that he knew not the Contents of the Papers found about him but that they were the Lord Priston's and only entrusted with him after a fair Hearing the Evidence being summ'd up by the Court the Jury withdrawing a while returned their Verdict he was guilty of High-Treason and so in the Close of the Evening he together with the Lord Preston received Sentence of Death as in that Case the Law requires viz. To he Drawn Hanged and Quartered As for Elliot he came not upon his Tryal but was a long time continued
had with one Leefdale and others wickedly Conspired the death and final Destruction of his most Serene Majesty of great Britain which appeared by Informations Intercepted Letters and other Authentick pieces that some of the chief Ministers in the French Court had laid a design to Assassinate his Majesty of great Britain and among others had chosen him as an undertaker to manage and compâ—ss the wicked Enterprise by finding out fit Persons to Assassinate him that he had made choice of one Bartholomew Linier and understanding that one Anthony du Mont had been formerly Engaged in the design by the Marquiss Lovois Father to Barbesieux he found him out and proposed it to him in the Campaigne before but being then disappointed by Providence they nevertheless went on with their design and soon after he discovered it to one Leefdaâ—e at Paris who seeming willing to comply with him but Secretly gave notice of it A Friend in Holiand hinting that he should take care and Inform his Majesty of it the like Dumont had done to the Duke of Zell so careful is Providence of the Life of Kings that the Conspirators for the most part seem compelled by a divine Power to be Instruments by their discoveries in preserving them The Duke no sooner had this notice but he Acquainted the King with it and Grandval not knowing it was discovered went from Paris with Du Mont and Leefdale to Vden in Ravestein and in his way to Brussels Imparted his design to one John D' Amours but coming to Einhoven he was Apprehended and with his Companions carried to Bois le Duc. Upon these Heads the Witnesses were Examined and first Leefdale who confirmed what has been mentioned before moreover that the Prisoner sent Du Mont 200 Pistols the last Winter and ten Ducates from Brussels by a Bill of Exchange to keep him fixed to the design he being then very necessitous The next Witness was John D' Amours who said Grandval had told him that he had a great business to do and being demanded what it Imported and whether he had any thing to say to the King of England he replieâ— to break his Neck and that being admonished of the difficulties of the attempt he replied he had given his word to the Marquiss of Barbesieux and would do it And further he proceeded to a Transcendent piece of Wickedness viz. he went to the Jesuits College to say a Pater-noster c. and desire God to bless his undertaking a true bigotted Son of Rome and therefore a fit Instrument for French Cruelty and Revenge For where in the World should we have found even among Infidels any that durst implore the Assistance of a just and Righteouss God to be contributing towards the perpetrating so horrid an Impiety but no doubt those that set him a work had imployed Priests to Case-harden his Conscience and Blind the Eyes of his Reason But to proceed The next Witness viz. Du Mont owned the Matter of Fact in all the Circumstances saying Madam Maintenon the French King's Mistress was acquainted with the Design and consequently she concealed it not from her Lover or rather he from her from whom it is no great difficulty to believe she had the Knowledge of He added likewise that he acquainted Monsieur Bedal the French King's Minister at Hanover with it who like a Bloody Villain told him it would be a good Business if it could be done and lent him fifty Crowns for his further Encouragement This Evidence being over but more at large yet to the same purpose Grandval was brought up nearer to the Court who having heard the Examinations of the former and finding the Intreague and Mystery of Iniquity was plainly discovered he thought if any safety remained for him it must proceed from an open and ingenuous Confession especially when he saw his own Letters produced against him he did proceed to confess the whole Matter in all its detestable yet amazing Circumstances laying down from time to time who had employed him what Money he had received and how when he pushed on to enterprise the Attempt his heart failed him or some unexpected and surprizing Providence stepped between to prevent him so that after the Judges had met several times to consult about this weighty Affair they gave the definitive Sentence viz. That whereas Bartholomew D' Liniere Knight Sieur d' Grandval a Native of Picardy had before the Court Marshal confessed and without any Constraint and it farther appearing that the Marquess Louvis late Secretary to the French King had contracted with Dumont about the Murder of King William upon which the said Dumont presented the Marquess with a Plat of the Design how to bring it to pass That upon the Death of Louvis the Marquess of Barbesieux his Son also Secretary of State revived the Conspiracy with Dumont giving him the thirty Pistoles which his Father had order'd That Grandval came acquainted with Dumont at Monsieur Rebenacks house and there one Papperil saying That Dumont would be a fit Person to seize the King Dumont replyed He would carry the King off alive or dead as he had promised Louvois That Dumont having delivered the same oâ— another Project to Barbesieux The Prisoner to promote the Design had several Conferences with him and Papperil and being informed the King wore a Coat of Mail he informed Dumont of it He said it was no matter he would kill him for all that That the said Grandval was engaged with Colonel Parker in the Design who told him he had before laid the like Design before the Marquess Louvois That the Prisoner Barbesieux Papperil and Dumont did agree upon the manner of Executing it viz. That he and Parker should meet at the Grand Guard of Luxemburg who was to furnish ' em with 1500 Horse That Dumons was to scout and watch when the King went to view the Main Guard and there shoot him and then the Prisoner and Parker were to rush in with their 1500 Horse and bring him off and that for this purpose Barbesieux gave the Prisoner an Order to the Duke to supply them with that Detachment of Horse or as many as he should think requisit for the Design That the Prisoner by the Marquesses Order received 80 Louidors and according to Direction gave 50 to Dumont That he was promised an Annual Revenue of 20000 Livers and to be made Knight of the Order of St. Lazarus if the Design took Effect That he took some Measures in order to effect it with Chamlays Quarter-Master General to the French King and then Leefdale came acquainted with him by the means of one Sterck and discovered his Design to him towards the latter end of March 1692. Tâ—at the prisoner and Parker went to St. Germain on the 16th and there made know the Design finding Encouragement to proceed in it from those of great Rank That Dumont's Wife delivered several Letters to the Marquess which were sent by her Husband from Hannover where the Prisoner continued his
notice from Chambers and another Scout at Kensington that the King was to go a Hunting that day but all was quashed again upon further Notice that his going was put off and the Guards hastily return'd Yet on the 22d it was resolved to be done near Turnham-Green Captain Porter being to Command one Party and Brigadier Rookwood another to Attaque the Guards while Sir George Barclay with another Party was to set on the King's Coach to Murder him and others they should find in it But in the mean time remorse of Conscience smote Monsieur De la Rue who was privy to all the Design that he proved restless and altogether uneasie in his Mind till on the 18th he went to Brigadier Levison with a charge speedily to acquaint the King with it which he did and soon after the Conspirators meeting Pendergrass one of them being absent they suspected he had discovered them and resolved among themselves to Stab or Pistol him wherever they met him of which having notice from Captain Porter he immediately went to Kensington and discovered the Conspiracy to my Lord Portland who communicated it to the King upon which concurring Informations a List was had of the Names of many of the Conspirators and Advertisements from the Duke of Wirtemburg that the French Forces to the number of 20000 were drawn down to Dunkirk Calais and other Sea ports where a great Fleet of Transport Ships and Men of War lay ready to Embark them Then the King put off his intended going a Broad on the 22d and resolutions were taken to Seize the Conspirators so that the Lord Cutts in order to it receiving his Majesties Instructions went with a strong Guard and that Night and on Sunday Morning secured about Fifteen of them and many more were soon after Apprehended upon His Majesty's putting out a Proclamation wherein divers of them were Named with the Reward of 1000 l. to any that should Apprehend one of them and so for every one with a prohibition to Entertain Harbour Aid or Further their Escapes also that all Seaports should be stopped and none suffered to pass without a Certificate under His Majesties Sign Manual Bur the Duke of Berwick who had been in London in order to forward this Business was got away as it is thought the day before the Plot was kown to be discovered carrying many Letters to King James who sent him with them to the French Ksng to give him an account of the preparations and forwardness of the Disaffected Party here whereupon the Troops were Embarked to have Landed in Kent Sussex and in the Mouth of the River but His Majesty going to the House of Peers and sending for the Commons informed them of the intended Assassination of his Royal Person and intended Invasion from France telling them further that he had ordered the Royal Navy to be fitted out and sent for such a number of Troops as might be able to oppose the Attempts of the Enemy that divers of the Conspirators were Secured and that he would take such other necessary care as he doubted not through the Mercy and the blessing of God would disappoint their Designs Upon this both Houses waited on his Majesty with a very Loyal Address and entred into an Association to stand by His Majesty and if he should come to a violent Death to revenge it on his Enemis and their Adherents which good Example has been since follow'd by the greatest part of the Kingdom Upon this all Papists were by Proclamation to retire Ten Miles from the Cities of London and Westminster except House keepers and Merchant Strangers c. And other Proclamations were put out to Apprehend more of the Conspirators as their Names came to be known and a day of Publick Thanksgiving ordered for the discovery and defeat of this horrid Conspiracy which was Religiously observed April the 16th And now the French who ye knew nothing of this happy Discovery but expecting the Signal from Dover by casting up a Bomb as had been agreed when the King should be Murdered were stranely Surpriz'd to see Admiral Russel with a Squadron of Sixty Men of War Fire-ships Bomb ketches and other Vessels on their Coasts blocking them up so that we having beaten many of their Vessels to pieces and Bombarded Calais setting it on Fire in several places they were Constrained to disembark Thus a wonderful Providence having defeated their Designs it was thought fit to bring the Cospirators to Justice and an Indictment of High-treason being found against Robert Charnock Edward King and Thomas Keys they were on Wednesday the 11th of March Arrainged at the Sessions-House in the Old Baily for designing the Assassination of the King in Order to the bringing in a Foreign Power and a Jury of twelve Men being Sworn Captain Forter gave Evidence against them that they had several meetings to Consult about Measures for taking away the Life of the King particularly at the Globe Tavern in Hatton-Garden the Nags head in Covent-Garden at the Sun in the Strand at the Blew-Posts in Old Spring-Garden and other places that Mr Charnock had brought him Accquainted with Sir George Barcklay and that it was agreed in these meetings to Attack the King's Guards and Assassinate him and then they were to seize the Exchequer Tower and Magazens other to provide them with Money and Stores Charnock after faying that when once the little Spark was out of the way King James would be presently here He had also been over in France with him to desire him to prevaile with the French King to send an Army hither That a Commission to Leavy War sent That they had often Drank a health to the Squeezing the Rotten Orange The other Evidence against them were De La Rue Pendergrass Bartram and Boise who all agreed that the Prisoners liad Consented to the Assassination of his Majesty and was to Act in the Attempt So that after a long and fair hearing and all Objections Answered the Evidence summed up the Jury with-drew and within half an Hour brought them in Guilty of the High-Treason and the same Evening they Received Sentence to be Drawn Hanged and Quarter'd and on Wednesday the 1â—th of Mâ—rch they were Executed at Tyhurn where they made no Verbal Speech But Charnock owned in a Paper he then delivered to the Sheriff that King James intending to Invade England he and others to Facilitate the Invasion had Agreed to Attack the Prince of Oranges Guards meaning the King but for any Order of Commission from King James to Assassinate his Majesty he denied to be knowing of it faying the late King had rejected such Proposals when they were made to him he Confessed he heard of a Commission arrived for levying War but had not seen it Labouring to clear she body of the Roman Catholicks of having and Knowledge of the Detestable design King said in his Paper that he never saw any Order or Commission from King James for the promoting the Assassination and