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
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
them up and drowned the Fields round about so that at least the Communication of Quarters would have been hindred if not many men destroyed by the Innundation as has often happened by the overflowing of that great River All these pregnant Reasons obliged his Majesty to abandon the Siege and refer the reducing Limerick to a more favourable Season and Opportunity so that after he had raised the Siege and found that the Season would not permit him the undertaking of any Consideration meriting his Presence he resolved to return for England constituting the Lord Viscount Sidney and Sir Thomas Conningsby Governours of Ireland and having as well as could be expected settled the other Offices and Trusts in confiding hands and giving all necessary Orders his Majesty embarked Accompanied by the Prince of Denmark and attended by his men at Duncannon and arrived safe at Kingsroad near Bristol and so having Dined at a Farmer's-house by the way to put off the many Invitations of the Nobility that time would have delayed he came to Windsor to the extraordinary Joy and Rejoycing of the whole Kingdom for his safe Return and Success in Ireland and now having been so long detained in Ireland let us look a little back into the Affairs of England The Queen in whom the Regency was placed during the King's absence managed the weighty Affairs of Government with extraordinary Prudence and Conduct as appeared in the raising the Militia and keeping a strict Eye over such dissaffected Persons as perhaps wanted but an opportunity to rise in Arms had they found the French forward to Land but her Majesties Care and the good Order she took for every thing broke all their Measures and prevented the mischiefs that threatned the Kingdom so that the French Fleet as strong and numerous as they were durst attempt nothing considerable on the Coast the Militia of London shewed their willing and chearful Resolution to oppose the Attempts of the Enemy in a gallant appearance in Hide-Park before her Majesty to her great Satisfaction being between 9 and 10000 effectual men well Armed and appointed and the whole Militia of England up in Arms in their respective Counties were computed to be about 150000 Horse and Foot Upon Complaints against the Earl of Torrington for the Miscarriage in the Fleet he was sent for in Custody of Messengers and appeared before the Council at White Hall by whom in regard there were strong presumptions against his Lordship he was committed to the Tower and carried thither by Water to prevent perhaps any Rudeness that might have been occasioned by the incensed Rabble The wounded of Dutch and English Seamen came daily to London where they were provided for in the several Hospitals the People all the way they came bestowing Money on them and when they were recovered Care wasta ken to send the former into Holland and as soon as we had certain information that the French Fleet had quitted the Coast and were gone into their Harbours the Trained-Bands and other Militia were sent home in the mean time a great many Hands were set at work to Rig and Equip the Fleet with all speed so that 32 Men of War rode at Spithead and the Dutch had recruited again to 28 stout Ships and came to to the Gunfleet having immediate Orders to joyn the English and eight Regiments were embarked at Portsmouth not counting the Marine Regiments Commanded by the Earl of Marlboróugh in Chief as General and Mr. Trelawney as Major-General there was shipped likewise all manner of Warlike Ammunition and in brief whatever is necessary for the Field or the Siege of Towns so that it being not certainly known on what design they were bent at such a season of the Year the Peoples Conjectures were various but it soon appeared they were bound for Ireland and what they did there you 'll find in the sequel of this History About this time we had News of the great Success of the English over the French in America and that they had beaten them out of the Isle of St. Christophers and many other places of Note and taken great Booties of Cattel Corn and others Stores and Provisions And from America we have further notice that a great number of French were according to the Articles agreed on sent to Martinico and that the English had reduced the Fort on the Island of Statie and farther Advice that two of our Privateers fell in with Twelve Merchant Ships on the Coast of England bound for St. Maloes under the Convoy of a Frigat of Twelve Guns and took four of them forcing the rest on shore about Cherbourg where they were all shipwracked except the Frigat and most of the Men drowned On the Eighth of September the Parliament met at Westminster when after a short continuance the House of Peers adjourned to the Friday following and the Commons till the ensuing Thursday and His Majesty was pleased to order in Council a Commission to be prepared for the Proroguing the Parliament to the second day of October ensuing and a Proclamation was issued out to give notice that the Parliament should then sit and to require the Peers of this Realm and the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons to give their Attendance on the said second day of October accordingly and no sooner was the notice of His Majesties Glorious Atchievements spread abroad but the Ambassadours and Ministers of Forreign Potentates congratulated his Success and Universal Joy filled the Courts of the Neighbouring Princes The Parliament of Scotland sitting gave their Majesties a new Subsidy of three Months Cess on Lands and layed a Tax of Fourteen Pence upon every Fire-Hearth Hospitals and such as live upon Charity only accepted and a discovery was made that the Collonels Buchan and Cannon intended to go Northward and joyn the Earl of Seaforth and the rest of those of the Name of Mekenzy to have surprized the Garrison of Inverness but they marching over the Hills and coming within Eighteen Miles of Sterling where the Earl of Drumlanerig was posted with 3000 Horse and Foot he attacked them and the Major-General Mackay being in the Rear as in pursuit upon the Advice that had been given the design was altogether frustrated and the Rebels obliged after a long fatigue to shift for themselves receiving a considerable Loss insomuch that they being daily discouraged again dwindled away notwithstanding the fair promises that had been made them of extraordinary supply of Men and Money and the wiser part or such as had other ways wherewithal to subsist withdrew and left the more obstinate to strive against the Stream that would in all probability drive them back to their Ruine and perhaps after the many Attempts of open Force our Enemies might have proceeded to have given us the most fatal blow in the world by base and ignoble ways and villainous attempts We shall for once begging his pardon in this matter quote the New Observator an Author of Credit
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
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
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
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