from London And it being given out that the Queen was with Child for which it is reported a great Offering had been made at thâ— Shrine of the Lady of Loretto a Proclamation was put forth appointing a publick Thanksgiving and Prayer throughout the Kingdom that is in the Cities of London and Westminster on the 15 th of January and ten Mlies thereabout and on the 29 th throughout the Kingdom and Prayers were formed and published to that end and read in the Churches upon the Days mentioned This made the Papists greatly rejoyce and not stick to declare before hand it was a Son and many Flattering Poems were Written and published on that occasion and the Priests spread it loudly in their Sermons Attributing it as a Miracle to the Virgin Mary or as a return of the Offering c. And the privy Council of Scotland made an Act likewise for a publick and solemn Thanksgiving throughout that Kingdom to the same end bearing Date the 17 th of January 1687. And now to smooth with the Dissenters Commissioners were Appointed to Inquire what Monies or Goods had been Received or Seized by any Persons Ecclesiastical or Civil within the Cities of London or Westminster or the Counties of Middlesex Essex or Surry from the 29 th of September 1677. For matters Relating to Religion directing them to places where they should be heard and Redressed and this way of Proceeding made a great noise throughout the Kingdom for a while but in the end it fell a sleep and came to little or nothing On the 2 d. of March a Proclamation was Exhibited for-biding the Subjects of England c. to go into any Forreign Service without leave by Sea or Land as they would Answer it at their utmost Peril and upon some Complaints that the Soldiers in Pay were Disorderly in their Quarters a General Court Marshal consisting of General Officers and Officers of the Army were Appointed to meet at the Horse Guard every Friday morning to hear and Redress Grievances of that kind and commanded not to spare any for Respect or Favour that should be found Culpable Upon Notice that the King Intended â—o Recal his Forces in the Service of the States of Holland they Circumvented it by Disbanding them and Listing them a new such as would be Listed into their own Service before our Ambassador Received his Orders to Require their being sent Home or at least had made them known to the States General so that the King finding himself Disappointed published a Proclamation bearing date the first of March Commanding the Return of all his Subjects who had taken Arms or were â—n the Service of the States General of the United Neitherlands either by Land or Sea upon pain of being proceeded against if Refusing and the English Ships had a strict Charge to give such free Passage as would Return whereupon a great many Officers though but few of the Soldiers came oâ—er And now the Mass-Houses growing numerous the Rable began to Stomack â—â—t who are frequently the first on such occasions and broke the Windows whereupon the Trained-Bands had Orders to be in Arms to prevent it Especially on Sundays and several Youths were taken and Committed to Prison but upon making Friends most of them got off without Punishment and now many who had been very forward upon the first Publishing Liberty of Conscience appearing more Wavering the King Renewed it by a Second Declaration wherein he more Amply Declared his Pleasure as to the manner and management of that Affair and this was dated the 27 th day of April 1688. but some Ill willers to the Church of England Clergy finding they were not greatly Concerned at these Proceedings Resolved to try them further and thereupon so dealt that the King caused the following Order to be Published viz. At the Court of White-Hall the Fourth of May 1688. By the Kings Most Excellent Majesty and the Lords of His Majesties most Honourable Privy-Council IT is this day Ordered by his Majesty in Council that his Majesties Late Gracious Declaration bearing date the 27 th of April last be Read at the usual time of Divine Service upon the 20 th and 27 th of this Month in all Churches and Chapples within the Cities of London and Westminster and Ten Miles thereabout And upon the 3 d. and 10 th of June next in all other Churches â—nd Chapples throughout the Kingdom And â—t is hereby further Ordered that the Right Reverend the Bishops Cause the said Declaraâ—ion to be sent and destributed throughout their Respective Diocesses to be Read Accordingly Very few complyed with this for many of the Bishops refused to meddle or â—end any Declaration or Order of this kind whereupon the Popish party and others began to Rant at a high Rate and Charged them with Disobedience and Disloyalty puting out many Scandalous Pamphlets on that occasion yet at the same time Rejoyced to see this non Complyance as thinking thereby to gain an advantage by the Kings being Exasperated but that which they thought would have most availed them broke all their measures for the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canâ—erbury the Lords Bishop of Chichester Bath and Wells Bristol Ely Peterborough and St. Asaph thought it neccisary in their â—lames and on the behalf of others humbly to Petition the King to Remit the Order for the Declaration to be Read in Churches in the time of Divine Service but those of that Reverend Body that delivered it had not only a slighting Answer but the afore Named Worthy Men were Summoned to Appear before the King in Council at VVhite-Hall where the Lord Chancellor Jesseries and divers Popish Lords Sat to Examin them and after they had given their Reasons why they could not comply they were contrary to the Expection of a vast number of People who waited to hear the Issue sent to the Tower by Water and whilst they remained there News was spread abroad that the Queen was Delivered of a Son at St. James's between 9 and 10 in the Morning when about Noon the Council met and ordered there should be a general Thanks Giving observed in the Cities of London and VVestminster and Parts Adjacient on the 14 th of June and in 14 days after in all other Parts of the Kingdom and that notice should be given of this Birth to the Lord Mayor of London that Bone-fires and publick Rejoycings might be made which was performed and the Tower Guns Discharged to Signifie it at a greater distance and Dr. VValgrave the Queens Physitian was Knighted in the Kings Bed-Chamber for the Skill and Dilligence he had used and on the 10 th of June the Marchioness of Powis was Sworn by the Lord Chamberlain of the House-hold Lady Governess of their Majesties Children and the Lady Strickland under Governess and a Proclamation was published for a Publick Thanksgiving and a Form of Prayer and Thanksgiving ordered to be drawn up and dispersed to the divers Churches and Chapples of England VVales
may see our Unanimity and that I may have the opportunity of shewing you how ready I am to do any thing that may give Comfort and Satisfaction to such Dutiful and Loyal Subjects Hereupon a Proclamation was Issued out for the Confinement of Popish Recusants more distant from London within five Miles of their Dwellings and another Proclamation for Apprehending divers Persons by Name accused of the Conspiracy Likewise an Order of Council for the apprehending Jesuits and Popish Priests with the Reward of Twenty l. a Head One William Staley a Goldsmith's Son in Covent Garden and a noted Papist was Tryed on the 21 of November at the Kings-Bench Bar before the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs and other Judges of that Bench upon an Indictment of High Treason for saying He would Kill the King c. and being Convicted was Sentenc'd to be Draw'd Hanged and Quartered which was accordingly Executed and his Quarters being given to his Friends a great many Papists crowded to his Funeral which was Solemnized with much pomp as accounting him the Proto-Martyr of their Cause The King was so much Incensed at this proceeding that an Order was sent to have the Body taken up and the Head and Quarters afixed upon the Gates of the City of London which was accordingly performed And now the Conspiracy being more narrowly searched into and manifested by the Papers seized with Edward Coleman Esq he was Tryed at the Kings Bench Bar before the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs on the 27 th of November upon an Indictment of High Treason in Conspiring the Death of the King subverting the Government and Extirpating the Protestant Religion upon which he was found Guilty by a Jury of Gentlemen of Quality of the County of Middlesex and the next day received Sentence as in case of High Treason and was Executed at Tyburn and a reward and protection was offered to such as would come in within a limited time and make a further Discovery and to prevent any danger that might from hence arise in any of the other Kingdoms Expresses were dispatched and such Persons as were accused or had been suspected were Seized and all due care taken especially in Ireland where by reason of the number of Papists Inhabiting that Kingdom the danger seemed to threaten and an Order was published That no Person upon great penalties should resort to the Queens Chapple or the Houses of Ambassadors unless her Servants or Servants of such Ambassadors as had Chapples and strict Inquiry was made upon this occasion Officers being appointed to have an Eye upon such as came in and out and some who could give no good account of themselves were carried before the Magistrates and Committed and a Proclamation was Issued out for dis-arming and securing Popish Recusants throughout the Kingdom which was punctually observed in most parts On the 17 th of November Letters having been scattered in the Streets of Dublin in Ireland Intimating a Conspiracy against the Life of the Duke of Ormond Lord Lieutenant of that Kingdom to be put in Execution by one Michael Jepson he was thereupon Seized and confessed the Design and that he was preverted and incited amongst other Inducements to this intended Murther for that Alexander Jepson his Father had been hanged at Dublin for the Plot contrived 1663. and hereupon Brin and Plunket two Secular Priests were Seized the former being the party that set him on to perpretrate this wickedness and Papers from other Priests incouraging the like were found upon a strict Inquiry And now the Parliament of England having made a considerable progress into the Plot and the design growing more and more apparent by the Testimonies of other Witnesses that came in they were on the 30 th of December Prorogued 'till the 4 th of February following upon which the Papists relying for a greater boldness in returning to the Cities of London and Westminster another Proclamation was Issued out commanding them to depart as likewise the Magistrates and Officers to make diligent search for such as should lurk about Town c. And a Proclamation commanding the immediate return of the Children of Noblemen Gentlemen and others that were the Kings Subjects being in Foreign Seminaries and forbidding relief to be sent to them according to the Statute made in the 20 th Year of Elizabeth or undergoe the Penalty of that Statute which is to be adjudged a Traytor and suffer Forfeit and â—oss as in case of High Treason And another Proclamation for apprehending several Jesuits by Name viz. John Gaven Vavasor alias Gifford Edward Levison as also Broadstreet a Popish Priest and Francis Evers alias Ireland forbidding all Persons to Harbour Conceal or Shelter them on pain of being proceeded against for High Treason offering for the lattor 100 l. and for the rest 50 l. a Man and William Ireland and John Grove the first a Jesuit being Tryed and Convicted at the Old Baily as Guilty of the Conspiracy were Sentenced as in case of High Treason and afterward Executed at Tyburn In the Month of February several of the Justices of the Peace being doubtful in putting the Laws in Execution as to what related in some particulars against Popish Recusants and proposing several Queries to His Majesty He referred them to His Judges who after Consultation made this return of their Opinions viz. I. That Foreigners being Popish Recusants and excercising ordinary Trades but not Merchants are not excused from taking the Oaths or finding Securities II. That Foreigners though certified by Ambassadors to be their Servants except they are their menial Servants are not excused III. That Foreigners though settled House-Keepers being no Travellers or Foreign Ministers Servants are not excused IV. That the Kings Native Subjects are not excused from taking the Oaths by being menial Servants to Foreign Masters V. That we find no Law that excuses a Female Covert being a Papist from taking the Oaths though her Husband be a Protestant VI. That a Popish Recusant having taken the Oaths is not bound to find new Surities unless upon a new tender of the Oaths he shall refuse to take the same And this was Signed Will. Scroggs Fra. North W. Montague W. Wylde T. Littleton Hugh Windham Robert Atkins V. Bertie Fra. Bramston Tho. Jones W. Dolbin And the King having approved the Opinion of his Judges ordered the Justices of the Peace in their respective precincts to take notice accordingly in the execution of their dutys and conform thereunto and ordered the Custos Rotulorum of each County to give them Information and a further charge given them to put the Laws in Execution where any neglect had been The Murther of Sir Edmond Bury Godfrey being by this time fully discovered to have been acted in Somerset House Yard whither he had been way-layed and trained in under pretence of parting a Fray and there being Strangled by the suddain twisting a Napkin round his Neck and afterwards breaking his Neck and that he had been carried to Primrose-bill where he
the Defence of that Kingdom On the 19 th of May the Parliament met at Westminster pursuant to the Writs of Summons and the Commons being by the Black Rod sent for up to the House of Lords the Lord Keeper declared to them That it was his Majesties Pleasure to defer Speaking to them till both Houses had taken the Oathes appointed to be taken by Act of Parliament and then he would Declare his Mind to them concerning the Cause of Calling them And further That the Gentlemen of the House of Commons should go apart and proceed immediately to the Choice of a Speaker and accordingly they chose Sir John Trevor who was approved by the King And on the 22 d. of May the King made a Speech to both Houses promising to maintain the Government in Church and State in all its Rights and Priviledges demanding a Settlement of the Revenue for Life and further supplies â— proceeded to let them know he had received News that the Earl of Argyle was Landed in the VVest Highlands of Scotland with the Men he brought with him out of Holland and that he had put out Two Declarations one in his own Name and the other in the Names of those he brought over with him c. Upon this the Commons going to their House Voted the Revenue should be settled and that a Bill should be brought in for that purpose And the Lords and Commons declared their Resolutions to stand by and assist him And the Scots began likewise to stir to prevent the Danger that threatned that Kingdom from a geathering Army passing divers Acts and putting forth sundry Proclamations and raising Forces especially in the Highlands for the Earles Declation spread abroad many believed they contained somewhat of Reason and thereupon went unto him so that in a short time from about 300. he brought over with him he became about 3000. strong fortefying some Places and keeping the Islands On the 30 th of May Thomas Dangerfield was tryed at the King's Bench-Bar for Writing and Publishing a Book called his Narative and a Verdict passed against him and in the Afternoon at a Nisiprius held at Guild Hall Mr. Richard Baxter was Tryed and Convicted for Writing Notes upon the New Testament and the same Day the Act for setling the Revenues on the King for Life as it was in King Charles's Time passed the Royal Assent On the 1 st of June about Five in the Morning Her Royal Highness the Princess Ann of Denmark was Delivered of a Daughter which in the Afternoon was Christened by the Lord Bishop of London by the Name of Mary The Earl of Argyle being by this time on the firm Land sent out his Summons from Campletown in these Words viz. Being by the Blessing of God came safe to this Place with a Resolution according to a Declaration emitted for the Defence of the Protestant Religion and our Lives and Liberties against Popery and Arbitrary Government and all the Fensible Men of Illa being come this Length and this Country being this Day together at a General Rendesvous these are to require all Heritors Tenants and Others and all the Fensible Men within the division of Cowal between Sixty and Sixteen with all their Useful Arms and Two Week Loan to come to Tarbet against Tuseday the 26th Instant at Twelve of the Clock without fail or sooner if possible And in Order to this he sent to Cowal and dispersed divers Letters and a great many Persons came in but the Highlanders for the most part declared for the King However the Earl on the 26 th of June Marched from Campletown in Kintaire with Two Troops of Horse and 700. Foot to Tarbet and there met 200. of the Illa Men and 200. more were expected and mustered on the 28 th and the Three Ships belonging to him the greatest carrying 30â— Guns and other small Vessels afterward taken up came likewise into the Port and from thence he passed to divers other places Sailing round the Islands and taking in such Men as would join him and amongst other Letters we find the following dated at Campletown May 22. 1685 and directed to the Laird of Lupe Loving Friends It hath pleased God to bring me safe to this Place where several of both Nations do appear with me for the Defence of the Protestant Religion our Lives and Liberties against Popery and Arbitrary Government whereof the particulars are emitted in Two Declarations by those Noblemen Gentlemen and Others and by me for my self Your Father and I lived in great Friendship and I am glad to serve you his Son in Defence of the Protestant Religion and I will be ready to do it in your particular when there is Occasion I beseech you let not any out of Fear or bad Principles perswade you to neglect your Duty to God and your Country at this time or to believe that the D. York is not a Papist or that being one he can be a Righteous King Then know that all England is in Arms in Three several Places and the Duke of Monmouth appears at the same time upon the same Grounds that we do and few Places in Scotland but will join and the South and West want but till they hear I am Landed for so they resolved before I left Holland Now I beseech you make no delay to separate from those that abuse you and are carrying on a Popish Design but come with all the Men of your Command to assist the Cause of Religion where you shall be most welcome to your Loving Friend to serve you Argyle P. S. Let this serve Young Loigie Skipuag and Charles Mc. Echan By this time the Charlotte Yatch was arriv'd in the Clyde and several Men of War were dispatched from England as the Falcon Mairmaid c. and several Warrants were issued out for Persons in England that had retired from their Houses and publick notice given in the Gazette for the apprehending them On the 13 th of June an Express came to the King at White-Hall by the Mayor of Lyme that on the 11 th there appeared Three Ships off that place and about 7 in the Evening the Duke of Monmouth Landed with about 150. Men and possessed himself of that Town sending some of his Men into the Neighbouring Counties to incite the People to Rise whereupon a Proclamation was put forth for Apprehending him his Adherents Adbettors Accomplices and Advisers And the King sent notiâ—e of the Dukes Landing to both Houses of Parliament then Sitting at Westminster who severally Addressed him and promised him in their Addresses to stand by him with their Lives and Fortunes intreating him to have more than ordinary Care of his Royal Person to secure it from any Attempt c. And on the 15 th of June a Proclamation was Published to Suppress the Duke's Declaration Entituled The Declaration of James Duke of Monmouth and the Noblemen Gentlemen and others now in Arms for the Defence and Vindication of the Protestant Religion
best men On the 16 th of December the King went to the House of Lords at Westminster attended with the usual Solemnity and gave the Royal Assent to An Act granting to their Majesties an Aid of two Shillings in the Pound for one Year An Act for Declaring the rights of the Subject and settling the Succession of the Crown And some other Acts for Naturalizing Persons c. On the 23 th of December the King passed an Act to prevent Doubts and Questions concerning the Collection of the Publick Revenue An Act to punish Officers and Soldiers who shall mutiny or desert their Majesties Service and for punishing false Musters And a private Act for settling a Joynture c. On the first of January a Chapter being held by the Soveraign and Knights Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter Frederick Elector of Brandenburgh was chosen a Knight Companion of the Order into the Stall of the Late Elector of Brandenburgh his Father The King of Denmark having sent about 6000 Horse and Foot to assist their Majesties of Great Britain Shipp'd in a very considerable Fleet they notwithstanding the projects of the French to disappoint it arrived safe in England and Scotland and were kindly received and care taken for passing them into Ireland to which Service they were chiefly designed being all well Disciplin'd and well Accourtred Men. On the 16 th the King came to the House of Lords and being Seated on the Throne the Commons attending gave the Royal Assent to An Act for a Grant to Their Majesties of an additional Aid of 12 d. in the Pound for one Year An Act for the Charging and Collecting the Duties upon Coffee Tea and Chocolate at the Custom-House and a private Act. And for the firmer settlement of the Kingdom of Scotland by putting the places of greatest Trust in confiding Hands His Majesty has been pleased to Constitute Lords Commissioners For the Great Seal The Duke of Hamilton the Earl of Argyle and the Earl of Southerland For the Privy Seal The Earl of Forfar the Earl of Kintore and the Lord of Carmichael For the Treasury The Earl of Crawford the Earl of Cassels the Earl of Tweddale the Lord Ruthuen and Mr. Melvil For the Clerk Register's Office The Lord Betheaven the Master of Burleigh Sir Duncan Campbell of Auclimbreak Sir Thomas Burnet of Lays and John Hay of Park Sir George Campbell of Cesnock Lord Justice Clerk On the 27 th of January His Majesty being seated on the Throne in the House of Lords sent for the Commons and gave the Royal Assent to An Act for the renewing of the Poll Bill and for an additional Poll. An Act to prevent Vexations Suits against such as acted in order to the bringing in their Majesties and Four private Acts. And then proceeded to make the following Gracious Speech My Lords and Gentlemen I Am very sensible of the readiness you have shewed to supply me with Money for the carrying on the Wars I am engaged in That I am glad of this occasion to give you Thanks for your careful dispatch of that matter which was absolutely necessary for the common safety The best return I can make your Kindness is to assure you that as far as it will goe it shall be imploy'd to the purposes it was given It is a very sensible Affliction to me to see my good People Burthened with heavy Taxes but since the speedy recovering of Ireland is in my Opinion the only means to ease them and to preserve the Peace and Honour of the Nation I am resolved to go thither in Person and with the Blessing of God Almighty endeavour to reduce that Kingdom that it may â—o longer be a Charge to this And as I have already ventured my Life for the Preservation of the Religion Laws and Liberties of this Nation so I am willing again to expose it to secure you the quiet enjoyment of them The Spring draws on and it being Requisite I should be early in the Field I must immediately apply my Thoughts to give Orders for the necessary Preparations which that I may have the more leisure to do I have thought convenient to put an End to this Sessions Then Mr. Speaker by His Majesty's Command said My Lords and Gentlemen IT is His Majesties Pleasure that this Parliament be Prorogued to the second Day of April next And this Parliament is Prorogued to the second Day of April next And thereupon His Majesty returned to his Palace FINIS
the only Story that has been made of me And I shall make it my endeavour to preserve this Government in Churcb and State as it is now by Law Established I know the Principles of the Church of England are for Monarchy and the Members of it have shewed themselves Good and Loyal Subjects Therefore I shall allways take Care to defend and support it I know too that the Laws of England are sufficient to make the King as great a Monarch as I can wish and as I shall never depart from the Just Rights and Prerogative of the Crown so I shall never invade any Man's Property I have often ventured my Life in Defence of this Nation and I shall still go as far as any Man in preserving it in all its Just Rights and Liberties Upon this fair promising Speech the Lords of the Council became Humble Suitors to the King that it might be Printted and Published for the Satisfaction of the People which was accordingly done and although some People as yet doubted of K. James's being a Roman Catholick he now put them out of doubt by going publickly to the Chappel so that these Protestant Lords that waited on him thither would not enter with him but attended his coming out c. On the 9 th of February a Proclamation was Exhibited for continuing the Collection of Customs and Subsidies of Tonage and Poundage and Orders were taken for the Funeral Solemnity of the Deceased King and every one that appeared or attended at Court were commanded by an Order of the Earl Marshal to be in the deepest Mourning except Long Cloaks and that as well the Lords as Privy Councelloâ— and Officers of his Late Majesties as of the present Houshold should cover their Coaches and Chairs and cloath their Livery Servants with Black Cloath and that none presumed to use any Varnish or Bullion Nails to be seen on their Chairs or Coaches except his Majesty the Queen Consort Queen Dowager and their Royal Highnesses and the Proclamation Ceremony was upon notice performed in all the chief Cities Towns and Places of the Three Kingdoms c. and a great many Addresses of Condolence and Congratulation were presented from the Societies and Inns of Court and from divers parts of the Kingdom before the Funeral of Charles the Second was performed to particularize which would be too tedious to the Reader and swell this Book at too large a Price nor was Scotland behind in these Proceedings for the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and others of the Council proceeded in their Formalities to the Market Cross and made the Solemn Publication and returned a suitable Answer to the Letter the King had sent them to give notice of what had happened an other was sent in the Name of the Arch-Bishops and Bishops of that Kingdom of Congratulation and Condolence Ireland appeared not behind Hand for his Grace the Duke of Ormond Lord Lieutenant of that Kingdom having received the News on the 10 th of February in the Evening The next Day the Ceremony of Proclaiming was performed and a Proclamation was issued forth on the 16 tb directing the payment of the Duty arising by Excise and the Right Honourable Lawrence Earl of Rochester Lord President of the Council was appointed Lord High-Treasurer of England the King Declaring the Lord Marquess of Hallifax Lord President of the Council in his stead Likewise the Earl of Clarendon Lord Privy Seal and the D. of Beaufort Lord President of Wales who were sworn accordingly The Lord Godolphin was appointed Chamberlain to the Queen and Henry Bulkly Esq Master of his Houshold Sir Stephen Fox eldest Clark of the Green Cloth Sir William Boreman second Clark Sir Winston Churchil Eldest Clark-Comptroller and Sir Richard Mason Youngest Clarkâ—Comptroller being in the same Places during the Reign of King Charles the Second And for some time an industrious Party laboured to accost the Court with Addresses being the prime subject of publick Papers and the great Business of the Lord Chief Justice Jefferys at this time was against Higlers and Carryers for carrying Letters some of which were tryed and fined at the Kings-Bench Bar Westminster Many Forreign Ambassadors arrived with Complements of Condolance and Congratulation and the Solemnity of the Coronation being appointed on the 23d of April being St. Georges day a Proclamation was issued forth bearing date the sixth of March in order to the Preparation on that occasion and the King resolving to call a Parliament to sit at Westminster on the 19th of May great Preparations were made upon the Writs being issued out in order to Elect Members for the Shires Cities Boroughs c And an Order bearing date the 20th of March was Published for the Apprehending of Highway-men and Robers any Person so doing before that Order should be recalled upon Conviction to have Ten Pounds as a Reward And a great many Officers were changed in the Kingdom of Ireland whereupon sundry Addresses ensued On the 14 th of April 1685. the Ambassadors of the States General of the United Provinces made their Publick Entery and had a House made Ready for their Reception in St. James's Square and had their first Publick Audience on the 20 th being Conducted to it by the Lord North and Sir Charles Cotterel Master of the Ceremonies And the 23 d. of April being come the Proceeding of the Coronation Set in Order passed from VVestminster Hall to the Abby and there was performed with the usual Ceremonies very Splendid and Magnificent which ended it returned to the aforesaid Hall where a Royal Entertainment was prepared and the King's Champion came in on Horse-Back and made his Challenge c. and most of the Towns throughout England were that Night filled with Bone-Fiers And on the same Day the Parliament of Scotland met at Edenburg and passed on the 28 th Two Acts one for settlâ—ng the Protestant Religion and the other for settling the Excise of Inland and Foreign Commodities upon the King and his Lawful Heirs and Successors for ever On the 30 th of April Sir Roger Le' Estrange Author of the Observatâ—r was Knighted in the King's Bed-Chamber and on the 6 th of May his Grace the Duke of Norfolk was Elected Knight Companion of the Noble Order of the Garter and invested with the George and Garter having first been Knighted by the Soveraign The Enemies of Dr. Oats having by this time prevailed against him he was tryed on the 8 th and 9 th of May upon Two Informations of Willful Perjury at the Kings-Bench Bar Sir George Jefferys being Lord Chief Justice and after a long Hearing a Verdict passed against him upon either Indictment and his Sentence proved very severe and was put in Execution with all manner of Rigour yet he lived contrary to the Expectation of Many to weather that Storm and see the short Triumph of his Enemies On the 28 th of May a Proclamation was Published in Scotland for the stirring up the several Counties and Shires for
them except Two who withdrew took the Oaths and the like soon after did most of the Members that were absent after which an Act was Read regulating the Articles whereupon there rose a debate and an adjournment of a few days ensued The Parliament of England having prepared divers Bills for the Royal Assent On the 22 d. of June the King went to the Lords House And passed an Act for granting of their Majesties an aid of 12 d. in the pound for one year for the necessary defence of the Realm An Act for enabling the Lords Commissioners of the great Seal to execute the Office of Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper An Act for reversing the Attaindurâ— of Henry Cornish Esq late Alderman of 〈◊〉 City of London and divers others relating to Trade and the Affairs of private Persons and this Month there being a Paper Spread Abroad in Secret Intituled a Declaration of King James the Second divers Persons were Seized and Impâ—â—soned Whilst these things passed in England and Scotland a pretended Parliament was Convened at Dublin in Ireland who amongst other things passed an Act for Papist's to pay their Yyths to their own Clergy and an other for Liberty of Conscience Repealing Pointings Acts as likewise the Acts of Setlement and Explanation and made an Act for taking off the Twelve Pence per Pound to Ministers in Corporate Towns and an Act for Attaindure of several thousand of Persons by Name and several French Protestants that had fled theither for shelter were delivered to the Count de Avoâ—x in order to be sent for France and mony being wanting a Copper Coin was made and Ordered by Proclamation to pass Current for six pence unless in the Treasury and Custom-house although it was not the value of one of our â—arthings by which means most of the Current Monies was Ingrossed to the great discouragement of the People and whilst the Body of the English Army Commanded by the Duke of Schomberg was preparing to make a descent on that Kingdom between 7 or 800 Irish were sent over into Scotland to strengthen Dundee's Party under the Command of Collonel Cannon in hopes to divert the King's Forces and retard their passing the Seas but it had not its desired Ends for divers other Persons who were to joyn them being discovered in a Letter brought to the Lord High Commissioner by an unknown Hand and by other ways which occasioned the seizing of such as were Accused or suspected In the End the Design dwindled to little or nothing especially upon Dundee's being Slain in a Battle against Major General Mackay in which his Forces were Routed with considerable loss On the 24 th of July Her Royal Highness the Princess Ann of Denmark was Delivered of a Son at Hampton-Court the Queen being present the whole time of her Labour and the King with most of the Persons of Quallity about the Court came into her Royal Highnesses Chamber before her Delivery and the Young Prince whom the King was pleased to Declare Duke of Gloucester was on the 27 th Christened by the Lord Bishop of London by the Name of WILLIAM the King and the Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold being God-Fathers and the Lady Marchioness of Hallifax God-Mother and her Royal Highness's safe Delivery and the Birth of a Prince was received with great Demonstrations of Joy and Satisfaction throughout England About this time we had the account of the Defeat of Dundee in Scotland and his being Slain after which happened another Encounter briefly thus Major General Mackay having received Advice on the 31. of July That the Enemy was gon towards Angus he marched from Sterlin with a Detachment of Horse of the Lord Colchester's Regiment and some Dragoons and coming the next day to St. Johnstown he understood that 500 of their Foot and 2 Troops of Horse had been sent thither to Seize upon some Stores of Meal that was left there for the use of the King's Forces and were carrying it away to their main Body whereupon by speedy March he over-took them in a Plain not far from St. Johnstown and immediately Charged their Horse who brought up the Rear and having routed them fell upon the Foot who were all killed and taken Prisoners together with Capt. Hacket who Commanded them the which and the former Defeat caused those that were left to retreat further into the North and labour for new Succors On the 14 th of August the Soldiers near at hand the better to keep them in Exercise and train them in War marched to Hounslow Heath and there Encamped but soon after they broke up and the English Soldiers were appointed to Mount the Guards at White Hall c. and take their Posts and Places as formerly for the Guard of Their Majesties Persons c. And divers Troops and Regiments drew out from their Quarters and Marched to High-lake where the Ships for their Transportation into Ireland lay at Anchor And a Declaration of War against France was Published in Scotland Prohibiting likewise all Commerce with the Subjects of France The Duke d' Scombergh arriving with English Army on the 13 th of August the Lough of Carickfergus on Bangor-side without any Opposition he sent 2 Regiments to Bellfast the Irish thâ—â— were there retiring before them and the Country came in with great store of Provisions which proved so Cheap that his Grace sent a great part of what the Ships had brought over back again And those in London Derry the Inskilling Men and other Protestants being hereupon Incouraged and having well provided themselves by the Spoils they had taken upon several Defeats they had given the Enemy became very Formidable making In-roads at their Pleasure and taking great Booties though the Popish Army upon their retreat from before London-Derry had Burnt a great many Villages with much Forrage destroying what they could not carry away And the General still advancing with the English Army the Enemy retreated before him whereupon having reduced several Places and restored as he passed the Country to some considerable Settlement he some time after Encamped near Dundalk expecting a Favourable opportunity to set upon the Enemy Mr. George Walker late Governour oâ— London-Derry having been wellcomed an caressed in Scotland which he took in 〈◊〉 way arrived at Hampton-Court the latter end of this Month where he was received by their Majesties with many expressions of the Gracious Sense they have of his Services and as a present mark of His Royal Favour and Bounty His Majesty was pleased to bestow upon him 5000 l. assuring him that this should not at all lessen the Kindness he intended to shew him and his Family and that he would likewise have a particular care of the rest of the Officers and other Gentlemen who had so well behaved themselves at Derry After which Mr. Walker presented his Majesty an humble Address from the Governours Officers Clergy and other Gentlemen of the City of Derry which was favourably
received and care was taken for the supplying the Necessities of such as had been forced to Fly that Kingdom to avoid the Persecution and it was ordered by the Lords of the Committee for the affairs of Ireland that all Persons that do receive half Pay from their Majesties upon the Irish Establishment should Immediately Transport themselves into Ireland and repair to his Majesties Army under his Grace the Duke of Schombergh General of his Majesties Forces And now upon the Publication of the King's Pardon in Scotland to such as would come In in time and lay hold on the Offered Grace divers Persons of Note and others took the Advantage and Submitted themselves The High-landers likewise dispersed so that Collonel Cannon who Commanded in Cheif was Reduced for the most part to the straightness of the Isle of Mull and greatly distressed for want of Provisions and other Necessaries and to straiten him the more General Mackay Garrisoned divers places in the North and divers of the Heads of Clans that had stood out came in and took the Oath to the King and Queen giving sufficient Surites for the Peace and all things seemed to promise a prosperous Issue to the Affairs of that Kingdom On the 20 th of September the Parliament met ar Westminster pursuant to their late Adjournment and His Majesty having Signified his Pleasure to both Houses that they should further Adjourn to the 19 th of October the two Houses Adjourned accordingly and had further notice to meet by Proclamation The Parliament of Scotland was likewise Adjourned by Proclamation from the Eighth of October to the 20 th of December And the King going to New-Market was Highly Complemented by the Vice-chancelor of the Uniuersity of Cambridge and the Heads of the Houses the Doctors c. in their Formalities to which His Majesty returned a very Gracious Answer and then they were one by one presented by his Grace the Duke of Somerset their Chancelor and Admitted to kiss the King's Hand and the next day His Majesty went to Cambridge and was very Splendidly Entertained and divers Addrsses were Humbly Presented in this Progress from Sundry Corporations c. which were very Favorably Received The Army in Ireland being about this time Advanced some what near the Enemy a design was discovered in the Camp Carried on by some French Papists Mâ—sqing themselves under the Pretext of Protestants for a Captain in one of the French Regiments being Informed by a Soldier that four other Soldiers and a Drummer that were Papist's designed to go over to the Irish Army he caused them to be seized and found Letters about one of them to Mounsieur de Avaux who upon Examination Confessed he had a Letter from one du Plessy a Papist serving as a private Centinal in one of the French Regiments though he had been formerly a Captain of Horse in France from whence he was forced to retire upon account of a Murther he had committed there who being likewise seized upon Examination Confessed that he had Written to the late King and de Avaux giving them an account that there were divers Papist's in the French Regiments and promising withal to bring them over to the Irish Camp upon condition he might have the Command of them and a Pardon in France whereupon he and his five Accomplices being Tryed before a Council of War and the design being Apparrent they received Sentence of Death and were Executed accordingly after which the three French Collonels made a strict Inquiry what Papist's there were in their Regiments and found 150 who by order of the General were Secured and sent Prisoners to Carlingfâ—rd in order to their being Transported for England and most of these had deserted the French Service this Summer and passed into Holland and from thence to England where they Listed themselves in the Regiments of French the Protestants that were then Leavying the Officers Raising their Companies in so much hast that they had not time to Examine them strictly and perhaps their Disserting and coming over might be a French Trick to Embroyl our Army but however it was timely discovered and defeated On the 13 th of October Dr. Edward Stilling flâ—et Bishop Elect of Worcester Dr. Simon Patrick Bishop Elect of Chichester Dr. Gilbert Ironside Bishop Elect of Bristol were Consecrated in the Chapple of Fullham by the Bishop of London St. Asaph and Rochester by vertue of a Commission Granted to them on that behalf and the next day Thomas Earl of Pembroek and Montgomery was Sworn one of the Lords of His Majesties Privy-Council and took his place at the Board accordingly On the 19 th the Parliament met at Westminster whither the King went Attended with the usual Solemnity and being in His Royal Robes Seated on the Throne in the House of Lords made a very Gracious Speech to both Houses on the occasion of their Meeting and after a short Prorogation of three days the Parliament met again and His Majesty Refered them to what he had said to both Houses on the 19 th And for the better Encouragement of erchants and others that should carry Necessaries into Ireland for the Service of the King's Forces an Order was Published to excuse the paying any Duty or Custom from the first of November for 3 Months ensuing On the 29 th of October Sir Thomas-Pilkington being continued Lord Mayor for the Year ensuing went toi Westminster in the Morning by Water attended by the Companys in their Barges after the usual splendid manner and being Sworn before the Barons of the Exchequer return'd to Black-Fryers Stairs where he Landed and passed to Guild-Hall where their Majesties were pleased to Dine with him as did a great many of the Nobility and Members of the House of Commons with the Privy Councellors Judges Bishops c. The whole Entertainment being to the high Satisfaction of all and the King and Queens Pictures were set up the Night before in the Court of Hustings as also a Triumphal Arch c. The King about this time was pleased to Create Richard Lord Coot Baron of Coloony in the Kingdom of Ireland an Earl of that Kingdom by the Name of Earl of Bellemont And a French Man of War of 15 Guns Laden with Arms and bound for Ireland was taken by the St. Albans and Dover Frigats and brought into Falmouth the 6 th of November and they narrowly missed another of 36 Guns on Board which were reported to be the Ld. Dover and the Marquess d' Albyville going to King James On Board the Prize taken were 4000 small Arms and a considerable quantity of Powder with several French Officers And several French Prizes were brought into other Ports Although the greatest part of the English Army in Ireland was in Winter Quarters yet Charlemont was kept Blocked up and divers Skirmishes happened between Parties in which the Irish were worsted as at the Hills before Charlemont and at Newry Bridge and Town c. Loosing a great many of their