Charles II: Miscellaneous 1681

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Charles II, 1680-1. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1921.

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'Charles II: Miscellaneous 1681', in Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Charles II, 1680-1, (London, 1921) pp. 654-686. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/domestic/chas2/1680-1/pp654-686 [accessed 25 March 2024]

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Miscellaneous 1681

[1680. Aug.] Francis Gwyn to the King. Petition stating that his Majesty granted him the reversion of the prothonotary's place for the circuit of Glamorgan after the death of Charles Hughes, that afterwards Mr. Lyster unduly procured a warrant for the said reversion, and that his Majesty, remembering the grant to the petitioner to be 3 or 4 days before the date of the said warrant, ordered the Attorney-General to prepare the like of the reversion to the petitioner, and, the said Hughes being dead and the petitioner possessed of the said office, praying a grant thereof in reversion after the petitioner's death to Anthony Gwyn for his life, whose father, being an officer in the late wars and a true servant of the Crown, was a great sufferer thereby, and who is left wholly unprovided for. (See Calendar, S.P. Dom., 1679-80, p. 598.) [Ibid. No. 184.]
Oct. 8. Warrant from the Commissioners appointed to inquire what lands, goods or chattels Thomas White alias Whitebread, John Fenwick, William Harcourt, John Gavan and Anthony Turner were seised or possessed in Middlesex to the Sheriffs of that county to summon on the 14th instant at New Inn Hall, 24 good and lawful men of the said county to inquire into the truth of the matters contained in the said commission. [Ibid. No. 184a.]
Dec. 5.5 p.m. Francis Gwyn to Secretary Jenkins. His Majesty was to-day spoke to from Mr. Seymour for his favour in naming me one of the three Commissioners of Inspection in Ireland not to be suspended by the late order in Council, who encouraged me to hope I may be one continued, and has spoken to Lord Conway to acquaint you and that you would state the case to his Majesty that he may take order in it, which I beg you to do as soon as convenient. There being five Commissioners originally on the Irish establishment, a sixth was added three years ago by his Majesty's particular order. The Council on a supposition there were but five and that two (whereof the Chancellor of the Exchequer there to be one) were sufficient to manage the business made an order 9 Nov. last to suspend the salary of three of them, intending to leave but two unsuspended, who were to be actually on the place, that number being a quorum and sufficient to do the duty, but now, it appearing that three are left unsuspended and that in their lordships' judgment two are enough, I presume I may have as just pretences to his Majesty's favour of being one not suspended and without any prejudice to his affairs, though I am attending his service here and not on the place, as any of my brethren, though they may live in Ireland. (See the Ormonde Papers, Vol. V, p. 493.) [S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 342, No. 93.]
Feb. 8. — to Sir Francis Radcliffe, Dilston. The story in the enclosed of a gentleman's being killed by a gentlewoman is certainly true, for it was done in our parish. Major Parry's daughter shot him in the heart, but it was not designedly done. The patent making Mr. Noel Baron of Titchfield is engrossing. His Majesty, since conferring the honour of knighthood on Sir George Treby, has commissionated him a Justice of the cities of London and Westminster, and of Middlesex, Essex, Surrey, Kent and Devon.
The Earl of Arundel is going towards Cumberland Shrove Tuesday next. We hear of many coaches being robbed. The election little differing from the last Parliament, the members that served before will serve again. Our lord continues more indisposed and it's thought he will never recover.
Our Holland letters give us an account of dreadful apprehensions there on their accounts from Paris of the great preparations making against the next campaign. They have made a reform of their magistrates and displaced many of the Prince of Orange's party. [Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital 1, No. 81a.]
Feb. 11. The Lord Lieutenant to the Earl of Arran. Extract concerning Lord Clare, beginning "The packet I sent the King," ending "may not be impertinent," printed in the Ormonde Papers, Vol. V, p. 577, and alluded to in the Lord Lieutenant's letter of that date, calendared ante, p. 162. [S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 342, No. 5.]
March 25. Receipt by John Bridges, Warden of Emanuel Hospital, Westminster, for 50l., one half year's rent of lands in the manor of Bramsburton, Yorkshire, the gift of Lady Anne Dacres, foundress of the Hospital. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 184b.]
June 14. Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. Giving a summary of the speeches of Justice Jones and Justice Dolben at Fitzharris' trial, which are reported in State Trials, Vol. VIII, col. 394.
Dr. Burnett was to-day by command sent to Fitzharris to lay before him the danger of his condition and to persuade him at last to make a full discovery. The Lieutenant of the Tower was by all the time he was with him. The Lord Chancellor was with him on Saturday, and went from him to Windsor. Lord Hyde and several others of the Privy Council came to town yesterday about Lord Howard's business. He was searched yesterday by Capt. Cheeke, and some papers found in his pocket.
Yesterday Samuel Harris, that was committed for dispersing Fitzharris' libels, was brought again to the Old Bailey, and, there being no evidence against him, the Court took four bail for him in 500l. apiece and himself in 1,000l. for his appearance the next Sessions.
The East India Company, not being pleased with the order of the Admiralty Court permitting the interlopers to land and dispose of their goods, have appealed to the Lord Chancellor, who has for the present put a stop to the same.
We suppose to-morrow Fitzharris and Plunket will receive their sentence, there being a rule of Court to that purpose.
Their Majesties continue in good health at Windsor. (Describing the presentation of addresses from Bath by Mr. Nevill, the Recorder, and from Dorset by the Earl of Bristol.) His Majesty said to the Earl: I believe that Lord Shaftesbury will be angry at this address, but I see that a prophet is not always that prophet in his own country. The King also knighted two gentlemen that accompanied the Earl. We have advice from Deal that an address will be presented from there this week.
On Saturday I gave you an account that Lord Howard was accused by Mrs. Fitzharris of being concerned in the libel for which Fitzharris was convicted, and that night he was taken by a Serjeant at Arms and brought before Sir L. Jenkins, and after a long examination was committed to the Tower for high treason. [3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital 1, No. 102 a.]
[1681. June.] Lord Dunkellin to the King. Petition for a grant to him of the government of co. Galway and of the county of the town of Galway, together with the command of the first vacant troop of horse and company of foot in Ireland, the said government having been granted by several patents from Queen Elizabeth, King James and the late King to his ancestors, Earls of Clanrickard and Lords of Dunkellin, till Ulick, the Lord Deputy, was overthrown and dispossessed by the late usurper, and, though his Majesty's predecessors dispensed with the former Earls being of the Romish persuasion, yet since the restoration his Majesty having discontinued these marks of his favour to Richard, the late, and William, the present Earl, the petitioner's father, the petitioner being not only a serious professor of but a great sufferer for the Protestant religion, being for the same exposed to the resentments of an angry father. [S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 342, No. 94.]
[1681. June.] Lord Dunkellin to the Earl of Nottingham, Lord Chancellor. Stating his case in relation to his pretension to the government of the town and county of Galway and other the commands of his ancestors in Ireland by giving a history of the Clanrickard family since the latter part of the reign of Henry VIII and showing how many of his ancestors had held the above government. (For both these papers see ante, pp. 336, 380.) [12 pages, Ibid. No. 95.]
Sept. 24.
London.
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. Mr. Cotton, a factious and scandalous news-writer, having lately in his newsletters scandalized Mr. Castleton, of which he made complaint, is for his misdemeanours ordered to be seized by a messenger to answer the same.
Our Scotch letters of the 17th bring an account that the Parliament met there the 16th and passed several Acts, one for asserting his Majesty's prerogative in changing and nominating sheriffs, though heritable, and that for any misdemeanour by them he may turn them out and appoint others in their places, another against minors granting bonds with an oath to be taken when they are majors, by which it is declared that the writers and takers of such bonds be looked on as infamous, a third against importation of salt unless for curing fishes and that salt to be sold for 5l. the Lithligo (Linlithgow) boll, all duties paid, the fourth that all bonds granted by noblemen for carrying on the late war and rebellion and maintaining the covenant be void and particularly those given by the Duke of Rothes' father. The fifth was that all that give their votes for choosing any members shall first take the test, after which they adjourned till the 17th, when several votes passed, viz., that all flesh should be sold by weight, and that his Majesty should nominate such as he shall think fit to survey all the laws and put to them in form and words, rectifying errors, and to take away any that are superfluous. A letter to his Majesty was also ordered to thank him for having given them his brother to reside amongst them, by whose means so many wholesome laws had been made, after which they were adjourned to 1 March next.
A Committee of the Council for Examinations sat yesterday and had before them Dr. [Tong]e's papers and other things, relating to a correspondency between Dr. Oates and him, by which papers 'tis said that great discoveries are made, which in a few days will be public.
'Tis discoursed as though the term will be adjourned, but on what grounds is uncertain.
In most of the public prints that came out to-day they say that Dr. James is made prebendary of Westminster in place of Dr. Gibbs, deceased, but I am very well assured that Dr. Sill, chaplain to the Bishop of London, has that prebend conferred on him.
Three persons having given information on oath against Mr. Farringdon that lives in Holborn for speaking treasonable words, a warrant is out against him. These words are, 'tis said, of the same nature as those for which College suffered.
Capt. Loveday being dead, the place of keeper of Wood Street Compter is sold for 1,500 broad pieces of gold.
The Hague, 30 Sept. All the discourse here is now about the treaty on foot between this State, the Emperor, the Protestant princes, the Kings of England and Spain and the two Northern Crowns, to which alliance his Most Christian Majesty will be invited, for better preserving the treaties of Nimeguen and Westphalia, and it is provided by this treaty that, if any one shall go about to make any breach of the said treaties, he shall be opposed by the united forces of all the other allies. This league advances apace, which has so far alarmed the French Ambassador, that he has declared to the Deputies of Amsterdam and several others that, if they proceed any further therein, his Master will take it for a rupture. [Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital 1, No. 136 a.]
Plymouth. Inventory of books in English, Latin and Spanish, manuscripts, letters and other things, taken with the two Irish priests seized there, some being specified as found in the custody of Owen Holaron. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 185.]
London. " A narrative of the Popish Plot in Ireland for the murdering the Protestants there and the introducing of Popery and the assistance they depended upon from England, discovered by me, James Carroll, in the year 1672, with an account of my sufferings for discovering the same," sworn before Sir George Treby, 7 Feb., 1680[–1]. Describing how he and his father in April, 1672, heard Thomas Allen, innkeeper at Portumna, a tenant of the Earl of Clanrickard, declare how, if the Dutch were beaten, Lord Clanrickard intended to rise and cut off the Protestants in that country, and the subsequent persecutions he and his father suffered from Lord Clanrickard in consequence, with a dedication to the Earl of Essex and a copy of the Order of the House of Commons, dated 25 March, 1681, ordering the examinations taken before Sir G. Treby to be printed. [16 pages. Printed for Richard Janeway. S.P. Dom., Case G.]
The Case of the Kerry Quit-Rents, arguing by which column in the Survey they should be charged by, that called the Extreme or by that called the Reduced Column, and that, whereas the plaintiffs have enjoyed the lands set out to them scarce three years out of 21½ years, the quit-rents be not fully satisfied. [14 pages. Printed. Ibid.]
July 25. Affidavit by Sir William Petty in John Marshall and James Waller v. William Muschamp and Daniel Burges, concerning the quit-rents on lands in the baronies of Iveragh, Dunkerron, and Glanaroght, Kerry, set out to Robert Marshall, as assignee to the said Sir William and now let in custodium to the defendants, to the effect that neither he nor the said Marshall had from Easter, 1660, to Easter, 1681, received out of the premises to the clear value of 3 years of the present custodium rent. [3½ pages. Printed. Ibid.]
[1681 ?] The Second Part of the Case of the Kerry Quit-Rents. Replying to objections to the former Case and supporting the arguments therein. [15 pages. Printed. Ibid.]
London. The Absurdity of that new devised State Principle, viz., that in a monarchy the Legislative Power is Communicable to the Subject, and is not radically in Sovereignty in one but in more, in a letter to a Friend. (Printed pamphlet to be sold by Randal Taylor, near Stationers' Hall.) [Ibid.]
List of several of the Irish Bishops, with notes about some of them, one being Parker, Archbishop of Dublin, who was Archbishop from 28 Feb., 1678-9 to 28 Dec., 1681. With some other memoranda, one being "the foot of the account of the new hospital vouched before us, 3 Feb., 1680-81." [S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 342, No. 96.]
[1681.] Advertisement of a very useful book sold by Nath. Crouch at the Bell, next Kemp's Coffee-house in Exchange Alley, entitled "Historical Remarks and Observations of the antient and present state of London and Westminster," with an account of the most remarkable accidents for above 900 years past to this year 1681, and a description of the manner of the trial of the late Viscount Stafford, by Richard Burton, author of the "History of the Wars of England." [Printed. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 186.]
[1681 or 2.] Account of certain clauses taken out of the charter for the city of Hereford, and of ancient liberties and customs confirmed thereby, with articles of maladministration of the city on the part of the Mayor and Aldermen &c., which amount, it is thought, to a forfeiture of its charter, as electing mean persons, not freemen, for Common Councilmen, giving the freedom to 200 foreigners, apprentices or paupers, suffering non-residents who are not citizens to trade there, taking the city taxes without account for private uses, non-registration of freemen of the city, imposition of unwarranted oaths on the freemen and others, neglecting repair of bridges and highways, choosing as officers disaffected persons, some of whom were in arms against the late King, neglecting to take the oaths required for magistrates from 25 March, 1663, to 24 March, 1679[-80], so that there is no lawful government at present, as only 13 Common Councilmen survive who have taken the oaths, who not being a majority of 31, of which the Corporation consists, can no longer lawfully act, although on receipt of a letter from the Council in 1680 many of them, to keep themselves safe, took the sacrament and the oaths. List of the pretended Corporation of Hereford in 1680, with notes relating to them, one of the Common Council men being Richard Gower, noted as the present Mayor, who became Mayor the Monday after Michaelmas Day, 1681. [8 pages. Ibid. No. 188.]
Copy of the above. [Ibid. No. 188.]
[1681.] Address of the city of Exeter to the King. Thanking him for his gracious declaration of 8 April last, and his steady resolution to rule by law, and wondering at the unsuitable returns made by the House of Commons in the last two Parliaments, their refusal to grant supplies for support of Protestant allies against the French power, and the preservation of so important a place for trade as Tangier; their strange votes to prevent the advance of money on the revenues; their resolves to give no supplies unless the Exclusion Bill were passed; their tyrannizing over their fellow subjects by their frequent orders to take persons into custody; declaring divers eminent persons enemies of the kingdom, without process of law or hearing their defence; voting the Lords' procecdings about Fitzharris a denial of justice; their request for remission of fines of seditious persons; their resolves that it is dangerous to the peace of the kingdom to execute penal laws against Dissenters, and passing a Bill to repeal many such laws; their Bill of Association to authorize taking up arms without authority from his Majesty; their dilatoriness in bringing the impeached Popish lords to trial &c. These proceedings make them fully satisfied with the dissolution of these Parliaments, and they hope better representatives will be sent in future, citing the miseries caused by the Long Parliament. They applaud his resolution not to disinherit his brother, as it would be certain to excite a civil war, especially in Ireland, and a certain disuniting of Scotland from England, thanking him for his care to obviate mischiefs from a Popish successor and requesting vigorous execution of the laws both against Popish and fanatic Dissenters, as there is no security against one, without suppressing the other, for it is evident from Dr. Oates and others that many famed teachers in conventicles have been disguised Jesuits, sent to seduce the people's affections from the government. [3½ pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 189.]
[Nov. ?] — to Secretary Jenkins. The Doctor is most certainly informed that Sir W. Jones, Sir F. Winnington and Mr. Williams, with several others of that party, certify to the Coopers' Company of the honesty, ability and former good service to them of Mr. Browne, and therefore offer him to them to be their clerk. He was formerly their clerk, but for misdemeanours against the Government was fined 1,000 marks and to continue in prison till it was paid, and to give security for his good behaviour for seven years. He assuring the Doctor he would become a good man, he prevailed with the King to pardon him, but, finding he has not answered his promise, he offers that the King shall let the Company know he shall not take it well, if they receive such a one into their service. This must be done before next Tuesday, the day appointed to deliver the request of the said gentlemen, which without some interposition will be granted, but the least hint from the King will prevent it. The Doctor prays you to communicate this to the King and Lord Hyde.
He further says that, since you have begun with the Dissenters, if you look back, you will be in great danger to be lost, for he has always observed that, when you have made ten steps forwards and but one backwards, the adverse party has grown prodigiously, and several such forward steps having been made and not persevered in has brought things to their present pass. Dilatory proceedings have given the adverse party advantage, therefore either go through or meddle not at all, for, not obtaining your end, you give the enemy the greatest advantage imaginable. 'Tis now come to a civil war, not with the sword, but law, and, if the King cannot make the judges speak for him, he will be beaten out of the field. The Committee of the City hope to bring it to a concilium, thereby to prevent a jury, therefore 'tis absolutely necessary that the King should beforehand know the judges, and, if he find them agreeing, 'tis well; if not, to make such as will. The business relating to the City carries life and death in it, therefore not to be played with, nor to be too easily taken on trust, but before trial to have full assurance from the judges that at the same time they give it, there should be the same assurance given that they should be stood by.
I spoke with Mr. Fowens yesterday. His hopes are that they shall prove the mittimus, by which he was committed, insufficient, and hopes the judges may be satisfied, so that he shall not be remanded back to Bristol, and then the point is gained, but, if he should be remanded back, all is lost. Endorsed, "Private advice." (See ante, p. 637.) [1½ page. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 190.]
William Howell, messenger, to the Lords of the Treasury. Petition for payment of 100l. of his salary or bills, above seven years' wages being due to him, two years whereof and above 200l. due to him by bills accrued since they were Commissioners, above 500l. in all being due to him. About a year ago he hurt himself by a fall, and has been on crutches ever since, and has been constrained to borrow much money for his cure. [Ibid. No. 191.]
Information. It can be made to appear that Rouse, lately found an Ignoramus (18 Oct., 1681), is a perfect Papist, and that after disbanding of the late army he on all occasions in company he thought himself free with declared himself a Papist, and would pull out his beads and crucifixes. He was then employed by Player &c. to put a remark on those he knew were Papists.
One Wyat was a poor prisoner in the Fleet when Escrick Howard was Warden. He being a professed Papist, Howard took a particular kindness for him, forgave him his chamber rent, fees &c. He has been, and is still, though a Papist, this worthy Protestant Lord's great favourite, which, if duly examined into, might, I believe, be of the greatest concern to his Majesty's service. [Ibid. No. 192.]
1681. David Fitzgerald to Secretary Jenkins. Some think that less matters than those in the enclosed informations would do to find a bill against any person unless he were of the Ignoramus tribe. You will find that most of the bills in the past trials were found on single testimonies. (Giving seven examples thereof.) The Earl of Shaftesbury's case is different from all the rest, for you have three persons against him and clearer proof. [Ibid. No. 193.] Annexed,
Informations lately put into Fitzgerald's hands. 1. Last March the informant waited on the Earl at Oxford, and amongst other discourses with Mrs. Fitzharris the Earl said that everything in the libel found with Mr. Fitzharris was true, and that whoever knew the old King and this King would not question the truth of the libel. Such measures are now taken that the tricks and contrivances of this King will not take effect at this juncture, for, if he does not comply with the Parliament in every particular, he shall, before he parts, receive the like measure as his father. Then he advised her to be cheerful, and said he would in spite of the King bring her husband off his impeachment, and told her she need not be at all concerned for her husband, and that the King's head would be cut off before Fitzharris should lose a drop of his blood.
2. In Oxford last March, the Friday before the Parliament was dissolved, he heard the Earl say that the old game was coming about again, and that the world saw what tricks were imposed on the people of England, to bring them into slavery. They must immediately stand up and maintain their privileges against arbitrary power, for this is the time or never.
3. In Oxford last March he heard the Earl say it was an odd proceeding to put off Parliament, but, said he, let him and his Popish Councils have rope enough and at last their work will be done. [S.P. Dom. Car. II. 417, No. 193 i.]
The information of David Fitzgerald against Lord Howard of Escrick and Roderick Mansell. The day before he gave his information at the bar of the House of Lords (4 Nov., 1680), they brought him into a coffee-house, where Lord Howard said: We know you are a gentleman, and therefore the House of Lords will expect more from you than from any other from Ireland, and certainly you must know more than any of them, and I desire you to spare nobody. If you declare the truth, I am sure you will charge the Duke of York home. Aye, said Mansell, and the King too, for it is certain one is as deep in the mire as the other. Said his lordship: Let the King pretend what he will, he is the head of all. Said Mansell, laughing: It is better to cut off the head than corrupt the whole body. Aye, said my lord, if things be rightly managed, you may see that and more, therefore be not daunted and spare none of them. Mansell said: England was never the same since they came into it. [Ibid. No. 194.]
[1681.] Fragment of Fitzharris' libel from "merely for being zealous prosecutors of priests and Papists" to "his Macks, his cutthroats," printed in State Trials, Vol. VIII, cols. 359, 360. [Ibid. No. 195.]
List of 47 members of the Oxford Parliament, all or most of them opposers of the Court party. [Ibid. No. 196.]
[1681 ?] Entries in the books, which may seem to make for or against the negative voice of the Mayor and Aldermen in the Common Council of London. (See ante, p. 632.) [9 pages. Ibid. No. 197.]
Morthough Downey and Owen Callaghan to the King and the Privy Council. Petition that they may be called before them to give a full account of their services, the petitioners having been some of the first discoverers of this plot by discovering the treasonable design of William Hetherington and his abettors to take away the lives of the King, the Queen, the Duke of York, the Duke of Ormonde and others of his Majesty's best subjects, they having already a grant of pardon and arrears, which are kept from them to their ruin, they daring not to return to their own country for want of the pardon. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 198.] Perhaps annexed,
The information of Owen Callaghan and Morthough Downey, taken before Simon Parry, J.P., Last March Hetherington in this informant's company was proposing to compass the death of the Queen, the Duke of York, the Duke of Ormonde, the Earl of Arran, the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, Lord Chief Justice Sir William Davys, Sir John Davys, Secretary of State, and others of his Majesty's best subjects, and, with intent to take away their lives, offered this informant 10l. and undertook to procure him a settlement of 100l. a year from the Parliament, and to procure him also the favour of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, if he would swear against the said persons, and said that nothing would oblige the Parliament more than to say that the Queen and the Duke of York were the authors of this Popish plot in England and Ireland, and that there was a combination between her and the other above-mentioned persons to carry on the plot, and he would instruct this informant what to swear, if he would undertake it, but this informant told him that, if he should swear for the said bribe, his soul should be damned and wished Hetherington not to seek the royal blood so maliciously nor the ruin of his Majesty's best subjects. Hetherington said it was general good, and that the Parliament and the Lord Mayor would give this informant 100l. a year for swearing the said matter. This informant answering he would see him hanged first, Hetherington told him he had no business before the Parliament at Oxford, unless he had sworn that the said persons were confederates in the said plot. May 14, 1681. [Copy. Ibid. No. 198 i.]
Owen Callaghan and Morthough Downey to the Duke of York. Petition that they may be called before him to give an account of their services, and that he would stand their friend whereby they might have a pardon to go to their own country. They have been serviceable to him against Hetherington, now in prison, and were sent to the country for fear of prosecuting him or his abettors, who were to exclude and banish the Duke, had not the petitioners prevented it by their discovery. They send a copy of their information taken by Justices. [Ibid. No. 199.] Probably enclosed,
The information of Owen Callaghan and Morthough Downey, taken before Sir William Smith and Simon Parry, Justices. About 20 March last, being at dinner at the Bear, Threadneedle Street, Hetherington bade them have a good heart, for the Parliament then to sit at Oxford would not be fooled by his Majesty, and engaged them, telling them, if his Majesty would play the fool with the Parliament, he would have the same luck his father had, and said his father had no good luck for going to Oxford. This informant asked him what he meant, on which he said he meant that the late King was beheaded, and that the present King will be so too, without he pleases the Parliament, and further that, if the King would come to London and not please the Parliament, he, Hetherington, would contrive a way to see him beheaded, and that he would have his head cut off, though he were forced to do it himself, and also that he had written to the Earl of Shaftesbury, Sir W. Waller and Sir T. Player, and was sure of receiving a certain account of all proceedings at the Parliament at Oxford, and again bade this informant to have a good heart, and said that he and this informant were more beholden to the City of London than to his Majesty, and prayed that God might bless the Lord Mayor and Aldermen. May 23, 1681. [Copy, examined 7 July, 1681. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 199 i.]
Draft of the above petition to the Duke of York. [Ibid. No. 200.]
Morthough Downey and Owen Callaghan to the Duke of Ormonde. Petition asking him to stand their friend whereby they might have his Majesty's pardon, as already promised them, to go to their own country, they having been serviceable to him by discovering the treasonable design of William Hetherington and the rest of his cursed abettors. [Ibid. No. 200.] Annexed,
Another copy of their information of 14 May, 1681, calendared ante, p. 663. [Ibid. No. 201 i.]
The substance of the indictment against Hetherington, being to the effect of the information of 23 May, 1681, calendared ante, p. 663. [Ibid. No. 202.]
Owen Callaghan and Morthough Downey to Secretary Jenkins. Desiring to be called before the King and the Privy Council, having material evidence concerning the Queen and the Duke of York. [Ibid. No. 203.]
Francis Millington, one of the Commissioners of the Customs, to the King. Petition for continuance in his employment. In September, 1671, his Majesty requiring him to attend his service as a Commissioner of the Customs, he immediately drew out his stock from trade, being then in a considerable way of merchandizing. He lost 10,700l. he had lodged in the bankers' hands by the stop of the Exchequer. He is lately informed that some one unknown to him has suggested that, he being a great trader in Spanish wines, his Majesty has thereby very much suffered in his Customs. He replies that he has not for several years traded in any Spanish wines, and that in near 10 years he has served as a Commissioner he has not defrauded his Majesty of a shilling, nor made any advantage of his place, save the salary allowed him. [Ibid. No. 204.]
Thomas Hill, prisoner in the King's Bench prison, to Lord Hyde, Viscount Killingworth (who was Viscount Killingworth from 24 April, 1681, to 29 Nov., 1682). Petition to recommend his case to the Justices of Surrey, in order to his discharge, according to the late Act for the discharge of poor prisoners for debt, he having procured himself to be sworn and his creditors summoned in accordance therewith. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 205.]
The State of L'Estrange's case. After he had spent above 20 years in the service of the Crown, almost four of them in Newgate under a sentence of death, the King in 1663 granted him a patent for the Newsbook, with other privileges of printing, and appointed him overseer of the Press.
Lord Arlington has certified that in 1665, while he was Secretary of State, his Majesty ordered the Newsbooks to be taken into the Secretary's office, and in consideration thereof ordered that 100l. per annum should be allowed to L'Estrange out of the profits thereof, and also that Lord Arlington should give him 200l. yearly, which he constantly paid him, over and above allowances for extraordinary expenses in the discovery of libels, to 29 Sept., 1674, on account of secret service.
His extraordinary expenses in coach-hire, intelligence, searches, libels bought &c., amounted to about 50l. a year.
On the publication of some late libels, L'Estrange excused himself in regard he had not money to support him in his expense, being very much behind in his allowance, whereon his Majesty promised to direct the Lord Treasurer for the payment of his arrear, on which he made such discoveries as would in all likelihood have reached the authors thereof, if they had been vigorously pursued, and brought one person to be sentenced and fined.
He afterwards petitioned his Majesty for his arrear and for the renewing of his patent, which was formerly referred to Sir Jeffery Palmer and Sir Heneage Finch (now Lord Chancellor), who reported favourably, and there was a further reference by the Lords of the Treasury to Sir Robert Long, as having some relation to the revenue in the printing of blanks for collecting it, who also made a favourable report, but it was lost or mislaid in the Treasury Office, so that L'Estrange could never recover it.
The above-mentioned petition was presented by the Bishop of London, and referred to the Lord Treasurer, who ordered payment to L'Estrange of 200l. by two instalments, which he received, which deducted from 750l. due on his allowance to last Michaelmas, 550l. remains. (See ante, pp. 627, 643.) [1½ page. Ibid. No. 206.]
Charles Blood to the Duke of York. Most dangerous conspiracies are still carrying on against your person and interest, far more general and dangerous than the late Association, not only by the members of the same, but by incredible numbers of the commonalty and gentry of both city and country.
If you will be pleased that I shall communicate their wicked intentions to you, I am fully assured that I can have information, though not without difficulty, of every circumstantial part of their proceedings. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 207.] Probably enclosed,
The information of Charles Blood. About August Mr. Gefferyes (Jefferyes) and Mr. Trawe discoursed of the danger of the Protestant religion through the growth of Popery and arbitrary government, urging it was the duty of every true Protestant to oppose it to the hazard of their lives and fortunes, to which end they declared that they and others, viz., the Duke of Buckingham, Colonels Owen, Scot and Mansel, Mr. Ginks (Jenks), and many other very considerable men had formed an association to provide effectual expedients for the prevention of such dangers and were resolved to persist in using all their interest in engaging (as they had often endeavoured to do me) all those they thought capacitated to contribute to their success. They were then exceedingly encouraged by their success in bringing over great numbers qualified as well to provide arms as to bear them.
The chief of them had prepared both offensive and defensive weapons, which they gave gratis to such as were unable to purchase them, particularly a kind of weapon they had lately invented resembling a halberd, but far more dangerous, and had set artificers to make vast quantities, which they gave to such as were not instructed in the exercise of pike and musket. In case notice should be taken of them, they would pretend they were only for watching bills. Such of their confederacy as were able had furnished themselves with horses, and their accoutrements, and with musketoons, blunderbusses, and particularly with a kind of silk quilted armour that would resist a carbine bullet.
I have often since, especially lately, heard the said persons and others declare their success in bringing over great numbers to join them, and that such as had fortunes not only had procured each several stout men to be in readiness at an hour's warning to be in arms, but also had agreed to contribute money to the encouragement of such as should bear arms.
They determined to continue so, expecting when anything should be acted towards them, as might excuse their rising in arms. They have lately determined, since they have been disappointed of having the Duke excluded by Parliament, that, when the King shall die, it being the privilege of the Lord Mayor to proclaim his successor, that a considerable number of the chief of their association shall under colour of attending the solemnity, force their own choice by force of arms, being satisfied that the mobalye will join them to oppose the Duke.
I am likewise informed that they are on close consultations whether it be necessary to suspend the execution of their purposes so long, objecting that delays are dangerous, or not, but it has not yet been determined. (See ante, p. 550.) [Nearly 2 pages. Ibid. No. 207 i.]
The information of Lawrence Mowbray. The day or the day after the dissolution of this last Parliament at Oxford, the Earl of Shaftesbury, in a chair or sedan, overtook the informant and Mr. Everald (Everard), and, causing his chairmen to go easily by a long wall of a college, told Everald that their design was frustrated by the unexpected dissolution and the King's sudden departure; otherwise, notwithstanding the dissolution, it would have been effected, but there would be as fit an opportunity elsewhere. Everald told his lordship he heartily wished it had been effected, and hoped their next attempt would be successful. The informant, after the Earl departed, begged Everald for an explanation of the mysterious conference, who told him under pledge of secrecy of a design of the Earl of Shaftesbury, Lords Grey, Howard, Huntingdon and the Duke of Monmouth, and many others, and, as he said, by the Presbyterians in general, to alter the government, in order to which they intended to secure the King in Oxford, had he not got away so suddenly. The informant insisted that so small a number as he named could not effect such an exploit, considering the King had so strong a guard. Everald replied that the lords and their party had force enough in readiness to defeat the guards, which would certainly have been done, had not the King got away. The informant insisted that the Government could not be better than it is, but Everald told him he was grossly mistaken, for the King was very much inclined to Popery, and was altogether guided by a Popish Council, and consequently, if not prevented by those wise statesmen, as he called the said lords, Popery would be set up. Everald used the like arguments last July and August, always urging it would be for the informant's interest, if the said design took effect. The informant has had the like discourses with Hetherington at Oxford, when College was tried, he very much envying that the King was not seized when the Parliament sat there, as was designed, for then this had not been, meaning College's conviction for being in the Oxford conspiracy with the Presbyterians. After the trial Hetherington, being apprehensive there was a warrant to take him, wished that the King had been secured, when the Parliament sat at Oxford, and that, if ever there were the like opportunity, he would be in readiness, and taking hold of his sword, which was properly a riding sword, said it would do good service on that occasion.
These and Everald's discourses the informant would have long since discovered, but for the dangers such discoveries incur, a witness for the King in cases of treason being no way safe from the outrages of the Papists nor the factious Presbyterians and their party. [Nearly 3 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 208.]
Testimony of Charles Rea. Smith, the bookseller in Cornhill, when in the King's Bench prison, begged him to keep to himself what he knew, and promised to have him bailed, when he got out himself. He said he was printing a New Year's gift to Lord Chief Justice Scroggs and other things, and would never give over printing or writing till the Government was changed into a free state. If he would deny all he had done, they would relieve him. Finding it to be no use, they got him put on the common side of the prison, in a damp room five feet under ground. He offered to reveal something to the Marshal, but he made light of it, and was in frequent correspondence with Lord Howard. He was visited since his release by Lord Howard's son, who accused him of ill conduct to his father when in prison, and afterwards by Lord Howard himself, but refused to see him. Mr. Claypole asked whether he did not hear from Lord Shaftesbury or had seen Sir Robert Payton. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 209.]
Sir Edward Fitzharris to the King. Petition stating that in consideration of his long imprisonment and other great sufferings for his loyalty and his great trouble, charge and hazard from the malicious prosecution of the possessors of his estate in Ireland, who hoped thereby to prevent his recovery of it, where he was acquitted of the offences he was accused of, and also of his being disappointed of the provision intended for him by the Act of Explanation, his Majesty granted him (22 Oct., 1674) a yearly pension of 150l., which was nevertheless stopped for two years and a moiety for one year, so that there is an arrear of 375l. and praying an order for the payment thereof and for an increase of his pension. [Ibid. No. 210.]
Memorandum, "Mr. Hugh Ryley, lodging next door to the Sign of the George, near Clare House, Drury Lane."
Mrs. Hollis spoke to a gentlewoman that Mr. Fitzharris needed not to pretend he was surprised in a closet by Sir William Waller, for Sir William, Mr. Blake, a woollen-draper at the Angel in Bedford Street, and a nobleman were at Fitzharris's lodging in her house in private with him about three weeks before he was apprehended and stayed several nights till about two or three in the morning. [Ibid. No. 211.]
Ann Fitzharris to his Majesty. Petition for a supply. Though she apprehends she has been traduced to him, as her unfortunate husband was, yet she is encouraged by his charity to her poor children. [Ibid. No. 212.]
Ann Fitzharris to the King. Entreating him not wholly to reject her suit. The hope of his clemency and mercy has a great while been the only support of her life. [Ibid. No. 213.]
Bill of charges addressed to Secretary Jenkins and Lord Hyde for Madame Fitzharris and Mrs. Peacock, her maid, and her two children, being 25l. for five weeks, also paid for coach hire 4l. 5s., and for Mr. Fitzharris' burial 4l. 10s. 0d. For my own trouble in waiting on them what your Honours please. Endorsed, "Mrs. Peacock's demands." [Ibid. No. 214.]
Memoranda of a great number of orders of the House of Commons, the latest in date being that of 30 Dec., 1680, that no member should accept of any place at Court. [7 pages. Ibid. No. 215.]
Henry Nevill to the Duke of York. About a year and a half ago (3 Jan., 1679, see Calendar S.P. Dom., 1679–80, p. 3) he and his wife were given leave to pass beyond the seas on condition of not returning without his Majesty's leave. He is now prosecuted very hard in the Exchequer for payment of 2,500l., which Mr. Oates swears he has of the Jesuits' money. A decree was passed last term that, if cause were not shown to the contrary next term, the 2,500l. should be forfeited as belonging to the Jesuits, so that he cannot plead for himself nor raise the money, if forfeited, unless they have a pass to come over. He implores the assistance of his Royal Highness to obtain it. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 216.]
Mr. Smith to Secretary Jenkins. In Easter term, 1679, the Attorney-General exhibited his bill in the Exchequer against Henry Nevill and his trustees for payment to his Majesty of 2,550l. lent him on mortgage by the Society of the Jesuits. He and his trustees answered, and the cause was decreed if cause to the contrary was not shown. Thereupon the Jesuits caused a bill to be filed in several persons' names, who pretended to the said money, and the Court gave the complainants all lawful advantage, but in this cross cause the Jesuits' pretenders have examined none but Papists, one or more suspected as Jesuits, another a knight of the post.
It is prayed that William Read, who is much suspected to be in Romish Orders, and lives in St. James' House, may be sent for to give an account of himself. This Read lives in Flanders, and came over on this occasion. He belongs to the Queen's chapel and is to be heard of at the Duke's confectionery office, though not his servant. [Ibid. No. 217.]
[1681 ?] The King to the Lord Mayor. The constant attendance on you of such of the Aldermen as are well-affected is very necessary at this time, that the world may see the harmony there is between you and the major part of them and that they should be ready to assist you on all sudden emergencies. You are therefore to let them know that we expect that they should give their attendance at every Court of Aldermen, having observed that some of the Aldermen have been extremely diligent and watchful with design to carry things unreasonable and dangerous in a thin Court, and also that a good number of the well-affected Aldermen be on all occasions ready to attend you at your going abroad in public and to give you their assistance and advice. [2 pages. Draft. Ibid. No. 218.]
The Justices at Hicks' Hall to the King. Sending a presentment from the Grand Jury containing matters of great importance, with which they unanimously concur. As to the matters of the presentment, which are in the extent of their commission, they have already in part and shall further have them put in execution. [Ibid. No. 219.]
Propositions that provision be made for all foreign converts from the Romish religion that come over either by reserving in every college of both universities a fellowship or some hospital erected on purpose.
Schoolmasters, physicians, chirurgeons, and midwives that are or have been Papists, not suffered in England, at least not in London, and none admitted in future, if it be thought fit not to put the present by.
Militia on duty not suffered to ramble and drink more than is necessary.
Oaths and Test not sufficient to discover a Papist, but bonds more to be trusted.
Musicians, painters (if extraordinary artists) and other rare manufacturers, though Papists, giving good security, to be suffered to stay in London.
When 'tis thought fit to banish the Papists from London, a proviso should be made that the country should receive them civilly and not prosecute them till the new Act be finished.
The prosecution against Papists be not converted against Protestant dissenters.
Papists, being obliged to keep within five miles of their dwellings, giving security for their behaviour &c., may then, paying some yearly acknowledgement for their protection and exemption from offices, enjoy the full benefit of their estates, or else it is better to banish them quite, giving them time to dispose of their estates.
The best of our ministers be obliged to discourse with the Papists inclinable to conform and take the oaths to give them full satisfaction, and especially to attend the Sessions and Assizes for that purpose.
No Prince of England on any account be suffered to marry a Papist. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 220.]
Information of Thomas Aslaby. The constables of Bridlington had several warrants from William Osbaldeston, a Justice for the East Riding, for suppressing seditious meetings, the execution whereof they neglected. Then Osbaldeston sent a warrant to distrain on the constables' goods for 5l. apiece. They appealed to the last General Sessions at Beverley, where the Under-Sheriff had returned on the jury all or most Fanatics and disaffected. Some of them had formerly begged the charity of their brethren for a Non-conformist minister. When the constables heard the Justices were angry with the Under-Sheriff for returning such a jury, they immediately submitted to the Court.
The King, being informed of a great abuse to him in executing the searchership of Hull, sends his commission to inquire into it, but, the parties concerned being very ill-affected persons, the Under-Sheriff returns a jury for their purpose, all or most of them dissatisfied with the Government, who would, though on full evidence, either find nothing or what signified as little. [Ibid. No. 221.]
Edward Ivie, late of Somerset, and now of Ireland, to the King. Petition for an equal weekly allowance with the other most material witnesses, while his attendance is commanded in England. Soon after he understood the designs of divers ill-disposed men in the City, he gave information thereof, as Secretary Jenkins can inform the King. He shall be faithful to evidence the truth of his knowledge of such designs, when called on, as also of the conspiracies of divers in Ireland against some faithful Protestant subjects there, under pretence of making out a horrible Irish Popish plot, intending under a pretence of preserving the Royal Government over that kingdom to overthrow it. As he came purposely from Ireland to discover the said practices and gave early demonstrations of his loyalty, as well in this as in his endeavours towards the restoration, he prays a pardon for treason and misprision of treason with an exception of all other crimes whatever and the King's protection during his stay in England, that he may be free from the arrests of persons in the City, who gave him several sums, for which since his discovery of their designs they threaten actions against him, and others endeavour to render him contemptible by giving out untruly that he is a person of most flagitious life. He was the first to give informations against the Earl of Shaftesbury, College and others not yet taken, and has with much expense of time and money persuaded some of the most material witnesses against them to join him in the discovery aforesaid. (See ante, p. 643.) [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 222.]
Philip Bennett to [? Owen Wynne]. I could not speak with Mr. Stephens about Mr. Ivey's business, but met the Deputy Clerk of the Crown, who drew the petition whereto the certificates are annexed, who tells me that it only needs that there be written at the foot of the petition that it is his Majesty's pleasure that the petitioners be inserted in the next circuit pardon, with the day &c., and Mr. Secretary's hand. I desire you to put a dispatch, because our circuit pardon is stayed till answer herein. [Ibid. No. 223.]
Memorandum that Ivie first brought Haynes to the Earl of Shaftesbury. He acknowledges that out of charity he procured small sums for witnesses. He had been told that leading questions had been asked some of the witnesses and even by some of the Privy Council, which was not fair. [Ibid. No. 224.]
Similar notes of Ivie's examination. [Ibid. No. 225.]
Statement by David Creagh that D[avid] F[itz] G[erald] told him 700l. and odd pounds were due to him, whereof he has received part, which he has expended in private services to stifle the Po[pish] p[lot] by the directions of persons of honour, whose letters he has ready to produce. He denied it was dangerous to say anything of that kind, for some of the greatest ministers knew it to be true and were privy thereto, and, though they now delayed the payment of the remainder of his money, yet they then put him on those services and instructed him therein. With note by Sir John Fitzgerald that he and Captains O'Neale, Bourke and Lacy can prove much of the same and several other particulars. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 226.]
Abstract of Eustace Comyn's information concerning the King's witnesses.
Bernard Dennis told him that he never knew Dr. Oates before he came to London. Hetherington said that the Protestant bishops were all guilty of the plot, and that, if the Parliament sat, a Bill would be brought in against them as well as the Duke of York. Bourke said he had six witnesses to swear against the Earl of Tyrone, and would get seven more, who should have 100l. apiece. Phelim O'Neale said he was offered great sums by a person of quality to swear against the Duke of Ormonde and the Earl of Arran. Edmond Everard desired the informant to swear against Sir Redmond Everard and the Queen and the Duke. Samson asked the informant if he would swear against the Duke of York. Hetherington told the informant that there was 3,000l. to be distributed among six evidences against the Duke of York, and would have him be one, promising him a sixth. Edmund Murphy told the informant, coming from Oxford, that, if Sir John Davys and Dr. Oliver Plunkett would give him wherewithal (meaning a good bribe), he could save both their lives, in spite of all that would swear against them. Hetherington told the witnesses that, if they would not swear what he would have them, they might go home like fools as they came, for it was easy for him to get witnesses enough for money to swear anything. [2 pages. Ibid. No. 227.]
Matthew Clay to the King. Petition for protection and some accommodations for his old age, he having attended in town about these two years in the public service, and having done actual service against those traitorous plotters, the Jesuits, at the Sessions House, and being now in great danger of mischief by the Jesuitical party. [Ibid. No. 228.]
John Macnamara to the King and the Privy Council. Petition stating that the petitioner, being accused by Mr. Ivy of joining in a conspiracy against the Government and the Protestant English interest in Ireland and imprisoned eight or nine weeks, above two years since made a full discovery thereof, and how the French were intended or solicited to invade Ireland, and, to make this evident, he brought up several witnesses to Dublin at great charge, towards which he received about 30l. from the Lord Lieutenant and about 14l. from the Exchequer in England, which falls much short of what the petitioner expended in the prosecution of the said parties at Waterford, and is no way equivalent to his vast charge in attending his Majesty and Council and the Parliaments in England, where he has attended ever since the said trial at Waterford for more than two years, and therefore beseeching his Majesty to order him his past charges and weekly maintenance from November, 1678, till his Majesty shall dismiss him. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 229.]
Denis Macnamara to the King and the Privy Council. Petition for a weekly allowance from December, 1679, till he is discharged. He was obliged by John Macnamara, one of the witnesses about the Irish plot, to go to Dublin in December, 1679, to give his evidence about the plot, and was paid 5l. by the Lord Lieutenant's order. Thence he came to England on the said service, and has ever since attended the same with the said John Macnamara, but has never received a penny more than the said 5l. from his Majesty or any of his officers. [Ibid. No. 230.]
Bernard Dennis to the King and the Privy Council. Petition for a weekly allowance from 15 Oct. last till he shall be dismissed. About that day he was examined by Sir John Davys and the Bishop of Meath in Dublin touching his knowledge of the Irish plot, and was commanded by the Lord Lieutenant to go to England, and was paid 5l., and has ever since attended here to give evidence. 20l. more was bestowed on him, which is all that has been paid him since he became one of his Majesty's witnesses. [Ibid. No. 231.]
Major Nicholas Bayly to the King. Petition for a grant of the first lieutenant's or cornet's place vacant in the Irish army to his only son, now about 20, setting forth his services and sufferings and the reports of the late Lord Treasurer of 1 May, 1676, and of the Lord Lieutenant of 5 June, 1678, in his favour, and that, had the Bill for confirmation of estates in Ireland passed, he had been promised the place of Register, and that 550l. was still due to him from his Majesty, which ought to have been paid him by Lord Ranelagh and partners, and that he had recovered for his Majesty above 320l. paid into the Admiralty Court and 1,800l. from the Doubling Adventurers. (See the Ormonde Papers, Vol. VII, pp. 15, 37.) [S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 342, No. 97.]
Capt. Samuel Terrilke to [Secretary Jenkins]. Requesting his Honour to interpose for him either for a troop of dragoons or a company of grenadiers for Ireland, he being able to raise 100 men in Cheshire and the counties near the seaside. He has served above 40 years, commanded a troop of dragoons in Prince Rupert's regiment the last levies, and was enrolled for a captain of foot under the Earl of Ossory for Tangier, since which time he has been out of employ. [Ibid. No. 98.]
Marcus Browne, one of the Farmers of the Customs of Galway in 1650, to the King. Petition for a licence to ship goods Custom free to the value of 657l. 17s. 4d., with interest, being his loss on the said farm, which was by his contract to be made good to him, and to order a defalcation thereof to the present Farmers or for some other expedient for his satisfaction. The petitioner made several applications to the now Lords of the Treasury, who, 22 April, 1680, declared that, if his Majesty recompensed the petitioner, it should be out of the Irish revenue, and that he should apply to the Lord Lieutenant. The Irish revenue being now in farm, no recompense can be made to the petitioner, unless a defalcation out of the farm is ordered for the same. [S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 342, No. 99.]
Richard Fitzgerald Franklin and Lætitia, his wife, to the King. Petition stating that the petitioners have a title to all the estate of John Fitzgerald, late of Dromana, co. Waterford, deceased, by virtue of a settlement by him and by the breach of certain limitations therein by Katherine, his daughter, niece of the petitioner Lætitia and now wife of Edward Villiers, which title has been depending for several years in the Courts of King's Bench in England and of Chancery in Ireland and is still undetermined, and that during the continuance of the said suits the said Edward Villiers, now calling himself Fitzgerald, and his wife have, to strengthen their weak titles, obtained letters to the Lord Lieutenant to cause letters patent to be passed of all the estate of the said John Fitzgerald and another for manors fairs, markets &c. (see ante, p. 265) to the said Edward and Katherine and her heirs and have warrants from his Grace to pass the said letters patent, which are not yet passed the great seal of Ireland or enrolled, and therefore praying a mandate to the Lord Lieutenant to stop all proceedings relating to the passing thereof, till the petitioners' right to all or any part of the said estate is finally determined at law. [Ibid. No. 100.]
Mary Arthur to the Duke of Ormonde. Petition for relief for her son, John Arthur. She came lately out of Ireland and found him in a most deplorable condition, he having been cast into prison for a small debt and wholly depending on his Majesty's gracious allowance ordered him for his services in discovering the treasonable design of the Earl of Shaftesbury, William Hetherington and the rest of their abettors. [Ibid. No. 101.]
[1680 or 1681 ?] William, Earl of Clanricarde, to the King. Petition showing that the late Marquess and Earl of Clanricarde, owing to his expenditure in the Royal service, left the petitioner an estate burdened with many debts, besides 20,000l. due to Lady Purbeck (married in 1676 to Lord Purbeck). Of this she has received 14,000l. some years since, and by a decree made in the Chancery of Ireland in Trinity term last is to have 25,600l. more out of the said estate, to petitioner's and his counsel's great surprise. His debts have been very much increased by many lawsuits commenced against him by his creditors, when they saw all his hopes of discharging the said encumbrances fatally frustrated by the unfortunate marriage of his eldest son, so that without some further rays of the King's bounty he cannot expect in his lifetime to free himself from these impending troubles, though he hath, to endeavour the same, contracted his expenses to a much narrower compass than bears any proportion with his quality. The petitioner's ancestors have for some ages successively, till his Majesty's happy Restoration, and even in the reigns of Queen Elizabeth and of the last two Kings, enjoyed the government of the town of Galway, the command of a troop of horse and a company of foot, though they professed the same opinion in religion that the petitioner now doth, who solemnly declares before the Almighty that no power or persuasion could or shall prevail with him to be of any religion or communion that should be the least check upon him to venture his life and fortune for his Majesty, and praying that the King may credit no suggestion to his disadvantage, and may think him a fit object of his favour. (See ante, p. 656.) [S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 342, No. 102.]
Dec. 25.
Whitehall.
Commission to — Oldhurst to be ensign to Capt. Griffith's company in Col. Charles Trelawney's regiment at Tangier. Minute. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 29, p. 421.]
[1681, Jan. 10–18.] Advice to "Courteous Reader." If thou beest a true Englishman, neither Romanized nor Frenchified, and intendest to keep thy conscience as free as thou wast born, and meanest to transmit the same liberty to thy posterity which thy ancestors maintained, and wouldest not see thy children degenerated into French asses to draw some lustful tyrant, goat or ape in his domineering chariot, it concerns thee to know, if ever thou votest again as of late for a free Parliament, that the persons named in this list are for the most part that seed by which the degenerate and now tottering ministers of Rome and France hope to propagate by money and gifts a fresh execrable generation of Roman and French ministers and pensioners, except such as are already known to be of that damnable crew, for what else could they mean, who separated themselves from the common vote against their country's liberty and religion, when Scotland and Ireland are in continual dreadful expectations of mutinies and rebellions, and the French attend with vast forces for an opportunity to invade us, when at home the Lords and Lords Bishops have voted the King an absolute power to indemnify all traitors, assassins and incendiaries, who had already fired our cities, endeavoured by one blow at his Majesty to cut the thread of all our lives, would have sold our liberties, laws and religion, could they have found any buyers, have sold our arms and ammunition to our enemies, built and taught them to build ships to destroy our navy, employed our own vessels to rob our merchants and ruin our trade, have trained in foreign war in assistance of the enemies of our religion, liberty and commerce at our cost our Roman and debauched gentry, and daily exercise and pay troops at our doors listed to cut our throats, dared in the face of their country and the whole Christian world to deny us a succession of Protestant princes and tie our allegiance to perpetual vassalage under Popish furies, armed, resolved and sufficiently provoked to massacre as many of us as they could, bringing after them an invading rabble of hellish French and Popish miscreants fleshed in Protestant and other neighbour countries with rapine, rapes and murders, as if they had a curiosity to see the crooked French Duke on this side the water cherish his Roman bloodhounds; or could believe that they, who murdered and ravished Protestants and Papists without distinction, would spare our wives and daughters and babes, and had forgot the Irish and Parisian massacres, or, if we liked not this, were resolved to leave us no choice than rebels' swords. (Further invectives against such persons.)
These are they who laboured so hard to befool our prudent Senators unto a persuasion that they might hedge out the Roman kites from their prey and would afterwards have derided them for Gotham cuckoos, or those silly mice, who wisely ordained that a bell should be hanged about Pussie's neck, but never considered that none of their whole nation was of sufficient strength or courage to tie it on or keep it there.
* Beware then of these honest countrymen, if you hope ever to see your Parliament unanimous, your Church uniform, your trade prosperous, your times peaceable, your minds settled, your fears extinguished, your King happy and glorious.
You began well in your last elections, purge now throughly your House in the next and fear not, if your members know and represent your minds steadily, but your gracious Prince will be able to deny nothing to their just importunity, that is either good for you or safe for him. Their wavering petitions are the cause of his doubtful answers and resolutions. How should he answer your expectations, when you send them to him, who know not truly or will not faithfully express your desires ? Foolish queries deserve foolish returns. Treat your trustees, when they return to you, according to their merits.
They that go about to circumvent you by treats expect to be treated by others. They that buy your votes in the country will sell their own in Parliament and you and all that is yours to their best advantage, and of this you have had woeful experience in the late odious over-long Parliament. Scorn ye, therefore, as much to be bought as to be sold for slaves and serve as stepping-stones to mount the French ambition to an universal monarchy and all Europe with your posterity to an universal slavery, first to the Pope and shortly after to the Turk.
Those in this foregoing list are they (I dare not say) who are the worst of their country's enemies, yet such, who, that they might sit amongst the rest and be accounted patriots, have bought their country's votes and afterwards (I do not say, but will leave you to judge) have sold and traded with their consciences, lives and liberties to raise to themselves honour to countenance their riches or else riches to maintain a false honour.
If I could once see the tables turned in the country, and the electors treat and entertain the elect at the public charge as you have best reason to do, I might assure myself that a noble and free people would produce a free and generous Parliament and not a pensionary one, and by them settle a lasting freedom in Church and State.*
Imagine not they will save yours, who damn their own souls and bodies. Never believe that God will honour them to be a blessing to a nation that never acknowledge Him and know not how to call on His name but only in profane cursing and swearing.
You have been once saved, when your Samsons led blindfold pulled the house on their heads, who thought to have held them bound in slavery to grind in their mills. Now your eyes are opened at the extreme peril of their lives, who show you your plotted danger. Bring not the fresh withes and cords to the Philistine lords or their Dalilas. Your religion, lives and liberties have been often in the power of one or two Yeas or Noes, and there are many yet in the House who put those questions. Your annual Parliaments, though repealed, are still preserved, if your trustees dare once challenge them. Your Habeas Corpus, though condemned by many votes, was enacted by one mis-teller, guided by the justice of Heaven, in spite of the false and slavish pensioner mitres and coronets.
It is in the power of your declared resolutions and votes to cause that this prorogation shall not prorogue nor defer any public good, nor a new Parliament innovate anything to the prejudice thereof. Against your adversaries vox populi est vox Dei.
If any innocent soul be found in this black list, let him not be offended at me, but consider whether some mistaken principle or interest may not have misled him to vote, though with his own yet against the public light and conscience of his country, to the extreme hazard of ruining for ever their religion, laws, liberties and properties, and that family which he will most zealously pretend to uphold, when indeed he only gives to one person of that line the miserable advantage of scarce some few years to see again the dreadful wars and massacres of the last years of his father's reign, in which it can hardly be determined whether it would be more insupportable for him to conquer with the slaughter of the majority of his people in rebellion against him and the utter subversion of their religion, laws and liberties, or to be vanquished, to the universal ruin of his family and his loyallest subjects, and the total and final extirpation of that religion and those persons and houses, whose defence and dignity he sought to advance, with his crown and life staked on the event of a few battles, in which, though he should, which is very unlikely, speed better than his father in England, he could hardly hope to live so long after his brother as to settle the conquest of England, so as not to be infested with a second rebellion there. In both Scotland and Ireland it is too manifest that on a civil war here the first party prevailing, expecting a second war hence, would show no mercy to their adversaries.
The case being much altered from his father's by the fuller discoveries of the Popish Plot, he must fight not only against the fears and jealousies of unarmed, undisciplined people, headed by a few unknown and despised persons, but against their rage and despair, universally provoked, armed, and everywhere provided with experienced officers. It were madness to expect the clergy and gentry to fight for the preservation of their cathedrals, lands and dignities, which are to be taken from them and bestowed on their most bitter enemies irrevocably. The most that could be expected from them would be to be neuters, which will be a very miserable condition, whilst the war lasts, and necessarily involves them in greater afflictions, when it ends, whichever party prevails. This being thus, without consideration of what foreign forces called in may add to the rage and despair of this people and so to their slaughter and misery very much, but little or nothing to the success of a Popish Prince, I see not, whilst our laws make it treasonable to deny the King in Parliament a power to limit both the succession and government of the Crown, why any true son or the fathers of the Church should scruple to suspend the next presumptive heir for a few years from so miserable an exercise as the butchery of his people, to prevent the ruin of his family and kingdoms and their religion, laws and liberties. (This must be between 10 and 18 January, 1680–1, the dates of the prorogation and dissolution of the Parliament.) [7 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 232.] Probably enclosed,
List of members of Parliament containing 124 names. [Ibid. No. 232 i.]
Another copy of the passage in the above address between asterisks, with some variations, particularly adding the last paragraph on p. 676. [Ibid. No. 233.]
[Feb. 5.]
Saturday evening.
R[ichard] T[hompson] to his brother-in-law, Major John Braman. Sending him a list of the cakes and sweetmeats, and their prices, according to his letter of 1 Feb. The cakes and almonds are fit for a christening, but not for the entertainment of a person of quality. Here is about 9½ lbs. of good sweetmeats for 1l. 3s. 3d. Advising him how to set them off to the best advantage, by putting one dish upside down into another, garnishing them with laurel and putting the worst at the bottom and the best at the top, which way is modish and practised here in such cases.
If you could aim at a certain day, it were better, for some things are to be done fresh. London's election and behaviour is suitable to their former bravery. Loyal and bold is what becomes the greatest Protestant city.
The grand jury of Middlesex have presented the King's guards as illegal. [Ibid. No. 234.]
[Feb.] The same to the same. Sending a bill of the cakes and sweetmeats he had bought, with their prices, and asking him to see that the contents of the box agree therewith. [Ibid. No. 235.]
[1681 March ?] Minute of an instruction [to the Earl of Craven] that, in case of insurrection in the city [of London] if on the approach of the guards the people refuse to disperse, he is to do his utmost to quell and suppress them, forbearing no act of hostility permitted by the usages of war. [In Secretary Jenkins' hand. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 236.]
[March ?] Warrant to the Commissioners for executing the office of Master of the Ordnance for delivery to the Earl of Craven, appointed to command the forces in London and Westminster during the King's absence, of such quantities of powder, match and bullets and other Ordnance stores as he shall desire in writing under his hand. (The office was in commission from 1679 to January, 1682.) [Draft. Ibid. No. 237.]
April 22. The queries about a farm at West Marden enclosed in Rumball's and Gladman's letter calendared ante, p. 246. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 415, No. 138 i.]
[May ?] [Edward Fitzharris to his wife.] I am well satisfied that you approve of what I did to the judges. (6 May, see ante, p. 264.) I gave you in my last an account of what I said to them. I was not on oath, nor would they hear but what was directly my knowledge. The Frenchman that I named, if my friends will go to Lady Holles and inquire of her for a Frenchwoman, a Protestant, that was put into Bridewell by Sir Edmund Bury Godfrey, and Lady Holles took her part to recover damages against the said Godfrey for the abuse, she was the said Frenchman's wife, that being the motive that irritated him against Godfrey. I leave the managing of this to them. I suppose they will try me without any more ado. I will name no more witnesses. I was in great fear you would blame me for naming them. I suppose the answer you sent yesterday was on purpose, or else I would take it unkind. Pray, as you tender me, do not speak to the Lt. (? Lieutenant) about this money, for he is my enemy, and has given me an answer that the Treasury would not pay it. If you can make any shift, pray let him have part of it, and fair words for the rest. Tell him the answer yesterday was on purpose, for he was very angry at it. You know the kindness I receive deserves more than that. You may be sure, if I come off, the King will use me better than hitherto. Let me have what comfort you can by this friend. I will, for your satisfaction, repeat the persons I accused: Lord Ranelagh, Peterborough, Mazarin, Arundel and Belasyse, several priests, Fitzgerald for burning the City, and others. There were some particulars of Godfrey's murder relating to the two witnesses, who received money from the Earl of Danby, as they informed me. The Frenchman showed me four broad pieces of gold. Pray let me understand what you mean by saying you do not value the libel. I did not hear or know of anything else against me. If you do, let me know it, as also if Mistress Wall will do me justice. They forswear themselves, if they say anything else. The judges asked me who put me on writing the libel. I answered, I never writ it, Everard gave it me and the King employed me. My dear, I beg you will be very kind to this friend and Mr. Walmesly, and do not be perting with the Lt., for it's folly to contest with power, besides it may occasion him to remove me, therefore, pray observe my directions in these particulars. If you can, pray send the wine, and let me know of your condition and whether my friends relieve you. I hope you are in no want. I will send you the guinea, if you do. I will once more beg of you by words or deeds to satisfy Walmesly, and let me have what comfort you can. I long to see you at liberty. I never thought I had so ardent a love for you as I find now, though my affections were never astray from you nor never will. My blessing to my poor children. Let me know if my friend out of town has turned courtier. I cannot believe it. [4 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 238.]
[May.] Memorandum that the whole number of Common Council men is 234, whereof we suppose them to be as follows:—105 good men, 89, 31 doubtful, 9 that we judge will be absent, 234. 105 and 14 Aldermen, 119; 89, 31 and 9 Aldermen, 129. (See ante, p. 274.) [Ibid. No. 239.]
[May 13.] Account of the vote in the Common Council that day, 66 Common Councilmen and 11 Aldermen against 84 Common Councilmen and 7 Aldermen, majority 14. Two neuters did not poll on either side. With observations on some of those that voted. (See ante, p. 276.) [Ibid. No. 240.]
Aug. 4. — to —. I design to be in London next Tuesday, and the following Friday shall set forward for Norwich. We had here last Monday a great canvas for a new town clerk. Lords Norreys and Lovelace, Sir George Pudsey and Brome Whorwood, with several others of the neighbouring gentlemen, were at the election, but the Whiggish party carried it by a great majority, near 4 to I, which shows the temper of our townsmen. Lord Norreys, being somewhat nettled at this, began to fall foul on Whorwood, and asked how he had the impudence to appear there, when he owed so many just debts, which he refused to pay. Whorwood answered he owed no man anything, whereat my lord instanced himself, and told him he owed him money, and bade him pay it, at which Whorwood gave him the lie, and my lord called him "Old knave," and he in return called him "Young rogue," whereat his lordship fell on him with his cane, and with several blows blooke (? broke) his pate very severely in the face of the whole town, whereat Whorwood told him, were he not disabled by his age, he durst not deal so with him, at which my lord answered he had seconds enough to revenge his quarrel that were young enough, if they thought fit to undertake it, meaning Lovelace, but he sat very quiet without interposing in the least. The person elected is Prince, an attorney, but he being not confirmed in his place without the King's approbation, it's supposed Lord Norreys will interpose that way to obstruct what has thus been carried against him here. Endorsed, " Account of the election of a town clerk in Oxford." [Signature torn off. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 241.]
[Sept. 15.] The speech of Sir Richard Hart, late Mayor of Bristol. This day has summoned me to resign the office you entrusted me with the past year. It is a matter of joy that it ends so calm, considering how stormy it began, when some of our worthies were seized and imprisoned without due process of law, the peace of this city disturbed to gratify private revenge, and many of the chiefest of you threatened, but that the King restrained their fury by his prorogation. An honest man must sorrow to see those animosities now amongst us. If the peace and welfare of this city ought to be preferred before maintaining a faction and supporting a discontented party, our fellow citizens are justly blameable, who disputed our election at Westminster, and would have compelled us to lodge our safety, our all, in the bosom of a stranger. Self-preservation obliges us to unite, that we may be strong to oppose the plots of wicked men. There have been amazing discoveries, and God knows when it will end. We know the law has passed on some.
I cannot remember that I have used my office to oppress my neighbour. If in the press of business any has not had justice, I ask his forgiveness, as I forgive the slanderers who branded me as a Papist. I am a son of the Church of England as by law established, and will live and die so.
I thank the Common Council and Aldermen for their assistance, and wish the Mayor and Sheriffs elect a peaceable and happy year. Though rash persons call you abhorrers for the King's sake, he will render them fit to be abhorred.
May this city flourish, may the Church of England triumph over all her enemies, both Papists and Schismaticks, may the King's days be prolonged, and may there never want a man from the loins of our Royal Martyr to govern these kingdoms. [1½ page. Ibid. No. 242.]
[Oct.] Sir William Smyth to the King. Petition stating that he had lent the King 5,000l. on the credit of the Act for an imposition on wine and brandy at 6 per cent., which on the repeal of that Act was transferred to the hearthmoney, that he constantly received his interest during the treasurerships of Lords Clifford and Danby, and that he has now occasion for his money for a daughter's portion, who is to be suddenly married, and therefore praying for payment of the principal with the interest in arrear, or else for payment of the interest, and that a tally might be struck for payment of the principal on the hearthmoney on a half-year certain, in order that he may make use of the credit thereof. (See ante, p. 503.) [Ibid. No. 243.]
[Nov.] David Povey to the King and the Privy Council. Petition for a pardon by immediate warrant to the same effect as has been granted to the other evidences. Lord Howard is very much incensed against him for discovering his traitorous words and design, and intends to put him to trouble. (See ante, p. 568.) [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 244.]
[Nov.] Queries to prevent the great mischiefs from the misuse of the privileges that the Mayor and Corporation of London pretend to. 1. Whether the exacting of money by an Act of Common Council not warranted by charter or prescription and erecting markets by the authority of a late Act of Parliament, wherein there is no mention of any toll, and levying rates on persons resorting thereto be not sufficient ground for a Quo Warranto or Information ?
2. Whether making a bylaw to exact great sums from all inhabitants for making new conduits be not ground for the same ?
3. Whether the Common Council's vindicating the sheriffs in their refusal to attend the Middlesex Justices at their Quarter Sessions (25 Oct., 1681) be not ground for a scire facias to repeal their charter or so much thereof as empowers them to make sheriffs ?
4. Whether at the same time an information should be brought against them for misemploying the coal money for private purposes ?
5. Whether it be not advisable that a Quo Warranto be brought against them as to their manner of choosing sheriffs, for, though they have used to choose by the liverymen only, which for these last two years has been increased to serve the purpose of the last two Mayors, yet they ought to be chosen by the freemen in general and not only by the liverymen ?
6. That informations be brought against the two late and the two present sheriffs for selling offices, which they call their perquisites.
It is proposed that some of the King's Counsel be required to deliberate on these heads, and to give their opinion what is fit to be done. (This must be earlier than the bringing of the information against the City in Michaelmas term, 1681.) [1¼ page. Ibid. No. 245.]
List of the officers of the City relating to the peace and the course of justice; proposing that no choice of officers or Act of Common Council be good without approbation of the Mayor and Aldermen. In reference to the officers who are to be dependent on the King, they may either not be admitted without his approbation, or removeable at pleasure or by writ, or, which is thought best, removeable by order of King in Council, after hearing the parties complained of. [Ibid. No. 246.]
Proposals that the King have the approbation of the Lord Mayor, recorder, and common sergeant; the sheriffs and justices of the peace to be by the King's commission, as in other counties; the Mayor, or at least the Mayor and Aldermen to have a negative on all elections or public acts of the corporation, except the returning members to Parliament; the Aldermen to have a negative as to the choice of Aldermen and to regulate the number and qualification of the liverymen of each company; the Mayor, recorder and all the Aldermen above the chair and three under to be justices, none to be omitted or added but by the King's special direction; the King not to constitute any sheriffs except fitting citizens. If they comply, these franchises should be surrendered and a new charter accepted with these qualifications. It is expedient that Mr. Attorney know the King's pleasure herein, that he may declare it on occasion and order his proceeding accordingly. The City will receive no prejudice to their profits, only the offices relating to the peace will be in the hands of persons in whom the King may confide, thus showing his care of the City, as being the most populous in the kingdom, and his own chief residence. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 247.]
Heads of a Quo Warranto against the City of London for using these franchises. The nomination and election of sheriffs for the City and one for Middlesex; claiming exemption for the sheriff of Middlesex from attendance at sessions; claiming to have justices and to hold sessions without the King's special commission; receiving large sums for tolls, tallages, etc.; imposing great sums for making and adorning new conduits; holding Common Councils, wherein they debate the King's prerogative and the affairs of the kingdom, which should not be treated of without special license, and claiming the privilege of selling offices connected with the government of the City. [Ibid. No. 248.]
George Beardsell to Secretary Jenkins. Petition, stating that he having expended on the taking of Hawley and Hogshead (Hawkshead), pirates that acted under Carew's commission, upwards of 40l., besides nine months' waiting, applied for repayment to the Lords of the Treasury, who referred it to his Honour to report what was fit to be allowed him, who reported that 25l. and no more was sufficient, and that, having petitioned their lordships for a second report, he has obtained a reference to his Honour, and praying him to make his report so that the petitioner may be satisfied. [Ibid. No. 249.]
The same to the same. Petition to the same effect as the last, but praying that his Honour will appoint some time for the petitioner to attend him. [Ibid. No. 250.]
Samuel Kendrick to Secretary Jenkins. Petition, stating that he was employed by his Honour in the taking of Hawley and Hoggshead, and has petitioned the Lords of the Treasury for his satisfaction, who sent Mr. Guy to attend his Honour for his report, and praying him to grant him his report for his satisfaction. (For these three petitions see S.P. Dom., Car. II. 1679–80, p. 601.) [Ibid. No. 251.]
Mortaugh Downey, Owen Callaghan and John Arthur to the King and the Privy Council. Petition praying to be called before the Council that they may give a full account of their services, having been some of the first discoverers of the late plot by discovering the treasonable designs of William Hetherington and his abettors. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 417, No. 252.]
The Governors of Christ's Hospital and of his Majesty's new royal foundation there to the King. Petition stating that Erasmus Smith, pursuant to the power given him by certain Acts of Parliament in Ireland and letters patent, appointed one moiety of the overplus of the rents and profits of all the lands and hereditaments thereby settled, remaining after all the charges and payments therein mentioned, and the arrears thereof since 27 June, 1673, to the petitioners in trust for the further support of the said royal foundation and other charitable uses, and that the petitioners have hitherto reaped no benefit by the said intended charity for want of knowing the true value of the said lands and hereditaments and the tenants thereof, and for what rents and terms they claim the same, and what is in arrear from them since the said 27 June, 1673, and how far the Governors of the charity there have applied the profits of the said lands and hereditaments towards the intended charitable uses, and, because the petitioners cannot without much difficulty and charge prevail with the Governors to give them an exact account of the said profits, praying that his Majesty by letters to the Lord Chancellor and other the Governors in Ireland would require them to give the petitioners an exact account of the said profits of the premises and of the yearly value thereof, and of the tenants thereof and of their respective rents and of the terms for which they hold and of how much of the said profits has been applied by them in discharge of their trust, and of how much thereof is still in arrear since 27 June, 1673. [S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 342, No. 103.]
The same to the same. Petition to the same effect as the last, and stating that, though his Majesty having been applied to by the petitioners has interposed therein, the Governors of the schools, making allegations, as if the petitioners were not to expect any benefit of the said moiety, but that all is vested in them and is to be applied to other the uses in the said Acts, charter and letters patent mentioned, deny to the petitioners the benefit of the said charity for the uses designed, whereas it is well known to them and appears by express terms in the charter incorporating them that the said moiety ought to be applied to such uses as the said Smith should by deed or will appoint, who by his deeds in July, 1680, has duly appointed it to the uses aforesaid, and, for that the authority by which the charity subsists flowed from his Majesty, before whom the performance or non-performance thereof is properly examinable, and, for that the subject matter lies in Ireland, where the judges of both law and equity are concerned as governors, and endeavour to have all applied to uses in Ireland contrary to the donor's intention, and for that, if the petitioners could have any relief in the Irish Courts for the said moiety, which they conceive they cannot, yet it would prove a great expense to the charity to recover the same, and for that such matters are, as they conceive, properly heard and determined by his Majesty, praying that he would command the governors of the said schools in Ireland from time to time to give accounts and transmit the moiety of the said overplus to the petitioners according to the said charter and the said Smith's limitation by his said deeds, that so the petitioners may be further enabled to perform his Majesty's gracious purposes in founding the said new foundation, and that the said Smith's pious intention may attain its due effect. (For both these petitions see the Ormonde Papers, Vol. VI, pages 14, 78, 121, 268.) [S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 342, No. 104.]
Passes to the following persons between 1 September and 31 December, 1681:—
Date. Name. Place. Reference.
1681.
Sept. 5. Mary, wife of Sir Henry Goodricke, envoyé extraordinary to Spain, with Capt. Hugh Kelley, two gentlewomen and 7 servants. Madrid. S.P. Dom., Entry Book 66, p. 3.
Sept. 5. George, Lord Carteret, with John Grenville, John Gailhard, his governor, John Aleman and a servant. Parts beyond seas. Ibid.
Sept. 13. Mr. Augibaud, apothecary to the French King, and Mr. Vaillant, a French merchant. France. Ibid. p. 5.
Sept. 16. John Hampden and William Besters and two servants. Parts beyond seas. Ibid.
Sept. 28. The Sieur de Zulestein, belonging to the Prince of Orange, with his lady, Mrs. Du-Has and 2 footmen. Holland. Ibid.
Sept. 30. Oliver, Earl of Bolingbroke, with Howard Becher, three superior and 4 or 5 inferior servants. Parts beyond seas. Ibid. p. 6.
Oct. 1. Samuel Alderst. Tangier. Ibid.
Oct. 11. Mrs. Albinia Betinson and Theodosia Betinson, her daughter, and her woman, Mrs. Elizabeth Brownlow and her woman, a young maid and a footboy. France. Ibid. p. 12.
Oct. 14. Lady Frances Bellings and Richard and John, her children, with 4 women and two menservants. Parts beyond seas. S.P. Dom., Entry Book 66, p. 13.
Nov. 8. Madame Bouslaer and other servants of Col. Henry Sidney, late envoyé extraordinary to the States General Holland. Ibid. p. 18.
Nov. 12. George, Earl of Northumberland, with— Cornwallis and — Lewis, gentlemen, — Wickail, his chaplain, — Lachevaye, his governor and 4 servants. Parts beyond seas. Ibid.
Nov. 12. Christian, relict of John, Lord Berkeley of Stratton, with 3 women and 4 men servants. France. Ibid. p. 19.
Nov. 13. Edmund Mole, servant to Viscount Mordaunt, with 2 horses and guide. Plymouth and back. Ibid. p. 18.
Nov. 14. Lady Theophila Lucy and Lady Anthea Berkeley, daughters of the Earl of Berkeley, with two women and one man servant. France. Ibid. p. 20.
Dec. 12. Juan Antonio de la Grené, servant to Don Pedro Ronquillo, the Spanish ambassador, with his wife and a maid and man servant. Ibid. p. 39.
Dec. 12. Anne Baxter, midwife to the Duchess of Norfolk, to go to her. Flanders. Ibid.
Dec. 22. Sir Samuel Moreland and his two servants. France. Ibid. p. 44.
Newspapers for the Year.
The London Gazette, published twice a week from No. 1578 (from Thursday, 30 Dec., to Monday, 3 Jan.) to No. 1682 (from Thursday, 29 Dec., to Monday, 2 Jan., 1682). Nos. 1632 and 1681 are missing.