Charles II: September 1682

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Charles II, 1682. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1932.

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'Charles II: September 1682', in Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Charles II, 1682, (London, 1932) pp. 362-448. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/domestic/chas2/1682/pp362-448 [accessed 26 March 2024]

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September 1682

Sept. 1.
Twickenham.
Mrs. M. Hammond to Francis Royley. Declining to take his house, since it cannot be made fit for a new tenant, with sketch of Royley's answer that he and his daughter desire to wait on her at Twickenham, believing that a meeting would produce a better understanding. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 37.]
Sept. 1.
[Received.]
Dr. Richard Raines to [Secretary Jenkins]. About a fortnight since came here Sir Henry Ingoldsby, his son, and a Mr. Thompson, whom seeing at prayers and knowing Thompson, I took them to my lodgings, where I understood they were going by easy journeys to Lord Macclesfield. Last week, keeping the Bishop's visitation at Shrewsbury, Lord Paget and Mr. Swinfin lighted at the inn where I was, who said they were going to a horse race to be, as is said, at Chester about a fortnight hence. I suppose they and others are going to the same place. It is said that the Duke of Monmouth is coming and I was told by an honest clergyman that he has sent to Mr. Leveson Gore [Gower], who, the same person told me, will not refuse to entertain him, though he could wish he would not come. Last week the Dean here is gone into Cheshire, but surely not on the same account. Several gentlemen in these parts pretend they are for, and come to the service of, the Church of England, yet they are attended with, and chiefly employ, Fanatics, by which means they may be more effectual in bringing on those confusions, which we hope God will prevent. 'Tis certain their power and interest in this county or Shropshire and Chester is not great. I am this morning going to keep my Lord's visitation for Derbyshire and hope to return here Saturday next. [Ibid. No. 38.]
Sept. 1.
Windsor.
Commissions to Anthony Gibbon to be ensign to Capt. Ralph de la Vall's company and to Francis Russell to be captain of the company whereof Edward Russell was late captain, both in the first regiment of Foot Guards commanded by the Duke of Grafton. Minutes. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 69, pp. 2, 4.]
Sept. 1.
Whitehall.
Commission to Thomas King to be ensign to the Earl of Mulgrave's own company in the Holland regiment. Minute. [Ibid. p. 4.]
Sept. 2.
Windsor.
The King to the Lord Lieutenant and the Lord Deputy or either of them. Warrant, after reciting the letter of 29 Jan., 1673–4, for a grant to Col. Cary Dillon of forfeited lands for the satisfaction of 1,200l. per annum [calendared in S.P. Dom., 1673–75, p. 123] and that he has represented by his petition for a renewal of the above letter that he has received no benefit thereof by reason of his having waited till the Duke of York had completed his reprizals, a report of the Lord Lieutenant in favour of the petitioner and a report of the Lords of the Treasury, dated 29 Aug., 1682, that by the Acts of Settlement and Explanation there appears due to the petitioner 233l. 6s. 8d. per annum, being two thirds of 350l. per annum, the value of what he lost as a soldier, that he is deficient for other lands taken out of his possession, which were assigned to him either from Soldier or Adventurer, 350l. per annum and that he had purchased 5,200 acres, for which he never had any reprizal, and recommending a grant to him and his heirs of 600l. per annum out of such forfeited lands in Ireland as he shall discover, which they conceive may be a reasonable satisfaction to him at present, and that there may still remain to his Majesty wherewith to gratify others, who may have the like pretensions: for, according to the said letter, a grant to the said Col. Cary Dillon and his heirs of so much forfeited lands as he shall discover of the said value of 600l. per annum above reprizals which are in the King's hands and applicable to the uses of the said Acts or such as he shall have agreed for with the persons in possession of the same, at the quit rents payable thereout by the said Acts. [3¼ pages. S.P. Dom., Signet Office 1, Vol. 11, p. 97.]
Sept. 3.
Yarmouth.
Sir Thomas Medowes to Secretary Jenkins. Giving the result of the elections for bailiffs and other officers there with the names of those elected.—It has been as successful for his Majesty's interest as could be desired and I am in great measure assured that the charter may be laid at his Majesty's feet to attend his determination for the future government of this town. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 39.]
Sept. 3.
Chester Castle.
Sir Geoffrey Shakerley to Secretary Jenkins. I am informed that the Duke of Monmouth is at Trentham at Mr. Leveson Gore's [Gower's] and thence comes to Nantwich on Friday and that 60 ordinaries at 2s. 6d. and 150 at 1s. 6d. are bespoke against his coming. Thence he comes to Chester and stays at the Mayor's till Monday, the race being not till Tuesday at Wallasey. Neither Capt. Nott nor his company are come hither, nor can I hear anything of them. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 40.]
Sept. 3.
Windsor.
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of Henry Sclater, praying his Majesty to empower him to execute an office in the Custom House, which he has found out, useful to his Majesty and of great convenience to the merchants and masters of ships. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 208.]
Sept. 4.
Windsor.
Warrant to Col. George Legge, Master General of the Ordnance, after reciting that one foot company has been ordered to march to Chester Castle to reinforce the garrison there and that Sir Geoffrey Shakerley, the governor, has represented that the bedding in store there is rotten and altogether unfit for the soldiers' use, for causing 28 beds, with such bedding as is usual for soldiers, to be sent there and delivered to the said Sir Geoffrey for the use of the said company. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 69, p. 3.]
Sept. 4.
Windsor.
The King to the Lord Deputy. Warrant, after reciting the report of the Lord Lieutenant in Council, dated 31 Jan., 1680[–1], on the reference to him of the petition of Walter Gallwey of Youghal, merchant, that a French privateer brought the Golden Salmon, a Dutch prize, into Youghal when there was actual war between the French and Dutch and that the Judge of the Admiralty Court in Ireland adjudged her to the French as a lawful prize and that, after her being so condemned, the said Gallwey bought nine-tenths of her from the French commander and the other tenth from the officers of the Admiralty, as he conceived it was lawful for him to do, and was at great charges in fitting and rigging her, and loaded her for foreign parts, but she, being ready to sail, on petition in the name of Cornelius Thenispeck, from whom she was pretended to be taken, was by the Lord Lieutenant's Order in Council secured by the Mayor of Youghal, till it should appear to whom she properly belonged, and the matter was heard by him in Council and on 12 Feb., 1679[–80], the Order in Council was produced with a report of Sir Leoline Jenkins, Judge of the Admiralty in England, a copy of which was ordered to be given to the said Gallwey, and on 20 Feb., as it appeared that the said Thenispeck was owner of the said ship and goods and that the same by the 21st article of the treaty with the States General ought to be restored to him, the Lord Lieutenant, in pursuance of the said Order in Council and to prevent any difference between the King and the States General, ordered restitution thereof to the said Thenispeck, to which Order the said Gallwey paid ready obedience, though he observed to the Lord Lieutenant what Sir L. Jenkins seems to allow of in his report, viz., that the said Gallwey could not be well outed of his possession by due course of law, that he had deposed that he had no notice of the said treaty with the States General till after the said ship was stopped as aforesaid and that, if there were any error in him, he was led into it by the Court of Admiralty, which condemned her notwithstanding any articles to the contrary, and that the said Gallwey's losses by the said ship's being stopped and continued under restraint has been to his damage of 3,300l. besides other great inconveniencies in relation to his trade and credit as a merchant, and the Lord Lieutenant offered that the said Gallwey may be repaired by the King in such manner as shall be thought fit, a further reference to the Lords of the Treasury and their report dated 23 Aug., 1682, that they had considered the said petition and a draft letter approved of by Sir Robert Sawyer, the Attorney-General, and had no objection to his Majesty's signing it, provided a clause be in it that the petitioner deliver a list of the lands pretended to be discovered by him before the grant pass, and that therefore the King judges it reasonable and just that the said Gallwey should be some way repaired his great losses sustained by the said Order in Council to prevent any difference between the King and the States General on account of the said ship and therefore gives him a grant for concealed and forfeited lands in Munster to the value of 330l. sterling per annum: requiring him with preference to these letters before all other royal letters whatever to cause grants to be made to the said Gallwey in fee simple of so many lands in Munster vested in the King by the Acts of Settlement and Explanation or in right of the Crown of the clear yearly value of 330l. sterling per annum over and above the quit rents and Crown rents and all charges and incumbrances thereon in full reparation for the damages and losses he has sustained as aforesaid, and further authorizing him to admit the said Gallwey to place deficiencies on such lands, to be enjoyed by him under the like respective quit rents as Adventurers and Soldiers are to pay in the counties wherein the lands so granted lie, and such other of the discovered lands as belong to the King in right of the Crown and have been concealed under the ancient Crown rents payable for the same in 1641, provided that the said Gallwey deliver a list of the lands he shall discover before his grant pass. [6 pages. S.P. Dom., Signet Office 1, Vol. 11, p. 91.]
Sept. 4.
Windsor.
The King to the Lord Deputy. Warrant for a grant during pleasure to Col. Cary Dillon of the office of Commissary General of the Horse of the Army in Ireland, void by the death of John, late Lord Kingston. [Ibid. p. 101.]
Sept. 4.
Windsor.
The King to the Lord Deputy. Warrant, after reciting that by letters of 2 Sept., 1681, he had signified his pleasure that Robert Fitzgerald be discharged from further attendance at the Council there and that he had thought fit to restore him again, for causing the said Fitzgerald to be re-admitted and sworn one of the Privy Council of Ireland. [S.P. Dom., Signet Office 1, Vol. 11, p. 102, and S.P. Ireland, Entry Book 1, p. 25.]
Sept. 5.
Windsor.
The Earl of Conway to Secretary Jenkins. I communicated yours of the 4th to his Majesty, who said little to it. I asked him whether he had any information or any apprehension of tumults and rising amongst the Whigs. He said none that he believed, so I had nothing in command from him and can add little news more than that his Majesty is gone a-hawking and will be at Whitehall next Sunday afternoon. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 41.]
Sept. 5.
Queen's College, Oxford.
Dr. Timothy Halton to Secretary Jenkins. I understand that the charter of Andover is surrendered and a new one granted and therefore trouble you in behalf of the University in general and my own College in particular that no damage may be done either of them about removing the fair at Wayhill. The concern to either body is very great. I shall on any notice come to attend that affair myself. [Ibid. No. 42.]
Sept. 5.
Rye.
William Williams to the Bishop of Chichester. The spirit of anarchy and sedition has prevailed amongst the generality of our people, who were formerly taught and influenced by Jeake, a long time town clerk and since to this day preacher to the seditious conventicle here, who with about 13 more, mechanics, sent a petition to the then Parliament for the murder of the late King, which they called bringing him to justice. His employment gives as great advantages for seducing the inhabitants from their duty to the King and Church as his preaching, for he is an amphibious creature between an attorney and a scrivener and has for many years been employed in most of the contracts and conveyances of the town and adjacent country and credited not only with the cash of the living put out to usury but also with the estates of widows and orphans, whereby he is become master of soul and estate. To prevent the mischiefs from the popular esteem he had gained, our loyal magistrates with Mr. Hall and others endeavoured to fix the government of the town in good hands and the choice of Parliament men on loyal persons, but Jeake endeavoured to obviate the design by making parties for both Mayor and Barons and gained to his party Thomas Turney, late town clerk and a jurat here, and left him to manage the Commonwealth's interest under the notion of being well-affected to both King and Church. This Turney set up for Mayor here last August twelvemonth. What followed till the close of last term I gave you in a paper sent by Archdeacon Sayer. Last term, the Lord Chief Justice being biassed as we suppose by Sir John Fagg and our own counsel, being either underfee'd by us or fee'd on the other side, throwing down their briefs and giving up the cause on a suggestion of Mr. Williams of Chester who was against us, without one of our evidence being examined, though we had many, a verdict was passed that Turney was the right Mayor, who presently enters pragmatically on his office, turns out all the old officers, chooses disaffected persons in their places, makes 14 new freemen contrary to the charter and usages of the town, imprisons the town clerk for executing his office, first in the gaoler's house and then in the gaol, where he was used with more severity than any traitor or murderer in Newgate, commits Lewis Gillart, a jurat, for opposing his arbitrary proceedings, causes him to be torn by force from the Bench, claps him up into prison, places a guard on him there, suffers no person to speak to him, refuses obedience to a Habeas Corpus for removing him, though repeated three times, claps up one of the constables for giving obedience to his own command for other crimes we know not of, sends for all the loyal freemen he could find but the least pretence against and binds them over. This was his justice towards us and he publicly charged me in court with being the author and promoter of the differences in the town. I returned it upon him and among others charged him with allowing one of the jurats, Mr. Burdett, to act in conjunction with him as a Justice, who was guilty of speaking, if not treasonable, yet very seditious and dangerous words against the King. I produced proof on oath and demanded that he should be committed, which Turney not only then but several times since has refused and still continues him to act as a Justice. The words he is accused of are that the rebels at Bothwell Bridge were honest men, they did but their duty in rising up for their liberty and to preserve themselves from arbitrary power and their consciences from being invaded. The 28th ult. we chose Mayor again; two were chosen, Turney by the Whigs, Sir John Fagg being industrious at that election, and Mr. Radford by us. I enclose the whole state of that election. You will find by this how pleasant my life must be here, yet I will oppose the design of these ill men to the utmost of my power, if the contrary be not commanded me by your lordship. [2½ pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 43.] Enclosed,
Account of the election of a Mayor at Rye. On 28 Aug., the day of election, Sir Denny Ashburnham, Thomas Frewen and Roger Shosewell, three neighbouring Justices, being also freemen of the town, repaired thither, intending to endeavour to persuade the inhabitants to a better unity than they had had for some time.
When they came, they heard there were two competitors, Thomas Torney, the late Mayor, and Lewis Gillart. Torney, who came into the office on a late verdict in the King's Bench, was very vindictive to all that opposed him, who were all of the most loyal of the town, and imprisoned some considerable inhabitants on very slight pretences, though by the charter of the ports a Mayor has no power of imprisonment for misdemeanours, unless the offender cannot find sureties for good behaviour. The said Torney and his partisans, in order to compass their design of making him Mayor, had made several freemen against the consent of the rest of the freemen contrary to the custom of the corporation and some but a few days before the election, as it is said, against a by-law that no freemen be made 40 days before the election of a Mayor or Baron. When the Mayor and freemen were assembled, Sir D. Ashburnham and the rest of the Justices, observing that Gillart, who was designed to be chosen Mayor by the loyal party, had been very unjustly imprisoned by Torney and apprehending that he might therefore have animosity against him and that thereby the differences might be increased, proposed that both he and Torney might be laid aside and some third person, against whom no exception could be justly made, might be chosen Mayor, but the disaffected party would hear of no accommodation, being animated thereto by Sir John Fagg and Sir John Dorrell.
The Justices and the loyal inhabitants, though they saw no disposition to peace in Torney or his party, resolved to pursue their first intention and in order thereto proposed Joseph Radford, a quiet, peaceable and indifferent person, but the others would have nobody but Torney, so a poll was demanded and it appeared that the majority of just and unquestionable voices was for Radford, and the senior jurat in the presence of the rest of the jurats and freemen tendered him the oath of Mayor, which he took, and was proceeding to give him the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, but Sir John Fagg whispered in Torney's ear and then he went away abruptly and with him all the jurats but one and many of the freemen, yet the oaths were given him by the Justices, who are qualified in the absence of jurats. Torney, in his passage from the hall, assumed the quality of Mayor, though he was not then sworn, and carried a white wand in his hand and had the mace borne before him and was saluted as Mayor by a factious rabble prepared for that purpose and, as it is believed, is since sworn by some of the jurats that abet his practices and accepted as Mayor by all his party.
The late verdict in the King's Bench has much encouraged the aversion of those men to his Majesty's government and increased the difference in the town, for, the question at that trial being whether five freemen put out by the Commissioners for regulating corporations were well displaced, the verdict went against it and they are thereby admitted to great trusts in the corporation without being bound by any obligation to the government. [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 43 i.]
Sept. 5. Christopher Fogg to Lord—. 6 Oct., 1679, I was taken by the Turks and endured above 20 months' cruel slavery. When his Majesty granted a brief for redemption of poor captives, my friends entered my name in the list and, being advised I should receive the allowance of 40l. towards my redemption, applied to Mr. Nutt, who wrote to his correspondent in Algiers to compound for my ransom. But unfortunately the books were not opened for subscription so soon as was expected and I was released three days before the subscription was made. I was subscribed for five days before I arrived on a Christian shore, till when I could not say I was free. I am indebted a considerable sum for my ransom, of which I am unable to pay any part without the allowance of 40l., but am likely to be cast into prison and there perish, to prevent which I beg your favour in obtaining the said 40l. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 44.]
Sept. 5.
Windsor.
Reference to the Attorney or Solicitor General of the petition of Thomas Jones and Henry Griffith, Samuel Harrison and George Naires, three late lieutenants in the royal regiment of Dragoons, and now all four of the Horse Guards, praying that, his Majesty having about 21 years since granted a patent to Joseph Burton, deceased, for searching, supervising and inspecting into the deceits practised by tanners, curriers and workers of leather and divers misdemeanours being daily committed for want of such persons, that his Majesty would renew the same to them. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 205.]
Sept. 5.
Windsor.
Reference to the Earl of Arran, Lord Deputy, of the petition of Sir Gerard Aylmer for a grant to him and his heirs of certain lands in Ireland, decreed to him in tail by the Court of Claims as innocent. [Ibid. p. 208.]
Tuesday,
Sept. 5, 6 p.m.
Secretary Jenkins to the Common Serjeant. Being told that Mr. Box has submitted to a fine and is to pay it to-day, a gentleman of very good understanding in the City affairs suggests it is very material that the words of the acquittance the Chamberlain shall give him be "Received . . the sum of . . . as a forfeiture for not holding the office of sheriff of Middlesex for the year ensuing." This I leave you to consider. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 121.]
Sept. 5.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to the Bishop of Bristol. Thanking him for his letters of the 28th and 30th.—I am glad the proceedings at your assizes have been so much to public satisfaction. It is in a manner impossible it should be otherwise, when Lord Chief Justice North gives the rule. I have moved his Majesty on your letter about the fines and he refers the matter to the Lords of the Treasury. I would therefore advise Mr. Helyar to send me a petition such as he would think fit to have presented to his Majesty in behalf of himself and such others as have title to be re-imbursed of the charges and pains they have been at in the public service. I am very glad you have prevented the dispute that might have happened between the clergy and the city about the bearing up of the Mayor's swords in your cathedral. I think his Grace of Canterbury may be very fit to be advised with in order to the settling of that point and the preserving of the rights of the Church. [Ibid. p. 122.]
Sept. 5.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to the Earl of Winchilsea. Signifying his Majesty's pleasure that he make Archibald Kinkard [Clinkard], the present high sheriff of Kent, of whose loyalty he has received a good testimony, one of his deputy lieutenants for that county. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 123.]
Sept. 5.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to Mr. Southing. The address Capt. Greenstreet entrusted to my care was presented yesterday to his Majesty. He accepted it and commanded me to thank you and the rest of the subscribers and to tell you that, as he is resolved to govern by law, so he shall look on them as good subjects that shall show a due regard to the ancient rights and legal custom of the Cinque Ports. [Ibid.]
Sept. 5.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to the Bishop of Bath and Wells. Thanking him for his account of the assizes.—I am sorry I have not leave to comply with your lordship's desire so as to order the remonstrance of the Grand Jury to be printed. The King is pressed so often and so much in such matters, which belong properly to the judges to determine, that he leaves them to find their way to the public light by some of the ordinary prints. However, your paper deserves to be publicly known and his Majesty judged so of it, for it points out the care of our mischiefs. [Ibid. p. 124.]
Sept. 5.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to Walter Chettwind at his house near Stafford. His Majesty, finding a great concourse of people is designed to rendezvous at the horse race of Wallasey not only from the neighbouring counties but from very distant parts of the kingdom, has commanded me to endeavour by my friends in those parts to get the best account I can of that meeting both as to the persons that shall assemble there and as to the ways they shall take to go and come and as to the numbers they shall appear to be, both in coming and going as well as on the place, and he desires to know particularly what is done or spoken as to the regard due to the Government and as to the danger the public peace may be in on the measures that may be there (or elsewhere with relation to that meeting) entered into to disturb or affront it.
I have named you to his Majesty as a person fit to be entrusted with the management of this piece of secret service and one that will be sure to give a faithful account of what comes to your knowledge, not that I wish or desire you should appear in person at the meeting,* I know the great distance you are from the place and the little disposition you have to be seen in such company,* but that I hope you will employ a discreet and trusty person (the least subject that may be to suspicion) to go to that meeting and to observe narrowly what passes and to inform you (and by your conveyance to let me know not from him but from you) punctually what shall fall under his observation of things done or spoken in the way to and from that place as well as on the place itself and particularly where the leading men shall have made their stages going and coming and how they are attended in their way and who they are that affect to be seen waiting on them or to distinguish themselves as of a party not satisfied with the Government.
I shall re-imburse your charges on such a messenger very punctually, but I desire that neither such a messenger nor any one else whatever know that this moves or comes to you by his Majesty's command. 'Tis for the good of this service. I have commission to bear their charges, if you should employ two or three, provided you judge them such as will give a good account of themselves in that service. I desire to hear from you frequently and with the soonest. There cannot be an end more public nor more justifiable than that his Majesty proposes to himself in giving you this trouble nor can there be anything I shall be bound to acknowledge with more hearty thankfulness. [Over 2 pages. S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 124.]
Memorandum that duplicates of the above letter were sent to Dr. Fowler and Peter Shakerley, for the words between asterisks being substituted in the first "I know how undecent and unpracticable that thing is in your circumstances," and in the other "unless you be already under some engagement to do it." [Ibid. p. 126.]
Sept. 6.
Windsor.
The Earl of Conway to Secretary Jenkins. His Majesty is very glad to see by yours of the 5th the steadiness of the Lord Mayor and the good resolution of all his friends in the City. He also approves of your design to have the next Common Hall to-morrow sennight, at which time he will be returned from his voyage down the river. He was a-hunting this morning and is now a-hawking this afternoon.
The German letters give us account of the war broke out irrecoverably between the Emperor and the Turks, who carry all before them in Hungary with three armies under three Bashaws in the assistance of Tekeli. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 45.]
Sept. 6. Certificate by Richard Dumaresq, minister, and Lewis Delafaye and T. Gaudin, churchwardens, that Andrew Lortie, late minister of Rochelle, Mary, his wife, Andrew, his son, and his three daughters are French Protestants and of the number of those that fled from France to avoid the persecutions and that the said Lortie and his son, since their coming to England, have lived as such, hearing sermon and receiving the Holy Communion on occasions. [Ibid. No. 46.]
Sept. 6.
Whitehall.
Warrant to Robert Steevens, messenger in ordinary for the Press, to take into custody and bring before Secretary Jenkins, to answer to what shall be objected against him, Benjamin Motte, printer, for printing certain papers pretended to be proceedings before his Majesty in Council and not licensed, and also to seize and bring before the Secretary all papers and prints containing such pretended proceedings. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54, p. 139.]
Sept. 6. Secretary Jenkins to —. Though I cannot be so vain as to think my letter can do the bearer Robert M any great service, yet, when I find not only the V but the Lord Lieutenant and county of so generally concerned for him, I cannot but join with them that he may succeed his father as P in your C, he being son of a person that is said to have so constantly adhered to the King's interests. I am told he and three more children besides an aged mother will, if he be set aside, very sensibly miss the support of the said place. I have been pressed very earnestly to move his Majesty for his letter in the young man's behalf, but I have excused myself, not only on the great principle I have that the V and their C may be in such places left to their entire liberty but also on my confidence that you will very maturely consider whether this party has not some right in equity to be preferred before any other that may be less valued by the county and the C. That you may see how invidious a thing it may prove, in case he should be put by, I give you a copy of Lord's letter to me. Though it be but a place, yet I see it will be made matter of reflection one way or other on the conduct of Churchmen in general in their temporal concerns. I am sorry Lord C is not in town, that I might have taken his excellent judgment and great charity with me in this point. If he had apprehended things otherwise than I, I should have retracted what I have written. [1½ page. S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 129.]
Sept. 6.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to Thomas Newcombe, one of the King's printers. Desiring him to deliver to the adjutant of the first regiment of Foot Guards so many copies as he shall desire of a little book called An Abridgement of the English Military Discipline. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 69, p. 2.]
Sept. 7. Certificate by James Arderne, Dean, and five prebendaries of Chester, that Thomas Burton of Chester was a stout and valiant soldier for the late and present Kings, whereby he became so wounded that he is disabled from maintaining himself, and that he is a man of a sober, loyal conversation and pious life and that they beg he may be admitted almsman in the next vacant place in Chester Cathedral. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 47.] Annexed,
Request to Secretary Jenkins to forward the reading of this petition to his Majesty. [Ibid. No. 47 i.]
Sept. 7.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to Sir Courteney Pole. I thank you for your letter of the 4th with an enclosed presentment of the Grand Jury. Lord Chief Justice North sent me some days before a copy of it, which I laid before his Majesty, who was very well pleased with the account therein of the present state and loyal disposition of that county. When his lordship comes to town, I will join with him in the delivery of the original to his Majesty and take care, as you desire, that the names of all the gentlemen, who have concurred with you, may be laid before him. I must commend your care and zeal for promoting the King's service in the station you are in and am only sorry it has proved so great an expense to you. I hope it will be in his Majesty's power to make you amends. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 127.]
Sept. 7.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to Sir R. Hart. His Majesty is fully sensible how much it is for the quiet of Bristol and for the service of the government that a Mayor be chosen there who will be true and firm to his Majesty's interest, which is the same as that of the established religion and the public peace. He is informed that your credit with all sorts of men there will outweigh in the election of a Mayor all that the restless spirits can do to the contrary. Therefore I have a special command from his Majesty that you would be not only watchful but active for choosing the best man in that place of trust. Capt. Easton has been mentioned to his Majesty as the fittest man. Pray therefore engage your friends for the choosing of him. Sure I am that it will be an eminent piece of service to his Majesty to have a good man in so great a trust. [Ibid. p. 128.]
Sept. 7.
Windsor Castle.
Warrant for a gift of the office of Treasurer Deput of Scotland to John Drummond of Lundin during pleasure. [3½ pages. S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 342.]
Sept. 7.
Windsor Castle.
The King to the Archbishop of St. Andrews. Having called the Bishop of Edinburgh hither to give us an account of the state of the Church in Scotland, we are very well pleased with his representation of its present peace and quietness and of the great progress for curing the irreligious schism which rends the Church there by the prudent and happy conduct of our most dear brother, the vigilant and impartial execution of our laws, the unwearied diligence of our State ministers and the zeal and faithfulness of yourself and the other bishops to promote religion and the unity of the Church with the security, succession, and all other sacred interests of the Crown.
We are well satisfied with the good services to us of the Bishop of Edinburgh as well here as in Scotland and have him under our particular care and favour, whom therefore we have commanded in our name to assure you and all the other bishops that we will stand by you and them against all your adversaries, as being sufficiently convinced that our monarchy and your sacred order have the same friends and enemies. We desire you to communicate this our letter to the rest of the lords of the clergy. [Ibid. p. 346.]
Sept. 7.
Windsor Castle.
The King to the Marquess of Queensberry, Treasurer Principal, and John Drummond of Lundin, Treasurer Deput. Warrant, after reciting that by a gift of mortification of 1 Oct., 1668, the King mortified 200l. sterling yearly for the entire maintenance of the professors of the Oriental tongues and the mathematical sciences erected by him and for the better maintenance of the principals and professors of the philosophy colleges of the University of St. Andrews, payable to the Rector thereof, to be distributed by him amongst the said persons, and that the said mortification was duly ratified by the Parliament 11 Sept., 1672, but that notwithstanding, besides an arrear of 2½ years, the said mortification is entirely left out of the lists lately signed as the rules of future payments of fees, pensions and other allowances, for continuing the payment of the said mortification of 200l. sterling yearly to the said Rector for the uses aforesaid, beginning the first half year's payment thereof for the term of Whitsunday last. [1¼ pages. S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 347.]
Sept. 7.
Windsor Castle.
The King to the Lord Provost, the Baylies and the rest of the magistrates and Town Council of Edinburgh. Letting them know his good opinion of them and assuring them of his protection.—You have so well begun in raising that company that we will not doubt your effectual perfecting and establishing of it. We earnestly recommend to your care and as certainly expect from your loyalty the effectual suppression of all seditious disturbances of the government and of all fanatical schismatics by a prudent and steady execution of our good and wholesome laws. [Ibid. p. 349.]
Sept. 7.
Windsor Castle.
Warrant to the Treasurer Principal and Treasurer Deput for payment of 215l. sterling out of the money appointed for defraying the incident charges of the dispatch of affairs relating to the service of the Church to the Bishop of Edinburgh for the expenses of his journey to England undertaken by the King's special command. [Ibid. p. 350.]
Sept. 7.
Windsor Castle.
The King to Sir George Gordon of Haddo, Chancellor, Sir David Falconer of Newtoune, President, and the remanent Senators of the College of Justice. After reciting the commission dated 14 Oct. last to Sir George Mackenzie of Tarbett to be Clerk Register [calendared in the last volume, p. 513] and that the said commission is conceived in general terms, signifying his pleasure that he enjoy the said office with the privileges, emoluments and casualities thereof and particularly with power to constitute deputs, and, seeing that the security and preservation of the records is a matter of high importance, requiring them to give all due assistance to the Clerk Register for bringing in all registers and records as were or ought to have been filled up before his entry to the said office. [1¼ pages. Ibid.]
Sept. 7.
Windsor Castle.
The King to the Marquess of Queensberry, Treasurer Principal. Similar letter to the last on behalf of the Clerk Register. [S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 352.]
Sept. 7.
Windsor Castle.
The King to Sir George Gordon of Haddo, Chancellor, and the rest of the Privy Council of Scotland. After reciting the gift dated 17 March last of 500l. sterling yearly to Sir Allan McClean of Dowart [calendared ante, p. 130] and that he is yet a minor, appointing Sir George Gordon of Haddo, Chancellor, and six others overseers of the affairs and estate of the said Sir Allan and remitting to them to determine what proportion of the said rent shall be allotted to the said Sir Allan's mother during her lifetime. [1¼ pages. Ibid. p. 353.]
Sept. 7.
Windsor Castle.
The King to the Duke of Hamilton, heretable keeper of the palace of Holyrood House. Warrant for settling Sir George Mackenzie of Tarbett Clerk Register, in the lodgings appointed to him in Holyrood House, lately possessed by the Earl of Roscommon and Mr. Graham, keeper of the privy purse to the Duke of Albany and York. [Ibid. p. 354.]
Sept. 7.
Windsor Castle.
The King to Sir George Gordon of Haddo, Chancellor, Sir David Falconer of Newtoune and the remanent Senators of the College of Justice. After reciting the appointment dated 17 March last of Sir Alexander Gibson and two others to be trustees of the estate of the late Earl of Argyle [calendared ante, p. 130] and that he desires to be liberated from the said trust, declaring his pleasure that he be exonerated from the said trust and appointing in his place Sir David Thoires, advocate. [1¼ pages. Ibid. p. 355.]
Sept. 7.
Windsor Castle.
Warrant for a charter to Donald McDonald of Moydart of divers lands. (The purport appears from the ratification printed in The Acts of the Parliament of Scotland, Vol. VIII, p. 546.) [2½ pages. Docquet. Ibid. p. 356.]
Sept. 7.
Windsor Castle.
Warrant for payment to Sir George Gordon of Haddo, Chancellor, of 250l. sterling, being a half year's pension due to him as President of the College of Justice from Mertinmes, 1681, to Whitsunday, 1682. [Ibid. p. 359.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor.
The Earl of Conway to Secretary Jenkins. I received yours of the 7th with the enclosures as his Majesty was walking to the tennis-court, so he read them and was not much edified, there being less in Lord Preston's letters than in the Gazette à la main. I asked him what answer he would give to Lord Preston's desire of coming to England. He said it should be considered when he came to London.
The Duke had a mighty hard chase yesterday and did not return till 11 at night. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 48.]
Sept. 8.
Dover.
Col. John Strode to [Secretary Jenkins]. This day, being the election for a Mayor, the poll was between Capt. George West and Nicholas Cullen, who was formerly turned out by the regulators of the Corporation Act in 1662 and has been Mayor here for the last three years, a great favourer of the Fanatics and now under an information at the assizes in Kent. On the poll (with excommunicated and others not freemen) he had the major number by a few. Though it is not according to the ancient custom of this place, he having been Mayor three years together, he was sworn Mayor and at the same time Capt. West was also sworn Mayor, so that now we have two Mayors, which is like to continue till it come before his Majesty in Council, where I believe Cullen will be set forth in his proper colours and hope his Majesty's friends will not be discountenanced. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 49.]
Sept. 8.
Faversham.
Capt. Michael Greenstreete, George Allen and Robert Hamblenton to Secretary Jenkins. Thanking him for his letter.—Finding our Mayor so hardy as to dare approach his Majesty, we, by this messenger on purpose, beg your favour to mind us and, because we are acquainted with his false pretensions, we present you with our case, which we could have drawn up much more to the disadvantage of him and his accomplices, one whereof was formerly turned out by his Royal Highness for having set his hand to the late King's death, with order not to be elected again, though by that party he is got in again. We beg your advice and assistance to obtain a new order or to show his Majesty our case, or what else you shall think fit. [Ibid. No. 50.] Enclosed,
The said case. Mr. Hamblenton petitioning his Majesty about his imprisonment and being put by his juratship by the present Mayor, Mr. Waterman, and others, it was ordered in Council, 10 Feb., 1681[–2], that the Mayor should forthwith elect Hamblenton a jurat and Justice, by adding him to the then number of jurats, which the Mayor promised to do, but he forthwith swore Mr. Watson and Mr. Heeler as jurats on pretence of their having been formerly elected. Mr. Watson, if ever elected, was chosen 5 or 6 years ago and Mr. Heeler only nominated in Mr. Allen's time. These two, at those several times, were urged to take their oaths, but absolutely refused and were excused, and other jurats chosen in their room and no record made of these elections, though now, to overbalance the King's party, they have come in and been sworn. We are advised that swearing them is contrary to law, unless they had been new elected. For remedy of this and other irregularities, as his breaking open the chest for the town seal and using it without the leave of the corporation, we can appeal to none but his Majesty, who acts now as Lord Warden, for all freemen are sworn to maintain the privileges of the ports, one whereof is that all causes arising in the liberty of this town be tried before the Mayor, and by order of Guestling we are fined by the whole ports, if any portsman sue another in the foreign for any matter triable here, so that the Mayor will be judge in his own case, for he already with the help of these two new jurats practises to be Mayor again next year, and so he or one of them will be Mayor, till we are past time of relief, unless his Majesty will hear us again or depute somebody to hear and determine it. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 50 i.]
Statement of the case (at great length) between Hamblenton and Waterman, whereby it appears that Hamblenton was elected jurat by the casting vote of the Mayor and that Waterman had committed him to prison for acting as jurat, alleging that he had not been legally elected. [Ibid. No. 50 ii.]
Summary of the arguments on either side in Hamblenton v. Waterman, Wade and Blanckett before the Council. [Ibid. No. 50 iii.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor.
Reference to the Committee for Trade of the petition of Robert Barclay, showing that, a tract of land in America called East New Jersey being by several conveyances devolved to 24 proprietors in and about London, whereof the petitioner is one, they are desirous to devolve the government of it on him and his heirs and praying his Majesty to confirm to the said 24 proprietors their interest in the soil of that province by patent and to grant him and his heirs the government of it. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 205.]
Sept. 8.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to the Earl of Bridgwater. His Majesty has readily consented to your making young Mr. Fleetwood, as his father in his life was, one of your deputy lieutenants in Buckinghamshire. You may therefore send him your commission with all convenient speed. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 129.]
Sept. 8.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to Lord Finch. Some months ago George Batchelor petitioned you and the Board for a storekeeper's place at Woolwich, but was dismissed with hopes of being considered another time. The Clerk of the Survey's place at Deptford being now vacant, some friends of mine have prevailed with me to desire your favour that he may succeed to it. I have a good assurance that he is an honest man and has served near 12 years in the said yard and is every way well qualified. [Ibid. p. 131.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor Castle.
The King to Sir George Gordon of Haddo, Chancellor, and the rest of the Privy Council of Scotland. Warrant for a proclamation further adjourning the Parliament to 15 March next. [S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 360.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor Castle.
Warrant, after reciting in consideration of the services of James and William, Dukes of Hamilton, a grant, dated 20 Dec., 1667, to Susanna Hamilton, daughter of the said Duke James, now Countess of Cassileis, of a yearly pension of 500l. sterling, of which arrears for many years are still due to her, for payment to her yearly during pleasure of 300l. sterling, beginning the payment of 150l. sterling to her for the term of Whitsunday last. [1¼ pages. S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 361.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor Castle.
The King to Sir George Gordon of Haddo, Chancellor, Sir David Falconer of Newtoune, President, and the remanent Senators of the College of Justice. Warrant for admitting the Earl of Perth, Justice General, to be one of the extraordinary lords of Session, the place of one of the extraordinary lords being now vacant by the death of the Duke of Lauderdale. [Ibid. p. 362.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor Castle.
The King to the Duke of Hamilton, heretable keeper of the palace of Holyrood House. Warrant for settling the Earl of Perth, Justice General, in the lodgings appointed to him there, lately possessed by Col. Churchill and Sir Alexander Bruce. [Ibid. p. 364.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor Castle.
Warrant for a gift, during pleasure, to John Drummond of Lundin, Treasurer Deput, of a yearly pension of 600l. sterling to be paid at Whitsunday and Mertinmes by equal portions, the first payment to be at Mertinmes next, over and above another yearly pension of 200l. sterling formerly granted him. [1½ pages. Ibid.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor Castle.
Warrant to the Duke of Hamilton, heretable keeper of the palace of Holyrood House, for settling John Drummond of Lundin, Treasurer Deput, in the lodgings there lately possessed by the Countess of Peterborough. [Ibid. p. 366.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor Castle.
Warrant for a gift of the place of Master of the Ordnance in Scotland, vacant by the preferment of John Drummond of Lundin, to Lieut.-General William Drummond of Cromlicks with a yearly salary of 150l. sterling. [2¼ pages. Ibid.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor Castle.
Warrant for a gift during pleasure to Lieut.-General William Drummond of Cromlicks of a yearly pension of 150l. sterling to be paid at Whitsunday and Mertinmes by equal portions, the first payment to be at Mertinmes next. [1½ pages. Ibid. p. 369.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor Castle.
Instructions to Lieut.-General William Drummond of Cromlicks, Master of the Ordnance in Scotland. 1. You are to take the command of all officers and others belonging to the artillery in Scotland and see that every one of them be diligent in performing his duty. Such of them as have a commission you are, on their committing faults, to suspend from their offices and inform us that we may signify our pleasure. Such as have not commissions you are to cashier or punish.
2. You are to receive the moneys due to all the persons in the establishment of the artillery and see every one paid accordingly, and, if you shall see cause to alter any part thereof, you are to acquaint the Treasurer Principal and Treasurer Deput and receive their approbation before any such alteration.
3. You are to take into your care all things belonging to the artillery and keep lists thereof and of the sizes of guns with their carriages and furniture and of the places where they lie.
4. When you shall go into the field, you are to obey all orders you shall receive from us or from the Commander in Chief of the forces there.
5. You are, notwithstanding the former instructions to Mr. Slezer, lieutenant of the artillery, to employ the brass of the old guns in Stirling and Dunbarton Castles as may be most advantageous, you being accountable for what you do therein to us or to the Treasurer Principal and Treasurer Deput.
6. On the death of any person belonging to the artillery you are to inform us thereof and, if you know any fit person for succeeding him, to recommend him to us, but on the death of any, not having a commission, you are to establish a qualified person in his place, and you are once a year to return an account of the state of the artillery that we may from time to time give such orders as we shall find expedient.
7. You are to establish the train in Edinburgh Castle and thereafter we shall dispose of it as we shall find most convenient.
8. You are to receive all instructions already given concerning the artillery as if they had been directed particularly to you, especially those relative to the letter of 10 July, 1680, to the then Lords of the Treasury, and obey them accordingly, except in so far as there is any alteration thereof by these presents.
9. You are to take into your care all the magazines and be accountable for them.
10. You are to take command of the army in Scotland as youngest Lieut.-General.
11. You shall present these instructions and such others as you shall receive to the Treasurer Principal and Treasurer Deput, whom we hereby order to record the same in their books or the books of the Exchequer as they shall judge most proper. [2 pages. S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 370.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor Castle.
Warrant for a gift during pleasure to the Earl of Erroll, heretable Constable of Scotland, of a yearly pension of 100l. sterling over and above a yearly pension of 200l. formerly granted him, to be paid at Whitsunday and Mertinmes by equal portions, the first payment to be made at Mertinmes next. [1¼ pages. Ibid. p. 372.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor Castle.
The King to the Marquess of Queensberry, Treasurer Principal. Warrant for the delivery up to Sir John Drummond of the back bond granted by him at the passing in the Exchequer of the charter of 22 July last to him [calendared ante, p. 308]. [Ibid. p. 374.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor Castle.
Warrant for a gift during pleasure of a yearly pension of 200l. sterling to Kenneth, Earl of Seaforth, in consideration of the loyalty of himself and the deceased Earl with their and their family's great losses and sufferings during the late usurpation, to be paid at Whitsunday and Mertinmes by equal portions, the first payment to be made next Mertinmes. [1¼ pages. S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 375.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor Castle.
Warrant for payment to Sir Allen and Sir Peter Apsley, treasurers to the King's brother, of 1,002l. 10s. sterling in London free of exchange, being the price (including 7l. 10s. for some small charges) of 350 large foot tents and 250 horse tents lately sent to Scotland by his order. [Ibid. p. 376.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor Castle.
Warrant for expeding a grant of the forfeited estate, real and personal, which formerly belonged to Thomas Turnbull of Standhill, Roxburghshire, to William Trotter, a lieutenant in the Earl of Mar's foot regiment. [Ibid. p. 377.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor Castle.
Warrant for a charter to Robert, Viscount Arbuthnett, his heirs male and assigns, of the Shaddow half of the lands of Arrot and Lightoun hill, with the salmon fishing of the said lands on the water of Southesk in the lordship of Brechin and shirefdome of Forfar and with the pertinents of the said lands in the parochin of Eglisgreig and shirefdome of Kincardine, with a new gift and with a change of the holding from simple ward to taxt ward. [1½ page. Docquet. Ibid. p. 378.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor Castle.
Warrant for a presentation in favour of William Smart, student in divinity, to be minister at the parish church of Eclesmachan in the diocese of Edinburgh. [Docquet. Ibid. p. 379.]
Sept. 8.
Windsor Castle.
Warrant for a presentation in favour of John Findlay, student in divinity, to be minister at the kirk of Gordon in the diocese of Edinburgh. [Docquet. Ibid. p. 380.]
Sept. 9.
Ingestre.
Charles King to Secretary Jenkins. When your letter came to Mr. Chetwynd, he was under so great an indisposition by a fever that he could not open it. Though he is somewhat better, yet he is scarce able to write his name. He has therefore commanded me, his chaplain, to certify you of his sickness, that you might not impute his omission to any other cause and to assure you that, when God shall restore him sufficient strength, he will return you his thanks for your letter.
The Duke of Monmouth came yesterday from Coventry, where he lay on Thursday night, about 1 to Lichfield and, though there was then in the town a numerous assembly of gentlemen of quality, who came to a horse race there, and many of them in the house where he lighted, not one of them waited on him. From thence with his whole retinue, which consisted of no more than 8 or 9 persons, all except Sir Thomas Armstrong and Mr. Charleton of Shropshire being servants, he passed on post horses to Stone, not one gentleman of the country waiting on him on the way. At Stone he was received by Mr. Leveson Gower, who waited his coming with a considerable number of gentlemen, among which were Mr. Offley of Madeley, Mr. Ralph Sneyd of Bradwall, Mr. Crompton of Stone Park and many more. Thence he went in Mr. Leveson Gower's coach to Trentham, where he supped and lay that night. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 51.]
Sept. 9.
Chester Castle.
Peter Shakerley to Secretary Jenkins. I received yours of the 5th Thursday night and in obedience to your command dispatched a messenger to a friend of mine in the country, from whom I expect to have some account of that business this evening, at which time the Duke of Monmouth and several of quality attending on him are expected here. The discourses of the manner of his reception are so various that I can write nothing certain of it, but shall by Monday's post. A friend in town just now sends me the enclosed. [Ibid. No. 52.] Enclosed,
John Hutton to Peter Shakerley. Yesterday I heard that some barrels of strong beer would be placed at Boughton to entertain the rabble and gather them together to shout in the Duke. At night I had it confirmed by Prebendary Thompson, who had it from one of that party, and that they were to tell it to one another and meet at Boughton in their best clothes. He asked the fellow, Who gave the drink? He replied, I think Alderman Street. I think it will be requisite to have persons in every place about Boughton to wait their coming and to observe their drawing up and how they order themselves and who there heads the rabble. Sept. 9, 1682. [Ibid. No. 52 i.]
Sept. 9.
Whitehall.
The deposition of Edward Eccleston, bookbinder. Some days after Midsummer Day Samuel Birch, a scholar in Newington School, whereof Moreton is master, came to his house at the Peacock in Little Britain, but, not finding him at home, asked his servant where he was gone, who answered, to Guildhall. Birch further asked whether he was a Whig or a Tory. The servant replied, a Tory. Birch then said he would endeavour to meet him at the Guildhall.
Some short time after, Birch found the deponent at home and entered into smart discourse with him about his opinions, telling him that those were the only true Protestants that voted for Dubois and Papillon, whereon, the deponent bidding him meddle with his own affairs, he departed.
After Mr. North was confirmed and Mr. Box elected, Birch came again to the deponent's to fetch six paper books then binding for him, but, he not being able to speak out as usual, the deponent asked him the reason. He confessed he had been so zealous in making a noise for Dubois and Papillon that he had broken a vein and Dr. Cox told him he should not be his own man again. The deponent asking him what he had to do at the Common Hall and if any more of his fellow scholars were there ? he answered that all the school were there and that they had reason to be so, for, though they were no liverymen nor freemen, their lives, liberties and fortunes lay at stake. The deponent saying, Suppose you had been seized, as not being of the liberty, he replied he should not have cared, for they could have made him pay but 5l., which he would as freely have done as pay for the binding of his books. At taking leave the deponent said, I suppose I shall lose your custom. No, he said, but I could wish we had one of our own judgment.
The deponent believes that logic and other university learning has been taught at the said school at Newington for about the last 7 or 8 years. He has bound several manuscripts and printed books, being all philosophical tracts, for the scholars thereof, whom he supposes to be about 25 or 30 in number. He understood by often conversation with them that on Tuesdays they come usually to Islington, where they observe a fast and have some kind of lecture, exercise or preaching on pretence of religious worship. [3 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 53.]
Sept. 9. Secretary Jenkins to Alderman Moreton of Newcastle. Mr. Bethell, late sheriff of London, has, I am told, been lately at Durham and has since passed to Newcastle. Knowing his disposition and not knowing what business (though he be a Northern man) he may have had at Newcastle, I must entreat you to inform yourself as particularly and yet as privately as you can what brought him thither. By this you will enable me to give his Majesty an account of him and pray add what you can learn of those he has communicated or conversed with. Pray keep this to yourself. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 131.]
Sept. 9.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to Sir Thomas Earle, Mayor of Bristol. Requesting him to employ his interest in behalf of Capt. Easton, who has been recommended to his Majesty as very deserving to succeed in the mayoralty of Bristol. [Ibid. p. 132.]
Sept. 9.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to Sir Robert Cann. Similar letter to the last. [Ibid.]
Sept. 9.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to the Bishop of Bristol. I have written to the Mayor, Sir Robert Cann and Sir Richard Hart. I must depend on you to secure their secrecy so as not to let anybody know I write on this occasion, not that I fear anything but the King's prejudice. [Ibid. p. 133.]
Sept. 10.
Queen's College, Oxford.
Dr. Timothy Halton to Secretary Jenkins. The removing the fair of Andover from Wayhill is so very prejudicial to the University that I beg your assistance, if there be any possibility to retrieve it. The part of it, which was kept on the ground belonging to Ewelme Hospital and annexed to the Regius Professor of Physic, is estimated at 150l. per annum and that kept on the glebe belonging to Wayhill rectory, whereof Queen's is patron, was rented by myself for 65l. per annum. What adds to my trouble is the nigh approach of the time for keeping that fair, which is Michaelmas. You see how deeply both bodies are concerned. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 54.]
Sept. 10.
Vale Royal.
C— M— to Thomas Cholmondeley at a stationer's near the Savoy. Saturday about 12 came the great man to Nantwich, having lain the night before at Mr. Leveson's, whose coach brought him thither, attended by the following, Sir Thomas Armstrong being the only person that came through with him:— Lords Macclesfield and Brandon, Sir R. Cotton in his coach, Mr. Offley and Sir Thomas Armstrong in his coach, Mr. Leveson and the Duke in his coach, Sir Willoughby Aston, Sir J. Bowyer, the Mr. Lawtons, father and son, Roger Mainwaring, Sir Henry Slingsby (of Leicestershire, I think), Henry Booth, Sir Thomas Bellott, John Mainwaring and Thomas Whitley, all four finely mounted with rich embroidered saddles.
When he came within a mile of the town, the company appearing, he mounted Lord Brandon's horse, his own being not ready. He was met short of Chester by Lord Colchester, Sir Thomas Mainwaring in his coach, Sir J. Crewe, Col. Whitley, Mr. Bryan of Stapleford, Mr. Lea of Darnhall, Mr. Nathaniel Booth, Mr. George Booth, prothonotary, Mr. Roger Whitley, Mr. Hurlston and his son and Alderman Street, the only alderman. The Mayor came to the bars without his aldermen, stayed a while and went back. There were some Welsh gentlemen, whose names we know not. The bells rang at Nantwich and the rabble made great shouting, but at Chester the Dean took away the keys of the churches, so no ringing there. 'Twas said he was to preach before him to-day. His Grace paid half a crown for his ordinary at Nantwich and 5s. at Chester. [2 pages. Ibid. No. 55.]
Sept. 10. Certificate by Thomas Pallfrey, vicar of Luppett, and three others to James Harris of the acreage and rental and other particulars of Bywood farm in the parishes of Dunkswell and Luppett, Devon, with proposals by Harris for the sale thereof and with a detailed survey thereof. [2 pages. Ibid. No. 56.]
Sept. 10.
Whitehall.
Warrant for inserting in the next general pardon for poor convicts of Newgate, but leaving him out in the clause for transportation, Roger Bolton, who at the Chelmsford assizes in Aug., 1681, was convicted of the manslaughter of Roger Bridges and received judgment, but was granted a pardon with a proviso of transportation, the King being given to understand that he has a wife and many children, who will be in danger of perishing, should he be transported, and a person of quality assuring him that he is industrious and of honest conversation. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54, p. 140.]
Sept. [10–]20.
Paris.
Viscount Preston to Secretary Jenkins. I hope my last was safely delivered you, in which I acquainted you that Everard or one who impersonated him had demanded a passport from me. I expected he would have come next day for it, but he did not. Last Thursday Shelton asked me if he had yet been with me. I told him, No, and that it gave me some suspicion I was not well dealt with. He said he would inquire after him, but I have not heard of either of them since. He told me that Everard was certainly to go in a very few days, and, as soon as I know anything certainly concerning him, I shall acquaint you. If he should go over and be known at his landing, I propose whether it would not be the best way not to seize him immediately, but to order some person to observe him and, if possible, accompany him to London without giving him suspicion and notice where he goes and to whom he applies on his arrival and then take him into custody. I offer this, because I do not think he will dare charge himself with many letters and because thus some judgment may be made of the truth of the information, if he goes to anyone mentioned in it. But, if he should be apprehended on his landing, it would not be amiss to notice whether he yields himself with any willingness, for, if he does (he being so criminal, as I am told, and so obnoxious to the laws), it may give reason to suspect that there may be a contrivance amongst those men to get money or pardons by informing. I must confess that, if this information should not prove true, I cannot think it unlikely that this King should have a design on that kingdom, considering the great advantage he might reap by being master of it, for, he having now so great a number of ships which he cannot use in these seas and that island affording so many good ports, if he once became possessed of it, he would think to have the absolute empire of the sea and consequently that of commerce, which would also facilitate to him the conquest of the West Indies, which is no modern project of this Court. I hope you will pardon me for presuming to advise. I assured the captain that all care is taken for concealing his name and neither he nor I think of his going over till his Majesty order it. I have sent you three informations given in to me since my second dispatch, viz., of 31 Aug. and 9 and 15 Sept., N.S., all signed by Capt. Sheldon, whom I sent for to give his Majesty satisfaction in the points proposed in your last. I represent the matters and his answers faithfully.
1. He was induced to believe that the extraordinary Council of 27 Aug. was called on this affair, because Kennedy told him it was to meet and afterwards, meeting him in a room not far from the Council Chamber, he told him he was to go in with the Chancellor, which he saw him do. It was after the return of Kennedy from Ireland and he knew he was with the Cardinal till 12 the night before.
2. I asked why the plotters proposed the Duke of Luxembourg to be their leader (and informed myself by other hands whether he was restored to the King's favour and find he was not). His answer was that they, viz., himself, R. Bourke, Kearney and Lord Castleconnell's son, proposed him, because they knew he was exiled from the King's graces and could then be spared.
3. I asked whether Col. Maccarty was proposed by the plotters to the Cardinal by any commission from himself and whether he went by their advice to England so soon after he had spoken with the Cardinal and whether any of them heard from him or spoke with him since he spoke with the Cardinal. He says he was not so intimate with Col. Maccarty as to know much of what he designed then, for all that was then done or is now doing passed betwixt him and Mr. Lacy, junior, who received all letters from him.
4. He assured me that he knew from Lacy, junior, that his father had accepted the proposition he made him and that he has a pension now paid him in England.
5. I told him he had said that since the voyage of Strasbourg they had considered of it otherwise and asked him who they were, whether it was formed before Kennedy went for Ireland or since his return ? Whether the Cardinal was privy to this new plan ? and, now that Kennedy is gone to Catalonia and not like to return in haste, whether anybody be entrusted to give the signal he has given ? He says it was Mr. Lacy by letters from Col. Maccarty and his father, who considered of it otherwise, and that the Cardinal knew of it and that it was formed before Kennedy went for Ireland. As to the last query, he does not yet know whether anybody be appointed to give the signal or not.
6. He had declared that the way proposed to the King by Col. Lacy was to seize on the three towns, &c. I asked him whether Lacy proposed it himself to the French King or to the Cardinal or to the plotters. He says Lacy proposed it to the Cardinal, for it was but of late he had access to the King. About three weeks ago he, standing accidentally where the King passed to Mass, heard him say to Lieut.-Col. Lacy, I am very sorry I have not found an occasion before of being kind to you.
7. He said he had not heard anything lately concerning the breaking of the Irish regiment nor does he know whether it would be or not, but he was very sure it was proposed. If this happens, I shall advise his Majesty with all speed and secrecy when and where it is to be done and also how the officers and soldiers dispose of themselves.
I have endeavoured to inform myself of all the circumstances of Glesan and have this account from one whom the King knows very well and whom he will trust that he is a very extraordinary rogue and fit to undertake any mischief. I cannot find that any chaplains in other French regiments have such pensions, when reformed, nor is it to be imagined they should have such good payment for doing no service, when few of them have above 100 crowns, besides meat and drink, when they are actually attending on their regiments. Capt. Shelton says that before this business Glesan never had any acquaintance with the Cardinal but that now he is very often with him. He is looked on as a very cunning fellow and not to want wit. He is very well known here. He has been concerned in Sir G. Hamilton's business since his death and has had occasion often to address to my lady, who is now married to Col. Talbot. He converses most now with Dr. Smith, an English physician here. Shelton tells me his chief correspondent is Col. Maccarty. He entertains a correspondence also with Mr. Lacy, senior, Lord Castleconnell's son, R. Bourke's brother, Macnamara and O'Shaughnessy mentioned in the informations and with several others. He assures me that Col. Maccarty has his pension yet continued him, which was told him by M. Fleury, commis to M. Fremont. There is a M. Fremont, father-in-law to Marechal de l'Orge and one of the General Farmers, and I have ordered one to inquire whether he has any such commis. Thus I have at length laid before his Majesty everything I can learn of this business. [12½ pages. S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 343, No. 59.]
Sept. 10.
Jersey.
Sir Philip Carteret to [Secretary Jenkins]. Acknowledging his letter of 15 Aug., received the 5th instant, when he admired the marks of his extraordinary goodness.—I have made it my business since I have been here to inquire after the state of things on our neighbouring coast and settling such correspondencies as may inform me of what passes there, but that requires some time where great secrecy and confidence are requisite, but I hope to make so good a progress as to be able to satisfy you in a short time. At present nothing is stirring towards these parts. All the ships of St. Malo are abroad on trade, the classis is not stopped, which is the first thing done when there is a naval preparation. There are no land forces on these coasts of Normandy or Brittany, but the ordinary inconsiderable garrisons. I shall take all the care I can that nothing be stirring but that you may be informed of it and, if necessary, I shall send somebody there that may give me particular informations. [S.P. Channel Islands 1, No. 112.]
Sept. 11.
Ingestre.
Charles King to [Secretary Jenkins]. Since the last post Mr. Chetwynd has received a more particular account of the Duke of Monmouth's reception at Stone, which he has commanded me to communicate to you.
Betwixt 6 and 7 on Friday night he was met, before he came to Stone, by Mr. Leveson Gower of Trentham, Mr. John Offley of Madeley and Mr. William Forrester of Dothill in Shropshire in their coaches, attended by William Sneyd of Keele, Ralph Sneyd of Bradwell, his son, Mr. Crompton of Stone Park, Mr. Unwin, Mr. Bagnall of Barlaston, Mr. Edward Short and Mr. Jervis of Mayford, the parson of Stone and many others of inferior rank, among which were the Mayor of Newcastle and as many of that borough as could be furnished with horses. He was received into Mr. Leveson's coach, in which he passed to the Crown in Stone, where he made a very short stay, whence he went in the same coach to Trentham, whither he was attended by the fore-mentioned company and there met in the dark by a multitude of the commonalty of Newcastle and several of the neighbouring villagers on foot. At Trentham he with the company were entertained with a great supper. He and the gentlemen lay there that night and a great number of inferior rank waited all night to get a sight of him in the morning. Next day after breakfast he went thence before 8 in Mr. Leveson's coach towards Nantwich, where, 'tis said, a dinner was bespoke for him and the gentlemen that should come with him, he declaring his intention to go to Chester that night. [1½ page. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 57.]
Sept. 11.
Chester Castle.
Sir Geoffrey Shakerley to Secretary Jenkins. I have received the commission constituting me governor of this castle and I beseech you to return my most humble thanks to his Majesty. Enclosed is the best account I can get of the Duke of Monmouth's reception here. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 58.] Enclosed,
Last Saturday the Duke came here, attended by the Earl of Macclesfield and his two sons, Lord Colchester, Col. Whitley and his two sons, John Mainwaring, Henry and Nathaniel Booth, Sir Thomas Mainwaring, Sir Robert Duckenfield, Sir John Crewe, Sir Thomas Bellott, Legh of Booth, Legh of Swinhead [Swineyard], Capt. Hurleston and his son, Lee of Dernhall, Mainwaring of Cullingham [Carincham ?], Davenport of Bromhall, Davenport of Woodford, Glegg of Grange, Mainwaring of Calveley, Legh of High Legh, all of this county, Sir Henry Ingoldsby, Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. Offley out of Staffordshire, Mr. Foster and two Charletons out of Shropshire, Sir Thomas Armstrong and Alderman Lewison of London, Sir John Guildham of Flintshire, and about 60 citizens on horseback. The whole train were about 200 on horseback, 2 coaches with 6 horses, one Sir T. Mainwaring's and the other Col. Whitley's, all the bells except the Cathedral and St. Peter's ringing, a great number of rabble and boys shouting before them and throwing up hats, and that night several bonfires were made. The bells, bonfires and rabble, 'tis supposed, were encouraged by the Mayor, at whose house the Duke lodged. The whole carried on by the Presbyterians. The Mayor having a daughter to be bap. tized, the Duke was godfather and she named Henrietta. The Duke, 'tis said, goes to-day to Wallasey and so to the race to-morrow, to-morrow at night at Brombrough, a house of Col. Whitley, Wednesday at Rocksavage, Thursday at Dunham, Friday at Gawsworth and there stays till Monday and so for London. [Ibid. No. 58 i.]
Sept. 11.
Chester Castle.
Peter Shakerley to Secretary Jenkins. Last Friday night came to Nantwich the Earl of Macclesfield with about 100 horse with many more dropping in after till 9. After supper 'tis true the King's health was drunk, but the company so dispersed one would have thought it did not well savour. The protesting Earl went to his lodgings, the rest or most of them to the tavern, where they drank so long that they were near becoming honest, mistaking one Duke for the other. All their care was for making ready in the morning, which was done at the commands of Gen. Gerard. At 10 on Saturday the body appeared before the Earl's lodgings, where he readily received them and marched before them 3 miles out of town, where his Grace met them with several of the Staffordshire gentry, of whom Sir John Bowyer was one. He came to Nantwich with a train which, the rabble reckoned in, made a great body. Shouting and throwing up hats before him so employed the multitude that not one word could be heard but, Monmouth. He dined, but what happened there I am yet to learn, only I have this for certain, that many pretended to wait on him by the testimony of your great Don, who avouched he was almost as near in the King's favour as ever. At Crislington, a mile and a half out of this town, Sir Thomas Mainwaring and Col. Whitley with their coaches and six met him. The Colonel bowed so low that some affirmed he kissed his hand on his knee. A great rabble went from here to meet him and to mount them all the country butchers' horses, it being market day, were hired. At Boughton a little tailor of this town met the Duke with a bottle of sack, drank to him and told him he was in danger of being killed for offering to pledge his health. The Duke took the bottle, pledged him and gave it to a gentleman near him. Four or five of the aldermen went out to meet him, but the Mayor only met him at his door (being advised to do so against his inclination). At the entrance of the town Mr. Henry Booth and Lord Brandon ushered his Grace, his lordship waving his hat and encouraging the rabble to shout, which they did plentifully, having had their throats well washed by some barrels of beer Alderman Street had placed at Boughton. His Grace lighted at Mr. Mayor's without any entertainment in the streets as he passed except a few tinkling bells (for the great ones stirred not), the shouts from the rabble and the favourable looks of the ladies. Sir T. Mainwaring, Col. Whitley and Mr. Hurlston brought up the rear in Sir Thomas's coach, Col. Whitley's coach and six following empty. His Grace supped at the Feathers in Bridge Street, attended thither by the Mayor, Lord Macclesfield and the rest of the few gentlemen who attended him to town. What passed at supper or after I cannot yet learn. Sunday his Grace came to the quire, attended as overnight. One of the petty canons preached the sermon, which was well approved of by all honest men. He dined with the said gentlemen attending close at the Feathers, where no peeper could be admitted. He came again to church after dinner. The sermon was preached by Dr. Fogg, one of the prebendaries now, but one who forsook the parsonage of Hardin [Hawarden] on account of Nonconformity. In his prayer afore sermon he omitted to pray for the Queen and Duke of York, which at other times he has been accustomed to do, and prayed only for the King and the Royal Family, not regarding the 55th Canon. Sermon ended, he went to the Mayor's and was godfather to his child and supped at the Feathers as on Saturday. To-day he goes to Wallasey, where I intend to be, but am so well known amongst our Whigs that I am doubtful I shall not know any of their private intrigues. [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 59.]
Sept. 11.
Chester.
[Mr. Thompson] to Owen Wynne. I had yours of the 7th instant and shall attend to its directions. The Duke came into Chester at about half past 6. 'Tis thought they made it so late because their company was smaller than expected. Mr. Secretary will, I doubt not, have a particular account from Sir Geoffrey Shakerley or his son, who sent for me Saturday and yesterday to consult. The whole company of horse that came with him are computed not to exceed 150, most of them noted Dissenters and such ordinary mean persons as they could procure. They came in shouting with a company of foot rabble whom they had invited to meet by providing them with drink. The bells rang except at the Cathedral and St. Peter's, my church. Some bonfires were made by the Dissenters. The Duke went first to the Mayor's, where he stays, and then to the inn, where he and the gentlemen ate at an ordinary, their chaplain Dr. Fogg, one of our prebendaries, a non-addresser. The Duke was yesterday at the Cathedral, where was preached a sermon not very pleasing to him or his associates, and in the afternoon stood godfather to a child of the Mayor's baptized privately. He goes towards Wallasey to-day before dinner. The innkeeper complains she shall be a great loser, having made preparation for many more than attended. 'Tis almost certain there will be a far greater concourse of loyal gentry, clergy and others at the race on the Forest than will be with the Duke, both races being on the same day. Our session is to-day. [Ibid. No. 60.]
Sept. 11.
9 a.m. Whitchurch.
Dr. Matthew Fowler to Secretary Jenkins. Though I live 24 miles from Wallasey, I shall readily pursue your directions, so far as a sickly old man of 65 can. I have a nephew of good parts and equal discretion. Him I have sent with the best instructions I can give him, who will give me the best account he can of the young gentleman's proceedings, who, I fear, came not hither barely on the account of a horse race. From Trentham last Saturday he came to Nantwich about 10, accompanied with at least 120 horse, all armed and well mounted. Four or five boys came before him one after another as harbingers to signify his approach and make way for it. The hedges were lined on both sides with the multitudes of the gaping rabble for about 2 miles. When he entered the town, Lord Brandon, young Mr. Booth and another marched before him as his forlorn hope and encouraged the beasts of the people to shout for joy at his coming, which was done in such great volleys that the streets and country round about were deaf with the confused noise, neither the Duke nor any other forbidding the use of such popular applauses as wanted nothing but a Vive le Roy to complete a rebellion. After Brandon comes the Duke alone and next behind him the Earl of Macclesfield and then the rest of the horse. The Duke rode in a coach till within a mile of the town and then mounted an excellent courser of the Earl of Macclesfield. The rabble saluted him on their knees with many strange acclamations. He caressed them, as he rode, with kind expressions and courteous behaviour. The streets were so thronged that there was hardly any passage, the windows and housetops crowded. The minister and churchwardens refused to have the bells rung, but one of the gang suddenly whipped the key of the church out of the sexton's hand and in they went and the bells trolled full merrily all the time of his stay. The disaffected persons of note with him were Macclesfield, Brandon, Colchester, Sir Willoughby Aston, Whitley, Booth, Wilbraham and young Cotton of Combermere, besides Offley and Gower that attended him out of Staffordshire. There were many more, but my intelligencers being strangers in Cheshire did not know the gentry. They dined at the Crown. The Duke's stay was not above two hours and then he was for Chester with all his retinue. How they behaved there I cannot yet learn. The Mayor is very naught and the city rotten at the heart and they have neither Bishop nor Dean among them to moderate their rashness. If the castle be not yet in safe hands, I wish it were. To-morrow, being the race day, there will be a meeting of the loyal gentry of Cheshire and these adjacent parts of Salop on the Forest of Delamere about 8 miles from Wallasey. They meet under colour of hunting and race matches, but the design is to be in a readiness to prevent any ill attempts. God give them wisdom and sobriety that they may manage their meetings to his Majesty's advantage. They will have their spies on the races at Wallasey, from whom I am promised the best account they can get, but I hear lately that the Duke intends to put off Wallasey race till Thursday and to come and hunt with the gentlemen in the Forest. God keep them from quarrels, for, though the gentlemen know how to behave to a person of his high quality, yet, I am sure, they love not his company under his present circumstances and, since it is too late to wish he had not come, we heartily wish we were well freed from him. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 61.]
Tuesday,
Sept. 12.
Edward Everard to Secretary Jenkins. Though I have been silent, I have not been unmindful of diving further into the matters I formerly intimated.
I find Robert Murray has been of late in France with a Mr. Vane, and the English ambassador there charged him with such things concerning commissions from Shaftesbury that he was fain to come over, so he is now at his former lodgings in Holborn Court, Gray's Inn, whereof Berry, the stationer, can give notice to any that will come in a discreet way. I sent him word that I was still so far in his former interest that I had some things to impart that were for Lord Shaftesbury's interest and his, in such manner that he is now secure as to anything he may fear from me, therefore I leave it to you to take the best time and course, &c.
I made my peace with Lord Howard of Escrick, Shaftesbury, Dr. Cox, Chamberlen, Rouse and the Salutation Club, who are the leading persons of the Whigs. If you desire to take Hetherington, I shall give directions to my trusty messenger of all his new haunts.
I have some further matters that came to my mind concerning Col. Mildmay, Major Manley, &c., which I shall send you on Thursday or Friday by number 6, if he calls at the Pope's Head and sends for me in the morning to the place I left directions in my last papers. As for myself, considering the loss and risk I run by my father-in-law and others in entering into the King's service, I commit myself wholly to your discretion and intercession.
M. Aubert, the French minister who writ the Socinian papers directed to the Morocco ambassador, which are in your hands, desires after some serious conferences with myself and others to enter into the communion and ordination of the Church of England, which I mention for the service I am confident he is able to render to the Church of England against Dissenters, both in the chair and by pen, and I put it on the issue of what any of our bishops or divines shall find on examination touching his parts and of that esteem he desires you to conceive of him, on whom he is very ambitious to wait. Noted (in a later hand?), as enclosed in Everard's French information. [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 62.]
Sept. 12.
10 p.m. The Red Lion in Forest Street, Chester.
Matthew Anderton to Sir Philip Egerton. Coming from the Forest I saw bonfires and, inquiring the reason, had no other given but, A Monmouth, a Monmouth, and being happily in this house with my son and daughter and some friends and John Maddock, the city crier, I am credibly informed by them there is a great riot here, 500 men, as says a constable, throwing stones particularly at my windows, and as the cryer, who was in my dining room, believes, 500 stones are thrown into it. The rioters have broken St. Peter's Church windows to ring the bells and I am told they made some use of the firebell. Where this will end God knows. I dare not go home and I appeal to the Lieutenancy for relief. You have a full number with you. I implore your aid for his Majesty's service and the preservation of this city and the peace thereof. That what I write is true I have desired my friends with me to join their signatures. [Signed by 7 of his friends. Ibid. No. 63.]
Sept. 12. Secretary Jenkins to Lord Chief Justice North. I wrote to you once already to-day. The occasion of this second trouble is that there is a surmise blown about in the City with extreme confidence that Sheriff North is gone on the sudden out of town to take advice from you how to get off from his sheriffwick; that, just as he was going, he told a confidant of his that he would not hold. My lords that meet about the King's business every day do not believe anything of this, yet they hope that I may receive a line or two from you or else from Mr. Sheriff by way of confutation. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 134.]
Sept. 12. Memorandum of summonses to the Lord Chancellor, the Lord President and Mr. Solicitor for Thursday at 10 and to Lord Chief Justice North for a week before Michaelmas. [Ibid.]
Sept. 13.
Badminton.
The Marquess of Worcester to Secretary Jenkins. Having since my return from Ludlow been at Bristol, where I had appointed a general muster on purpose for an opportunity to promote a good election of magistrates for next year, I have so far succeeded by strengthening some and fixing others that I heard to be doubtful that, though all his Majesty's friends there are not quite so well united as I could wish, yet I have prevailed with them to join unanimously in the choice of Capt. Easton for Mayor, who is allowed by all to be a very loyal man, and I doubt not they will carry it for him as well as for two good sheriffs, though in both we have the disadvantage of being forced to leap over the heads of some that in course should go before them. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 64.]
Sept. 13. Statement by John Cooke. Mr. Dowling of Andover having been with Secretary Jenkins on Monday, 28 Aug., was directed to make what haste he could to Andover and get a surrender of their charter, Mr. Secretary telling him I should be at Windsor Tuesday night. Tuesday I went to Windsor with the bill for Derby charter, which his Majesty signed that night, with two or three other warrants. I took with me a warrant for a new charter to Andover, in case Dowling came with the surrender of the old one. I did not offer it to his Majesty, because Dowling was not come, but about 7 on Wednesday night the Clerk of the Signet in waiting came to my lodging with Dowling, who had, as he said, since he left Whitehall on Monday, been first at Andover, got the surrender voted and past under the seal of the corporation, and then went to the Attorney General's house in Berkshire, who, as he said, had on his assurance of a warrant signed the bill for a new charter, which Dowling had got prepared before he went to Andover. From Mr. Attorney's house he came to Windsor with the surrender of the old charter and the bill for a new one ready for his Majesty's signature, with which the Clerk of the Signet desired me to attend his Majesty, that being the last night but one of the month and, if the bill were not signed that night, the benefit of it would go to the Clerk of the Signet for next month. Hereupon I laid the warrant and the bill before his Majesty, who signed both that night.
I have since been told that Mr. Saunders drew or approved the warrant, and caused the bill to be prepared accordingly, on confidence whereof Mr. Attorney signed the bill before he had the warrant which remains in my hands.
I hear it is said we have been corrupted, 200l. having been given to pass the charter in this manner. I beg that this report may be thoroughly searched into for the vindication of Mr. Secretary's honour and my probity, not one penny having been given in the office to my knowledge but the ordinary fees. [1½ page. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 65.]
Sept. 13.
Chester.
Matthew Anderton to Col. Robert Worden. Yesterday the loyal gentry meeting at a hunting and other sports in the forest, myself and several loyal citizens went there. We found a very great appearance, Lord Kilmorey and at least four score baronets, knights, esquires and gentlemen of good quality and, I believe, 2,000 of the vulgar. After hunting they dined in tents and after dinner was a horse match. Mr. Warburton got the race. After that a foot race. Sir Philip Egerton's boy got the tumbler and the Black the velvet cap with the King's colours in it. Then I returned for Chester about 8 and saw the city as it had been in a flame. The occasion was that the Duke of Monmouth had won the plate at Wallasey. The bonfires got the rabble together. They broke the windows of St. Peter's church to get to the bells, broke down two doors belonging to the steeple to get to the ropes and then rang the bells and among them the firebell. Then the rout got into the streets, crying, A Monmouth, a Monmouth, and at several loyal persons' doors sang a ballad, Long live the Duke of Monmouth, &c. 500 of them, as I am credibly informed, while the ballad was a-singing at my door, at the end of every verse threw stones and shot guns at my windows. I, hearing of this uproar, stayed in Forest Street, my friends advising me to stay there for my own safety. When the day appeared, the rioters dispersed. The Mayor is with the Duke at Wallasey and neither Justice nor Constable, except 3 of the latter, appeared, but they could do no good. I hope to find out some of the rioters and hope also for justice, though I doubt whether I shall have it from —. You see how necessary it is to have a garrison, a few soldiers would soon have dispersed the rioters. Our militia cannot come without the deputy lieutenants' orders and we have none within 10 miles of us. Our Mayor is the Duke of Monmouth's creature and Col. Whitley like to succeed him. God help the poor cavaliers that must live here. Really there will be no abiding here for the King's friends, if bonfires must be permitted on every idle occasion and the rabble encouraged in their insufferable licentiousness. Postscript, that a similar letter has been sent to Mr. [James] Clarke, the Duke of Ormonde's Comptroller. [See Historical Manuscripts Commission, Ormonde Manuscripts, New Series VI, p. 444.] [Ibid. No. 66.]
Sept. 13.
Chester.
Mr. Thompson, Vicar of St. Peter's, to Owen Wynne. (Describing the trial of Birkenhead on Monday for leaving a seditious paper at Alderman Wilcock's coffee-house, his acquittal, the bias of the Recorder in his favour, &c.)
The Duke of Monmouth went Monday morning to Wallasey. The Mayor with about 40 horse went after him Tuesday morning. As many or more of the loyal went the same day to the Forest. Wednesday [rectius Tuesday] about 7 at night news came the Duke had won the race, at which began shouting and bonfires. The Mayoress began the first (as good reason, her daughter, that the Duke was godfather to last Sunday, being to have the plate, as herself declared). Several others immediately followed. Shortly after in the centre of the city near the Cross a great company of the rabble gathered at a fire, made a tumult and broke into St. Peter's Church through the windows. Presently the church was filled with the rascally sort. They rang the firebell, so called, because it is rung when a fire or an uproar breaks out. Afterwards they broke the steeple door to the bells and rang them till they had overturned them. Between 10 and 11 they left the church with the doors open. Their envy to that church was because those bells did not ring when the Duke came in. Another company at a bonfire made by a great Presbyterian broke the glass windows of an honest Churchman opposite them. They abused and beat all that went in or out of the house. Few Justices were in the town besides the Recorder and he not known to be in town till this morning. We shall endeavour to find out what evidence we can, take their depositions and advise how to prosecute them. No hopes of punishing them here; the carriage of our Mayor and Recorder rather encourages the rabble. As great care as can be is taken to observe the Duke, but no news yet from Wallasey. [1½ page. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 67.]
Sept. 14.
Whitehall.
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of Margaret Hartigan, widow of Teague Hartigan, one of his Majesty's footmen, for a grant of some yearly pension to maintain her and her children. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 206.]
Sept. 15.
Wroxton.
Lord Chief Justice North to Secretary Jenkins. I was from home when your letters were brought hither and returned not till late last night.
My brother, the sheriff, came hither purely out of kindness on an old appointment and returned to London last Monday. His visit had not been so short but for his engagement to that office, which he does in no sort decline. He knows me too well to expect assistance in anything dishonest or dishonourable, and I know him so well that I can assure you he is a very honest man and can hardly be deceived or frighted out of the principles he has taken up to serve the King and the City. I intended to be in town on Tuesday before Michaelmas Day, but, in regard to your commands, I shall set forward on Friday and be there by Saturday at noon and will wait on you as soon as I can. I hope that will be enough. It is not possible for me to leave this place before. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 68.]
Sept. 16.
Bristol.
Sir Richard Hart to Secretary Jenkins. I forbore answering your letter of the 7th, though I have been active to prosecute your commands, till now. Our election was yesterday. Capt. Easton is chosen Mayor and George Hart, my brother, and John Combs sheriffs. The loyal party carried it without much struggling. In the hurry of your business I doubt you forgot the petition delivered you in behalf of the merchants of Bristol touching the taxes of sugar, the prayer whereof is that we may be allowed the same with them of London. The matter is of little moment to the revenue, the whole under 100l. per annum. It is certainly a great discouragement to the loyal merchants here that they should be distinguished from them of London. My humble request is that you will afford a line in this particular. [Ibid. No. 69.]
Sept. 16. Charles King to Secretary Jenkins. The hand from which you should have received this being still disabled, I am commanded to send you the enclosed paper. When you write hither again, please mention how many letters you have received of this hand and how they were sealed and for the future give leave that letters sent hence for you may be directed to another person. [Ibid. No. 70.]
Sept. 16.
Wrexham.
Sir George Jeffreys to Secretary Jenkins. I doubt not you have had an account of the Duke of Monmouth's reception at Chester. The pretence of his honouring these parts was, you know, a race, and the loyal gentlemen to divert company, which that design aimed at, ordered another meeting and published the enclosed paper, which had that good effect that there was 10 to 1 on our side, but his Grace won the plate to the joy of all true Protestants, for which bonfires have been made in Chester and most of the honest people's windows broke, and the plate bestowed on the Mayor's child, which his Grace has christened Henrietta. Applications are daily made to me about these outrages, being now at Wrexham within 8 miles. I am next Monday for Holywell, where I expect the continuance of clamour. But there is an accident that may be useful to his Majesty's service. Chester has not the power of trying treasons. There are at present three persons in the city gaol for clipping. If a commission of Oyer and Terminer might be expedited presently (I begin my circuit there Monday sennight and continue a week) and directed as was about '63 for treasonable words (the Clerk of the Crown has the precedent) and name not the Mayor nor any those rascals concerned in this pageantry, it may bear up the honest party of the town at present dispirited. (Suggesting persons proper to be put in the commission.) If this came to me next week, before the assizes were ended, which is also the fair time, I hope I could manage it for my master's service. [Ibid. No. 71.]
Sept. 16.
Chester Castle.
Peter Shakerley to [Secretary Jenkins]. Last Monday afternoon his Grace came to Wallasey accompanied with most of those few gentlemen who came with him to Chester from Nantwich, viewed the course and went to supper. I went as an attendant amongst them but by those of the county was soon distinguished to be none of their herd. Mr. Booth singled me out and held me some time in a frivolous discourse, with intent to sham me off. That device failing, I went to sup at the ordinary with his Grace but Thomas Whitley, Fitton Gerard and others came out and said there was no room at that table, so we supped in another room. The Duke of Monmouth's health was the first named by them, after that the King's. Supper ended, John Corbett, John Mainwaring, Mr. Stafford, one Thomson, as they called him, and others came in with a plain design to quarrel with me, but I beforehand resolved to take all things patiently except blows. After some of their accustomed healths, such as confusion to Popery and to all those that would not be enemies to the Duke of York, they began to manifest their great dislike of the sermon preached before his Grace in this guise and in general exclaimed against the clergy. Having spit their venom that way without the satisfaction of one syllable from me they fell to magnify the last Parliament at Westminster and their votes. I asked them their opinion of that vote which would not that the King should raise money off his own revenue by anticipation. Fitton Gerard, Thomas Whitley and John Mainwaring asserted it was an excellent good vote and Mr. Thomas affirmed that he was a traitor that should lend the King any money, the Parliament not sitting. They then went to the Exclusion Bill. I told them they troubled themselves to no purpose with that, his Majesty having declared to the Commons that he would not press it. Fitton Gerard and John Mainwaring replied that the King was good-natured and might yet be prevailed with to pass it; nay a friend of mine affirmed to me that he heard Lord Brandon say, the King must and would part with his brother. The meeting of a great many gentlemen that day the race was at Wallasey caused some further discourse to these gentlemen, who said it was very unmannerly to appoint such a meeting at that time when they should have paid their respects to the King's son, and Fitton Gerard said he was a peer and not so much out of the King's favour as was reported, witness, said he, the 4,000l. per annum settled on his son, Lord Doncaster, and his Majesty's intention of conferring the Garter on him, and that his Majesty would not take it well from those who did not show him respect.
Tuesday his Grace rid for and won the 12 stone plate. As he went up the course to ride, Henry Booth, who rode Mr. Bould's horse, was observed to ride up, bow and say something to him, on which he embraced him very kindly. Lord Derby, who a fortnight or three weeks before the race came to Wallasey with Lord Brandon to order a tent and provision to entertain his Grace, came not to Wallasey that day till after dinner. He did not go to his Grace, but his Grace rode up to him and they only civilly saluted each other. That day's sport being ended, his Grace and all his company went over the water to Liverpool. The bells were then out of order, so stirred not; some few little guns (muskets, some think) from some ships and shouts from the rabble, which was great, welcomed his arrival. At his inn the Mayor and five of the aldermen waited on him and invited him to the Change, but he went not, some think, because the invitation was not consented to by the whole body. However he yielded to be made free of the town and then the bells rang. The rabble had got some muskets and gave him some volleys. Nathaniel Booth was seen by a friend of mine to give one of them money to buy powder. His Grace supped with Macclesfield, Brandon, Colchester, &c. at an ordinary, but great care was taken that nothing of a Tory or any not well known to be of their party should come near them, so what passed I know not. About 10 his Grace went to his lodgings at Alderman Chorley's; the rest went, some to drinking, some to gaming. Lord Derby lodged at a private house; 'twas said he was with his Grace till 3 in the morning. I went purposely over the water to inquire the truth and was told by one I take to be an honest gentleman, who was with his lordship till 3, that Lords Brandon and Colchester and two or three more came and stayed a little time with his lordship, but that he was not in company with his Grace while he stayed at Liverpool, nor did he come or go thence with his Grace to Wallasey, which, I hear, has disgusted some persons.
Wednesday his Grace came to Wallasey again with the company that went with him to Liverpool, only Macclesfield went off homewards. His Grace stayed the heats for the second plate, which Mr. Booth won, and then went away immediately, crossed the water at Liverpool and so to Rocksavage that night, Lord Brandon, Whitley, John Mainwaring and others of that party accompanying him. Mr. Booth, having another race with Lord Derby that day, did not go with his Grace, but went that night with his uncle, Nathaniel Booth, to Warrington, in order to meet his Grace on Thursday, who was then expected at Dunham, where he was to stay that night, Friday to dine with Mr. Booth at Mear and that night to lodge at Lord Macclesfield's house, Gawsworth, where to-day a great many gentlemen are invited to a dinner. A friend of mine has promised me an account of passages and discourses there. The enclosed is a list of all the gentlemen I observed to wait on his Grace. I very well know the principles of some of them to be destructive of Monarchy and heartily pity the misfortune of his Grace to be thus misguided by them. I am certain they design him no good, for not one of them will in the least assert his legitimacy. I hope he'll hearken to the advice of some friends ere long, which would presently stagger the hopes of and shake the faction to pieces. There were some few Roman Catholics from Staffordshire, Lancashire and this county, I think the whole of any note might be about 10 or 12. [3 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 72.] Enclosed,
List of the persons observed at Wallasey race to wait on the Duke of Monmouth, most of whom are mentioned in this and previous letters. Sir St. John Gwilliams, whom some think to be Dick Cromwell, went not to Wallasey but stayed at Chester. On the back are various extracts from letters about the Duke; among them, The ordinary people all and many of the gentry showed their zeal to the Duke on account of the assurance given them by the Earl of Macclesfield and others that he was in the King's favour. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 72 i.]
Sept. 16. Dr. Matthew Fowler to Secretary Jenkins. Describing the Duke's reception at Nantwich, Chester, Wallasey, and Liverpool, as in other letters, adding:—The rabble broke the windows of Nantwich church, being denied by the officers the liberty of the bells, into which at last they made a forcible entry and rang at their pleasure. —At Chester the Dean sent for the keys of the churches, but the rabble broke into St. John's Church on Saturday through the windows and rang the bells.—The loyal gentry of Cheshire had a very splendid meeting at the Forest of Delamere. They were, besides footmen and spectators, about six score gentlemen well attended, which made up the number of 500 horse. They pursued their game very quietly, dined together on the Forest and so very civilly parted. [Ibid. No. 73.]
Sept. 16.
Chester.
Extract of Chester news. Several are committed to prison about the bonfires.
There were two races at Wallasey for plates; the first on Tuesday of 60l., for which ran the Duke of Monmouth, who got it, next him young Whitley and Henry Booth on Bold's horse, Bellingham last. Then a made match between Henry Booth, who won, and Bannister.
On Wednesday a plate of 30l., won by Henry Booth; the rest were Lord Derby, Lord Molineux' son and Bellingham. Then a foot race for a guinea (20 roods) betwixt the Duke, who won, and Mr. Cutts of Cambridgeshire.
Kit Bannister, who is very infirm, had set up a high seat on the course, which was in the night sawed down. The Duke blamed the action but his followers pleaded ignorance of it.
Young Shakerley was much blamed for dining with the Duke, especially by Sir John Corbett of Salop.
The Duke offered to lay 1,000l. on his horse, but nobody would take him. He said, if the King had forbidden this journey, he would not have come. He talked and drank little; no healths but the King's and his entertainers'. (About his movements after Liverpool as in previous letters.)
The Duke on the race at Wallasey read a letter from Nantwich, complaining much of Mr. Stringer, the minister there, that he "was to inform against the Duke and his followers, that he preached against tumultuous gathering of the people and that he said it looked like the beginning of the last rebellion."
A Whig gentleman told me he heard Shakerley asked among them whether he thought the Duke legitimate, adding that, if he had put the question to him, he would have broke his pate.
Another Whig said it was better for the Duke that the Exclusion Bill did not pass, for then the Crown would have been entailed on the Duke of York's issue.
The Earl of Derby did not dine with the Duke, but rode by his side about a mile. He is now gone towards Court. [3 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 74.]
Sept. 16.
Whitehall.
Warrant to Simon Winslow, messenger, to search for in all places and especially at post stages between Rye and London an ancient little man of low stature who speaks several languages and goes by the name of James Vandeven, he being suspected of dangerous and treasonable correspondences, and apprehend him and bring him before Secretary Jenkins to answer to what shall be objected against him; and also to search on the same road for a man of about 30, who goes by the name of John James Grene, who with the said Vandeven landed yesterday morning at Rye, and apprehend and bring him also before the Secretary to answer as aforesaid. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54, p. 142.]
Instructions to Simon Winslow for executing the above warrant. You are to go in all haste from the post house in Southwark to the next stage on the Rye road, where you are to inquire diligently for the two persons, and, if you find them not in that stage, you are to ride in all haste to the next and so on if you meet not with them till you come to Rye.
At Rye you are to show your warrant to Mr. Edgar, the searcher, and Mr. Darrington, Mr. Hall's deputy, and follow their directions for apprehending the two men.
If you meet with the little old man between any of the stages, you are to turn and follow him aloof, till he come to his lighting place, where you are to execute your warrant, taking with you, if you find an opportunity, a constable or the master of the house, but you are not to suffer him to go out of your sight, when you have lodged him, nor suffer anybody to speak with him.
You are further to inquire at all the baiting and lodging places of the stage coaches from Rye to London and to view all the passengers narrowly.
If you find that either of the above persons has hired horses or gone post any other way than the direct road to London, you are to pursue them with all haste the road you shall be told they went and you are to execute your warrant wherever you overtake them.
Memorandum that James Vandeven goes by other names, particularly Everard and Woodford. [Ibid.]
Further instructions. You are to go in all diligence to Rye and on the way observe in all places whether there be any passengers resembling the old man and you are to acquaint Mr. Edgar and Mr. Darrington that Vandevenne, that landed near Rye on Friday, is not the person inquired after, therefore they are to continue their watchfulness in that post and so are all the postmasters between Rye and London. 18 Sept. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54, p. 143.]
Sept. 16.
Whitehall.
Order to all postmasters between Southwark and Rye. You are to aid Simon Winslow in searching for and apprehending Vandeven and Grene.
If they or either of them arrive at any of your houses after the sight of the said warrant you are to require the constable or other head officer of the place where you are to apprehend them or him and keep them in safe custody. On apprehending either of them, you are to send Secretary Jenkins notice by express. [Ibid. p. 144.]
Sept. 16.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to the Earl of Yarmouth. This morning I read to his Majesty your letter of the 13th and the enclosed information. I also acquainted him with what the Countess of Yarmouth had said and writ relating to the same matter. He has commanded me to let you know that Mr. Cradock has had no commission from him to oppose the surrender of Norwich charter nor does he remember that he was spoke to by Mr. Cradock or any other in his behalf nor that he knew anything of his going down to Norwich. He therefore advised you to go on with your usual zeal and discretion in that city and county. It cannot be avoided but that, in such a change as the renewing the charter of Norwich would be, some men must be displeased in their interests or relations, but his Majesty is satisfied that you have nothing in your view but the public good and (which is all one) the service of the Crown. I have orders to send for Mr. Cradock and object to him the matters in your letter and to give his Majesty an account of what he shall answer. It is matter of great wonder to his Majesty how Alderman Aldridge should take upon him to know his Majesty's will as to the surrender of the Norwich charter. He looks on the presumption of saying so, if that Alderman said it, as impertinent and undutiful, but, proceeding, as you do, in all things legally and affectionately in carrying on his Majesty's service, you have no cause to heed what malice or envy opposes against you. [Nearly 2 pages. S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 135.]
Sept. 16.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to the Earl of Shrewsbury. I have moved his Majesty on your letter of the 8th. He thinks Mr. Ward a very fit person to be your deputy lieutenant in Staffordshire and therefore commands me to write to you to give him a commission. As to the other gentleman named by you, he has reserved it to further consideration, because he conceives that his estate in that county is not such as may qualify him beyond exception for his Majesty's service in that station. [Ibid. p. 136.]
Sept. 16.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to [the Marquess of Worcester]. I read to his Majesty your letter of the 13th at length and he was very well pleased with the account in it. I did not send to him all your former letters. I chose to give him a summary account of what you had done at Ludlow with great applause. I left the other part to a better season or till you repeat your commands. The reason I will with your leave keep to myself, till I wait on you. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 137.]
Sept. 16.
London.
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. Last Tuesday the Duke of Monmouth was at a race at Wallasey, where he ran for a plate himself with his own horse worth 50l., which he won and presented to Mistress Mayoress, to whose child he was godfather. Several foot races were made for him. One or two he ran against several gentlemen of the county and won them both.
We are advised from Coventry that Alderman Haryman escaped with his life from the rabble. They pursued him to his house, where, not being able to get at him, they broke all the windows to pieces. Several of them were taken and committed to gaol and indictments are drawing against them in order to prosecute them next sessions.
His Majesty goes not to Newmarket till after Michaelmas, by which time the sheriffs will be chosen and sworn, but in truth who they will be is not only uncertain but all the discourse of this town is of nothing else, the Lord Mayor being resolved to maintain the rights of the Chair and the people as eagerly contesting about their privilege, as they term it. Tuesday will be a great day here and I fear the heats and animosities of those parties are so great that the consequences may be fatal.
About 12 or 1 on the 14th sailed through the Downs from Dieppe for Deptford the Suadadoes, Capt. Trevanion commander, who put the Earl of Feversham on shore at Dover in order to his going for London, and Lord Culpeper will be at Deal on the 25th to meet the Mermaid to go for Virginia.
We have had the following account of Sir Henry Goodrich's proceedings. A gentleman being arrested within the precinct of his house, his domestics rescued him from the officers. On their complaint he committed them and erected a gibbet, which his servants said was to hang the King of Spain's offenders on. This news was got to the King's palace, who ordered his guards to pull the engine down and sent one to command him to depart in 24 hours, which he did. The King has writ to our King to send another in his place.
The Earl of Anglesey was printing his vindication against the Duke of Ormonde in two several presses, but they were seized at both, but 'tis believed we shall shortly have it published. Several of the petitioning party have been at counsel, who advised them to stand upon their first election of Dubois and Papillon, but, if they cannot carry it, to put up one they are sure will carry it and let him fine. Next Tuesday is the day a whole regiment is ordered on the guard.
This evening an express from Bristol brings news that the loyal party have chosen Sir John East [rectius Thomas Eston] for their Mayor and Arthur [rectius George] Hart and John Combes for their sheriffs in opposition to the discontented party. [3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital, News-letters, Original, 2, No. 43.]
Sept. 16.
Whitehall.
The King to the Lord Deputy. Warrant for a grant to Edward Tyrell and his heirs for the creation of the castle, town and lands of Miltown, Westmeath, which he has purchased from Adventurers and others, with the other lands mentioned in the annexed schedule into the manor of Miltown with the powers and privileges usual in the creation of manors and with a grant of two fairs yearly, one to be held from 7 to 9 July and the other from 3 to 5 Oct., and of a weekly market every Monday, if it shall appear that such fairs and market may be granted without damage to the Crown or other neighbouring fair or markets. [Nearly 3 pages. S.P. Dom., Signet Office 1, Vol. 11, p. 102.] Annexed the said schedule. [Ibid. p. 105.]
Sept. 17.
At Sir Robert Leicester's at Tabley.
Thomas Saywell to Secretary Jenkins. I have delivered four of your letters, viz., Sir R. Leicester's, Sir Philip Egerton's, Mr. Ayre's and Mr. Oldfield's, they all being mighty willing to obey your commands. In order thereto they intend to meet to-morrow to consult.
I heard at the towns I came through that at Lichfield not one went to meet the Duke and, notwithstanding about 30 of the gentlemen of the county happened to be at the post house at dinner when he came, not one went out of the room to see him or took any notice of him. (Further account of his subsequent proceedings as in previous letters.) [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 75.]
Sept. 17.
Chester Castle.
Sir Geoffrey Shakerley to Secretary Jenkins. (Describing the riot on Tuesday night and the attack on Mr. Anderton's house.) Mr. Anderton said, before the Duke came, if the Duke came in at one gate, he would go out at another, and indeed stayed with me in the castle while the Duke was in town. His going to meet the loyal gentry in the Forest gave occasion to the rabble to fall on his house in particular. He has bound 5 over to the next sessions, where he intends to indict them and who else he can find out was in the riot. The company intended to reinforce this garrison is not yet come nor do I hear they are on their march. Mr. Anderton deserves encouragement. He having no counsel here to advise with, I purpose to recommend him to Sir G. Jeffreys now at Wrexham. 'Tis to be feared the Mayor and Recorder will be kind to the rioters. [Ibid. No. 76.]
Sept. 17.
Whitehall.
The King to the Bayliff and Burgesses of Droitwich. Recommending them to elect and admit at the next Great House to be a burgess of that corporation George Harris, secretary of Jamaica, who, having obtained special leave to execute that office by deputy and to remain in England, has been for some years and now is an inhabitant in that corporation. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 66, p. 136.]
Sept. 17.
Whitehall.
The King to the Mayor and Corporation of Limerick. Recommending to them Charles Porter, solicitor to the Duke of York, to be elected and admitted a freeman of the said city. [S.P. Ireland, Entry Book 1, p. 26.]
Sept. 18. John Peate to the King. Petition for a further reprieve till next assizes, the petitioner being now under sentence of death in Montgomeryshire for clipping but reprieved for 15 days by Sir G. Jeffreys, he having made a discovery which may be of great use to his Majesty. He was furnished with money by rich persons and sold the clippings to rich goldsmiths, who combine to use their utmost endeavours to hang him that his discovery may be hushed up. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 77.]
Sept. 18.
London.
Sir John Moore to Secretary Jenkins. I am sorry I was out of the way when you sent for the Middlesex papers. I send them herewith. Pray let none of them be lost. I hope you remember the letter spoken of.
I wanted 18 or 19 of my brethren at the chapel yesterday. My small and thin attendance gives all Dissenters great encouragement and weakens the hands of such as are loyal. Some say I have not courage enough, others, I have too much and am drunk with passion and revenge, so that on every side I am severely censured. My zeal for his Majesty's service and to discharge my duty against unreasonable men has created me many enemies amongst whom I live, who are ready to ruin me, had they power. [Ibid. No. 78.]
Sept. 18.
Paved Alley, St. James'.
James Harris to Secretary Jenkins. I enclose what I collected since I last waited on you, not doubting you will communicate to the King what you judge most material. It's important at this juncture that special care were taken for the safeguard of his Majesty and his Royal Highness, lest that dangerous vermin should attempt Whitehall, whilst they threaten you and others in the City. [Ibid. No. 79.] Enclosed,
O how execrable are those verminian glubbers, and what strange machinations are quotidianly invented by them to incite the mobile to assist them. By the right paw of the Great Bear is meant the King and his Royal Highness, by the city Gemini is meant London, where they place the plague for the year '83, in which year they say the mole (i.e. the King) shall be laid in his grave, then the young mole (i.e. the Duke of Monmouth) and the old lion (i.e. his Royal Highness) will contend for a crown, but that after two battles a sort of people will come out of the wood (i.e. London) with a dead man out of the grave (i.e. Ludlow) (who, I judge, is in the City), who shall head these clubbers and their retinues, and they and the dead man shall end the strife between the mole and lion and then there will be long peace in the land of Aries, for neither the mole nor lion shall ever obtain the crown. Without question many of these papers are sent to the country by the clubbers.
9 Sept. I came betimes to Mr. Rouse's. Shortly after came in Mr. White, whom I understood by Rouse to be an honest alderman of Gravesend, which I found as Rouse and suchlike mean honesty. He proved an old Oliverian by his discourse, for he said he never thought in '42 that ever Popery should ride admiral, as at present it does. I answered, You may complain to the King and Council, which he said was to no purpose. I replied, Then make your remarks thereof and reserve them for the Parliament. Then White asked Rouse for news, who answered, Papillon and Dubois shall be sheriffs. I said they might in time but not now, as Mr. North was nominated and had sealed his bond. He asserted they should be this Michaelmas in spite of all at Whitehall. Says White, The great ones have prevented you. Says Rouse, They shall stand in spite of the King, the Duke and all other rogues, Papists and Jesuits.
The 13th or 14th I found at the Salutation in Lombard Street Rouse, a Scotsman who is a liveryman of the City, Mr. Snow and a captain of Mr. Snow's acquaintance, who said, The Devil rules in Scotland. Rouse answered, 'Tis too true, for the Duke of York rules there, but our Whiggish friends are like to petition him. Aye, says Rouse, whereby we may send him the sooner to Purgatory; the Tower and Tyburn are ready for him and the rest, for Parliament will and shall sit next December.
The 16th. I found at Mr. Rouse's him and Mr. Snow. I told him I called there the day before, when were some of his Whiggish friends, but was not admitted. He answered, They were treating on some important affair, wherefore they would not your company without I were present, but most of them were well acquainted with Ruddon, your predecessor. All three of us went to drink our morning draught, when I craved their names. Rouse answered, there were the Jamaica merchant, the counsellor and a Tripoli merchant with others, &c., whereby I understood that Mr. Snow understood whom Rouse meant thereby, by token he said he did not fancy the counsellor, since his advice was or was like to prove fatal to many. Rouse said the election day for sheriffs was next Tuesday, but the Lord Mayor had been at Whitehall lately, when he desired that some of the Life Guard may be in the City on that day and that the City militia should attend, but Rouse hoped they would not be so mad as to supply him, for, if any of them or the militia or any of the Tower should shoot a gun or pistol that day in the City, it's present death for hundreds of them, for we shall have thousands to stand by us here and elsewhere. My friends were treating about the election when you called, and, when I returned, they were busy in consultation how we might usher in our sheriffs (viz., Papillon and Dubois). Some advised they might come on horseback to the Hall. One honest blunt man, but as stout as any in England, said, One of them shall be helped on my shoulders and the other on the like trusty friend and we will make an outcry that these are the true elected sheriffs, who are ready to seal their bonds, and, if they refuse them, let them take what follows, for the public view of them above others will animate us all and seeing the sense of all our friends and mobile they will pass for elected, let others do what they can.
Rouse has a pair of pistols with powder, shot and bullet purse. They with his sword are in his parlour with more arms in the house. Search with discretion. That Capt. Ralph Alexander, alias Love, has made many pistol-proof coats of mail is most certain. Rouse, Alexander, Ford and many of the witnesses for College often meet at a club in the Salutation tavern, the habitation of Rouse's Ignoramus godfather. Col. Danvers, Major Massie, Capt. Thymbleton, old Oates, Capt. Spurraway and Smith, the Baptist bookseller, who sold and printed Vox et Lacrimæ Anglorum, Vox Populi, the Account of the Sheriffs' Election and the Remarks on the Comet this last August are grand intimadoes, frequent meeters and distributers of the like factions new to most counties in order to animate the mobile to join with them. All of them with others, whom my wife will willingly nominate, were manifestly concerned in the intended insurrection in her former husband's time, who gave them a repulse by saying she would find an expedient to acquaint his Majesty with their designs. Blood and Jones, main instruments to promote that insurrection, obtained pardons for all or most of the above-named, shortly after his design about the crown. None of these (except Jones, who is now, I am informed, a divine of the Church of England) have since received the Sacrament or have been at divine service. It's much to be feared that Capt. Nicholas, quondam governor of Chepstow and indeed Monmouthshire, is now in town and intimate with all the above-named. If diligent search be made in the houses of the above-named and of their Baptist congregations and in the counties of Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Gloucester and Monmouth and in Bristol I believe dangerous news and arms may be found, and it is most expedient to search in all at the same time. I attended most of this day but could not discourse Rouse nor any of the clubbers. [Nearly 6 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 79 i.]
Sept. 18.
1 o'clock. Coventry.
John Ramsey, serjeant at arms, to Secretary Jenkins. I came here last night without any other notice of my party than the flockings of the mobile about him at the places on the way. But here, I understand, it was rather a people formed than a tumult, they being grown so hardy and the nursery so forward that the least encouragement would give it the stamp of rebellion. I have stayed till this hour here to assure myself from his correspondent here what security I might be under as to his return, but that, not being to be had by a direct way, has delayed me some hours, and yet I hope not to the prejudice of my affair, understanding that he lies to-night at Mr. Leveson Gower's and designs to-morrow for this place, where his rabble and their encouragers have proposed mighty things for him. I conclude Lichfield, to which I am now going, a proper place to intercept him in, that city having ever appeared of a far different stamp from this, and so the temper of the inhabitants continues, for no party can be forwarder than this place affords to countenance anything that a people bred up to rebellion can be supposed to undertake. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 80.]
Sept. 18.
Chester.
[Mr. Thompson] to O. Wynne. When the jury found for Birkenhead, the Recorder was so far from giving him any check for what he had done or caution against publishing treason for the future that he and Col. Whitley immediately put off their hats to him, as if they congratulated his deliverance.
It was deposed on oath that at their bonfires here they shouted, Let Monmouth reign, let Monmouth reign. The whole song I cannot yet procure. Last Wednesday two persons that broke into St. Peter's Church the night before were committed to prison by Alderman Simpson but the Mayor and Recorder on Friday released them on bail to answer at the next sessions, which will be on the 25th. I expect not to have them punished here according to their crime. I think it would be for the public good to have them prosecuted in some superior and honester court. On Wednesday about thirty, who had been to visit the two in prison, came in a body through the streets shouting, A Monmouth, a Monmouth, and threatened to knock down and kill some they met, calling them Tories. That night also the Duke's running horse with another of Col. Whitley's son's was led through the streets by an unusual way, there being another as near, by which such horses used to go to avoid the stones. The rabble took that for an occasion to make bonfires again, where was some disorder and one committed to prison by an alderman going to disperse them, who tells me they struck him and that one at the bonfire said he cared not a f— for the King or Parliament, God save the Duke of Monmouth. On Friday several were bound to the sessions for breaking Mr. Anderton's windows, but the rioters fear not to appear there. 'Tis certain the rabble take courage from their opinion of the Mayor's and Recorder's inclination. I cannot prove they have encouraged them, for it is not yet discovered who encouraged to that uproar and to commit such outrages. Several apprentices and sons of Dissenters were seen amongst them shooting guns. I have and shall endeavour to persuade the better aldermen to try if they can find it out. I have been earnest with them to examine the ringleader, him that went first about the streets on Tuesday night, shouting, A Monmouth, a Monmouth, as if he had been ordered to do so to gather company. I know Mr. Shakerley has or will give an account of the race as much as 'tis possible for any to do of such noted loyalty, for the Duke's company were very cautious who came amongst them. I am assured the Earl of Derby at the race after a salute had no familiar converse with the Duke, he immediately drawing out of the Duke's company and riding by himself with his retinue and friends. They both went over to Liverpool on Tuesday night, but lodged not in the same house, nor, that I can hear, were they together there. The town treated the Duke and made him free. They came back on Wednesday to the races, that night went to Earl Rivers' house at Rocksavage. Thence he went to Dunham. On his way he was met on a heath by as many as Henry Booth could procure of his tenants and others out of Warrington with bottles of wine and biscuit to treat the Duke and company. Thence he went to the Earl of Macclesfield's, whither our Mayor, who also waited on him to Liverpool, went on Saturday to attend him and is not yet returned. The Duke seemed pleased with the rabble shouting, A Monmouth, a Monmouth, putting off his hat to such, and his company called on them to shout. He has not such encouragement in this city or county as the Dissenters expected, though 'twas not believed by well-wishers to the King and Government that he would have been permitted to come.
The company is not yet come into the castle. I wish Sir G. Shakerley's commission be so large that he may suppress tumults in the city. Our Trained Band is of no use, should there be any sudden occasion, being first to receive orders from the Lord Lieutenant, the Earl of Derby, or 3 deputy lieutenants before they can act. 'Twould be more useful in my opinion and more acceptable to the city, were the governor of the castle with 2 or 3 of our best aldermen empowered to give them orders. 'Twas much observed and discoursed among the loyal gentry at the Forest that Dr. Fogg, who preached in the afternoon before the Duke, did not pray for the Queen or the Duke of York.
Desiring that Mr. Secretary would not trouble to write in his behalf to the Bishop, Dean or Chapter, one to the Bishop of St. Asaph for a sinecure when any should be vacant might do him more kindness or a word of Mr. Secretary to the Commissioners for disposing of livings. The church of St. Peter not being all endowed, he may live there and hold another without any special qualification. [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 81.]
Sept. 18. — to Capt. John Clerke in St. Paul's Churchyard. I received yours of the 12th last Friday and have not since been negligent to acquaint myself with the motions and behaviour of the great man who is come into the country. (Describing his proceedings at Nantwich, Chester, Wallasey and Liverpool.)
On Thursday he came to Dunham, Lord Delamere's house, where he was visited by vast companies and received a very splendid entertainment which was very open to the populace also that came to see him, and, as an acknowledgement of the people's kindness, a quantity of blue ribbon was distributed amongst them so that almost every one more one away, but by whose order it was given or by whom delivered I am yet to learn. That evening Newton, the postmaster in Stockport, who has been a great spreader of seditious news and pamphlets and therefore should be posted out of his office, with two more of the blue ribbon principle, having their zeal a little warmed by the sight of the Duke at Dunham, coming home with their favours in their hats rode up the street shouting, A Monmouth, a Monmouth. That night the Duke lay at Dunham and on Friday he dined at the house of Mr. Henry Booth, one of the knights for Cheshire in the late Parliaments, but with what passed there I am not able to acquaint you. That evening about 7 he came with a considerable company of gentlemen to the Earl of Macclesfield's house, Gawsworth, where I have employed a trusty friend to be a constant observer and the best account he can yet give is that there has been during the Duke's stay there a very great concourse of gentlemen. Many of them were strangers whose names, notwithstanding the intimacy he had got with the Duke's and the Earl's servants, he could not learn. Gentlemen there were to the number of 40 or 50 and I know they were of several countries as Sir Thomas Armstrong, Mr. Cutts of Cambridgeshire, the old colonel, Sir Henry Ingoldsby and his son and Sir [John] Corbett of Shrewsbury. Of Staffordshire there were that he knew Sir John Bowyer, Mr. Offley, with whom he is reported to dine to-day, and Mr. Gower of Trentham, with whom he is said to lodge to-night and so to-morrow to go away post straight for London. Of Cheshire were Lord Colchester, Mr. Booth, with whom he dined, Sir Thomas Bellott, late burgess for Newcastleunder-Lyme, Sir Peter Stanley of Alderley, who gave him an invitation to dine, but he had not time to accept it, Sir Robert Duckenfield, son of the old colonel, Sir John Crewe of Utkinton, Mr. Booth of Mottram, Lord Delamere's brother, and Mr. Davenport of Bromhall, both the last Justices for the county, the Mayor of Chester, Mr. Mainwaring, eldest son of Sir Thomas, a son or two of Col. Whitley and several more of the above gentlemen's sons. A couple of considerable clergymen were there too, who have formerly gone to Chester voting for Mr. Booth, viz., the rectors of Alderley and Wilmslow. The greatest part of these and many more met the Duke at Nantwich. Sir Robert Cotton has likewise been his almost constant attendant. No skill was wanting to make it publicly known that on Saturday a brace of bucks would be run down at Gawsworth and that the Duke would ride a hunting. To augment the sport the Earl procured the young men of the country, to whom the Duke gave 5 guineas, to play at prison bars on a plain near the house, which, with the greater influence of the Duke's presence, procured such a confluence of people as has been rarely known in this country, there being, as I am told by very credible persons, at least 5 or 6,000 people, who at the Duke's coming back from hunting gave him a great shout, as they did at other times when he publicly came amongst them, but I take notice of one above the rest. About 1 or 2, when Mr. Henry Booth came to wait on the Duke, as he passed by the crowd they shouted, A Booth, a Booth, as if they had been again choosing him a member. The Duke's deportment was extremely humble and pleasing to the mobile, though he said but little to them, and what the discourse of his retirements was is too great a mystery for me yet to learn. Among other questions, my friend asked the Duke's servants why he that saw himself so well beloved would leave his friends so soon and not accept the invitations given him? The answer was that his Majesty had limited him a time, which he would by no means exceed. [1¼ page. S.P. Dom., Car. II, 420, No. 82.]
Monday,
Sept. 18. 9 a.m.
Dr. Matthew Fowler to Secretary Jenkins. Giving the account he had received of the Duke of Monmouth's proceedings at Wallasey and Liverpool from Peter Shakerley as in the latter's letter calendared ante, p. 396, except the following.—The Duke, having won the plate and two foot races of about 12 score, which he ran, first stripped and after in his boots with the same gentleman and beat him both times, desired the rabble to leave off their shouting. A trumpeter, offering to sound, was by his command immediately silenced.—Giving an account of his subsequent progress to the house of Lord Macclesfield.—I doubt he will receive no good advice from that ungrateful malcontent, who uses to ride abroad in a warlike posture with 16 or 20 men at his heels armed with sword and pistol, which, I conceive, is more than becomes a subject in times of peace.—Correcting his mistake in his former letter about the Earl of Derby's conduct.—You may be assured there was more in this meeting than a horse race, but, if their cabals were managed with no better prudence than outwardly appeared in their behaviour, I suppose within this month they will be ashamed of themselves. They would fain do something to persuade or rather force the King to pass the bill against his brother, but 'tis certain the Forest meeting did mightily gravel the faction, where his Majesty had many faithful subjects, that will withstand all their wicked designs to the utmost. Give me leave however thus far to express my thoughts that by this progress of the Duke, though accompanied with much vanity and folly, it appears to me that the crown will sit very uneasily on the head of His Royal Highness, if ever he attain to it, unless he return to that religion, for which his royal father was crowned with a glorious martyrdom. [1½ page. Ibid. No. 83.]
Sept. 18.
Whitehall.
Warrant to the lord of the regality of Dunfermline for the delivery to any person authorized by the Earl of Perth, Justice General, of Alexander Gilmore, now a prisoner in Dunfermline tolbooth, lately sentenced to die for stealing a horse, he being now appointed to be disposed of as the said Justice General shall think fit. [S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 381.]
Sept. 18.
Westminster.
The King to Ralph Montagu, Master of the Great Wardrobe. Warrant for the delivery to Charles Villiers, clerk of the cheque to the Yeomen of the Guard, of liveries in the same words as the warrant of 29 Oct., 1677, calendared in S.P. Dom., 1677–78, p. 431. [S.P. Dom., Signet Office 1, Vol. 11, p. 106.]
Sept. 19. The Commissioners of the Customs to the Lords [of the Treasury]. Forwarding a complaint of John Imber, their officer at Christchurch, that the officers are refused the liberty of searching Hurst Castle, which they are informed is a place of great smuggling. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 84.]
Sept. 19. The information of Samuel Carr and Edward West. On Tuesday, 19 Sept., on the hustings at Guildhall, Benjamin Tooke asked Sheriff Pilkington by what authority he held the poll there, who replied, By the authority of the Common Hall, the greatest authority in London. [Ibid. No. 85.]
Sept. 19.
Rye.
Robert Hall and Miles Edgar to Secretary Jenkins. We are today informed by Mr. Simon Winslow that the two persons we gave you an account of are not those that are sought after and that we continue our diligence. But, should we have any occasion of a magistrate, the confusion of our town is such that at present justice is hardly to be had, occasioned by Thomas Tournay, who will be both Mayor and Town Clerk, notwithstanding according to the ancient custom we chose Joseph Radford, a very honest and loyal man, by a majority of votes and swore him, who is hindered by the said Tournay by clapping locks on the Townhall door, not suffering Radford, the present Mayor, to keep his Majesty's court. A petition of this, I am informed, is presented to his Majesty and an account given to several of the Privy Council of the proceedings at the election by Sir Thomas Clarges, who was then in town, especially to Lords Halifax, Clarendon and Hyde, whose assistance we hope to have with yours. [Ibid. No. 86.]
Sept. 19.
Liverpool.
Dr. Richmond to Secretary Jenkins. Your letter found me last night under a great indisposition of body, which yet shall not hinder me from answering your queries honestly. To the first, What company there was at Wallasey? I answer there is usually at that course the Earl of Derby with most of the principal gentry of Lancashire and Cheshire, but I must add that last week there were greater numbers than ordinary, most of them country men and women, who were supposed to come with a desire to have a view of the Duke of Monmouth. To the second, Who sent to Liverpool to a hostess there for the reception of 1,000 men? I neither know nor have heard of any who sent hither to prepare entertainment for any such number. I saw indeed a letter from Lord Brandon to Mrs. Atherton, who keeps a tavern here, to bid her prepare a dinner for about 40 gentlemen to be eaten in the running ground and further I know not. To the third, Who were the abettors of the riot and unlawful assembly at Wallasey? I do not know of any riot there otherwise than the said peaceable meeting there at horse races nor did I observe the least disturbance among them nor any discourse that tended to anything more than bets and friendly communication. I hope I may add that the Duke lodged one night here at a private house and the Earl of Derby the same night at mine, so there was no intercourse of visits here between them. I pray you to believe that, if any passage had occurred to my notice tending to the prejudice of my sovereign or his government. I would have given an account of it. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 87.]
Sept. 19.
Whitehall.
Warrant for the reprieve of John Peate, a prisoner in Montgomery gaol, who was at the late assizes for Montgomeryshire condemned for clipping, but stands reprieved for 15 days, which are almost expired, he having promised to discover divers rich persons who furnished him with money to clip, if he shall be reprieved till the next assizes. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54, p. 141.]
Sept. 19.
Whitehall.
The Earl of Conway to the Lord Chancellor. The Clerk of the Crown having prepared a commission of Oyer and Terminer for the county palatine of Chester, which the King has approved of, signifying his pleasure that his lordship cause all possible dispatch to be given it. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 56, p. 63.]
Memorandum of another letter to Mr. Frowde to dispatch it by that night's post to Chester and to take care it be delivered to Sir George Jeffreys. [Ibid.]
Sept. 19.
Whitehall.
The Earl of Conway to the Mayor of Winchester. Sending him a copy of Edward Harfield's petition, who has applied for a letter mandatory to Winchester that he may be admitted a member of that corporation, and desiring him to return his opinion speedily thereon. [Ibid. p. 64.]
[Sept. ?] Edward Harfell [Harfield] of Winchester to the King. Petition to the effect stated in the above letter. Was proposed as a bencher of the corporation by the Mayor but is opposed by some of the disaffected in the corporation. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 88.]
Sept. 19.
Whitehall.
The Earl of Conway to the Commissioners of the Admiralty. Signifying his Majesty's pleasure that they give order immediately to the captain of the frigate appointed to carry Lord Culpeper to Virginia that, in case he be not already embarked, he do not receive him on board and that, if any of his goods or servants are taken on board, they be likewise put on shore. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 56, p. 64.]
Sept. 19.
London.
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. Foreign letters arrived yesterday say that in the late progress of Monsr. Louvois he left word at Strassburg, Nancy and Metz that they should provide cannon, carriages and all things necessary for a siege. Some people say it will be either Luxemburg or Philipsburg, most people believe the latter, because 400 boors are daily employed in clearing the ways and removing all impediments to that place.
The French King has sent to the Bishop of Basel, requiring him to recall his minister from Frankfort and swear allegiance to him, otherwise he will seize his territories. The Bishop answered he would recall his minister, but could not disown being a subject to the Empire.
The Earl of Feversham and Col. Graham sent by his Royal Highness to the French King to congratulate him on the birth of the Duke of Burgundy are returned, being presented with that King's picture set with diamonds.
To-day at a Common Hall the Whigs and Tories appeared in great numbers, one for choosing a sheriff to hold with North and the other for opposing it. About 10 the Lord Mayor came on the hustings and the Common Crier made the usual proclamation but, before he had finished, there was such a confused noise of, No North, No Hall, that he could not be heard. However he went on and finished it and then the Lord Mayor retired to the Council Chamber and left the hustings to the sheriffs, who put the following question to the Common Hall: As many as are for confirmation of Papillon and Dubois, hold up your hands, on which there was a great shout. Then they went off the hustings and acquainted the Lord Mayor with what they had done, who came down immediately and ordered the Common Crier to command silence, and then the Common Serjeant put up Capt. Rich, M.P. for Southwark, for sheriff to hold with North, who was immediately chosen by the Common Hall, no one opposing him, which the Lord Mayor seeing immediately declared him sheriff and then adjourned the court and went home. I am told that Capt. Rich has already signed his bond. What the Whigs will do I know not, but find by most I converse with that they have been over-reached and that the sturdiness of the Lord Mayor has brought them into several errors. However, after the Lord Mayor and the loyal party were gone out of the court, the other party remained, to whom about 12 the sheriffs came and going on the hustings declared, We are come to this place according to promise, though not so soon as we appointed, to take the poll; therefore as many of you as are of the affirmative to have Papillon and Dubois sheriffs, come on and give your names as also those that are of the negative, on which a great shout was given and several books delivered to have the names taken. The sheriffs divided themselves, Mr. Pilkington kept the hustings and Mr. Shute went to the other end of the hall, called the Sheriffs' Court, where none of the loyal party appeared to enter one name. Secretary Jenkins stayed at the Lord Mayor's till he had understood how the proceedings went and were still carrying on and then went to Whitehall to give his Majesty an account thereof. At 5 this evening the Lord Mayor went to the Guildhall and on the hustings commanded silence, but, the noise continuing, he was forced to the Court of Aldermen and after some stay sent Sheriff Shute to tell the people no more business would be done this day and therefore they should depart immediately, no time being fixed for their meeting again. [3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital, News-letters, Original, 2, No. 44.]
[Sept., before the 20th.] Brief on behalf of Samuel Dobree, respondent, against Peter Monamy, heir of Andrew Monamy, appellant from a judgment of the court of Guernsey, given 8 June, 1680, at the Council Board. Setting forth at great length the proceedings in the suit which began 17 March, 1661[–2], by Samuel putting in suit against Andrew Monamy and Ann Millet, relict of Peter Dobree, deceased, a bill obligatory dated 25 Dec., 1656, by which Andrew Monamy and Peter Dobree promised to pay 3,362 livres, 17 sols, 3 deniers to William Dobree due on balance of accounts, whose assignee Samuel Dobree is. (The suit was finally heard 20 Sept., 1682: see Privy Council Register [P.C. 2], Vol. 69, p. 548.) [3 pages. S.P. Channel Islands 1, No. 113.]
Case of the above appellant. [Ibid. No. 114.]
Answer on behalf of Samuel Dobree to objections of Peter Monamy. [Ibid. No. 115.]
Some observations by way of answer to an unsigned paper lately given in to the Committee for Jersey and Guernsey by Samuel Dobree. (Affixed is a copy of the last paper.) [3 pages. Ibid. No. 116.]
Translation of the above-mentioned bill obligatory. [Ibid. No. 117.]
Wednesday,
Sept. 20. 9 p.m.
Coleshill.
John Ramsey, serjeant at arms, to Secretary Jenkins. I was after my departure from Coventry under great uncertainty which way the Duke would move. At last messengers sent abroad fixed him certain at Trentham on Tuesday night, but, he having been that day at Newcastle after a splendid dinner and entertained there by Mr. Sneyd and coming back very late, I thought not fit without any officer or person living to second me, nay being jealous of my postboy, to attack him there, and the rather because I became assured that his Grace had accepted as this day an invitation from the mobile, not the Mayor, of Stafford of an entertainment; and so riding back, attending him thither in the great crowd of his friends, I was forced to inform him of my business, which, against my motion, he made public among his friends there, and, submitting to the authority, is come thus far, to-morrow intending as he says to Towcester and, I fear, not till Saturday to London. This delay is, I conceive, occasioned, because, on his being secured, Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. Offley, Mr. Cutts, Mr. Forester and others, with all manner of testimonials for his Grace's good behaviour, are determined to appear also and take his fortune. Hard riding and a tumult about us give me just reason to beg your pardon, all particulars being ready for you at my return. [1½ page. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 89.]
Sept. 20.
Stafford.
[Sampson Byrch, Mayor ?] to [the Duke of Monmouth]. I am a Protestant of the Church of England, as by law established, not inclining on the one side to Popery nor on the other to Fanaticism, one that has suffered under that usage which the King has called arbitrary, one that has addressed the King by way of thankfulness for his late gracious declaration, one that has abhorred all traitorous associations against the King and one that, as the King's deputy here, will recede neither from these my professions of loyalty nor the trust reposed in me and lastly one that will serve your Grace in anything not inconsistent with the good liking of my sovereign. [Presumably the enclosure referred to in Sampson Byrch's letter of the 25th: see post, p. 427.] [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 90.]
Sept. 20.
Chester Castle.
Peter Shakerly to Secretary Jenkins. Cousin Cholmondely tells me by last Monday's post that you had not heard from me. I shall be very much troubled if my letter of the 11th is miscarried, but I hope my cousin meant that you had not a letter by the post following. The reason was my being at Wallasey, from whence I could not conveniently write, but by last Saturday's post I gave you a full account of what came to my knowledge there and at Liverpool and I deposed before Leftwich Oldfield, a Justice, what I had heard and seen myself and what I had heard from others that might be material, which will be sent you by the King's messenger with the depositions of several others. The Saturday the Duke came here I furnished Capt. Samuel Terrick and his son with a couple of horses and ordered one to go and take a particular account of what persons met, where they met, how attended and what were most active in ordering the men in their march to Chester. The other was only to observe their numbers. Both are now in London and I doubt not cousin Cholmondeley can tell you where they lodge. My friend from Macclesfield is not yet come home. What has passed at Rocksavage, Dunham and Mear I am assured you'll have from Sir Robert Leicester and Leftwich Oldfield by the messenger. [Ibid. No. 91.]
Sept. 20.
Liverpool.
James Vernon to Secretary Jenkins. I, having more than ordinary occasion to attend affairs in the Custom-house here, was not at Wallasey the day of the race and therefore to the first question, What company were there? can only say there went over the water here the Earl of Derby with some Lancashire gentlemen that usually attend him on such occasions. To the second, a letter was writ from Lord Brandon to Mrs. Atherton, that keeps a tavern here, to provide entertainment at Wallasey race but for what number I cannot learn. To the third, I cannot answer who the abettors of that assembly were, neither having been there nor had any communication with them. After the race the Duke came over here and was entertained at supper at Mrs. Atherton's house, called the Tower, and lodged at a private house, Alderman John Chorley's. Who came over with him or attended him I cannot certainly come to the knowledge of. The day after he came, before he went over again, he was entertained by the Mayor and made free, who, to vote him free, could scarce get a Council, being forced to make use of one of the Council, who acted, as I am informed, though he has not taken the requisite oaths. The second day he came over again but made no stay at all in the town and was followed out of it by some acclamations of the vulgar sort of people. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 92.]
Sept. 20.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to Sheriff Pilkington. Signifying his Majesty's pleasure that he and his colleague, Sheriff Shute, immediately on sight thereof repair to Whitehall to attend his Majesty. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 138.]
Sept. 21. [Secretary Jenkins] to Viscount Preston. I thank you for your advice in cipher that there was a man taken on the road from Rye. He answered the description in your letter strangely, but proved to be an old rambling tric-trac player of Antwerp known to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and others here. He was immediately dismissed and our friends at Rye set on their guard again. Noted, as sent in cipher. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 93.]
Sept. 21.
9 a.m. Coventry.
John Ramsey, serjeant at arms, to O. Wynne. I am thus far returned with the Duke. Yesternight Sir Thomas Armstrong went secretly from me at Coleshill post, pretending to them that saw him take horse he determined only to come to Coventry, but, as soon as he came there, he immediately took post for London, so I conclude he will be there this afternoon. Please communicate this to the Secretary, the notice I chiefly take of it being his attempt to blind me that I might not guess at his sudden journey. [Ibid. No. 94.]
Sept. 21. P.— H.— to Peter Shakerley. The observations I made myself and the account I had from others of the Duke's reception in the corporations and towns he passed through in, or rather out of, his way to Gawsworth may not be unacceptable to you. The first day of our Chancellor's visitation, Monday the 11th, we came to Warrington and there stayed that night. I made it my business to play the good fellow that night that I might get into the company of some of the townsmen I knew to be sufficiently tainted with Whiggism. After a while we fell on the common text and handled it seditiously enough. I dissembled as long as I could, but they ran so high that my passion would conceal my principles no longer. I pursued them from one argument to another, till at last one of them urged the damnable position, so taking to ordinary capacities, that the Duke was the King's primogenitus and, if the marriage was not according to the law of this land, yet in foro coeli, it went far with them. This argument occasioned some heats, because they would not receive such an answer as naturally offered itself to all rational men. The Thursday after the Duke came from Rocksavage to go for Dunham. As he passed over Stocken Heath, a mile from Warrington, that party had got a number of people together on the Heath and received him with shouts and acclamations of joy and gave him a treat. At Dunham the company was great, where on Friday morning he was guarded from the hall to the stables, the rabble being placed in two files, he with the rest of the gentlemen passing through the midst of them. He took horse in the stables and so rid away to Mear Hall, where he dined, and afterwards set forward for Gawsworth. As he rid through Higher and Lower Knutsford he had his usual entertainment of shouts from the rabble, he himself, as I was told, being all or most of the while bareheaded. When he came hard by Gawsworth, he was met with a great multitude. One who was there told me at Macclesfield he judged them to be 3,000. On Saturday morning he with the gentlemen that attended him went a-hunting. The remaining part of the day he was diverted with a prison bar playing. The sport was so taking with him that he gave 5 guineas to the runners and one to the drummer. On Sunday he went both ends of the day to Gawsworth Church, where Mr. Marsden of Walton in Lancashire preached, being sent for on purpose by the Earl of Macclesfield. The Duke's entertainment there by the description of some that were present was very splendid and great. Monday morning he went thence to be at Trentham that night. Not only the rabble was again gathered to a vast number, but all the Earl's tenants were obliged by special command from him to attend, who accordingly did so. Some of them were churchwardens and were to appear that day at Macclesfield to give in their presentments. They sent one to excuse for them, but the court at first denied, till the man said, they durst not disobey their landlord (note by P. Shakerley, and, as I am informed, the Duke, asking who they were, was answered that they were Mr. Booth's tenants and friends). In his way to Trentham he rode through Congleton and Newcastle, both corporation towns, where he was received after the usual manner. I was told they strewed the streets at Congleton with sand. His reception at Newcastle was above that at any other place I yet heard of, for the gentry and young freemen of the town all went on horseback out of town to meet him, and the Mayor and aldermen and the rest of the town received him at the town's end on foot. The bells rang all night and many bonfires were made, but I do not much wonder, for that town has ever been seditious and there are small hopes of amendment.
The growing mischief of the Duke's appearance in this country I fear will be in the ordinary sort of people, who must do the business, if an occasion offers, for I could not on my journey meet with any of those persons that I did not on discourse find mightily for the Duke's interest, alleging for themselves that the King had taken him into favour again and given him leave to come down. This project, you know, has been laid with us at Chester, which worked so far with some that they met the Duke. Otherwise, I am sure, they would have disappeared. [This appears to have formed the enclosure in Peter Shakerley's letter of the 23rd: see post, p. 420.] [3 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 95.]
Sept. 21.
Whitehall.
Warrant on the surrender by the town and county of Nottingham of their lands and charters for a charter re-incorporating the said town and county and for a re-grant of the said lands with a clause relinquishing one fair held yearly there on St. Matthias' day and continuing 8 days and in lieu thereof granting them two new fairs to be held yearly there, the first to begin 23 April and the other 1 Nov., each to continue for 8 days respectively. [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Entry Book 66, p. 139.]
Sept. 21. Secretary Jenkins to Sir George Jeffreys. My lord (for so I must call you, now that this script is to find you in your scarlet robes), your letter from Wrexham was read to his Majesty and the lords that attended him last Wednesday. I put it into Lord Hyde's hands to produce, for I was in the City part of the day in your house. I had sent for Mr. Graham overnight to receive the orders his Majesty should give. The issuing of the commission or not was referred to the Lord Chancellor. You may assure our friends at Chester that his Majesty is very well pleased with those that gave no countenance to the riotous and dangerous concourse that attended the Duke of Monmouth's coming into those parts and that it is his express desire to have the laws put in execution with vigour against those that were guilty of any disorder, wherein he is assured you will do your part. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 138.]
Sept. 21.
London.
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. A report having been spread on Tuesday night that there would be a Common Hall early on Wednesday morning, the Whiggish citizens thronged to the hall and tarried there till 9, when the Lord Mayor came. As soon as he lighted out of his coach, he turned to the people and desired to know what was the meaning of their meeting. Some replied that they were informed there was to be a Common Hall, but the Lord Mayor immediately answered that there was to be none and that he scorned to put such a trick on the City and therefore commanded them to repair to their own homes. From the hall he went to the Council Chamber, where several aldermen attended him, with whom after some stay he went to Whitehall to acquaint his Majesty with the proceedings of the Common Hall on Tuesday. Several persons, whose names he had taken, made oath before the King and Council that amongst other irregularities of Sheriff Pilkington he replied to one that demanded of him by what authority he held the poll, By order of the Common Hall, which was the supreme authority in London. On these depositions an order was made for sending for the two sheriffs to attend them in the afternoon, where they defended themselves so ill that 'twas believed they would have been sent to the Tower, but, they having been there so lately, the Council took bail for them. Now they are bound each in 1,000l. recognizance and have given in 10 sureties bound in 500l. apiece that they shall appear to answer all such things as shall be laid against them by the Attorney-General. (Names of the sureties.)
To-day Sheriff Pilkington invites all his bail to dinner and at 3 this afternoon one of the Clerks of the Council comes to take their bonds.
The body of Lord Berkeley, who died on board the Tiger, being brought hither, will be interred at Twickenham.
At Dover two Mayors are chosen but Capt. Roberts and Mr. Denen are come to the King to decide the difference.
The Earl of Sunderland was by his Majesty's command on the 20th readmitted a Privy Councillor. [3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital, News-letters, Original, 2, No. 45.]
Sept. 21.
Whitehall.
Warrants for commissions during pleasure to William, Marquess of Queensberry and to Andrew White, major of the Earl of Mar's regiment, to be governor and lieut.-governor respectively of Edinburgh Castle. [S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 382 and p. 385.]
Sept. 21.
Whitehall.
Commissions to the said Marquess and the said Andrew White to be captain and lieutenant respectively of the foot company in garrison in Edinburgh Castle. [Ibid. p. 384 and p. 387.]
Sept. 21.
Whitehall.
The King to the States General of the United Provinces. Letters credential for James Kennedy appointed Conservator of the privileges of the Scotch merchants there and Resident for Scotch affairs. [French. Ibid. p. 388.]
Sept. 21.
Whitehall.
Similar letters in favour of James Kennedy to the Marquis de Grana, governor of the Spanish Netherlands, and to the Maréchal d'Humieres, governor of the French conquests in the Spanish Netherlands. [The first in Latin, the second in French. Ibid. pp. 389, 390.]
Sept. 21.
Whitehall.
Warrant for a charter to Patrick McKie of Auchleane, his heirs and assigns, of the ten merkland of Auchleane in the parochin and shirefdome of Wigton, which formerly pertained to Alexander McCulloch of Drummorall and Margaret Gordon, his spouse, and are now fallen into his Majesty's hands by reason of recognition, with a new gift and a change of the holding from simple ward to taxt ward. [Docquet. Ibid. p. 391.]
Sept. 21.
Whitehall.
Warrant for a charter to David Cairnes, portioner of Luthrie, his heirs and assigns, of the lands of Baledmouth and other lands in the shirefdome of Fife, which pertained to David Young of Kirktoun or James Young, his son, and now are fallen into his Majesty's hands by reason of recognition, with a proviso that the said Cairnes give a back bond that he, being paid the debts, principal and interest, and expenses owing to him for himself and as having right from Sir David Arnett of that ilk and others by the said David and James Young or either of them, with the expenses of this gift, shall be holden to denude himself of the surplus benefit of this gift in favour of the other creditors. [Docquet. S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 392.]
Sept. 21.
Whitehall.
Protection in the new form to John Maxwell of Mebie for two years. [Ibid. p. 393.]
Sept. 21.
Whitehall.
Memorials of protections in the new form to — Campbell of Crunan, — Cant, Lady Comiestoun, John Maxwell, merchant in Paisley, and James Barclay of Abernait for two years respectively. [Ibid. pp. 394, 395.]
Friday,
Sept. 22.
The Earl of Nottingham, Lord Chancellor, to Secretary Jenkins. The advice given and, as I think, agreed on was that the serjeant should only summon him to attend the King and not offer to seize his person but in case of refusal. Had this advice been followed, there had been no occasion for the present question, for, when a man is not taken into custody, there can be no pretence for a Habeas Corpus, but, since a contrary course has been followed, it is not to be doubted there is as much to have a Habeas Corpus directed to a serjeant at arms as to any other gaoler, and the law was always so long before the new Act, though the execution and return of the writ was not so speedy. Nor does this prevent the examination of the prisoner but hastens it, for he may be examined, as soon as he is brought before the judge, by him or any officer of State who shall be directed to be present, nor can the judge use any delay in this matter above three days. I have not yet seen the judge, but, when he comes, I shall be of the same opinion. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 96.]
Sept. 22.
10 p.m. St. Albans.
John Ramsey, serjeant at arms, to Secretary Jenkins. By my last I gave an account how I met with the Duke and troubled Mr. Wynne next morning with a few lines that he might acquaint you how slily Sir Thomas Armstrong was gone for London, who tonight has brought hither a writ of Habeas Corpus from Justice Raymond, which to the best of my judgment is within the intention of that Act and so not to be disobeyed. I had intended to come hence in the Duke's coach, which with those of two other of his friends meets him here, but, thinking it necessary to send this messenger for instructions, I will ride the rest of the way and call for the bearer at the Gatehouse at Highgate, in hopes there to receive your commands. His Grace tells me he will not go hence till 8, so that 10 may be esteemed a good hour for the messenger's return to Highgate, but, lest they may move earlier to prevent my instructions, of which they are not however to my knowledge the least suspicious, I beg he may be dispatched as soon as possible. [Ibid. No. 97.]
Sept. 22.
Baguley.
Edward Legh to Secretary Jenkins. I received your letter by the messenger. As I live at a considerable distance from the places where the Duke of Monmouth has been I cannot give you the account which some of my fellow Justices may have done. Only, when he came to Dunham on Thursday, the 14th, I heard he dined there and received a splendid entertainment. He stayed there all night, most of which time, 'tis said, was spent in dancing. (About his dining with Mr. Booth and going to Gawsworth.) At Dunham, I am certainly informed, few of the county gentry were with him, for I heard of none except Sir John Crewe, Nathaniel and Henry Booth and Mr. Ashton of Ashley. Some considerable numbers of the common people, they say, were there, whose manner it is to come to great houses at such meetings to see sights. I could not send for some that were there to examine them, because they lived so far off. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 98.]
Sept. 22.
Leftwich.
Leftwich Oldfield to Secretary Jenkins. I received on the 18th by Mr. Saywell his Majesty's commands in yours of the 15th and return by the same messenger the examinations of 11 persons (giving their names). Had not liberty been given by the question of other occurrences at the close of the 4 interrogatories, it would have been very difficult to have gained any material account of proceedings here and, though many things in the depositions seem trifling by themselves, yet imagining they may give light or piece to some other evidence, I could not omit them. [Ibid. No. 99.]
Sept. 22. Deposition of Samuel Seward and Stephen Hackluite of Leominster that immediately after the dissolution of the Oxford Parliament they heard John Dutton Colt say that the Duke of York was a Papist and that, before any such Papist dog as he should be successor to the Crown, he himself would be hanged at his own door and also that he would venture his life and fortune to prevent the same. [Ibid. No. 100.]
Sept. 23.
Chester Castle.
Sir Geoffrey Shakerley to Secretary Jenkins. In pursuance of his Majesty's commands in yours of the 15th I have with the other gentlemen of the county you wrote to done my utmost to answer his expectation. The transactions about that affair are sent by the messenger.
His Majesty having given me his commission for governor of this castle and to command the garrison by myself or deputy, I have constituted my son Peter deputy, which I hope will be acceptable. Capt. Nott with his company arrived here this morning and are received into this castle. [Ibid. No. 101.]
Sept. 23.
Chester Castle.
Peter Shakerley to Secretary Jenkins. Again expressing his uneasiness at not having heard of the receipt of his letter of the 11th.
The enclosed is my friend's account of what he gathered from certain intelligencers in Macclesfield and elsewhere, as he went the visitation circuit, being a proctor in the spiritual court. You may rely on it for truth. I directed my kinsman, Leftwich Oldfield, and Mr. Saywell to Oliver Lime, an honest gentleman in Liverpool, from whom I endeavoured an account when I was there, but Mr. Lewis and others attended me so diligently I could not get it. Two stories were affirmed to me for truth. At Nantwich, his Grace being on horseback ready to come away for Chester, the women of the town flocked about him so that happy she esteemed herself who could but attain to kiss his horse's tail, but an elderly woman had the good luck to get a kiss of his knee and looking up at him cried, Ah pray God in heaven bless you; you are so like your father that I am sure you are no bastard.
The other is. Tom Whitley of Aston, Col. Whitley's elder brother's son, being at Wallasey was drunk to the Duke of Monmouth's health, which he readily pledged, and immediately drank to the same person the Duke of York's health, which he refusing to pledge, says Tom, If thou'll not take my Duke, take thou thine again, and so, putting his finger in his mouth, threw him out on him.
To-day Sir George Jeffreys comes here. So will Capt. Nott and his company, they quartering last night but 5 miles out of town. (About his being made deputy governor by his father.) [The enclosure referred to appears to be PH's letter of the 21st: see ante, p. 415.] [1¼ page. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 102.]
Sept. 23.
Chester Castle.
Peter Shakerley to [O. Wynne ?]. Some think Lord Derby will return, but others have some doubts of it whilst the militia in this county continued in so bad order and 20 barrels of powder, removed from the castle by his order, being the ammunition for the county, are lodged in a weak place in this city. I forgot in my letter by this post to acquaint Sir Leoline with this. [Ibid. No. 103.]
Sept. 23.
Chester.
Five Justices of Chester to Secretary Jenkins. Pursuant to his Majesty's command signified in his letter of the 15th sending up by the messenger several depositions about the disorders there at or since the Duke of Monmouth's coming. [Ibid. No. 104.]
Sept. 23.
5 p.m. Chester.
Sir Robert Leicester and 7 other Justices of Cheshire to Secretary Jenkins. His Majesty's commands in yours of the 15th we received by Mr. Saywell, in obedience whereto the examinations herewith, all we could gather in the short time. Though we have sometimes varied from the interrogatories, yet we found we could not otherwise have sent any considerable account and we are apprehensive that more yet lies hid than at present appears, for we find most people unwilling or afraid to give proof of what they know, being strangely influenced by their terror on the hectoring and riotous proceedings, wherein all sorts of Fanatics concurred with inexpressible boldness, bringing a strange awe on many and shaking the allegiance of others. In the meantime how requisite it may be to render our militia useful by calling them together some times, at least once a year or at this juncture, as likewise of what dangerous consequence it may prove to suffer the gentry heading and promoting such tumultuous meetings to ride so armed as they do with their retinues as also to keep such quantities of arms, as some are reported to have, though we can get no positive proof, we submit to his Majesty's wisdom. We shall not fail to give you a speedy and faithful account of any further notable occurrences and shall behave in all things as becomes our duty.
As to our militia, we wrote about the middle of August to the Earl of Derby for raising it, being suspicious that at the Duke of Monmouth's coming there might be some riots. All the deputy lieutenants signed the letter but three, viz., Sir Richard Brook, Mr. Nathaniel Booth and Sir Willoughby Aston (and Sir Robert Cotton, who was then out of the country). The sum of it was to acquaint him with the state of our militia and what we then judged necessary to make it useful, but he gave us no answer but that he would consider of it and from that time to this we have heard nothing. The Act allows the deputies, as we conceive, little or no authority, while the Lord Lieutenant resides in his lieutenancy, so we hope his Majesty will order what he expects to be done, for since the last muster we have had alterations in both the county and the city, but the militia has not met in either that the officers might better undertake and know their charge, some of whom have at present no commissions. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 105.]
Sept. 23. — to Capt. John Clerke. I have not yet discovered myself mistaken in any particular of my last, save that what I doubtfully spoke of the Duke's lodging on the Wednesday at Sir Willoughby Aston's proves false, for he lay that night at Rocksavage and on Thursday went to Dunham, where something remarkable passed, which is that, as he sat at meat, the doors were set open and the rabble suffered not only to gaze into the room but to come in and view the Duke, entering at one door and going out at another, and so the mobile passed and repassed the greatest part of dinner. I am likewise told, but have it not for certain, that the names of the most considerable people that came thither were taken in writing. Thence he went on Friday to dine with Henry Booth where there dined 41 (I tremble to remember that fatal number) at the best table, whereof about 10 were women, and there likewise was liberty given to such a proportion of the rest as the capacity of the place would reasonably admit to come in and walk and stand about the table, whilst the rest without doors shouted, A Monmouth, a Monmouth! After dinner the Duke danced and that day Mr. Booth's servants wore the Duke's colours in their cravats. The entertainment being over, but not the whoopings of the people, he departed for Gawsworth. As he passed through Knutsford, the streets were strewn with sand and flowers, sure to make his station more pleasant whilst he received a treat from Harrison, a feltmaker, and, as he rode along the way, which was for the most part lined with great numbers, some were sent before to instruct them how to know him and the gentlemen that rode with him frequently called on them to shout, in which they were forward enough. When the Earl of Macclesfield sent to the young men to play at prison bars, he promised them a piece of plate to play for. The Duke came out to see the sport, but stayed not long. Some persons, but unknown, among the crowd were heard to say they would not have a Papist to inherit and that they would venture their lives for the Duke of Monmouth, yet, notwithstanding this and the riots on the other side of the county, there was on this, that I can hear of, not so much as a single breach of the peace amongst them. The Earl of Macclesfield invited a considerable number of his neighbours and tenants to wait on the Duke last Monday as far as Congleton, where the Duke and his friends received an entertainment from the Mayor and likewise the compliment of having the streets strewn with sand as at Knutsford. Thence he went to dinner at Madely Manor. It was observed that the greatest part of the gentlemen of the country, who attended him while at Gawsworth, not only rode with sword and pistols themselves, though many of them were not wont to do so, but were attended by more servants than their accustomed number, all accoutred as well as their masters. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 106.]
Sept. 23. The examination of Jacob Pattison. One that goes by the name of James Carroll at his house on the 22nd at night began to discourse of a plot he had discovered in Ireland and that thereby he had preserved the lives of all in his company as well as this whole kingdom and he likewise told the examinant that within a month a disturbance or rising would happen in the City of London. [Ibid. No. 107.]
[Sept. 23 ?] Narrative describing the cold reception of the Duke of Monmouth at Lichfield and his warm reception at Stone, Nantwich and Chester, as in other letters.
Going from Wallasey to Liverpool, a man brought a child into the boat, which had the evil, to be touched by the Duke and he laid his hand on it and said, God bless you. (About his reception at Liverpool and other places, as in previous letters.)
When he was taken he sent Sir T. Armstrong post for London, who met him at St. Albans and brought a lord with him, which lord came with the Duke to London in a little chariot. [23 Sept.] Endorsed, "Mr. Shakerley's private advice." [Ibid. No. 108.]
Sept. 23. Secretary Jenkins to the Earl of Yarmouth. The news in your letter to his Majesty, which I presented to him this morning, was very welcome. He commanded me to give you his hearty thanks for your care and conduct in relation to the city of Norwich; I say the good of that city, for so he reckons the surrendering of their charter to be, he being resolved to abridge them in nothing, but to grant them everything that is for their good, and, if he retrench them in anything, it will be only in those things that do the community no good and yet breed disturbance to the public and are dangerous to the peace of the kingdom. With all my heart I congratulate with you in this happy success. The thing in itself is not only good service to the Crown and great reputation to you, but the example is of universal influence on all corporations. His Majesty has been so busy all this day that he has not been at liberty to spare one minute for less public affairs than those before him. I hope with Tuesday's post to give you an account of what is to be done further. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 139.]
Sept. 23.
Whitehall.
The King to the Marquess of Queensberry, Treasurer Principal, John Drummond of Lundin, Treasurer Deput, and the remanent lords and others of the Exchequer of Scotland. Warrant, after reciting the warrants of 13 Aug., 1679, and 4 March, 1680–1 (calendared in S.P. Dom., 1679–80, p. 217, and in S.P. Dom., 1680–81, p. 197), for causing the heirs and executors of Sir William Steward of Kirkhill to subscribe a back bond, according to the tenor of the said two warrants, for being comptable for the benefit of the escheat of John Steward of Kettlestoun, his uncle, notwithstanding the answer formerly sent to the said two warrants. [S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 395.]
Sept. 23.
Whitehall.
Protection in the new form to Sir Donald Macdonald of Slaite for two years. [Ibid. p. 396.]
Sept. 23.
Greenwich.
Sir William Hooker to Secretary Jenkins. Informing him that James Carroll was brought before him on a drunken quarrel, whom he found to be a discoverer of plots and fit for that purpose, as he was poor and could easily swear what should be dictated to him, and desiring his opinion whether he should punish him or let him go. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 109.]
Sept. 24. The information of Capt. Michael Browne of Hampton Wafer, Herefordshire. About 3 weeks before the sitting of the Oxford Parliament the informant several times heard Thomas Coningesby of Hampton Court in Herefordshire and John Dutton Colt of Leominster say that every member would come very nobly attended to Oxford with good horses and arms, and thereupon Coningesby asked the deponent, his brother-in-law, to lend him his pistols and said he would furnish his servants with arms of his own, which would do good execution, if the King should bring any of his guards there to disturb them. A letter afterwards came, as the deponent believes, by post from Oxford directed to Ferdinando Gorges at Hampton Court, which came to Coningesby's wife, who is daughter of the said Gorges. She opened it and said it was her husband's handwriting and read it to the deponent. The purport was that, instead of sitting like a free Parliament of England, he thought they sat more like a company of slaves in a garrison and the King was come to town with all his red coats. He further said that he thought, if ever they, meaning the Guards, were routed, it would be before the then Parliament went from Oxford, the said Coningesby then declaring before the said Colt that the King's Guards were the greatest grievance of the nation, to all which the said Colt seemed to the deponent to consent.
In the said letter he further wrote that he thought to confront the said Guards at Oxford there would be in 8 or 10 days gentlemen and farmers out of all the counties of England to the number of 2,000 at their own charges to assist the Parliament, if needful, and that he thought that every Parliament man, one with another, had five followers or servants no worse fitted with horses and arms than their masters.
The said Coningesby and Colt at their return from Oxford after the dissolution of the Parliament railed against the King and Queen and said that the Duke of York, the Marquess of Worcester, Lord Halifax, the Lord Chancellor, Sir L. Jenkins, Lord Hyde, Mr. Seymour and several others had given the King evil counsel and further said that it would not be long before the King was necessitated to call another Parliament, which, they hoped, would be quick enough for the King and his pocky cavaliers the next time they sat, being well assured the King should repent him of his dissolving of Parliaments, but the next Parliament, Colt said, he was sure would not be so served.
Some short time after the dissolution of the last Parliament there was a private cabal at Hampton Court appointed by Col. John Birch, who failed to appear, but there were at it the said Thomas Coningesby, Sir Edward Harley, Paul Foley and John Dutton Colt, and at dinner, before they went in private to their cabal, they discoursed concerning Lord Scudamore, how timorous he was that morning Lord Shaftesbury visited him at his lodgings at Oxford, after the King had dissolved the Parliament, where all or most of the Parliament men of Herefordshire were present to wait on Lord Shaftesbury, who told them, as they said then, that he thought them all gentlemen of interest in their county and that it now behoved them all every man to make haste to his own home and to acquaint all poor countrymen in what a sad condition they were, if they did not stand up for such a Parliament as this was, who had so vigorously stood up for them, with their lives and fortunes, and that he further said that he thought there would be something to do in England before another Parliament sat and that those members, though dissolved, should take upon them the peace and government of their several counties and that he hoped to see them all commission officers, nominating Lord Scudamore, Col. Birch and Sir Edward Harley for colonels, and Thomas Coningesby, Paul Foley and John Dutton Colt for captains. On this discourse Lord Scudamore then asked the Earl from whom he should have his commission, who answered, from those who had power in their hands to do it. Lord Scudamore thereupon said he would never fight against the laws of the land and told the said Earl that, though he had given his vote against the Duke of York in the two last Parliaments, yet, if he should be so unfortunate as to lose the King, he would never lift up his hand against his brother. On this answer of Lord Scudamore's the said Coningesby, Harley, Foley and Colt discoursed that he was a person of a poor or low spirit or words to the same effect.
Some time after the dissolution of the last Parliament the said Sir Edward Harley, Coningesby, Foley and Colt being at Hampton Court, Sir Edward said that he thought this nation had already suffered too much slavery and injustice by being tyrannized over by those great persons that his Majesty entrusted in so weighty a concern and declared there was not, as he believed, one Lord Lieutenant or militia officer in England but what was a damned Papist, naming the Marquess of Worcester, Lord Peterborough and several others, and then further said that, if they (meaning the last Parliament) had been so fortunate as to have sat but three months, they would have reformed all the officers in all public employments in England, to which words of Sir Edward's the said Coningesby, Foley and Colt consented and unanimously approved of, and then further said that, if they had but so much as dreamt of so sudden a dissolution, they would have been better provided, for they were sure that the hearts and hands of all the countrymen in England would have peaceably assisted them. [6 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 110.]
Sept. 25.
Ingestre.
W. Chetwynd to [Secretary Jenkins]. I had yours by last post and am glad none of my letters miscarried. The enquiry arose from an information that about 10 days since several letters were found on the road not far from hence, which were lost by the Stone postboy.
I am at present confined to my chamber and have no other intelligence than common report. What happened lately at Stafford you will know from Serjeant Ramsey and the Mayor. The late hurry has caused such a fermentation in these parts as will, I fear, not suddenly be allayed and has given such encouragement and advantages to the other party that, should his Majesty call a Parliament shortly, I fear we should make but an ill choice in these parts. The borough of Newcastle invited the Duke and declared themselves unanimously his servants and, though the Mayor and aldermen of Stafford are (most of them) truly loyal, yet the inferior burgesses so far outnumber them that my old fellow member Sir T. Armstrong may with reason expect to carry the election there against all opposition. I am told that corporation have resolved to surrender their charter, if his Majesty shall think it worth sending for, otherwise not. [3 pages. Ibid. No. 111.]
Sept. 25.
Chester.
Sir George Jeffreys to Secretary Jenkins. I received the commission of Oyer and Terminer and since that yours of the 21st. I arrived here last Saturday and was welcomed by most of the loyal gentlemen of the county and imparted yours to the loyal gentlemen of the county, which was very grateful, and the commission came here in the nick of time. I ordered precepts to the sheriffs of the city to prepare a Grand Jury against to-morrow and hope give you a good account per next. I expect some dispute betwixt the Mayor, the Recorder and myself about the extent of the commission, they being very unwilling that any stranger should intermeddle in their late disorders, to which they themselves so much contributed, especially the Mayor and Alderman Streete, who, I could have wished, had not been in the commission, by reason he is a pestilently troublesome fellow. The greater part, I hope, are of our side. The parsons yesterday did their parts, for which I gave them public thanks, which, I hear, has offended the Mayor. I wish you all good success on Friday. My house is yours. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 112.]
Sept. 25.
Chester Castle.
Peter Shakerley to Secretary Jenkins. Your letter by last post has extinguished my doubts of my letter's miscarriage. I'll do my best to send what gleanings I can, but, having writ you last post the best additional account I could get and having also seen some collections sent you by Mr. Saywell, I believe the harvest has been so clean that it is not worth while to delay the thrashing. As for the bill you mention, I wholly exclude it from my thoughts.
I am credibly told that Lord Colchester with a very extraordinary deep sigh expressed his grief when he heard the sudden cause of his Grace's departure from Stafford and the Whigs here seem much disheartened by it. (Sending the names of five justices or deputylieutenants and of T. Whitley, the colonel's eldest son, who is captain of a militia company in Wales, who took part in the Duke's reception.) [Ibid. No. 113.]
Sept. 25.
Stafford.
Sampson Byrch, Mayor, to [Secretary Jenkins]. This town being incorporated by the name of Mayor and Burgesses, a number of the inferior burgesses went the 17th to the Earl of Macclesfield's to the Duke of Monmouth without my privity or consent. What passed there I know not. The 18th one of them came back and told me the Duke remembered his love to his friends in Stafford and that Lord Brandon and Sir T. Armstrong would be in Stafford on the 19th, and said their coming was to find the inclination of the town and how affected to treat the Duke and he was urgent with me to prepare a public entertainment for him, which I positively refused. After I had ended the courts held here the 18th, I went to attend and blood Mr. Chetwynd of Ingestre and stayed with him all that night and returned not home next day, because I would not be in the way of Lord Brandon and Sir Thomas, but instead of them came a Mr. Marshall to my house and left me word from the Duke that he would come through Stafford on the 20th and desired to see me then. I being not at home, Mr. Marshall went to Ingestre and told Mr. Chetwynd the message he had left for me, which he should of right have delivered to myself. I was gone from Ingestre that 19th to visit another gentleman and promised to return there next morning and then Mr. Chetwynd related to me what Mr. Marshall had said from the Duke. My wife sent me word the morning of the 20th that the vulgarity of the town threatened to make my house and windows pay for the absence of the Tory Mayor, so by Mr. Chetwynd's advice I returned home, both to secure the peace of the town and to make due observations of persons and passages and to avoid being rude to the Duke, our High Steward. When I came home, Serjeant Ramsey sent to speak with me at a private gentleman's house, when he took me aside and told me his business and enjoined my secrecy as well as my assistance, if needful, which I promised him. He would appear in the public room to the Duke and the rest, so I went with my staff and the mace to the door, where the Duke, our High Steward, was to come, and moved a little further in the street to meet him. I did my obeisance to him and he put me to go before him into the room, where I spoke the words in the enclosed paper. When I spoke of abhorring the traitorous association, he said all good men should abhor it too. Then I drank a health to the King, as the Duke desired me, which he pledged and prayed God to bless his Majesty. Immediately after this Serjeant Ramsey came in and produced his warrant, at sight whereof the noise of the place was abated. I placed the three constables at the door to keep all quiet, so all present were peaceable and calm for ought I can say.
The most remarkable persons that came with the Duke were Lord Brandon and his brother, Sir Thomas Bellott, Sir John and Sir Richard Corbett, Sir John Crewe, Sir Thomas Armstrong, Mr. William Forrester, Mr. Charlton, and of Staffordshire gentlemen Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. Offley, Mr. Edwin Skrimsher, Mr. William Crompton, Mr. Unwin, Mr. William Nabbs, Mr. Thomas Foden an attorney, Mr. William Southall and Mr. Peplow, the fanatical parson of Penkridge, besides the men of Stafford, which were very numerous and as many as could procure horses (except all the best rank of loyal men of the town, which refused to ride out or contribute to the treat). The treat was biscuits, wine, neats' tongues, anchovies, pickled oysters and sturgeon. It was promoted by John Wilson and William Feake, deputy steward to the Duke, and by their order a collection was made of many the inferior inhabitants without my knowledge or appointment. The bells rang and bonfires were made notwithstanding my command to the contrary. The rabble maintained them. Two loose young ruffians beat drums. I commanded them to stop. They, encouraged by the crowd, beat a second and a third time. The noise and number of the vulgarity I am not able to relate, but I have watched my house each night since.
I have moved our brotherhood formerly and last Saturday to give up our charter as a voluntary offering to his Majesty, the violation whereof I am sufficiently conscious of and have been long so, to which they returned that, if he signified his desire to have it so, they would obey, else they were not forward to offer it, because there would be charges in procuring a new one. [The enclosure referred to is presumably that calendared ante, p. 413.] [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 114.]
[Sept. 25.] John Ramsey, serjeant at arms, to Secretary Jenkins. The Duke has counsel that met him, who will not suffer him to go to any place but Judge Raymond's chamber, to which the writ immediately directs. I have been arguing as to the indifference of it, but nothing will serve them but a compliance. I, not being able by any arguments to overrule this obstinacy, would not suffer his Grace longer to stay here, but have carried him to Judge Raymond's chambers where I wait till I may be enabled to execute your commands. [Ibid. No. 115.]
Sept.
17–25.
Memoranda by Serjeant Ramsey of his journey to the North. 17th in the morning I went from London and that night came to Coventry. 18th. I received from Sir Robert Townsend and others a relation of the riot there. Afterwards I went to Lichfield. 19th. Being informed by my messengers of his Grace's being at Trentham I went that night to Stone. It being confirmed by a messenger of my own and by many other hands that his Grace had sent to Stafford that he would next day accept of an entertainment they had invited him to, the 20th I went to Stafford, to which I observed him come with a great crowd of gentlemen mounted and of the mobile on foot, crying, A Monmouth, a Monmouth. As soon as he had alighted and was receiving the compliments of the company I went and did my duty according to my warrant, leaving it to him to make it public or not. But he disposed to the first and, having demanded a copy of the warrant and that allowed him, he caused it to be read aloud in the company. He, I observed, twice evaded giving submission to the warrant in direct words, but, when I again urged it, he submitted. (Names of people with him, mostly the same as in the last letter.)
20th. That night I returned with the Duke and many of the said gentlemen to Coleshill. 21st. Coming through Coventry, notwithstanding all possible care beforehand to prevent a tumult, a rabble to the number of 6 or 700 met on a sudden, waiting on him through the town, Mr. Hopkins, late member for that city, being with him, crying out, A Monmouth, and so that night we lodged at Towcester. 22nd. We came to St. Albans, where I was met by Sir T. Armstrong with a writ of Habeas Corpus and that night came thither Lord Grey. 23rd. I found the Duke had sent away Mr. Rowe early, who with Mr. Thompson met us at Kentish Town, and so we came to London, his Grace being constantly attended by the company that came up with him, viz., Lord Grey, Sir T. Armstrong, Mr. Leveson Gower, Capt. Gower, Mr. Offley, Mr. Charlton, junior, Mr. Cutts, Mr. Forrester and Mr. Rowe, and was visited that day by the Earl of Shaftesbury, Lord Herbert, Lord Russell, Mr. Charlton, senior, and others unknown to me, Mr. Thompson still continuing with him, and that night he came to my house. 24th, He was visited by Capt. Philip Howard, Mr. Poultney, Mr. Baker, Sir T. Player, Mr. Overton, Col. Godfrey, Lord Houghton, Sir W. Scott, Col. Tulmach, Mr. Frampton, Mr. Charles Chetwynd, Mr. How and others unknown. 25th. That morning he was visited by Capt. Gibbs and most of the above persons. That morning I carried him before Mr. Justice Raymond and there charged him with both my warrants from Mr. Secretary and, having made a return to the Habeas Corpus of both the warrants, his Grace gave bail by two recognizances, one to answer the riot, the other to keep the peace.—The Duke himself in 10,000l. in each recognizance, the Earl of Clare, Lord Russell, Lord Grey, Mr. Leveson Gower and Mr. John Offley in 2,000l. in each recognizance. [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 116.]
Sept. 25. Return by Serjeant Ramsey to the writ of Habeas Corpus, citing the two warrants of 16 and 23 Sept., with note of the bail, one recognizance being to appear in the King's Bench the first day of next Michaelmas term. [3 pages. Ibid. No. 117.]
Sept. 25.
Whitehall.
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of James, Earl of Arran, and Theophilus Oglethorp for a grant of the estate of James Forbes, late rector of Duloe, Cornwall, a bastard, who died intestate, having neither wife nor child. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 206.]
Sept. 25.
Whitehall.
Reference to the Commissioners for Ecclesiastical Promotions of the petition of Charles Montague for a mandate to Trinity College, Cambridge, to elect him into one of the two Fellowships now void. [Ibid.]
Sept. 26.
London.
Sir John Moore, Lord Mayor, to Secretary Jenkins. Enclosing a copy of what was presented to the Court of Aldermen that day by many hundreds of citizens, as they call themselves (few of them being known to the Court), offering the same things their former papers had done. The Court gave their former answer and, after their speaker, Pickett a dyer, had spent some time, he flew out into unbecoming language. I commanded him to forbear and to withdraw and so they did. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 118.] Enclosed,
The said paper addressed to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen.
The citizens of this city have made frequent applications, particularly the 5th, 12th and 14th instant, that right may be done them in calling Thomas Papillon and John Dubois to enter into bonds and take on them the office of sheriffs, to which they were duly elected. Instead of granting such just requests and demands, your lordship and part of the court seem to endeavour to put Mr. North and Mr. Rich into the office, though neither of them were ever elected. We therefore mind you that your lordship and every alderman are bound by your oaths to maintain the rights and privileges, of this city and we conceive that, if you and this court shall administer the oath of sheriffs to North and Rich directly contrary to the suffrages of the three Common Halls, it will be the most notorious violation of the ancient and known rights and privileges of this city that has ever been committed by any Lord Mayor and aldermen. Therefore we again in behalf of ourselves and fellow citizens request and of right demand that your lordship and this court cause the said Papillon and Dubois to be called to take upon them the said office. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 118 i.]
Sept. 26. Dr. John Lloyd to Secretary Jenkins. Informing him of his election to the office of Vice-Chancellor for the following year.— I was under great assurances when I went for the country from my lord of Oxon, Mr. Vice-Chancellor and indeed from the person himself that was designed for the place that I was secure at least for this year. Had I had the least thought things would prove as they have done, I would have desired your assistance in getting me excused. [Ibid. No. 119.]
Sept. 26.
Whitehall.
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of Abraham Carter praying that, he having married Madam Civell, to whom a great arrear was due, and his Majesty having ordered payment of 450l., part thereof, which is not yet paid, and his wife having since died for want of bread and himself being in a very poor condition and in debt by her, his Majesty would order payment of that sum or that he may be otherwise provided for. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 207.]
Sept. 26.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to the Earl of Yarmouth. His Majesty leaves it wholly to your discretion and to that of the citizens of Norwich to make the surrender of their charter at such time and place as may be most convenient for them. One thing may not be amiss to advertize you of, that the town of Nottingham made a surrender which proved afterwards insufficient for want of a clause passing their lands by way of grant to the King to the end that he might grant the same to them again. This was not perceived till the other day and, now that the blot is hit, the town is put to the trouble of going through all the offices and passing the seals again. I now enclose the last form of surrender that all the King's counsel agreed to in order to set the Nottingham men right again. You may compare it with that I sent them and, if the first be not full to the purpose, as I am afraid it is not, you may get another surrender passed again, for 'tis good to be sure in such things. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 141.]
Sept. 26. Secretary Jenkins to the Earl of Derby. His Majesty is informed that 20 barrels of powder, part of the ammunition of the county palatine of Chester, are removed out of Chester Castle, where they were lodged, to a place in the city not in several respects so convenient, I beseech you in a line or two to enable me to give his Majesty an account whether this was done by your order and, if so, on what reasons. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 141.]
Sept. 26. Secretary Jenkins to the Duke of Newcastle. His Majesty, having been informed that great disorders are broken out at Nottingham and that the public peace is in danger to meet with more and more violences, desires you to give all effectual orders you can to quiet that place and that you would remove to your castle at Nottingham till this disorder be over. [Ibid.]
Tuesday,
Sept. 26. London.
Newsletter to Roger Garstell, Newcastle. The Duke of Monmouth, having been taken into custody at Stafford by Serjeant Ramsey, came to town last Saturday and was immediately visited by the Earls of Essex and Shaftesbury, Lord Russell, &c., who forthwith went with the Duke to Judge Dolben to give bail, but the Judge desired till Monday to consider thereof, after which the Serjeant carried him to his house in York Buildings in the Strand and went to Whitehall and acquainted Secretary Jenkins therewith and then returned to the Duke, showing him an order from the Secretary to bring him to that office, but he refused to go, alleging that, as he was a peer, the Secretary had neither power to commit nor to command him thither, unless for treason, &c.
This answer being made known, the Serjeant returned with a verbal message that his Majesty desired to speak with him, on which he immediately went, but found there Mr. Secretary only (his Majesty, the Marquess of Halifax, Mr. Seymour and others of the Council being in an adjacent apartment), who told his Grace he was commanded to examine him, which the Duke also refused and demanded if any informations, as the warrant intimated, had been sworn against him, that, if any were, he might hear them read thereby to know of what and by whom he was accused. The Secretary then withdrew and in half an hour returned and after some discourse read an information that he entered Chester with about 700 horse, where in a tumultuous manner the people cried out, A Monmouth, a Monmouth, No York, &c. Then Mr. Secretary began to interrogate, but the Duke refused to answer any of his questions, on which he told the Duke, he must find sureties to appear the first day of next term and to be of good behaviour. The Duke replied that he neither had nor intended to break his Majesty's peace and that he knew not of any crime he had committed and therefore would not find any sureties. Mr. Secretary withdrew a second time and at his return acquainted the Duke that he was discharged, but he was not so far as Whitehall Gate when a messenger took him, which he immediately obeyed and returned to the Secretary, who acquainted him that there was another warrant to take him into custody, which was done, the warrant differing from the former, this saying, for committing a riot, on which he was detained till yesterday afternoon, when on a second Habeas Corpus he was bailed by Mr. Justice Raymond, his sureties being the Earl of Clare, Lord Grey, Lord Russell, Mr. Leveson Gower and Mr. Offley.
To-day at Guildhall was another Court of Aldermen and a fifth paper presented, containing a repetition of the papers of the 5th, 12th and 14th for calling Papillon and Dubois, and they understand the Lord Mayor and some aldermen designed to impose on them North and Rich, which will be a greater violation of the City privilege than was ever offered, that the Lord Mayor and aldermen by their reiterated oaths were as much obliged to maintain the City privilege as any commoner, that they afresh demanded the calling for Papillon and Dubois and much more to that effect. Being commanded to withdraw, about half an hour after they were called in and the Lord Mayor gave them answer as formerly, that that Court would take such should take on them the office of sheriff as were duly elected, &c.
One Pickett stood up and said it was no answer at all and made a very sharp speech to the Lord Mayor, reciting their charter, how granted and how confirmed, that by that charter they had chosen Papillon and Dubois and must answer if they did ought amiss, that, if any took that office who were not duly elected, they came in as thieves and robbers, at which some halloed in commendation, others inveighed against it and all in confusion were dismissed. [Nearly 3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital, News-letters, Original, 2, No. 46.]
Sept. 26.
Whitehall.
Warrant for a patent constituting Charles, Earl of Middleton, conjunct Secretary of State for Scotland with the Earl of Moray with half of the fees, profits, benefits, casualities, liberties, privileges, dignities and immunities, which formerly belonged to the office of sole Secretary of State, excepting only the Earl of Moray's yearly pension of 1,000l. sterling, which is wholly reserved to himself. [Nearly 3 pages. S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 397.]
Sept. 26.
Whitehall.
Warrant for payment to the Earl of Perth of 300l. sterling towards defraying the charges of his late journey hither, his stay here and his return to Edinburgh about matters of great importance to the King's service. [Ibid. p. 400.]
Sept. 26.
Whitehall.
Warrant for payment to Sir George Mackenzie of Tarbett, Lord Register, and to John Drummond of Lundin, Treasurer Deput, of 200l. sterling each towards defraying the charges of their late journeys hither, their stays here and their return to Edinburgh about matters of great importance to the King's service. [Ibid. pp. 401, 402.]
Sept. 26.
Whitehall.
Warrant for a gift to Christian Hay, daughter of Col. Patrick Hay, deceased, of his escheat, ordaining that she give backbond that she, being satisfied her expenses in prosecuting the said gift and the debts and sums contained in the letters of horning therein mentioned, shall apply the benefit of the said gift, so far as may be extended to the sums recovered from the Senate of Hamburg, for the use of her mother, herself and the remanent children according to the agreements among them concerning the said sums and shall oblige herself to be accomptable to the creditors and nearest of kin to the said colonel for the remanent benefit of the said gift so far as it may comprehend any other escheatable sums or goods. [S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 402.]
Sept. 26.
Whitehall.
Protection in the new form to Lord Bamff for two years. [Ibid. p. 403.]
Sept. 26.
Whitehall.
Memorials of protections in the new form to Adam Maxwell sometime of Hiefield and — Home of Woolstruther for two years respectively. [Ibid. pp. 404, 405.]
Sept. 27.
Chester.
Thomas Cholmondeley to Secretary Jenkins. I understood it was his Majesty's pleasure to have a new commission of the peace for leaving out those that had appeared with the Duke of Monmouth, but I find none is come to our Chief Justice, which causes me to give you this trouble, conceiving that, if his Majesty continue his resolution, the sooner it is effected the better. Our quarter sessions will be 10 Oct. and, if you think fit, remind his Majesty of it, that a commission may be sent down by that time and also directions to our Lord Lieutenant that whoever his Majesty removes out of one commission may not be continued in the other. The names remain with you. What else has happened here I know you have from other hands. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 120.]
Sept. 27.
Chester.
Dr. James Arderne, Dean of Chester, to Capt. John Clarke. I am much obliged that you have well accepted and represented my endeavours to serve the King and Government. I perceive you received but two from me, whereas I wrote two on the Wednesday after the Monday I had yours and a third the following Saturday. The rest of the intelligence I bespoke is turned into evidence, being taken by Mr. Oldfield. The riot here will be tried by commission to our judges and other gentlemen this week, being our assizes, when I gave them a sermon against popularity and of this vice could find no so great instance as Absalom. We have a Grand Jury of persons of quality, amongst which above 12 are very trusty. My brother, Sir John, is foreman. They and I only dine with the judges this noon, where I intend to propose an address to his Majesty to acquit the county from favouring the Duke and his party's actions among us with a disclaimer of the least pretence of his title to succession. By a London contagion we have got here an Ignoramus jury on the riot, many refusing to find it on the only indictment exhibited by Mr. Matthew Anderton. However there is this favourable circumstance that the time allotted to that grand inquest is Thursday, being to-morrow, and then, if need be, a fresh one will be drawn at our assizes, which end not till Saturday. Our Chief Justice is very brave and resolute and in his proceedings concurs with what he said to me on my sermon that, though it was sharp, yet the time required it. [Ibid. No. 121.]
St. Michael's
Eve. [Sept. 28.] Paved Alley in St. James'.
James Harris to Secretary Jenkins. Enclosed is a letter from William Raddon to Anne Stogdell, who protests she never wrote him a letter in her life nor does she know any Daniel Parsons. By the superscription she thought it had been from my wife, but Pearce, a coffeeman by the Exchange, can testify that this Raddon wrote news to many Baptists and other Dissenters in Bristol, Devon, Dorset and Somerset for nine months from Pearce's house about the time the plot broke out and that he was very intimate with the old and young Oates. I hope any impartial loyalist will grant that such a one is neither to seek for fictitious names nor fallacious correspondents, especially since Raddon hereby apparently designs to stifle the evidence of my wife and her two sons and daughter against him. He writes that process is granted against them and I presume that Sir Thomas Putt, who was so earnest for the Exclusion Bill and against the Marquesses of Worcester and Halifax and yourself, will sway with other justices to give him credit for the present, since I acquainted Sir Thomas that he was little better than forsworn for acting against the Duke of York.
My information against Raddon has been by you these nine weeks. Pray send for Pearce, who can justify much against Raddon. My wife and myself with her two sons and daughter, being brother's children to this Raddon, can justify my information against him and Thomas Parsons, his comrade, wherefore I desire you would write to Sir Peter Prideaux, Edmund Walrond and William Drew to take recognizance from Raddon, Parsons and John Rowde, all of and near Devon, for their appearance before the Privy Council to answer my information against them. Let the appearance be as speedy as you please, I will forthwith enter into recognizance that my wife, her two sons and daughter shall appear and justify my information against Raddon and Parsons. Raddon writes there shall be hues and cries against me in England and Wales, but you know that I lodge in Paved Alley and, if any new inventions of Raddon be certified to you, I shall wait on you at the least word. Rouse and Capt. Alexander still threaten and will be animating the mobile these two days, in which time they may be easily secured, if you grant your warrant. I durst engage my life they may be taken.
Mrs. Stogdell will wait on you when you please and will make oath that she never wrote to Raddon in her life and never received any letter from him save the enclosed. [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 122.] Enclosed,
W. Raddon to [Anne Stogdell]. Private affairs. I desire you to pay Henry Snook, a castor maker at the Three Hats in Tooley Street, 40s., that is 21 s. 6d. for a hat sent for my wife to William Browne in Honiton, which he is not to part with without the money be paid him or we have Snook's order to him. My daughter, who is about 16, wants a good castor hat of about 18s. price, which will be but 40s., carriage and all. Sept. 23, Stockland. [2 pages. Ibid. No. 122 i.]
Sept. 28.
[Received.]
Minute to Secretary Jenkins for a letter to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen. His Majesty, being satisfied that the Mayor and Aldermen ought to present all new elect mayors to him before they be sworn or admitted, expects they should do their duty herein and accordingly requires them to present to him the person chosen to be Mayor. On their application to the Lord Chancellor he will let them know the time when his Majesty will be waited on. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 123.]
Sept. 28.
Lincoln.
Thomas Kent and Stephen Lodington, sheriffs, to the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer. Informing them that they had appointed Walter Wallinger and Joseph Cranmer their attorneys to render their accounts as sheriffs on the morrow of Michaelmas. [Latin. On parchment. S.P. Dom., Car. II. Case G, No. 16.]
Sept. 28.
Whitehall.
The King to the Governors of the Charterhouse. Whereas by letters of 28 Feb. last we recommended Erasmus Henry Dryden to be elected and admitted one of the children of that foundation, on the first vacancy, and whereas other letters of 12 July last have been procured in behalf of Henry, son of William Levett, directing that he be elected on the next vacancy notwithstanding any letters formerly obtained for the like places, we never intended by these last letters to prejudice the former grant to Dryden, who, if Levett be preferred before him, will in all probability be superannuated before another place in our disposal be void, and therefore our pleasure is that you elect and admit the said Dryden one of the children of that foundation on the first vacancy in our disposal notwithstanding the said letters of 12 July last or any other letters or orders for any other whatsoever. [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Entry Book 53, p. 512.]
Sept. 28.
Whitehall.
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of Henry Howard and the report thereon of the Lord Deputy on the reference to him [calendared ante, p. 216] dated 22 June as follows, that he had referred the matter to William Robinson, Surveyor General, Capt. William Wright, commander of the Portsmouth yacht, and James Tanner, surveyor of this port for the Farmers, whose report he transmits, with which he fully agrees, and, in regard the City of Dublin alleges that the soil of the whole strand to the bar of Dublin has been formerly granted to the said city, he is of opinion that the petitioner should make agreement with the city in that particular to which, as he is informed, the city is inclined. Enclosed,
The said report certifying that the harbour of Dublin has for many years suffered great damage by throwing gravel into the river and by the irregular taking of ballast therein and especially within these few years the shipowners, being under no restriction, have taken their ballast from the south bank of Salmon Pool, which bank receiving the strength of the ebb tides, the sand being made loose by digging the bank is carried downward and lodged in Poolbeg and on the bar, insomuch that the said bar has increased almost 2 feet in height in the last 6 years and the pool become so shallow that ships of small burthen ground at low water, where less than 10 years ago ships of 400 tons have lain afloat, all which damage daily increasing in this and all other harbours round this kingdom, 'twill certainly ruin the same, if not suddenly prevented, which, they conceive, cannot be better done than by erecting a ballast office, wherein fit persons may be employed to preserve the rivers and harbours and to direct where ballast ought to be taken, the rates whereof, they conceive, ought not to exceed the rates taken in the Thames by the Ballast Office there. June 20. [Nearly 2 pages. S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 209.]
Sept. 28.
Whitehall.
Reference to George Legge, Master General of the Ordnance, of the petition of George Evans, Surveyor of the Meltings and Clerk of the Lieutenancy, for payment of money disbursed in repairing the lodgings belonging to his place and, they being now rendered useless by making a platform in the Mint for planting guns and himself at a charge for lodgings, praying that the remnant of the house may be made fit for him. [Ibid. p. 210.]
Sept. 28. Commission to Francis Bramstone to be ensign in the room of Hugh Everard to Capt. George Bowes' company in the first regiment of Foot Guards. Minute. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 69, p. 4.]
Sept. 28.
Whitehall.
The King to the Lord Lieutenant and the Lord Deputy. Warrant, after reciting the letter of 12 Jan., 1680–1 [calendared in S.P. Dom., 1680–81, p. 133], which declared that the sums then issued for uses relating to the late plot should not be reckoned as part of the 4,500l. a year for concordatums and that further sums have since been issued for similar uses amounting to 822l. 9s. 10d., for reckoning none of the said sum as part of the said 4,500l. a year but for taking it as issued out of such other moneys as have been or shall be saved on the establishment. [S.P. Dom., Signet Office 1, Vol. 11, p. 107.]
Sept. 29.
Nottingham
William Toplady, Mayor, three aldermen and four others to Brother Hall. About 11 to-day we received his Majesty's charter, in pursuance whereof Mr. Wylde (then Mayor) sent for Alderman Greaves, Alderman Edge and Serjeant Bigland, our Recorder, to advise on this day's election, who all refused to come. After this Mr. Wylde repaired to the Council House in the Town Hall in order to be sworn himself and the rest of the officers, at which time Alderman Greaves and a few burgesses (the most considerable of which were no inhabitants in town), viz., Sir Thomas Parkins, William Sacheverel, Charles Hutchinson, Richard Slater, George Gregory, Mr. Thinne, a stranger, and Ralph Edge were with Alderman Greaves at St. Mary's Church, whom the said gentlemen and some other Dissenters declared they would set up as Mayor in opposition to the new charter, and sent word to the Mayor that, if he would not come to them to St. Mary's, they would proceed to elect officers according to the old charter without him and immediately after they came to the old Mayor into the Council House to elect Alderman Greaves Mayor for the succeeding year, though the old Mayor desired to be sworn according to the new charter, which in a riotous manner they decried, saying, A Greaves, a Greaves, No new charter, no new charter, and violently seized the Mayor's books and Sheriff Malyn's mace, which they still detain. After this disturbance the old Mayor retired into the Common Hall in order to be sworn and, whilst the oath was in reading to him, Charles Hutchinson came to tell him that the gentlemen in the Council House, viz., Alderman Greaves and his Dissenters, desired him to come and see Alderman Greaves sworn, which the said Mayor refused, whereon the rabble became so strangely tumultuous and riotous that the Mayor was forced to withdraw to his own house and there to swear his officers. In the meantime the said Dissenters proceeded to elect Mayor, sheriffs and chamberlains without any Mayor or Council duly authorized and proclaimed them publicly at the Cross in opposition to his Majesty's officers by virtue of the new charter. After the Mayor had sworn his officers at his own house, thither came Charles Hutchinson, George Gregory, Samuel Richards and Arthur Riccards and in an insolent saucy manner demanded the mace of him, which he refused, but, as the manner is, the old and new Mayors with the Council went to the week-day Cross to proclaim the officers. As the proclamation was reading, John Sherwin and Robert Green with a crew of Dissenters at their heels appeared in the street and in a riotous manner made loud outcries, No new charter, A Greaves, a Greaves, by all which you may perceive who foments faction here. We desire that these offenders may be called to answer these misdemeanours before his Majesty and Council. [Nearly 2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 124.]
Sept. 29. Surrender by the Mayor, sheriffs, citizens and commonalty of Norwich to the King of all their manors, lands and hereditaments and also of all their franchises and charters. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 66, p. 195.]
[Sept. ?] Thomas, Lord Windsor, George Pitt and Cresheld Draper to the King. Petition for a patent for 14 years for their invention of making wet harbours and docks so as to take the greatest ship 10, 20, 30 or 40 feet above high water mark out of the Thames and by the same means deliver it into the Thames again. At the foot,
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
Reference thereof to the Attorney-General. On the back, His report in favour of making the desired grant. 1682, Oct. 4 [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 125.]
Sept. 30.
Chester.
Dr. James Arderne, Dean of Chester, to Capt. John Clarke. Our assizes concluded this morning and yesterday the commission about the riot here. The Recorder, Williams, denied the authority of the Oyer and Terminer, alleging that by their charter riots ought to be tried by them of the corporation exclusively, yet he did not quote any words of their charter that imported more than that such a power was communicated to them without debarring the Crown. Our Chief Justice, Jeffreys, replied that London had as large a charter and yet such commissions were commonly and without resistance issued thither, to which his fellow judge, Warren, well added that the King and his Council well understood their charter, the counterpart of it being kept among the records, and their constant tenderness of everyone's right argued this was no invading of the city's, to which the Recorder did not rejoin any thing expressly, but addressed himself to the people in a very factious harangue, telling them that their privileges were wounded and that none should be like vipers, &c. Notwithstanding, the Chief Justice commanded the court to proceed and a very sufficient and honest jury found the riots on St. Peter's Church and Mr. Anderton's house and a dull seditious song with its author mentioning pulling down altars and that Monmouth shall reign next. The verdicts will be removed by certiorari to the King's Bench, where, as the Chief Justice told me, full justice will be done. If they believe what they allege of their charter, it will be pleaded in that court, which yet I do not expect, seeing, if they had been clear in that point, the turbulent hardiness of the Recorder would have directed to omit the necessary preparations on the city's part for the Commissioners' proceedings.
I told you I would propound to the Grand Jury of the county an Address, which was done with good liking. All they objected was that they would want time to draw one, so I gave them the enclosed, which, when theirs is published, you'll find altered, but not much in sense. Of the jurors there was but one dissenter, a lesser Mainwaring, he of Calveley.
In a little time a new Mayor will be chosen here. The candidates are Sir Peter Pyndar, the present sheriff of the county, and Col. Whitley. The election is like to fall on the latter to the harm of the Government. If there be occasion to bring a Quo warranto, I doubt not Sir Geoffrey Shakerley and I can give an account of several facts which amount to a forfeiture of charter, though indeed a very great, though not the greater, part of that corporation deserve well of the King. I have something to offer this evening to the honest aldermen and sheriffs which may give you the trouble of another letter next Monday. [1½ page. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 126.] Enclosed,
The said draft Address, the purport of which sufficiently appears from the Address printed in the London Gazette, No. 1764. [Ibid. No. 126 i.]
Sept. 30.
Chester.
Thomas Cholmondeley to Secretary Jenkins. In my last I mistook the day of our quarter sessions, yet, if the commission come by the 16th, we have occasion so long to adjourn them. I conceive, if his Majesty resolve any alteration, it will be much more for his service to do it then because I find many are, by what has happened to the Duke of Monmouth, brought to consider and some to repent of what they did and, to hold them on in a good way, the removing from employment of such as encouraged them to wander may be a good inducement. The commission for trying the rioters directed to our Chief Justice and others, amongst whom to our great admiration Alderman Street was one, who was one of the principal men in entertaining the Duke, received great opposition from Mr. Recorder and that worthy alderman, the rest seemed all agreeing with the judges. The ground of exception was the charter, which, the Recorder affirmed, gave them power to try all crimes below treason, and that by negative words all others were excluded and the King could not empower the trial of any offence contrary to the words of their charter, which, he said, other judges had in the like cases carefully observed, and he hoped those would follow their example. He minded the citizens of their oaths as freemen, by which they were bound to defend their just liberties, and hoped no such vipers were bred within themselves as would suck the blood out of their own veins. He showed how dangerous it was to invade ancient rights, enlarging in as popular expressions as ever I heard, which so encouraged his hearers that they began to hum and would have been plainer but that the Chief Justice immediately stood up and prevented it by telling them that they did not come there to infringe their charter but by a commission empowering them to inquire into divers offences, in which riots were included, that the jury were there sworn to inquire into them and, if evidence came, were under the obligation of an oath to find accordingly. As to what was urged by Mr. Recorder relating to their charter, that was only his discourse, for, nothing appearing further, they were not to prefer that before their oaths. Other arguments he used which satisfied the jury and all reasonable men. Then Alderman Street minded them of their oaths to the city, which, he said, they were bound first to observe. Mr. Justice Warren gave a full answer to what he had said and the sheriffs, being honest men, had returned a very good jury, who found all the bills brought before them as far as the evidence would reach, and so the commission ended.
Of the Grand Jury that subscribed the enclosed only one refused, a man of small estate and quality. Mr. Recorder, before the Chief Justice came in, was liberal in his discourse with the jurymen, as I have heard, in relation to the new commission, letting them know he should be Recorder, when that commission was over, and must look to defend the rights of the city. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 127.]
Sept. 30. Charles Speke to Lawrence Brome. Requesting him to pay the remainder of his bill, which, as he remembers, is about 8l. Will come to Isle Brewers next week any day he appoints. Has great occasion for money at present. [Ibid. No. 128.]
Sept. 30. The speech of the Recorder of London on the presenting of Dudley North and Peter Rich, the sheriffs, in the Exchequer Chamber, with Baron Crawley's reply. [Printed. S.P. Dom., Car. II. Case G.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
The King to the Governors of the Charterhouse. Signifying his pleasure that they elect and admit to the first pensioner's place in that hospital which shall become void and in the King's disposal, notwithstanding any letters or orders granted to any other person whatsoever, Col. Henry Farr, who is now about 85 and who has spent his very considerable estates and his whole life in the service of the late and present Kings and was condemned to death by the rebels at Colchester after they had taken that town. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 53, p. 510.]
Sept. 30. Post-warrant to John Sayer, his Majesty's master cook, and his servant to ride in post to Newmarket and back. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 66, p. 141.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
Secretary Jenkins to the Lord Chancellor. Signifying his Majesty's pleasure that Nathaniel Booth, Sir John Crewe, Sir Robert Cotton and Mr. Davenport of Bromhall, all Justices for the County Palatine of Chester, Henry Booth, Custos Rotulorum and Justice for the same county and also for Lancashire, and Sir Willoughby Aston, Justice for the same county and also for Newcastle, Staffordshire, be left out of the commission of the peace and quorum at the next renewing thereof for the respective counties and corporations that they now act for. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 140.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
Warrant to Col. John Strode, Lieutenant of Dover Castle, for swearing and admitting Walter Barker to be under-porter of Deal Castle in the room of Richard Knevinson, deceased. With note that this warrant had no effect, Barker dying, so a similar warrant was signed 28 Feb., 1682–3, for swearing and admitting John Brett of Deal. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 359, p. 104.]
Sept. 30.
London.
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. The great business of the sheriffs being now over and they completely settled and having received the keys of the gaols, they proceeded to choose an undersheriff and have chosen Mr. Hastings in the room of Mr. Goodenough. Yesterday they waited on the Lord Mayor from his own house to the Guildhall, where, having stayed some time, they waited on him and the Court of Aldermen from thence to Bow Church, where an excellent sermon was preached by Dr. Dove on Titus 3, v. 1. Sermon ended, they came again to the Guildhall where, the Lord Mayor being seated in the chair on the hustings, they proceeded to choose a Mayor for the ensuing year. All the aldermen below the chair were put up and the sheriffs judged the election to fall on Sir William Prichard and Sir Thomas Gould and they were accordingly returned to the Lord Mayor and the Court of Aldermen, but the Whig party demanded a poll for four and the Lord Mayor appointed the sheriffs to take it for Sir W. Prichard, Sir John [rectius Henry] Tulse, Sir T. Gould and Mr. Cornish. It continued about 2 hours and the Court was adjourned till about 9 on Monday by the Lord Mayor.
(News from Brussels and Vienna as in the London Gazette, No. 1760.)
This morning the new sheriffs, attended by the old ones and the Lord Mayor and some aldermen, went to the Chequer Chamber at Westminster, where the former were sworn and the latter gave up their charge, after which the new sheriffs treated the Barons of the Exchequer, the attorneys and the Lord Mayor and aldermen at a very splendid dinner at Drapers' Hall. [3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital, News-letters, Original, 2, No. 47.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
The King to the Marquess of Queensberry, Treasurer Principal. Warrant for clearing the accounts of John Drummond of Lundin as late Master of the Ordnance and for paying to him whatever balance may be found due to him. [S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 405.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
The same to the same. Warrant for continuing the payment to Lieut.-General William Drummond, appointed Master of the Ordnance in Scotland, of the allowance formerly granted to the artillery attenders as mentioned in the establishment of the forces there dated 25 Nov. last. [Ibid. p. 406.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
The King to Ernest Augustus, Duke of Brunswick and Luneburg. Commending to his favour John Ramsay, brother to the Earl of Dalhousie. [Latin. Ibid. p. 407.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
Warrant for payment to Anne, Countess Dowager Marischal, of 100l. sterling next Mertinmes. [Ibid. p. 408.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
Warrant, after reciting the petition of Alexander Swintoun, son to John Swintoun of that ilk, deceased, which represented that the said John Swintoun was arraigned before the Parliament of Scotland in 1661 and was ready to answer the charge against him but that the Parliament did not proceed to any sentence of forfeiture but after his second appearance ordered him to answer further both to the then present indictment and to any former sentence said to have been passed in absence against him, and that afterwards during this dependency a gift of forfeiture was elicited from his Majesty, as if a sentence had been passed, to the ruin of his wife and children and the extreme damage of his creditors, for a commission to Sir George Gordon of Haddo, Lord Chancellor, and 9 others to inquire into the whole procedure relating to the said John Swintoun's forfeiture. [Over 2 pages. Ibid. p. 409.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
Warrant for a patent constituting Sir Robert Sibbald, M.D., his Majesty's Geographer for Scotland for life with full power to make maps and descriptions of the several shires and of the kingdom in general and to exerce all acts belonging to his Majesty's Geographer and specially commanding him to publish his descriptions both of the Scotia Antiqua and Scotia Moderna, where the ancient monuments, inscriptions and plans of camps are set down, and of his Natural History of the said kingdom, with liberty to him to print them either in Latin or English or both and in what form he pleases, the whole or the prodromus or any parts of them, and to employ what printers he pleases, with prohibition to all other printers in Scotland to print for 10 years the whole or any part of them without his consent. [3 pages. S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 411.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
Warrant for a patent constituting Sir Robert Sibbald, M.D., one of his Majesty's physicians in ordinary in Scotland during his life. [Ibid. p. 414.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
Warrant for a patent constituting William Turner, D.D., his Majesty's Historiographer in Scotland, the place being vacant by the decease of James Crawford, D.D. [2 pages. Ibid. p. 416.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
Protection in the new form to Lord Cardrosse for two years. [Ibid. p. 418.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
Protection to Sir Robert Creichton, alias Murray, for two years, he being under divers processes of horning, &c. mainly on account of his engagements for the sometime Earl of Annandale, in consideration that the said Earl had designed to settle his estate on him, whereof he is now disappointed after being at a vast charge in maintaining the right which he had from the said Earl. [Ibid. p. 419.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
Warrant for a presentation in favour of John Liddell, student of divinity, to be minister at the parish church and parochin of Hopkirk in the shirefdome of Tweeddale, presbytery of Jedburgh and diocese of Glasgow. [Docquet. Ibid. p. 420.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
The King to Sir George Gordon of Haddo, Chancellor, and the remanent Lords of the Privy Council of Scotland. After reciting that there are now two Secretaries of State, signifying his pleasure that for all warrants and other papers hereafter signed by the King in favour of any persons (those only excepted that are of immediate concern to him or his royal brother) the ordinary fees be punctually paid before their delivery and that for all papers passing the Signet the ordinary fees be paid, excepting as is above excepted. [1½ page. Ibid. p. 421.]
[Sept.] Theobald, Baron of Brittas to the King. Petition for a letter to the Lord Deputy requiring him to bring the petitioner to a speedy trial or for a warrant to the Attorney-General of Ireland to enter a nolle prosequi on the indictment for high treason against him on account of the late pretended Popish plot in Ireland, the petitioner being on bail and unable to get himself tried. At the foot,
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
Reference thereof to the Lord Deputy and Council of Ireland who are desired to afford the petitioner such speedy relief as they shall find agreeable to law. [S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 343, No. 60.]
Saturday night,
Sept. 30.
Theobald, Baron of Brittas to Secretary Jenkins. Since it is my misfortune that it does not stand with the King's convenience either to bring me to trial or admit a nolle prosequi to be entered on my behalf and that I must, of so many who were indicted as my accomplices, be the sole that's leaned on by the iniquity of the times, I submit to the King's pleasure and pray, since his Majesty has already in a letter to the Lord Deputy notified his willingness to have me bailed and his letter met with a severer construction than I am confident he intended, the Lord Chief Justice binding me over to appear from term to term at the Court of King's Bench there, a prejudice equal to my confinement, my residence being so far from Dublin that my small fortune could not answer the charges I must be unavoidably at by such attendance, that his Majesty would order my being bailed here to appear there when summoned and in the meantime the cancelling of such recognizance as I entered into before the Lord Chief Justice. [Ibid. No. 61.]
[1682 ?]
[Sept.]
Capt. Bernard Strode to the King. Petition for his arrears and for some subsistence or command. He left his company in Holland in 1671 in obedience to the proclamation and was made lieutenant to Sir Edward Charleton, who, being sickly (the petitioner being at sea), sold this company to Major Widdrington, for above 200l., who sold it not long after to the petitioner for the same sum. He was commanded to Ireland and was there above a year till for his health he was obliged to ask licence to go to England. The Countess of Essex being angry with the petitioner's wife, the Earl gave away his company. About a year and a half ago his Majesty and his Royal Highness commanded him to attend in Ireland for a company, where he has been ever since. He has laboured under this injustice and sickness these 7 years. [See the Ormonde Papers, New Series, Vol. VI. p. 462.] [Ibid. No. 62.]
1682.
[Sept. ?]
Lieut.-Col. Roger Moore on behalf of himself and many hundreds of poor men, widows and orphans in Ireland to the King. Petition stating that they have waited for the satisfaction of those small arrears due to some of them as soldiers (and that on their disbanding), to others for provisions furnished to soldiers in their quarters and other accounts, most of which were mentioned in a contract between his Majesty and the Earl of Ranelagh and his partners, and now seven years have elapsed since the utmost time given for the petitioners' satisfaction, that the petitioners have just cause to fear from so long delays that their sad condition and sufferings are forgot and therefore set forth that of the arrears due to the army commonly called the 10 months' arrears, amounting to 80,000l. and upwards, the said contractors covenanted to pay one moiety but inserted the words, Not exceeding 20,394l. 19s., which is but a quarter of the said arrears, but they have not satisfied one penny thereof, that of the other arrears commonly called the postponed 12 months' arrears and to the Civil List 26,000l. and upwards are still unpaid, that of those arrears which the contractors pretend to have paid and have brought to account as paid above 20,000l. are still owing to the petitioners, for which they delivered up their debentures and vouchers as the manner of proceedings then required and have nothing to show for this greater part of their just debts but assignments on the collectors, which were neither accepted nor paid, and that of the 100,000l. provided by the Act of Settlement to be paid among the '49 officers above 6,000l. are still due to the petitioners and praying that a speedy course may be taken for the petitioners' satisfaction. Noted,
"Copie to Earl Ranelagh requiring an Answer from his Lordship." [S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 343, No. 63.]
[Sept.] Henry Keymer, aged 72, to the King. Petition that he procured his Majesty's letter [22 June, 1678], whereof a copy is annexed, to the governors of Sutton's Hospital for a scholar's place there for his grandson Henry Keymer, which will not come due to him till Allhallentide next, 4½ years after the letter, and that Mr. Dryden has procured a special letter for his son to be admitted before all others, whereby the petitioner's grandson has lost his admittance and will be past age before his Majesty's turn will come again, and therefore praying a letter to the said governors for the admittance of William Stone in the place of his said grandson at the time he should have been according to the former letter. Annexed,
A copy of the letter of 22 June, 1678 [calendared in S.P. Dom., 1678, p. 238]. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 129.]
[Sept.] Col. Henry Farr to the King. Petition for a pensioner's place in the Charterhouse, where he may end his days, having spent both his person and estate in his Majesty's service. [Ibid. No. 130.]
[Sept.] Jean Cottereau, a French merchant, to Secretary Jenkins. Petition for a passport and a commission from his Majesty appointing him his commissioner in France for the purchase of wines, fruits, liquors, flowers and the like. He specially desires because his ordinary abode is at Marseilles where there are only about 25 or 30 Protestant families and he will be thereby protected from the trouble he fears on account of his religion. [French. Ibid. No. 131.] Annexed,
Two drafts, one fuller than the other, of the passport he desires, one dated Sept. 1682. [Ibid. Nos. 131 I, 131 ii.]
[Sept.] Memoranda (under 6 heads) by Secretary Jenkins of various business, among which are Cottereau's passport, Col. Farr and Dryden to the Charterhouse and the Mayor of Stafford's letter, whether the King will accept the surrender. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 132.]
[Sept.] John and George Hilton to the Privy Council. Complaint that the complainants, going about to deliver warrants for suppressing unlawful conventicles and likewise sending their servants about the same, were seized by 8 constables (giving their names) with a great many more on the 9th instant, Sept. 1682, who carried one of them up and down the city to show him and with whoops and halloos to incense the rabble cried, Informer, informer, all along from justice to justice, till they brought him to Sir John Frederick, who bound him over to answer the next sessions, and praying for redress. Addressed to the Marquess of Halifax. [Ibid. No. 133.]
[Sept. ?] Some queries concerning the present election of sheriffs. The right of electing one of the sheriffs by the Lord Mayor by virtue of that mystical ceremony of drinking a glass of wine to a gentleman so eager to pledge him that, to make his zeal more apparent, he was content to give security to pay off all scores before the rest of the company had so much as called for a reckoning is now so miserably baffled and put out of countenance both by reason and laughter that the first promoters of it really deserve compassion and therefore I shall rather choose to imitate the new mode of instruction lately made current by the healing Observator and peaceable Heraclitus by proposing a few queries to all citizens, whether Whigs or Tories, who have any stock left in them of the Protestant religion, moral honesty, wit, money or credit.
1. Whether the late practices of our great magistrate in relation to the present election be not as opposite to his native temper as unstable and contradictory to each other and, if so, whether anything can be plainer than that he is under a secret influence?
2. Whether it be not as plain what that influence is by his forsaking the conversation of his fellow citizens and diverting himself with secret twilight visits to the other end of the town and receiving such from thence, especially if it be true that a great Earl has bottomed the establishment of his present greatness and future hopes on his sole management of our present election, which no doubt on the day of our election occasioned the happy meeting of so much good company at the house of the bashful pleader ?
3. Whether the shamming intriguing trickiness of this new influence meeting with some remains of a citizen's education and plain dealing in our great magistrate may not per antiperistisin and opposition of qualities have occasioned this vertigo in his actions and whether it be most likely that the citizen shall at last disgorge the Earl or the Earl digest the citizen ?
4. Whether the venomous defamations of a hackney tongue, maliciously suggesting that our King cannot have justice amongst us, the officiousness of a party-per-pale citizen in entering into a bond to hold an office before he was called to it, to which good and honest citizens can hardly be courted, with the arbitrary precept, the unaccountable windings and turnings in the management of our election and the infinite concern of some great men to promote those irregularities and hinder our free election do not sufficiently declare the design to be, either to make way for the pageantry of justice in prosecution of an imaginary Protestant plot and to elude the strokes of vengeance on the cursed authors of a real Popish one, or at least to divide us amongst ourselves and to make the powers of our government in the city oppose one another, thereby to give better colour to proceedings on a Quo warranto ?
Lastly, whether the King's Bench has not hitherto been accounted a proper court to determine all allegations of riots, breaches of the peace and the like and whether the lawbooks have not been very unkind to us in not warning us of the seasons when these suggested crimes become matters of state and government, distinct from offences against the law, which in its true interpretation never makes the same thing a bridge for one man and a pit for another, and whether the late misfortune to our worthy sheriffs and to us in them does not only open but even give eyes, ears and tongues to those that had none before ? [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 134.]
[Sept. ?] "The Duke of Monmouth's Case, with all The very strange Crimes, and great Misdemeanors Alledged against his Grace, in a whole Dozen of Articles," arguing the absurdity of the Tories in accusing a person who has borne such a figure in the world of a riot and of some being fain to render him also to be a traitor, who is rather like the young Scipio ready to rescue his father or Æneas to carry him from a burning city, &c., and giving a pretended list of accusations of his being greeted by thousands on the way to Chester, winning a race plate from Tory gentlemen, declaring he would lay down his life to preserve the King's person and government, and believing in a Popish plot, but not in a Protestant one, as the Tories pretend—to which allegations he gave the bail of Lord Russell and 4 others, for keeping the peace, to avoid committal. [2 pages. "London, Printed for J.C." Ibid. No. 135.]
[Sept. ?] List of the deputy lieutenants of Lancashire and Cheshire. Among the latter are Viscount Kilmorey and Sir T. Grosvenor [appointed 17 June, 1682] and there are marks against Sir Robert Cotton, Sir Willoughby Aston, Sir Richard Brooke and Nathaniel Booth, probably meaning that they were to be removed. [See letter of 30 Sept. to the Lord Chancellor, calendared ante, p. 441.] Among the former, similar marks appear against Sir Ralph Ashton and Richard Atherton. [Ibid. No. 136.]
[Sept. ?] Secretary Jenkins to John Starky, chamberlain at the Spur inn at Southwark. Whereas I am informed that a trunk was brought to the inn by a fisherman of Rye and about 4 this morning delivered by a woman to you, which you put into the hands of Thomas Cocket, a porter at the said inn, you are to require him forthwith to bring it to my office, assuring him he shall be reasonably paid for his pains. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54, p. 145.]
Sunday
evening, Oct. 1. Paved Alley, St. James.
James Harris to Secretary Jenkins. I met Mr. Rouse about 4 on Michaelmas day. We went to a coffee-house at Moorgate, where he told me that, if they would poll till 12 at night, his friends' swords and his own should effect their designs, for the King, Lord Mayor, North and Gould never answer their proceedings in the election, and, viewing his sword by his side, I asked whether our friends were about the Guildhall. He answered, Not but few; all the rest lie perdu before notice to them, but, if they should adjourn, we are resolved to put our Association covenant in speedy execution and to that end the Club, myself and others must meet in several places to-morrow to conclude the manner and time. Then I desired to be present. He answered, It's not convenient, for Capt. Alexander doubts you, because your wife prevented her former husband, himself and others of their design in '66, &c. I answered, I am resolved to be true to you and them. Rouse said, Then give me your hand that you covenant to be right to us and not divulge to any whatever, which I thought it expedient to do, whereupon he told me I must dine with him to-day at his own house, when and where I should understand the issue of their consultation. I was with him where he showed me a paper to this purport, that the Duke of Monmouth was right for them as appears by the last article against him and that A. A. C[ooper], the clubbers and himself are resolved to prosecute the Association with all courage and to secure the King, till he signs it, and if James, Duke of York makes an insurrection he shall die by the sword or law. Much more to this purpose was in a paper enclosed by Rouse in the printed articles against Monmouth and he laid them in a cupboard in his wainscot, where the searchers will certainly find it. That will fully declare their most dangerous resolutions, which, if I mistake not, they intend to put in execution this night. Four bills were sent by me to deliver to Plant, a Baptist minister at Redcross Street. There were several armed at his meeting. I stayed till it was over, and heard some of them, who were armed, say, God with us. Note, signed by Jenkins,
"1° Oct. 82 Jacobus Harris juratus fuit super Veritate premissorum coram Me." [1¼ page. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 137.]