|
Oct. 1.
Whitehall. |
Commission to Jenkins Morgan to be brigadier and lieutenant
of the Duke of York's troop of Horse Guards. Minute. [S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 164, p. 82.] |
Oct. 2.
6 o'clock. Secretary Jenkins' Office. |
The Earl of Conway to Secretary Jenkins. I was forced to wait
on his Majesty in the Park before I could give you his commands
on your letter. He says you and his friends in the city, who are
upon the place, are best judges of the poll, whether it be most
proper to close or adjourn it and of all else relating to the management thereof. Therefore he trusts it wholly to your and their
judgments. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 138.] |
Oct. 2.
Chester Castle. |
Peter Shakerley to Secretary Jenkins. Last Thursday bills of
indictment against several of this city for a riot were put into
court before the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer and a long
debate between our Chief Justice and Mr. Recorder Williams
happened thereon. Mr. Recorder urged to the Grand Jury and
the rest the privileges of the citizens, that they were an ancient
city and that by their charter the King could not commission any
to try any one within their precincts for any fact committed in
the same except treason; that he hoped they would take care not
to suffer foreigners to invade and seize their franchises and privileges and abundance more such stuff, enough to have animated
the rabble to an outrage. The Chief Justice replied that the Jury
were on their oaths and had sworn to inquire diligently into and
true presentments make of all riots and other misdemeanours as
well as treasons, that the assertion of such a patent could not
acquit them of the duty incumbent on them by their oath, that
they were no foreigners but citizens and freemen who were sworn
to that enquiry and many more such strong arguments, so persuasive to the loyal foreman and the major part of his fellows that
after some time they brought in the said bills with billa vera
endorsed. The Recorder did all he could to stifle the bills, first
by adjourning the session court from one week to another and
afterwards by going in person among the Grand Jury, sworn before
the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer, and desiring them not
to meddle with the bills. |
|
Strong endeavours are used to make Col. Whitley Mayor of this
city. Friday, the 13th, is the day of election. Could a messenger
divert Mr. Recorder and Alderman Street to London at that time
(and certainly there's cause enough), the loyal party would get the
better. |
|
Cousin Cholmondeley told me his Majesty was well pleased with
Mr. Lawrence Woods, M.A., of Oxford, a petty canon here, who
preached before the Duke of Monmouth here and, being reprimanded for his discourse by Mr. Leveson Gower, answered that he
had as much liberty to talk in the pulpit as he had to talk in the
House of Commons; and that his Majesty said he would have him
a prebend. There is an honest gentleman here, a prebend, but
very old. If you would procure Mr. Woods a mandate for the
next vacancy, you will do the Church good service in it. I will
be responsible for the charge thereof. [Ibid. No. 139.] |
Oct. 2.
[Received.] |
Information of Thomas Saywell. (About the omissions made
by Dr. Fogg in the State prayers mentioned in former letters.)
Mr. Oliver Lime told me that at Liverpool, being hard put to
make up 30 Common Councilmen, without which number they
could not make the Duke free, they sent for him and Alderman
Clayton, who both refused to go and were fined. But Peter
Atherton and John Molyneux, both mentioned to be Common
Council men in the charter granted about 4 years since, who
during three years acted, but neither took the oaths nor received
the Sacrament and about a year since, your Honour writing a letter
about regulating those affairs, omitted acting, on this occasion
of making the Duke free both acted. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420,
No. 140.] |
Oct. [2 ?]
Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Mayor. Forbidding him to call any
Common Council during his absence at Newmarket. [Draft.
Ibid. No. 141.] |
| Oct. 2. |
The Mayor and Corporation of Wigan to the King. Certificate
that they had agreed on Lawrence Anderton as a fit person to
serve in the office of town clerk, vacant by the death of John
Anderton, and begging him to constitute him therein. [On
parchment. S.P. Dom., Car. II. Case G, No. 17.] |
Oct. 2.
Whitehall. |
On the petition of Cornelius Tilbourne, practitioner in physic
and chirurgery, to be sworn one of the King's chirurgeons, having
made an experiment before his Majesty of the virtue of his antidote
against poison, taking 60 grains of auripigmentum and arsenic,
his Majesty, having seen the above-mentioned experiment performed to his satisfaction and being inclined to gratify the
petitioner, refers it to the Earl of Arlington, Lord Chamberlain,
to give order for swearing the petitioner one of his Majesty's
chirurgeons in ordinary. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 211.] |
Oct. 2.
Whitehall. |
Reference to the Lord Lieutenant of the petition of Edward and
Oliver Eustace for letters patent for creating them clerks of the
informations of the Act for settling the Excise or new imposts
on his Majesty, the revenue suffering much and being like to suffer
more for want of a regular method and way of proceeding in
keeping constant entries of all such proceedings as have or shall
be made against persons that have neglected to make due entries
and payments of the Excise and new imposts and of the forfeitures
and penalties thereon adjudged. [Ibid. p. 212.] |
Oct. 2.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London. Being
satisfied that the Lord Mayor and aldermen ought to present all
duly elected mayors to the King before they are sworn and
admitted to that office, we expect and require that you present to
us the person chosen to be Mayor for the year ensuing and the Lord
Chancellor will let you know the time when we will be waited on.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 66, p. 141.] |
Oct. 2.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to George Legge, Master General of the Ordnance, for
ordering the principal ordnance offices forthwith to contract with
gunfounders at the cheapest rates they can for casting such mortar
pieces or small brass guns as he shall direct and for the delivery
to such contractors of such of the defective brass guns, contained
in the list lately presented to the King by him, as they shall
receive directions from him. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 164, p. 81.] |
Oct. 2.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to Sir George Gordon of Haddo, Chancellor, after
reciting the letter of 25 Aug. last, concerning the officers of the
Mint [calendared ante, p. 354], requiring him to take care that the
Council command the Advocate to prosecute the therein mentioned Lord Halton, now Earl of Lauderdale, Sir John Falconer,
Alexander Maitland and Archibald Falconer civilly before the
Lords of Session, of which, when the King shall have an account,
he will signify his pleasure concerning any further matter that may
be laid to their charge. And also for prosecuting in the same
manner John Falconer, the late Warden of the Mint, who was not
mentioned in the said letter, notwithstanding his malversations,
which clearly appear by the report of the said Commissioners,
during his long continuance in that place. [S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 422.] |
Oct. 3.
Portsmouth. |
Richard Carter to Edward, Lord Noel, at Titchfield. My
present indisposition hindering me from waiting on you makes
me acquaint you in writing with what was said the night the fire
happened in Portsmouth by Mr. Beverly and Mr. Suffell, who
dwell on the Point, the first saying openly to all the mobely, who
were before the Point gate and not less in number than between
3 and 400, that they should break open the gates, for the governor
does what he cannot justify in keeping them fast and that, if he
had his due, he should be hanged on the morrow. The latter
seconded him saying that, if the King ever knew anything, he
should know of my refusing to open the gates. Of what evil
consequence this might have been to be so often repeated to the
rude rabble, and at a time when you were under some apprehensions of the Fanatics, I leave to your better judgment. Besides
I think it a very great presumption in Mr. Suffell to say what he
did, when he could not be ignorant of your orders to the garrison
in case a fire should happen. I shall not give you directions how
these or others may be hindered from doing the like again, but
beg that neither your orders or myself, while I command in
Portsmouth, be rendered contemptible to the people. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 420, No. 142.] |
Oct. 3.
Chester Castle. |
Sir Geoffrey Shakerley to Secretary Jenkins. Having formerly
acquainted you with my desire of having in my commission power
to substitute a deputy governor in my absence and having received
the commission, I accordingly deputed my son, which Capt. Nott
looks on as an imposition, conceiving it his own right, being my
son has no particular commission. Therefore I beg my son may
have a commission from his Majesty for deputy governor. [Ibid.
No. 143.] |
| [Oct. ?] 3. |
Memorandum. It is informed out of Cheshire that, when the
Duke of Monmouth made his entry into Nantwich, the keys of
the church were called for that the bells might be rung, but the
minister refused, though he was the Earl of Macclesfield's chaplain,
whereon the Earl was in a great passion, and that when Lord
Brandon, being at the head of a number of horsemen disposed into
ranks like a formed troop, came over against the house of the
postmaster (the minister's brother), the postmaster looking out
of his window or standing at his door, Lord Brandon drew out his
pistol and asked whether he should not shoot, whereon the Duke
answered, No, and bad him hold. It is the King's pleasure that
some fit course be taken to inquire into the truth of this and that
Secretary Jenkins take care thereof. Endorsed, |
|
"A Quaere to be putt To Leftwich Oldfield esquire about the
Postmaster of Nantwich." [Dated 3 Sept., an impossible
date. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 144.] |
Oct. 4.
Stafford. |
The information of William Feake, student in the Middle Temple,
sworn before the Mayor. On Wednesday, 20 Sept., he heard
Thomas Gyles, of the said borough, apothecary, say, I hope to see
the Duke of Monmouth King, and further that he thought him
the King's lawful son. [Ibid. No. 145.] |
Oct. 4.
Chester Castle. |
Peter Shakerley to Secretary Jenkins. I submit the enclosed
by my father's commands to your consideration. [Ibid. No. 146.] |
Oct. 4.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Earl of Yarmouth. The good news
yours of the 2nd brought me had been imparted to me on Monday
night by the Countess of Yarmouth, though I was so unfortunate
as not to be able to lay it before the King before he left this place.
I shall do it as soon as I can. I think you resolve what is most
for the King's service and the satisfaction of the City of Norwich
to defer the actual surrender till the King returns to London for,
at the very time of presenting the surrender, it will be as seasonable
that a petition be presented for a new charter so and so qualified.
This has been the constant practice. If the citizens have any
new grace to demand, for example, a change of some market days or
adding a new fair day, &c., this must be couched in the petition. So
must the name not only of the person that is to be Mayor according
to the new charter but also the name of every individual that is to
be alderman or Common Council man be set down expressly in the
petition with a prayer that they may be inserted in the charter
itself. It will take up some time to do this accurately, though
the naming of these persons will be left wholly by his Majesty to
you. When this petition is drawn up, his Majesty will refer it
to the Attorney-General. If he certify that the things petitioned
for may be granted, then the charter will be engrossed pursuant
to the heads of the petition and will be carried in to the seals
without delay or obstruction. I have troubled you with the train
that this affair is like to have of course that you may be satisfied
it is not an affair so proper (as you observe) for Newmarket and
that it will be necessary to have an honest, careful, understanding
person to prosecute this affair here. In the interim the old charter
stands good, till the surrender be enrolled. [Nearly 2 pages.
S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 142.] |
Oct. 5.
London. |
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. About 10 yesterday
morning great numbers of citizens resorted to the Guildhall in
expectation to have the Lord Mayor declared, the books being
cast up, by which it appeared Sir W. Prichard had 2,233, Alderman
Tulse 236, Alderman Gould 2,289, Cornish 2,258. The sheriffs
attended the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen with this account,
who after some debate agreed that the poll should be examined by
the books of the several companies. This order being agreed to
and the precepts signed by the Lord Mayor to the Companies to
bring in their books, in which the list of the liverymen were, he
and the Court of Aldermen came on the hustings. Silence being
commanded, the Recorder told the people that it appeared that
Sir T. Gould had 56 and Alderman Cornish 25 voices more than
Sir W. Prichard, but, a scrutiny being demanded, the Lord Mayor
and Court of Aldermen had granted it and ordered it should be
examined by the lists of the several Companies. When this was
ended the Lord Mayor would give them timely notice when the
Mayor should be declared, after which the sheriffs sealed up the
books with the seals of each party and declared that next Friday
they would open them, when a list out of the poll-books should be
written out, each Company by themselves, ready to compare with
the list of the several Companies. |
|
About 3 on the 3rd his Majesty and his Royal Highness came
to Newmarket Heath, where they diverted themselves with
hawking about 3 hours, and about 6 came into the town and her
Majesty came about 7. |
|
The Spanish ambassador at the Hague has given in another
memorial to the States representing that the interest of his master
is so linked with the Emperor's that it is impossible to separate
them and therefore he cannot admit of the arbitration of the King
of England absolutely but would be very glad that some way may
be proposed that all things between the French and them may be
amicably composed. |
|
We have had published here a pamphlet giving an account of
the horrid death of the renagado but there is nothing in it of
truth more than that 30 August arrived at Tangier the Woolwich,
on board which was the Emperor of Morocco's ambassador, who
was received there with the firing of all the great guns and all other
respects that could be shown by the governor and garrison. |
|
A book has been published entitled Elliott against Oates.
Amongst all the pamphlets I have read since the liberty of the
press it may be none has given a truer character (or had indeed
more reason) of our Salamanca doctor than he has done. [3 pages.
Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital, News-letters, Original, 2, No. 48.] |
Oct. 5.
Castle Elizabeth. |
Sir John Lanier to Secretary Jenkins. I should have acknowledged yours of 15 Aug. sooner had our yacht been here, and
seldom at this time of year any other vessels go for England, it
being no neglect of mine but the want of conveniency. |
|
We are daily troubled with many poor peasants from France,
expecting to get work here, but, this place being already overstocked with people, they are forced to go for the plantations, not
being able to get their living in their own country, the taxes being
raised the tenth part throughout all Normandy and the other
counties expect the same proportion. Last week came also hither
from Normandy M. de Bois David, formerly a general officer of
the French Army, having killed the Count d'Aubejoux. I thought
it my duty to acquaint you in particular of his being here that the
King may know when persons of that quality come for refuge into
his frontier garrisons. |
|
I have no news from our neighbouring coasts, no forces being
left in Normandy or Brittany. Part of the Newfoundland fleet
belonging to St. Malo is come home, having left their convoy in
the Bay of Biscay, bound back for the Straits. |
|
I beg you to speak to his Majesty, when you find an opportunity,
that he would grant me leave to go for London. I should not
desire it had I not had business of concern, all being quiet in these
parts. [S.P. Channel Islands, 1, No. 118.] |
Oct. 6.
Newmarket. |
The Earl of Conway to Secretary Jenkins. I communicated
yours of the 4th to his Majesty, who, in answer to Monsr. van
Beuninghen's discourse with you, has commanded me to acquaint
you: 1 and 2. He looks on Mr. Chudleigh as dispatched before he
left London and therefore he commanded him to send the yacht
to Harwich and in his way thither to call here for his Majesty's
letter to the Prince of Orange, which, according to Monsr. van
Beuninghen's second proposal, his Majesty assures you shall be
full of affection and confidence. |
|
3. The third desire, that his Majesty would name a place for a
general treaty, his Majesty does not understand that it is in his
power nor does he know that any such general treaty is intended.
He is as desirous of a general peace as anyone can be but it must
be by such methods as are offered, accepted and agreed on and
not by every imagination and fancy that comes into one man's
head. |
|
4. On the 4th head his Majesty told me, and I make bold to write
it to you, but not to be communicated to Monsr. van Beuninghen,
that the Prince of Orange was madder on a war than ever and the
Pensioner Fagel as mad as he and therefore he did not wonder that
anyone that was for peace and the true interest of their country
should lose credit among them, to which I answered that then he
ought to have the more of his Majesty's countenance and protection, and his Majesty said it was but reasonable. |
|
5. The 5th was occasioned on my desire to Monsr. van Beuninghen
to explain himself in writing on what you mention in your third
head, for, as he offered it, I knew not how to draw it into a rational
proposition to be presented to his Majesty, and this he promised to
send me at Newmarket. When it comes I hope yourself, Lord
Halifax and Lord Hyde will be here or at least send your opinions
of it to his Majesty. |
|
We are in a longing expectation to hear of the good success of
your City affairs. Sir James Edwards waited yesterday on his
Majesty and told him all would end very well. I said to his
Majesty I did not think it was for his service Sir James should be
absent at present, but Will. Chivins [Chiffinch] seized on him and
I have never been able to get a sight of him. [2 pages. S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 147.] |
Oct. 6.
Dunham Massey. |
Lord Delamer to Secretary Jenkins. Myself being at present
much afflicted with gout, particularly in my hands, my wife last
week acquainted Lord Conway that I had been affronted by a
neighbouring justice pretending authority from you. All my
design by that letter was only to keep the thing in mind till God
enabled me to write you the particulars but I find by a letter from
Lord Conway that he and you have had discourse about it, that
you own the authority given, having been informed that I had
given ribbons to many thousands of young men and had taken
their names in writing, that is, in plain English have listed men.
I pretend to so much learning as to know what the law thinks
of those that list men without the King's authority. |
|
My loyalty being thus attacked, it will be no strange thing to a
person of your great loyalty to hear I am resolved to the utmost
to defend it and to this purpose, when I have strength to crawl
to London, you must expect a letter desiring you to supplicate
his Majesty to appoint a day that before him in Council my
accusers and I may appear that, as my loyalty is now by public
authority disputed in my own country, so I may be either publicly
condemned or publicly absolved. |
|
What I said above will be a sufficient excuse for my not writing
with my own hand. [2 pages. Ibid. No. 148.] |
Oct. 7.
Newmarket. |
The Earl of Conway to Secretary Jenkins. I communicated
yours of the 5th to his Majesty, who is very well pleased with Lord
Shaftesbury's absconding himself and desires you to enquire more
particularly into it. |
|
At the same time he gave me the enclosed to Will. Chiffins and
commanded me to send it you that you may promote the matters
contained in it and give the Middlesex justices assurance of his
Majesty's favour and approbation of their proceedings. I send
you also the copy of Count Thun's memorial, the original whereof
his Majesty delivered me yesterday, and, not knowing whether you
had seen it and conceiving it may be of use to you in your transactions with Monsr. van Beuninghen, I trouble you with it. The
main question is how far you will advise his Majesty to engage
himself for a general treaty. I perceive he does not think it in
his power to effect it and therefore I suppose that whatever you
offer of that kind ought to be with the greater caution. |
|
His Majesty's horse, Dragon, which carried 7 stone, was beaten
yesterday by a little horse called Postboy carrying 4 stone and the
masters of that art conclude this top horse of England is spoiled
for ever. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 149.] |
Oct. 7.
Stafford. |
Sampson Byrch, Mayor, to Secretary Jenkins. Enclosing the
information about Gyles [calendared ante, p. 452]. I fear the
offender wishes full as much as is expressed, for I have had these
many years past too much experience of his constant nonconformity and frequenting conventicles and in the time of the two
last Parliaments his consulting with and dispersing such news as,
in my belief, was much towards sedition, for instance his extolling
and sending abroad that base libel called Lord Shaftesbury's
Speech, which came by post directed to him. Furthermore I have
retained a jealousy of him because upwards of two years ago a
sudden fire happened here at a public meeting time, at which some
persons advised to get gunpowder to blow up some buildings, and
no considerable quantity of it was in town, but he produced some
which lay concealed in his custody, though it's not usual nor
retailable in his trade. |
|
I have the last three years observed the mobile here more
stained with and bold in disloyal expressions than formerly, for
which reason I have made or caused to be made 50 or more loyal
gentlemen of worthy quality of our county and parts adjacent
burgesses, whereby they are qualified, as I suppose, to vote at
elections of members and are also of weight and interest to prevail
against the numerous dependant lesser-rate men here. |
|
I have no longer than to the 23rd to stay in the mayoralty and
have more than once or twice moved my brethren to make a
voluntary surrender of our charter, wherein I can prevail no
farther than that they'll obey the least command from his Majesty
to that purpose. I am so grievously sensible of the unsoundness
of the major part of the Common Council here that I may too
truly say they stink for want of amputation. |
|
It has been usual here on all elections of Parliament men to
accept for one such person as the High Steward of the borough
recommended. I find now too apparently that, as the High
Stewardship is at present lodged, the people of this place will dote
on that custom as much as ever. [Ibid. No. 150.] |
Oct. 7.
Vale Royal. |
Thomas Cholmondeley to Secretary Jenkins. At our quarter
sessions, which began last Tuesday, the Custos Rotulorum gave
the charge, in which amongst other things he gave it as his opinion
that the laws made in the Queen's reign against Recusants were
intended only against Papists and ought not to be put in execution
against Protestant Dissenters. Some other extraordinary things
he delivered in relation to the proceedings of juries but, lest I
should misrecite the words, I dare not repeat them. They were
near related to the Middlesex doctrine lately broached. We therefore thought fit to make our opinion as to the laws as public as we
could, a copy of which I enclose. The gentlemen that acted on
the new commission at Chester were to take the oaths and test
and time was not sufficient betwixt the end of that commission
and the quarter sessions to prepare to receive the Sacrament. We
therefore adjourned them to the 18th to Nantwich, where there
will be the day before a meeting of several gentlemen to hunt,
which was agreed on at their Forest meeting, and to dine at the
postmaster's house, who, they think, suffers much for sticking to
them and they are resolved to encourage him and others to do so.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 151.] Enclosed, |
|
Resolution of the Quarter Sessions to put the laws against
Papists and Dissenters of all sorts in full execution, requiring
all churchwardens, constables, &c. carefully to present such
offenders and, that they may manifest their willingness to
bring in Dissenters by the most fair and easy ways of punishment, in the first place to proceed on the statutes of 1 Eliz., c. 2,
3 Jac. I, c. 4, for the payment of 12d. for every Sunday's absence
from church, the said penalties to be paid in for the use of the
poor of the parish, and further to keep weekly meetings, at
which a full and true account is expected from the churchwardens and constables of all absentees, of which persuasion
soever the absentees are, and desiring the Bishop of the diocese
to recommend to the rectors of the parishes within this county
to publish this order in their several congregations the next
Sunday after it comes to them. If this law fail to reclaim
and bring in Dissenters they may expect that the more sharp
and severe laws against such offenders shall be put in execution.
Tuesday, 3 Oct., 1682. Nether Knutsford. [Signed by 9
Justices. Copy. Ibid. No. 151 i.] |
Oct. 7.
Chester Castle. |
Peter Shakerley to Secretary Jenkins. From Knutsford sessions
I have account of a speech there by way of charge to the Grand
Jury made by Mr. Henry Booth. He first very much vindicated
the Presbyterians, said they were the King's fast friends and that
it was evidently known they were the parties who restored him;
that the present laws should not be put in execution against the
Protestant Dissenters but only against Papists (and this he backed
with the vote of the House of Commons); that there was a great
stir about enquiring into riots but 'twas strange to him how the
entertainment of friends with the doors open so that all persons
had free access could be rationally accounted a riot, and he hoped,
if any such bills came before them, they would reject them; he
further told them his opinion was that no man should be denied
to keep a gun in his house, provided he did not destroy the game,
for a man's house is his castle and for the defence of that he thought
it reasonable he should keep a gun, and, though the laws enjoin
that none under a certain qualification should have that privilege,
yet summum jus est summa injuria. (I presume this would be a
rare device to arm the Commons, nay 'twill also easily secure
those many horse and foot arms which are in great plenty in
several houses in this county.) He went on to say 'twas treason
to kill or imagine the death of the King and next to that 'twas
treason to kill or imagine the death of the King's heir but, as to
the King's heir, he must distinguish between the heir presumptive
and the heir apparent, 'twas only treason to kill or imagine the
death of the heir apparent, which is only to be understood of the
King's eldest son. I leave to you the construction, presuming
you reflect on the argument urged of the Duke of Monmouth's
being the King's primogenitus. |
|
The Mayor of this city has ordered 20s. to Mr. Cook, a Nonconformist minister, being part of a legacy to be annually paid
to the preaching ministers in this city as the Mayor for the time
being shall direct. I presume 'tis the Mayor's duty to drive that
Nonconformist out of the town and not encourage his abode here.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 152.] |
| Oct. 7. |
Extract from a letter from Cheshire giving a report of Mr.
Booth's speech as in the last letter, adding that he said it was his
opinion they were not obliged to find bills because they had oaths
before them to testify the truth but they were to consider the
validity of such oaths and the probability of the truth in relation
to the parties swearing and those accused, whether the first were
men of credit and the others likely to be guilty, and, if in their
consciences they found it otherwise, they were not bound to find
according to the evidence. What power he hath to dispense with
oaths I know not. [Ibid. No. 153.] |
Oct. 7.
Whitechurch. |
Dr. Matthew Fowler to Secretary Jenkins. Here all is quiet,
only some grumbling word from the Whigs because the Duke of
Monmouth, their great idol, met with so cold entertainment at
his return. They sometimes also mutter at the soldiers of Chester
Castle and, because they are part of his Royal Highness' Guards,
they conclude them all Papists armed to cut their throats. But
generally they are all at a gaze, expecting some further issues of
the City factions and whether the yelping crew there will be able
to prevail in the election of a Lord Mayor. I hope rather his
Majesty will keep his old Mayor another year, for he is compassed
about with a cloud of precedents to justify him. I hear of nothing
yet done in Cheshire about the commissions to inquire of the riot.
The sessions are this week at Knutsford. Meanwhile I beg there
be no more mention made of repayment of charges, for that is a
very inconsiderable thing to him that accounts it both his duty
and honour to sacrifice his life and estate at his Majesty's feet.
[Ibid. No. 154.] |
| Oct. 7. |
— to Capt. John Clerke. The corporation of Macclesfield
consists of a Council and common burgesses. The Council consists
of 24, whereof all but 3 joined in the late loyal Abhorrence; out
of these the common burgesses at an election choose 5 and out of
these 5 the rest of the Council choose a Mayor and a Justice for
the ensuing year, which election yesterday was thus carried. On
Thursday Lord Brandon sent a fat doe to the town and invited
the neighbouring gentlemen of that party, that were burgesses,
to dine with him there the day following, being the election day.
Lord Brandon himself came to town Thursday afternoon with his
brother and Roger Whitley, Col. Whitley's son. There they
stayed all night at a public house, where yesterday they dined with
some gentlemen invited as above, particularly Mr. Booth of
Mottram. When the Mayor went down to the court Lord Brandon
and his company went likewise and, as soon as the court was sat
and some few were sworn burgesses, viz., Capt. Needham, Sir
Robert Leicester, Capt. Booth of Twamblow [Twemlow] and Mr.
Whitley, Lord Brandon and his company voted for 5 as aforesaid
and all named those very 3 first who had refused to join in the
address. To confront them Capt. Needham, Sir Robert Leicester,
Mr. Lucy of Henbury, Mr. Downes of Shrigley, Mr. Thomas Legh of
Lime, Capt. Booth of Twamblow and some other honest gentlemen
voted for 5 of the most loyal they could think of in the whole
Council but, notwithstanding, the commoners were so wrought on
that they brought the 3 Whigs to be of the 5 chosen by the burgesses, viz., Aldermen Lunt, Wright and Hollinshed. The other
two were Alderman Barbour and young Mr. Deane but, the poison
not being strong enough to infect the Council, they set the popular
three aside and chose Mr. Deane Mayor, a young man of about 22
or 23, and Mr. Barbour Justice to the no little discontent of the
discontented party. |
|
Last Monday Sir George Jeffreys by his Majesty's command
visited Macclesfield, where, after a very handsome treat and
some opposition made by the same 3 that opposed the address,
he was made free of the town. That night he went to Lime and
the next day for London. |
|
I have little to add of what happened in the great man's late
journey, only that on the Sunday morning he was at Gawsworth
a very honest man of this neighbourhood heard a strange gentleman ask another, What news ? He answered, None, but that
they were killing one another in London, to which the first replied,
laying his hand on his sword, Damme, I would it were come to
killing. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 155.] |
Oct. 7.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Duke of Newcastle. I acknowledge
with thanks your letters of the 3rd and 4th. I shall obey them
punctually in doing right with his Majesty, as you direct, to
Alderman Wild and the others. I have taken the oaths of all
those gentlemen that are come up on the information they had
prepared in writing and those informations are already sent to
Mr. Attorney in order to the first steps that are to be made to
prosecute the riot. Those gentlemen tell us of many more
affidavits that may be had there on the several parts of the riot
and it is the opinion here that it is not necessary that such oaths
be taken before a Master in Chancery. They may be very properly
taken before you, being not only in the commission of the peace
but Custos Rotulorum in that county. It may possibly not have
suited so well with your occasions to have removed so on the
sudden to Nottingham. On the other side I dare not take on me
without his Majesty's special warrant to say you are at liberty to
leave Nottingham and to return when you please but, if you name
a day by which you desire, having first seen the public peace out
of danger, to be at liberty to retire from Nottingham, I will move
to know his Majesty's pleasure on your desire and give an account
of it the soonest possible and sure I am his Majesty will comply as
much as possible with your occasions, as you on the other side
would not consider your most pressing occasions whenever the
question relates to the public peace or his Majesty's satisfaction.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 144.] |
Oct. 7.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Sir Robert Leicester, Sir Philip Egerton,
Sir Geoffrey Shakerley, Sir John Ardern, Richard Leigh, Anthony
Eyre, Leftwich Oldfield and Henry Davis, deputy lieutenants and
justices for the county palatine of Chester. I have not been able
for several posts to acknowledge yours of 23 Sept. by the King's
messenger, for his Majesty's service in another place took up all
the time I had and all the application I was capable of. |
|
Your letter was laid before his Majesty just afore he went
for Newmarket with an extract of all the depositions brought from
you and others out of Cheshire and maturely considered by himself with several of the Council that attended him. He has
commanded me to give all of you that subscribed the letter his
hearty thanks for your care and zeal and to tell you that he
promised himself, when he commanded me to write to you (he
knowing you all very well either by person or reputation), that you
would use, as you have done, all the application that a service of
this kind, which is not only of importance for the present but of
infinite consequence for the future, could demand from loyal
gentlemen. |
|
He concurs with you perfectly in judgment in what you say,
that yet more lies hid than at present appears, for he knows the
Association to be deep rooted and that those that contrived the
rendezvous at Wallasea had other designs than those of horseracing in their heads, which he hopes in time to discover to the
bottom. |
|
He is sorry to observe that some men are, as you have found on
this occasion, unwilling and others are afraid of testifying what
they know and that this proceeds from the boldness and hectoring
of the Fanatics in those parts. He hopes this will be redressed
by your good example and great steadiness to the Crown since
he is resolved to give all discountenance to such bold people and
that those shall have the best title to his protection and esteem
that do their part, as you do yours, in putting the laws in execu
tion with vigour and in preserving a reverence to the Government by curbing all popular and Fanatic insolencies tending to a
contempt of those in authority or to the endangering of the
public peace. |
|
The other part of your letter, relating to the Lord Lieutenant
and the militia of the county, was a matter that his Majesty took
into his own care after it had been considered, for he, foreseeing
that the Earl of Derby would wait on him at Newmarket, he being
already there, resolved to speak to him himself on the subject of
it, for he is fully sensible not only of the importance of having the
militia well ordered in the several parts of the kingdom but of
the very ill aspect it would have on his affairs in case of any
insurrection not to have the militia of these parts in a posture
equally advantageous with the very best of his kingdom, therefore
I have but one thing in reference to the militia to recommend to
you from his Majesty, that you would not omit the present doing
of anything that the laws enforce, particularly that the Militia
Acts enable you to do without the concurrence of the Lord
Lieutenant. |
|
I am commanded by his Majesty to lay before him again, when
he comes from Newmarket, your letter to me in order to have his
further directions on it as he shall find occasion to give you after
he has recommended that service in the effectual manner he intends to the Earl of Derby. When I have his further commands
I shall not fail to let you know them. [2 pages. S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 68, p. 145.] |
Saturday, Oct. 7.
London. |
Newsletter to Roger Garstell, Newcastle. Mr. Elliott, a
beneficed clergyman in Duke's Place in this city, of whom mention
has often been made in the Observator, brought an action of
defamation against Dr. Oates, which was tried last term at Westminster, where he recovered 20l. of the doctor, and has since written
a book entitled Elliott upon Oates, wherein he rakes together all
the scandalous defamatory invective imaginable against the
doctor and also recounts some passages at the trial, amongst them
the evidence given on the doctor's behalf by Lord North, on whose
honour he has reflected in so gross a manner that his lordship yesterday issued a writ of scandalum magnatum of 10,000l.
against him and the like against the bookseller, Hindmarsh in
Cornhill. |
|
Late last Thursday night the Duke of York returned from
Newmarket; some say the dangerous indisposition of the young
Princess, others some emergency of State, was the occasion. |
|
The poll will not be declared till next Tuesday. |
|
At the Surrey quarter sessions and at the Bridgehouse for the
borough of Southwark have been this week several presentments,
some for riots, others as Dissenters for meetings. |
|
The Middlesex justices met at Hicks' Hall yesterday and also
those at Westminster at their sessions place, at both which they
summoned the juries impanelled by the late sheriffs and dis
missed them (which usually served the succeeding sessions after
Michaelmas) any further attendance and then adjourned till next
Wednesday when the sessions for both London and Westminster
begin at the Old Bailey. |
|
This week the quarter sessions began at Coventry, where
indictments were prepared against several as rioters, who moved
for a delay, on which the prosecution was adjourned till next
January sessions. |
|
The Princess Charlotte Maria after some days' indisposition with
the gripes and convulsion fits died about 6 last night to the great
regret of their Royal Highnesses. |
|
The Lord Mayor having appointed Sir Edward Wiseman, Sir
William Dodson, Cradocke, a mercer in Pater Noster Row, Thomas
Amy, a drugster, Goslinge in Pater Noster Row and Griffith, a
scrivener, and the other party Sir Thomas Player, Leonard
Robinson, Jenkes, a linen-draper, John Ellis, Peter Houblon and
Nelson, they met yesterday and on examination of the lists of
the livery of the companies it appeared that they went through
the first 12 companies and reduced them to alphabetical order
but came to no scrutiny, what is mentioned concerning it in today's Thompson's Intelligence being wholly false and the two
leaves accidentally sticking together when the poll was cast up,
which Thompson says was for Sir W. Prichard and Sir Henry
Tulse, was on the contrary. |
|
The many months' attendance of the Portugal fleet to transport
the Duke of Savoy to Lisbon for consummation of his marriage
with that infanta is like to come to nothing. The match was made
by France and unmade by providence through the Duke's continual indisposition. Our last letters from Turin left him past
recovery, and, the Duke of Cavadall, the Portuguese admiral,
returning with the fleet, the Duke of Savoy has presented him
with a rich hatband of diamonds. |
|
Letters from France say that several edicts are put in execution
against the Protestants, not only in the King's hereditary dominions
but in his late conquests, and particularly that which puts Popish
guardians on Protestant orphans. His ambassadors in most
countries continue to demand extraordinary condescensions at
entries and audiences. The custom in Sweden is for one of the
Council of State to attend him at his entry but he demanded two
and, being denied, is on departure. |
|
The differences between the King of Denmark and the Duke of
Holstein, which retarded the Duke's quota of men to the service
of the Empire, are now adjusted. [3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich
Hospital, News-letters, Original, 2, No. 49.] |
Oct. 7.
London. |
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. Giving an account of
the death of the Princess, Dr. Elliott, and the Coventry sessions
as in the last newsletter. Our Holland post arrived yesterday
brought a Latin declaration of the Prince of Transylvania and
Count Teckely. They set forth their reasons and justified to the
whole world their proceedings in their war against the Emperor.
Those at Vienna receive every day the ill news of one place or
another being lost in Hungary, the Turk having now declared
that he will make Count Teckely King of Upper Hungary and take
the Lower to himself. |
|
Two memorials have been given in at the Hague by the
Emperor's and by the Spanish ambassadors setting forth how
unsafe it is, considering how many infractions the French King
has made of the treaties of the Pyrenees, Aix-la-Chapelle and
Nimeguen, to make any further treaties with them, yet for the
quiet of Christendom, the King of Spain is content, jointly with the
Emperor, the Empire and his other allies [to accept] the mediation
of the King of England and hopes he will contribute all that in him
lies to the completing of this affair and doubts not the States
General will concur with him in an action so praiseworthy. |
|
It has been reported and so continues that Lord Shaftesbury
has absented himself from his house. I cannot learn the truth of
it but am pretty well assured he was seen in Covent Garden last
Thursday night in his own coach. |
|
To-day the masters of the several companies delivered to the
Lord Mayor a list of all the liverymen and one day next week they
will be compared with the poll-books. [3 pages. Admiralty,
Greenwich Hospital, News-letters, Original, 2, No. 50.] |
Oct. 7.
Guernsey. |
George Lyttelton to Secretary Jenkins. I should have paid my
respects to you long since had there been anything worth giving
you cognizance of. Last Monday, the 2nd, the lieutenant, bayliff
and jurats held a court, wherein they made an Act of Court that
no ship should take a let pass of the governor or lieut.-governor
or any notice of the pier guard or castle, to which I answered that
I must stop any ship that did not leave her let pass on the guard
to satisfy she had her pass, on which they sent out a ship of the
island pretending to be bound for Bordeaux though with a contrary wind, which, it plainly appears, was only to try whether we
would oppose them. I should very unwillingly omit my duty in
following my instructions, therefore I ordered the sentinel at the
pier head to fire that the castle might know she went out without
her acknowledgment, on which the castle hoisted her flag and
fired, on which she tacked and came in again. How this will be
resented I cannot tell but, had I done less, I might have been
questioned for neglect of my duty. [S.P. Channel Islands 1,
No. 119.] |
Oct. 8.
Paved Alley, St. James Market. |
James Harris to Secretary Jenkins. Enclosing two letters,
whereby he may find there's a necessity to his speedy going to
Monmouthshire to protect his uncle and himself of an estate, and
hoping he will grant him liberty for a fortnight or thereabouts.
—At that time I shall return to London to evidence the substance
of the papers I have delivered to you. I find per Mr. Rouse that
Alexander suspects my integrity towards them, wherefore, if I
were to attend, all the service I can do at present is only to show
the persons concerned in this enormous stratagem, which I will
readily do at my return. (Giving him his address, should any
occasion require him.) [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 156.] |
Oct. 9.
Newmarket. |
The Earl of Conway to Secretary Jenkins. I have yours of the
6th, 7th and 8th. The first I had answered yesterday but that
his Majesty was so long in writing to the Duke and Duchess that
I could not despatch the post in any reasonable time. Yesterday
the post came not till 6 at night and this morning it is come in by
9 but his Majesty is abroad a-hawking and therefore I can say
nothing to yours of the 8th. The subject of this is to convey his
Majesty's commands on yours of the 7th. |
|
You say that Hickringell and Whitaker would fain make their
peace and that Whitaker has made you a humble overture. His
Majesty is well enough pleased with the offer but desires to avoid
being catcht by their subtleties. He thinks Whitaker a dangerous
fellow and the consequence were dangerous if such a one be
admitted to pardon without doing what may deserve it but he
desires he may be treated with by yourself and Lords Halifax and
Hyde, to whom he has commanded me to write, and you are to
endeavour all you can to bring him to make a discovery of all he
knows, his Majesty being content to manage it with all the tenderness to him imaginable, but without a discovery he will not accept
of all the professions he can make. His Majesty desires you would
acquaint Lords Halifax and Hyde with any other such overtures
and that all such treaties may be managed by you three and
reported to him, who has good ground to believe you will have
many such applications. |
|
Sir James Edwards took leave of his Majesty yesterday and is
returned this morning to London. I think it had been better he
had not come here, for I see it already in the Gazette that he came
to advise with his Majesty about the poll, but let that pass since
it cannot be helped. I desired his Majesty to send him back, as
soon as ever I saw him, and Sir John Peake also. |
|
The French ambassador, Lord Sunderland and Mr. Sydney came
here together on Saturday night. |
|
His Majesty thinks it strange Mr. Chudleigh is so long taking
his leave of London and will not be satisfied if he delays his
journey, which I beseech you to acquaint him with. [1½ pages.
Ibid. No. 157.] |
Oct. 9.
Titchfield. |
Edward, Lord Noel, to Secretary Jenkins. In my last I gave
you an account of the dreadful fire at Portsmouth, which was
extinguished without very great damage to the house. I have
since received a complaint from the commander in chief that Mr.
Beverly at the Point gate encouraged the rabble to break open
the gates, which by the orders of the garrison are to be kept shut
in case of fire, and likewise said the governor was a rogue and
deserved to be hanged for denying him and all the people without
to come to the assistance of their neighbours, whereas there
wanted not enough both of townsmen and soldiers to work at the
house where the fire was. If these mutinous speeches do not
receive a check at least, if not some punishment, others will be
encouraged to do the like or worse and perhaps to take the like
occasion to seize the garrison, for too many both within and without the garrison are disaffected to the present Government and
desirous of change. I deferred sending you this complaint till
I examined the truth and I now find by several witnesses that the
said words were spoken by Mr. Beverly, but whether maliciously
I know not, but rather think too much drink was the occasion of
his ill behaviour. Please therefore acquaint his Majesty with the
contents of this and the enclosed, which complains likewise of one
Suffield, who carried himself very indiscreetly, and they might
have enraged the rabble to such a height as would have caused the
spilling of some blood if the sentinels on the gallery over the gate
had been as rash as they were. I shall only desire to know from
you his Majesty's opinion of Mr. Beverly's insolent behaviour,
who is gone, I hear, to excuse himself and will, no doubt, tell as
fair a story as his wit can invent. [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II.
420, No. 158.] Enclosed, |
|
Carter's letter of the third, calendared ante, p. 451. [Ibid. No.
142.] |
Oct. 9.
Chester Castle. |
Peter Shakerley to Secretary Jenkins. (About Mr. Booth's
charge to the Grand Jury and the order of the sessions, which
fully appear from letters already calendared.) The Bishop has
signed the order though I was lately told that Mr. Booth on the
Bench said 'twas fit neither for the Bishop nor that Bench to
meddle with it. In my last I gave you a short hint of an action
of Mr. Mayor's. I have procured a deposition of it and submit it
to your consideration. I have not time to write to Sir George
Jeffreys but, presuming you may see him, I beg you to acquaint
him that, being informed that Mr. Anderton's bill of indictment,
which was exhibited at the sessions (which are adjourned by the
Recorder till to-day), would be found billa vera and that the
parties would immediately submit and suffer some small fine by
this court, which would be pleaded in bar to any prosecution
against them which on the bill found before the Commissioners
of Oyer might be urged, I have caused a certiorari from this
Exchequer to be ready in court, if the said bill is found, to remove
it before the Judge of Assize. More I could not do, unless with
Mr. Recorder I should tamper with the jury not to find it. [Ibid.
No. 159.] |
Oct. 9.
Newmarket. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of Sir
Maurice Eustace praying that his complaint against Mr. Tempest
about the profits of Portlester may be referred to be examined
by the Lords of the Treasury. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55,
p. 207.] |
Oct. 10.
Newmarket. |
The Earl of Conway to Secretary Jenkins. His Majesty has
commanded me to write to you in answer to yours of the 8th that
he will give Monsr. van Beuninghen the answer to his memorial,
which you and the lords mentioned in your letter have advised. |
|
I enclose the copy of another memorial which the French ambassadors at Frankfort have delivered in there, by which you will see
they endeavour to amuse the Imperialists and disguise their own
designs so as not to let them know whether they intend to proceed by a rupture or by a further treaty at Ratisbon. I should
also have sent you two letters from Mr. Pooley but have not time
to copy them. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 160.] |
Oct. 10.
London. |
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. Giving the news from
Brussels of 13 Oct. as in the London Gazette, No. 1763. |
|
Last Sunday night the Duke of York's youngest daughter was
interred at Westminster Abbey. To-morrow he parts for
Newmarket and 'tis now said his Majesty with the Court returns
hither on Friday sennight. |
|
To-day we had a Court of Aldermen, before whom it was thought
a scrutiny of the poll would have been brought, but, that being
adjourned yesterday, both parties met to-day in the Irish Chamber,
where 'tis believed they will not be able to end the scrutiny to-day
or to-morrow. Let them find it how they will I am very well
assured a further scrutiny will be demanded. |
|
French letters say that the King is returned from Chambord to
Fontainebleau, where he was met by the Dauphin, Dauphiness
and the whole Court. Inquiry has been made in France of the
number of those turned Protestants since March, 1680, and they
are found to amount to 3,984, a particular list of whose names is
given to the Huguenot ministers, requiring them not to admit them
into their communion again on penalty of their being excluded
from officiating as divines any more. [3 pages. Admiralty,
Greenwich Hospital, News-letters, Original, 2, No. 51.] |
Oct. 10.
London. |
Newsletter to Roger Garstell, Newcastle. (In almost the same
words as the last.) [3 pages. Ibid. No. 52.] |
Oct. 11.
Newmarket. |
The Earl of Conway to Secretary Jenkins. A person of quality,
who came here last night, told the King Lord Shaftesbury was at
his house in the city and had never absented himself in the least.
I saw his Majesty moved and he came to me presently and told me
this, wondering at the informations in several of your letters, so
I am of opinion it will be of service to you to make out your
intelligence of Lord Shaftesbury appear to be true. |
|
I enclose the copies of Mr. Pooley's letters I mentioned yesterday. |
|
I had a letter yesterday from Lord Delamer, denying the giving
of ribbons or taking any register in writing, as was informed, on
the Duke of Monmouth's being at Dunham, and he is very hot
upon it to justify himself. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No. 161.] |
Oct. 11.
Chester Castle. |
Sir Geoffrey Shakerley to Secretary Jenkins. Yours of the 7th
to Sir Robert Leycester and other deputy lieutenants and justices
of this county I communicated to as many of them as are near
hereto and to-morrow I have appointed to meet Sir Robert, &c. at
Middlewich and doubt not all will embrace his Majesty's commands
and resentments. I must now inform you touching the riot here
12 Sept. A bill of indictment was brought before the Mayor,
Recorder, &c. at their sessions, 25 Sept. The jury could not agree
to find the bill. The Recorder gave them till the 28th. They
that day persisted in what they had resolved on. That court
being held in the forenoon and Sir G. Jeffreys sitting in the afternoon on the Commission of Oyer and Terminer, the prosecutor,
Mr. Anderton, brought in his bill of indictment against the rioters,
when the jury found the bill, but, the Recorder having adjourned
the sessions to the 9th with design that the jury should then find
the bill and then that that court would have proceeded to fine the
rioters, the jury agreed not to find though pressed to it by the
Recorder. Though it was proved by me that 500 and by other
400 and the least 300 persons were then tumultously together
they would find but 2 and not one other in their company, so
that these proceedings before the Commissioners of Oyer and
Terminer are without dispute, notwithstanding the privilege
claimed by the Recorder by the city charter, cognizable before
the Chief Justice of the King's Bench. Your favour in
putting Sir G. Jeffreys in mind thereof will be very serviceable
to his Majesty and prove a prevention of like miscarriages in
future. |
|
Please advise me about my son in answer to mine of 8 Sept.
and the 3rd instant. [1½ pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420, No.
162.] |
| [Oct. 11.] |
Address of the Justices of Middlesex to the King expressing
their concurrence with the presentment of the Grand Jury, which
they lay before him. Faction is a weed which has poisoned the
whole kingdom and is nourished by profits which opportunity
affords to it. If the nourishment be taken from it we hope the
weed will quickly wither and die. Therefore it is our humble
opinion that the persons mentioned in the presentment ought not
to be permitted to keep taverns, alehouses or victualling houses.
[Ibid. No. 163.] Enclosed, |
| Oct. 11. |
The said presentment. Magistrates authorized by the King's
commission and no others ought to intermeddle in matters of
government and the administration of the laws in this country
and associations of private persons by getting hands to papers
or otherwise in matters relating to the government are destructive of the public peace, especially a paper now before us lately
presented to the Lord Mayor and the Court of Aldermen and
signed in a clandestine way, relating to the choosing of sheriffs,
and we disown any such proceedings. |
|
If any have anything to propose for the advantage of the public
they ought first to present it to the Grand Jury or the quarter
sessions that there it may be debated and approved of before
it be published and all writings and printings otherwise
are mutinous and seditious and tend to the disturbance of the
peace of the county. |
|
Associations, conventicles and libels are destructive to the public
peace and ought to be suppressed and the offenders disarmed
and the persons whose names are subscribed to the abovementioned scandalous and seditious paper are seditious
persons and ought to be inquired after whether they frequent
their parish church or are in any military or civil employment, by which they will have opportunities to draw people
together to plot the disturbance of the peace of this county
and consequently of the whole kingdom. We hope the Bench
will concur with us. [Nearly 2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II.
420, No. 163 i.] |
Oct. 11.
Newmarket. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of Josias
Dean, vicar of Dunchurch, for remission of tenths due from the
late incumbent. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 212.] |
Oct. 11.
Guernsey. |
The Lieutenant Bailiff and Jurats to Lord Hatton. Congratulating him on the birth of a son.—Our respect to you does not allow
us to carry our complaints directly to his Majesty when caused by
things which it is in your power to put a stop to. The 2nd instant
the procureur of his Majesty requested us in the name of the
inhabitants to consider the restriction placed on them and on
foreigners of not being able to put to sea without a passport or
let pass, the hindrance to their going to sea at night and the proceedings of Mr. Stephen. Your lordship knows better than anyone how inconsistent these things are with the maintenance of
our liberties and the welfare of the island. |
|
Masters of vessels have been forced to return by cannon shot,
who wished to leave without taking the said passports; the
highway, as if we were at war, is accessible only by observing the
same formalities towards the guard there and the place where this
guard is stationed is often employed for lodging goods in as if it
were a place of custom, goods on which often no custom is due
and which have been stopped by the soldiers without any legal
permission. We beg you to stop these complaints by giving
orders to those who command in your absence to discontinue
imposing these duties and obligations on persons who have never
been charged with them, who look on these innovations as so many
designs on their liberties. We have begun to provide against
these disorders as you will see by the said act and we have
addressed ourselves to your deputy governor, against whom we
have nothing to complain of, as he has assured us he has done
nothing but in accordance with his orders. As to the legality and
justice of our said act we cannot doubt it without conniving at
the infraction of our liberties and immunities, to observe which
your lordship is obliged by oath. We have reason to hope that,
being satisfied of the right and equity of our complaints, you will
hinder them from continuing. We send you this letter by M. le
Bailli, whom we have asked to confer with you, and we can assure
you that we shall always support, as far as right and reason will
permit it, the enjoyment of the rights, profits and emoluments
annexed to your office. [2 pages. French. Copy. S.P. Channel
Islands 1, No. 120.] Enclosed, |
|
The petition of the inhabitants of the town and parish of St.
Peter Port to the Lieut.-Bailiff and Jurats of the Royal Court
of Guernsey. Petition presented by the King's procureur for
redress, complaining that they are hindered from going freely
on the pier when they have occasion to go on board their vessels
in the harbour by the guard lately appointed there, the soldiers
whereof also hinder the vessels going out when the wind
and tide are good, pretending that the masters are obliged to
have a permission or let pass from the commander-in-chief,
and further that the said soldiers arrest in the daytime goods
unladen in the harbour without the knowledge of any officer
of the Royal Court and violently carry them into the guardhouse and commit the inhabitants prisoners there contrary to
the privileges of the inhabitants and the ordinances of the
Court. |
|
Order of the Court that all masters of vessels, whether inhabitants
or strangers, may go out in time of peace with their vessels
without any permission or let pass from the governor or other
commanding in chief, pursuant to the privileges of the inhabitants and the regulation of the Commissioners in 1607,
and that no soldiers shall arrest the goods of inhabitants or
strangers which shall arrive from beyond sea but that those
authorized to receive the King's rights shall make use of the
officers of this Court. 2 Oct., 1682. |
|
James Oliver, master of a ship of this island having this day
complained to this Court that, going out of the harbour of the pier,
the soldiers of the guard on the pier shot several muskets to
hinder him and that thereupon those of the castle had also shot
a gun with a bullet, which forced him to come back into the
harbour, and desired the Court to remedy such disorders, the
Court conferred with the lieut.-governor, who declared he had
particular instructions not to let any vessels go out without
let passes and was resolved to continue the same till he has
orders to the contrary, after which the Court ordered that
letters be written thereon. 6 Oct., 1682. [Certified copy.
Ibid. No. 120 i.] |
|
Extract from the book of the Commissioners sent to Guernsey
in 1607. |
|
Article 2. The inhabitants complain that the governor forbids
them to go into foreign countries without his leave as if they
were his domestic servants, a restraint never heard of till of
late, which is a great hindrance to merchants and mariners
who sometimes lose their voyages, not daring to take the wind
and tide when it serves, and demand that every inhabitant
may at all times depart out of all places of the island unless
that in a dangerous time it should be prevented by special
order. |
|
The Commissioners' answer. We are of opinion that all
merchants, with their usual factors and mariners, shall have
free liberty to pass into foreign parts, being in amity with his
Majesty, without any licence of the governor except in time
of war or on some special order to the contrary. [S.P.
Channel Islands 1, No. 120 ii.] |
Oct. 12.
Newmarket. |
The Earl of Conway to Secretary Jenkins. Mr. Chudleigh came
hither about 2 yesterday and delivered your letter with Monsr.
van Beuninghen's memorial, on which his Majesty desires it may
be answered that, as soon as he returns to London, he will declare
his mind on it. This, I think, had been proper to have come to
Monsr. van Beuninghen in a letter from me but since neither he
nor you sent me the memorial I think I ought not to meddle in
it, and whether you will deliver in the King's answer immediately
or rather make them believe he takes a little time to consider it
is left to your own management. |
|
I have communicated yours of the 10th to his Majesty and as
to the captain's place vacant in Lord Mulgrave's regiment his
Majesty told me that Lord Middleton had applied to him for
Wheeler and also that there is an order that reduced officers be
the first preferred on vacancies, notwithstanding which he commanded me to tell you that he will defer the disposal of it till his
return to London in order to accommodate the business, if
possible, so that Sir William Smith's son may have the company. |
|
His Majesty likes the Cheshire address very well and is pleased
that a declaration of his acceptance of it be published with the
address itself. I have sent a copy of it to Mr. Yard and directed
him to wait on you for expressing his Majesty's acceptance thereof
in such words as my lords and you shall think best. |
|
His Majesty is very glad of the encouragement you give him
to hope well of the affairs in the City. This day's work I suppose
will determine it and the good news will be very welcome to us. |
|
In answer to the paragraph of your letter concerning Lord
Delamer I conceive there will be no mistake either in your letters
or mine. When I showed you Lady Delamer's letter we had no
discourse either of distributing ribbons or enlisting men but I,
to justify the taking of examinations by a Justice, wrote to her
that such things had been informed. If they are not true 'tis ill
done of those that first writ it. You may remember I moved the
King that those papers should be sent for. 'Tis impossible it
can be concealed if men's names were taken in writing on
any account whatever. [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 420,
No. 164.] |
| Oct. 12. |
The examinations of Joseph Richmond, a boy of about 10,
William Ellis, a soldier in Capt. Berkeley's company, Robert
Packwood, oilman, Henry Ayres, leather seller, and Daniel Essex,
soldier in Capt. Throgmorton's company. These all relate to a
squib thrown the day before by Richmond into Packwood's cellar.
Richmond had filled Essex' bandoliers with powder, he having a
sore hand, and was allowed by the gentleman of the arms to take
away a little powder that remained over. [S.P. Dom., Car. II.
420, Nos. 165–169.] |
Oct. 13.
Newmarket. |
The Earl of Conway to Secretary Jenkins. Signifying his
Majesty's approval of Mr. Noel, Mr. Bishop and Mr. Forster,
recommended in his letter of the 11th, to be deputy lieutenants
for Hampshire. |
|
His Majesty likewise desires you to send out your summons in
his name to require the two Mayors of Nottingham, that is, the
true and the pretended one, and their Recorder, Serjeant Bigland,
to appear before him in Council the first Council day after his
return to London. |
|
He has appointed to-morrow sennight, the 21st, for his return
and, if the term could have been put off longer, I suppose we
should have stayed longer. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 1.] |
Oct. 13.
Old Bailey. |
Copy of the indictment against Sir John Shorter for being
present at an unlawful conventicle. [Latin. Ibid. No. 2.] |
Oct. 14.
Newmarket. |
The Earl of Conway to Secretary Jenkins. His Majesty is very
well satisfied with your intelligence concerning Lord Shaftesbury
and with your care therein and believes that that lord who
informed him of Lord Shaftesbury's continuing in his house in
Aldersgate Street was mistaken. |
|
He is very well pleased with the proceedings of the Middlesex
Justices and desires you to thank them and acquaint them with
his acceptance of their service. |
|
We had a little rain these two days, which was very much
wanted. So we hope it will make this place very pleasant next
week. [Ibid. No. 3.] |
Oct. 14.
Chester Castle. |
Peter Shakerley to Sir George Jeffreys. I hope you received
all my letters. This is to acquaint you with yesterday's actions
here. Col. Whitley with the mobile of the town came to the Hall
cocksure of being elected Mayor. The manner of electing is this.
The commons vote two persons into a room and the majority of
the Bench, which consists of aldermen and sheriffs, choose one for
mayor. The colonel had 459 votes to be housed, Alderman
Edwards 436, Sir Peter but 80 odd. Whitley and Edwards were
housed with great acclamations of, A Whitley, a Whitley, but,
having invited the majority of the aldermen the afternoon before
the election to a glass of wine, I imparted to them for the good of
their city to defeat Whitley, and the way to do it was to vote out
the person who should be housed with him. Wilme seconded my
motion very vigorously and was very instrumental in the business
and after some arguments they unanimously agreed to do so and
accordingly next day brought Mr. Edwards Mayor, he having 11,
the colonel but 9 votes. The disappointment is great, there's a
house rent lost and many a rare design. Those 11 had not only
promised me as to the Mayor but the sheriffs also but one of them
failed and voted as the last Mayor did, who, having the casting
vote, has made one very rascally sheriff, but the other sheriff has
the repute of an honest man. The Mayor we now have has as
plaguey a nicticorax as the last, but he is a timorous man, has
several honest fellows he converses with and, if he does no great
good, I think he'll do no hurt. He professes much friendship to
me and you may be sure I shall do my best to make a good use
of it and to infuse into him good and loyal principles and shall be
frequently with him and encourage him all I can but my stay
here is very uncertain and seems to be but of a short continuance.
Capt. Nott disputes my deputation from my father and does not
allow that I have anything to do here in my father's absence nor
shall, for without a special commission from his Majesty he says
I cannot and that he would take care to prevent. 'Twill be a
blot on my scutcheon to be thus defeated and I submit it to your
consideration, hoping you will speedily move his Majesty for a
commission that I may be deputy governor. |
|
All the windows in Sir Philip Egerton's new house here were
broken by the rabble last Thursday night, they presuming, as I
am told, that their last offence of that kind is unpunished. I
understand Capt. Nott makes his application to Lord Hyde to
stop my commission. Enclosed is a list of how the aldermen
voted. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 4.] |
Oct. 14.
Chester. |
Alderman William Wilme to Sir George Jeffreys. Giving an
account of the Mayor's election as in the last. We are infested
daily more and more with an ill kind of men, who, since you were
here, insult most abominably our good men, thinking all's over
and that the Commission of Oyer and Terminer was but a pretty
specious pretence. If some speedy course be not taken with them
above and a quoranto on our charter 'twill be no living by them,
for they now have the Government on their side. Mr. Mayor has
chosen a most ill man for sheriff. If I might hear some encouragement from you for a remedy against those things that of
necessity will befall us, if not prevented, I thought it not amiss
to hint one thing more concerning Mr. Peter Shakerley, who does
great service in countenancing the loyal party and who, I hear, is
threatened by the new captain to be out of commission in the
deputy government of the castle. If so he will retire into the
country, which will be a great discouragement to us, so, if you
could prevent it, it might be of good service. Your loyal jury,
especially the foreman, and the rest of the honest gentlemen here,
present their humble service to you. [Ibid. No. 5.] |
Oct. 14.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Lord Noel. I acknowledge three letters
from you of the 30th past and the 8th and 9th instant. His
Majesty was acquainted with the contents of the first, touching
the fire in the garrison at Portsmouth, before he went for Newmarket. As to that of the 8th his Majesty approves of your
recommendation of your son, Wriothesley Baptist Noel, Richard
Bishop, senior, of South Warnborough and Charles Forster of
Wernham to be added to your deputy lieutenants for the county
of Southampton and it is his pleasure you give them your commissions accordingly with all convenient speed. As to your last
letter with Mr. Carter's enclosed in it, concerning the words and
behaviour of Beverley and Suffield when the fire broke out, I am
advised to take his Majesty's pleasure on it as soon as he returns
from Newmarket, which will be next Saturday, and then I shall
give you an account of what shall be given me in command thereon.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 147.] |
Oct. 14.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Mayor of Stafford. I have received
your two letters of the 7th and 9th with the information against
Thomas Gyles. I will lay them before his Majesty and receive
his pleasure thereon at his return from Newmarket, which will be
this day sennight. |
|
When I acquainted him with your first letter, wherein you sent
me a copy of your very loyal speech, and with the desire of the
loyal members of that corporation to induce the rest to surrender
their charter he expressed himself willing to give all encouragement
in anything that might tend to strengthen the public peace and
to the welfare of that corporation. I think I told you some posts
ago that he then proposed to find out ere long a way to give some
ease as to the fees of passing a new charter in case the present one
be surrendered. Sure I am that what fees have been usually
received in my office shall be readily moderated so as to give no
just exception when his Majesty's service seems in the least to
require it. [Ibid. p. 148.] |
Oct. 14.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Mr. Clerke of Swainswick. I have spoken
with the Master of the Ordnance on the subject of your letter of
the 7th. He knows no ground for the information you have
received, as if endeavours are used to frustrate the assurances you
have from him. He promises still as fairly and firmly but he
knows not any likelihood that the place will so soon become void
as may have been suggested to you. [Ibid. p. 149.] |
| Oct. 14. |
Secretary Jenkins to Sir Thomas Smith at Stutton near Ipswich.
The subject of yours of the 10th being to my thinking of too great
importance for my private opinion, I shall produce it at the first
Council day after his Majesty's return from Newmarket. As Mr.
Carew has neither law nor equity that I know of on his side for
what he says and threatens so there will be, I doubt not, the most
effectual measures for indemnifying yourself and the other
gentlemen. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 149.] |
Oct. 14.
London. |
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. The French ambassador has presented a memorial to his Majesty setting forth that
his master has been at great expenses in maintaining troops on his
frontiers and that the propositions he made to the King of Spain,
of which his Majesty was to be umpire, were so reasonable and of
such advantage to that King that, considering the justice of his
Majesty of Great Britain, that King had no reason to refuse them,
but he now found that that King would accept of nothing that tends
to the quiet of Christendom; therefore he had orders to let his
Majesty know that, unless his proposals were accepted by 30
November, he would abide by them no longer but take such
measures as would be most for his advantage. |
|
The commission of Oyer and Terminer sent to Chester, in which
Sir G. Jeffreys was named first commissioner, to try the rioters
there was protested against by Mr. Williams, the Recorder, as
illegal, that being a county palatine and not subject to any commission from Westminster. |
|
About 6 this morning his Royal Highness went through the
City for Newmarket. |
|
The 11th one of the yachts went to the Downs to bring up the
money and plate brought from Cadiz in the Dragon and sailed with
it the same day for the River and the 13th the Adventure, Capt.
Booth commander, came into the Downs in 13 days from Cadiz,
having on board 420,000l. sterling on our merchants' accounts, the
freight whereof belongs to him and will amount to 4,200l. He says
that one of the three galleons driven into Carthagena is arrived
and one of them lost and the Vice-Admiral is still there careening. |
|
We had it strongly reported here that the juries summoned by
the sheriffs would appear with counsel and dispute the legality
of their being called but the London and Middlesex sessions are
both begun and several juries impanelled and sworn without any
objection. |
|
The Middlesex Justices have issued another very severe order
for suppressing conventicles. |
|
In Scotland some few conventicles have been held in the
Highlands but the Council sent an order to suppress them. |
|
The managers of the poll have got duplicates on both sides and
next Tuesday they say they will declare. |
|
The States of Holland are now assembled, where the great
matter before them is the ways and methods proposed to them of
a general peace throughout Europe, which they now take in
consideration. [3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital, Newsletters, Original, 2, No. 53.] |
Oct. 14.
London. |
Newsletter to Roger Garstell, Newcastle. For want of room it
was omitted in my last that at the sessions in the Guildhall on the
12th an indictment was found against John Hilton, commonly
called Capt. Hilton but more eminently known as the captain
of the informers against conventicles. The crime was formerly
mentioned to you, viz., for striking St. John, a constable in
Cheapside, to whom he brought a warrant to suppress a conventicle
that he said would be on the morrow. Also Mr. Wise, his
Majesty's present or quondam fishmonger, was indicted and the
cause tried for saying in two coffee-houses in St. Bartholomew
Lane that the Presbyterians had murdered Sir E. B. Godfrey and
put it on the Papists. The words were sufficiently proved against
him. His counsel alleged among many things that it did not
appear in court by any records that he was murdered or by whom
but, it being so notoriously known when, where, how and who
the persons were, the jury found him guilty and the court fined
him 40l. |
|
This week in Hertfordshire died that aged and eminent knight,
Sir Henry Blount, after about 14 days' indisposition, having lived
almost 90 years, 40 and odd of which he enjoyed an annuity of
1,000l. per annum, which he purchased for life of Sir John Harper
of Derbyshire, whose estate was tied for the same. |
|
It proves a mistake that those indicted for a riot at Chester were
not found by the Grand Jury but thus only, viz., that the bill was
found on Monday, when they adjourned the court till 2 on Tuesday,
and at 4 the commission was expired. The court not sitting till
3, the bill was then called for but, the sheriffs not having endorsed
it for prosecution and the time being elapsed, the Recorder
dismissed the court. |
|
The charter of Chester invests them with a power to try all
offences but high treason and one Price, convicted for clipping at
Montgomery, accusing Mr. Chapman and Mr. Bullen, two goldsmiths at Chester, Sir George sent for a commission to try them
and they were tried and discharged, in which commission was
inserted also to try those 4 accused for a riot, which being looked
on as an invading their charter, Sir George being first in the commission, the Mayor did not come into court when the commission
was read and Mr. Williams, the Recorder, told the judges they
had not power by that commission, the charter having preconveyed it to the Mayor, &c. Great arguments were used on
both sides; however Sir George proceeded as above mentioned. |
|
There was nothing extraordinary yesterday at the sessions, as
some expected, in relation to the sheriffs or juries but the court
proceeded, as also did the criminals, in the usual methods. The
two Lord Chief Justices and some other judges were on the bench
and several offenders were tried and convicted, amongst others
a goldsmith's wife in St. Martin's Lane for clipping. The
Middlesex petition mentioned in my last was presented and
returned billa vera against the promoters and subscribers thereof. |
|
Those who scrutiny against Gold and Cornish say that they
shall find betwixt 12 or 1300 who have not taken the oaths yet
were received into the livery of their companies, some before,
but most against, Sir Patience Ward's election. Others say the
elected, not electors, are obliged to take the oaths, &c. in all places
of public trust, else the same Act may as well oblige all the freeholders of England, &c. |
|
Last night's foreign letters bring much news. The most
considerable is that Count Teckely carries all before him in
Hungary, that the Bashaw of Ofen has proclaimed him Prince of
Upper Hungary, that he has seized two of the hill towns, Crem[n]itz
and Sc[h]emnitz, where the gold and silver mines are, and from these
two usually come annually 13 millions of dollars. He has coined
gold and silver. (Describing the coins as in the London Gazette
Nos. 1764 and 1765.) |
|
The sanctified blankets for the Duke of Burgundy are on the
road from Rome to Paris. [3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich
Hospital, News-letters, Original, 2, No. 54.] |
Oct. 15.
St. Donats. |
Col. Thomas Stradling to Secretary Jenkins. Last Thursday
the Bayliffs of Cardiff were sworn, Mr. Draper and Mr. Nowell,
both very honest men and approved by all the gentlemen of the
loyal party. Bonfires with ringing of bells followed, when the
healths of the King, the Duke and the Royal family were solemnly
and cordially drunk by the whole town, men, women and children. |
|
A bill was found by the Grand Jury against Richards for saying
the government of England was in the Parliament. An order of
sessions was taken out against him to appear at the next assizes,
where, if he intends to traverse it, he may or, if not, he is liable to
a fine and that fine is in the breast of the judges, who, I am
confident, will do the King justice. [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car.
II. 421, No. 6.] |
Oct. 15.
Paved Alley, St. James'. |
James Harris to Secretary Jenkins. I have written to my uncle
and mother desiring to suspend my journey till after the ensuing
term. I beg you would not have so bad an opinion of me as to
censure that I would act or speak against William Raddon out of
envy or malice. Having found that he and Parsons resided here
above 6 months when Oates' plot broke out and that they had
frequent correspondence with old Oates and Francis Smith, both
Baptists, from whom they received news and communicated it
to the most dangerous Baptists in Devon and Dorset for 6 months
at least and that they were intimate with Capt. Alexander and
the like, I judged it high time to inform against them. [Ibid.
No. 7.] |
Oct. 16.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Earl of Conway. I am forced to
trouble you with so many letters come to me from others that I
must be as brief as possible in my own. |
|
The first is from Sir John Berry from Cadiz Bay with an account
of the good hopes we have of the Emperor of Morocco's ratifying
the peace. |
|
I send a letter from Capt. Nevill, that Admiral Hubert left as
our Consul in Algiers after he had made the peace, and another
to Mr. Cooke at my office. Both speak doubtfully of the lasting
of our peace with that people. These letters, I suppose, will
receive his Majesty's reflections and answers when he comes to
town. |
|
I am to trouble you with 4 more, the first of Mr. Cholmondeley
of Vale Royal about a difference between Sir G. Shakerley and
his son Peter on the one side and Capt. Nott on the other, the
second and third of Sir Geoffrey and Peter Shakerley to me and
the fourth of the son to his father. My lords, who met here tonight, unanimously agreed that his Majesty's great insight into
such disputes makes it very improper for any other to advise in it.
'Tis true Mr. Cholmondeley offers an expedient and some of my
lords would offer another, which is that the son might be made
the governor instead of the father. What I have in command
from my lords is to beseech you to lay this controversy before his
Majesty in order to have his decision. I am further commanded
by their lordships to acquaint Sir Geoffrey and his son that the
whole affair is laid before the King and that they are not to
innovate anything till his pleasure be known. |
|
To-morrow they meet again about the scrutiny. Some say we
shall have an end of it, others, not. The story of Lord
Shaftesbury for this day goes enclosed. [3 pages. S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 421, No. 8.] |
Oct. 16.
Newmarket. |
The Earl of Conway to Secretary Jenkins. I had no commands
on your letter of the 13th. Last night I communicated yours of
the 14th to his Majesty. He is very well pleased with the presentment of the Grand Jury of Middlesex and desires you to signify so
much to the Justices, that they may be encouraged to root out
all the Whigs in the county. He likewise desires you to return
his thanks to the Duke of Newcastle for composing the distempers
at Nottingham and to acquaint him that he permits him to return
to Welbeck. His Majesty dispatched Mr. Chudleigh last night
and wrote by him to the Prince of Orange, so he is gone away early
this morning for Harwich. [Ibid. No. 9.] |
Oct. 16.
Worcester. |
William Hoare to the Earl of Craven. Last Tuesday night,
being the Mayor's feast, he having been sworn the day before,
there were fireworks in the great street, a thing not practised before. On Wednesday morning the effigies of the late
King was found to be defaced, viz., the cross over his crown
struck off, the sceptre taken out of his hand and found in the
street and a scar on his nose. Inquiry has been made by the new
Mayor and a reward of 5l. promised. Most that I speak with
judge this was done by accident. Their reason is the wire, on
which the fireworks ran, was fastened to the shoulder of the
statue, which, being stolen in the night, might occasion those
fractures by a thief's hastiness. Some suppose that this base
action had a more vile intent and judge so from the fracture on
some part of the face. I have moved one of the aldermen to speak
to the Mayor to make closer inquiry. You shall have the result
by next post. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 10.] |
| Oct. 16. |
Basil Fielding to the Earl of Denbigh. Has had the fewest
votes in the election of a steward for Coventry but they are the
loyal party and, many of Mr. Burgh's voters being disqualified by
the Act 13 Charles II, will make his the majority. Hopes Mr.
Burgh's proceedings last sessions will induce the King to remove
him by a mandamus and requests a mandamus for his own election.
If deferred to another year, he will have the votes of the Mayor and
sheriffs, who could not vote this time, being judges of the court.
He has always opposed the numerous dissenters in Coventry.
[Ibid. No. 11.] Enclosed, |
|
Statement that on the death of Sir Rich. Hopkins there was a
Common Council of 31 persons, 21 June, 1682, to elect a
steward for Coventry. Basil Fielding had 14 votes of loyal
persons, Thos. Burgh 17, but 5 of them disqualified by the
Act for regulating Corporations. At the sessions, 2 Oct., 1682,
18 persons being committed for riot when the Duke of Monmouth was at Coventry, Burgh first tried to give the Grand Jury
an unusual oath and then in his charge rather shewed them
how to evade the laws against dissenters and rioters than to
bring them to punishment. The election for steward took place
again with the same results, 10 Oct. By the City charter any
officer can be removed for ill government. [Ibid. No. 11 i.] |
Monday,
Oct. 16. |
Resolution of the Lord Mayor and the Commissioners of
Lieutenancy of London that Lieut.-colonel Quyney be certified
that they have unanimously agreed that he has demeaned himself
with all prudence, fidelity and courage in obeying their order for
guarding in Guildhall, 28 Sept. last, and in his prevention of Mr.
Papillon and Mr. Dubois with their abettors going on the hustings,
which they attempted to do, and they also declare that they do
not only now return him their thanks for the said service but also
resolve to give him all just aid in defending himself against any
that may molest him for his observance thereof. [Ibid. No. 12.] |
Oct. 16.
Newmarket. |
Reference to the Attorney-General of the petition of Miles
Marsh with signification of his Majesty's pleasure that in the
meantime all proceedings in this cause are to be stopped. [S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 212.] |
Oct. 16.
Newmarket. |
Reference to the Attorney-General of the petition of William
Batley for a pardon, Baldron and Mowbray having before the
trial of Sir Miles Stapleton exhibited a bill against him, which at
first was rejected but since found, for hiring witnesses to invalidate
their testimonies. [Ibid. p. 213.] |
| Oct. 16. |
[Owen Wynne ?] to Mr. Graham. The enclosed letter coming
just now to Mr. Secretary, I find him much troubled for fear any
thing should be omitted on his part. He ordered me two nights
ago to deliver Mr. Burton the papers that had been sent him. If
anything be to be done or repaired by sending an express to
Chichester Mr. Secretary desires you to make the dispatch and
to send it and he will reimburse the charge. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 68, p. 154.] |
Oct. 16.
Newmarket. |
Warrant for a gift of the office of sheriff principal of Aberdeenshire, vacant by the resignation of John, Earl of Erroll, to Sir
George Gordon of Haddo, Lord High Chancellor of Scotland, during
pleasure. [2½ pages. S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 424.] |
Oct. 17.
Newmarket. |
The Earl of Conway to Secretary Jenkins. I received yours of the
15th and Mr. Atterbury's has been communicated to his Majesty. |
|
Mr. Thomson's advice for pleading against the legality of the
jury seems grounded neither on law nor reason and it may well
be supposed the extravagancies of the City have proceeded from
the same advice. |
|
I had no commands from his Majesty. |
|
Monsr. van Beuninghen came hither Monday night and was at
Court. I did not see him there yesterday but I saluted him walking in the streets going to the race. I believe he has transacted
very little business since he came. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 421,
No. 13.] |
| Oct. 17. |
Charles Speke to Lawrence Brome at Isle Brewers. If I had not
had great occasions for money at present, I should not have
troubled you so often and, if you cannot now pay the bearer the
whole, please pay part and give bond for the rest. [Ibid. No. 14.] |
| Oct. 17. |
The information of Francisco de Faria and Lawrence Mowbray,
sworn before Major Parry. William Lewis has several times
positively affirmed to them that the King is an absolute Papist
and endeavours to stiffle the Popish plot by discharging the
witnesses that give evidence thereof and he likewise endeavours
to take off the odium from the Papists and cast it on the Presbyterians and Lord Shaftesbury and that the King and Court put the
instrument or paper of association found in Lord Shaftesbury's
closet on Lord Shaftesbury and that it was conveyed thither by
their order by Mr. Gwyn and that the King daily endeavours to
enslave the nation with Popery and superstition and further that
he imposes sheriffs and other officers on the City on purpose to
accomplish his designs against the Presbyterians. The said
Lewis acquainted the informants that he has been dealt with by
the Court in a Cabinet Council and divers times by Sir L. Jenkins
to swear a plot against the Presbyterians and Lord Shaftesbury
and that by reason of his refusal his allowance is taken from him.
They further depose that Zeal and Bolron, two associates of Lewis,
have divers times since their allowances were taken off spoken
words to this very effect against the King and Court and have
combined together and persuaded these informants to adhere to
the City and make information of the contents hereof against the
King and Court, and the city would stand by it, and that the next
Parliament would take recognizance of the illegal practices of the
King and Court and encourage whoever would appear against them.
They further depose that Lewis has several times endeavoured
with them to swear that Smith and Macnamara would have
suborned them against Lord Shaftesbury and to swear to a Presbyterian plot and Zeal further affirms that he was called into a
Cabinet Council and that his Majesty said that he knew his face
and very much encouraged him to swear a Presbyterian plot and
against Lord Shaftesbury, promising him rewards, and that at the
same time the Lord Chamberlain followed him to the door and
still urged him to answer their proposals and he would be made
for ever. The informants declare that no persons whatever have
put them on this but that it is their free and voluntary act. [1¼
pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 15.] |
Oct. 17.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Sir Geoffrey Shakerley. Having laid your
son's case, as he is your deputy and a most valuable gentleman,
before the lords of the Council that are now here, they showed all
possible inclination to favour your son but are afraid there is a
rule in favour of captains of the Guards directly contrary to
Mr. Shakerley's pretensions. The whole matter now lies before
his Majesty but we do not expect he will declare his pleasure on
it before he returns to London. Therefore it is the opinion of my
lords and their request to you immediately on receipt hereof to
repair to Chester Castle and there give your orders and do all the
functions of a governor. No exception can be taken to what you
do as governor and his Majesty's orders will in a few days remove
all difficulties. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 150.] |
Oct. 17.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Peter Shakerley. On the same subject
as the last. [Ibid. p. 151.] |
Oct. 17.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Mr. Cholmondeley of Vale Royal. It is
an evidence to so many of my lords as have seen your letter to me
by the last post about the difference between Capt. Nott and Mr.
Shakerley and so it will be to his Majesty that you intend the
King's service with as much care and zeal as possible. But, to deal
plainly with you, my lords that you know are afraid that Mr.
Shakerley is in an error. However they have so great a value
for him that they'll do anything by way of good offices with his
Majesty. Pray use your endeavour that so worthy a gentleman
be not discouraged. Your expedient is by this time before the
King but 'tis possible we may not have his resolution before he
return next Saturday. I do not account to you of the extraordinary charge of your Custos Rotulorum but will do it when I
shall have given some account of it in time and place. [Ibid.
p. 152.] |
| Oct. 17. |
Secretary Jenkins to Lord Windsor. I had returned a speedier
answer to yours of the 9th but that I was desirous to communicate
the matter of it first to my predecessor, Mr. Coventry, in whose
service Mr. Harris had spent some years, and as I believed he
might retain a kindness for a good servant so I was sure he would
never advise anything to the prejudice of so faithful and loyal
a corporation as that of Droitwich has always been, but, having
had no opportunity of speaking with him, which I hoped to have
done to-day at his lodge, I would no longer delay a few lines,
which are only to assure you that there shall be no further pressing
of his Majesty's letter in behalf of Mr. Harris, but that I will at a
convenient time acquaint his Majesty with your reasons against
it. Besides, Mr. Harris did not deal fairly with us in concealing
his endeavours to be made a burgess there a year since, when
you say he was refused by the town. His Majesty knows
how to dispose of his favours better than to put a single
person into the balance against a well-affected corporation
and their ancient franchises and your concern for them will
oblige me to be the more careful of them. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 68, p. 153.] |
| Oct. 17. |
Memorandum of a letter to the Lord Deputy with the poll list and
a copy of the Common Serjeant's letter. [S.P. Ireland, Car. II.
341, p. 134.] |
Oct. 18.
Newmarket. |
The Earl of Conway to Secretary Jenkins. Your packet of the
16th came hither yesterday, so spoiled and torn with the rain,
which got into the portmantle, that anybody might have taken
out all the letters, and I had much ado to make out the sense of
Capt. Nevill's from Algiers, but I read them all to his Majesty
in the same method you mentioned them. He hopes that all
which is related by Nevill and Cole, which he had heard of before,
was only occasioned by the French lying before Algiers, but the
discourse of Baba Hassan, his disowning of the peace and charging
us with the breach for not delivering the 22 Turks seems to imply
somewhat more, either that he expects a present or what else will
be proper for his Majesty to act in this matter. He refers to his
coming to town, which being intended so suddenly, I do not send
you back the letters there enclosed, but have ordered Mr. Blathwayt to bring them carefully. |
|
I communicated to his Majesty all the letters concerning the
difference between Shakerley and Nott. He said he would resolve
it this afternoon, I suppose after discourse with the Duke and
others. |
|
I had an information and a letter from some of the magistrates
of Coventry which I acquainted his Majesty with, which he
commanded me to send to you that, if my lords who meet at
your office think fit to do anything in it, you may give order about
it; otherwise I perceive his Majesty is willing to leave it to the
course of the law. I think it is treason to say, Any man is heir to
the Crown but the true heir, and the only question with me is
whether this notion of the Duke of Monmouth has not been
distilled in all places where he went by some of his followers
and how far you will think fit to make enquiry to find it out.
[1½ pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 16.] |
Oct. 18.
Dunham Massey. |
Lord Delamer to [Secretary Jenkins]. By yours of the 14th I
perceive my unhappiness to be misapprehended by you. If you
peruse my letter again, you will not find so much as the mention
of the words arbitrary and illegal nor any charge against you. I
have lived so long and have had so much experience to learn
other things. All my design was, and still is, to declare a
resolve of justifying my own loyalty. This, I hope, cannot
offend any. |
|
As for the ribbons and taking names in writing, Lord Conway
and myself can best rectify that mistake. I can make it appear
I am not mistaken. |
|
What you mean by informations on oath of another cognizance
I cannot tell nor why you say it, except it refer to me. If so, all
I shall say to it is I am not to be affrighted from bringing this
affair to a trial. The first of next month I design to begin my
journey towards London, though very unfit for such a voyage and
very doubtful how I shall be able to endure it. If God bring me
thither, I shall with less trouble to you tell who the justice is and
what affront is done to me. [1½ pages. Ibid. No. 17.] |
| Oct. 18. |
William Lewis to Secretary Jenkins. I always hoped never to
be driven to justify my loyalty otherwise than by deeds, your
honour knowing I have served the King, but now I am accused by
I know not who nor for what. Should I say or act anything against
my King or any of his ministers, whom I call God to witness I know
not the least harm by, I ought not only to be ironed, as I am, but
hanged. Yesterday Sheriff Rich told me I was misrepresented
to some ministers, adding that he did not believe I was disaffected
to the King. I thanked him and asked when I might have an
hour's discourse with him and then he should see what service I
intend for my King. He appointed me to come at 5 in the evening,
but I was apprehended in the interim, and indeed the service I
intended and doubted not to do was to bring things to an
accommodation that there might be a right understanding between
the King and his people, which, I fear, never will be, till all
evidencing be laid aside and right done to both the King's ministers
and other Protestants, who, I believe, are wrongfully accused, and,
so long as those horrid scandals lie on them, they will never comply
nor can they be blamed, since they are made believe by evil agents
that you and others about the King not only countenance their
accusers but use evil practices to procure a misunderstanding
between the King and his people, but I did always tell the City that
they should not believe that any about the King could be so
wicked, adding that, if there was any such, it was much that I
should not be privy to some of those ill practices in above a year's
time, further telling them that the witnesses had wicked with enough
to frame false accusations without help. By this you may judge
whether I am against the King's interest or no and, if I have
given the least scrip of paper from under my hand against any
at Court or any of the witnesses, then I desire no credit from you
and shall own myself guilty of what is laid to my charge. I
understand it's reported I am full of money, but Sheriff Rich can
clear that point, for the very clothes now on my back were fetched
out of pawn with some of my last payment from Court. I do not
desire to be believed in this on my own assertion, but I will, if
you please, give a note of other clothes now in pawn, so I cannot
be guilty of being a spy at Court, for certainly I would not serve
the Whigs for nothing. You'll find what I say to be true ere long,
for I believe I may starve here before any Whig would come or
send to relieve me. Therefore I pray you to commiserate my
condition and to order my irons to be taken off. [2 pages. S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 18.] |
Oct. 18.
The Gatehouse. |
William Lewis to Sheriff Peter Rich. About his interview with
him as in the last letter.—I may be charged to have a design to
wrong you, but, to satisfy you to the contrary, I protest I know not
the least ill by you nor ever did, but that your dealing with me
was nothing but what became the loyalest of subjects and best of
good men. By this you may see I am wronged, if they say I have
done anything against you, and I know not the least harm of any
belonging to Court. If you let me see you as soon as you can,
I will satisfy you in what I intend to serve the King. I
desire you to stand my friend as you have hitherto and I doubt
not you may receive thanks from the Court, who frown on me
now, for all your kindness to me. [Ibid. No. 19.] |
| Wednesday, Oct. 18. 8 a.m. |
Secretary Jenkins to Samuel Carleton. I send you this express
with the writ of certiorari, which I received very late last night
from the Attorney-General. I have enclosed not only the letter
to you but that which was also writ to Mr. Wynne. Let what
you have occasion to write on the subject be, I pray, to Mr. Graham
and he shall have my assistance in anything tending to the due
administration of justice and his Majesty's service. The papers
from Mr. Williams of Rye shall be produced next Council
day, an account being come from several others of the miscarriage in that town. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 153.] |
Oct. 19.
Newmarket. |
The Earl of Conway to Secretary Jenkins. I communicated
yours of the 17th to his Majesty with the enclosed papers from the
Common Serjeant and Count Thun. His Majesty was yesterday
informed that Vandeput, a merchant, said he spoke with one that
saw Lord Shaftesbury at Rotterdam. |
|
His Majesty has deferred his resolution in the difference between
Shakerley and Nott. I think the Duke's opinion was for settling
the whole command on Nott. I only reminded his Majesty that
Mr. Cholmondeley represented Shakerley as a person of interest in
the country, who would be serviceable to his Majesty in a place
where it was much wanted, and on this it was deferred. I have
nothing in command from his Majesty. |
|
Monsr. van Beuninghen is returned and is able to write to his
masters he saw the Court and that's all. [S.P. Dom., Car. II.
421, No. 20.] |
Oct. 19.
Newmarket. |
Commission to Robert Noell to be brigadier and lieutenant of
the King's own troop of Horse Guards in place of William Egerton.
Minute. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 164, p. 82.] |
Oct. 19.
London. |
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. Letters from Germany
of the 11th bring an account that the Chief Vizier will be at Belgrade
suddenly and will be speedily followed by the Grand Signior in
person, so that affairs in Hungary seem in a very ill condition.
(About Count Teckely as in the London Gazette, No. 1766.) |
|
The States of Holland have answered the memorials of the
Imperial and Spanish ambassadors and declare themselves well
satisfied with the Spaniards accepting the arbitration of the King
of England and assure them that they will use their utmost
endeavours for composing all differences between the French King
and them. |
|
The Portugal ships sent by the Infanta were no sooner parted
from the coast of Savoy but the Duke, whose illness was made a
pretence for not going with them, though it was a rainy day, was
immediately so well as to ride a hunting. |
|
Some kind of an alliance being made between the Hollander,
the Emperor and Spaniard, the Duke of Saxony is come into the
same and has declared he will embrace the interest of the Empire. |
|
The French King, finding that he cannot by his ambassador at
Rome compose the differences between him and that court, has
recalled him thence and declares that he will have all the propositions made by the Assembly of the Clergy of France maintained
and has ordered all the colleges and universities in his kingdom
to maintain the same and no other. The Pope has declared all
those that adhere to the articles of the Assembly to be heretics and
that they shall be proceeded against as such. |
|
I am told that Sheriff Rich has brought his action against Sir
Thomas Player for 100l., part of the money he received from Mr.
Box, it being customary that the sheriff that serves after one that
has fined shall have 100l. of that fine towards his charges. |
|
It was expected that the scrutineers would have gone through
the books of the several companies and have declared the poll
this day, but, there being oaths to be taken in several companies
by the liverymen before they can be admitted to poll, that matter
was not adjusted, but left to be determined by the Court of
Aldermen. One of the scrutineers, though he would not declare
who had the better, positively told me that they were ready to
give in their scrutiny and only delayed by the Whigs. Some time
since a bricklayer was committed to the Compter for saying the
two sheriffs were a couple of tools and set up to serve a turn. On
Saturday he was indicted and refused to plead, on which the
court proceeded against him as guilty and fined him 20 marks.
He has now brought an action against the sheriffs for false imprisonment, which will be tried next term. [3 pages. Admiralty,
Greenwich Hospital, News-letters, Original, 2, No. 55.] |
Thursday,
Oct. 19. London. |
Newsletter to Roger Garstell, Newcastle. Our last letters from
Edinburgh of the 12th say that the 10th a committee of the Council
sat and ordered a proclamation proroguing the Parliament till 5
March next, which the following day was proclaimed with the
usual solemnities at the Market Cross. |
|
The commission constituting the Earl of Middleton Secretary
conjunct with the Earl of Moray is arrived and by another commission several of the Council are empowered and commanded
to see him take the test. |
|
The Provincial Synod sat the 11th and 12th, but did nothing of
moment save putting some ministers into vacant places. |
|
Several men and women convicted of field conventicles, being
ordered for transportation, were on the 12th sent to Greenock,
where they are to embark for New [York] and some for Carolina. |
|
The Earls of Perth and Balca[rres and] the Laird of Lundie, the
Treasurer Deput, arrived at Edinburgh from London. |
|
. . . . His company, being suspected of the murder, were summoned to appear, which they did, and on their approach to the
corpse the face bled, yet they all deny it and no evidence yet or
confession appears against any of them, though it's hoped the
Providence of God will not suffer it long undiscovered. |
|
The London Justices have made an order of sessions that no
person be licensed for keeping a public-house, till he produce a
certificate that he is a frequenter of divine service in his own
church, has taken the Sacrament and is in all things conformable
to the government as now by law established in church and
state. |
|
(About Sheriff Rich's action as in the last newsletter.) |
|
The Committee for defence of our charter are busied now to
provide against term and to put their matters into a suitable
method of proceeding, if the Attorney-General go on. |
|
To-day the scrutineers met again in the Irish Chamber, but, by
reason one party, instead of complying with the proper methods
which would soon lead to a final scrutiny, raise scruples and
propose things without precedent and impracticable amongst the
companies, nothing was done or at least nothing to the purpose,
no account being then delivered to the Lord Mayor and Court of
Aldermen, though sitting in the Council Chamber. [3 pages. Part
torn away. Ibid. No. 56.] |
Oct. 20.
Carmarthen. |
Dorothy Harries to her son. Informing him that his aunt
Joyce was dead and buried since last Sunday sennight and that
his uncle, Thomas Harries, would have him come down with all
convenient haste to Monmouth that they may advise together
what course to take for the right he has to that estate. [S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 21.] |
Oct. 21.
Guildhall. |
Henry Crispe, Common Serjeant, to [Secretary Jenkins]. The
Court is now up and, having first heard counsel on behalf of the
Merchant Tailors and Glovers objected against, they have declared that the Merchant Tailors who have not taken the oath
required by their ancient constitutions and ordinances are no
liverymen, that the Glovers who have duly taken the oath, though
not duly entered by the clerk, are, that the twelve who have not
taken the oath required for livery or freedom are not, that the
Musicians are a livery, the Farriers not, that persons not duly
translated have no right, which are the points we insisted on. A
Common Hall is ordered to-morrow for declaration according
to custom. [Ibid. No. 22.] |
Oct. 21.
Hewell. |
Lord Windsor to Secretary Jenkins. I thank you for your
letter, it being in my opinion much for his Majesty's service when
they see he is careful to preserve their rights, and Mr. Harris, on
my discoursing with him, is willing never to trouble you further
about it. I shall not make any repetition of the undecent action
lately done to the late King's statue in Worcester, but refer you
to the enclosed taken by the deputy lieutenants at Worcester
yesterday. I intended to have been in person, but could not,
being not well enough. I shall observe what further order you
send me about it and you shall have a speedy account of any
further discovery. [Ibid. No. 23.] Enclosed, |
|
Five Deputy Lieutenants of Worcestershire to Lord Windsor,
Lord Lieutenant. We are much troubled you were hindered
by the accident mentioned in your letter, yet we have considered the business you directed us to do. First, we caused
orders for the musters and gave latitude for them to the end of
November, because Mr. Windsor thinks he cannot be ready
before and other captains pray the same liberty. Secondly,
we ordered a week's pay for the officers, as you directed, and that
orders be forthwith drawn up to be paid 20 Jan. next. Lastly
(though the chieffest in concern), we have talked with the Mayor
and Aldermen and others about the business of the King's
statue and cannot find that what was done was of any malice,
but, there being some fireworks the night of the Mayor's election,
the wires that were to carry them being fixed to the cross, some
rascals, after they were over, attempting to steal the wire and
other things placed for that purpose, broke down the sceptre and
the cross on the top of the crown, which was afterwards found
at the door of a great fanatic. The Mayor made speedy proclamation to give 5l. for the discovery of the offenders and has
made the statue good again in every particular and will makanother proclamation increasing the reward to 20l. This, we
conceive, is the truth of the matter. We have not met with anything considerable, but some usual complaints of persons
charged to horse, which we have settled. 20 Oct. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 421, No. 23 i.] |
| [Oct. 21 ?] |
The State of the Poll. |
|
|
|
On Sir W. Prichard's side. |
|
Cornish outpolled Sir W.
Prichard at the books |
25 |
Excepted against by the
scrutineers |
75 |
|
Excepted against by the
scrutineers of those who
polled for Prichard |
81 |
Excepted against in the
Merchant Taylors' Company, unqualified |
38 |
|
|
|
Excepted against in the
Glovers' Company, 21 of
whom Cornish's men acknowledge |
8 |
|
|
|
There will be maintained
of the Musicians |
6 |
|
|
|
25 Quakers excepted against, but there will be
certain |
10 |
|
|
106 |
|
137 |
|
By this Sir William Prichard has more than Cornish 31. [Ibid.
No. 24.] |
Oct. 21.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Mr. Cholmondeley. His Majesty, who
arrived here between 3 and 4 this afternoon in perfect health, sat
down in Council and heard at large the business between Mr.
Shakerley and Capt. Nott. The resolution was that I should
write to you, and to you alone, that his Majesty has all the assurance
you can desire of Mr. Shakerley's merit and zeal and that he is
persuaded it is very much for his service that he should always
have an honourable occasion to stay in Chester, yet that there are
some rules relating to his Guards that cannot be swerved from
without great prejudice to his service, therefore he gives you power
to assure the father that, if he please to give up his commission,
the son shall have the same commission sent him to be governor
of Chester. His Majesty desires you to manage this business not
only with all secrecy but with that discretion that is to be had to the
proposing of a thing that may be liable to a double exception, the
one, the want of a competent experience in military affairs for one of
the great posts of the kingdom, the other, that a father is succeeded
by his son to the prejudice of so many noble and loyal personages
that may pretend with reason to have that important post after
Sir Geoffrey. I know you are not like to enter into this expedient
because you propose another, but, when you have sounded father
and son, pray give me not only your report but also your judgment
how you think this business may be best promoted in composing
these difficulties. [Nearly 2 pages. S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68,
p. 155.] |
Oct. 21.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Lord Noel. I enclose the transcript of an
affidavit that lies in the Court of Admiralty. I must beseech you
to concern yourself as much as possible in finding out these
pirates, for the diligent execution of justice on those that take
commissions from Carew is of infinite consequence to the peace
between his Majesty and the States General. One of the witnesses
says that two of the ships are in Southampton River. I can't at
present inform myself who is Vice-Admiral there. In the interim
I beg you to inquire after those pirates, because Lemon and Crosby
are said by him that swore to the enclosed affidavit to have been
seen in and about that place. I beg you also to honour me with
a few lines when anything comes to your knowledge touching this.
[Ibid. p. 157.] |
| [Oct. 21 ?] |
Secretary Jenkins to Lord Chief Justice North. I have sent the
bearer, Mr. Strutt, one of the messengers, by his Majesty's command to you with Samuel Ellams, an attorney, who had the
presumption to tell me he would bring one Hawley to me, if he
might be assured of free ingress and regress for him. This Hawley
is one that has acted by colour of a commission of reprizals given
out by George Carew against the States General and their subjects.
That commission, as I suppose you know, has been vacated by all
the methods and solemnities of the laws of England that could be
thought of. This Hawley has been indicted of piracy. The bill
against him was found by the Grand Jury, but he was acquitted
by a petty jury at the last sessions of Oyer and Terminer held for
the Admiralty of England not many months since. |
|
Carew persists, notwithstanding the vacating of his commission,
in giving out his deputation still. He has given out three within
these two months and one now a second time to Hawley. His
ship is seized and brought up the River, but Hawley himself is
escaped. Whether he has been at sea or committed any piracy
under cover of his second commission we do not yet know, but
his Majesty, suspecting most justly that this Ellams not only
knows Hawley's haunts but is also an accomplice by land, desires
you to examine him and to do with him as to justice shall appertain.
I can assure you on my own knowledge that the States General
have by several treaties the abolition of Carew's letters of reprizals
confirmed to them and it is a matter of astonishment to our
neighbours abroad as well as of confusion to us here that a private
subject can arm and equip against a neighbour nation and ally,
whose friendship is extremely to be cultivated by his Majesty at
this time, men-of-war without stint in despite of his Majesty and
the Government, not only to the disturbance of all commerce by
sea but to the giving the Dutch a provocation (which they and the
neighbour world will call just) to arm out great fleets against his
Majesty by way of counter-reprizals. There are those in that
country that very gladly would be at it, which God forbid, that
a mischief of this nature should have so fatal a progress. This I
have in command to say from the King. Mr. Burton, that goes
along to attend you on this business, will have some further
particulars to enlarge on. [2½ pages. S.P. Dom., Entry Book
68, p. 158.] |
Oct. 21.
London. |
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. Last Thursday night
the Attorney-General received from the managers appointed by
the city to defend their charter their rejoinder. (Then follows
an account of the rejoinder, which is printed in State Trials,
Vol. VIII, col. 1075 et seq.) The issuable part will be tried next
term. |
|
Last Thursday the Court of Delegates met at Serjeants' Inn in
Chancery Lane to give sentence in the cause so long depending
between Mistress Hide and Mr. Emerton. She was called in and
several questions demanded of her by the 14 Delegates. After
she withdrew, they proceeded to sentence and 7 were for her
marriage with Lord Dumblane and 7 for Emerton, so that, being
equal, they adjourned for six weeks and in the meantime delivered
her to Dr. Dove's care. |
|
We are advised from Weymouth that on the 16th was lost on
Portland Beach the Anna Maria of Amsterdam, a new ship of
400 tons and 32 guns, homeward-bound from Venice, where she
had taken in rice, brimstone, &c. She touched at Cadiz, where
she took in some silver, which is all lost save 7 sows of silver. 32
of her men were landed and 21 lost. |
|
I saw to-day the declaration under the counsel's hand brought
by his Royal Highness against Mr. Pilkington for 100,000l. damages. It is laid in Surrey and will be tried at the King's Bench
bar at Westminster by a Surrey jury this term. |
|
Their Majesties and his Royal Highness with the whole Court
returned to-day from Newmarket. |
|
The Delegates absent at the hearing of Mistress Hide's cause
were the Duke of Albemarle, the Bishop of St. Asaph and the
Earl of Craven. |
|
It is now reported that Sir Leoline Jenkins is made Lord Privy
Seal and that the Earl of Sunderland will be Secretary of State
again. |
|
I cannot find by all the inquiry I have made that anyone has
seen the Earl of Shaftesbury, so that most people conclude he is
gone. The wind has blown so hard at S.S.W. that it has kept
back all our foreign posts, so that we have nothing from abroad.
It blew so hard on Tuesday that the anchors and cables belonging
to the Sweepstakes, which is now in the Downs, were broke away
and the boat sent off to weigh them durst not venture to come
near the shore but was forced to keep off to sea. [3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital, News-letters, Original, 2, No. 57.] |
| Oct. 23. |
Elizabeth de Beauvan, allied to the blood of the Bourbons by
the family that gave her birth, prostrates herself for the third time
before his Majesty for assistance to herself and her numerous
family. The proofs of her birth have been delivered to the Bishop
of London and Secretary Jenkins, and his Majesty has been so kind
as to promise Lord Preston to provide for her. God opens a way
for his Majesty to do it, for M. Herault, a French minister and
Canon of Canterbury, is dying and cannot to all appearance
recover, being upwards of 80 [ob. 5 Nov., 1682]. If his Majesty
would give that place to the petitioner's husband, Jacques
d'Allemagne, who has received English Orders and is an honorary
chaplain to his Majesty, he would provide for the sustenance of
the petitioner and of all her house, who have abandoned everything for the Protestant truth. [French. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 421,
No. 25.] |
Oct. 23.
London. |
Sir James Smyth to Secretary Jenkins. To-morrow the
Artillery Company intend to choose a chirurgeon. I am informed
endeavours are used to procure the King's letter for a Mr. Bernard.
I beg you, if possible, to prevent any such thing because the
company have in their thoughts Mr. Stephens, the bearer, of whose
loyalty and fidelity Sir William Prichard and I, as President and
Vice-President, are well satisfied. [Ibid. No. 26.] |
Oct. 23.
Nottingham. |
Alderman Hall to Serjeant Gervas Price. I have been so much
concerned in the corporation concerns that I have not had time
to return my thanks to my friends in London. Brother Edge has
been very diligent to assert the King's interest, since Rodd came
home. We held our sessions, where we sent for the gentlemen's
Mayor and the rest of their officers. He did not appear, the rest
did and promised they would act no more. They have since
delivered their ensigns of honour to our sheriffs. Mr. Greaves,
their Mayor, desired to see me and promised he would act no more
and said that he had not done it but that he was put upon it, but
since both he and the rest are so animated by the arrogant cabals
of the gentlemen, that have meetings in the town almost every
day, that he owns himself to be Mayor still and came last Sunday
to church in his gown and the sheriffs do the same. They make
it their business to incense the common burgesses against the
magistrates. The gentlemen tell them they will stand by their
Mayor and officers with their lives and fortunes. Their purses are
larger than ours and, if some of them be not made examples, they
will overpower us and, because none of them have been fetched up,
they now make a mock of authority and ask when comes the
pursuivant. For so many gentlemen that live in the country
and some in town to come to the hall with their swords on and
about a hundred attendance and none of them a vote nor anything
to do there, I leave you to judge of their intentions. We have a
great many honest men amongst us that are really afraid of their
proceedings, that are so impudent that they go about from house
to house to persuade good subjects that they should not be sworn
burgesses nor act with us. The Recorder and all our officers
according to the new charter have taken their oaths, but how we
shall be quiet, unless a speedy course be taken with them, I cannot
tell. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 27.] |
| Oct. 23. |
Thomas Harries to [James Harris]. I wrote to you last Saturday, but, these things coming to me since, I was willing to impart
them to you, ere they slipped my mind. Raddon has made the
people mad, but I hear is now mad himself. He cheated the
Justices, when he made them free him, pretending an old debt.
He has besides committed an assault in beating a man and
a constable, so he must not appear, but, they say, is gone
to London. Sir Thomas Putt is gone for London and threatens
you hard. Mr. Atherton sent me word by Brown and my son
William that he would willingly have his bargain and will
stand by you against Jamison or other. Mr. Hart desires to
hear from you. Searle would know what he must do in Clod's
business. [Ibid. No. 28.] |
Oct. 23.
Kirby. |
Lord Hatton to [Secretary Jenkins]. I have an account from
Guernsey of some transactions there, which I beg to trouble you
with an account of. The first is concerning an order used there
for some years past that all ships going out of the harbour should
have a ticket under the hand of the governor or his deputy to
signify his being acquainted with their going out, such ticket or
let pass, as they call it, being always readily granted and never a
farthing demanded. If any would be so stubborn as not to ask
for it, the guard, as they passed out, would stop them till the
governor's directions were had. This, however, has of late been
very uneasy to some few of the merchants there, whose trade lies
most in prohibited goods, which were not so conveniently stolen
out, when the governor, having notice of their departure, would
advertise the officers to have an eye to them. The like inconvenience they have found from the guard on the pier, who taking
notice of what was carried on board or brought ashore at all times
of the night, when the officers to receive the duties could not
attend there, it was not so easy to import or export contraband
goods as some could have wished. This is all they can complain
of and such are the persons and no other that complain, yet at the
instance of these persons they have resolved to make some address
to his Majesty in this matter and will, I am informed, suggest that
what has been done is contrary to an order made by some commissioners about 1607, although the case extremely differs from
what was then complained of, as by the enclosed copy of the then
complaint and order will appear, the complaint being then that
every person that went out of the island was constrained to take
a pass, which is not now required, but the governor, being acquainted that a vessel is ready to sail, gives a little ticket or let pass
to the officers of the guard not to hinder them from going out at
any time of the day or night without any further examination or
trouble, unless any extraordinary occasion should arise, which
would at all times have justified stopping them, nor is any seaman, merchant or passenger hindered from going on board such
vessels. I hope, therefore, by your representing the true state of
this matter to his Majesty he will approve of what has been done
and of the continuance of it for the future, it being, I am sure, of
great use to his service not only in respect of his duties and the
regulation of trade but more for the safety of the place that the
governor, who is trusted therewith, should have notice when any
ship goes out, it being no charge or inconvenience to any that
trades honestly. |
|
Having, I hope, said enough of this matter, I must inform you
of another lately passed there in relation to the office of his
Majesty's Comptroller there, which is of the same nature as the
King's Solicitor here. This has always heretofore been disposed
of by the governor and certainly there was some reason it should
be so. The King having granted all his revenue in that island to
him, it would seem most proper for him to choose the persons who
are to manage any cause in the court relating to it. Yet his
Majesty about 7 or 8 years ago, on what ground I do not know,
declared that for the future he would reserve to himself the nomination of such officers and that no governor should intermeddle
therewith, but at the same time assured me he would not dispose
of any such office without hearing me. The Comptroller having
since died and no other being appointed in his place, one of the
eldest and ablest advocates by a general consent, without being
sworn into the office, executed it, till it should be otherwise provided, but about a month since, as I am informed, the Bailiff and
Jurats have taken on them to choose another to serve in that
office and have sworn him Comptroller without any order, an
insolence I hope his Majesty will not suffer them to get away with
unreprimanded nor the person so irregularly brought into the
office to hold it, he being in no way qualified for it. If Capt.
Littelton, my deputy, has informed you already of any of these
things, I hope you pardon my repeating them. I doubt not he
will give you a very good account of the present state of things
there, but, not having been so long acquainted with the place as
myself, he could not perhaps look back on what has passed heretofore in relation to these affairs. [3 pages. S.P. Channel Islands
1, No. 121.] Enclosed, |
|
Extract from the book of the Commissioners sent to Guernsey
in 1607 [calendared ante, p. 469]. [Ibid. No. 121 i.] |
Oct. 24.
Lechlade. |
Sir Thomas Cutler to the Earl of Craven. Having information
that Miles Sandys, living at Cirencester, in a public-house there
declared that, if the Duke of York was a Papist, it was lawful to
take up arms against him according to a statute 1 Eliz., thereby
endeavouring to seduce the ignorant into notions of rebellion under
a pretence of law, being an attorney and therefore sooner credited
amongst that misguided multitude, being a ringleader of all the
young factious party there, who are not an inconsiderable number,
I immediately issued my warrant to have him brought before me
and found him guilty of uttering those words, whereon I bound
him in 1,000l. and two sureties in 500l. each to be forthcoming
before his Majesty in Council, if required, or otherwise at the next
assizes for this county, to answer his rebellious discourse and to be
of good behaviour in the meantime. I thought it my duty to
make this known to some of the Privy Council and therefore
beg you to acquaint the King and the Duke of it that I may
receive their commands. |
|
Postscript.—I have other informations against him for endeavouring to encourage Dissenters against authority, for which I have
bound him to the next quarter sessions, but, if he appear before
the Council, I will attend to declare what has been sworn against
him before me. I have since received another information that he
openly in the street declared that in a short time he believed it
would be treason to say there was a Papist in England. [S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 29.] |
| [Oct. 24.] |
A breviat of James Harris' information against William Raddon,
brother to Edward Raddon, that was proclaimed in '66 or thereabouts, and against Thomas Parsons and John Troude, old
Oliverians. (Giving an account of William Raddon's words, as
in his information [calendared ante, p. 357].) |
|
Two men of Chard can prove the latter part of these words and
I the former. I was informed in Devon that John Troude said
in the hearing of a minister and Justice Drew's clerk that he hoped
to draw and fight against them and their masters, as he had against
their forefathers, and that he would fight against the King for the
Parliament that voted the Exclusion Bill, as willingly as ever
he fought for the old Parliament against Charles I. In regard I
understood that Parsons and Raddon continued in London above
six months in the house of Pearce, a coffee-man, about the juncture
wherein Oates' plot broke out and that they wrote news most
post-days to Baptists and other Dissenters in Devon, Dorset and
Somerset and that their words had reference to a continued correspondence with their acquaintance at London, I hoped I might be
more serviceable to the King and the truly loyal Protestants in
riding for London and finding what sort of acquaintance they had
there and, if I found them to be Dissenters, especially such as
were concerned in his brother Raddon's intended insurrection in
'66 or thereabouts, I would discover Parsons' and Raddon's
expressions to Sir L. Jenkins, but, if their acquaintance appeared
loyal, I might rest silent. There was an absolute digitus Dei
enjoining me to find out their acquaintance and then impart their
expressions rather than to disclose anything to a Justice in Devon,
for about November last I acquainted Sir Thomas Putt he was
little better than forsworn for being so solicitous for the Exclusion
Bill, whereon he has coveted all imaginable means to incense other
Justices against me, and Parsons and Raddon, knowing his antipathy against me, take all imaginable advantages to animate him
against me. (Then follows a long account of his persecutions from
Sir Thomas Putt.) So upon the whole of Sir Thomas' and Parsons'
transactions against me I was further encouraged in my resolution for London and to that end I enjoined my wife to impart to
me what she understood of her former husband, Edward Raddon's,
and Capt. Spurrway's intended insurrection in '66 or thereabouts.
She told me she doubted more mischief was hatching by reason of
William Raddon's words and, if Capt. Spurrway and Capt.
Alexander, alias Love, grand promoters of the insurrection in '66,
met frequently in taverns and coffee-houses, she was of opinion
strange and devilish designs were on foot, for her husband Raddon
with them and others used to meet in clubs before their intended
insurrection, and she owned that they endeavoured to persuade her
to represent the person of the Queen as discontented with his
Majesty for abusing her bed, but she positively disowned to be
concerned therein and said, if they continued their resolutions,
she would find some expedient to disclose all to the King, which
discouraged them from that intended insurrection, and shortly
after her husband died. |
|
About 13 July I was at Dorchester with one of the last
Parliament, who was eager for the Exclusion. I asked him what
reason he and others gave for being so earnest against Lord Hyde.
He replied they could not charge him for being a Papist or dishonest to the trust reposed in him, but that he was too nearly
related to the Duke of York, whereby I inferred that loyalty and
honesty must be excluded by the promoters of the Exclusion Bill. |
|
About 18 July I came to London, where I found Raddon and
Parsons had much intimacy with Francis Smith, a Baptist nigh
the Royal Exchange, who animated the Exclusion Bill, printed
and added to Shaftesbury's speech and with old Oates and many
other Dissenters was concerned in the intended insurrection in '66.
I therefore gave Sir L. Jenkins an account of the expressions of
Raddon and Parsons and shortly after I became acquainted with
Mr. Rous, who was formerly in the Tower, the reason being for
his assistance to dispose of an estate I have in Devon in reversion,
wherein he assured me he would assist me to the utmost, in regard
I was married to Edward Raddon's widow and that Alexander,
alias Love, with others of Mr. Raddon's acquaintance were of their
club at the Salutation tavern in Lombard Street. I desired to be
admitted to the club, but Rous answered none was admitted
without a testimonial under a true English merchant's hand or
other well known to the society, who must avouch that the party
so admitted must be right. About 24 August I called for Rous
at the Salutation tavern, where he had left word he was gone to
Stephens' coffee-house in Abchurch Lane, where I found a Mr.
Ford with him, who is of the club, passing his opinion about the late
coment [comet] and that it rose the night wherein the Duke of
York's daughter was born. I therefore desired a Baptist woman,
who is intimate with Mr. Smith and his wife, to get me what was
printed in reference to the coment and she gave me the Remarks
on the Comet of '80 and '82. It's certainly printed by Smith
and by the words most likely that Rous, Ford, Capt. Alexander
and the rest of the clubbers know of its composure, whereby any
spark of loyalty may find how execrable and insatiable they are
and their inventions to incite the mobile to assist them in their
rebellious enterprise. (About his interviews with Rouse in
September, fully described in his paper of 18 Sept. [calendared
ante, p. 403] and the letter of 1 Oct. [calendared ante, p. 448].) |
|
The 2nd instant Rous told me he and his friends would carry
the poll for Gould, &c., wherefore the time for insurrection was
then consulted about, but the word was, God with us, and that all
those concerned in Edward Raddon's intended insurrection now
living were to carry on this hellish design with himself and the
clubbers and such as were evidences for College. The same day
I heard many I know by sight, most of whom my wife knows by
name, say up and down about Guildhall to their Dissenting
fraternity, Remember the time and the word, God with us, and
communicate it here and elsewhere to our friends. Sure I am
that Mr. Thomas, Capt. Alexander and a tobacconist, who assisted
Blood in taking the Duke of Ormonde out of his coach, spoke the
above words. |
|
5 Oct. I asked Rous whether he had lately discoursed with or
heard from the Duke of Monmouth, the Earl of Shaftesbury or
Sir William Waller, the persons intended by the covenant, as I
presumed and as Rous owned to me. He answered, No. I then
asked what reason he had to conclude they would be right. He
answered, Because the next Grand Jury may find the old bills
against Shaftesbury, as well as himself; then he will be in a worse
condition than I, for he must be tried by his peers, which will
certainly take him off, and I believe that Monmouth and Waller
will rather assist us than have bills found against them; however,
Captains Spurrway and Alexander, Col. Danvers, and Frank Smith
with all our other clubbers and such as were evidences for College,
with other Baptists and Fifth Monarchy men here and elsewhere,
are resolved to begin ere long. I asked him the day. He asked
to be excused, for Alexander had enjoined him not to acquaint me
therewith, but, said he, we will begin in the night and you shall
hear more the next opportunity, if you prove right to us. I saw
him the Friday following, but he gave me no account thereof,
wherefore I dreaded he suspected me, wherefore I acquainted Sir
L. Jenkins that I presumed I might be more serviceable in showing
all the persons I understand to be concerned than in having any
further correspondence with Rous or any other of them, but since
my last account about the 14th I met Rous at the Strand, where
he desired me to meet him and Capt. Alexander and the rest of
the clubbers the day following at the Salutation tavern, for they
had concluded on the time. I answered shyly that I doubted that
he as well as Capt. Alexander suspected my being right to them.
Rous confessed that he now invited me that they might be satisfied
from my own mouth and under my own hand that I had not
discovered anything. I then asked whether he could rationally
conclude that I would spend so much money and three months'
time in their company and would now mar all their contrivances,
whereon he told me he was sorry for his and the rest's misconstruction against me and that he would rectify their opinion of me
and that they had absolutely concluded on the time to commence,
viz., 5 Nov. next. Then I desired the manner and method in this
undertaking. He told me they would begin under the notion of
Papists, the better to incite the mobile, and that they would seize
on the King, the Duke of York, the Dukes of Ormonde and
Albemarle, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Radnor, Sir L. Jenkins and
all others of the present Privy Council. I told him they must be
resolute that would seize the King and so many nobles and therefore desired their names. He then named Capt. Alexander,
Parrott and the rest now living who stole the Crown and took the
Duke of Ormonde out of his coach, with many others of like valour
and resolution, and that Dr. Oates and another who knows Whitehall well was to conduct them about 6 at night the said 5 Nov.
next, whereon I told Rous that my urgent occasions called me for
Devon. He then engaged me to return to London by 1 Nov. next
and to bring Raddon and Parsons, who were concerned to manage
the Baptists in Devon and Dorset in '66 or thereabouts, they being,
as he said, honest and right and therefore to be present 5 Nov.
next. |
|
One Bouthe, a glazier of St. Martin's parish, was at Griffith's
coffee-house in Paved Alley in October, who formerly wrote for
or with Constant Oates, the brother of Titus, who lately told him
that his brother, Titus, was a base, unworthy, ungrateful rogue
and was grown a most villainous and dangerous Whig. |
|
A Baptist widow told me about the 18th that two of Mr. Meade's
congregation lately told her that they must shortly pull down
Babylon and all the great ones and that they must fight as resolute
as her husband or any other in the late wars, but that all should
be their own before next Christmas. On Monday, the 23rd, she
told me that a Dissenter had since told her that they could bear
no longer, wherefore the time and the matter was resolved on and
the day fixed was 5 Nov. next. |
|
Any spark of loyalty may see that his Majesty's pardons have
made no impression of honesty or gratitude on them. Old Oates,
as I am credibly informed, with most of those herein mentioned
and many others, were concerned in Blood's, Raddon's and
Spurrway's intended insurrection and since Raddon's death some
of them were concerned in rescuing Massey, stealing the Crown,
taking the Duke of Ormonde out of his coach and abetting the
late Parliaments for the Exclusion Bill, were evidences for College,
promoters of the poll against the loyal parties and lastly Concluders and such as would most certainly prove executioners of
their most horrible Association. I am ready to evidence on oath
the contents of this, not doubting the same will be corroborated
in City and country from their own mouths as well as others.
[10 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 30.] |
Oct. 24.
Paved Alley. |
James Harris to Secretary Jenkins. Enclosing the above breviat,
which he desires his Majesty may seriously peruse. You may
remember he called to mind Capt. Alexander alias Love and, I
hope, he will mind many of the rest therein mentioned. I do not
envy any of them, no not Parsons or Raddon, though one or both
of them daily threaten my wife and family to terrify them from
evidencing against Raddon. If Sir Thomas Putt or any other has
made any charge against me to you, I desire the particulars, being
ready to give satisfaction to anything objected against me. I
have omitted paying my respects to you, till some course is taken
about my information that neither friend nor foe may be able to
say I met with any encouragement from you. [Ibid. No. 31.] |
Oct. 24.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to Edward Griffin, Treasurer of the Chamber, for
payment to the Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal of 20l. in lieu of
three deer customarily granted them. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book
53, p. 77.] |
Oct. 24.
Whitehall. |
Reference to the Lord Lieutenant of the petition of the Earl of
St. Albans, the Farmers of the revenue of Ireland pretending to
certain quit rents granted him, issuing out of the lands decreed to
the Marquess of Antrim and his son, and having issued process in
his Majesty's name out of the Exchequer in Ireland for levying
the same to their use, praying an order from his Majesty that no
process may be issued except at his suit. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 55, p. 215.] |
Oct. 24.
London. |
The Duke of York to the Prince of Orange. "I had yours of
the 23 [N.S.] at Newmarket before I came from thence, but could
not answer sooner than now. I see by it you were sensibly touched
at the loss I had made of my little daughter, which is what I had
but reason to expect from you, that are so concerned at all that
happens to me. As for news, all things go very well here and
Prichard has carried it against Gould and Cornish. To-morrow
it is to be declared at the Common Hall, so that we shall have a
good and loyal Lord Mayor as well as two sheriffs of the same
stamp, which is a mighty mortification to the Whigs. I have been
at a play this day and it is now late so that I have not time to say
more but that you shall now find me to be as kind to you as you
can expect." [1½ pages. Holograph. S.P. Dom., King William's
Chest 3, No. 70.] |
Oct. 24.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Marquess of Queensberry, Treasurer Principal
and John Drummond of Lundin, Treasurer Deput. Having considered the letter of 15 Aug. last to the Earl of Moray from you,
our Treasurer Principal, and the late Treasurer Deput concerning
the annual rent of 6,000l. sterling which remains unpaid of the
10,000l. sterling long since bestowed on the late Earl of Morton in
consideration of all his pretensions to the Earldom of Orkney and
Lordship of Zetland, as the said annual rent has been paid to the
term of Lammas last, we require you to continue the payment
thereof to the now Earl of Morton, representing his nephew the
late Earl, and to his heirs and assigns, till payment of the said
principal sum of 6,000l. We also hereby authorize and require
you to pay such accounts for materials and workmanship for some
small repairs in the lodgings appointed for the Chancellor and the
Treasurer Principal in Holyrood House, as shall be given in and
shall be thought by you reasonable; and also to spend yearly,
as you shall see cause, 50l. sterling for intelligence and to follow
the rule concerning the sale of the forfeited estates formerly given
to the late Commissioners of the Treasury, viz., not under 8 nor
above 10 years' purchase. [1¼ pages. S.P. Scotland, Warrant
Book 7, p. 426.] |
Oct. 24.
Whitehall. |
Commission to the Earl of Perth to be captain and governor of
the Isle of the Basse during pleasure, the office being vacant by the
death of the Duke of Lauderdale. [1¼ pages. Ibid. p. 428.] |
| Oct. 24. |
The Mayor and Corporation of Limerick to Secretary Jenkins.
In reply to his Majesty's letter of 17 Sept. recommending Charles
Porter to the freedom of the city, giving reasons why conferring
it on him or any other person in his circumstances will be greatly
prejudicial to all traders inhabiting in that city and very injurious
to the interest of the corporation. Mr. Porter has for some years
carried on there a very great tanning trade and has in great
measure engrossed the whole trade of the city in that occupation,
so that a hundred families there, who were supported by buying
and selling hides, are reduced to poverty, for the hides of this town
and the neighbouring counties are bought up by persons employed
by Mr. Porter, who, by reason of the transportation of all his
manufacture beyond the sea, buys dearer than can be generally
given by the inhabitants of this city. The revenues of the corporation consist mainly of town duties and cocquet customs paid
by persons not free that trade among them, so that to confer the
freedom on Mr. Porter, who has in great measure the whole tanning
trade of this city, would deprive the corporation of a quarter of
the town duties and considerably abridge the cocquet customs.
[2½ pages. Traces of seal. S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 343, No. 64.] |
Oct. 24.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Deputy. Warrant for removing Sir
Richard Stephens from being one of the serjeants at law and for
appointing William Beckett to succeed him in the said office,
during pleasure. [S.P. Dom., Signet Office 1, Vol. 11, p. 121.] |
Oct. 24.
Westminster. |
The King to Ralph Montagu, Master of the Great Wardrobe.
Warrant for payment to John Bellingham, appointed one of the
grooms of the Privy Chamber on the surrender of Paul French,
six sums of 40l. 0s. 6d. each for and in consideration of his livery
at the feast of All Saints in 1676, 1677, 1678, 1679, 1680 and 1681
and also for payment to Edward Lloyd, appointed one of the
grooms of the Privy Chamber on the surrender of Maurice Wynne,
two sums of 40l. 0s. 6d. each for and in consideration of his livery
at the feast of All Saints in 1680 and 1681, and for delivering at
the next feast of All Saints to each of them, the said Bellingham
and Lloyd, all such parcels of stuff and at the like prices for their
liveries as other the grooms of the Privy Chamber have had
yearly, viz., to each one gown of damask or satin guarded with
velvet and lined with budge, one coat of velvet, one doublet of
velvet, one coat of marble cloth guarded with velvet and one coat
of green cloth guarded with velvet, and for contracting and paying
for the making and furring of the premises and lining silk and
buttons for the same and further for thenceforth yearly at the
feast of All Saints delivering unto each of them, the said
Bellingham and Lloyd, the like parcels ready made, lined, furred
and finished with silk and buttons as aforesaid, during pleasure.
[2 pages. S.P. Dom., Signet Office 1, Vol. 11, p. 133.] |
Oct. 25.
Whitehall. |
Order in Council, on reading the information of Benjamin Smart,
labourer, concerning some undue practices of Richard Swan of
Selby, Yorkshire, in the execution of his office as bailiff to the
sheriff, that Secretary Jenkins transmit a copy thereof to Viscount
Downe, Sir Thomas Yarborough and William Hammond, three
Justices of the West Riding, with this signification of his Majesty's
pleasure, that they make strict enquiry and, if they find sufficient
grounds, proceed against the said Swan at the next assizes or
general quarter sessions. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 32.] |
Oct. 25.
The Gatehouse. |
William Lewis to Secretary Jenkins. Complaining that his
enemies in print fling dirt in his face and all for services he has done.
—I would not have you think that, because I am pinched, I made
the proposition of serving the King. The contrary is notorious
by what I told Sheriff Rich the morning before I was apprehended.
It will appear very plain that my prosecution is grounded on most
false information, which I can easily disprove. Is this usage a
means to encourage men to serve his Majesty or is it not sugar
plums to the Whigs, when they hear what a true drudge I have
been for the Court? A time may come when you will say this
Lewis was abused by his accusers. This Faria, Smith's present
darling, offered ten or twelve weeks ago to swear subornation of
perjury against him. This I can prove. I have not been private
with Mowbray this twelvemonth, but this he does, because I
chastised him for his ill language to me. Could I be once heard,
I would soon prove this accusation to be false. [Ibid. No. 33.] |
Oct. 25.
Whitehall. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the report dated
20 Oct. of the Lord Lieutenant with the annexed petition on the
reference to him of the petition of John Myhill [calendared in the
last volume, p. 549] as follows:—that he finds the allegations in
the petition to be true and that his Majesty formerly granted
forfeited lands, directing commissions for finding his Majesty's
title thereto, whereupon he and the Council in a joint letter of
28 May, 1680 [calendared in S.P. Dom., 1679–80, p. 495], represented the mischief caused by those commissions and the unsettlement caused thereby, and therefore held it seasonable to stop
the execution of them and to stay the going out of more, in consideration whereof he cannot advise his Majesty to order issuing
commissions to inquire into his title to lands to be granted
the petitioner, yet, if the petitioner has already a prospect of any
lands found by inquest or otherwise to be vested in his Majesty
or of any other lands vested but not so found, whereof the
possessors are doubtful of their titles and shall compound with
him for his Majesty's title to so much as his Majesty shall grant
him in recompense of his grandfather's eminent services, and he
produce a list of such lands with the true value thereof within one
year from the date of the letters to be granted (if his Majesty
shall think fit) on this report, so as such lands so found to be
already vested in his Majesty may be passed without disturbing
the country by impanelling juries, or the other lands by the
consent of the said possessors, he is of opinion that his Majesty
may in such case grant the petitioner letters patent, he
placing deficiencies where necessary and paying such rents for
the lands he shall discover as they now yield or for which
they are liable by the Acts. [1½ pages. S.P. Dom., Entry Book
55, p. 214.] |
Oct. 25.
Whitehall. |
Warrant for a patent for 14 years to Thomas, Lord Windsor,
George Pitt and Cresheld Draper for their invention, who have
contrived by engines and other ways with the help of only 3 men
to take the greatest ships out of the Thames into a dock 10, 20, 30
or 40 feet above high water mark and to deliver them into the
Thames again, and by the same means to deliver the greatest ships
into the said dock and from it on the stocks again. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 66, p. 144.] |
Oct. 25.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Lieutenant and the Lord Deputy.
Warrant, after reciting that the King had thought fit after the
expiration of the present farm of the revenue of Ireland to put
the same under the management of commissioners, for a commission to the Earl of Longford, Lemuel Kingdon, William
Dickenson. William Strong and Robert Bridges, Commissioners
of the Revenue of Ireland, salary 1,000l. per annum each,
John Ellis to be their secretary at a salary of 300l. per annum
and 200l. per annum more for clerks and John Thompson to be
their agent and solicitor, salary 250l. per annum for himself
and a clerk. [12½ pages. S.P. Dom., Signet Office 1, Vol. 11,
p. 109.] |
Oct. 25.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Deputy. Warrant for the erection of the
office of Clerk of the Ordnance in Ireland and for a grant thereof
to Robert Ayleway, during pleasure, with the yearly fee of 60l.,
payable quarterly. [S.P. Dom., Signet Office 1, Vol. 11, p. 122.] |
Oct. 26.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to Francis Strutt, messenger, to take into custody
Samuel Ellams, an attorney, and to carry him before the Lord
Chief Justice of the King's Bench. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54,
p. 145.] |
Oct. 26.
Whitehall. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of Thomas
Doyley, engineer of the Mint, for his Majesty's licence for making
copper farthings on the following conditions:— |
|
1. To pay his Majesty 500l. per annum. |
|
2. To pay custom and coinage. |
|
3. To coin them in the Mint, who may inspect them that they
be of due weight. |
|
4. To hold it for 7 years or from year to year.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 213.] |
Oct. 26.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Trustees and Patrons of the rectory of St. Mary
at Hill, London. Recommending Edward Lake, D.D., for the
said rectory, which has lately become void. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 57, p. 55.] |
Oct. 26.
Whitehall. |
Warrant for the revocation of the grant dated 29 May, 1673, to
Arthur, Earl of Anglesey, of the office of Keeper of the Privy Seal
and for a grant thereof to George, Marquess of Halifax. [S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 66, p. 143.] |
Oct. 26.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Lord Hatton, Governor of Guernsey. I
received an account from Capt. Littleton of the stopping of a
merchant's ship at Guernsey by his order, alleging he had instruction to that effect. On reading it before his Majesty I was
commanded to inquire of some of that island how that matter had
passed and what the practice had been touching leave and let
passes to such ships going out. This was no sooner given me in
command but Sir Edmund Andros, Bailly of Guernsey, comes and
shows me a letter from the magistrates of that place to him complaining of that innovation and of the inconveniencies that such
a practice might by degrees bring on the subjects of that place and
their trade. Some other papers accompanied that letter, as an
extract of what the Commissioners did in 1607, as also an act of
the present magistrates relating to the stop put on their ships,
whereof two instances, as I remember, are given, but, there being
a clause in the letter, whereby their Bailly was desired to apply
to you in order to compose the matter amicably, I was very glad
to see it and exhorted him to take that course, telling him I would
suspend making my report to his Majesty before you should make a
return to him on his application. I know it will be acceptable to
the King that my report should be of a difference reconciled rather
than depending and I am persuaded you will do your part that it
may be represented to his Majesty that all is amicably composed. |
|
I do not meddle with the other point in your letter, because I
hope it may be composed at the same time. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 68, p. 161.] |
Oct. 26.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Sir Thomas Smith at Stutton, near Ipswich.
I am very much ashamed not to be able to give you so full an
account as your letter of the 10th deserves. Yesterday was the
first Council day after the long vacation and consequently the first
time that might have furnished me with an answer to it. Though
the matter was opened, it received not that full resolution it
deserves. To-morrow I hope to bring it on again and to give you
the satisfaction you justly expect. In the interim you may be
assured, and so may other persons concerned, of his Majesty's
gracious acceptance of your service and his protection of every
person in doing his duty to maintain the peace and to preserve
the prosperity of the allies of the Crown. [Ibid. p. 162.] |
Oct. 26.
Whitehall. |
Warrant from Secretary Jenkins to Francis Strutt, messenger,
after reciting that William Hawley, formerly indicted for piracy,
has taken another commission or deputation of the same kind and
has, pursuant thereto, equipped a vessel and prepared arms for a
sea voyage, for searching for and apprehending him and bringing
him before the writer or any other justice of oyer and terminer
and gaol delivery to answer to what shall be objected against him.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 359, p. 103.] |
| Oct. 26. |
Lieut.-Col. Roger Moore, in behalf of himself and many hundreds
of poor men, widows and orphans, to the King. Petition stating
that near a month ago the petitioners delivered to the Earl of
Ranelagh the copy of their petition against him and his partners
with the order that he should give his answer thereto speedily,
which he has not as yet done, in which petition the petitioners
amongst many thousands of pounds due to them on his undertaking
inserted one demand of above 20,000l. owing them, which the said
Earl has produced in his account as paid, and has taken up the
petitioners' vouchers for the same on pretence of giving them assignments on persons that would not pay them, and that the
petitioners are credibly informed that he is disposing of his ViceTreasurer's place and is to obtain 15,000l. or 16,000l. for the same,
and praying an order that the money he shall so receive be applied
to such debts of the petitioners as he has accounted for as paid, and
that the rather, because the money he paid Lord Longford for it
was out of the undertaking and consequently the petitioners' money,
and that, if he do not dispose of the said place, the fees thereof may
be paid into some certain hands for their payment, and further for
an order to the said Earl to make speedy reply to the said former
petition. Memorandum at foot, To answer within a week. [S.P.
Ireland, Car. II. 343, No. 65.] |
Oct. 26.
Dublin. |
Viscount Granard to Lord [Conway]. Though I had the mis
fortune not to wait on Madame Lewis, when I left Windsor,
I have obeyed her commands and have procured her genealogy
to Adam's times both by her father and mother, with her coat of
arms attested by the bard and several gentlemen of her relations,
which will be sent her by a namesake of her own. I spoke to you
concerning the presentation of Mullingar, which I have ready to
send over, if you conceive it a fit time. Likewise I can procure
the Lord Deputy's recommendation, if you think it convenient,
for otherwise it may be crossed here. |
|
Sir Gerald Revin [Ruthven] desires me to acquaint you that, if
you can procure a licence for transporting 1,000 bullocks, he will
procure the cattle, which, he supposes, will come to an account. |
|
All your friends and servants here are in health, only Sir George
grows weaker and weaker every day. [S.P. Ireland, Car. II.
343, No. 66.] |
Oct. 27.
Whitehall. |
Order in Council, a letter being read to Secretary Jenkins from
Sir Thomas Smith in behalf of himself and several deputy lieutenants and Justices of Suffolk, who with those that acted under
them are threatened by George Carew with actions for securing his
men, who brought the Dutch prize into Woodbridge River under
colour of letters of reprisal vacated in Chancery last Easter term,
that Secretary Jenkins direct the said Justices to employ some fit
person to attend the judges of the court from where the writs
were issued to acquaint the court with the true cause of bringing
the actions, that the persons attached may have all the favour
that court can afford and be let out on common bail, and he is to
let the Justices know that his Majesty has directed his counsel
to give their assistance. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 34.] |
Oct. 27.
Nantwich. |
The information of Thomas Stringer, innholder and postmaster
of Nantwich, taken before Leftwich Oldfield. When the Duke of
Monmouth entered Nantwich on Saturday, 9 Sept., last, the informant continued in a closet over his gate, the window whereof
looks into the street, from an hour before the Duke's coming till
he heard he had left the town, keeping the door locked most of the
time from fear by reason of the threats and ill speeches of many
of the Duke's party meeters and followers towards him. Through
the said window he saw the Duke as he passed his house, preceded
by Henry Booth, Lord Delamer's eldest son, well mounted and
armed, finely habited, with rich furniture on his horse, several
led horses and servants going before, and about a horse's length
distance after Mr. Booth passed the Duke with the Earl of
Macclesfield on his right and Lord Brandon on his left, followed by
a number of gentlemen and others well habited and well mounted,
carrying pistols, in several ranks. The first rank, that immediately
followed his Grace, filled the breadth of the street and passed
in abreast. The rest were not so exact in their ranks, but the
further from the Duke less orderly and in looser ranks, and rather
in a crowd at the end by the press of townsfolks and others. As
they passed the informant's parlour window, Lord Brandon
pointed at his house and said something to the Duke, but he could
not hear the words. The Duke thereon turned his face towards
the house, smiling. As they came right against the informant's
gate, Lord Brandon, turning his horse, faced about to the company,
which occasioned a little halt, and said, Now shout, whereon all the
company shouted, Duke and all, many of them waving their hats
over their heads. Lord Brandon did not then draw any pistol
that the informant saw, nor did he hear him or any other bid the
rest shoot or fire or say any words to that effect, nor does he know
of any that can prove the same, but, as some gentlemen passed his
house that morning, going to meet the Duke, he, hearing the
clatter of their horses, hasted to his gate to see who they were, but
he came short of seeing their faces, yet soon enough to hear some
of them say, There the rogue lives, and, inquiring of bystanders
who they were and who spoke the said words, he was answered
particularly by John Harrison or John Clowes, to the best of his
remembrance, that it was Lord Brandon and Mr. Roger Manwaring
of Keringham that went by and that it was Mr. Manwaring that
said the words. The informant knows nothing of the forming of
horse into a troop or ranks at the Duke's reception or entry,
having kept his house close that day. |
|
With memorandum by Leftwich Oldfield that John Harrison
cannot be found and that John Clowes knows none of the persons
nor anything of the matter, as he says on oath. [1¾ pages. S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 35.] |
Oct. 27.
Hampton Wafer. |
Capt. Michael Browne to Col. Thomas Conyngesby of Marsh
Maund, Herefordshire. As to what I often spoke concerning Capt.
Ferdinando Gorges to you and Mr. Hopton, I now set down these
particulars, which is no less than treason against the King and
scandalum magnatum against the Duke of York. |
|
My brother[-in-law] Conyngesby of Hampton Court, Herefordshire, desired me to go with him to old merchant Pye's, where we
met his father-in-law, Capt. Gorges, who asked me several questions
concerning affairs in France and the Low Countries, perceiving I
was not well acquainted with those of England, having been so long
absent. Then Gorges fell into a very great passion about the plot
and said that he believed the King, Queen and Duke of York
were privy to Godfrey's murder and that the King was no less a
Papist than the Queen and Duke of York, who, he was sure, were
bloody ones. He knew that the King had so much sided with the
Papists and other evil counsellors that would not only endanger the
taking from him the power of government in some affairs, but, for
all that he knew, might endanger his life, if ever a Parliament of
worthy good men might be permitted to sit, and told the same to his
son[-in-law] Conyngesby, the member for Leominster, by way of
instruction how he should proceed, when he came to sit in
Parliament. He further said that, if the subjects could not have
a Parliament so sit, whereby they might find the very bottom of
that damnable Popish plot, he questioned not they would have
so much wit as to do themselves justice and call the King and his
evil counsellors to account, that the King was a man that minded
nothing but a company of lewd women, that the name of a King
must not fright honest men out of their rights and privileges both
in estates and religion and that a King was no more than a private
man to the laws of the land and must be subject to them or else
the Parliament, and the rest of the good subjects were fools, if
they did not compel him to it, as they did his father. |
|
The next time I met Gorges was at Hampton Court, where after
dinner in the garden he began a discourse of Lord Shaftesbury,
whom he called cousin, and said he had more wit than all the
Princes in Christendom. I answered I wished he had half so
much honesty and loyalty. He answered he thought he was
as honest and loyal a subject as ever England bred and,
though he was slighted by the King and the Duke, yet all good
subjects knew he had deserved better and that in time the Court
party should have cause to repent their slights to him. He also
said that the government of this nation in church and state had
been long ago utterly destroyed, had it not been for this noble peer,
who supported the whole Government on his back, for which he
hoped to see the Crown of England on his head. Being then at
dinner, his daughter Conyngesby answered, Oh ! father, then my
cousin (meaning Lord Shaftesbury) will give you a good place,
when that day comes; he will make you Lord Chancellor at least.
Gorges answered, If we were once so happy as to see that day, I
could expect no less. Thereupon Lord Shaftesbury's health was
begun by Gorges' wife, who said amen to the foregoing discourse.
I ever expected when my brother[-in-law] Conyngesby (he being
master of the house and present) should have commanded their
silence, being then a Justice and deputy lieutenant, but, as far
as I could see, he rather sided with them. |
|
The next time I was with Gorges was at his own house, where he
showed me his new house, then a-building. He told me he had
intended it much finer and to cost a great deal more, were it not
for these bad time, and in his opinion they would be much worse
before long, and said he would see that bloody Popish Duke damned
before he would build a fine house for him to burn as he did the
City, for he was sure the Duke and the Queen with all her friars
at St. James' were the chief actors in that cruel and damnable plot
of setting the City on fire and that, if they had their just dues,
they well deserved to be hanged, one by the other, which he hoped
to live to see. He then said that he really believed that the King
was consenting to all their plots that tended to the ruin of all good
Protestant subjects and their religion and we might the plainer
see it was so by his letting his brother go into Scotland and not
banishing him the three kingdoms, for he was sure that he was
the greatest traitor that ever was hatched in England, calling him
Papist dog, Papist rogue and cowardly rogue. I could not forbear
to speak in the Duke's behalf with as much modesty as could be
and without passion, whereon Gorges said he believed I was one
of the Duke's Popish captains and that I was sent into that country
for a spy to see what plunder there was at his house and at his
son[-in-law] Conyngesby's, for he believed it would not be long
before the Duke came with an army out of Scotland to cut all the
throats of the true Protestants and fire their houses and beat their
children's brains out before their faces, which plot he was sure
was now a-hatching in Scotland and would be effected before long,
if the next good Parliament that sat did not prevent it, which he
hoped they would by making it too hot for that damned Papist
dog, York. |
|
The next time I was with Gorges was at Mr. Brabazon's at
Eaton, where at dinner Sir John Morgan began the King's health,
in contempt of which Gorges, to avoid the said health, began Lord
Shaftesbury's. |
|
All this with much more to the same purpose I heard Gorges
speak at several times, but more frequently at his own house and
Hampton Court from the beginning of August till about 12 Oct.,
1680. |
|
About that time my brother[-in-law] Conyngesby went for
London to sit in Parliament. He engaged me to stay at his house
till then and so go to London with him, which I did, and Capt.
Gorges and his family accompanied us to Worcester, where Gorges
advised Conyngesby, his son-in-law, to stand up vigorously against
the Duke of York and to pull down the bishops and to unite those
worthy good men, as Owen and Baxter and those of their party
called Dissenters, that they might be joined to the Church of
England and not so often silenced and molested, and that the
said Parliament would do well to appoint all public officers in the
kingdom, but especially the Justices, for the King was so misled
by that damned crew of Popish counsellors that he feared justice
would never be done in England so long as this King and his
brother lived. |
|
Before we parted at Worcester Gorges pressed Conyngesby very
much to write to him all the proceedings of Parliament and that
he would take care to distribute all the news he should send about
the corporation of Leominster, where he (Conyngesby) was burgess,
to encourage the people to choose him again, seeing him stand up
for the good of the subject so much and advising the mobely of that
corporation every post of all their proceedings in Parliament. He
further said there was a discourse as if the Parliament should be
surprised or feared to a compliance with the King's desires, but he
hoped they would not be like dumb beasts so as not to know their
own power, which in his opinion was greater than the King's, if it
should once come to be tried, and he desired Conyngesby to send
him word, if he saw any difference likely to be betwixt the King and
the Parliament, saying he would soon be with him with horses, men
and arms to assist the Parliament, in case they should be molested
by the King or his party. At the same time he asked Conyngesby
if all the muskets hung up in his hall were in order. Conyngesby
answered they were in very good order, but he had five or six more
at Leominster to have new locks and be new dressed up, but
desired Gorges to hasten the gunsmith to send them home with all
speed. |
|
Next morning we went onwards to London, but the captain and
his family returned into Herefordshire, intending to come soon after
for London, which they did. I was not so frequently in Gorges'
company in London, but sometimes we came together and he
would always be talking of State affairs and commending the
Parliament for not giving the King money and for going on so
vigorously with the Exclusion Bill, but soon after he returned to
the country and soon after that the Parliament was dissolved. Then
Conyngesby with his family went into Herefordshire and about
three weeks after I and my wife came to his house, where all the
discourse was of the unjust, unlawful and unwarrantable proceedings in so frequently dissolving Parliaments. |
|
At the sitting of the next Parliament at Oxford Gorges said that
the King was afraid to let Fitzharris make any further discovery
of the plot, lest he himself should have been found to correspond
with the Popish traitor, his brother, in all his bloody and wicked
designs against the poor Protestant subjects of England, and that
he hoped to live to see the King repent his so frequent dissolving
of Parliaments. [Original and copy, the former of 8½ pages. S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 421, Nos. 36, 37.] |
| Oct. 27. |
Warrant for a privy seal for payment to George, Marquess of
Halifax, Keeper of the Privy Seal, of 4l. per diem in lieu of the
ancient diet of 16 dishes of meat heretofore allowed to the Keeper
of the Privy Seal, to commence from the date thereof. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 50, p. 93.] |
Oct. 27.
Whitehall. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of Thomas
Elyot, praying his Majesty to sign and allow 900l. laid out in
building the house at Newmarket, the ground whereof was granted
to his father by his Majesty on condition to resume it, paying the
charge of building. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 216.] |
Oct. 27.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Master of Caius College. Recommending
Christopher Green, M.A., junior fellow of the College, for preferment to the senior fellowship now vacant by the death of William
Spencer, of which he is incapable by reason of his county, and
dispensing with every statute to the contrary. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 57, p. 54.] |
Oct. 27.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge,
to be communicated to the Senate. After reciting the letter of
8 June [calendared ante, p. 241] and that some of the persons
nominated by the Vice-Chancellor for the degree of M.A. were
refused by one or two of the Caput Senatus, authorizing him to
admit to the said degree the persons formerly nominated by him.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 57, p. 56.] |
Oct. 27.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Earl of Longford. The bearer, Michael
Symmonds, is the son of a loyal citizen that behaved most actively
zealous in the late contests and elections in the City and spared
neither his pains nor his purse to serve the King's interest. Several
of the King's friends in the City have represented him as such and
desired me to recommend him to you and your Board in their
name for some such employment in the Customs of Ireland as he
shall be found qualified for. I know you and the rest of the
commissioners will have a regard to those that contributed to
serve the King in the City and that have the recommendation of
several loyal aldermen and other worthy citizens, as Mr. Symmonds
has. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 163.] |
| Oct. 27. |
Answer of the Earl of Ranelagh to the petitions of Roger
Moore [calendared ante, pp. 444, 502]. I have perused two
petitions lately presented from a small merchant of Dublin,
who calls himself Lieut.-Col. Roger Moore and pretends to be
employed by many hundreds of poor men, widows and orphans
in Ireland. |
|
(Setting forth the substance of the said petitions.) |
|
As to the first particular: there are still arrears due to soldiers
and debts due to others for provisions furnished to soldiers, which
were undertaken to be paid by me and partners, but I am sure no
arrear nor debt for provisions is due to the said Moore in his own
right, he having never been a soldier nor a quarterer of soldiers.
What he claims on either of those accounts is what he has purchased from poor soldiers, widows and orphans at low rates these
several years past and he is become the most renowned broker for
old arrears and debts in that kingdom, so that likely the many
hundreds he pretends to petition for are all his own customers and
the satisfaction he presses for will be no relief to them, but only a
re-imbursement with excessive interest of those small purchase
sums he imposed on them. |
|
As to the second: I believe the 10 months' arrears may amount
to near the sum he mentions, but, be the total what it will, we
never undertook to pay more of it than 20,394l. 19s. and that is
plainly expressed not only in our contract but also in our proposal,
nor was it ever in our power to insert words abating any part of
our agreement, your counsel having drawn up our contract and
not we. |
|
As to the third: rather more than 26,000l. is yet unpaid of
another arrear due to the Civil and Military list, but some conceive
we have just demands of defalcations yet unsettled, which will
amount to near that sum. |
|
As to the fourth: some assignments have issued, which remain
unpaid, but whether any of them belong to the petitioner cannot
be told, till their names are known. The sum alleged to be due
is grossly and wilfully mistaken, for the total of all such assignments after a notice given to the whole kingdom and a most strict
inquiry made after them by the Commissioners of Accounts
appeared to be but 10,122l. and for that sum we have no credit in
our accounts, as the petitioner alleges, for in express terms we are
surcharged with it and it is part of the balance returned upon us,
nor is he much less mistaken in claiming above 6,000l. as due to
him and his crew on account of the money payable to the '49
officers, for the total remaining unpaid thereof is but 3,679l. 6s. 4d.,
as appears by the report of the Commissioners of Accounts, so that
to this and the other sum for insolvent assignments he claims as
due to himself and his associates near 13,000l. more than is due
to the whole kingdom on the said two accounts, and yet it is well
known that many considerably concerned in the said two sums
neither have nor ever will employ him to clamour or solicit for
them. |
|
As to the three prayers I can only say that the last is satisfied
by this paper, that I join in the first so far as to desire that some
speedy course may be taken for the satisfaction of all just demands
due from the undertaking, that, as to the second, I hope your
Majesty will look on it as malicious and unreasonable and protect
me and my poor fortune (not a farthing bettered by the undertaking) from being singled out and made sacrifices to the
clamorous and insatiable malice of the petitioner and his
encouragers. |
|
The whole matter of the undertaking is at present by your
repeated orders lodged in the Court of Exchequer in Ireland,
where we are prosecuted with all vigour, where the true balance
due from us will be suddenly ascertained and where I very much
fear we shall meet with little mercy, and, since we and our accounts
are thus left to law, I cannot but pray your Majesty will not suffer
such clamorous and false suggestions to trouble you or attack us
any more and that, to deter such impudent and professed brokers
as the petitioner, you will order that what shall be found due from
us to any of his clients may be paid directly to themselves and not
to him and that such of my partners as reside here, who will
neither appear nor act nor have any estates there to answer the
prosecution, may be forthwith proceeded against here with all
vigour, the rather because the proceedings against them there will
have little or no effect. [2 pages. Holograph. S.P. Ireland,
Car. II. 343, No. 67.] Probably annexed, |
|
A brief of the Account of the Lord Ranelagh and partners for
2 months and 25 days ending 25 Dec., 1675, inclusive, and
also a brief of the General Account, the last showing a balance
against them of 76,752l. 18s. 51/8d. [4 pages. Ibid. No.
67 i.] |
|
A copy of the above answer and a copy of the above
account, both in the same handwriting. [Ibid. Nos. 68, 68 i.] |
Oct. 28.
[Nantwich.] |
The information of Gabriel Stringer, minister of Nantwich. On
Saturday morning, 9 Sept. last, he was to wait on the Earl of
Macclesfield at Lady Minshull's house at Nantwich Townsend. At
the gate attended for his lordship about 50 horse, well mounted,
most, if not all, armed with swords and many with pistols, standing in a body, who stayed a good while for his lordship. He
being several times informed that they were ready and stayed for
him, he went down, this informant waiting on him towards the
gate, where, mounting one of his horses that stood ready and
richly accoutred for him, he went on at a slow pace, the horsemen
following in a body in order with several persons of quality in
front of them to meet the Duke of Monmouth, as over night was
discoursed amongst them and 10 o'clock agreed on for their meeting, but the informant did not see their return to the town and can
depose no further. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 38.] |
Oct. 28.
[Nantwich.] |
The information of John Dunster, mercer. Saturday, 9 Sept.
last, he went with several townsmen to Barton's Cross, about a
quarter of a mile from Nantwich, to meet the Duke of Monmouth,
where, he standing among the Macclesfield men, a gentleman
unknown to him but called Sir Henry Ingoldsby called for the
Nantwich company to come out and separate themselves, which
they did, and by the direction of the said Sir Henry, William
Minshull of Nantwich and Robert Wright, one of the militia sergeants, who fetched in several countrymen off the road as they
were going to market to make the company greater, the said
Nantwich men and their company on horseback, consisting of 150
or more, were placed in two ranks on the south side of the road,
Sir Henry, Minshull and Wright several times riding past and
through them to see they kept their ranks, and, being so placed,
Sir Henry went over to the gentlemen and Macclesfield men on
the other side of the road, leaving Minshull and Wright before the
Nantwich men, who stood mounted before them till the Duke
passed. The horse, then called the Macclesfield men, on the other
side of the road, consisting of about 40 besides the gentlemen's
servants, many whereof were armed with sword and pistols, were
disposed into a straight line down the north side of the road, the
Earl of Macclesfield, Lord Brandon and many other gentlemen of
quality making another rank afore them, answerable to the standing of the Nantwich men on the south side. Very readily and
with great quiet they fell into and stood in their places aforesaid,
till the Duke came. A gentleman, as soon as the coach in which
the Duke was came in sight, galloped afore and came up to Lord
Brandon, who came out of his rank and galloped away with the
gentleman towards the coach, which stood still at his coming up,
and the Duke came out, Lord Brandon alighting to salute him.
While their compliments passed, the Earl of Macclesfield, who had
followed his son, but more slowly, saluted the Duke with his hat
by bowing, but did not alight. The Duke mounted a led horse
well accoutred, said to be the Earl of Macclesfield's, and came
riding on with the two lords towards the Macclesfield company
and gentlemen, whom he most courteously saluted with his hat
off, moving to them all, till he had passed the whole company,
when the said gentlemen and Macclesfield company followed close
after him, but in what order the informant could not see, being in
the rear part of the Nantwich company, who hasted after them,
many striving which should get foremost, notwithstanding Sir
Henry's and Mr. Minshull's direction to the contrary, which was,
to follow in order four or more abreast, as the street would bear
them, nor does the informant know how they passed the posthouse, more than he heard a great shout, which was loudest about
the time he conceived the principal of them were over against the
post-house. The Earl of Macclesfield, a little before the Duke
came to Barton's Cross, alighted and walked by the Nantwich
men and said they were a fine body of men. [1½ pages. S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 39.] |
Oct. 28.
Nantwich. |
Similar deposition of John Pratchett, blacksmith. [Ibid.
No. 40.] |
Oct. 28.
Whitehall. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of Dorothy
Williamson for an order for payment to be forthwith made of 243l.
9s. 10d. due to her husband as Yeoman of the Guard and Yeoman
Usher, she having many small children, whose subsistence depends
on it. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 216.] |
Oct. 28.
Whitehall. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of
Nathaniel Thompson, printer, for remission of a fine of 100l. about
Sir Edmond Berry Godfrey. [Ibid.] |
Oct. 28.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to the Marquess of Halifax, Lord Privy Seal, for
passing under the Privy Seal all warrants, grants, &c. directed
to the late Lord Privy Seal, which are not yet passed under the
Privy Seal. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 66, p. 192.] |
Oct. 28.
London. |
Newsletter to Roger Garstell at the Fleece tavern on Sandhill,
Newcastle. French letters say that that King has seized on the
town and principality of Orange and given it to the Duke of
Longueville, whose ancestors have claimed it for 150 years. He
has given him power also to summon a Parliament there and to
dispose of the regalities belonging to it. This sudden proceeding
has so alarmed the States of Holland that they immediately
ordered the march of several of their troops to their frontiers and
commanded the fortifications of Narden to be finished with all
expedition. |
|
The Duke of Hamilton and Lieut.-General Drummond are hourly
expected here and I am told the latter will be made commander
of all his Majesty's forces in Scotland. The office of sheriff of
Midlothian is bestowed on the present Chancellor of Scotland and
by his Majesty's particular order the sheriff of that place is vested
in the office of Chancellor for ever. |
|
A book of the proceedings of the business between the Duke of
Ormonde and the Earl of Anglesey is published, but I am told
that Mr. Coxe, the bookseller that published it, is taken into
custody. |
|
I told you his Majesty had written to the Lord Mayor, declaring
that he would have the Lord Mayor presented to himself. Last
Thursday the Lord Mayor elect with the Recorder and several
aldermen went to the Lord Chancellor to present him, but his
lordship told them that his Majesty and all good men were so well
pleased with their choice of so honest and loyal a man that his
Majesty would personally approve of him and would have them
come at 10 next Friday morning, which they did, and his Majesty
approved of the Lord Mayor and told him that, the Chamber of
London being poor, he would not come to put them to any expense.
It was ordered by the Court of Aldermen on Thursday that
preparation should be made at the Guildhall for his Majesty's
reception, but yesterday afternoon all the scaffolds and firmes
made there were all pulled down and carried away and the Lord
Mayor elect intends to dine at Grocers' Hall on Monday, which he
has taken to keep his mayoralty in. |
|
Letters from Deal arrived yesterday advise that the Orange
Tree, a merchant ship bound hence for Bordeaux, richly laden, was
cast away the 26th on the Goodwin Sands and most of the men
lost as well as the goods and that the Sweepstakes was forced to
anchor to prevent the same misfortune, the storms having been
so great there. |
|
To-day the Lord Mayor elect was sworn at the Guildhall
according to ancient custom. Mr. North, brother to Sheriff North,
was sworn one of his Majesty's counsel. The old Earl of [Viscount]
Montague of Sussex died there this week. Mr. Signey, a slopseller, was fined 500l. yesterday at the King's Bench bar for
spiriting away children. [3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital,
News-letters, Original, 2, No. 58.] |
Oct. 28.
Whitehall. |
Warrant for a gift to Thomas Gordon, writer to the Signet, for
his life of the office of clerk to the criminal court, vacant by
Robert Martine, the late clerk, not having taken the test. [1½
pages. S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 7, p. 429.] |
| [Before Oct. 29.] |
Brief for Mr. Austin in 4 several actions brought by Isaac Puller,
Thomas King, Gilbert Nelson and Ezekiel Hutchinson against Sir
John Moore, Lord Mayor, defendant. The plaintiff declares
(setting forth the customs and privileges of the city of London)
that the plaintiff is and has been for 5 years a freeman and citizen
of London and had right to vote at the election of sheriffs of
London, that the defendant, intending to wrong the plaintiff and
to destroy his privilege in the election of sheriffs and to cause him
to give many unnecessary attendances to choose sheriffs and to
impoverish him thereby or at least to make him violate his oath
and deprive him of his privilege, and to put in two not elected to
be sheriffs, 24 June, 1682, injuriously and maliciously and without
the consent of the citizens dissolved the assembly and caused the
plaintiff to go away before the election could be perfected, to his
damage; that, though Papillon and Dubois were chosen sheriffs
by the greater number, defendant summoned a Common Hall
again on pretence to choose another to serve sheriff with Dudley
North, by colour whereof the assembly met, and the plaintiff for
the preservation of his privilege was forced to be there 12 hours
in a great crowd to the prejudice of his health and neglect of his
affairs, in which assembly there was a poll, the question being
whether Papillon and Dubois had the more votes or whether Box
was chosen, and the defendant took upon him without the consent
of the major part of the citizens and against their wills to take the
poll and by pretence thereof falsely and maliciously declared Box
to be chosen one sheriff, whereas he was not chosen, but Papillon
and Dubois were; that the defendant, pretending that Box was
chosen and had cried off, summoned another Common Hall under
colour to choose another to serve with Dudley North, whereby
the plaintiff was forced to be there again in a great crowd and to
stay 12 hours and neglect his affairs; that, though the greater part
of the citizens confirmed the election of Papillon and Dubois, the
defendant falsely and maliciously declared Peter Rich to serve
sheriff with Dudley North and on Michaelmas Eve illegally with
strong hand and armed force at Guildhall swore North and Rich
sheriffs and refused Papillon and Dubois, who offered to be
sworn, whereas neither North nor Rich was elected sheriff,
by reason whereof the plaintiff's liberty and privilege in
election of sheriffs was much hurt, weakened and ruined
and he obstructed in his trade by often attendances, as aforesaid, to his damage of — pounds. [2 pages. S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 421, No. 41.] |
[Oct. 29–]
Nov. 8. Brussels. |
Otto Henry, Marquess of Carretto and Grana, to the Prince of
Orange. I am sending the Comte de Lerclus [?] with his terzo and
8 companies of Spaniards of that of Moncada from Namur. I
replace the Spanish from the new arrivals and the terzo by the
regiment which is in Guelderland, for Namur is more important
than Luxemburg and I cannot lessen its garrison without replacing
it. With that there will be 3,000 effective soldiers in Luxemburg
without the officers and the 8 companies and 3 other companies.
This is all I can do, till other troops come from Hanover or
Germany. (About how the troops are to march and what they
are to do when they meet the French.) All this is only for your
Highness. I only hope that the troops which you will cause to
be kept in Brabant and Flanders may remedy our misfortunes.
I saw by the Gazette the wrongs they were doing your Highness
in France. They support the rebels of Hungary, they incite the
Pashas [?] at Constantinople to revolt. (About the Court of
Poland sending 35,000 foot, 10,000 horse and 4,000 dragoons.) [4½
pages. Almost illegible. S.P. Dom., King William's Chest 1, No. 26.] |
Oct. 30.
Badminton. |
The Marquess of Worcester to [Secretary Jenkins]. My occasions
keeping me longer in the country than I hoped, a business relating to Andover, whereof I am high steward, being, I am
informed, to come on Friday next before his Majesty in Council,
I request you would favour them as much in it as the case will
bear, those that are now in the government by this new charter
being such as deserve countenance for having always upheld the
King's interest and got their old charter surrendered and a new
one with good men and good clauses in it. I am the more concerned to have them encouraged, because I put them on doing it.
For myself I request you to beg his Majesty's leave that I may
stay a fortnight or three weeks longer in the country, which I
should not ask, but that, when in town, he has allowed me to
forbear giving in the names of the Welsh sheriffs till above a
fortnight after the English, and those already in are so good everywhere that there was never less reason to be in haste to prick new
ones in either place. Pray send me word by Friday's or Saturday's
post who are the three pitched on in the Exchequer Chamber in
each of the three English counties I am lieutenant of, that is,
Monmouth, Hereford and Gloucester. I heartily congratulate
your success in the choice of Sir William Pritchard. [2½ pages.
S.P. Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 42.] |
Oct. 30.
Crimsthorpe. |
The Earl of Lindsey to Secretary Jenkins. This post brought
me the good news of the successful management of affairs in the
City, which makes me a hearty rejoicer. |
|
I formerly gave you my opinion of several of the Justices of this
county, of whom too many are siding with the Nonconformists
and will (if continued) exceedingly obstruct, if there be any
thoughts of a Parliament, the election of honest men. I do not
mention this out of any spleen to them, but from a sense of the
King's service. They are very strong here both in country and
corporations by their being encouraged by the Chancellor of the
Duchy, to whom I wish a perfect recovery, in order to do the King
that service of converting these violent men and making them
useful to the King and Church, and I should hope such a change
would once more make this great county happy. |
|
You may assure his Majesty I will endeavour to give him a good
account of what I am entrusted with and the Bishop and myself
have been both concurring in suppressing Fanaticism as much as
lay in our power. |
|
Several trials will be at the assizes between the informers and
Nonconformists and therefore a Church of England sheriff is
necessary that juries may not be influenced to the advantage of
the contrary party. I presume therefore to recommend Sir
Christopher Clapham as sheriff, whose loyalty has been conspicuous
enough and who, I am confident, will acquit himself of that great
trust to the King's satisfaction. [3 pages. Ibid. No. 43.] |
Oct. 30.
Leftwich. |
The information of Richard Illidge of Stapely, Cheshire. Describing with some further particulars the preparations at
Barton Cross on 9 Sept. and the Duke of Monmouth's reception there, as in Dunster's information [calendared ante, p. 510].
[2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 44.] |
Oct. 30.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Deputy. Warrant for swearing and
admitting Lemuel Kingdon to be a privy councillor in Ireland.
[S.P. Dom., Signet Office 1, Vol. 11, p. 122.] |
Oct. 30.
Kirby. |
Lord Hatton to [Secretary Jenkins]. I trouble you once more
with our Guernsey affair that I may be fully instructed how to
behave. Yours came to me on Saturday and on Sunday I received
a letter from Sir Edmund Andros with another from the jurats
of Guernsey, complaining of the stopping of a vessel outward
bound and of some seizures of merchants' goods made by soldiers
of the garrison. As to the latter part I am very well informed
that nothing was done but what was very reasonable and the
goods stopped were such as were conveyed by stealth to avoid the
payment of legal duties, but I will take such order as they must
of necessity rest satisfied with, for no soldiers shall intermeddle
in any such case, be it right or wrong; the civil officers only shall
have to do in those matters and, if they will not do justice, I must
complain of them. To the first part, of stopping their vessel, I
must beg to know his Majesty's pleasure, before I return my
answer, and I take it to be my duty to state it as exactly as I can.
It has always been taken to be the duty of all masters of ships
to acquaint the governor whither they were bound or whence
they came. There never wanted opportunity to oblige those that
came in to the performance of that duty, which if they neglected
after they came to anchor, a boat used to be sent and frequently
a file of musketeers to bring the master to the governor and this
was never complained of as any grievance. For those bound out
indeed there was not always the like opportunity to hold them to
the performance of this respect to the governor, who resided
formerly in the castle and had no nearer sentinel or guard to speak
with them, as they went out, and he might sometimes be willing
to excuse their coming, because it might be some little hindrance
to them, but, since the blowing up of the castle, his or his deputy's
constant residence in the town removes all pretence of difficulty
to have access to them at any time and order has been given
to the guard, which ever since has been kept in the town near the
pier, to stop any vessel that did not produce some signification of
the governor's being acquainted with their intention of sailing.
This is the let pass they complain of, which is denied to none,
unless there be such cause as would justify stopping them, nor do
they ever pay a farthing for it, and, when they have this let pass,
they are not hindered from going out at any time of the night and
even this very vessel, on which the complaint is grounded, was not
hindered in her voyage one hour by being obliged to come back
to the deputy governor. What they allege against this is an
order in 1607, of which I enclosed you a copy. The occasion of
that order was this. In Sir Thomas Leighton's time, who was
governor about 40 years, many differences happened between him
and the inhabitants, which caused such heats on both sides that
at last commissioners were sent over. Amongst other things
the inhabitants complained that he would suffer no person to go
to sea without his pass and it is a current tradition amongst them
that he imprisoned some for having gone out only to fish without
his leave. |
|
(Then follows a summary of the commissioners' order [calendared
ante, p. 469]) which order has been and is still observed, for it is
not expected of any merchants, seamen or passengers that they
should ask leave for their departure; 'tis only required that
the governor should be made acquainted that such a vessel is
going to sea and this is what they always ought to have done,
though it was not always so punctually observed. It can be
no inconvenience to anybody, since they are never refused or
delayed nor do they pay for it. 'Tis not only a respect to
the governor, but may be often of considerable use for the
King's service. If it be not the King's pleasure to have it
continued, I must give it up, but, if his Majesty only signifies
to me that this course shall be continued, with all these
restrictions of using no delays nor exacting the least penny,
I am very well assured they will rest fully satisfied, when I shall
write to them that no seizures of merchant goods shall be made by
soldiers, but all shall be done by application to them for their
justice, and that for the other matter of let pass, it being not
contrary to the order of 1607 or any other, 'tis his Majesty's
pleasure that the governor be made acquainted, when any vessel
goes out, but that strict care shall be taken that this be no
hindrance or charge to anybody. This, I dare answer for
it, will so quiet the whole matter that you shall never be troubled
with it more, but this I dare not take upon me to write, till
I receive further directions. [2 pages. S.P. Channel Islands 1,
No. 122.] |
Oct. 31.
Whitehall. |
Warrant for the royal assent for John Lake, D.D., Canon
Residentiary of York and Archdeacon of Cleveland, to be Bishop
of the Isle of Man and Sodor, the said bishopric being void by the
death of Dr. Henry Bridgeman, the late Bishop, and the said Lake
being nominated and presented thereto by William George Richard,
Earl of Derby, patron thereof, and by him recommended by an
instrument under his hand and seal, dated 4 Sept. last. [S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 53, p. 78.] Annexed, |
|
The said instrument, whereby the Earl of Derby, Lord Stanley
and Strange de Knokin and Mohun, Lord of Man and the
Islands and undoubted patron of the bishopric of Sodor and
Man, entreats his Majesty to accept his presentation of Dr.
John Lake to the same. [Latin. Ibid. p. 79.] |
| [Oct. ?] |
Secretary Jenkins to Lord Finch. Signifying his Majesty's
pleasure to him and through him to the rest of the Commissioners
of the Admiralty that they issue the necessary orders for furnishing
the Falcon, Capt. Churchill commander, with victuals and
provisions for eight months. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 63, p. 53.] |
Oct. 31.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Lord Finch. Signifying to him and the
Board his Majesty's pleasure that the Falcon be directed to sail
down the river to take in her guns and provisions and then to sail
to the Downs to expect further orders. [Ibid. p. 54.] |
| Oct. 31. |
The King to the Mayor and Corporation of Wigan. On their
petition constituting Laurence Anderton to be their town clerk in
place of John Anderton, the late town clerk, deceased. [S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 66, p. 145.] Annexed, |
|
Copy of the above-mentioned petition [calendared ante, p. 450].
2 Oct. [Ibid. p. 146.] |
| Oct. 31. |
Secretary Jenkins to Viscount Downe, Sir Thomas Yarborough
and William Hammond. Enclosing an Order in Council.—His
Majesty, being informed that the party concerned and the
informer both live in your neighbourhood, has commanded me to
require your diligence in examining the matter complained of to
the bottom and to do as the case shall require according to law.
I must desire a report of your proceedings that I may lay it before
his Majesty. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 164.] |
Oct. 31.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Lord Deputy. Transmitting copies of
two petitions from Lieut.-Col. Moore and the Earl of Ranelagh's
answer thereto and desiring him and the Council to take the whole
business into their consideration and to report how they find the
matters of fact alleged on either side to be, with their opinion what
is fittest to be done on the whole matter. |
|
I am also commanded to desire you and the Council to inquire
what has been done by way of proceedings at law against the Earl
of Ranelagh and the other parties to his contract, since the stop
put to those proceedings has been taken off by his Majesty's special
command last summer twelvemonth, and to report it. It is his
Majesty's pleasure that the proceedings at law against him and
them be carried on on that side with all care and dispatch.
[1½ pages. S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 341, p. 134.] |
Oct. 31.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Deputy. Warrant for a grant of a
baronetcy of Ireland to Sir Robert Warde of —, co. Down, and
the heirs male of his body, with a discharge of all services or
payments in lieu thereof in consideration of the said dignity.
[S.P. Dom., Signet Office 1, Vol. 11, p. 124.] |
Oct. 31.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Lieutenant or in his absence to the Lord
Deputy. Warrant, after reciting the letter of 28 Oct., 1679
[calendared in S.P. Dom., 1679–80, p. 267], which directed payment
of the 759l. 5s. recovered from Alderman William Hawkins to the
Vice-Treasurer, who had been ordered to pay the same according
to the Act of Explanation, whereby the mesne profits of lands set
out on account of the Doubling Ordinance were granted to persons
therein named, and that the said Vice-Treasurer had out of the
said sum satisfied and paid to Major Nicholas Bayly 200l.
disbursed by him in carrying on the said suit against the said
Hawkins, which he prosecuted by the King's direction, and had
also paid the remaining 559l. 5s. to William, Earl of Inchiquin,
son and executor to Murrough, late Earl of Inchiquin, who is the
first mentioned in the said Act to receive 8,000l. out of the said
mesne profits, and that the said Vice-Treasurer made those two
payments with the King's approbation and by his verbal direction:
that he give effectual orders to the commissioners of his accounts
to allow him the said two sums in the accounts he is now passing
before them, he producing the acquittances of the said Major Bayly
and of the said Earl for the same. |
|
With reference of the draft of the above letter to the Lords of
the Treasury and their report that they had nothing to object
against the same. [1¾ pages. S.P. Dom., Signet Office 1, Vol. 11,
p. 124.] |
Oct. 31.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Lieutenant or in his absence to the Lord
Deputy. Warrant, after reciting the letter of 15 April last
[calendared ante, p. 169] for allowing the Earl of Ranelagh, ViceTreasurer of Ireland, 92,750l. in his accounts and that he, besides
the said sum, has since laid out and issued in England by the King's
orders the further sum of 7,416l. 13s. 4d., pursuant to a clause in
the present establishment reserving a yearly sum to the King's
particular dispose, and that he stands charged with that sum in
his accounts ending 20 March last, as also with 1,018l. formerly
directed by letter of 22 Dec., 1676, to be applied towards answering the exchange of money so reserved. and that he has delivered
to the King himself an account of the disbursements of the said
7,416l. 13s. 4d. and 1,018l., with the vouchers relating thereto, and
that the King had caused the accounts of the said two sums and
the said vouchers to be examined and finds that the said 7,416l.
13s. 4d. has been paid and issued in England by the Vice-Treasurer,
as the King has from time to time directed, and that the 1,018l.
has been applied by him towards answering the exchange and for
other uses approved of by the King: that he give effectual orders
to the commissioners of his accounts there to allow him forthwith
the said two sums in his account ending 20 March last without
demanding any vouchers for the same or expecting any further
warrant than what shall be given them in pursuance of this letter. |
|
With reference of the draft of the above letter to the Lords
of the Treasury and their report that they had nothing to object
to the discharge of the said Earl, according as the said letter
directs. [2 pages. Ibid. p. 126.] |
| Oct. |
Will of Grace Wildberd of Westminster, spinster. [Unsigned
and the day not filled up. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 45.] |
Oct.
[after 20.] |
Capt. John Skelton to the King. Petition for a grant of his
Majesty's interest in the estate of — Miller, forfeited by his
having murdered his servant at the Palsgrave's Head tavern at
Temple Bar on the 20th of this instant October. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 421, No. 46.] Annexed, |
|
Statement that Miller, 19 Oct., 1682, struck his servant over
the head with a pot and afterwards with a tobacco pipe
stabbed him in the eye, of which wounds the servant died,
and the master is fled. [Ibid. No. 46 i.] |
Oct.
Whitehall. |
Warrant for a grant of a dukedom of England by the name of
Duke of Ormonde, to James, Duke of Ormonde, a duke of Ireland,
and to the heirs male of his body, with a grant of a pension of 40l.
per annum. [1½ pages. S.P. Dom., Entry Book 66, p. 148.]
Annexed, |
|
Copy of the preamble of the warrant as drawn up in Latin.
[Ibid. p. 149.] |
Oct.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to Henry Howard, Commissary-General of the Musters,
for allowing on the musters Capt. Thomas Hopson, ensign of Major
Oliver Nicholas' company in garrison at Portsmouth, who has
been appointed commander of the Swan, from 1 March last during
the time he shall be absent in the said service. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 164, p. 82.] |
[1682.]
[Oct. ?] |
Mary Warren to the King. Petition, stating that she, being
disappointed of the arrears of her pension of 200l. per annum, had
been promised some relief by his Majesty to enable her to return
home and praying an order for the benefit thereof that she with
her family may return home before the approaching winter. (See
the Ormonde Papers, New Series, Vol. VI, p. 466.) [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 421, No. 47.] |
| [Oct. ?] |
Col. Henry Farr to the King. Thanks him for the great gift in
the Charterhouse [see ante, p. 441], but fears never to live to enjoy
it, so many others being to be preferred before him. He has just
lost his wife in childbed of his 24th child, is 85 years old and begs
a few crumbs of mercy for the sake of his dear children. Will
not trouble him about his services to the late King and himself,
though great. [Ibid. No. 48.] |
| [Oct. ?] |
Mary, wife of John Elson, living near Hick's Hall, to the King.
Petition, complaining that the 10th instant at 7 p.m. Gabriel
Shadd, who had been convicted and burnt in the hand for felony,
besides breaking prison at Coventry, with two redcoats and other
rude persons came with a warrant from Justice Sabbs and broke
open her house, and stayed all night, her husband being absent, not
suffering any man to come in to her, ate up her provisions, drank
her liquors and burnt much of her wood and candles, and one of
them, when drunk, gave her abusive language and threatened some
of her neighbours, who desired to come in, a woman narrowly
escaping a sword, and that next day they carried off 12 cart loads
of her timber and household goods and even her bed and bedstead,
all only on account of a peaceable religious meeting, and on
complaint to the Middlesex sessions held the 8th instant [see ante,
p. 461] against Shadd the Justices gave their rule of court against
such proceedings, as contrary to law, but that Shadd with his
complices on the 16th instant at night broke into two other houses
and made distress, and therefore praying for redress and for a stop
to the outrageous proceedings of Shadd and other informers under
pretence of serving the King. (On the back are some partly
erased notes, one of an information of 27 Oct.) [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 421, No. 49.] |
| [Oct. ?] |
Thomas Eston, Mayor of Bristol, Sir Richard Hart and Sir
Richard Crump, aldermen, and Sir John Knight, junior, a Common
Council man, on behalf of the city, to the King. Petition for the
removal of Sir Robert Atkyns, the Recorder, because by his
obstinate refusal no gaol delivery has been held for over 2 years,
whereby the prisoners continue in gaol without hope of delivery,
the numbers of offenders are greatly increased by their impunity
and the gaol is so full that the gaoler continually fears it will
be broken and the prisoners escape; by his great encouragement
to the factious party and discountenancing the truly loyal, by
his affronts to Sir Richard Hart, when Mayor, and the other
loyal magistrates and by his convening most riotously some of
the aldermen. 8 March, 1680[–1], and taking on himself with
them to create an alderman without the consent of the then
Mayor to strengthen the factious party, of which he and others
of the said aldermen were found guilty at the last Bristol assizes,
his Majesty's government and interest there is weakened so that
they have no hopes of securing peace there without his Majesty's
interposition. [Ibid. No. 50.] |
[1682 ?]
[Oct. ?] |
Pier Maria Mazzantini, professor of Physic, to the King.
Petition for leave to practise the antidote Orvietan, of which he
obtained the recipe at Orvieto, and has been the first practiser
thereof in England. It preserved the life of the late Thomas
Killigrew of the Bedchamber, who desired his son Henry, now
Groom of the Bedchamber, to get this business done but Dr. Tilbor
[see ante, p. 450], to whom, when in great distress, he gave the
receipt for practice beyond the seas, has put it in practice on the
stage to his great prejudice and that of his wife, daughter of
James Gordon, secretary to the synod in Scotland in the reign of
Charles I. [Ibid. No. 51.] |
[1682.]
[Oct. ?] |
John Hilton to the King. Petition for a present supply. Has
during the last 6 months at his own charges under the Act against
Conventicles convicted before Sir John Moore, Lord Mayor, and
others halls, houses, preachers and others to the value of upwards
of 10,000l. and in Westminster to the value of 7,000l. and upwards.
Is forced to have 50 or more persons every Sunday and some other
days for his assistance and is no longer able to support the charge.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 52.] |
| [Oct.] |
Representation by the magistrates of Guernsey to Secretary
Jenkins that Sir Edmund Andros, Bailiff of Guernsey, lately
received a letter from the magistrates to Lord Hatton with
several acts of court. representing to him several grievances
presented to them on 2 Oct., 1682, which they remedied as far
as they could, but with that caution not to make any application
to his Majesty, till they had received his answer thereto, so that,
if he objects to anything in their proceedings, the magistrates
desire him to reduce them in writing and an answer shall be given
them. [S.P. Channel Islands 1, No. 123.] |
[1682 ?]
Oct. |
Affidavit of Edward Wardour, one of the 7 land surveyors of
the London Custom House. The Commissioners of the Customs
have for some months divided the quays into 3 districts, two
surveyors to each and one in the office monthly. It being the
deponent's appointment to attend the office this present October,
he found in the till of the office door, where copies of warrants are
put in out of office time, the two papers delivered to Secretary
Jenkins by directions of two of the said commissioners. [S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 421, No. 53.] Annexed, |
|
One of the said papers, addressed to Mr. Wardour and Mr.
Cooke [another land-surveyor]. You, Mr. Cooke, have had
about 4 notes of warning of danger about firing of London
Bridge and the heae cok [hay cock ?] at the Tower and other
places to be burnt. Do not slight this note too, for we are
in great danger now of all our lives. [Ibid. No. 53 i.] |
