|
Dec. 1.
Whitehall. |
Warrant similar to that of 16 Nov. calendared ante, p. 525,
forbidding the molestation of Antonio Montingo, a painter of
flowers employed by Signor Verrio in Windsor Castle, and Alice,
his wife, who were omitted for want of due information in the list
of foreign artisans. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 51, p. 98.] Prefixed, |
|
Certificate by Hugh May, that Montingo is a painter of flowers
employed by Signor Verrio in Windsor Castle, and that he
and Alice, his wife, were omitted in the late list of foreign
artisans, who were Popish Recusants. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 51, p. 97.] |
| Dec. 1. |
Pass for Francis Roper, John Hall and George Porter, ushers
of the Privy Chamber to the Queen, Thomas Sands, equerry to
the Queen, George Slaughter, usher of the Presence Chamber
to the Queen, with Bridget, his wife, and Dorothy, his daughter,
Anthony Vane, groom of the Privy Chamber to the Queen, and
Anthony, his son, James Roch, page of the Back Stairs to the
Queen, and Elizabeth, his wife, George Porter, junior, and Jane
Crane, dresser, all of them servants to the Queen, to pass into
the parts beyond the seas with their servants. [Ibid. p. 102.] |
Dec. 1.
Whitehall. |
Warrant from the Duke of Monmouth to Lemuel Kingdon,
his Majesty having granted to Col. William Strother an allowance
of 20s. per diem for his encouragement in prosecuting and dispersing several unlawful assemblies lately held by disorderly
Scotchmen and others on the Borders, for payment to him of
66l. in full of the said allowance from 26 Sept. last to 30 Sept.
(sic) following. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 52, p. 123.] |
| Dec. 1. |
Notes by Williamson. Mr. Beddo (Bedloe) coming in about his
pardon &c., of himself desires to clear himself of one thing, that,
whereas it is said that he had said in the House of Commons
that the two unknown persons in the Consulta at Somerset House
were the Duke of York and the Duke of Norfolk, he denies to
have said any such thing. True it is that, having been asked
by some person in the House of Commons if those two persons
were not the Duke of York and the Duke of Norfolk, he answered
that, for any thing he knew, they might be they, he did not
know but they might be they, but he never said these two persons
were the Duke of York and the Duke of Norfolk. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 366, p. 649.] |
Dec. 2.
Matharne. |
William, Bishop of Llandaff, to Williamson. Last night I
received your letter of the 28th with the enclosed, which I now
send signed and taken on the oaths of the parties mentioned in
them. These informations were taken by me before your order
came to Mr. Lewis, which was the reason I had not sent them
so taken. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 41.] Enclosed, |
|
The information of Gregory Appleby, taken 2 Dec. Agreeing
with his information calendared ante, p. 544, as far as the
end of the first sentence. Then it proceeds thus:—She told him
that her brother, William, was familiarly acquainted with
Mr. Oates in Spain before the discovery of the plot, and
that he and his brother, James, were to be witnesses for Oates,
when he came to England to discover the same. |
|
Being in company with William Bedow in Chepstow about
2 or 3 Nov. he told the deponent that he was come to the
country on the King's business. The rest is to the same
effect as the rest of his other information. [Ibid. No. 41 i.] |
|
The information of Alice Tainton, alias Bedow, taken 14 Nov.
To the same effect as her former information calendared
ante, p. 545, but adding that her son William had told her
that Lord Belasyse's coach carried away the dead corpse of
Sir Edmund Bury Godfrey; that he was well acquainted
with Mr. Oates beyond the seas, but she cannot remember
whether their acquaintance was in Spain or Flanders; that
he sent her a letter and token from Spain by Timothy Paine
of Bristol; and that he told her that, when he had discovered
to his Majesty what he had here, laying his hands on his breast,
he believed his Majesty would soon rectify this garrison,
meaning that of Chepstow. |
|
The information of Mary Bedow. Adding nothing to her
previous information calendared ante, p. 545. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 408, No. 41 ii.] |
Dec. 2.
Whitehall. |
Warrant for the revocation of the grant to James, Earl of
Northampton, of the office of Constable of the Tower. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 29, p. 308.] |
| Dec. 2. |
Pass for Antoine la Fortune and Antoine Fleminck, servants
to the Vicomte d'Ourlans, lately deceased, with the baggage of
the said Viscount as also for John Dominique Ayet, cook to the
Count of Egmont, to go to the Spanish Netherlands. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 51, p. 100.] |
Dec. 2.
Whitehall. |
Order for Major Binns' troop in the Duke of Albemarle's
regiment to march from their present quarters at Barnet to
Colchester and to continue there till further orders. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 52, p. 123.] |
[Dec. 2 ?]
Whitehall. |
Warrant from the Duke of Monmouth to the Commissaries
General of the Musters for allowing on the musters Mr. Fox,
ensign to Capt. Boade's company in the Holland regiment, who
is now actually employed in service at sea, till his return from
his present voyage. [Ibid. p. 124.] |
Dec. 2.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Privy Council of Scotland. Warrant for
admitting John Drummond, of Lundin, to be one of their number.
[S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 5, p. 53.] |
| Dec.3. |
Edward Wyborne to [Williamson]. The favourable admittance
you gave me, when on several occasions I waited on you, puts
me in hopes you will not be offended at my troubling you. I am
a petitioner for protection and beg you to be my advocate to
his Majesty and the Council. I was born of a pretty good family.
My father had a considerable estate, but took such a dislike
to me on my refusal to go to an English seminary beyond seas
that he disinherited me entirely. Being thus destitute, I continued some time in France, where, having some small beginning
of learning, I went on in my studies, and, being in great want,
applied to the Jesuits, under whom I continued some years a
scholar, but, on a dislike of several of their principles, particularly
concerning the oath of allegiance, I left them before I had any
engagement or concern with their society, which they took so
ill that they have on several occasions endeavoured my ruin and
have at last compassed it by alienating from me my only nephew,
from whom I was in some hopes of relief, for, when in obedience
to the proclamation I went from London 7 Nov., I could obtain
no admittance amongst my nearest relations, who have these
several years been advised by the Jesuits. You may see how
much I have suffered, though very unjustly, both from my
relatives and the Jesuits and now, since I have no other subsistance but some small business I am employed in commonly
in town, I make bold to represent my condition to the King
and Council, hoping that, since I have been so great a sufferer
and my case is so extraordinary, I may obtain a protection.
Therefore my humble request is that you will present this my
petition and excuse whatever may be wanting in the due form
of it and be my mediator for obtaining it. My next request is
that you will pardon my presumption and acquaint my uncle
Weld at Weld House with your intentions, who will let me know
your commands. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 42.] Annexed,
|
|
Edward Wyborne to the King and the Privy Council. Stating
to the same effect as in the above letter and praying a grant
of a protection with leave to follow without molestation his
occasions and quietly to look after his small concerns.
[Ibid. No. 42 i.] |
Dec. 3.
Whitehall. |
Sir J. Williamson to the Bayliffs of Yarmouth. I have, besides
several other instances of your care in these dangerous times, to
acknowledge yours of the 15th past, which I ought to have done
earlier but that the hurry of business left me no leisure. I am
sorry you are not yet freed from that insolent Irishman, Shea.
His case lies these several weeks before the Council for them
to give directions in it, which I shall not fail to mind them of. I
pray you to continue your care and circumspection in these
times of fears and dangers. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 43, p. 246.] |
Dec. 3.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex for the
delivery of the head and quarters of Edward Coleman, executed
that day for high treason, to his friends or relations in order to
a private interment. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54, p. 5.] |
Dec. 3.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to the Earl of Northampton, Constable of the Tower,
to suffer Serjeant Weston and Edmund Sanders and Anthony
Keck, counsellors at law, to have access to the Earl of Powis and
Viscount Stafford, now prisoners in the Tower. [Ibid.] |
Dec. 4.
Whitehall. |
Phineas Pett to Williamson. I have herewith sent you by my
servant some papers of calculations of Dr. Woods relating to the
revenue of the Customs and consequently to the trade of Ireland.
You will find them made with great care, labour and skill. Among
them is a paper giving account of the exportations the year before
the Rebellion and of the year during the cattle trade and of the
year after the restraint thereof. His calculations likewise of the
exportations and importations that you will find in other papers
are made very exactly out of the Custom House books and with
great charge too to the doctor. But what I account he has most
shown his arithmetical skill in, is what you will find in the other
papers relating to the proportions of the several ports and
provinces, of which another paper gives the explanation. Likewise another paper gives an account of the quantities of wool
exported from Ireland in one year, which will show you the value
of the grant of 4d. a stone for all wool exported from Ireland,
which the Lord Lieutenant enjoys. Your great mastery of
knowledge in this nature and value for such calculations makes
me suppose that I have here the good fortune to entertain you
with what will be acceptable to you and in some sort worthy of
you. Within a very few days the doctor will be in town and
I shall then use the favour you have allowed me to bring him to
kiss your hands. Those papers are at your service to be transcribed by any of your clerks and then I shall desire them again,
and in their room shall furnish you with Sir William Petty's
Political Anatomy of Ireland and some poor calculations of mine.
[Original and copy, the former damaged. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408,
Nos. 43, 44.] |
| Dec. 4. |
Certificate by Sir James Shaen that the bearer, William Scotten
one of his servants, is appointed by his wife to follow her to the
Hague and to bring with him some goods for the Countess of
Inchiquin in the first of his Majesty's yachts going thither, if
he may be permitted, and therefore desiring Secretary Williamson
to give him a pass. [Ibid. No. 45.] |
Dec. 4.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Mayor of Berwick, to be communicated to
the Corporation. After reciting that he is given to understand
that certain seditious persons and particularly—Wrissell, an
unlicensed schoolmaster—Rowle, an unlicensed physician, Luke
Ogle and one that is chaplain to Alderman Watson, being all
Nonconformist ministers and inhabitants in or near that town,
hold dangerous correspondencies and practices, enjoining on
them the strict and effectual execution of the Act to prevent
and suppress seditious conventicles, in the same terms as the
letter to Newcastle, calendared ante, p. 418. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 42, p. 56.] |
|
Paper containing the names of the persons mentioned in the
above letter. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 46.] |
Dec. 4.
Whitehall. |
Licence to Joseph Edmonds, high sheriff of Lincolnshire, to
dwell out of that county. Minute. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 42,
p. 57.] |
Dec. 4.
Whitehall. |
Reference to the Duke of Ormonde of the petition of Walter
Bermingham, for a grant of his Majesty's right to certain lands
now possessed by Sir John Bellew in right of his wife, Mary
Bermingham alias Bellew, who with her sister, Anne Bermingham
alias Dempsey, claiming right to the said lands as heirs general,
had the same given them by his Majesty's order on inquisition
found without notice to the petitioner, on false grounds and
surmises, he being entitled thereto according to the settlement
made by John Bermingham, from whom they pretend their
title, he paying such duties and crown rents as his Majesty shall
limit. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 46, p. 247.] |
| Dec. 4. |
Pass for Antonio Lopez, a Portuguese, to pass into Flanders,
at the instance of Signor Baptista belonging to the Countess
Panalva. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 51, p. 100.] |
| Dec. 4. |
Pass for the Countess of Shrewsbury, Anne, Countess of
Cardigan, Lady Catherine Brudenell and George Radney Bridges,
Groom of the Bedchamber, to pass to the parts beyond the seas.
[Ibid. p. 101.] |
Dec. 4.
Whitehall. |
Reference to the Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench of
the petition of Titus Otes for the power of taking and printing
the trials of such as shall be tried on account of the late plot
discovered by him. [Ibid. p. 103.] |
| Dec. 4. |
Pass for John Brisbane, the King's agent for maritime affairs
and secretary of the embassy to France, to pass into France.
[Ibid. p. 104.] |
| Dec. 4. |
Notes by Williamson. Parliament. The House of Commons
dissatisfied at the loss of the Militia Bill. Think from the King's
last words that he means some other sort of force (?),
having asked for money &c. Query, how to set them a little
right, how to explain the King &c.? Reply.—To say he meant,
if they found a way to maintain (?) them, that he would willingly
raise such part of the militia as he should see necessary for the
safety of the public &c. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 366, p. 651.] |
| Dec. 4. |
Notes by Williamson about the oaths to be taken by all that
go out of the kingdom and about passes. [Ibid. p. 659.] |
| Dec. 5. |
Nicholas Oudart to [William Bridgeman]. Cornelius van
Haesdonck, merchant of Amsterdam, being come lately to bury
his deceased brother, John, one of the gentlemen of the Privy
Chamber, desires a pass for himself and servant. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 408, No. 47.] |
| Dec. 5. |
Copy of the pass granted that day to Sir Charles Shelly, his son
and his servants, with memorandum by John Cooke that this
is drawn out of the Book of Entries in Secretary Coventry's time.
[Ibid. No. 48.] |
| Dec. 5. |
The Earl of Lindsey, Lord Great Chamberlain, to the Earl of
Arlington, Lord Chamberlain of the Household. Having received
his Majesty's command that a court be erected in Westminster
Hall for the trial of several peers, desiring him to issue out
warrants for the same accordingly. [Copy. S.P. Dom., Car. II.
408, No. 49.] |
Dec. 5.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to the Earl of Dunbarton. Commanding him to order Capt. Regan's company of his regiment
to march from their present quarters at Sudbury to Boxford
and to continue there till further order. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book,
52, p. 124.] |
Dec. 5.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to the Earl of Dunbarton. Being
informed that Capt. Buchanan's company of his regiment are somewhat straitened in their present quarters at Newport, directing
him to give orders to such of their officers as he shall think fit
to remove with part of their soldiers to the neighbouring towns
of Wendon and Widdington and quarter them there. [Ibid.
p. 125.] |
Dec. 5.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to the Earl of Dunbarton. Being
informed that three companies of his regiment are somewhat
straitened in their present quarters at Walden, directing him to
give orders to such of their officers as he shall think fit to remove
with part of their soldiers to the neighbouring towns of Great
and Little Chesterford and Littlebury and quarter them there.
[Ibid. p. 126.] |
Dec. 5.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Sir Charles Lyttelton, colonel of
his Royal Highness' Foot regiment. Whereas I am informed
that several field and staff officers, captains, lieutenants, ensigns,
and soldiers belonging to the battalions in Flanders are now absent
without my leave, whereby the companies are neglected and his
Majesty disserved, these are to command you to order all officers
and soldiers belonging to the battalions of your regiment now
in Flanders forthwith to return, except such only as are members
of Parliament or are detained by real sickness, or have my leave
to be absent under my hand, who are likewise to return at the
expiration of their passes.[Ibid. p. 127.] |
Dec. 5.
Whitehall. |
Similar letters, mutatis mutandis, to Sir Henry Goodrick,
Col. Sydney, Lieut.-col. Salisbury, the Earl of Mulgrave,
Sir Thomas Slingesby, the Earl of Craven, Col. Russell,
Lord Morpeth, Lord Alington, Sir John Fenwick and Col. Legge.
[Ibid. pp. 128–137.] |
Dec. 5.
Whitehall. |
Allowance by Williamson of Samuel Mearne's bill for stationery
supplied to his office and acknowledged by William Bridgeman as
received, amounting to 164l. 8s. [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 334, p. 591.] |
Dec. 5.
Whitehall. |
Three warrants to the Earl of Northampton, Constable of the
Tower, to suffer Serjeant Weston and Edmund Sanders and
John Holt, counsellors at law, to have access to Lord Belasyse;
Edmund Sanders, John Holt, junior, and Henry Polixfield,
counsellors at law, to have access to Lord Arundel of Wardour;
and Serjeant Raymont, Edmund Sanders and — Bradbury,
counsellors at law, to have access to Lord Petre, all prisoners in
the Tower. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54, pp. 6, 7.] |
Dec. 6.
Whitehall. |
Order in Council. Whereas his Majesty and the Board are
informed of the bold and open repair to several places and
especially to her Majesty's chapel at Somerset House and the
houses of foreign ambassadors and other public ministers for
hearing of Mass or other service of the Romish Church, and
that the said ambassadors and ministers permit both daily
Masses to be said and other service to be performed in their
houses in a public manner by English, Scottish and Irish priests
and also sermons in English to be preached in their said chapels
and houses, which the laws of this kingdom expressly forbid his
subjects to frequent or do, his Majesty, being sensible thereof as
a matter highly tending to the violation of the laws and breach of
good order, is resolved to take strict order for stopping this evil
before it spread any further. He therefore by the advice of his
Council hereby forbids any of his subjects hereafter to offend in the
like kind at their utmost perils, and straitly commands that no others
resort to her Majesty's chapel but her allowed servants. That
this order may be more effectual, his Majesty commands
that, for as much as concerns the repair to the houses of foreign
ambassadors and ministers at the time of Mass or other Romish
worship or service, some messengers or other fit persons be
appointed to watch at the several passages to their houses and,
without entering the said houses or invading the freedom and
privileges belonging to them, observe such as go thither at such
times without stopping or questioning any as they go thither,
but at their coming from thence they are to apprehend and
bring the said persons before some justice, to have the oaths of
allegiance and supremacy tendered them, and to bring the names
of such as they cannot apprehend to this Board. That the
ambassadors and other foreign ministers may have no cause
to complain, as if there were any intention to wrong or disrespect
them, his Majesty likewise orders that the Secretaries of State
be hereby authorized and required forthwith to certify the said
ambassadors and other foreign ministers his pleasure concerning
the same, and that, as he is careful not to have any of their just
privileges and immunities to be in any degree infringed or violated,
so in the aforesaid particulars of permitting masses or other
service to be said by any of the said priests or sermons to be
preached in English in their houses or chapels, things not heard
of in the times of his predecessors, or in suffering his subjects to
resort to them, he is no less careful of preserving his laws and continuing his subjects in their obedience to them, and therefore
expects the said ambassadors' and ministers' compliance
accordingly. Thereof his Majesty thinks fit that notice shall
be first given to the said public ministers, the rather to testify
his respect to them, before the stricter course he has resolved
be taken with his own subjects by a vigorous prosecution and
infliction of penalties and punishments for repressing the like
hereafter. |
|
It is likewise ordered that the messengers or others to be
employed shall be appointed and receive their charge from the
Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London and the said
Secretaries, who are to take special care to see this put in effectual
execution. [Nearly 3 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 50.] |
Dec. 6.
Whitehall. |
Order in Council, his Majesty having consented to an address
from the House of Lords that he would call again on the foreign
ministers here for the numbers, names and abodes of the priests
attending them respectively; that the Secretaries of State
signify to the several foreign ministers here that his Majesty
expects and desires that they retain no more than 4 priests each,
and that the said Secretaries do likewise in his Majesty's name
desire the said foreign ministers to send in to them with all convenient speed lists of the names, as well as of the priests they
shall retain, as of their several and respective servants, who are
Papists, to the end they may be permitted to enjoy the privileges
and immunities which justly belong to them. [Ibid. No. 51.] |
| Dec. 6. |
Sir Benjamin Ayloffe and Thomas Tuson to the King. Petition
for a pass for Robert Tigh and John Eyre, who are his Majesty's
natural born subjects and of the Protestant religion and reside at
present as merchants in Denmark, and have occasion to travel
thence to Sweden, which they cannot safely perform without his
Majesty's pass. With certificate at foot by Ayloffe and Tuson that
Tigh and Eyre are well known to them and are both Englishmen
born and of the Protestant religion. [Ibid. No. 52.] |
Dec. 6.
Shrewsbury. |
John Roche to Francis Royley. Requesting him to repair next
Thursday to the Bell Inn in Wood Street to receive 8l. of James
Davis, carrier, which he is to pay to Richard Dalton, paymaster
to the King's own troop, on the delivery of the writer's note,
who is bound for so much for his brother. |
|
Postscript. Requesting his wife, Susan, to send his things, if
done, by her father to the carrier. With notes on the back
about an intended lease. [Ibid. No. 53.] |
Dec. 6.
Yarmouth. |
Richard Bower to Williamson. Yesterday afternoon arrived
here three vessels of this town from Rotterdam and a hoy belonging
to London. The hoy had about 30 passengers, men and women,
bound for London, but put in here by contrary winds. The
passengers came ashore at Gorleston at our haven's mouth,
which so alarmed the people that it was presently brought up
to this town that 30 or 40 Jesuits were landed. They were
all secured there and examined by Sir Henry Bacon yesterday
evening and this afternoon were by his order conducted with a
guard to this town. They were examined at our town hall
by our Bailiffs and all discharged except one young man committed for misbehaviour. Last night a Dutch fly-boat from
Norway came aground on a sand off this town called Neworpe,
where she lay till she was bilged. Then they cut her masts
down that she might not overset and so sent their yawl ashore
and hired a vessel here to tow her in. Our vessels from Rotterdam
bring word of two ships of this town being lost, coming from
Bordeaux and going into the Texel. The winds have this week
been so violent that several ships have suffered great damage.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 54.] |
Dec. 6.
Council Chamber, Whitehall. |
Sir J. Williamson to Lord Norreys. The Lord Treasurer having
this morning communicated to the Committee of the Council
for prosecuting the further discovery of the late Plot a letter
of the 4th from you enclosing an information transmitted to
you by the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford and Dr. Lamphire concerning quantities of arms and ammunition discovered to have
been lately carried out of Lord Carrington's house in that county,
I am by their Lordships' directions to acknowledge your care
in this and other particulars, and to desire that you will forthwith
take effectual order that a strict enquiry be made into the matter
on the lights already given by this information of Young, as well
by examining that Anthony, as the information calls him, as
other the servants of the house and any other persons or circumstances that may lead to a full discovery, and, that being done,
that you will order the informer with that Anthony and what
other parties shall be found to have had any hand in removing
those arms to be sent up hither to answer the matter. You will,
I doubt not, think fit that search be immediately made for these
arms wherever there is cause to suspect they may have been
lodged within your lieutenancy and to inform the neighbouring
Lord Lieutenants, in case you find reason to suspect they are
carried into another lieutenancy. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 43,
p. 247.] |
Dec. 6.
Whitehall. |
Warrant for the revocation of the letters patent appointing
James, Earl of Northampton, to be Constable of the Tower and
for the appointment of William, Lord Alington, to be Constable
thereof. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 51, p. 106.] |
Dec. 6.
Whitehall. |
Warrant for a licence to John Dormer of Lee, Buckinghamshire,
to enclose the common foot and horse way in Lee, which leads
from Aylesbury towards Brackley and also another common
foot and horse way which leads from Aylesbury towards Brackley;
so that he instead thereof sets out two other ways in his own
ground of the same length and breadth, it having been found
by inquisition that it would be no damage to the Crown or any
other. [Ibid. p. 109.] |
Dec. 6.
Whitehall. |
[James Vernon] to Sir Samuel Clarke. The Lord General
commands me to acquaint you that the forces will be very
suddenly sent for home and in order to it Mr. Lumm will be
dispatched hence about Sunday next with money to clear off
subsistence only, for their stock is now too low to pay the officers
as yet, and all officers belonging to the battalions abroad are
commanded to return to their posts. You are not to remove
out of your quarters till you have orders, which will be sent by
the ships ordered for your transportation. His Grace desires
you to take a strict account of what effectives of the 8 battalions
on that side the country go on board and return the same to
him. In case any sick are left, you are to order one or more
officers of each battalion according to the number of their sick
to remain to take care of them, and his Grace would likewise
have an account sent him of what sick are so left and under
whose care. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 52, p. 139.] |
| Dec. 7. |
James Vernon to William Bridgeman. The Lord General
desires that Mr. Eastland's commission be changed and that
Wingfield Wootton may be ensign in his place to the Earl of
Inchiquin's company at Tangier. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408,
No. 54.] |
Dec. 7.
Edinburgh. |
[Matthew Mackaile] to John Adams, i.e. Sir John Frederick.
I have been interrupted since my last by the death of my fatherin-law and the solemnities of his funeral which, I hope, will
plead my excuse. |
|
All judicatories civil and officers military are of a Lauderdale
substitution and great care is taken that no Presbyterado creep
into the government, on which account within these few days
three of the four aldermen of this city are turned out and others
put in. They refused the Test, which amongst us is called the
Declaration, viz., that there is no obligation on any in this
kingdom by the oaths commonly called the National and Solemn
League and Covenants, and that they were in themselves unlawful
and that they shall never renew the same with the consent and
approbation of his Majesty or his successors. I know not what
character the episcopal divines in England have of the
Presbyterian party, but the Archbishop of St. Andrews before
the Privy Council said, that there was greater hazard to be feared
from the Presbyterian than the Popish interest and that Papists
had always proven his Majesty's best subjects in this kingdom. |
|
I was very curious a day or two after my first viewing of
the witches in their voluntary confession to have discoursed them
anent the mods (? moods) of Satan and inquired anent the rate
of his government, but that resolution left me, not being clothed
with authority, and curiosity not being sufficient for me to proceed
on. They continued, till they were strangled, confessing the
sin and deprecating the judgment with a great deal more
sensibleness than others that have been guilty of the same
crime. |
|
An extraordinary emergent happened here a few days ago
at Coldingham in the Merse. John Purvose, a servant of
Sir William Purvose, agent for his Majesty here, was a pretty
while ago dismissed for tippling and so married a wife and added
swearing to his drunkenness and ordinarily used this form:
"Devil have my soul, if this be not true &c." In a forenoon at an
alehouse, he most unnecessarily used his common form, repeating
it over and over, till his company fell a trembling, and so having
parted, his path home was through the churchyard and he fancied
that, if he laid down on his father's grave, he might readily take
a good sleep. He had not lain long, before two grim men, catching
hold of his arms, set him upright on his feet and tell him, they
came to demand his soul according to his bargain specially when
he spoke falsely. Not being able, as probably not much accustomed, to call upon God, he stood dumb, so one of them said,
We must either presently have your soul or a pledge for it, which
if you do not give, we shall presently tear you in pieces. Says he,
I have nothing but my coat, will you take it, so they stripped
him of it and left him. With much difficulty he got home and
immediately took bed and lived about a day and a half.
[3 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 56.] |
Dec. 7.
Whitehall. |
Sir J. Williamson to the Vice-Chancellor of the University
of Oxford. Yesterday I received yours of the 5th, enclosing a
copy of an information given in before yourself and Dr. Lamphire.
We had that morning received a like copy from Lord Norreys,
your Lord Lieutenant, and had immediately returned him an
answer, a copy of which I enclose. |
|
I had some time ago a letter from you giving me notice of a
certain matter you had before you as one of the justices, on
which there having remained nothing to be directed from hence,
I did not think it worth your trouble barely to acknowledge
your letter, which I now do, thanking you for your trouble in
those matters and desiring you will continue it in a time of so
much danger as this. We are preparing a commission to be
sent down for administering the oaths of Allegiance and
Supremacy in the University. There only wants the names of
such as may be fit to be Commissioners, a note of which you
will please send up by the next. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 43,
p. 249.] |
Dec. 7.
Whitehall. |
Sir J. Williamson to the Mayor of Berwick. His Majesty,
having received information that several Nonconforming ministers
and teachers remain inhabiting in Berwick contrary to the law
and as much to the prejudice of his service and the quiet of his
government, has signified his pleasure to you by the enclosed,
which I am commanded to transmit to you, with an intimation
of his expectation that you give due obedience to it. [Ibid.
p. 250.] |
Dec. 7.
Whitehall. |
Certificate by the Duke of Monmouth that he had given leave
to Mr. King, ensign to Capt. Tiffeny's company in his foot
regiment, to come to London for 3 weeks. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 52, p. 140.] |
Dec. 7.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to the Mayor and Alderman of Hull.
I received yours of 30 Nov. in answer to my second letter concerning Capt. Shales. I am very much surprised to hear that
it was publicly read, since the person in whose behalf it was sent
met with those discouragements there that he declined standing.
However, I hear very well of the gentleman you have chosen,
who shall be welcome to me on all occasions, especially when he
has anything to propose for the advantage of your corporation.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 41, p. 209.] |
Dec. 7.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to Thomas Atterbury, messenger, after reciting that
— Morley, suspected to be a Popish priest, conceals himself in
some house in or near Drury Lane, forthwith to make diligent
search for him and having found him to take him into custody
with all papers and writings he shall suspect to belong to him
and to bring him before Williamson or some other Justice to be
examined and to be further disposed of according to law. [S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 334, p. 580.] |
Dec. 8.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to the Marshal of the Admiralty for the release of
Daniel Masterson, seaman, committed to his custody by warrant
of 11 Sept. last for mutinying in the fleet, on his petition expressing
his repentance and praying for mercy. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54,
p. 8.] |
Dec. 8.
Whitehall. |
Certificate by Henry Coventry and Sir J. Williamson, Secretaries
of State, in the same form as that of 12 Sept. calendared ante,
p. 402, that the letters and packets carried post by the Earl of
Arlington, Postmaster General, without money paid for the same
from 31 Dec., 1677, to 1 July, 1678, amount in the Outland Office
to 1,004l. 16s. 3d., in the Inland to 2,448l. 10s. 8d., and in the
Irish to 425l. 15s. 11d., and that the dispatches of his Majesty
and his ministers carried express in that time amount to
81l. 13s. 5d., which several sums amounting in the whole
to 3,966l. 16s. 3d. they conceive to be fit to be allowed and paid to
the said Earl, which it is humbly prayed by the said Earl should
be paid him according to the tenor of the said Privy Seal. [1½ page.
S.P. Dom., Entry Book 334, p. 581.] |
| Dec. 8. |
Notes by Williamson. Sir W. Temple's of 9 Dec. (N.S.) and
D'Avaux' memorial of the 7th read. |
|
Sweden.—Olivencrantz' offers were to accommodate the
King's subjects in trade preferably to Holland.—Answer. That
Olivencrantz has the points already and so Sir L. Jenkins. If
Olivencrantz say he has powers to treat on them, then Sir L.
Jenkins may have powers sent him, but, till Olivencrantz have
powers, all is but words &c. |
|
Sir W. Temple.—The King has no need of the blades. |
|
Duke of Courland.—Let him have passes, but let them have a
proviso not to license them to trade to any of the King's
plantations. [S.P. Dom., Car II. 366, p. 655.] |
| [Dec. ?] |
The Stationers' Company, John Seymore and Roger Norton
to the King. Petition, stating a grant in 1669 to John Seymore
of the sole privilege of printing and publishing Æsopi Fabulœ, Catonis
Disticha, Virgilii Opera, Ciceronis Opera, Terentii Comœdiœ,
Corderii Colloquia, Pueriles Sententiœ et Confabulacunculœ, Biblia
Latina, all Grammars, Greek and Latin, the construing book of
Lilly's Grammar, Posselii Opera, Smetii Prosodia, Flores Poetarum,
Textoris Opera, Ovidii Opera, with all notes &c. on the said books
for 41 years immediately after the determination of the terms
of 31 years and 41 years granted to the Stationers' Company and
Roger Norton respectively, which grant by reason of John
Seymore's going suddenly beyond the seas on his Majesty's
service passed no further than the Privy Seal, and, as in the said
grant the following books were omitted, viz., Johannis Ludovici
Vives Colloquia, Ecloga Mantuani, Epistolœ Sturmii, Castalionis
Dialogus and Terentius Christianus with all notes &c. thereon,
though the same were granted by the said letters patent to the
Stationers' Company, and there was a further omission that the office
of printer and bookseller to his Majesty in Latin, Greek and Hebrew
was not thereby granted to John Seymore, though the same was
granted by the said letters patent to Roger Norton, and therefore
praying, instead of granting the premises to John Seymore, a
grant to the Stationers' Company of the sole printing and
publishing of all the said books to them granted as aforesaid
for the further term of 41 years to commence immediately on
the determination of their present interest, and also a grant to
Roger Norton of the office before mentioned and of the sole
printing and publishing of the several books granted him as
aforesaid for the term of 41 years to commence on the determination of his present interest therein. At the side, |
Dec. 9.
Whitehall. |
Reference thereof to the Attorney or Solicitor General and
report by Sir Francis Winnington, Solicitor-General, that
the grant prayed is in no wise contrary to law. 11 Dec.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 57.] |
Dec. 9.
Whitehall. |
Circular letter from Secretary Coventry to the foreign ministers
in his province requesting a list of their servants who are of the
Romish religion, that they may enjoy the privileges and immunities
due to the minister's character. [French. Ibid. No. 58.] |
Dec. 9.
Rawden near Leeds. |
Henry Layton to Williamson. When you see my name, you
may reflect, why not before and why now. For the first, I have
not seen London since I saw you, else I should have been an
early gratulator of your advancement. The following will answer
the other question. I write from the North West part of the
West Riding, between Leeds and Bradford. On the breaking
up of the great Popish plot the crack and noise filled us with
great visions and the apparitions of armed men assembled and
riding by night, on which strong, strict watches were set, our
militia drawn out, all Popish houses searched, and all in great
rumour and expectation for 10 or 12 days, and I, hearing of such
rides, made my best inquiries, but could not find one word of
truth in any of these reports, nor person nor thing of danger
met with, nor arms of danger nor ammunition in any Popish
house, nor have we above a dozen such families in all our confines.
I hear divers gentlemen of our parts had writ to London on our
first rumours and doubted not they writ terrors in them, which
might lead their correspondents into errors. Thereupon I writ
to a member that all such rumours were vain and false and that
I could discover no danger of this plot amongst us, which had
not the credit, I perceive, to gain a mind possessed before, but I
was answered, that the King's refusing to pass their Bill for the
militia increased their fears very much. We here are since very
much stopped in our rumours of dangers at home, nothing being
found true of all our reports, but now our rumours run of foreign
forces, that Spaniards are landed in Ireland and 5,000 of them
got over into Wales, that French are landed in Scotland and
more ready to be transported into England from Dunkirk
and that coast, that our havens and particularly Hull are
made for them and ready to receive them, and to facilitate
their passage all the big ships at Chatham or elsewhere are to be
burnt. |
|
In the place I speak of for 30 miles from east to west and 20
from north to south Lord Fairfax is the only resident deputy
lieutenant I know of, who with all his family and allies hangs
towards the Presbyters, not to name others, and truly so do this
country generally. Of this you may consult Sir Henry Goodrick,
and Sir Walter Lowther, members, or the Lord Treasurer, our
Lord Lieutenant. My remarks on the premises are three:— |
|
1. That the King's refusal to pass the bill is very approvable,
seeing his father had reproach for nothing more than in the
weakness shown in parting with that power. |
|
2. That as these false rumours were the very preludium to the
late successful rebellion, so are they exceeding dangerous for the
present time and state of affairs, importing men ought to stand
to and protect one another, not daring to rely on the Government
for their safety, and, if they can once bring it to assemblies of men,
there will be found enough Presbyters and Sectaries to counterpoise any party in England, if not perhaps all the rest together. |
|
3. I condemn putting persons in power for the militia that
are of other inclinations than both royal and episcopal and specially
without a great counterpoise of such persons. |
|
In each I propose a small expedient. 1. That the King may by
his orders and commissions draw together the militia in the very
manner, places and times which the House desires and what he
does on their address communicate his orders and commissions
to them, and the thing done by his authority, not by virtue of
an Act, will yet be effectual to repel all dangers. |
|
2. Statutes have been made in the times of Edward I, Richard II
and Queens Mary and Elizabeth to punish inventers and divulgers
of false rumours in derogation of the princes and their governments. Those of the Queens' are expired, but they may be all
reviewed and either revived, as all Queen Elizabeth's Acts will
be favoured, or a new statute made and proclaimed, as all ancient
statutes used to be and late ones ought to be and more particularly
such a one as this. |
|
3. My third expedient, viz., to find in every place men of royal
inclinations fit to be employed in the militia and other commissions, is the taking the book of compounders' names and
taking only those whose compositions stand at 4 or 500l. or
upwards and then let the heralds cast them into their several
counties, and then in such commissions I judge such men
and their descendants worthy of preference, if not found less
worthy in some singular or personal defects. [2½ pages. S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 59.] |
Dec. 9.
Whitehall. |
The King to Sir George Mackenzie of Rosehaugh, his Advocate.
On account of the care and faithfulness with which he has maintained the royal prerogative, declaring that he should not be
removed from his present station without malversation proved
against him in the King's own presence and, since he has been
chosen to be Advocate and not judge as his predecessors were,
allowing him to consult in any cause whatever, those only excepted
wherein the royal interest is concerned. [S.P. Scotland, Warrant
Book 5, p. 54.] |
Dec. 9.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Commissioners of the Treasury in Scotland.
Warrant for payment of 1,000l. sterling to Sir James Dalrymple
of Stair, President of the College of Justice, out of the profits of the
wards and marriages due to the King since Lammas, 1677, in
consideration of his services as senator and president of the
College of Justice since the restoration and of his having during
the first ten years received only 200l. sterling a year. [Ibid.
p. 55.] |
Dec. 9.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Lieutenant. Warrant, after reciting a
grant of an annuity of 500l. to James, Earl of Castlehaven, his [heirs
or] assigns, till he or they should receive 5,000l. at one entire
payment and a petition of the said Earl that the said annuity
might be placed on some certain funds of the revenue in Ireland,
the manner of paying the same as now settled proving very
troublesome to him; for a grant of 500l. per annum to be paid
out of the quit-rents of Ireland, where the said Earl desires to
place and ascertain the same, to him, his [heirs or] assigns, till he
or they receive 5,000l. at one entire payment, with power to him
to dispose of the same in his life time or to bequeath it by will.
With memorandum that a new letter passed with the words
"heirs" in April, 1679. [S.P. Dom., Signet Office, Vol. 10,
p. 291.] |
Dec. 9.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Lieutenant. Warrant, after reciting
that the estate of James, Earl of Castlehaven, which he possessed
in Ireland, 22 Oct., 1641, was kept from being comprehended in
the Act of Settlement by a special clause, nor was the said Act
to extend thereto nor to prejudice any right, title or interest
he had, yet by general words in the Act of Explanation his said
lands and estate became liable to quit-rent and that he has by
his petition besought a remission of the same and the arrears
thereof; for a grant to Sir Nicholas Plunkett and his heirs but
in trust for the said Earl, his heirs and assigns, of the quit-rent
payable out of the lands and hereditaments, to which the said
Earl has been restored by the decree of the late Commissioners of
the Court of Claims, the said quit-rent not exceeding 24l. per
annum, with all the arrears thereof. [S.P. Dom., Signet Office,
Vol. 10, p. 292.] |
Dec. 10.
Whitehall. |
James Vernon to Sir Richard Bulstrode. Mr. Lumm will
bring you this, who returns to Brussels with money to pay the
forces' subsistence in order to their transportation to England,
for which they will receive orders by Capt. Wettwang, who is
employed to provide boats to carry the 8 battalions to Flushing,
where the ships are ordered to receive them. I have not received
any bill for the 15l. 16s. mentioned in one of your letters, therefore, if you please, pay that to Mr. Lumm, who will bring it with
him. |
|
I have allowed Mr. Lumm what Mr. Peters laid out for hire of
horses and wagons. |
|
The warrant is signed for discharge of Mr. Peters' account,
and his Grace has given him besides 200l. for a gratuity.
Mr. Lumm is likewise ordered to pay you 100l., for which a warrant
is enclosed, which his Grace desires you to dispose of thus:—
50l. to the Town Major, 30l. to Dr. Hofstad's widow, and 20l. to
the Storekeeper, and there is likewise a warrant for 25l. to be
paid by Mr. Kennedy. I am sorry it is not larger, but it was
no fault of mine. |
|
No pay being sent for the officers, Mr. Lumm is directed to
give the country credit for all debts they may have contracted
there not exceeding their pay. He is likewise ordered to clear
with Monsr. Pereira for the bread according to the account that
shall be certified by Sir Samuel Clarke, who is to take it from
the captain or officer in chief of each company what bread has
been furnished them. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 41, p. 210.] |
Dec. 10.
Whitehall. |
James Vernon to Sir Samuel Clarke. His Grace has written to
you so fully by Mr. Lumm, that I have nothing to add. The
orders for your return will be sent by Capt. Wettwang, a sea
officer employed for providing boats to carry the men on board
the ships at Flushing, who stays only for money for that service,
by whom or by the post the Lord General will send you a letter
to be given to the Duke de Villa Hermosa on recalling the forces. |
|
(About the country being given credit for the officers' debts
and about clearing Mr. Pereira's account as in the last letter.)
[Ibid. p. 212.] |
Dec. 10.
Whitehall. |
James Vernon to Col. Fairfax. The Lord General has himself
given you notice by Mr. Lumm what he is directed to do, which
I need not repeat. The orders for your removal will be sent you
by the ships appointed for your tranportation. Mr. Lumm
has orders to sell what coals should be remaining on your coming
away, but by your letter I find that article might have been
omitted, for you are like to see them all burnt. The sentinels'
coats the Lord General would have brought over with you.
(About the country being given credit for the officers' debts as
in the last two letters.) [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 41, p. 213.] |
Dec. 10.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to the Deputy Lieutenants of Staffordshire. On consideration of the great disproportion between
the horse and foot in that country I formerly proposed to you
that some might be taken off from furnishing horse and be charged
with foot and so many more be raised as might complete 100 in
each company, which you promised should be done, but, having
had no account thereof, the present conjuncture puts me on
minding you to perfect that affair, that the militia may be settled
against any occasion of raising it. And, whereas the Roman
Catholics are numerous in that country and amongst them are
gentlemen of considerable estates who commonly send out their
own servants to any rendezvous, I give you caution to enjoin
the officers of the militia to except against all such persons, of
whose principles they have reason to doubt, and in that case
those that employ them are to be obliged to send others in their
stead and such as the law requires. I think it likewise necessary
that the week's tax should be raised for this year, which I desire
you would give orders for. [Ibid. p. 214.] |
Dec. 10.
Whitehall. |
Order from the Duke of Monmouth to Lemuel Kingdon for
payment to Anthony Peters of 897l. 18s. 3d. in full discharge of
his account of 1,876l. 6s. 9d. disbursed by him for the sick soldiers
at Brussels, the residue being already paid by deductions from
the pay of the said soldiers. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 48, p. 127.] |
Dec. 10.
Whitehall. |
Order from the Duke of Monmouth to Lemuel Kingdon for
payment to Anthony Peters of 860l. 15s. 10d. in full discharge of
his account of 1,860l. 15s. 10d. disbursed by him for the sick
soldiers at Brussels, the residue being already satisfied by
deductions from their pay. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 52, p. 138.] |
Dec. 10.
Whitehall. |
Similar order for payment to the said Peters of 200l. as his
Majesty's bounty in consideration of the great pains he and his
brother took in their attendance on the sick soldiers at Brussels
and providing all necessaries for them. [Ibid.] |
Dec. 10.
Whitehall. |
Instructions from the Duke of Monmouth to Lemuel Kingdon,
Treasurer at War. You are forthwith to send over one or more
agents to Flanders and Brabant with money to pay subsistence
money to the non-commissioned officers and soldiers in those
parts to the — of December and you are to provide money to
clear with the said battalions for the musters of September and
November on their arrival in England. |
|
You are to direct your agent to pay Sir Richard Bulstrode,
the Resident in Brussels, 100l. to be by him disposed of to the
Town Major and Storekeeper there and Dr. Hofstad's widow in
consideration of their services during the continuance of the
forces there. |
|
Your agent is likewise to pay Major Cannan at Bruges 91l. for
130 centinels' coats provided by him at 14s. each for the battalions
at Bruges, Nieuport and Ostend, for both which payments you
have already warrants signed. |
|
You are to order your agent to pay what is now owing for
candles for the said three garrisons, which you shall have a warrant
for, as soon as the same is ascertained. |
|
Your agent shall take an account of what coals shall be
remaining of the stores sent to Flanders and such remainder
as shall not be used by the forces he shall sell where they are
and give me an account of the profit. |
|
You are to direct the agent you send to Brabant to continue
at Brussels with his treasure, where the respective officers are
ordered to fetch their money. |
|
Whereas I have ordered the sick soldiers to be left behind
under the care of one or more officers, you are to direct your
agent to leave money for them or credit both in Brabant and
Flanders. |
|
Your agent is to give credit to the country for the officers'
debts both in Flanders and Brabant not exceeding their pay to
31 December. |
|
He shall clear with Mr. Pereira for the bread he furnished,
that being to be reimbursed by deductions from the several
companies, but he is to pay no more than shall be certified by
Sir Samuel Clark to be due. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 52, p. 140.] |
Dec. 10.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to—. 1. I send this by
Mr. Lumm, who is now ordered to return to Brussels with money
to pay the non-commissioned officers and soldiers. (The rest of
this paragraph is to the same effect as the first paragraph of
the preceding instructions.) |
|
2. The Paymaster having represented to me the inconveniences
and hazards of his agents' carrying the money to the garrisons,
I would have it ordered that the officer in chief in each garrison
employ one or more officers with so many soldiers as he shall
think fit to fetch their money from Brussels. |
|
3 and 4. About money being left for the sick soldiers and the
payments for coats and candles as in the preceding instructions.
Noted that the 1st, 2nd and 3rd particles were sent to Sir Samuel
Clark, the 1st, 2nd and 4th to Lieut.-col. Fairfax, and the 1st
and 2nd to Lieut.-colonels Sunderland and Salisbury. [Ibid.
p. 142.] |
Dec. 10.
Whitehall. |
Three warrants from the Duke of Monmouth to Lemuel Kingdon
for payment of 100l. to Sir Richard Bulstrode, to James Kennedy
at Brussels of 25l. for services to the forces, and to Major Cannan
of 91l. [Ibid. p. 143.] |
Dec. 10.
Whitehall. |
Certificates by the Duke of Monmouth that he has given leave
to Capt. Sydenham of Lord Gerard's regiment of Horse to come
to London for one month, and to Capt. Cutler, of his Royal
Highness' regiment of Foot, to continue in England till further
order. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 52, p. 144.] |
Dec. 10.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Privy Council of Scotland. Thanking them
for their diligence in the new model of the militia and approving
of their instructions to be given to the Commissioners of the
Militia and of the division of the 5,000 foot and 500 horse on
the several shires and requiring them to enjoin the Commissioners
of the Militia punctually to observe those instructions and
authorizing them to add such further directions and instructions as
they shall from time to time judge needful and informing them
he would give order to dispatch the commissions for the officers
conform to the precincts mentioned in the said division and
thanking them for the hearty expressions of their duty in their
letter of 30 November. [S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 5, p. 56.] |
Dec. 10.
Whitehall. |
Approbation by the King of the Instructions of the Privy
Council to the Commissioners of the Militia. [Ibid. p. 61.]
Prefixed, |
|
The said instructions concerning the manner of raising and
maintaining the 5,000 foot and 500 horse. 14 Nov. [3 pages.
Ibid. p. 57.] |
Dec. 10.
Whitehall. |
Approbation by the King of the division of the 5,000 foot
and 500 horse among the several shires according to the new
model. [Ibid. p. 65.] Prefixed, |
|
The said division. 14 Nov. [4 pages. Ibid. p. 61.] |
| Dec. 10. |
The King to the Privy Council of Scotland. Ordering that
the enclosed military oath should, in addition to the oaths of
allegiance and supremacy, be taken by the 5,000 foot and 500
horse to be drawn out of the militia, and also by the standing
forces in Scotland and that, not in the ordinary way of exacting
such military oaths by drawing up the troop or company together
in a body, but that every soldier shall by himself swear the
same. [Ibid. p. 66.] Enclosed, |
|
The said form of oath. [Ibid. p. 67.] |
Dec. 10.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Lieutenant. Warrant, after reciting
that in the grant to Richard, Earl of Arran, of that title no
mention is made of any yearly fee usually granted to earls, commonly called creation money, for a grant to the Earl and his
heirs of the yearly fee of 20l. sterling, creation money, and of the
arrears thereof from the date of the grant of the said title.
[S.P. Dom., Signet Office, Vol. 10, p. 293.] |
Dec. 11.
Whitehall. |
Order in Council. His Majesty being this day moved for
liberty to Sir Henry Moore, of Fa[w]ley, Berkshire, to go beyond
the seas, he granted his request, and it is accordingly ordered
that Secretary Williamson prepare the usual pass or safe conduct
for his Majesty's signature for him. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408,
No. 60.] |
Dec. 11.
Whitehall. |
Similar order in Council on behalf of Edward Stanford, kinsman
to James Stanford, Resident for the Duke of Neuburg. [S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 61.] |
| Dec. 11. |
Pass for the Earl of Feversham to transport 8 horses into
France with 3 servants to conduct them. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 51, p. 113.] |
| Dec. 11. |
Warrant for a grant to the Bishop of Durham and his successors
of three fairs to be held at Howden, Yorkshire, on the second
Tuesday in January, the Tuesday before 25 March and the
second Tuesday in July, as also of a fortnight's fair on every
second Saturday yearly for ever, it having been found by inquisition that it will be no damage to the Crown or any others
or to the neighbouring fairs and markets. [Ibid. p. 114.] |
Dec. 11.
Whitehall. |
Warrant for a grant to the Stationers' Company of the sole
licence to print and publish the books hereafter mentioned, viz.,
Æsopi Fabulœ, Catonis Disticha, Ovidii Opera, Publii Terentii
Comœdiœ, Publii Vergilii Maronis Opera, Ciceronis Opera, Corderii
Colloquia, Pueriles Sententiœ et Confabulatiunculœ, Posselii
Colloquia, Henrici Smetii Prosodia, Flores Poetarum, Joannis
Ravisii Textoris Opera, Joannis Ludovici Vives Colloquia, Ecloga
Mantuani, Epistolœ Sturmii, Castalionis Dialogus, Terentius
Christianus, with all notes, comments and paraphrases on the
said books in reversion after the term of 31 years granted to the
said Company by letters patent of 11 Oct., 1666, for the further
term of 41 years. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 334, p. 584.] |
Dec. 11.
Whitehall. |
Warrant for a grant to Roger Norton of the office of printer
or typographer and bookseller to the King, his heirs and successors, in the Latin, Greek and Hebrew tongues with the sole
licence to print and publish the Bible in Latin, commonly called
Tremelius' Bible, with or without notes and all grammars and
grammar books, Greek or Latin, mixt or not mixt with the
English tongue, in reversion after the term of 41 years granted
to him by letters patent of 12 March, 1668–9, for the further
term of 41 years. [Ibid.] |
Dec. 11.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Lieutenant. Warrant for a grant of
the office of Surveyor General of Ireland to Arthur Turnor for
his life in reversion after Sir James Shaen, the present Surveyor
General. [S.P. Dom., Signet Office, Vol. 10, p. 294.] |
Dec. 12.
Whitehall. |
Sir J. Williamson to the Mayor of Winchester. I received
yesterday afternoon by express yours dated at 3 that morning
enclosing copies of certain advices received by you concerning
the numbers of men informed to have been seen in the Island of
Purbeck, of which his Majesty had the same morning received
an advice from some of the deputy lieutenants of Dorset. I am
commanded to let you know he takes very well your care and
circumspection and recommends it to you to continue it in this
time of so much danger and that you will advertise us of what
you shall find of moment. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 43, p. 251.] |
Dec. 12.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to Edward Goldegay, messenger, after reciting that
information had been given to Sir J. Williamson that
Mr. Girlington, lodging at the coffee-house in Newmarket, said
last night that he was told in a coffee-house that there was a
prophecy that the King should be killed the 13th instant, to
repair forthwith to the said coffee-house or other abode of the
said Girlington and to bring him in safe custody before Williamson
to answer what shall be objected to him concerning the premises.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 334, p. 586.] |
Dec.[13–]23.
Amsterdam. |
Dr. Henry Corneil to Williamson. I cannot but present to you
the following caution, that, how thoroughly soever things may
already appear to be sifted in respect to the present deep-laid
conspiracy, his Majesty would look on his person and government
as not secure till March or April be over. This comes from one,
who thinks he has reason to offer such advice, and, if his private
affairs would permit, would come over to England and make
oath concerning the circumstances that have led him to this
discovery in this city. His present intention is to go further up
into Germany, and therefore he hopes his coming to England
may be excused and particularly requests his name may be
concealed, he being sensible that his life is in danger when it
comes to be publicly known who has made such a discovery.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 62.] |
Dec. 13.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to the Due de Villa Hermosa, Governor
of the Low Countries. The King, having received advice of
the conclusion of the peace and of the exchange of the ratifications,
has informed you that he is going to recall his troops, which are
no longer necessary in that country, but I should not let them
leave before testifying to you my appreciation of the good treatment they have received during their stay in Flanders, of which
I shall always preserve a grateful remembrance as also of my
obligations to you in particular. [French. S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 41, p. 215.] |
| Dec. 13. |
Certificate by the Duke of Monmouth that he has given leave
to John Wilson, ensign to Capt. Pack's company of Sir Henry
Goodrick's regiment to continue in England till further order.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 52, p. 144.] |
Dec. 13.
Whitehall. |
Warrant for a confirmation by the King of the election by
the Dean and Chapter of Chichester of Dr. Guy Carleton, Bishop
of Bristol, to be bishop of that see. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 53,
p. 1.] |
Dec. 13.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to the Earl of Northampton, Constable of the Tower,
to suffer Michael Mallett, committed by warrant of 25 Aug. last,
to go to his house in the country or where he shall think fit on
his promise to render himself again a prisoner when required,
in regard of the indisposition he has contracted by his present
confinement. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54, p. 9.] |
Dec. 13.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to the Duke of Ormonde, Lord Steward, and the
other officers of the Board of Greencloth, after reciting that the
King had granted warrants to the Board of Greencloth for payment of 4s. per diem to each of his servants, who have right of
diet at the waiters' table, in lieu of their want of diet during
the late suspension, out of such moneys or assignments as have
been made for payment of diets and board wages due on that
account and a reference of the petition of the said servants,
representing that they met with some difficulty therein on their
application to the said Board, to the Earl of Arlington,
Lord Chamberlain, and his report (which is calendared ante,
p. 298): for payment to the said servants, who shall by
the Lord Chamberlain's certificate appear to have had right
to eat at one time at the waiters' table during the said suspension, of the sum of 3,321l. 10s., mentioned in the foregoing
report to be the settled allowance for that table for a year,
out of the moneys or assignments made for diets and board
wages during that time, to be divided amongst them in such
proportions as the Lord Chamberlain shall certify to be their
respective rights, and further signifying his pleasure that, if
any deduction is to be made for extraordinary expenses during
the said suspension, the said servants bear no part of it out of
the said sum hereby granted them, the King intending that the
moneys, which should have accrued to them by the days over
and above a year the suspension lasted, should serve instead of
their proportion towards any such extraordinary expenses.
[2¼ pages. S.P. Dom., Entry Book 334, p. 586.] |
| Dec. 14. |
Receipt by Sir Thomas Dolman to Secretary Williamson for
the original deposition against Mr. Staley and also the two
original examinations of Fermin and Peter Burton relating to
that matter and a recognizance of Capt. Carstairs, Mr. Sutherland
and Mr. Garrett to prosecute Staley and Fermin. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 408, No. 63.] |
| Dec. 14. |
Michael Mohune to Williamson. So soon as the proclamation
came forth to banish all Popish recusants from the City, I waited
twice on his Majesty to know his pleasure whether I should go
or stay, for, if I went, the play-house must of necessity lie still,
I having so great an employment in it, on which consideration
his Majesty ordered me to stay and he would protect me, on
which I delivered a petition to his Majesty in Council to remind
him of his gracious promise, and he and the Council ordered me a
licence to stay in town, which is ready drawn up in the office,
but being lame of the gout makes me incapable of getting it
signed myself. My humble request is that you would the next
Council further it with your gracious assistance and I am sure
it will be done. [Ibid. No. 64.] |
Dec. 14.
Berwick. |
John Luck, Mayor, to Williamson. I received last Wednesday
night yours of the 7th, with his Majesty's enclosed, and communicated them to the Common Council, and the justices and
myself issued our warrant to the inferior officers to make diligent
search for the four persons mentioned in his Majesty's letter,
Mr. Ogle not living in town for many years past, but the officers
could not find any of them, and made this return, that they were
removed out of town. I shall take care for the future that the
Act shall be duly put in execution against those persons named,
if they reside or be found within this corporation, or any other
liable by the same Act. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 65.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
Sir J. Williamson to Mr. Leighton, at Rawden, Leeds.
Expressing his satisfaction at finding by his letter of the 9th
that he had still a place in his memory and friendship and
beseeching him to believe that he values it as he ought, and
agreeing with him in his prudent thoughts with relation to the
present times and the humours that are like to arise from them.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 43, p. 252.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
Sir J. Williamson to Lord Norreys. I have yours of the 11th
with the enclosed examinations in the business of the arms
informed to have been carried from Lord Carrington's. I have
this morning presented them at the Committee of the Board
with Young, the informer. There has not been time to give an
account to the King in Council, which, I suppose, will be done
the next Council day and his further pleasure received in it.
My Lords have directed the Clerk of the Council to acknowledge
your care and trouble in it. [Ibid.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
Sir J. Williamson to Mr. Price. I must pray your excuse for
not earlier acknowledging yours of the 3rd. It had remained
lodged by his Majesty's directions with the Committee of the
Council appointed for the further prosecution of the discovery
of the late Plot, and this morning the Clerk of the Council had
order in their name to make you the answer they judged necessary.
I acknowledge your care in this and other matters relating to
his Majesty's service and the public in this time of dangers and
fears and pray the continuance of it. [Ibid. p. 243.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to the Earl of Dunbarton. Commanding him for the ease of the town of Boxford and the
conveniency of the company quartered there to order one or more
officers of the said company with what number of soldiers he
shall think convenient to remove to the neighbouring town of
Grotton and quarter there. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 52, p. 145.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Major Hope, Major to Sir Lionel
Walden's regiment of Foot. Commanding him to order
Lieut. Snape, lieutenant to the company that was Capt. Barrow's,
to come immediately to London to answer the complaints against
him. [Ibid.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Lieut.-col. Langley. Commanding
him to order two companies in the writer's regiment to march
from their present quarters to Greenwich and Deptford and to
quarter there. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 52, p. 146.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Lord Culpeper. Commanding him
to order his company to march from their present quarters at
Deptford and Greenwich to Dartford and quarter there. [Ibid.
p. 147.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Capt. Fox or other officer in chief
commanding the companies therein mentioned. Ordering him,
as soon as he shall receive orders from Major Cannan or other
officer in chief commanding the battalion of Lord Morpeth's
regiment, to march with his own and the colonel's company to
Diss, Norfolk, and quarter there till further order. [Ibid.
p. 148.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Capt. Peters or other officer in
chief commanding the companies therein mentioned in
Col. Legge's regiment. Ordering him, as soon as he shall receive
order from Capt. Housden or other officer in chief commanding
his battalion after his landing at Portsmouth, to march with
his own and Captains Cradock's and Feltham's companies to
Southampton to quarter there till further order. [Ibid. p. 149.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Major Cannan or the officer in
chief commanding the battalion of Lord Morpeth's regiment.
He is to obey the orders of Major-General Sir Samuel Clarke in
order to his transportation into England and to disembark with
the battalion under his command at Harwich, whence he is to
march with his own, the Lieut.-colonel's and Capt. Croft's companies
to Ely, Suffolk (sic), and quarter there. He is likewise to order
Capt. Fox to march with his own and the colonel's company to
Diss, Norfolk, Capt. Benson to march to Mendlesham, Capt.
Grahame to march to Debenham and Capt. Curlew to march
to Thwayt and Yaxley, all in Suffolk. [Ibid. p. 150.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Capt. Housden or other officer
in chief commanding the battalion of Col. Legge's regiment.
(To obey Sir S. Clarke's orders as in the last letter.) You are to
disembark with the battalion under your command at Portsmouth
and your own and Captains Lee's, Fitz-James' and Soper's
companies shall quarter there and at Gosport till further order.
You are to order Capt. Wharton's company to march to Southsea
Castle and Captains Peters', Cradock's and Feltham's companies
to march to Southampton to continue there till further order.
[Ibid. p. 151.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Capt. Wyth or other officer in chief
commanding the battalion of the Coldstream regiment. (To
obey Sir S. Clarke's orders as in the last two letters.) You are to
disembark with the battalion under your command at London,
where you are to return to your former quarters there, to quarter
there till further order. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 52, p. 152.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Sir Samuel Clarke. On your arrival
at London you are to order the battalion of the regiment of
Guards to march to their former quarters there, to quarter there
till further order. [Ibid. p. 153.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Capt. Benson or the officer in chief
commanding his company. As soon as you shall receive orders
from Major Cannan or other officer in chief commanding the
battalion of Lord Morpeth's regiment you are to march with
your company to Mendlesham, Suffolk, to quarter there till
further order. [Ibid. p. 154.] |
|
The like to Capt. Grah[a]me to march to Debenham, Suffolk, and
to Capt. Curlew to march to Thwayte and Yaxley, Suffolk. [Ibid.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Lieut.-col. Talmash or other officer
in chief commanding the battalion of Lord Alington's regiment.
You are to obey Sir Samuel Clarke's orders in order to your
transportation and are to disembark with the battalion under
your command at Yarmouth, and thence to march with your
own, the Major's and Capt. Fanshaw's companies to Beccles,
to quarter there till further order. You are likewise to
order the Colonel's company to march to Halesworth,
Capt. Mordaunt's to Blythburgh, Sir John Moore's and
Capt. Orme's to Bungay and Lord Richardson's to Harleston,
Norfolk. [Ibid. p. 155.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Sir John Moore and Lord Richardson.
Orders for quartering at Bungay and Harleston, as in the last
letter. [Ibid. pp. 156, 157.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Major-General Sir Samuel Clarke.
As soon as you shall have notice of the arrival at Flushing of
the ships ordered for the transportation of the 8 battalions now
in Brabant, you are forthwith to order the said battalions to go
on board such boats as you shall provide to receive them and
carry them on board the said ships before Flushing, in order
to their transportation, and you are to dispose of the companies
on board the said ships as shall be agreed betwixt you and the
officer in chief commanding the said ships and you are to deliver
to the officer in chief commanding each of the battalions the
orders to them for their quarters after landing in England.
[Ibid. p. 158.] |
Dec. [14].
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to the officer in chief commanding
a battalion of his Royal Highness' regiment of Foot. You are
to obey Sir Samuel Clarke's orders in order to your transportation
and are to disembark with the battalion under your command
at Yarmouth and march thence to Norwich, to quarter there
till further order. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 52, p. 159.] |
|
The like to the officer in chief commanding a battalion of
the Holland regiment to disembark at Harwich and march to
Ipswich. [Ibid.] |
| Dec. [14]. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Capt. Mordaunt and to the officer
in chief commanding the colonel's company in Lord Alington's
regiment. Ordering them to march respectively with their
respective companies to Blythburgh, Norfolk, and Halesworth.
[Ibid. pp. 160, 161.] |
| Dec. 14. |
Notes by Williamson about Virginia, the purport of which
sufficiently appears from S.P. Col., America, &c., 1677–80, p. 310.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 366, p. 663.] |
Dec. 15.
Whitehall. |
James Vernon to Sir Samuel Clarke. This will be brought you
by an officer sent express from the commander of the fleet ordered
for the transportation of the 8 battalions, to acquaint you of the
arrival of the ships before Flushing, a list whereof he will bring
you with the number they can carry, that you may order what
companies or parties shall go on board each vessel, that the
billanders may carry them directly on board without any
confusion. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 41, p. 216.] |
Dec. 15.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Capt. Wettwang. This is to remind
you of providing an hospital ship for bringing away the sick
soldiers, which is to be provided with suitable conveniences and
ordered to sail directly for London, where the men shall be
disposed of into hospitals. There are at Nieuport stores of
beds and coverts and the officer commanding there will on your
application order so many of them to be delivered as you shall
judge necessary. [Ibid.] |
Dec. 15.
Whitehall. |
Warrant for the presentation of John Inet, M.A., to the vicarage
of Nuneaton, Warwickshire. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 53, p. 2.] |
| Dec. 15. |
Notes by Williamson. To insert in the Gazette. The advice
sent from the Isle of Purbeck &c. That his Majesty has caused
it to be strictly inquired into and that it is found to be wholly
without any ground. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 366, p. 667.] |
| Dec. 15. |
Notes by Williamson. Sir L. Jenkins' of 2 Dec. If to join
with Holland if they come in to the mediation &c. He resolves
well, cannot fairly refuse them, only endeavour to keep them
off from being named as mediators &c. in the treaty, though
their offices not to be refused. To join with the States' ambassadors
there to bring the parties yet in war, Emperor and France and
Emperor and Sweden and France and Lorraine, to a final agreement. Join with them even in this project the States had framed
&c., and observe to him the States have said nothing to us of it. |
|
Holland. Sir W. Temple of 3–13, 6–16 &c. |
|
Lords to meet on the project of the guaranty &c. before
Tuesday. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 366, p. 671.] |
[1678.]
Dec. 16. |
Sir John Reresby to William Bridgeman. On my request to
the King last night to grant his pass to Sir Roger Martin to go
into France with his lady and three servants, he commanded
me to desire Secretary Williamson to prepare a pass, which I
beg you to request of him. I also desire that, if possible, it
may be got signed to be sent by post to-morrow, the petitioner
being in hopes of Sir Thomas Bond's company and others who
are going the same way, if obtained so early. (With the servants'
names.) [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 66.] |
1678.
16. |
Pass for Henry Paget, equerry to the Most Christian King,
for transporting 6 horses and 2 grooms into France. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 51, p. 119.] |
| Dec. 16. |
Notes by Williamson of the arguments of counsel for the
States General and for Col. Stapleton concerning the negroes
seized by him as derelicts. (See S.P. Col., America &c., 1677–80,
p. 310.) [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 366, p. 675.] |
| Dec. 17. |
T. B[arnes] to —. As to the concerns you know of, I
shall be as careful as I can, but as to news, I can write but little
at present but what you have heard. There has been a world
of discourse and that full of variety about the late great plot
and its discovery, so much and so uncertain that he must be
more than a creature that could take or give an account of every
idle word about it, but our friends in general seem well pleased
at the great discoveries, but chiefly that nothing of that nature
as yet is like to fall on friends, though some of them are doubtful
that something of persecution may fall on them in time. Some
offence was taken at some passages of the Bishop of Bath the
day he preached before the Lord M[ayor] in some reflections in
our Nonconforming friends. You would wonder to have heard
what a deal of strange high talk there was about that business at
Purbeck, and now about letters said to come from Lisbon to
several Romans that they say were sent up from Plymouth.
'Tis said the French King offers great Indulgence to the Protestants
in his dominions and that some discourses are to have our King
agree with all the Protestants to carry on that interest abroad.
Some are doubtful the army will hardly be disbanded yet, and
others can't tell what to say to it, if they should. Our friends
are pleased that the militia is to be raised, of which and the hopes
of some I shall let you know more, if this come safe. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 408, No. 67.] |
| Dec. 17. |
Warrant for a grant of a yearly annuity of 120l. to Adolphus
Sayer, one of the Pages of Honour to the Queen, for his life, to
commence from Michaelmas last. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 50,
p. 29.] |
Dec. 17.
Whitehall. |
Warrant ad corroborandum titulum for the presentation of
William Haydock, M.A., to the rectory of Standish, Lancashire.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 53, p. 2.] |
| Dec. 17. |
Notes by Williamson about the East India Company. The
3 searchers and East Indiamen. Gower, Banks, Courteen are the
adventurers &c. |
|
Jasper Hall, Captain the Anne at Lee Road. Meet her at the
Downs &c. Cargo proper for Argiers and Sallee only; for the
Straits in general, not for any particular ports. Tar entered in
J. Wise's name, and he denies it. Manned all with India officers
&c. Mate, Master, Purser &c., that had been entertained a
month ago in the East India outward-bound ships. |
|
Freighters in the charter party are not loading in the goods.
Goods entered in Wise's, Bullocke's names. |
|
Against law. 1. Not one man concerned whose name is in the
Entry. 2. Money is shipped by endorsement of the cocquet,
not by new cocquets. |
|
N.B.—The 3 searchers of London are all deserted. East
Indiamen, East India captains &c. (Evans, Bonert (?) Goodlad.)
They bought out Browne, who would have been one, but not
being for this time &c. Evans went down to Lee Road to see
this vessel dispatched. A boatful of money known to have
gone on board and yet none entered &c. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 366,
p. 699.] |
Dec. 18.
Whitehall. |
Circular letter of Secretary Coventry to the Foreign
Ambassadors and Ministers. (Written in pursuance of the first
order in Council of the 6th instant and following the terms
thereof, requesting them to prevent the King's subjects from
attending Romish services in their chapels and English, Scottish,
or Irish priests from preaching in English or officiating therein.)
[2 pages. French. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 69.] |
Dec. 18.
Drury Lane. |
The Earl of Anglesey to Dr. Robert Pepper, Chancellor of
Norwich. Were it a less worthy person than Mr. William
Sheldrake, I should intercede for and even advise your favour
towards him in such a season as this, when we find a common
enemy plotting against the whole Protestant name and interest,
but for one so every way worthy, except only that he is a dissenter,
I shall, as well on a particular personal account request, as on a
public national consideration in this juncture advise, your discharging him, and that not without respect to yourself also,
his excommunication, if rightly represented to me, being not so
rightly grounded, as having for foundation only common report
of his keeping conventicles, or else contempt of your court by
non-appearance on summons, whereas he feed a proctor to appear
for him, which had he done, would, I suppose, have been interpreted a good appearance, and his not doing it was indeed a
great neglect of the proctor's, but no contempt of Mr. Sheldrake's.
[Ibid. No. 70.] |
| Dec. 18. |
Phineas Pett to Williamson. It has not been my good fortune
to find you at home when, according to your commands, I brought
Dr. Wood to wait on you. He is returned to his house in the
country and, when he comes to town again, I hope it will be
your good fortune and his to be known to each other. As I lately
entertained you with some of his curious and useful calculations
relating to the revenue of Ireland, so I do here with some relating
to the proportions of the counties in the land taxes of England
and Wales with his observations on them. The Doctor has
communicated this paper to none but myself, judging it might
be a disservice to the King's affairs at this time that any inequality
of the taxes of the counties should be publicly known, when the
consideration of rectifying them would hinder the public, but,
supposing the paper may some time or other be useful to you
and at present an entertainment, I send it you, and, when you have
done with this and the Doctor's other calculations, you may
send them to me at my lodging near your house and over the
way at Mr. Shampy's, a periwig maker, where formerly Sir William
Godolphin lay. I am preparing for you some little calculations
of my own, which I wish may be worthy of the sight of the same
person who sits at the helm of state and likewise superintends
that Society that promotes the knowledge relating to number,
weight and local motion, which alone deserves the name of
real knowledge. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 71.] Annexed, |
|
Paper on the apportionment of the landtaxes erroneously
calendared under March 23, 1677, in the last volume, p. 51.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 392, Nos. 99, 100.] |
Dec. 18.
London. |
Certificate by Lord Cavendish that M. de Milleran, a foreign
passenger, arrived in London only a month ago, of which he is
certain, because he brought him from France something he
wanted. [French. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 72.] |
Dec. 19.
Whitehall. |
Five orders in Council, similar to those of the 11th instant,
for granting passes to Ralph Hardwicke, Charles Fortescue of
Husband's Bosworth, Dame Mary Saville, Francis, son of
Sir Henry Moore, and Sir Roger Martin. [Ibid. Nos. 73–77.] |
| [Dec. 19 ?] |
Memoranda by Williamson. The Committee—The order
about ambassadors to be amended. List and names of their
servants. But four priests in all. The order to be printed. |
|
Mayor of Winton's letter. Foley, the tailor. Letter about
deputy governor of Tynemouth. Query the informations against
Eaton and Biston. Against them by Daniel. |
|
Proclamation for taking securities of all Papists. The commissions not issued to the justices &c. To be sent by the post
with some particular person to solicit that matter. |
|
Informations of two suspected priests and Biston &c. Reports
to be prepared for the Council next Wednesday. The cripple
of Oxford. [Ibid. No. 78.] |
Dec. 19.
Whitehall. |
Sir J. Williamson to the Mayor of Winton. I received yours
of the 17th advising us of the great abuse committed by the
keeper of the County gaol in suffering Hill, the priest, to escape.
Your letter has been this day read before his Majesty and the
Council, and by the next ordinary you will receive their directions
on it. I am to let you know that your care and good diligence is
well accepted of by his Majesty, and I for my part should be
glad of any occasion to serve you. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 43,
p. 254.] |
Dec. 19.
Whitehall. |
Certificate by the Duke of Monmouth that the bearer, John
Wormall, sergeant to Lord Middleton's company in the Holland
regiment, is now returning by order to his company at Nieuport.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 52, p. 167.] |
| Dec. 19. |
Notes by Williamson. An Extraordinary Council.—King
communicates a letter from Sir L. Jenkins of 5 Nov. to the Lord
Treasurer. Olivencrantz told him Mr. Montagu, while ambassador
in France, had had several secret conferences at a private house in
the night with the Pope's Nuncio. The Swedes minister had writ this
to Olivencrantz and the master of the house had told this to
that minister. Asked, if with the King's knowledge, well. If
not, of dangerous consequence &c. Knows nothing of the matter.
As to the time, in May and June, '77. That the information
had not come by letter or writing to him. |
|
Lord Treasurer writ back to Sir Leoline that the King knew
nothing of Mr. Montagu's conferences with the Nuncio nor anything of what Olivencrantz supposes of a marriage between the
King of Spain and the Emperor's daughter. Sir L. Jenkins'
second letter of 3 Dec. That he had spoken with Olivencrantz,
but he could yet say nothing more as to the matter. As to the
time; when Cambray was besieged. At the Abbot Siri's (?)
house. Three conferences in 15 days. Might possibly know
more, but the correspondent asked a cipher, and it was sent 8 days
before. |
|
King suspects one Falaiseour (?) Mr. Montagu's secretary.— |
|
Private orders to Mr. Montagu. Sir L. Jenkins' advertisement.
Du Cros' journey. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 366, p. 679.] |
Dec. 19.
Whitehall. |
The King to the Privy Council of Scotland. Warrant for the
removal of Sir Patrick Home of Polwarth from Dumbarton Castle
to Stirling Castle, where his wife is to be allowed to be with him,
but he is to be kept prisoner there in the same condition as he
was at Dumbarton Castle. [S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 5, p. 68.] |
Dec. 20.
Whitehall. |
Two orders in Council, similar to those of the 11th. instant, for
granting passes to Col. Thomas Sackville and James Hodgson of
Wapping. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, Nos. 79, 80.] |
| [Dec. 20 ?] |
Warrant to the Lords Lieutenant for disarming all Popish
Recusants or such as, being suspected to be so, shall refuse to
take the oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy. [Draft. Ibid. No. 81.] |
Dec. 20.
Whitehall. |
Sir J. Williamson to the Duke of Ormonde. Recommending this
young gentleman, Mr. Harris, son to a friend of Williamson, a
merchant of good note in the City, who is passing under his
Grace's leave to seek his fortune in that country, where he has
already spent some time. He has dealt for a foot company in that
country under his Grace's approbation, where Williamson hopes
he will so behave as to deserve the honour he now asks for him.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 43, p. 254.] |
Dec. 20.
Whitehall. |
Caveat that nothing pass in prejudice of Jane Clerkson,
relict of George Clerkson, clerk of the cheque to the messengers,
for arrears due to her said husband. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 45,
p. 57.] |
|
Request by the said Jane Clerkson and also by the clerk of the
cheque and the messengers whose names are underwritten, that
nothing pass to the prejudice of the arrears due to them. [S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 82.] |
Dec. 20.
Whitehall. |
Reference to the Lord Treasurer of the petition of Thomas
Nevile, praying that, his Majesty having granted him the place
of clerk of the works after Thomas Rotheram, in pursuance of
which a warrant and bill had passed, which by a caveat of Sir
Christopher Wren's was stopped, who, being desired to show
cause, has not done it, his Majesty would give order for the
passing of it. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 46, p. 248.] |
Dec. 20.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to the Master or Register of the
Charterhouse. Certifying that he had chosen Matthew Dracott
for the almsman's place in the Charterhouse in his disposal after
Richard Barefoot, whom he had already nominated, and desiring
his name to be entered on the register of that foundation
accordingly. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 48, p. 86.] |
Dec. 20.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to Sir Christopher Wren, Surveyor General of the
Works, after reciting that by the warrant of 31 Oct. last he was
directed to cause several doors into St. James' Park to be shut
up, amongst which was one at Col. Legge's, and that the King
is since informed that the said door, by the name of Cary House
door, is an ancient door of right, for causing the said door to
be opened again as it was formerly. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 334,
p. 602.] |
| Dec. 20. |
Notes by Williamson about the rivers in Virginia and that the
King has one half by his customs of all the product of the country
&c. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 366, p. 687.] |
Dec. 20.
Whitehall. |
Proclamation on the desire of Parliament commanding all
magistrates to be diligent in disarming and securing all Popish
recusants, and all suspected to be Papists and to require them
to enter into recognizances for their good behaviour and, if they
refuse, to commit them to the common gaol. [S.P. Dom.,
Various 12, p. 381.] |
|
Draft thereof. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 83.] |
Dec. 21.
Whitehall. |
Sir J. Williamson to Mr. Cobham, Mayor of Rochester. By
Sir Richard Head's favour I this morning received yours of the
19th, enclosing the examination of Chester, a Papist, seized in
your town and committed on his refusing to take the oath. The
first Council day I shall acquaint his Majesty and the Lords
with it and give you an account of the King's directions on it.
I cannot but thank you for your care and circumspection in a
time of so much danger as this is from those of that persuasion
and pray you to continue it. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 43, p. 255.] |
Dec. 21.
Whitehall. |
Sir J. Williamson to the Bishop of London. I beg your pardon
that I was unhappily detained at my house beyond my hour
this morning. Please let me know where those abominable cuts
are to be seized. If the order of the Board could be printed
off to-day, I would be glad the messengers might go to work even
to-morrow. I am about it now, and, if I cannot wait on you
to-day, yet even to-morrow morning I would we could set it on
work. [Ibid.] |
Dec. 21.
Whitehall. |
Sir J. Williamson to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of
Oxford. I am ashamed we have not yet been able to get the commission for administering the oaths from the Clerk of the Crown.
The delay has been so great that his Majesty has appointed a
person on purpose to solicit the dispatch of those commissions.
He is to-day gone about it, and in the first place that which
concerns the university is recommended to him. I hope by the
next to give you an account that it is under the seal. [Ibid. p. 258.] |
| Dec. 21. |
Pass for Philip Planey to transport 6 horses into France for
his own use with two grooms employed by him to carry them
over. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 51, p. 123.] |
Dec. 21.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to Richard Baker, messenger, to make diligent search
in all suspected places for certain obsene prints now printing or
intended to be printed or for the plates from which they are to
be printed and having found them to seize them and bring them
with the offenders before Sir J. Williamson to be examined
touching the premises and to be further disposed of according to
law. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 334, p. 596.] |
Dec. 21.
Whitehall. |
Warrant for a commission to the Earls of Mar, Moray, Linlithgow and Strathmore, Lords Elphingstoun and Rosse, Sir James
Dalrymple of Stair, President of the College of Justice, Sir Thomas
Murray of Glendoig, clerk register, Sir George Mackenzie of Rosehaugh, Advocate, Sir Thomas Wallace of Craigie, Justice Clerk,
Sir James Fowles of Collinton and Sir John Wauchop of Niddrie,
to audit the accounts of the Commissioners of the Treasury and all
other receivers, cashkeepers and collectors since the time of the
last fitted account in February, 1676–7. [S.P. Scotland,
Warrant Book 5, p. 69.] |
Dec. 21.
[Recommended by the Earl of Ossory.] |
Sir Richard Butler of Polestowne, Kilkenny, to the King.
Petition, stating that Walter, second son of Pierce Butler in the
said county, acquired an estate in Germany, and, dying without
issue, left his said estate by his will to the heir of the house of
Polestowne aforesaid, and, the petitioner being the right heir
of Polestowne and in actual possession thereof, one Edmond
Butler, in right of his wife, has unduly possessed himself of the
said estate in Germany, and praying for his Majesty's letters in
his behalf, recommending him and the justice of his case to the
Emperor of Germany. [S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 338, No. 186.] |
| Dec. 22. |
The Gentlemen belonging to the Queen's Waiters' Table to
the King. Petition for further orders to the Board of Greencloth
that the petitioners may receive their full diet dues according
to his Majesty's intended bounty and in the same proportion
with his Majesty's own waiters. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 84.] |
Dec. 22.
Whitehall. |
Commissions to Edward Jones to be lieutenant and to John
Wyberd to be ensign of Capt. Robert With's company in the
Coldstream Guards commanded by the Earl of Craven. Minutes.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 44, p. 161.] |
| [Dec. 22 ?] |
Memorandum that Thomas Plott, agent with the Great Duke of
Tuscany, came into his Majesty's presence after his return 22 Dec.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 50, p. 30.] |
| Dec. 22. |
Notes by Williamson. A council to be called to-morrow
evening or Tuesday morning. |
|
Holland. The project of guaranty read before the King. 1. The
time of furnishing the force too short. 2. The proportions to be
equal, or as in the guaranty of 1677–8. |
|
Muscovy. Complaints of the Grand Duke against Hebden.
The merchants to be called apart from Hebden &c. to know their
sense &c and then to report. |
|
Mr. Attorney. To see what kind of proclamations have been
issued to calm fears and alarms of forces landed &c. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 366, p. 691.] |
Monday, Dec. 23.
Council Chamber. |
Minute of a Committee of the Council. A letter from Mr. Parry,
the agent at Lisbon, read, on which their lordships ordered that
it be reported to the Council that all the Queen's confessors be
sent for and examined, one after another, what letters they writ
to Portugal last September and to whom and of what tenor;
that Secretary Williamson be desired to write to Mr. Parry to
inquire as particularly as he can into this matter and that
Mr. Burrell of Oporto give upon oath what he writ to his
correspondents at Lisbon, and that Honeywood be examined
who the English Catholic is to whom the confessor writ and of
his having seen and read the letter and what name it was
subscribed by and of such other particulars as may tend to the
discovery of this matter. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 85.] |
Dec. 23.
Whitehall. |
Warrant from Secretary Williamson to Thomas El[l]is to search
for Gerard, a priest, against whom information has been given as
an accomplice and conspirator in the present horrid plot, and to
seize him with his papers and writings and bring him before
Williamson to answer to the said charge of treason. [Copy. Ibid.
No. 86.] |
| Dec. 23. |
Memoranda by Williamson for the above warrant and also for
warrants against Berry, porter at Somerset House, and Green.
[Ibid. No. 87.] |
| Dec. 23. |
The information of Benjamin Kerkby. One Hauker, a Jesuit,
is in town and has been lately seen coming into and going out
of his lodgings at unseasonable times of the night. Another
person keeps company with this Hauker, who is verily believed
to be likewise a Jesuit. [Ibid. No. 88.] |
Dec. 23.
Rawden. |
Henry Layton to Williamson. Acknowledging his letter of the
14th, and declaring his obligation for the expressions therein.
Since mine, our troubled seas are much calm and quiet, notwithstanding the rumour of Purbeck, which was no great trouble
to our parts. I doubt not but in the compass I mentioned for every
single Papist we are ready to set out a thousand men and therefore
that not fear so much as desire to find an occasion made us find
occasions of motion. We abound in sects, whose zeal is as fervent
and steel as sharp as any Jesuit's. Had anything been found
against them, I think that generally they had run a great hazard,
and therefore deplore their condition, who by the ignorance of a
few cloistered persons are apt to be drawn in danger of utter
ruin, whether they will or not. [Ibid. No. 89.] |
| Dec.13/23. |
Francesco Blunetti to Williamson. Requesting a pass for
Signor Antonio Tempi, a Florentine gentleman, who arrived
in this city four weeks ago to see the country and now wishes
to return home, with his three servants. [Italian. Ibid. No. 90.] |
Dec. 23.
Shrewsbury. |
John Roche to Francis Royley. Concerning his private affairs.
[Ibid. No. 91.] |
| Dec. 23. |
Articles of impeachment of the Earl of Danby as they were
delivered to the House of Lords on that day. (Printed in Lords'
Journals, Vol. XIII., p. 433 and Commons' Journals, Vol. IX.,
pp. 561, 562.) [Ibid. No. 92.] |
|
Printed copy of the above articles, with the Lord Treasurer's
letter of 25 March, 1678, to Mr. Montagu, which is printed in
Commons' Journals, Vol. IX., p. 560. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. Case G.] |
Dec. [23].
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Major-General Sir Samuel Clarke.
Instructions. |
|
His Majesty having thought fit to employ Capt. Wettwang to
go to Ostend, there to hire as many ships as shall be necessary for
transporting the 14 battalions now in those countries to England
and to make all other provisions suitable to that voyage, it will
be necessary that you meet in person with the said captain and
settle all matters with him for preventing all delays and mistakes
and accordingly you are on receipt hereof to hasten to Bruges,
where he has orders to expect you. |
|
You are then to inform him for what number shipping must be
provided and he will by that time be able to give you notice
what ships he has found and when they will be ready, and, according as it shall be agreed between you, you are to return into
Brabant, to order the marching of the 8 battalions from thence. |
|
In case the rivers are open, you are to order billanders to be
provided for carrying the men, the charge whereof Mr. Lumm
is to defray, otherwise you must order them to march. Four are
to be sent to Bruges, when you have notice that vessels are ready
for embarking the battalions already quartered there and, the day
before they arrive at Bruges, notice is to be given of their
approach to the officer in chief commanding there, that he may
march out with the three battalions towards Ostend in
order to his embarking, thereby to make room for the Brabant
battalions. |
|
You are to send the other four battalions to Ghent, if it be
surrendered to the Spaniards and the quartering of the men
allowed there, otherwise you are to provide as convenient quarters
for them as you can up and down the country to shelter the men
in, till you have notice of the ships being ready to receive them,
and accordingly you are to order them to go on board in such
numbers and in such manner as shall be agreed between you and
Capt. Wettwang and you are to deliver to the respective battalions
the orders herewith sent you for their quartering in England. |
|
There is already imprested to Capt. Wettwang for the said service
and, in case that should not be sufficient, you are to direct
Mr. Lumm or other deputy paymaster to supply what shall be
further necessary for the hire of the said vessels or furnishing
them with provisions. |
|
You are likewise to order so many wagons to be provided for each
battalion as you shall judge convenient for bringing their necessaries
and such of their sick as are on recovery to Ostend, if the rivers
are so stopped that they cannot be brought by water, and direct
Mr. Lumm or other deputy paymaster to discharge the expense
thereof. Misdated, 33th day of December. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 52, p. 167.] |
Dec. 23.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Sir Samuel Clarke. I received yours
of the 12th and 16th, both together, and approve of all you have
done in the condemnation of those three soldiers and thank you
for your prudent care in preventing the ill consequences of so
unlucky an accident. But, since the magistrates and clergy are
become suitors for the offender, you will do well to gratify them
in it and pardon the man. |
|
As to the exemptions of commandants of battalions, I find it is
the King's pleasure they should be free from doing duty as captains. |
|
I am sorry you have been in those difficulties for money, which
has partly been occasioned by contrary winds which have detained
Mr. Lumm some days, who carries over with him subsistence for
the forces to the end of this month, but I find that will not be
sufficient, for I once thought that before that time the battalions
would have been on board the ships or at least on board the
billanders. But the King has since reflected that the rivers
might be so frozen that there would be no coming to Flushing and
therefore has thought fit they should all embark at Ostend, and
to that end Capt. Wettwang is sent over thither to hire what
vessels he can for that service, by whom I have sent all the orders
for embarking the forces and quartering them in England, who
is also directed to meet you at Bruges to agree all things with you,
according to the instructions herewith sent, a copy whereof is
delivered to him, only I have thought fit since to make this
alteration, that you should order the two battalions of Guards,
the battalion of the Duke's and the battalion of the Holland
regiment to march to Bruges, as soon as they have received
their money from Mr. Lumm, to continue there with the three at
present quartered there, till shipping be provided for them,
and you are to send orders for the four remaining battalions, as
you shall think fit upon discourse with Capt. Wettwang, who,
I believe, in five or six days will be at Bruges, he being to set
sail to-day. Therefore you will do well to lose no time in meeting
him. You will remember what I ordered to be writ to you before,
to appoint one or more officers to each garrison to take care of
the sick that must be left behind. [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 52, p. 170.] |
| Dec. 23. |
Warrant to make diligent and strict search for — Hawker, a
Jesuit, of whom information has been given that he lurks here in
town, and having found him to apprehend him with his books
and papers and all such persons as he shall find in his company
and have reason to suspect to be Popish priests or Jesuits, and
carry them before some justice to be proceeded against according
to law. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 334, p. 599.] |
| Dec. 23. |
Notes by Williamson. The priest seized. The letter of
Secretary Coventry. Denmark.—Leyell's petition. Vide how
the treaties stand as to granting out letters of reprizal &c.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 366, p. 683.] |
Dec. 24.
Whitehall. |
Order in Council, similar to those of 11 Dec., for a pass to
Viscount Cullen and Elizabeth his wife. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408,
No. 93.] |
| Dec. 24. |
The examination of Miles Prance.—On a certain Monday—
With a twisted handkerchief. In the corner (?) near the stables.—
Carried him into a house in the dark entry leading up out of the
lower court into the upper. Kept at that house where Hill lived
then, two days, in that dark entry by the Water Gate.—Then Hill
and Gerard and the cushion man (Green) conveyed him away,
about 10, Hill told this informant so, to the other side of the house.
Green told him that he thought he had broken his neck (?), before
he was carried into Hill's house.—After that, 4 days after, Hill
carried him and showed him the place where he lay, with a dark
lantern about 9 o'clock, and Hill brought him back to his house.
Green and Gerard were there and not having conveniency for
keeping him in his own house carried him into another house on
the other side.—Hill provided a sedan and had him carried in a
sedan from Hill's out at the Great Gate of the Upper Court.
This was Wednesday night. Was carried as far as the Greyhound in the Soho. He was one that carried him. Green and
Gerard and an Irishman, who lay over the stables in certain lodgings that Green has there.—From Hill's house first he was carried
somewhere to the other side of the house, towards the garden &c.—
Hill met them about the new church with a horse and he was set
upon that horse and carried away and the sedan was left in one
of the new houses, till they came back. He came back to
his house and Hill went with the body. Green, Gerard and the
Irishman went also with the body. Gerard said to him that night,
Bellasise engaged them into the thing and said there would be a
reward, not what. Does not know my Lord Bellasise.—Killed
him because he loved not the Queen or her servants,
therefore Green and Hill &c. One Owen in Bloomsbury market
was in the shop, where he changed 100l.—Two or three went to
his house to ask after him. The maid answered he was not
within &c. They found him out and dogged him, till he came over
against the Water Gate. Came from St. Clement's. About 9 o'clock
&c. Hill &c. dogged him. He was not there.—Two feigned a quarrel
within the gate and he was called in to appease the quarrel.—
Has known Gerard a year and a half, Hill 4 or 5 years, Green
about a year &c.—Hill was without and prayed Godfrey to walk
in to quiet the quarrel. He was within the Court and the Upper
Court. Knows not if any guard at the gate. Knows not if any
company. |
|
About 9 o'clock at night.—He was strangled in the Water Court
on the stable side in a corner that is railed (?). He struggled.
Carried in at the Water Gate. He had 300l. in gold for Owen in
Bloomsbury, being to go out of town as a Papist. He got this
informant to get it for him. It was nothing to this business. That
day Sir Edm. G[odfrey] was buried &c. changed 200l. at Mr. East's
&c.—He stood at the Water Gate while he was strangled.—Bury,
the porter, stood the other way to watch who came.—Hill
dwells in Stanhope Street, keeps a victualling house. |
|
As to the Plot.—Was in Ireland's chamber. Groves, Fenwick
were there. Ireland said there would 50m men in arms. So Fenwick.
Two or three days after Groves came to his shop to buy two spoons.
—Said my Lord Powys, Bellasise, Peters, Arundell should have
commissions.—That Bell[asise], Pow[ys], Arundell were to govern
the army.—Before Michaelmas, about Michaelmas. Has the
spoons in his book.—One Le Febure came to his shop to ask for a
silver sword hilt. Knows not what he is, more than that he is.—
Knows not Walsh, Pritchard nor Le Fere, not by the names.—
The 50m men. They hoped Catholic Religion would be established
in a little time &c.—Heard nothing of the killing the King &c.—
Godfrey was kept from the time of his being killed in a sitting
posture &c.—One Mr. Moore under the D. Norfolk being on a good
horse &c, would we had 10m of them &c.— |
|
His ill-will to Godfrey.—That being to be freed of an office, Sir W.
Poultney would have freed him, Godfrey would not, saying that the
Queen could not protect her servants.—Knows nothing of the
plot nor of any person in it.—That one, a messenger belonging to
Lord Arundell said, he hoped the R. C. religion would are long
flourish in England.—Has declared everything he knows, everything &c. Green, Hill &c. said Godfrey had used some Irishmen ill.
—Owen knows nothing of all this that he knows.—Saw Ireland
last at Will's coffee house in Covent Garden some three days before
he was taken &c.—Pickering and Dr. Southwell were drinking
with him in his own house the night before Pickering was taken
&c. (Printed in Pollock, The Popish Plot, p. 388, but with several
mistakes caused by the illegible hand of Williamson.) [3½ pages.
S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 94.] |
Dec. 24.
Staffordshire. |
The information of Stephen Dugdale, late servant to Lord
Aston of Tixhall. (Printed in Howell, State Trials, Vol. VII.,
column 1418, where Hobson should be Hopton.) [2 pages.
Ibid. No. 95.] |
| Dec. 24. |
James Houblon to Williamson. I was to wait on you to give
you an account that I sent last night by post the packet for
Mr. Parry, which you committed to my care, addressed to my
correspondent in Lisbon. If you please to send one or more
duplicates, there will be a sea conveyance presently and I will
deliver them so, as under a cover to my friends they may go
safely. [Ibid. No. 96.] |
| Dec. 24. |
Warrant to Sir Thomas Chicheley, Master-General of the
Ordnance, for payment of 4l. per diem to Col. George Legge,
appointed by a commission dated 1 May, 1678, general of the
artillery belonging to the forces in the Spanish Netherlands, to
commence from the date of the said commission and to continue
during pleasure. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 50, p. 30.] |
Dec. 24.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to Sir George Jeffreys, Recorder, and the sheriffs of
London and Middlesex to respite the execution of the sentence
on Ralph Leech, convicted at the late Old Bailey sessions of stealing
9 pair of silk stockings and sentenced to be burnt in the hand,
and to insert him in the next general pardon for poor convicts in
Newgate without the proviso for transportation. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 54, p. 10.] |
Dec. 24.
Whitehall. |
Warrant for a grant of a baronetcy of England to William Kenrick of Whitley, Berkshire, and the heirs male of his body, with a
discharge in the usual manner of services to be performed or payments to be made in lieu thereof. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 334,
p. 600.] |
Dec. 24.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to the officers of the Board of Greencloth for payment
to such of the Queen's servants as had right during the late suspension to eat at one time at her Waiters' table of such sums as the
settled allowance for that table for a year amounts to, out of such
moneys or assignments as have been made for the payment of diets
and boardwages due on that account, to be divided amongst them in
such proportions as the Queen's Lord Chamberlain shall certify to
be their respective rights, and signifying the King's pleasure that,
if any deduction is to be made for extraordinary expenses during
the said suspension, the said servants bear no part of it out
of the sum hereby given them, the King intending that the moneys
which should have accrued to them by the days over and above
a year that the suspension lasted shall serve instead of their proportion towards any such extraordinary expenses. [Ibid. p. 605.] |
| Christmas Day. |
Sir Thomas Higgons to [Williamson]. Requesting a pass for the
bearer, the son of Mr. Prade, a member of their house, who is a
young merchant designed for Venice. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408,
No. 97.] |
| Dec. 25. |
Certificates by the Earl of Plymouth in favour of Jean Baptiste
La Leu and Claude Labry, two of his servants, who desire passes.
[Ibid. No. 98.] |
| Dec. 25. |
Pass for James Bedloe to travel to Monmouth and to return.
Minute. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 51, p. 126.] |
Dec. 25.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to James Bedloe to repair to the lodging or other place
of abode of Charles Pritchard, a Popish priest charged with high
treason as an accomplice in the late horrid plot, and there with the
assistance of a constable to make strict and diligent search for
him and having found him to apprehend and bring him in safe
custody before Sir J. Williamson, to answer what shall be objected
against him with relation to the premises. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 334, p. 601.] |
| Dec. 26. |
Memoranda by Williamson.—The Commissioners to be solicited.
—The Ambassadors' houses &c.—The man from Stafford—and of
warrants to be issued. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 99.] |
Dec. 26.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Lemuel Kingdon. Whereas the
forces in Flanders cannot be recalled so soon as 1 January next, to
which time only subsistence is ordered to be paid them, you are
to signify to your deputies both in Flanders and Brabant to pay
subsistence to the respective battalions till the time of their going
on shipboard. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 52, p. 172.] |
Dec. 27.
Arrow. |
Francis Parsons to Viscount Conway. About various matters
connected with the management of his estate and about other
business. [2 pages. Conway papers. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408,
No. 100.] |
[1678, Dec. 27–]
1679. Jan. 6. Calais. |
— to the King. Offering to discover a plot to destroy
him and the rest of the Royal family and to bring in a commonwealth again, the Governors to be the Earl of Shaftesbury, the
Duke of Buckingham, Lord Halifax, and the Earl of Salisbury,
which is easy to be found out, if he asks Dr. James Butler of
Kensington, a pretended Roman Catholic, who is a great contriver
of this plot with Mr. Oates. This Dr. Butler may be able to
give a true relation of the death of Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey.
Endorsed by Williamson, "Received from the King with orders
to lay it by." [Ibid. No. 101.] |
[1678, Dec. 27–]
1679. Jan. 6. |
The same to Williamson. Fearing that two letters of 6 and
7 Nov. he wrote to the King are not come to his hands and offering
to come, if the King assures him of his life, and that those that
made the plot shall have no power over him. [Ibid. No. 102.] |
1678.
Dec. 27. |
Commission to Richard Dolby to be ensign to Capt. William
Eaton's company, now in Guernsey, in Col. John Russell's regiment of Foot Guards. Minute. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 29,
p. 309.] |
| Dec. 27. |
Pass for John Weston of Sutton, Surrey, advised to go to the
Spa for the recovery of his health with his wife, John, his son, Anne
and Mary, his daughters, George Knight, his servant, and Sibill
Udal, maid servant. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 51, p. 130.] |
Dec. 27.
Whitehall. |
Warrant to the Duke of Monmouth, Master of the Horse, after
reciting that Thomas Pulteney is admitted and sworn one of the
Pages of Honour in the room of Henry Wroth to receive all
rights &c. to the same place belonging, and also the horse livery
that Wroth enjoyed by particular warrant, to give order to the
Avener to deliver to the said Pulteney the said horse livery in
kind, to commence from 23 July last and to continue during
pleasure. [Ibid. p. 139.] |
Dec. 27.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Sir Thomas Slingesby. Ordering him
to send his quarter-master or other officer of his regiment to provide
quarters for the battalion of his regiment now ordered to return
from Flanders, viz., for two companies in Attleborough, one in
Larlingford, three in Windham, one in Buckenham and one in
Hingham, all in Norfolk. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 52, p. 175.] |
|
Note of the like letters to Sir Henry Goodrick, Lord Morpeth,
Lord Alington, Sir John Fenwick, Col. Legge, the Earl of Mulgrave, Sir Charles Wheler, Col. Russell, the Earl of Craven, Col.
Sydney and Col. Salisbury. [Ibid.] |
Dec. 27.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to the Commissaries General of the
Musters. Ordering them to allow on the musters till further order
Lieut. Marshall, lieutenant to Capt. Clement's company in the
writer's regiment of foot, to whom he had given leave of absence.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 52, p. 175.] |
Dec. 28.
Scotland Yard. Whitehall. |
Thomas Prise to Williamson. I endeavoured to present this
enclosed to you myself yesterday evening and to-day, but
failing of both and having a very great indisposition on me, I
presume to present it in this manner. It was sent from Capt.
Lane of Bentley, Staffordshire. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408,
No. 103.] |
Dec. 28.
Bridgtown House by Stratford-on Avon. |
William Bishope to Williamson. Conveying the wishes of himself, Lady Brawne and his wife to him for a merry New Year.
My wife has ever since Michaelmas been confined by sickness either
to her chamber or bed which caused me to engage Mr. Topham
to wait for me at Westminster. She is now so well as to taste a
cup of Canary to your health. [Ibid. No. 104.] |
Dec. 28.
Yarmouth. |
Peter Caulier and John Robins, bayliffs, to Williamson. In
obedience to his Majesty's warrant we have delivered into the
custody of William Howell, one of the messengers, Peter Shea.
His information we have long since transmitted to you with all the
papers we have concerning him. His seal and coat armour you
will receive by the messenger. [Ibid. No. 105.] |
Dec. 28.
Chester. |
Giles Vanbrugh to the Bishop of London. The horrid plot
lately discovered and certainly known to have been hatched at
Rome and chiefly furthered by the Pope has renewed in my
thoughts what I have often wished and judged easily feasible, but
I doubted the proposition would have been thought a little
dishonourable to attack a prince without just provocation. But,
this objection being now removed, I shall acquaint you with what
I think not only warrantable but honourable, and what may
much advantage the Protestant religion. It is the assaulting the
city of Rome on the side the Vatican stands and bringing away
the library. I desire you to consider my reasons for believing the
thing not only possible but easy. |
|
Some years since I travelled above three years in France and
Italy and spent one year at Rome, where I had the opportunity
of taking notice of many things relating to it. The inhabitants are
not numerous, about 100,000 of all sorts, religious men and nuns
included, of which I had a list for the 10 preceding years. They
are not warlike, but of a poor spirit, kept under by the clergy
and prone to their superstitious worship rather than fighting.
The city is of great compass, about 10 miles within the walls,
and they built after the ancient manner and weak, except towards
the Vatican, and no great garrison in the Castle St. Angelo. The
city is about 15 miles from the sea, about 5 hours' march, so that,
if the enterprise succeeds, it may be finished in 24 or 30 hours.
Now is the favourablest opportunity, for Sir John Narbrough
has for many months been hovering in those seas and into the
Spanish and other ports for recruits without any suspicion of the
Italian princes, so his appearing on the coast of Romagna would
give no great alarm, so that a competent number might be
quickly landed and come on the city in the most sudden and
unexpected manner imaginable. If Sir John could spare 4,000 brisk,
active men, well armed and provided with scaling ladders and other
instruments and bombs especially to fire the city in several places
at the same time, it might accomplish the business, for the garrison
could not resist such a force, nor would stir out of the Castle, nor
could the citizens in so short a time and such a fright rise in arms
to defend themselves and much less sally out after them in their
retreat. But, if that number be thought too small and Sir John
cannot safely spare more, there is an opportunity of sending
what more may be required out of the disbanded men in Flanders.
But, as secrecy is the main hinge of this design, great care must be
taken that not one Romish officer or soldier slip in among them,
for, though all were kept secret till their very landing, yet then
one zealous fugitive might post to Rome and betray all. |
|
If this design succeed, you well know the great value of those
ancient manuscripts, which they have robbed the Prince
Palatine's library and many others of, and of what benefit they
would be towards defending ours and impugning their own religion,
if they were faithfully printed or communicated to our learned
men. Besides, it would make such an open breach between
us and them as would occasion a more strict union and close
confederacy between all other Protestant princes and ours. These
are the two chiefest advantages I propose this design for, and,
because it would be dangerous to let the soldiers hope to get
much plunder in the city, they should be promised a good reward
beforehand of ten or twenty thousand pounds. But, if another as
great affront might be proposed and approved of, it were no
difficult matter at the same time to send 8 or 10 frigates into the
Adriatic to Ancona and there land and march to Loretto, which
is but little distant from the sea, and by surprise take and raze that
nest of superstition and bring away its treasure, which some such
mad fellows as were at Mons would make no great bones of. I
doubt not 2,000 men might do it. These two affronts would
questionless be applauded by all Protestant princes, considering
the great provocations his Majesty and his three ancestors have
had. who have been often assailed in public and plotted against in
secret, and the kingdom suffered much by the late rebellions
fomented by them and fires contrived by the Jesuitical Romanists
and yet nothing has been retaliated to them. I have made bold
with this address to your lordship, though of martial concern,
rather than elsewhere, as to a true Protestant and zealous prosecutor
of what you are convinced may conduce to the good of Church
and State. If, therefore, you shall think good to communicate
these designs to his Majesty immediately or to Prince Rupert
first, I shall rest satisfied with the result, which way soever it
inclines, but, if you think it not convenient to meddle in it, I shall
consider further what to do, for, till I know his Majesty disallows
it, I cannot but think it an honourable and hopeful attempt.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 106.] |
| Dec. 28. |
The information of John Littlehales of Dawly, Shropshire.
Formerly he has clipped money and he knows several coiners.
From John Helmet of Eddisfield, Worcestershire, he has had
false guineas and other bad moneys to put off, which he told
the informant were of his making. He has had such moneys
several times from him, and the last time about two years ago.
About the same time William Flack of the same place sent the
informant for a 6d. and a 4d. stamp. Abraham Whitehouse of
Staffordshire gave him the stamps for Flack and about the same
time he had false moneys from Whitehouse to put off, which
Whitehouse told him he had made. Being suspected of putting
off this bad money he fled to Monmouthshire and there went by
the name of Curtis and clipped money and sold the clippings to
Edward Turnor, a pewterer, now living at Monmouth, but then
at Abergavenny. He believes these persons, particularly Whitehouse, can discover several other coiners and clippers. He knows
nothing at all about the Plot. [Ibid. No. 107.] |
Saturday morning.
[Dec. 28 ?] |
Sir J. Williamson to the Attorney-General, Sir William Jones.
Requesting him to peruse the enclosed draft and to see if there
be nothing in it contrary to law. At the foot, |
|
Sir W. Jones to Williamson. I have nothing to object against
these instructions, if the deputy lieutenants be willing to
undertake the trouble, it not being a thing they are by law
enjoined to do. Care must be taken about the soldiers and
officers redelivering the King's arms, of which the margin
contains a clause, but not so full and plain as it may be
worded. [Ibid. No. 108.] |
Dec. 29.
Staffordshire. |
The further information of Stephen Dugdale. The first two
paragraphs and part of the third are to the same effect as the
information of 29 Dec. printed in Howell, State Trials, Vol. VII.,
column 1472, it continues thus:—Evers told him that Mr. Harcourt
and Mr. Ireland, Jesuits, should pay him, who had sufficient
to defray it, and other charges whatever. 4. Evers told him that
several gentlemen in this county had money in their hands for
carrying on the work, but were shy here, but had entered into
covenant for it at St. Omer, and that he received a letter from
Mr. Warner, a Jesuit, of the English order at St. Omer, which confirmed the same and that the said money should be speedily
returned into the hands of Mr. Harcourt, the Jesuit. 5. Evers
told him there were several Indulgences for pardoning those
concerned in the design and those, he believes, came from
Mr. Ireland. [2 pages. Ibid. No. 109.] |
| Dec. 30. |
Notes by Williamson about Prance. The King.—Tell what
you told before Capt. R[ichardson] and W. C[hiffinch]. Prance.—
Knows nothing in the world of all he has said. Why say strange ?
Was surprised by a man, that ought him money, one that lodges in
his house, and afterwards lost a tankard. Knows not Bedloe,
never saw him, before he was last brought into the lobby. Never.
Knows nothing of anybody. |
|
Rich[ardson].—Nobody has seen him since here. Prance.—
Been in trouble ever since. Rich[ardson].—He sent to me to
speak with me in haste, while I was in bed. That he feared the
others would be pardoned and he executed. Desired to go up to
the King. That he had something else to confess to the King.
Nobody living has spoken with him since &c. |
|
Lord Treasurer.—How came you to tell so straight a story ?
Prance.—Nobody laid this story but himself. Privy Seal.—Your
stories are all the same. Query: Examinations the same. |
|
Prance.—Knows all these men he has testified against. That
they that are fled are fled because of other fears &c. |
|
Why make all this story ? Was threatened to be hung. Wrenne
and the rest, and that Richardson owns he denied that Wren
ever told him so. |
|
Lord Chancellor &c. To have him view (?) the rack &c. [S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 109.] |
Dec. 30.
Hare Court, Inner Temple. |
Richard Powell to Williamson. I send herewith the book concerning the Dutch affair and a state of the case in writing with the
objections answered. In the index some particulars of principal
note are marked with a hand. My occasions hasten me to the
country, where my stay will not be long. At my return I shall
wait on you. [Ibid. No. 110.] |
Dec. 30.
Hereford. |
The Bishop of Hereford to the Bishop of London. There is
belonging and adjoining to this cathedral a fairly built library,
well furnished before the late rebellion, but then rifled of all.
Some few have been bought in since. Now there is a fair opportunity to increase the number by the books I have discovered at
Combe. Therefore I earnestly desire you to present my petition
to his Majesty that he would give me leave to place those books
in that library and to reserve some small number thereof to myself, if I meet with any I particularly desire, but the main bulk
shall be sure to be placed there. I shall be glad to hear what
effect my narrative and that which the Bishop of Llandaff delivered
has had in the House. I fear a great person formerly my friend, and
who may be still, if this business does not displease him, the
Marquess of Worcester, will be much concerned with it. Perchance
the Lords may think fit to print my narrative. If so, I beg it may
be printed by my stationer, Mr. Harper at the Flower de Luce over
against St. Dunstan's in Fleet Street. [Ibid. No. 111.] |
Dec. 30.
Whitehall. |
The Duke of Monmouth to Lemuel Kingdon. Ordering him
out of the moneys for the speedy and complete paying off and
disbanding the forces raised since 29 Sept., 1677, to pay to Capt.
Wettwang 1,000l. on account for buying provisions and for hire
of vessels to bring over the forces from Flanders into England.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 52, p. 176.] |
| Dec. 30. |
Leave to Captains Tancred and Fairfax of Sir Henry Goodrick's
regiment to continue in England till further order. [Ibid. p. 177.] |
Dec. 30.
Whitehall. |
Pass for the bearer, Charles de Sommaripa, Sieur de Carlins,
first esquire to the late Duke of Lorraine, going into Spain by
order of the Spanish Ambassador here with two packs of hounds
for the use of the Catholic King, with his daughter and her servant
and ten menservants and three horses to embark at any port of
the kingdom in order to their transportation to Spain. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 334, p. 604.] |
|
Request for the above pass. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 408, No. 112.] |
Dec. 31.
Whitehall. |
Order in Council, the Lord General having to-day acquainted
his Majesty in Council that several Popish officers were pursuant
to his Majesty's commands dismissed and moving that their
places might be supplied with Protestant officers on the November
muster or sooner according to the time the Popish officers were
discharged: that the Secretaries of State prepare commissions
for such officers as the Lord General has or shall nominate or
approve of, to succeed the discharged officers. [Ibid. No. 113.]
Annexed, |
|
New commissions dated 1 Nov., 1678, in the Duke of Monmouth's
regiments of Foot and Horse, and in the regiments of Col.
Salisbury, Sir Charles Wheler and Sir Lionel Walden.
[Ibid. No. 113 i.] |
|
Another copy of the above order. [Ibid. No. 114.] |
Dec. 31.
Whitehall. |
Three orders in Council, similar to those of the 11th instant,
for granting passes to Martin James Digby of Luffenham, Dame
Elizabeth, widow of Sir George Browne, and Catherine, Countess
of Kinnoull. [Ibid. Nos. 115–117.] |
| Dec. 31. |
Notes by Williamson. The Plot.—The Committee to sit,
Earl of Essex, Lord Privy Seal, Bridgwater every morning. |
|
The trial of the Lords. All the lords to be present. |
|
Lord Chancellor.—1. Though an impeachment in Parliament,
yet the King may proceed (?) upon it out of Parliament. Otherwise the King impeaching a lord sitting a Parliament and then
proroguing a Parliament, the lord has no way to be delivered. |
|
2. It does not appear the impeachment and indictment [are]
for the same crime &c. |
|
3. Then an impeachment being once on foot against a lord, the
King cannot prorogue the Parliament, otherwise the lord cannot
be delivered &c. Lord Morley (?) committed a crime sitting
the Parliament, and yet was tried out of Parliament &c. |
|
4. If an indictment by a grand jury and by a coroner (?) the
King's Bench may choose upon which to proceed even upon the
last. |
|
5. It's the King's suit and he may go on with which indictment he pleases. |
|
Lord Privy Seal. Objection.—1. Any without doors to hint (?)
judge determine of the jurisdiction of the Parliament is a crime
of a dangerous nature. |
|
2. A minor part of the lords may appear upon the trial and
the major hereafter in Parliament may censure the minor for
so doing. |
|
N.B.—There is a record in Parliament and one out of
Parliament in this same case. |
|
N.B.—At the least everybody sees there is a great deal of difficulty
in it, therefore is it advisable to go upon that which is uncertain ?
There may be great danger to try them out of Parliament, none
to leave them to the Parliament. |
|
Lord Mayor &c. To prevent misinterpretations of what the
King does &c. To govern by laws. To stand ever by the Church
of England. Not as if the King meant anything by force. Means to
go on with all these things that were proposed in Parliament as
fast as possible. Intends to disband the army. To try the
truth of this plot and do justice upon whomsoever. What guards
are necessary for the city; willing to know from them. |
|
Lord Mayor. A regiment every night, and part of one in the
day. Their greatest apprehensions are now for the King's
person &c. |
|
As to Oates' designing to escape.—Warcupp called in. Oates
expressed a fear of being in Whitehall and as if he were in danger
in it and offered, that, if any of them would carry him with them
to their houses, he would go with them. Spoken to him and
Sir H. Bethell and Sir Richard Everard &c. |
|
As to the examination of the priests. |
|
Not the case of Earl Stafford. For no reason condemn an
innocent. Is it legal ? Nay (?) and the jury (?) answer for it.
As to (word illegible) ask the judges &c. who have (?) all. |
|
The King. Objection. They had not time enough. Reply.
Attorney. 1. As much as ever any in that place had. 2. The
witnesses they wanted were but to prove a fact they had already
five to prove &c. and the thing proved (of his being in August
elsewhere) would have been of no use. |
|
Disbanding the army and to enable the King to do it, to retrench all expenses and stop all private payments, only those
for the government, assignations in the Exchequer not within
this. [3½ pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 366, p. 695.] |
