|
Aug. 11.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Sir Roger Hill. The Council have read
your letter of the 8th to Mr. Newman and have commanded me
to let you know that the enormities committed by Starkey and
Hartshorn in the search of your house are so far from being
justified by anyone here that you may be assured of all encouragement and assistance in the prosecution of them. Starkey will
be kept in a messenger's custody till Mr. Newman shall lay such
warrant on him as you shall direct that he may be prosecuted
according to law. Hartshorn, I understand, is now in the
Marshalsea, so you may with less trouble take your remedy
against him. [Draft. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 430, No. 91.] |
| Aug. 11. |
Samuel Starkey to Secretary Jenkins. Requesting that
Atterbury, the messenger, in whose custody he is, may be ordered
to bring him before his Honour with all speed, he having further
matters of importance to communicate. [Ibid. No. 92.] |
Aug. 11.
Wilton. |
The Earl of Pembroke to [Secretary Jenkins]. My reason for
not having before this written you a particular account of the
arms seized in this county is that, before I could distribute orders
to the deputy lieutenants and militia officers, there had been a
rumour in the county that a general search was making for arms
in some other counties, which, I believe, has occasioned so few
arms to be found in suspected places, but I intend very suddenly,
when they think 'tis over, to make a new search, after which I will
give you a particular account. [Ibid. No. 93.] |
Aug. 11.
Bristol. |
Thomas Eston, Mayor, Robert Yeomans and Ralph Olliffe
to Secretary Jenkins. In obedience to yours of the 2nd we sent
you up this day sennight the names of six of our clubbers, whom
we thought most obnoxious, in order to their being sent for by a
messenger, four of whom, namely Watts, Corsley, Hine and Hale,
are members of our Common Council, great ringleaders of the
disaffected party and some of the most considerable members of
this club, and must know the secrets of that mystery of iniquity
better than any of inferior quality. Besides sending for these
four would have given us a fair occasion either to displace them
or at least to have effected some acceptable service to his Majesty
by their absence, which we could not so well hope to compass
while they were in town, who have always appeared averse to
everything of that kind. |
|
We are glad Whetham is in custody but sorry we cannot yet
furnish you with more against him than we have already, though
we have been as diligent as possible. When these or so many of
them as you judge expedient shall be sent for, care shall be taken
to send after them whatsoever more of discovery we can obtain
and we think that the terror of sending for them will be a means
of bringing fresher and more particular discoveries, though at
present they carry themselves very sullen and reserved, when they
are brought before us. |
|
We could wish we had not such cause to complain as we have
of the paucity of voices amongst our magistrates and Common
Council in matters relating to the advancement of his Majesty's
service here, especially in the business of our charter, every
attempt of ours and our loyal friends tending to the surrendering
thereof having hitherto proved ineffectual; but, if these four ill
men be but a while out of our way, we doubt not but that affair
will succed. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 430, No. 94.] |
Aug. 11.
Orchard. |
Sir William Portman to William Stoakes at the Lord Keeper's
house. I have received your kind letter and the dedimus and
am sworn by Sir Francis Warre. I am sensible of your obligation,
for which I shall make my acknowledgement. |
|
Yesterday I took three examinations enough to make a man
believe that Mr. Trenchard was listing men about Michaelmas,
1681. 22 July last I took one which I transmitted to Secretary
Jenkins, which I hope came to his hands, wherein the gunsmith
swears that Mr. Trenchard told him about the same time that the
times looked dangerous and that he would be worth 40 men and
by promises and a guinea in hand prevailed with him to have a
more profitable employ and to live in Taunton. But neither of
these three last swear that they ever spoke with Mr. Trenchard
but had it from others, particularly Anthony Sandford, who
owned himself to be listed. This Sandford was then a companion
of him and Adams and Brasbridge, stout men but poor. They
were of Oliver's army and fit for such an employ. |
|
'Tis said this Sandford is since got into the Guards. If he be
speedily found and well examined by charging him that Lumbard
and Adams swear that he was to be listed under Mr. Trenchard
for the Duke of Monmouth's service in 1681 or the like, I fancy
a greater discovery might be made. He is a Somersetshire man
near Ilminster. How to have this done I know not; therefore I
desire you to acquaint the Lord Keeper and I shall follow these
glimpses of discovery hereabouts with as great skill and secrecy as
I can. Pray let nobody see this without the Lord Keeper's leave. |
|
Sandford has not been in this county a year and a half. If
my lord pleases, I will send up copies of the examinations. [Ibid.
No. 95.] |
Aug. 11.
Taunton. |
Stephen Timewell, Mayor, to Secretary Jenkins. I thank you
for the paper showing us the discovery of the plot. |
|
According to order I have bound over all the rioters I gave you
an account of to our county assizes and will bestir our people to
prosecute with the persons that assisted me that day. |
|
Last week I called on all persons within our corporation to
take the oath of allegiance and they all came except Quakers and
we have not 10 of that sort of Fanatics with us. One told me he
could not swear at all, so I tendered him the oath and he denied
to take it, so I sent him to prison and, after he had lain there four
days, he came and took it. I find there be of lusty men in our
two parishes above 18 years of age above 3,000 that have taken
the oath. |
|
About a fortnight ago I pulled down all the lasts and galleries
in that great meeting-house called Poole in Taunton with all
the doors and gates and likewise all the seats, pulpit and galleries
of the Baptist meeting-house and burnt it together on the market
place. There were about 10 cart loads. We were till three in
the morning before it was all burnt and we were very merry before
it with the bells ringing all night and neither then nor since we
can hear of one Fanatic that opens his mouth to say, Why have
they done this? Our church is now full. I thank God I have
done the King's business in Taunton and now not one of them
dare meet in any private house either and, whereas there was not
an informer to be had for 100l., now they proffer themselves to me
This great meeting-place was the eye of all the West of England
for Presbyterians and for meetings and now it's all gone. The
time of my being out of my office now draws near but, if his
Majesty have occasion to command me to keep these people in
obedience, if I have power put into my hands, as far as my life
shall last, I am at his command. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 430, No. 96.] |
Aug. 11.
Exon. |
Nine deputy lieutenants of Devon to the Duke of Albemarle,
Lord Lieutenant. Richard Gibbons, a notorious villain convicted
at the present assizes for Devon of many crimes and forgeries,
fled out of court before judgment was pronounced against him in
hopes to obtain a pardon by means of applications to you. Being
informed that a person is already dispatched to you herein, we
thought it our duty to let you know that, if his Majesty be
prevailed on to pardon such an infamous offender, it will be a
great discouragement to our county, who have been at great
charge and trouble in bringing him thus far towards punishment,
to pursue such criminals to justice in future. We therefore pray
that, instead of interceding for him, you will rather be an instrument that his sentence be put in execution. [Ibid. No. 97.] |
Aug. 11.
Exon. |
Endymion Walker, Mayor, and William Sanford to Secretary
Jenkins. Finding in Thursday's Gazette the description of
Hugh Westlake, one of the conspirators, and being informed that
a gentleman of the same name as described was here, we apprehended him and committed him to our gaol. We searched his
person and chamber for papers but can't find any except what
relate to merchants' affairs. He informed us he had a portmantle
which would come yesterday by the London carrier, in which we
found some law books and no papers except what belonged to
some merchants here. He owns himself to be a barrister of the
Middle Temple and is well known by the lawyers now at our
assizes and is verily believed to be the man named in the Gazette.
[Ibid. No. 98.] |
Aug. 11.
Exon. |
The same to the Duke of Albemarle. Describing the committal of Westlake as in the last letter. [Ibid. No. 99.] |
| Aug. 11. |
The information on oath of William Latton, M.A., Fellow of
Wadham College. He was never in John Trenchard's company
and never said he heard him say he had listed already 2,000 men
and would list 4,000 more. He has been in Henry Trenchard's
company but never had any discourse with him nor heard any
thing pass concerning the listing of men. He never had any
discourse with any person concerning the having or designing to
raise men or heard any such thing discoursed of. |
|
On further recollection he adds that he heard that John
Trenchard, discoursing of the succession, said that, if the King
should die, possibly he might be as much heir of the Crown as
the Duke of York. This was when the Parliament sat at Oxford,
but it was so much common fame that he professes he cannot
father the report on any at this distance of time. [In the Bishop
of Oxford's hand. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 430, No. 100.] |
| Aug. 11. |
The information on oath of Francis Durrant. Being chamberlain at the Greyhound Inn, he heard Robert Snelling, linendraper of Ipswich, say, they were disappointed of their designs
but had one way more, namely to make away with the Duke of
York when he went a hunting, and that Anthony Roe, one of the
purveyors for the Mews, was to give notice when he went a hunting
and that then the business would be done and that the first
opportunity was to be taken and that they were under an oath
to each other and that, when the Duke was killed, they would
quickly turn the King's heart to them, with other words to the like
effect. He does not know any more concerning the plot than he
has deposed now and in his former examination. [Ibid. No. 101.] |
| Aug. 11. |
Warrant to search for and bring before Mr. Secretary—
Hoskins to answer to such treasonable things as shall be objected
against him and also to search for any papers or writings belonging
to him and to seal them up and bring them to Mr. Secretary.
Minute. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54, p. 196.] |
| Aug. 11. |
Warrant to the Lieutenant of the Tower to receive into his
custody Francis Charleton for high treason and to keep him safely
till delivered by due course of law. Minute. [Ibid. p. 197.] |
| Aug. 11. |
Memorandum. A warrant to Thomas Atterbury to carry the
said Charleton to the Tower. [Ibid.] |
Aug. 11.
Windsor. |
Reference to the Attorney General of the petition of Edward
Scotney and Isabel, his wife, for pardon, having been found guilty
on an information for keeping a disorderly house. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 55, p. 233.] |
Aug. 11.
Windsor. |
The King to Capt. William Legg or in his absence to the officer
commanding the King's own troop in the Earl of Oxford's regiment. Signifying his pleasure that he forthwith march with
his troop from Kensington and Knight's Bridge to Holborn and
remain there till further order and he is to send out parties to
patrol in the day time for securing the highways from robberies
and to take care that the soldiers return to their lodgings at night.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 60, p. 38.] |
Aug. 11.
Windsor. |
Warrant to Lord Dartmouth, Master General of the Ordnance,
after reciting the appointment dated 6 Aug., 1683, of William
Bridges to be principal keeper of the stores of the Ordnance
Office, and the determination of the appointment of Edward
Conyers to be such keeper, for the appointment of commissioners
who with the ordnance officers shall forthwith take a perfect
view and remain of the ordnance and other munition now in
any of the stores within the Tower or on the wharf or other places
thereto pertaining formerly committed to the charge of the said
Conyers and for receiving into his keeping the accounts thereof
delivered in by the said commissioners. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 164, p. 98.] |
| Aug. 11. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Earl of Peterborough. His Majesty
has commanded me to transmit to you the enclosed complaint
from his Surveyor General, Mr. Harbord, and to desire you by
some of your deputy lieutenants to cause the whole matter to be
carefully examined. He will determine nothing till he have a
report of the whole matter from you, only he directs that the
arms taken from Mr. Harbord be forthwith restored to him, the
musquetoon only excepted. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 68, p. 357.] |
| Aug. 11. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Earl of Bristol. Not having yet seen
Sir Winston Churchill, I have some longer time to answer your
letter of the 7th, and to thank you for your trouble in relation
to Battiscombe. I shall send a Habeas corpus for him when his
trial comes on. In the meantime 'tis well that he be secured at
Dorchester. I must take his Majesty's pleasure about Foy, the
attorney, it being not usual to send for such a man without
something against him to affect him criminally and in a high
nature, for, since words of insolence and misdemeanour are only
to be tried in the county where they are spoken, the Council
usually remands such fellows, taking bond of them to appear at
the proper place. [Ibid.] |
| Aug. 11. |
Secretary Jenkins to Sir Roger Norwich. Enclosing copies of
the complaint of Mr. Harbord and of the writer's letter to the
Earl of Peterborough, that he may examine the matter of
fact and report it to the Lord Lieutenant, who being now at
Windsor the letter to him possibly will not come so soon to Sir
Roger in a copy from him as the enclosed will. [Ibid. p. 358.] |
| Aug. 11. |
Secretary Jenkins to Mr. Harbord. Informing him of his
having transmitted his complaint to the Earl of Peterborough
and of his having sent copies thereof and of his letter to the Earl
to Sir Roger Norwich. [Ibid.] |
| Aug. 12. |
The Bishop of Oxford to Secretary Jenkins. I have at last
got Mr. Laton, but he on his oath utterly denies that he ever had
any communication with Mr. Trenchard or heard talk of listing
men. I enclose his affidavit. If you desire further satisfaction,
he undertakes to be ready at any time to attend you. He has
the reputation of being a well-principled man, and I cannot
imagine on what grounds the Duke of Beaufort or the Earl of
Worcester made this suggestion. If you have any further
commands, please let them be here by Tuesday night, for on
Thursday I must attend the translation of my lord of York.
I am sending the Earl of Worcester a copy of the affidavit that
he may make his exceptions or give grounds for a further charge.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 430, No. 102.] |
| Aug. 12. |
Warrant to detain and keep in custody four Scotchmen, seized
on suspicion as dangerous persons, and to bring them before Mr.
Secretary to answer to such treasonable matters as shall be
objected against them. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54, p. 196.] |
Aug. 12–22.
Passau. |
The Prince of Waldeck to the Prince of Orange. About the
disputes relating to the command in chief of all the armies,
between the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburg. The Duke
of Lorraine refuses to give it up even to the King of Poland, but,
as the treaty with that King provides he shall have it, in default
of the Emperor's presence the Duke will be obliged to give it up,
but to avoid hurting the Duke's feelings the question will not be
considered while his Imperial Majesty remains with the army,
where he intends to go at daybreak to have the glory of the relief,
if the city holds out, as is hoped, till he arrives. The Elector of
Bavaria came with intention, if the Elector of Saxony persisted,
of commanding those troops which I shall join, but, if the Elector
of Saxony desists, he will follow the Court as a volunteer. The
Elector of Saxony, who hitherto has thwarted me, has had me told
that he will put his troops under my orders with the intention of
forming a corps d'armée at his own disposal, but I have declined
on the ground that I was already engaged to the Elector of
Bavaria. The dispositions for the relief would cause more
difficulties if the King of Poland were not a soldier who knows his
business and seeks his interest and reputation in the success of this
expedition, for he has already yielded to the reasons dissuading
him from crossing at Presburg or Comorn in order to relieve
Vienna as he had proposed and has come over to the opinion
that the relief should be made by the wooded (couvert) country
since then the enemy will be obliged to meet him with infantry,
which will then be wanting for continuing the siege, and to oppose
the great body of infantry which is assembling. He has even
agreed to leave a detachment beyond the Danube in order,
conjointly with some Imperialists, to cover the country. If the
Brandenburg troops arrive in time much is expected of them,
being very good but slow in coming. The case of covering the
country will be left to them. The troops we are sure of are
20,000 Imperialists, 11,000 Bavarians, 10,000 Saxons, 10,000
from Franconia and the Upper Rhine, 13,000 Brandenburgers,
Poles to the number of 30,000 combattants, of whom I believe
65,000 can be employed for the relief, not counting 5,000 Swabes
of whom 2,000 may arrive in time, who are on their march. With
field pieces we have more than 100 cannon and we have flour for
a month for all the troops. They are doing what they can for a
magazine of oats. The Pope has sent some 100,000 florins (as
also the King of Portugal has done) to the Emporer and every
thing possible is being done to put every thing in good order and
for the relief and for the recovery of Vienna, in case it should be
surrendered by some unforeseen accident. If nothing happens
to Staremburg I have no fear of the town's surrendering, but as
it is said he has dysentery and that the command might fall into
the hands of some one less obstinate, there might be reason to
fear, since the Turks will explode a mine which they are said to
have made across the ditch to a bastion. The Turks by all the
information received have lost 30,000 of their best soldiers. I
am doing my best to hasten the relief. If it succeeds, I shall try
to have some troops sent to Franconia and I hope to be able to
give you an account of everything by word of mouth. [6½ pages.
French. S.P. Dom., King William's Chest 1, No. 28.] |
| [Aug. 13 ?] |
Dorothy, wife of Francis Charlton, to the King. Petition for
access to her husband, who was committed close prisoner to the
Tower last Friday (10 Aug.) and who by reason of his lameness
and close imprisonment is impaired in his health. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 430, No. 103.] |
| Aug. 13. |
The Mayor and Jurats of Hastings to Col. John Strode.
Requesting him to inform his Royal Highness or the Secretary of
State of the scandalous words of Joseph Turton, minister of St.
Clement's, Hastings, of the Duke of York in the paper enclosed.
[Ibid. No. 104.] Enclosed, |
|
The informations of Richard Alfray, Dr. Peter Fiatt, and John
Lovell, that the said Joseph Turton said that the Duke of
York is a Papist and is the greatest enemy the King and
kingdom has. [Ibid. No. 104 I.] |
Aug. 13.
Orchard. |
Sir William Portman to his cousin, William Stoakes, in the
Lord Keeper's house. Since my letter by the last post, I have
discovered that Anthony Sandford was preferred, as he told his
friends here, about last Whitsuntide twelvemonth by a Mr.
Colbert or Colvert, that was gentleman of the horse, as he said,
to the Duke of York, who was his contemporary, as he said, in
Oliver's army and ever since has had a kindness for him.
Sandford is about 56, by which description I doubt not you may
find him out. [Ibid. No. 105.] |
Aug. 13.
Derby. |
Five Deputy Lieutenants of Derbyshire to their Lord Lieutenant. In obedience to your commands we have pursued the
directions of the Secretary's letters. We have connived at no
person we had reason to suspect and, if information shall be given
that any are dangerous, who are not yet known to us, we will
with all diligence make such further progress as occasion shall
require. The muster-master will deliver to you the rolls taken
at the muster you commanded last May and we have let all
officers know it's his Majesty's pleasure since the discovery of
this plot that they shall be in readiness. [S.P. Dom., Car. II.
430, No. 106.] |
Aug. 13.
Windsor. |
The King's pass for George, Earl of Dumbarton, appointed to
go to France to condole with the Most Christian King for the
death of the late Queen, he taking over with him seven gentlemen
and ten servants, for whom he undertakes that none of them are in
any sense obnoxious persons. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 66, p.
252.] |
Aug. 13.
Windsor. |
Dispensation to Sir William Kingsmill, High Sheriff of the
county of Southampton, who is advised to repair to Tunbridge
to take the waters there, to go out of his county. [Ibid. p. 255.] |
Aug. 13.
Windsor. |
Commission to Alexander Alchin to be lieutenant of the trained
band soldiers of Hastings in the second regiment of the Cinque
Ports. Minute. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 69, p. 61.] |
Aug. 13.
Windsor. |
The King to the Lord Deputy. Warrant after reciting that
Francis Lucas had besought in respect of his loyalty and signal
services against Tories and robbers in rebellion in Ireland a grant
for erecting the lands therein mentioned into a manor, for a grant
to him and his heirs for erecting the lands of Shean, Edenbrone
and others all in co. Monaghan into the manor of Castleshane
with the powers and privileges usual in the erection of manors.
[S.P. Dom., Signet Office Vol. 11, p. 192.] |
Aug. 13.
Windsor. |
The King to the Lord Deputy. Warrant, after reciting that
Capt. Daniel Macnamara had represented by his petition that his
ancestors were seized of divers castles, hereditaments and tenements
in Clare without interruption till his father was unjustly dispossessed thereof by the late usurped powers, that his eldest
brother John of Cratloe in the said county was declared innocent
and restored to the premises by the decree of his innocency dated
16 July, 1663, and prayed, to the end that the premises in the
said decree specified may continue in the name, blood and
posterity of his said brother and himself, a grant and confirmation
to him and his heirs of the said premises with liberty to place
satisfiable deficiencies thereon, if desired, reserving the rents
payable by the Acts of Settlement and Explanation and for the
erection of the same into a manor, a reference thereof to the
Lord Lieutenant and his report dated 31 May, 1683, that he is of
opinion that his Majesty, if he thinks fit, may grant and confirm
to the said John Macnamara and to the heirs male of his body
with remainder to the said Daniel and his heirs all the premises
specified in the said decree of innocence and whereof he is now in
possession under the rents and services payable by the said Acts,
provided he or they place satisfiable deficiencies of Protestants or
transplanted persons thereon, and a further report of the Lords
of the Treasury concurring with the Lord Lieutenant's, but
proposing that a proviso be inserted in the said grant and
confirmation saving the right, title and interest which any other
has or ought to have in the premises: authorizing and requiring
him to cause a grant and confirmation to be passed to the said
John Macnamara and the heirs male of his body with remainder
to the said Daniel and his heirs of all the premises specified in
the said decree of innocence under the rents and services payable
by the said Acts, with a proviso that he or they place satisfiable
deficiencies of Protestants or transplanted persons thereon and
with a saving of the right, title and interest of any other person
in the premises, and further for a grant to the said John
Macnamara and his heirs for erecting the town and lands of
Ballymorris and other lands into the manor of Cratloe with the
powers and privileges usual in the erection of manors. [5 pages.
S.P. Dom., Signet Office Vol. 11, p. 204.] |
Aug. 14.
Windsor. |
The Earl of Sunderland to Secretary Jenkins. The Duke of
Ormonde having put Walter Downing into the porter's lodge and
desiring me to send him to London, I have directed Simon
Winsloe to carry him before you. I hope you will take care he
shall be used as he deserves. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 430, No. 107.] |
Aug. 14.
Ipswich. |
The Bailiffs and Recorder to Secretary Jenkins. We sent you
21 July last the examination of Francis Durrant and enclose a
copy of his re-examination. Snelling, the person accused, has
entered recognizance in 1,000l. with two able sureties in 500l. a
piece for his appearance before the King and Council or elsewhere,
when ordered. Our suit is for further directions touching the
premises. [Ibid. No. 108.] |
| Aug. 14. |
Col. John Strode to Secretary Jenkins. Enclosing the letter
of the Mayor and Jurats and copies of the affidavits against
Joseph Turton, whom the Mayor, as the messenger informs him,
has taken into custody. [Ibid. No. 109.] |
Aug. 14.
Cardiff. |
Sir Charles Kemeys and three other Justices to Secretary
Jenkins. A most pernicious letter is lately come in to our hands
directed to Charles Evans, found on the road by two men, copies
of whose testimonies together with what we have done therein are
enclosed, whereby we may be instructed how to proceed further.
We have already searched Charles Evans' papers and found
nothing tending to the purport of the said letter. He is bound
by recognizance to appear the first day of next Great Sessions
and to be forthcoming when required. Sir Charles Kemeys
has searched Evans' and Watkins' papers but could find nothing
material. He has advertised Col. Jeffreys to search Gwerneuet
and to have a special eye on the place to which they send their
letters, as the enclosed letter discovers. We shall make all the
search we can to discover the truth of the matter. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 430, No. 110.] Enclosed, |
|
The examination of Iltid Jenkins of St. Melon's parish,
Monmouthshire. He found a letter on the 7th instant in the
parish of Basylick, Edward Thomas Jones being with him.
He was on his way towards Bristol and passing through
Newport showed it to Thomas Lewis, constable there, who
brought it to Francis Pettingall to be read, who, finding the
dangerous contents of it, immediately carried him before the
Mayor to be examined where he found it. |
|
The examination of Thomas Lewis. Describing how being
unable to read himself he took Jenkins to Pettingall. |
|
The examination of Edward Thomas Jones. He with Jenkins
on the 7th instant found a letter, which he left in Jenkins'
custody. |
|
The examination of Thomas William of Michaelstone veadow.
The 7th instant he brought a letter from Sir Charles Kemeys
to Charles Evans and he denies that he ever declared that he
brought the said letter from Worcester or elsewhere from Sir
Rowland Greime to be delivered to the said Evans, but Evans'
wife inquiring how the said Rowland did, being he had been
a servant formerly to his mother-in-law, the examinant
declared he heard he was well. [Ibid. No. 110 I.] |
| Aug. 14. |
Minutes of the proceedings of the Council. Present, Lord
Keeper, Lord Privy Seal, Duke of Ormonde, Secretary Jenkins.
Holmes confessed that Carstares fetched the letters from Ferguson
Holmes confessed that Carstares fetched the letters from Ferguson
to him to be sent to Argyle. |
|
John Gold called in, John Higgins' master, who, Higgins says,
told him all the false news contained in an intercepted letter,
which Higgins has confessed to be his hand. To give bond with
two sureties of 200l. each to appear next term or to be committed. |
|
The persons that took Carstares at Tenterden called in. Josiah
Ford, Col. Austen's man, says, when they took him he went by
the name of William Swan then by Moor. William Carstares
called in. Went to Tenterden with one Facy. Has been there
five weeks. Knows Ferguson but has not seen him since the
proclamation. Denies that he ever delivered letters to Ferguson
or does not remember it. Never received any letters prejudicial
to the government. Was in Edinburgh prison. Came out on the
King's letter. Does not know Nisbet, but knows Sir John
Cochrane. Has little acquaintance with Rumbold. Saw him
at a coffee-house a fortnight before the discovery of the plot.
Says he absented to wait a fitter opportunity to clear his own
innocence. To be kept close in Strutt, the messenger's hands. |
|
Atterbury says that the three men he took at Jordan's near
Moorfields had lain there 10 weeks. The people would not tell
their names. |
|
William Moor (Muir) called in. Has been 13 weeks in England.
Came with Sir Hugh Campbell. Had no business here. They
were seven in company, Sir Hugh and his son, Sir George, his
father and himself, and two without and Montgomery, who is
gone for Ireland. Baillie and Cochrane were here before. Was
two or three times with Sir John Cochrane. Dined with him at
Nicholson's, an inn-keeper at London Wall. There were Sir
John and his son, Mr. Baillie, Mr. Moor and his father, and
another, who is without. This was about a fortnight before he
heard of the plot. Dined another day with the same company
at Dove's, a coffee-house in Gray's Inn Lane, where also were Sir
Hugh and Sir George Campbell. Has seen Cochrane several
times but never was in his company besides. Once or twice he
came to their lodgings. They first lodged at this lodging for 10
days and then lodged a fortnight at Baldwyn's Gardens and then
returned to their last lodgings. Knows not Ferguson, but knows
Carstares. Saw him in the street about five or six weeks ago. |
|
William Fairlee called in. Came out of curiosity to England.
Always lodged with Moor. Has always lodged near Moorfields.
Has seen Sir J. Cochrane by chance in the street. Dined with
him one day at a coffee-house where were Sir Hugh and Sir George
Campbell and a son of Cochrane's. They dined but once. They
seven and two servants from Scotland. They overtook Sir Hugh
Campbell on the Borders. Knows Baillie. Has met him in the
street. Knows Nicholson at London Wall but forgot it. Baillie
was there and dined with the other two in his company. They
came to town 4 May. |
|
John Crawford called in. Is of Ayrshire. Came to Fairlee
to Edinbrugh. Had no business but curiosity, unless it was to go
to the Wells. Knows Cochrane, has not seen him these two
months. Dined with him in Gray's Inn and Sir H. Campbell,
Cochrane's son, Fairlee and Moor. Had lodged about a week near
Gray's Inn. Has seen Cochrane at his lodging. Sir Hugh lodged
there at first. Lives within eight or ten miles of Cochrane. A
vessel was sent from Greenock to Carolina, which is returned.
Has been at Greenwich with Cochrane's son, Sir H. and Sir G.
Campbell and both the gentlemen here. Has seen Baillie in the
street. Was once in a house with him. Thinks the two gentlemen here and Sir H. Campbell were there. They dined together.
Baillie, Cochrane and himself have dined together, recollects not
when. Never heard of Aaron Smith's being in Scotland with
Sir J. Cochrane till lately. |
|
Sir Andrew Forrester to see Monroe, Baillie or any of the Scotchmen by himself without a keeper, if he pleases. |
|
Examination of James Gibson, a one-eyed Scotchman, read
and he called in. Confesses that he was at Bothwell Bridge.
Does not own he knows of any intention of rising in England or
Scotland. Is exhorted to confess. Knows neither Ferguson
nor Nisbet. |
|
The Lords to meet Friday afternoon. Carstares and Holmes
to attend. Notice to be given in the Gazette of Carstares'
apprehension. [Nearly 3 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 428, No.
60, p. 85.] |
|
Longer minutes of the above proceedings. [S.P. Dom., Car.
II. 430, No. 111, p. 1.] |
|
Shorter minutes of the above proceedings. [S.P. Dom., Car. II.
430, No. 112.] |
Aug. 14.
Windsor. |
Reference to the Committee of Trade of the petition of Mary
Callant, Jane Couch and Margaret Absolom in behalf of Samuel
Davis, James Callant, Anthony Couch and John Absolom, their
husbands, late belonging to the Old London alias the Daniel and
Thomas, prisoners in Portugal, praying his Majesty to intercede
for their liberty. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 275.] |
Aug. 14.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Earl of Yarmouth. Just as Mr.
Paston was gone from me this evening, the Lord Keeper called
at my office. I showed him the papers relating to the Mayor of
Norwich. He desired that you would call on him as soon as you
can in order if possible to compose the differences without any
further trouble. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 64, p. 65.] |
Aug. 14.
Windsor. |
Warrant to Simon Winslow, messenger, for taking into custody
Walter Downing and conveying him to London and there carrying
him before Secretary Jenkins to be examined concerning what
shall be objected against him. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 335, p.
41.] |
Aug. 14.
Windsor Castle. |
The King to the Marquess of Queensberry, Treasurer Principal,
and John Drummond of Lundin, Treasurer Deput. Warrant
for payment to Sir John Strachan of 1,000l. Scots. [S.P. Scotland,
Warrant Book 8, p. 128.] |
Aug. 14.
Windsor Castle. |
The same to the same. Warrant for payment to Capt. James
Lesly or his order 60l. sterling. [Ibid. p. 129.] |
Aug. 14–24.
Passau. |
The Prince of Waldeck to the Prince of Orange. Since my last
the enclosed intelligence is come from Vienna. I hope that the
city will hold out till the arrival of the King of Poland, who is
marching rapidly and, as soon as he arrives, the Turks will be
attacked and I feel sure of success by the Divine favour. |
|
I also enclose what has been resolved at Ratisbon, but I hope
that will produce a resolution which will give to his Imperial
Majesty to explain himself according to your sentiments and I
can tell you that he and the ministers at the head of affairs are
holding out well. The Emperor said yesterday in the council on
the subject of the alliances that he would prefer to lose a great
part of his territory rather than make a separate peace or truce
to the prejudice of his allies, and I can assure you, unless the relief
is unsuccessful, the Emperor will hold out well and I can tell you
that my presence here has been useful and it was resolved yesterday to deliberate on the means of defence, if France should be
inclined to insult us. My opinion is that, if the allies declare
they will assist one another in case of attack, France will hesitate
to attack us, especially in the uncertainty of the success of the
relief of Vienna. I do my best to keep things on the footing
they ought to be and hope to succeed. |
|
We all leave this for Linz and thence I shall go to place my
people in a good position for awaiting the King of Poland's
arrival and shall go to speak with Count Leslie, who is guarding
the bridge over the Danube at Mauteren and then with the Duke
of Lorraine who is on the river Marc beyond the Danube. God
will help us and I hope soon with all Christians and good patriots
to rejoice at complete success. |
|
My chief embarrassment is being troubled about money and
dearness increases from day to day and the greedy Polish nation
wishing to be treated I am much inconvenienced. |
|
I beg your Highness to manage the plan made here, as the
advice of the States of Ratisbon to his Imperial Majesty ought
to be concealed, in order that the French may not know that it
comes from here. [4 pages. French. King William's Chest 1,
No. 29.] |
Aug. 14.
Windsor. |
The Duke of York to the Prince of Orange. (Printed in
Dalrymple, Vol. II, Appendix, Part I, p. 46.) [Over 1 page.
Holograph. S.P. Dom., King William's Chest 3, No. 78.] |
| Aug. 15. |
Certificate by Sir Robert Leicester and three others that, though
Sir Richard Brooke was falsely persuaded at the last election to
vote against them for Mr. Booth, he is now very sensible of his error
and, though he was invited to meet the Duke of Monmouth last
year, when he was in Cheshire, he avoided it and never saw him
in his life and that he was in commission with them in the lieutenancy since this conspiracy and was as active as any in the King's
service and that they believe that, if his Majesty let him have
another commission, he will to the utmost of his power serve
him and that it is their desire he may be joined with them again.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 430, No. 113.] |
Aug. 15.
Taunton. |
Stephen Timewell, Mayor, to Secretary Jenkins. Enclosing a
copy of a letter taken up yesterday morning in the street by the
watchman.—I hope to find out the person by the writing and,
if I do, I doubt not I shall find abundance of roguery, for I
perceive this person would have come to me but that we believe
he was engaged by oath not to speak of it and, if he did, to be
knocked on the head, as one of our town said and I have two
witnesses of it. When I had that man before me, he denied it,
so I had him to the county sessions and he is bound over to the
assizes. He said further many ordinary men in Taunton had
strong beer given them every day to be ready at an hour's warning
to fight for Monmouth and Trenchard and, if any confess, to be
killed. I am just going to ride to the assizes at Wells to see this
business managed, for the man that spoke those words denies it
again, though two honest men have sworn it. I have sent to the
assizes to-day all the Taunton rioters I sent the examinations of.
I hope shortly to give a further account of this and other things.
[Ibid. No. 114.] Enclosed, |
|
The said letter. Seeing that a great many are called in question
that are guiltless I think it necessary to acquaint you of
some grandees concerned in this plot that go under the notion
of saints but in heart are devils. I have lived under the
religion of a Presbyterian upwards of two years and found
them a perfidious people and traitors, but I see the errors of
my ways. I was at their meetings several times in private.
(Then charges Thomas Standard and Symon Stacy with
saying they knew where to raise men that would stand up for
the Protestant cause and William Burridge with saying they
should never see good times before the downfall of York and
Monmouth on the throne and that, if God put a period to one,
meaning the King, he would fight to his knees in blood rather
than York should come to reign.) [S.P. Dom., Car. II.
430, No. 114 I.] |
Aug. 15.
Wells. |
The presentment of the Grand Jury of Somerset. His Majesty's
declaration of the late conspiracy sufficiently discovers that there
are some that have run to such a degree of wickedness that we
want words to express our sense of their devilish designs, the
consideration whereof forces from every heart continual thanks
to God for his mercy in preserving his Majesty and the Duke of
York, which we hope shortly to offer up more generally. We
humbly thank his Majesty for the great justice done on those
conspirators who have been tried and hope that such as will not
acquiesce under the blessings of his government will be terrified
by the examples of justice or fall by the power of it. It is our
duty and interest to pray for his Majesty's long and prosperous
reign and to serve him in suppressing all conventicles and unlawful
and riotous assemblies, which we will do with all imaginable
diligence. [Ibid. No. 115.] |
| Aug. 15. |
Warrant to the Keepers of any prison within the liberties of
London and Westminster and to all the messengers for permitting
Sir Andrew For[re]ster to speak in private or in the presence of
keepers, warders or messengers as shall seem most convenient
to him with any persons now or hereafter in custody of the
kingdom of Scotland as also with Major Holmes, now prisoner
in the Gatehouse. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54, p. 197.] |
| Aug. 15. |
Warrant for permission to Margaret Nisbet, sister to John
Nisbet, prisoner in the Marshalsea, to have access to her said
brother at two several times and to speak with him without any
keeper being present. [Ibid.] |
| Aug. 15. |
Warrant to Symon Winslow, messenger, to seize and bring
before Mr. Secretary Robert Savory to answer to what shall be
objected against him. [Ibid. p. 198.] |
Aug. 15.
Windsor. |
Warrant, after reciting that Edward, Earl of Conway, had been
constituted Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire during the minority
of the Earl of Northampton and that the Earl of Conway is dead,
for a commission to Robert, Earl of Sunderland, to be Lord
Lieutenant of Warwickshire during the said Earl's minority.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 335, p. 26.] |
Aug. 15.
Windsor. |
The King to the Lord Deputy. Warrant, after reciting the
letter of 24 Feb., 1681–2 (calendared in S.P. Dom., 1682, p. 96)
for a grant to Margaret Thicknesse of forfeited lands not exceeding 15l. per annum, and that she has represented that she
has been obstructed hitherto by Lord Kingston on pretence that
the lands she claims are already passed in patent to him for his
reprisals and therefore prayed a renewal of the said letters for
passing to Sir R. Bulkeley or whom else she shall impower in
trust for her and her heirs of 15l. per annum out of any lands she
shall pitch upon, which have been found to be in the King's
disposal and are not yet passed to any other, a reference thereof
to the Lord Lieutenant and his report dated 20 Oct., 1682,
setting forth the above letter of 24 Feb., 1681–2, and that he finds
by a petition presented on behalf of Lord Kingston, which
occasioned a stop to her proceedings before the Lord Deputy,
that he had passed the lands she claims for his reprisals and offers
to pay her 300l. on conditions of her waiving her pretensions to
the said letter and desisting troubling his Majesty or the government in Ireland or his lordship any further, which the Lord
Lieutenant thinks a very fair consideration for 15l. a year and
that, if she accept the said offer, he is of opinion that the matter
should be transmitted into Ireland and decided by the Chief
Governor there or otherwise transmitted to the law, when each
party may plead their pretension, and the report of the Lords of
the Treasury, dated 26 July, concurring with the Lord Lieutenant's
and finding that the petitioner is willing to accept the 300l.
provided it be paid in England to Sir R. Bulkeley or Owen
Wynne for her separate use, which they think reasonable, and,
in case the same be not paid within three months, then the Lord
Deputy cause letters patent to be passed in trust for her and her
heirs of so much lands (part of those in Lord Kingston's list)
found by inquisition and not lying in a corporation as she shall
pitch upon amounting to 15l. per annum over and above the quit
rents: in case the said Lord Kingston shall not within three
months pay in England to the trustees appointed by Margaret
Thicknesse 300l., for causing effectual letters patent to pass in
trust for her and her heirs of so much lands (part of those in the
said lord's list) found by inquisition and not in a corporation as
she shall pitch upon, amounting to 15l. per annum over and above
the quit rents. [3 pages. S.P. Dom., Signet Office, Vol. 11, p.
201.] |
Aug. 16.
Windsor. |
The Earl of Sunderland to Secretary Jenkins. I have received
yours of the 14th and 15th. The King is of opinion that the
farther off Dr. Burnett is the better, and therefore would have you
give him a pass, unless the lords who meet at your office should
be against it for reasons he does not know. [S.P. Dom., Car. II.
430, No. 116.] |
| Aug. 16. |
The Earl of Yarmouth to Secretary Jenkins. The Lord
Keeper is endeavouring to reconcile matters betwixt the Mayor of
Norwich and myself. I am very glad so great a trouble is taken
off from his Majesty's Council. I beg to be excused for some
little time, having a great deal of business here. In the meanwhile
I will write to my friends to satisfy my lord in all points. If they
prevail not, I will suddenly attend him. The matter requires
not so great haste, because nothing can be done as to sessions
in Norwich till 7 Oct. next. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 430, No.
117.] |
Aug. 16.
Grafton Park. |
William Harbord to Secretary Jenkins. I return you my most
humble thanks for your great favour in sending a duplicate of
my narrative to the Earl of Peterborough, our Lord Lieutenant.
I hear some endeavour to persuade others that it's impossible so
very severe a proceeding should have been used as therein described.
I have examined the matter so narrowly and so frequently
discoursed it with eye-witnesses, that I dare assure you that it
will appear true in every part, which being granted, I hope I
may be admitted to complain of it in the humble manner I have
done to his Majesty, but, though it's plain felony in law, yet I
lay this, my life and all my estate at his Majesty's feet and I
beseech you to tell him so and that I hope to convince him that I
do not deserve to be thus used. I hear that Sir Roger Norwich is
of opinion that notwithstanding the two searches I have a
considerable number of arms in my house. I protest that, except
such as I brought back from Bath for the defence of myself and
family, I do not think that either my servants or myself have any.
I am sure I know of none and am ready to have my house or any
places belonging to me searched, when and how his Majesty shall
direct, but, if I may not be trusted with some small number, it
will be impossible for me to continue here or to travel on the
roads, as I am very often forced to do for his Majesty's service
by order of the Lords of the Treasury. I am wonderfully surprised to see my name in a list amongst divers gentlemen of this
county presented by the grand jury as disaffected and dangerous
and that on two heads, one for addressing amongst others the two
late members for this county as to some matters transacted in a
former parliament. I never did it, nor was I at their election nor
then in the county, which is the time when that was, it seems,
done. The other for caballing or meeting at a club, where matters
were transacted dangerous to the public peace. I have not been
at any horse race, cock-fighting or any public meeting these last
seven years, though great fault was found by some for my not
coming to Northampton, when great men were there. There
was, I confess, a meeting every Saturday there of divers gentlemen
in or near that place and as such I went thither sometimes but,
understanding about a year since that his Majesty was displeased
at that meeting, I forbore it and for this last year was never there
but once at St. George's fair, when I went to buy three coach
horses, so I submit to your judgment if this sort of behaviour
deserves to be so marked and, if his Majesty were informed how
that matter was handled, I dare say he would not think it for
his service. [4 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 430, No. 118.] |
Aug. 16.
West Wickham. |
John Hall to Mr. Eustace. I reckon myself very unfortunate
in not seeing you before I came away. I cannot think myself in
a safe condition as the case stands. I would have fain spoke with
Lord Abingdon before I took this journey, but, having the misfortune in both, I desire you to confer with the said lord concerning
the enclosed suppositions, with a proviso that I may not be in
any hazard of myself, and to give me a particular account as soon
as may be of your advice and of my lord's commands, which I
shall be very ready to embrace. The enclosed I writ in haste,
but it is the heads of the greatest of the matter. [Copy. Ibid. No.
119.] |
| Aug. 16. |
The examination of Peter Lobb. His name is Peter Lobb.
He is a Nonconformist preacher and brother to Stephen Lobb,
also a Nonconformist preacher, who, he believes, is the party
mentioned in the King's declaration. [Ibid. No. 120.] |
Aug. 16.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Sir James Butler. Enclosing a letter
accusing Lowman, the Keeper of the Marshalsea, with suffering
people to have access to the prisoners committed for high treason,
and desiring him to inquire into the suggestion and to do as he
shall see cause and to let him have an account in writing of what
he has done. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 64, p. 65.] |
Aug. 16.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Peter Shakerley. The address from the
militia, clergy and gentry of Chester was graciously received by
his Majesty and ordered to be printed. He has also been acquainted with the contents of the first and second letters and
with the address relating to the Mayor and the assemblies there
about further addresses. He does not think fit to use his prerogative in the way desired. He will order the Attorney General to
apply himself according to the due course of the laws in prosecuting the Quo Warranto. [Ibid. p. 66.] |
Aug. 16.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Mr. Williams, Recorder of Chester. I
received your letter by Mr. Topham with the accompanying
address. I laid the desires in your letter before his Majesty. He
did not think fit to receive the address, for some days before an
address came to me with a desire I should present it, in which the
citizens that subscribed it took notice with all due submission of
the Quo Warranto against them. I being not able to to tell him
that there was any such thing in the address you sent, he, since
the Quo Warranto concerned the one party as well as the other,
was pleased to pass it by. [Ibid.] |
Aug. 16.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Duke of Beaufort. The best account
I can give of young Mr. Whitley of Cheshire is this. He never
bore any office civil or military in that county and in consequence
was not (indeed could not be) turned out of any, but he was
disarmed among others when the first disarming was upon this
plot. The rule the deputy lieutenants of Cheshire set themselves
was to disarm all that appeared active or busy in their attendance
on the Duke of Monmouth, when he was last in that country.
Mr. Whitley was noticed to be as forward as any and so was
judged to be within the rule. It is certain that 50 muskets were
found in his house. His father and he give this account, that old
Col. Whitley being here found a good pennyworth in 100 muskets
that had been bespoken by the Bantam ambassadors when they
were here but were left on the gunsmith's hands and that the
colonel, finding them to be too many for himself, spared half to his
son, in order to arm a militia foot company he was captain of
in Flintshire. How true this is is very hard to tell, but it is
somewhat improbable as we seldom hear of militia captains that
arm their companies at their own charges or indeed put themselves to the trouble of providing arms for those that may be
already provided or at least think themselves as able to good
pennyworths as their captains. However, my intelligence tells
me for certain that the buying of these arms from this Bantamers'
gunsmith and the providing of them to furnish a company in
Flintshire was not talked of till after the arms were seized.
[Over 1 page. S.P. Dom., Entry Book 64, p. 67.] |
Aug. 16.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Col. Strode. I have been forced to detain
the bearer longer than I intended nor can I be very clear in my
directions, because neither Mr. Attorney nor Mr. Solicitor is in
town. I think the party is bailable by the Habeas corpus Act,
but the Mayor of Hastings should be very careful to take sufficient
bail and to bind over the witnesses to give their evidence, which
the Attorney General will take care to put into a due way of
prosecution, in regard it concerns the public peace so nearly. If his
Majesty on hearing this matter shall direct any other method for
the prosecution of this party, you shall have an account of it from
me. In the interim please send a copy of this letter to the Mayor
and Jurats of Hastings and charge them to look to the bail. I give
the bearer 3l. to defray the charges of his journey. [Ibid. p. 69.] |
Aug. 16.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Bayliffs and Recorder of Ipswich.
His Majesty gave no heed to Durante's deposition of 20 July.
I dare not take upon myself to say what his reflections will be
on his depositions that you have now sent to the Lord Chamberlain
and myself, only I am sure that, when I lay them before him next
Saturday, he will approve of your proceedings in relation to
Snelling as well as to Durante. When he has spoken with the
Attorney and Solicitor General, he may possibly give further
directions, which you shall receive from the Lord Chamberlain,
if his health permit, or myself. I would desire you in the meanwhile to examine Durante very strictly, whether he knows either
or both of these persons, Henry Zealy or Thomas Willis, both of
the Devizes, and what he can say of their being engaged in any
plot or rising. When you have his answer touching these persons,
pray transmit to me. [Ibid. p. 70.] |
Aug. 16.
Windsor Castle. |
The King to the Earl of Aberdeen, Chancellor, Sir David
Falconer of Newtoun, President, and the remanent Senators of
the College of Justice. Warrant for admitting Sir Patrick Lyon
of Carse to be one of the ordinary lords of session in the room of
Lord Nairne, deceased. [S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 8, p. 129.] |
| Aug. [17 ?] |
Joseph Whetham to the King. Petition for his discharge or
at least for his release on bail. Was taken in custody the 9th
of this instant August and examined about a debt in Bristol three
years ago. Has dwelt near two years in London and never had
any correspondence since with any in Bristol, except by way of
trade. Has a wife and five young children to maintain. [S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 430, No. 121.] |
Aug. 17.
The Tower. |
Capt. Thomas Cheek to Secretary Jenkins. I thought to
have waited on his Majesty at Hampton Court before he went to
Winchester, but, hearing he did not intend to be there, I beg you
to acquaint him with the following proposals. The first is to
make Mr. Hawley, the gentleman porter, major to the garrison
of the Tower. I know no man so proper. He had formerly 60l.
a year out of the Ordnance Office but, I think, never received but
one quarter, so his pay is but 16d. a day, a very small salary,
and, had he not some money of his own, he must have been
reduced to great want. The next is, that his Majesty will permit
me to put a warder into a small house that was Alderman
Titchbourne's and to establish it a warder's house, it belonging
at present to me. We have so great want of such houses, that I
am obliged to put prisoners into other places, where I have not
the power over them, as I have over the warders. The last is
that he would order Sir Christopher Wren to cause such doors
and iron bars for windows as are proper for prison lodgings, for
certainly there are not so very ill houses in any prison in the world
as in the Tower. If I did not put two warders and a sentinel
on every new prisoner, it were impossible to keep them in the
safety his Majesty expects. Some warders I dare not trust with
a prisoner, so that, if our prison lodgings were much stronger, one
warder was sufficient to secure his prisoner. It will be but a small
charge, and is very requisite. [2¼ pages. Ibid. No. 122.] |
| Aug. [17 ?] |
The information of William Gear, prisoner in the Marshalsea.
He often saw Mr. Bateman's wife go into his chamber and also
the draper's wife go up the stairs towards his. [Ibid. No. 123.] |
| Aug. [17 ?] |
The information of John Jones, prisoner in the Marshalsea.
The 8th instant Gear told him a new plot was discovered. Matthew
White asked if it was about firing the gaol and killing Lowman.
He swore it was a great deal worse, for Lowman is a rascal and
holds a correspondence with the draper and Bateman for I saw
the draper's wife give Lowman money and Brown went up with
her and put his head out of the window all the time they were
discoursing together. She came down and, supposing none took
notice of her, she went up and was locked in with her husband,
where they might plot what they would. Likewise Bateman's
wife and children and other friends have been locked up for half a
day together and many other things of ill consequence I know,
but will not declare before I come before the King and Council.
Because the other traitors cannot bribe him, they shall not have
as much as any body to look on them in the yard. The informant
asked why he did not inform the Secretary, but he said the
informant must do it, for he wanted money to summon him before
the Lord Chief Justice, for he denied that Gear ever paid him any
money. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 430, No. 124.] |
| Aug. 17. |
Minutes of the proceedings of the Privy Council. Present,
Lord Keeper, Lord Privy Seal, Duke of Ormonde, Secretary
Jenkins. Major Holmes called in. Has showed Carstares what
letters he had. Carstares told him 10,000l. was agreed on for a
conspiration to be sent to Lord Argyle in order to his going to
Scotland. Carstares was called Read in the cipher of the letters.
Thinks Spence was capable of deciphering the letters. |
|
Carstares asked, did he hear nothing of any design. This
being a criminal thing he says there is no room for his answer.
Cannot own he heard of any design of the Earl of Argyle before the
discovery of the plot. Heard of no sums agreed for it. Says he
was brought here by a warrant for criminal matters and it cannot
be expected he should answer. Bourne says he has seen Carstares
come to Ferguson. Carstares to be committed to the Gatehouse
for high treason. |
|
Whetham, a linen-draper, called in. There was a club at
Bristol about Sir R. Atkyns' election. One Towne writ down the
names of all that came in. All those of the King's Head Club
were admitted. There were Dr. Chancy, Humphrey Higgins,
Wade, etc. Whetham to be bailed to appear next term, etc.,
400l. himself and two sureties in 200l. apiece. |
|
Upton called in. Saw Mr. Charleton at an upholsterer's in
Queen Street. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 428, No. 60, p. 89.] |
| Aug. 17. |
Order for Sarah Gibbons to see her husband once in the Gatehouse. Minute. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54, p. 211.] |
Aug. 17–27.
Linz. |
The Prince of Waldeck to the Prince of Orange. I am waiting
here for the Marquis of Baruit (Bayreuth) with the cavalry,
artillery and baggage to continue my march. That prince not
being firm enough in his resolutions lets himself be amused by
his commissaries and has not advanced. Matters still go well
at Vienna and we hope that the troops, 70,000 in number, will
be united at the proper time and that in the beginning of September it may be possible to attempt the relief. I have good expectation of success, if the chief people do not fall out with each other.
I doubt if the Emperor can be present for several reasons which I
dare not write. The Electors of Bavaria and Saxony will be
there. I do my best to cause good resolutions to be taken and
to have every thing well concerted. If I can wait for the Elector
of Bavaria's arrival here I shall do some good, but I am as
necessary with the Duke of Lorraine that proper measures may be
taken without making any wrong movement. Great confidence
is shown me here, but I believe after the success of the relief
they will be glad to dismiss me, this court in prosperity having a
great hatred of the truth. [2 pages. French. S.P. Dom., King
William's Chest 1, No. 30.] |
Aug. 18.
[Read.] |
Sarah, the eldest daughter of Charles Bateman, prisoner in the
Marshalsea, to the Privy Council. Petition for an order to visit
her father at convenient times in the presence of the keeper or
his deputy, her mother, who had been granted such an order,
being often ill and so unable to reap the benefit thereof. [S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 430, No. 125.] |
Aug. 18.
[Read.] |
Sarah Gibbons to the Privy Council. Petition for leave to
visit her husband, John Gibbons, who has been above a month a
close prisoner in the Gatehouse prison. [Ibid. No. 126.] |
| Aug. 18. |
Crisp Grainge to the King. Petition for release, having been
about five weeks in a messenger's custody, which will be the ruin
of his health and business, being innocent and nothing appearing
against him. [Ibid. No. 127.] |
Aug. 18.
[Read.] |
William Steward and John Spratt, Scotchmen and traders in
Scotch cloth, to the King. Petition for their discharge from the
Gatehouse prison, where they have now lain about a month, on
their taking the oaths of allegiance and supremacy and giving
bail for their good behaviour, and also for the restitution of their
horses and things which are detained in Yorkshire. [Ibid. No.
128.] |
|
Similar, not identical petition. [Ibid. No. 129.] |
| [Aug. 18 ?] |
Jonathan Woods to the King. Petition for an order to visit
his brother, James Woods, a prisoner in the Marshalsea, in order
to carry him necessaries, the said James Woods having come 150
miles to visit the petitioner and having been committed on
suspicion of treason. [Ibid. No. 130.] |
Aug. 18.
The Tower. |
Lord Alington to Secretary Jenkins. Enclosing an inventory
of arms seized in Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely with the
persons' names in whose houses or custody they were taken and
desiring his Majesty's pleasure how to dispose of them. [Ibid.
No. 131.] |
| Aug. 18. |
Sir James Butler to Secretary Jenkins. Yesterday I received
yours of the 16th with an enclosed paper subscribed John
Jones, accusing Mr. Lowman of high misdemeanours, which I
have examined as carefully as I could and find it to be merely
false and contrived by William Geare, a prisoner in the Marshalsea
for debt, who, hearing that Mr. Lowman intended to turn him
to the common side, invented this lie to be revenged on him and
partly also out of ambition to become an evidence and get a
pension, which he not a little needs, for which employment he
seems well qualified, being of a very turbulent, restless spirit,
most fruitful in invention, having a mighty stock of impudence
and full of tongue. The paper was written and signed by one
White at Geare's instigation without the knowledge of Jones,
who is blind and cannot write. No person has been admitted
to visit any of the conspirators but such as have had yours or
the Attorney General's order. I have known Mr. Lowman
particularly for about 13 years and believe him to be a most
loyal, honest, stout gaoler as any in England. [S.P. Dom., Car. II.
430, No. 132.] |
Aug. 18.
Eastwell. |
The Earl of Winchilsea to Secretary Jenkins. I deferred
writing in hopes to have sent you a note of the arms seized in this
county, which are very inconsiderable as I hear in general from
my deputy lieutenants. |
|
His Majesty gave me leave the last time I did my duty to him
to go into a warm country for my health, but I fell very ill after
I came into the country, so that I thought I should have died,
which made me defer my voyage till the spring and then I began
to recover with the loss of two teeth by the scurvy. I sent for
several of my deputy lieutenants to advise with them about the
militia and what they could find out of the disaffected party.
The musters were ordered and the militia well regulated and
afterwards removed to my house near Canterbury, where I
recovered a little more and intended to give you a full information
of his Majesty's affairs here and to have desired his leave to go
beyond sea, but, before coming to any resolution, several of my
deputy lieutenants advised me it was for his service to stay in
the county a while longer and to see some musters over and to
observe the disaffected party in the meantime and then go about
midsummer. The horrid conspiracy having broken out, I
resolved not to stir till I saw affairs well settled and the King safe,
but now I have reason a little to think of myself and to save my
life and my teeth, if I can, for five or six more are almost past
hopes of recovery. Therefore pray represent my condition to the
King and beg his leave for me to go abroad. I am now in a
course of the Spaw waters and physic, so I cannot at present come
in person. |
|
If the King had any employment for me in a warm country,
especially Italy, 'twould be a great favour to me and I have many
friends and acquaintances there. I will serve him as frugally and
faithfully as any and as a public minister or otherwise as he
pleases, or at the Emperor's court, if he has an occasion there,
only I could wish it may be in summer or spring, because otherwise it will be too cold according to my habit of body at this time
in reference to the cure of the scurvy, which only wants a hot and
dry air to recover me. |
|
I say this in confidence of your kindness, that I need not trouble
his Majesty's greater occasions with a small consideration of me
but only as time may offer to do me good offices as one of the
King's old servants, that has been engaged in the service of his
late father from 19 to my now age of 55 with much hazard of my
life and great expense and I am the only ambassador that never
received any profit. Had my fortune been greater, it would
have been all thrown at his Majesty's feet and I should have more
attended his person, therefore I hope he will not take it ill that I
am less at court than I used, since only absolute necessity has
forced me to live in the country. I could have saved 1,000l.
a year since the death of my last wife almost five years ago and
probably saved my teeth and recovered my health, if I had gone
privately beyond sea, but my duty to the King made me resolve in
those dangerous times to watch the faction in my government and
to do all in my power to serve him in person if occasion require. |
|
The King is the master builder of the kingdom and there is no
wood in his forest but will serve for some use in this great architecture; the worst will serve to warm his hands, and, if he thinks
me fit for no better use, I am ready to be sacrificed for his service.
[3 pages. S.P. Dom., Car., II. 430 No. 133.] |
| [Aug. ? 18.] |
Sir Roger Norwich to Secretary Jenkins. I here send the
examinations of Capt. Sanders and Mr. Bond, against whom
Mr. Harbord complained. I hope the complaint will appear
malicious and a slight on the lieutenancy, for, had any officer or
soldier committed a crime, on complaint to the Lord Lieutenant
or his deputies he might have had redress or on their refusal then
complained to his Majesty. I hope this will give a full answer
to every particular they are charged with. |
|
As to Mr. Bond's searching the chest of plate, it was by my
order, for, being informed by John Needham, a captain of a foot
company of the militia and a Justice, that a great chest was
brought to Mr. Gore's house at Towcester, who was looked on
as a seditious man and one that has had conventicles and unlawful
meetings in his house, and that it was so weighty that it was
carried in by five men and afterwards drawn up into an upper
room through a trap-door, and therefore was believed to be arms,
and not knowing that Capt. Gardner had seen it or that it was Mr.
Harbord's, I ordered Mr. Bond to take some soldiers with him
and with the constable to go to the said house and search for the
chest and what was in it and, the master of the house not having
the keys, as he said, but telling him they were two miles off, he,
being in haste, in the presence of the constable caused it to be
opened and finding it plate left it in the custody of the master of
the house and the constable. |
|
I have returned all fowling or birding guns and walking swords
taken from the gentleman and ordered the other arms to be kept
at Northampton till I receive further command. I desire his
Majesty's further pleasure whether Mr. Harbord must have his
blunderbuss again, which was not mentioned in his complaint or
your order. I am very confident he has many arms and he was
noticed to go with his attendance to Bath extraordinary armed,
but I shall move no further therein without his Majesty's or the
Lord Lieutenant's commands. |
|
I have a great deal more reason to complain of the affronts
offered to the officers and soldiers on the search than the other
party, for Sir William Langham bade his servants and others
watch whether they did not drop treasonable papers in his house
and other ill language. |
|
If through my zeal I have done more than is pleasing, I am
heartily sorry and beg you to let me know that there may be an
amendment in future, but no man can act briskly for the King's
service in this county, where there are so many ill-affected gentry
(though at present all are loyal or seem so) but must be hated or
evil spoken of or sneek to them and suffer authority to be abused
and trampled on, which I will not do, and I am certain, if such
complaints are encouraged, it will not be easy or safe for any man
to act, which I will do to the utmost, though I must undergo
the burden of their malice and revenge and probably sink under it. |
|
I thank you for the warrants for bucks, which I have disposed
to the King's friends. [4 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 430, No. 134.]
Enclosed, |
|
The examination of Edward Saunders, captain of a militia
troop in Northamptonshire. By virtue of a warrant from
the deputy lieutenants to search for and secure all arms that
he should find of the persons therein named, amongst whom
was the complainant, William Herbert, on 18 July last with
20 men of his troop he went to several persons' houses, whose
names were in the said warrant, and among others to that of
William Herbert in Grafton Park and, lest notice should be
given to the other lodges, which belonged to the said Herbert,
where arms were supposed to be, he sent a party commanded
by James Bond to search them, which he did, and coming to
Herbert's house he told the servants that he had a warrant
to search for arms there, which they did not desire to see.
He ordered them to show him the rooms, which they did
readily and went with him and the soldiers into all the rooms
searched, and he ordered some of the troopers to stand at the
doors, lest any arms should be conveyed away or any person
escape, he being commanded to bring before the deputy
lieutenants all persons that might be thought dangerous and
could not give a good account of themselves, but not with
their pistols cocked, nor had any of the troopers blunderbusses,
nor did they threaten to shoot any person or call them any
undecent names, but on the contrary the servants gave the
examinant and the soldiers ill language, nor were there any
trunks nor any rooms or closets broken open, except his
study, which the servants caused to be done by his own smith.
No writings or papers were meddled with nor did the examinant hear any such words spoken by any of his troopers as is
falsely alleged by Mr. Herbert, that this is a brave house to
plunder, no plunder, no pay, but it is true that he ordered
the soldiers to carry away the swords with three belts, one
whereof had silver buckles, which are now at Northampton
with the arms taken from him and others. There being a
place made between two ceilings or partitions newly made,
conceiving arms to be hid therein he broke a little hole or two,
but as to threatening to come again or to break down the rest
of the ceiling or pull up the floors or untile the house or to
bring six attorneys to look into his writings, he never spoke
or heard any speak such words or any words tending thereto.
On the search they found three case of pistols well fixed hid
in the maids' chamber under hoods, scarves and foul linen,
which gave him suspicion of other arms hid, which caused
him to make stricter search, and further found a blunderbuss
well fixed, a sword, one screwed pistol, a large barrel of
powder, weighing he believes 40 lbs., a bag of bullets of about
14 lbs. weight, and nine pair of bullet moulds. The soldiers
found and brought him about 16 pair of boots, which some of
them might say were ammunition boots, all which he commanded to be returned. As to the groom's chamber, it was
not, he believes, broken open or anything taken out of it. He
believes this complaint is on purpose to bring a scandal on
himself and the militia and to discourage them from doing
their duty. 16 Aug., 1683. [2½ pages. S.P. Dom., Car.
II. 430, No. 134 I.] |
|
The examination of James Bond, ensign to a militia foot
company of Northamptonshire. Describing the search at
Grafton Park and at Mr. Gore's house at Towcester and
denying that he said or heard any of the soldiers say, If you
will not tell us where your master's arms are, we will quarter
with you a month. 18 Aug., 1683. [1¼ pages. Ibid. No.
134 II.] |
Aug. 18.
Willy. |
George Weld to Secretary Jenkins. Being informed that Mr.
Langley, minister of Wellington, could say something material
against Mr. Leeke, I went there last Thursday and took the
enclosed information, which to me is great satisfaction that
Jones swears nothing but truth against Leeke, though I am told
that Leeke will endeavour to render the whole to be malicious.
I thank God you have Mr. Charlton, who can undoubtedly
discover all in these parts who were to have a hand in the insurrection, and, as Shrewsbury is the strongest inland town I know,
so was it, I conceive, the fittest for the rebels' purpose. Conventicles were there winked at, if not countenanced. I hope the
Attorney General will order some learned counsel to attend the
King's business at the assizes. I thank you for yours of the 9th,
which came not but by the last post. [Ibid. No. 135.] Enclosed, |
|
The information of William Langley. About two years ago
or more Leeke declared to him against arbitrary power and
bringing in of Popery and implied his fear, as if the King
would introduce both, but the deponent often told him there
was no fear of any such thing. Another time Leeke said to
him, You will not believe the Duke is a Papist; I will show
you presently, and turned to a part of Oates' narrative, which
contained that it was given out by the Papists at Rome that
he was a Papist. The examinant answered he believed it
less, for were he a Papist, they would not discover it. About
2 and 7 June last and afterwards Richard Jones told him
that the said Leeke had a considerable number of arms of all
sorts and bandoliers and, the examinant asking, how long
since he saw them, he replied about a year and a half ago or
more. About 7 July last he told Leeke he heard arms were
found in his house. Leeke answered, they were the arms of
young Mr. Forrester, which he bought when he was captain
of a county troop, and that half a year ago he told him he
would keep them no longer and that then they were carried
away and he had acquainted authority therewith and would
not deny it. Last June Jones told him that Leeke told him
the Duke of York was a Papist and that there would be a
rising and, if he would take up arms and fight for them, he
would furnish him with a horse. 16 Aug., 1683. [S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 430, No. 135 I.] |
Aug. 18.
Hereford. |
Justices Levinz and Walcot to Secretary Jenkins. When we
were at Monmouth, we received the letter and copy of another
treasonable letter enclosed. That subscribed Mr. French is an
original and was delivered us by Mr. Jones of Abergavenny, a
Justice. It was found in the highway. It is supposed to be in
the hand of one that lived near the place. Mr. Jones made him,
as he dictated, write over the words which are in another paper
enclosed. While the Justice was making out the mittimus, the
constable let him escape and he is fled. A bill of treason is found
by the grand jury against him and the constable is bound to
answer the escape but, the grand jury not bringing in the bill
against the fugitive till just before the rising of the court at 11
the last night of the assizes, no bill is found against the constable. |
|
The other subscribed H.D.P.M., which is a copy, was brought
us by Mr. Scudamore of Kenchurch. He took it from a copy in
the hands of one Vertue of Abergavenny, thought to be very ill
affected. We delivered it to Sir James Herbert and Mr. Jones to
examine. They give us an account that Vertue received it from
Francis Lewis of Llanelly, Brecknockshire, a man likewise ill
affected, and that he had it likewise from Edmund Morgan of
Pullior Saith in Monmouthshire, whom they have not yet had
time to examine. As to the persons and places named in this
copy, we hear there is a Charles Lloyd, living at or near Gwerneved,
mentioned in it, a dangerous man. Sir James has promised to
send a copy to Sir Richard Bassett, who lives near him, to desire
him to have an eye towards him. One Evans, a dangerous man,
lives near Merthyr in Glamorganshire, mentioned in this copy,
and Watkins, another mentioned, lives in Penogreild, Brecknockshire, a dangerous man. Sir James and Mr. Jones after further
examination will give you a particular account. [Ibid. No. 136.] |
| Aug. 18. |
Minutes of proceedings before the Council. Present, Lord
Keeper, Lord Privy Seal, Duke of Ormonde, Secretary Jenkins.
Sir A. Forrester reports that Carstares answered he could not
own that he could accuse any one. Baillie would say nothing. |
|
On the petition of Steward and Spratt, the two Scotchmen, if
they take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy and give bond
each of 200l. and their sureties 200l. a piece to be of good behaviour
for a year. |
|
Holmes says he believes he showed Carstares some letters he
had from the Earl of Argyle. Carstares called on him often and
asked him about Lord Argyle's business and told him there was
an agreement for 10,000l. to be given in order to the earl's going
to Scotland to carry on the conspiracy. By Read in Lord Argyle's
letter was understood Carstares. Believes Spence can decipher
the letters. Had the charge of conveying letters between Lord
Argyle and his lady. |
|
Carstares, asked whether he knows anything of a conspiracy,
says there is not place for his answer in a criminal thing. Has
heard a report of some design in Scotland but cannot own his
hearing it before the discovery of this. Heard of no sums agreed
and owns nothing before the plot. Knows no prejudice the
government is liable to by any plot. |
|
Bourne says Carstares came often to Ferguson by another
name, which he believes was Moor. |
|
Carstares to be committed for high treason to the Gatehouse,
to be kept close. The King to be moved to give the lords leave
to promise pardon, when they shall see cause. |
|
Whetham says there was a club in Bristol about three years
since for choosing parliament men, where a paper book was kept
to take their names, and that the books were afterwards burnt,
and particularly for making voices for Sir R. Atkyns. The
names of persons were writ that they might not go out without
paying 2d. Those of the King's Head Club or any other that
would vote for Sir R. Atkyns were admitted. The books were
burnt, as soon as the business was over. Wade is his wife's
brother. Whetham be bailed in 400l. and two sureties in 200l.
apiece to answer an information in the King's Bench next term. |
|
Petition of Sarah Gibbons. To see her husband once before a
keeper. |
|
Petition of Mr. Grange. To be out on bail of 2,000l. himself
and sureties of 1,000l. each. To be represented to the King. |
|
Petition of Woods. Any person may come to him in the
presence of a keeper. |
|
Informations of Gear and Jones against Mr. Lowman to be
sent to Sir J. Butler. |
|
Upton says he was in Charlton's company before his being
taken. Charlton told him there was a warrant against himself
and that he would not turn his back to it. Charlton told him
that, if Lord Russell should be executed and he himself go up
Holborn to be hanged, he would declare he knew nothing against
Lord Russell. |
|
Peter Lobb to remain in the prison in Sussex. [4 pages.
S.P. Dom., Car. II. 430, No. 111, p. 7.] |
|
Shorter minutes by Mr. Blathwayt of the above proceedings.
[Ibid. No. 137.] |
| Saturday morning. [Aug. 18.] |
Hugh Speke to Mr. Spencer. I am gone to the Tower with
young Mr. Charlton to give him the best advice and directions I
can that he may be the better able to serve his father. Therefore
pray leave those papers with Man, with whom I have left directions. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 430, No. 138.] |
Aug. 18.
Windsor. |
Reference to the Committee of Trade of the petition of Sir
John Hoskyns for licence to plant certain uninhabited islands.
(Calendared in S.P. Col., America, etc., 1681–85, p. 478.) [S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 276.] |
| Aug. 18. |
Pass to Stephen Taylor to go into Flanders, with memorandum
that he brought a certificate dated 15 Aug. from the Lord Mayor
that Dr. Wittie a physician in London had sworn before him that
the said Taylor is the son of Stephen Taylor of York, deceased,
and that he believes him to be an honest, loyal person, and that
he also showed a letter dated 21 May from the Earl of Middleton
recommending him to the Comte de Leshly, lieut.-general to
his Imperial Majesty. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 66, p. 258.] |
Aug. 18.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Sir James Butler. I enclose two more
informations, viz., those of Geare and Jones, of the same sort as
those you have already received. The Council desire you to
inquire into the matter in them and to return an answer the
soonest you can. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 64, p. 71.] |
Aug. 18.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the High Sheriff of Glamorganshire,
Sir Charles Kemeys, Sir Richard Bassett and Mr. Jenkins.
Thanking them for their letter of the 14th from Cardiff.—I have
perused the dangerous, treasonable letter with the enclosed
examinations. I shall not give any judgment on your proceedings, since I have not had the opportunity to lay them before the
King, which I hope to do to-morrow at Windsor and have his
reflections and those of my Lords that are to attend him there
on the whole matter. In the meantime my own opinion is that
you have proceeded in all things with all possible application and
prudence and that you have done all that could be reasonably
expected for searching out these works of darkness. We are
accountable for no more than human prudence and diligence can
attain to. |
|
I find that Iltud Jenkins and Thomas Lewis, who took up this
letter, do not speak to one material point, viz., Sir Charles Kemeys
writes "Two of my tenants saw the letter fall from a
passenger on the road"; if so, whether he dropped the letter
before he came at them or after he had passed them, they were
certainly within such ken of him as to be able to describe his
person, and the rather because they must meet in a manner full
butt, as we say, and have seen his face and must have taken the
more notice of him, if the letter dropped from him before he
came at them, for it seems to me plain they were going for Newport
and the passenger for Cardiff or at least westward. If these men
can give any description of the man and say whether he was on
horseback or on foot and what time it was, it may be conjectured
how far he could well reach that night and consequently the
ways he may have passed by and the houses he may have lodged
in may be inquired at, though now so many days are passed and
people may have forgot an ordinary passenger. This handle I
lay hold of from a letter the Earl of Worcester sent me, sent to
the Duke, his father, by Col. Jeffreys, but submit it wholly to
you, as having doubtless examined this point, if it was brought
before you. However, it would be worth while to inquire if any
person came from London or Bristol to the east of Glamorganshire about the 7th. As to Charles Bevan, Capt. Evans and his
brother Watkins I can say nothing of them, having heard nothing
of them. But you began exceeding regularly as well as prudently
in searching their papers as you did. The next thing is to have a
strict eye over them and their correspondence. I see Merthyr
mentioned, which I suppose is not far from Bevan's dwelling,
and it would be well to see what people there are there that are
capable of such engagements both for principles and abilities.
I send you back the original treasonable letter, because other
handwriting may come in that may be fit to be compared with
it, and it were well that it were pasted on a thick leaf of paper
and put into the hand of some confiding man, especially the
postmaster, if he be so. I carry the copy of the letter and yours
and the depositions to Windsor to lay them before the King. |
|
Postscript.—Since writing the above, Col. Thomas Stradling
came to me, and having on a letter from Sir Richard Bassett on the
foregoing subject inquired of Richard Carne what manner of
persons Bevan, Evans and Watkins were, he told him that
Tranter, now postmaster at Hay, and who was here not long since,
told him that each of these men had three great packets that went
through his hands addressed to them soon after the first noise of this
conspiracy broke out. [3 pages. S.P. Dom., Entry Book 64, p. 71.] |
Aug. 18.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Col. Jeffreys. The Marquess of Worcester
sent me your letter and the papers in it about the dangerous,
treasonable letter found in the highway. I had the same account
from (the persons to whom the last letter was written). I beg
you to send me, with submission to the Duke of Beaufort, what
correspondence is like to lie to and from Gwernnyfet House, and
what persons there are in it and in the neighbourhood, especially
in Merthyr, capable of entering into such engagements as that
treasonable letter speaks of. I would desire you also to inquire
diligently whether letters or rather gross packets came not directed
to Bevan, Watkins or Evans about the time that this horrid
conspiracy was first discovered and which way Tranter, the
postmaster of Hay (to whom they are said to have been directed),
conveyed them and to whom. [Ibid. p. 75.] |
Aug. 18.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Sir William Portman. The Lord Keeper
has ordered two letters written by you to one of his gentlemen to
be communicated to me. All I can yet tell you is that I have
made the most diligent inquiry I could for Anthony S[andford]
by the orderly men, as we call them, of the several troops. I am
now going to Windsor to make inquiries among the part of the
Guards there. In the meantime I extremely commend your
prudence and zeal in persisting to inquire after the complices of
this most villainous conspiracy and being contented with such
glimpses as show themselves here and there for a further discovery,
and indeed but little glimpses can be hoped for in such a work
of darkness as this, where the principles of rebellion have been
so deeply rivetted into the heads and hearts and interests of
most of the party. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 64, p. 76.] |
Aug. 18.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Bishop of Oxford. The letter you
intended me is not come either to my hands or to my office. I
the more suspect some artifice in this miscarriage in that the
Marquess of Worcester is perfectly persuaded that the thing may
be fastened by due proofs on the gentleman that now denies it.
[Ibid. p. 77.] |
Aug. 18.
Windsor. |
Commission to William Blathwayt to be Secretary at War,
Matthew Lock, the former Secretary, having with the King's
approbation resigned the place to him. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book
164, p. 97.] |
|
Another copy thereof. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 430, No. 139.] |
Aug. 18.
Windsor. |
Royal approbation of the election by the Lord Mayor and
Aldermen of London of Edward Wynne to be Steward of the
borough of Southwark. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 335, p. 33.] |
Aug. 18–28.
Linz. |
The Prince of Waldeck to the Prince of Orange. Enclosed is
what has happened between the Duke of Lorraine and the Turks.
The conduct of England is detestable in wishing Luxemburg to be
surrendered. Let God bless our actions here, then the language
of the French will be changed. I leave to-morrow to speak
with the King of Poland, who will be at Krems on Wednesday.
[French. S.P. Dom., King William's Chest 1, No. 31.] Enclosed, |
|
Account of the defeat by the Duke of Lorraine of the son of the
Cham of Tartary and two Pashas, one the Pasha of Erlau
with more than 12,000 Tartars, brought the evening of 17–27
Aug. by the Adjutant General of the Duke. [2 pages.
French. Ibid. No. 31 I.] |
| [Aug. ?] |
Sir Edward and Robert Phelipps to the King. Petition for a
grant of the forfeitures of John Wood of Drayton, Somerset, and
one Middleton, who killed John Pyke, for which Wood was at the
last assizes at Wells condemned of murder and Middleton of
manslaughter, who was burnt in the hand accordingly, or, if any
further reprieve or pardon is granted to Wood, who is reprieved
by the judge till 10 Sept., that such reprieve or pardon may
be passed at the intercession of the petitioners. At the side, |
| Aug. 19. |
Reference thereof to the Lords of the Treasury. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 430, No. 140.] |
Aug. 19.
London. |
The Earl of Shrewsbury to Secretary Jenkins. On Friday I
received the enclosed account from the deputy lieutenants of
Staffordshire and was yesterday to have given you an account of it,
when I found you were gone to Windsor not to return till Monday.
This is all the information I have had out of the country, only
they tell me they have sent the arms seized to Lichfield, till we
receive further order how to dispose of them. [S.P. Dom., Car.
II. No. 141.] |
| Aug. 19. |
Roger L' Estrange to Secretary Jenkins. The faction is as
bold and venomous as they have been a long time. The scutcheon
at Southampton House makes the greatest impression on people's
minds that ever I knew anything of that appearance, to the
damping of the loyal party and the elevating of the other. |
|
Several people came to Reynolds, a prisoner in Newgate, on
Sunday, 29 July, after evening prayer. Corbet, a prisoner in
the same room, pretended to be asleep and heard Reynolds tell
of his examination before the Lord Mayor, when the oaths were
tendered him. Said he, I am told that Mr. Smith, who was there,
was not in commission. Had I known it, I would have made
them send for another Justice. When I came away, the Lord
Mayor told me, I was shopped for my life. My imprisonment
will be the cause of a great deal of bloodshed. This looks as if
he had hinted at some discovery he were able to make, which
might produce that consequence. [Ibid. No. 142.] |
| [Aug. 19.] |
[John Whitfeld] to Secretary Jenkins. I still presume to
insist on the insolence of some irreclaimable persons presented
the last assizes at Northampton, amongst whom you will find all
those caballers of whom I gave you the first catalogue, who have
since given out that those loyal gentlemen, who brought it,
received a severe reprimand from his Majesty, and particularly
Mr. Harbord has diffused by his agents what a favourable reception
he found and powerful interest he still obtains at Court, and that
he has an order from you for restoring the arms lately taken from
him. How pernicious and prevalent an influence he has had in
the seduction of our gentry and commonalty hereabouts and in
what a military equipage he appeared at his going to the Oxford
parliament all the country then took notice and still remember
and therefore cannot but the more admire now at the confidence
of him and his associates, which if some allay be not put to, it
will be too great an enhance to the party and design as well as
discouragement to those who have approved themselves truly
and immovably loyal. [Ibid. No. 143.] |
| Aug. 19. |
[John Whitfeld] to Thomas Bedford, Doctors' Commons.
Finding the loyal Northamptonshire presentment in the Observator
of the 11th I give you a catalogue of the persons, as they stand in
the presentment. (Then follow the names of 52 persons, among
them William Harbord and the names of the grand jurors who
made the presentment.) Please take care of the enclosed.
[Ibid. No. 144.] |
| Aug. 19. |
The deposition of George Bosomsworth, a sentinel in Lord
Alington's company in the Tower. At noon on the 18th instant
he was set sentinel on Lord Brandon and between 1 and 2 heard
him call Mr. Bunch, one of the warders having custody of him,
and the deponent heard Lord Brandon ask him whether the
Tower ditch was palisaded and if there was any mud or water in
the moat. Mr. Bunch coming downstairs, where the deponent
stood, on occasion, as he believes, of hearing Lord Petre, who was
playing at nine pins in the bowling green, laugh, said to him, Lord
Petre is very merry, I suppose they think of being cleared about
next spring. The deponent said, I believe, if they be, it must be
by parliament. Bunch replied, May be they may have a parliament of their own set, which may clear them. The deponent
asked him what the discourse between him and Lord Brandon
was, and he answered that it was only about a bricklayer that had
been travelling, concealing the true discourse. The staircase on
which Bunch stood during the discourse is near the door where the
deponent stood, so that he could and did hear distinctly. [1½
pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 430, No. 145.] |
Aug. 20.
Ashridge. |
The Earl of Bridgwater to Secretary Jenkins. Having now
received an account from my deputy lieutenants of both Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire of the searches for arms, I must
acquaint you we have not found anything considerable. What
has been seized and from whom you will find by the two papers
enclosed, one concerning Buckinghamshire, the other Hertfordshire, which will also inform you where the arms seized now are.
I desire your direction what shall be done with them. I was very
willing Mr. Starkey, who produced to me Lord Sunderland's
hand and seal, should be assisted as well as I could, but I am
afraid he has not well demeaned himself in what he was employed
in, but sought his own private profit more than the advantage
of the service. [Ibid. No. 146.] |
Aug. 20.
Ipswich. |
The information of Francis Durant. Sell, mentioned in his
first examination, dwelt in Hampstead and was formerly a tallow
chandler or soap boiler in London. He does not know either
Henry Zealy or Thomas Willis of the Devizes by name, but may
by sight. He remembers no more than in his former examinations save that Robert Snelling named in his last examination
further said at the conference therein mentioned that, when the
Duke of York was killed, Anthony Roe was to speed to the Tower
to the captain there to secure it, the said Roe and the said captain
having formerly so agreed, as Snelling affirmed. The examinant
very well knows the Devizes and most of the gentry thereabouts.
[Ibid. No. 147.] |
| [Aug. 20.] |
— to Roger L' Estrange. Wilt thou never leave thy impertinences so near the grave and yet the same Towzer still ? Providence has reserved thee for some exemplary end. Persuade not
thyself these golden days will last long. Our party will be able
shortly to pay your Tory Tantivy dogs off. What will be thy
reward thou mayst easily guess, first for reviling that martyr for
the people's privileges good Stephen College. Was it not enough
for that unfortunate Protestant to receive an unjust sentence at
Oxford, but must thy scurrilous pen assassinate him after his
death? Secondly for performing the same piece of villainy on
Lord Russell's speech and making scandalous reflections on our
worthy assistant, Gilbert Burnet, putting the nickname of
Trimmers on all sincere Protestants, vindicating the Papists, laying
the firing of London at our brethren's doors, etc. I shall not
anatomize thy Observators, though I must confess that he that
writes against one of them virtually abuses all. The same spirit
of lying and reviling still appears in them all, the same impertinences ad nauseam. In short every page sapit Rogerum. Dark
nights are coming. We have very convenient alleys in town to
slit a man's windpipe or to drub or hamstring him, to send him
to a tobacco plantation, etc. [Postmark 20 Aug. S.P. Dom., Car.
II. 430, No. 148.] |
Aug. 20.
Whitehall. |
— to the Earl of Rochester. Though my obligations to the
Duke of Monmouth and formerly to Lord Cleveland have not
been inconsiderable, yet my allegiance to the King and respect
for his Royal Highness transcend any other consideration. I
therefore think myself obliged to acquaint you that the Duke
lies now concealed in the manor house of Toddington, Bedfordshire, which belongs to Lady Wentworth. Though I am as much
a stranger to the house as lady, I am credibly informed 'tis of
that vastness and intricacy that without a most diligent search
'tis impossible to discover all the lurking holes in it, there being
several trap-doors on the leads and in closets into places to which
there is no other access, for which reason I conceive it will require
a party of 20 or 30 men to secure all the avenues and make an
effectual search. 'Twill be convenient for them to be there by
day break and first as quietly as may be set a guard round the
house, before they give any further alarm. I hope you will not
believe this information to proceed from any private pique to any
person. It needs no other confirmation than a speedy and exact
search. My present unhappy circumstances hinder me from
waiting on you in person. I shall hereafter take an opportunity
of making myself known to you. I beg you to believe what I
write is on undeniable evidence. [Ibid. No. 149.] |
Aug. 20.
Whitehall. |
Warrant for the restitution of the temporalities of the archbishopric of York to John, now Archbishop, to commence from
25 June last. Minute. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 53, p. 102.] |
Aug. 20.
Windsor. |
Warrant for a royal assent to and confirmation of the election
by the Dean and Chapter of Worcester of the Bishop of St.
Davids to be bishop thereof. [Ibid. p. 103.] |
Aug. 20.
Windsor. |
The King to the Wardens of Winton and New College, etc.
Recommending William Symonds, son of William Symonds, one
of his captains of the Trained Bands in London, to be chosen into
a scholar's place in Winchester School at the next election.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 53, p. 502.] |
Aug. 20.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Earl of Shrewsbury. Acknowledging
with thanks his letter of yesterday with an inventory of the arms
seized by his order in Staffordshire, which he will lay before his
Majesty the first opportunity and impart to his lordship with the
soonest his directions touching the further disposal of them. In
the interim his opinion is they are very well at Lichfield. [S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 64, p. 77.] |
Aug. 20.
Windsor. |
Reference to the Committee of Trade of the report of the
Attorney General on the petition of the inhabitants of Bermuda
(calendared in S.P. Col., America, etc., 1681–85, p. 442) with the
annexed papers (calendared as above, p. 478). [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 55, p. 275.] |
Aug. 20.
Windsor. |
Reference to the same of the petition of Samuel Trott with the
annexed papers. (Calendared in S.P. Col., America, etc., 1681–85,
p. 478.) [Ibid. p. 276.] |
| Aug. 20. |
Commission to Eliud Boade to be ensign to Capt. Charles
Manwaring's company in the Holland regiment. Minute. [S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 69, p. 58.] |
Aug. 20.
Windsor. |
Warrant to the Recorder and Sheriffs of London, in case
James Noell, who is to be tried at the next Old Bailey sessions
for killing George Atkinson, should be found guilty of manslaughter only, for deferring putting the sentence on him in
execution till the King's further pleasure be known, and for in
the meantime taking bail for his appearance at the following
sessions. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 335, p. 34.] |
Aug. 20.
Windsor. |
Warrant to Simon Winslow, messenger, to repair to London
and find out Thomas Green, an innholder, and bring him before
the Earl of Sunderland to-morrow to answer such misdemeanours
as shall be objected against him. [Ibid.] |
Aug. 20.
Windsor. |
The King to the Lord Deputy. Warrant, after reciting that
Sir John Percival, brother and heir of Sir Philip Percival, had
represented by his petition that by letters patent passed in Dec.,
1675 (in pursuance of the warrant of 7 Aug., 1675, calendared in
S.P. Dom., 1675–76, p. 248), the new quit rents on the lands therein
mentioned were reduced to 10l. per annum, which was paid by his
brother till his death about four years afterwards, since which
the farmers, inspecting the said letters patent, observed that
not only the lands mortgaged as therein mentioned were particularly enumerated as was fit, but the number of acres, of which
each parcel was supposed to consist, was specified, which was
superfluous, because the question did not relate to the number of
acres but only to whether the said denominations were the same
which had been mortgaged and which were subjected to the
preemption of 150l. and for which the rent had been fixed at 10l.
per annum, notwithstanding which the said farmers, finding that
in one parcel, the lands of Rossline, the acres mentioned were set
down short of the Down Survey to the value of about 10l. per
annum, though true according to the Civil Survey and according
as Lord Ranelagh and others before had always proceeded in
collecting the 90l. per annum mentioned in the said letters patent,
yet the farmers in this pretence procured an order to distrain
the petitioner's lands not only for so much new additional rent
but for all arrears thereof since the date of the said patent, notwithstanding an express clause therein as to the misnaming of any
value or quantity of acres in the premises, and prayed that he
might be at liberty to pass over again his said letters patent
at the rent of 10l. per annum certain and no more (then follows a
particular of the said lands all in co. Cork), a reference thereof to
the Lord Lieutenant and his report dated 3 June, 1683, that the
facts are truly stated in the petition and that the farmers seem
to have laid hold on a weak pretext in charging the petitioners
for a mistake about some difference of acres in one of the parcels,
and, having seen a report of the Attorney General for Ireland,
dated 1 Feb., 1680[–1], that he is of opinion that the petitioner
should be at liberty to renew his patent as he desires at the said rent
of 10l. per annum, and the report of the Lords of the Treasury dated
30 July, concurring with the above report: for, if the petitioner
desire to renew his letters patent for reducing the said quit rents
from 90l. or thereabouts to 10l. per annum, causing the same to be
passed, so that no further ground may be left for disturbing him
concerning the said quit rents on any pretence whatever, and
in the meantime for discharging the said lands of all other rent
than the said 10l. per annum. [6 pages. S.P. Dom., Signet
Office Vol. 11, p. 195.] |
