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Dec. 2. Whitehall. |
Proclamation, at the request of Parliament, for a general fast on
22 Dec., for the blessing of God on the consultations of Parliament,
for the defeat of the wicked counsels of enemies, who, obstinately
prosecuting their detestable machinations, still plot the destruction
of the King and the subversion of the government. [S.P. Dom.,
Various 12, p. 409.] |
Dec. 3. |
Receipt by Francis Royley to Margaret, Lady Drax, for 7l. 10s.
for rent. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 414, No. 151.] |
Dec. 3. Whitehall. |
The King to the Master and Fellows of Emmanuel College,
Cambridge. In favour of Samuel Pepys, B.A., scholar of the
college, who wants some few weeks to be of full standing to be a
competitor for the fellowship now vacant, dispensing with such
statutes as may be construed to his prejudice as to the point of
time for making him capable to stand for a fellowship, and
empowering them to proceed to the election of the said Pepys
to the fellowship now void, if they find him otherwise worthy to
be chosen, notwithstanding his defect in time. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 53, p. 539.] |
Dec. 4. Whitehall. |
The King to the Dean and Chapter of Winchester. Dispensing
in favour of Thomas Ken, D.D., prebendary of that church,
with the statute of residence and with his obligation to all offices
in that cathedral during his service as almoner to the Princess of
Orange, he taking care that all his courses of preaching be duly
supplied. [Ibid. p. 40.] |
Saturday, Dec. 4. |
Secretary Jenkins to Dr. Lamphire. The print enclosed will
best show you what effect your letter has had here. You will
see in it a debate resolved on, but it has been put off till Monday
morning at 10. It was late last night before the members of
the House of Commons that are of the Privy Council had received
in writing the order to wait on his Majesty, which is the reason
you had not an account by the Thursday night's post. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 62, p. 122.] |
Dec. 4. Whitehall. |
Warrant to Col. John Strode, Lieut.-Governor of Dover Castle,
for swearing and admitting John May to be under-porter of
Walmer Castle. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 359, p. 72.] |
[Dec. 4.] |
Articles against the Duke of Ormonde:—Assembling the
Roman Catholic clergy in Dublin and Sir G. Lane, his secretary,
with them. |
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Disarming in one day all the Protestants and yet he gave the
Papists time to bring in or hide theirs. |
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Peter Talbot was not secured as soon as he might and his
papers were not seized or looked after. |
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A regiment of Irish Papists was raised by his order. |
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Capt. Richard Talbot's papers were not seized; he had liberty
to go out of prison to his own house and Lords Arran and Ossory
visited him every night. |
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He was made Lord Lieutenant on his undertaking to call a
parliament to give money to raise an army to be sent into England
to set up arbitrary government. (Endorsed as received from the
Earl of Longford 20 Dec. and probably enclosed in his letter of
the 4th printed in the Ormonde Papers, Vol. V, p. 520.) [S.P.
Ireland, Car. II. 339, No. 147.] |
Dec. 6. Whitehall. |
Dispensation to Robert Naper, junior, High Sheriff of Dorsetshire, to repair to and remain in London and Westminster and such
other parts out of the said county as his occasions shall call him
to. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 51, f. 376.] |
Dec. 6. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Earl of Middleton. The House of
Lords did not come to judgment to day on Lord Stafford as was
expected. They appeared first in Westminster Hall and then
adjourned to their own house. When it was dark night, they
divided on this point, whether they should go from their house
this night to Westminster Hall or not to give judgment. They
happened to be 42 against 42 and there it sticks. They sent a
message to the Commons to let them know they would have the
prisoner at their bar to-morrow at 10. Next post will bring you
the decision. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 64, p. 53.] |
Dec. 6. Whitehall. |
Approbation by the King of Sidney Wortley to be a deputy
lieutenant of the West Riding of Yorkshire. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 164, p. 58.] |
Dec. 7. Whitehall. |
Warrant to Henry Howard, Commissary General of the Musters,
for taking off the respites of Henry Lee, ensign to Capt. Philip
Howard in Col. John Russell's regiment, on the musters commencing
1 July, 1 Sept. and 1 Nov., 1680, and for thereafter passing and
allowing him on the musters notwithstanding his absence, till
the King's pleasure to the contrary be signified. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 59, p. 80.] |
Dec. 7. Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Lord Chancellor. There is no loyal
subject but owes and pays a great veneration to you and
consequently has, as I have, an extreme concern that nothing
harsh or unjust betide you. This obliges me to convey to you
the enclosed extract. It comes to me from one of my little
intelligencers who takes up what he meets with, but without
discerning. I should do your spotless name as well as Christian
courage a very great injury, if I accompanied a malicious invention
like the enclosed with my bemoaning of the harsh measure you
are like to meet with. We are all of us on such occasions to show
ourselves men and Christians. You, I am sure, will give us great
example. I beseech God to give me, who am in all the condemnation a poor man is capable of, grace to follow it. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 62, p. 123.] |
Dec. 8. Whitehall. |
Warrant to Henry Coventry for causing any papers of State
as may still remain in his hands, since he was one of the Secretaries
of State, to be brought to Whitehall, that so they may be placed
in the Paper Office there, as they ought to be. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 51, f. 375.] |
Dec. 8. Whitehall. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the report of the
Lord Lieutenant dated 13 Nov. on the petition of Dorothy Hubblethorne with the annexed petition and reference, which was that the
allegations in the petition are true and that in consideration of her
husband's services and sufferings and of his being slain in his
Majesty's service at sea, the pension to her and her eldest son was
fitly placed, but, a stop having been put to all pensions in Ireland,
lest the revenue might fall short of the necessary public uses, and
being not yet certified how far it may be able to bear the present
charge of such gratifications, he submits it to his Majesty's
consideration to do for her and her family as he shall think fit.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 61, p. 14.] |
Dec. 9. Whitehall. |
The King to the Commissioners of the Treasury and the
remanent Lords and others of the Exchequer of Scotland.
Signifying his pleasure that they take course that no signature,
gift, patent or other paper formerly accustomed to be recorded
in the registers of the office of the Treasurer Clerk be hereafter
given out, after being passed by them, till they shall be recorded
in the said office and marked accordingly and requiring them to
notify this his pleasure to the offices of great and privy seal that
they may receive no such signatures, &c., till they be recorded
and marked as above mentioned. [S.P. Scotland, Warrant
Book 6, p. 232.] |
Dec. 9. Whitehall. |
Warrant for a gift to—of the ward and non-entry of the
lands which pertained to umquhile Patrick Park, merchant burgess
of Edinburgh, together with the marriage of—Park, his son.
[Docquet. Ibid. p. 233.] |
Dec. 9. Whitehall. |
Warrant for a charter of new infeftment to William Campbell
of Arngibbon, his heirs male and of tailzie, of the 50s. lands of
Wester Arngibbon commonly called Arngibbon Campbell in the
parochin of Kippon, stewardry of Menteith and shirefdome of
Perth, on the resignation of the said Campbell, with a new gift
of the premises and a change of the holding from simple ward
to taxt ward. [Docquet. S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 6, p. 234.] |
Dec. 9. Whitehall. |
Warrant for a remission to Robert Eliot in Blackhall, Roxburghshire, for stealing or recepting nine nolt. [Docquet. Ibid.
p. 235.] |
Dec. 10. Whitehall. |
Order in Council on the petition of John Deacle, draper, for
permission to sue Monsr. du Croe, the envoy from the Duke of
Holstein, who is and has been for more than three years indebted
60l. to the petitioner, that Secretary Jenkins acquaint Monsr.
du Croe with this complaint and report what he says thereunto.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 414, No. 152.] |
Dec. 10. |
Dispensation to William Gore, High Sheriff of Monmouthshire,
to be out of his county. Minute. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 51,
f. 376.] |
Dec. 10. Whitehall. |
Warrant for a grant of a baronetcy to John Roberts of Bromley
St. Leonards, Middlesex, and the heirs male of his body, with a
discharge of all services to be performed in consideration of the
said dignity or sums to be paid in lieu thereof and with a particular
non-obstante of the Privy Seal directing the application of the
first 20,000l. that shall arise by the creation of baronets to the
use of the Great Wardrobe. [Ibid. f. 382.] |
Dec. 10. Whitehall. |
The King to the President and Fellows of Queens' College,
Cambridge. Dispensing with the incapacity of Edward Jocelyn,
B.A., student of the college, both as to county and diocese, so
that, if they find him otherwise deserving of a fellowship, they
may elect and admit thereto, he being related to several considerable benefactors to the college and therefore very worthy of
their particular consideration. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 53,
p. 538.] |
Dec. 10. Whitehall. |
Warrant to the Ordnance Commissioners for delivery to Thomas
Mansfield, major of the Coldstream Regiment, of 49 pikes, 40
snaphance muskets and 38 matchlock muskets with 78 collars
of bandoliers instead of the foot arms for 127 soldiers lately
ordered to be delivered in the usual proportions, it appearing
by his certificate that such were the arms wanting for the 127
soldiers recruited in lieu of those sent to Tangier. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 59, p. 79.] |
Dec. 10. Whitehall. |
Warrant to Nicholas Johnson, Paymaster-General of the
Guards and Garrisons, for payment out of the moneys for contingent
uses to Major John Strode of 26l. 5s. in full satisfaction of the
account for fire and candles for the Guards at the Savoy. [Ibid.
p. 80.] |
Dec. 10. Whitehall. |
Warrant to the same for payment out of the moneys for contingent uses to Sir John Holmes of 18l. 5s. for fire and candle for
the guards at Hurst Castle, the amount due from 1 Jan., 1679[-80],
to 1 Jan., 1680[–1]. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 59, p. 81.] |
Dec. 10. |
Warrant to the Ordnance Commissioners to order the Treasurer
of the Ordnance Office to pay 20l. per annum by equal quarterly
payments to commence from Midsummer last to Margaret Browne,
relict of John Browne, late firemaster to the Ordnance Office,
who lost his life in breaking a shell. [Ibid.] |
Dec. 10. Whitehall. |
Order to Capt. Henry Slingsby or in his absence to the officer
commanding his troop in the Earl of Oxford's regiment to march
from Hammersmith and Fulham before 1 Jan., to the garrison of
Portsmouth, where they are to relieve Sir Thomas Slingsby's
troop, and to continue there till further order. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 63, p. 13.] |
Dec. 10. Whitehall. |
Order to Sir Thomas Slingsby to march with his troop, when
relieved, to Hertford and remain there till further order. [Ibid.
p. 14.] |
Dec. 10. Whitehall. |
Order to Col. George Legg, Governor of Portsmouth, to admit
Capt. Henry Slingsby's troop and to permit Sir Thomas Slingsby's
to march from Portsmouth. [Ibid.] |
[Dec. ?] |
Thomas Newton, woodward of the Forests of Whittlewood and
Salcey, Northamptonshire, to the King. Petition for a nolle
prosequi on an information against him for waste in the said
forests or that the trial may be in the country where the wastes
are pretended to be committed, as the charge of bringing up
witnesses will be so great. The information is brought at the
instigation of Mr. William Harbord, whom the petitioner opposed
at an election of a burgess for Northampton, and Mr. Agar,
Surveyor of the Woods, who tried to supplant him in his office.
The petitioner was cleared on a similar charge before the Lords
of the Treasury, but his petitioners prevailed to have an
information in the Exchequer brought against him. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 414, No. 153.] |
Dec. 11. Whitehall. |
Reference of the above petition to the Attorney-General.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 96.] |
Dec. 11. Whitehall. |
On the petition of William Dingley for a grant of the next
presentation on the next avoidance of the rectory of Bedall,
Yorkshire, now in the possession of Dr. Peter Samwaies, declaration by his Majesty that he would confer the next avoidance
thereof on the petitioner with signification of his pleasure that
caveats be entered accordingly in the respective offices. [Ibid.
p. 99.] |
Dec. 11. Whitehall. |
The King to the Duke of Rothes, Chancellor, Sir James
Dalrymple of Stair, President of the College of Justice, and the
remanent Senators thereof. Warrant, after reciting the rules to
be observed in the Court of Admiralty in the adjudication of
prizes dated 29 June, 1673 (calendared in S.P. Dom., 1673,
p. 408), in which it was provided that, if false or double writings
were presented to the Court, the ship and goods should be
condemned, requiring them in all actions concerning the
adjudication of prizes, if they shall find that any ships had double
or concealed documents, letters, bills of loading, sea or freight
briefs or if they have offered any false or double writings to the
Court, to adjudge them as lawful prizes without more delay.
[1½ page. S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 6, p. 236.] |
Dec. 11. Whitehall. |
Memorial of a protection in the ordinary form to Adam
Cunningham, one of the Macers, for two years. [Ibid. p. 238.] |
Dec. 12. Whitehall. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of the
Lord Mayor and Corporation of York for a remission of the arrear
of 517l. 7s. 1d. by the account of Walter Strickland, deceased,
pretended to be due on the several Acts of the Royal Aid and
Additional Supply, &c., which charge the petitioners did not
understand till after his death, being a charge of so long
continuance that of 50 commissioners none but seven are now
living in the city, the Mayors likewise for those several years,
whom it concerned to take discharges from the Receivers, being
all dead as are also four fifths of the sub-collectors, so that it is
impossible for the petitioners to make any justification for
themselves and, if there be any arrear, it arises from the poverty
and insolvency of poor citizens since dead, so that without manifest
injustice it is impossible to raise the same, for it must be levied
either on such as have already paid their assessments or on those
who were no citizens nor lived in the city, when the pretended
arrears became due. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 61, p. 15.] |
Dec. 13. Whitehall. |
Warrant to the Ordnance Commissioners for the delivery to
Thomas Jones, quarter-master of Col. John Russell's regiment,
of 132 snaphance muskets, 44 matchlock muskets, 176 collars
of bandoliers, 88 pikes and three drums instead of the arms
formerly directed to be delivered in lieu of those sent to Tangier,
it appearing by a particular from the major of the said regiment
that such were the arms sent to Tangier. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 59, p. 82.] |
Dec. 13. Whitehall. |
Order to Col. John Russell to order the companies of Capts.
Berkeley, Stradling and Copley of his regiment to march, the
18th instant, to Tilbury Fort to relieve the companies of Captains
Sir Edward Picks, Bassett and Sunderland. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 63, p. 15.] |
Dec. 13. Whitehall. |
Order to Sir Francis Leake, Governor of Tilbury Fort, to admit
the said relief and to permit the marching of the three companies
there. [Ibid. p. 16.] |
Dec. 13. Whitehall. |
Order to Sir Edward Picks or the officer commanding the
three companies of Guards now at Tilbury Fort, as soon as the
relief shall come, to march with his own and Captains Bassett's
and Sunderland's companies to Westminster. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 63, p. 15.] |
Dec. 13. Whitehall. |
Order to Lord Alington, Constable of the Tower, or in his
absence to the Lieutenant, to permit Capt. Stradling's company,
now in the Tower, before they be relieved, to march to Tilbury
Fort and to admit into the Tower Capt. Sunderland's company,
when they return from Tilbury. [Ibid. p. 17.] |
Dec. 13. Whitehall. |
Warrant to the Ordnance Commissioners for the delivery of
200 barrels of powder to any person appointed by the East India
Company to receive them, being a present from the King to the
Sultan of Bantam. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 164, p. 58.] |
Dec. 13. Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Lieutenant. Warrant for causing Richard
Coote to be sworn of the Privy Council of Ireland. [S.P. Dom.,
Signet Office, Vol. 10, p. 491.] |
Dec. 14. |
James Holloway to the Earl of Essex. Narrating at great length
his attempts to establish the linen manufacture in England and
suggesting the prohibition of French linens or a considerable
duty on them and requesting his influence with the Lords of
the Treasury to make him some allowance and to empower him
to act as he shall propose to them. [2½ pages. S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 414, No. 154.] |
Dec. 14. Whitehall. |
Warrant to the Lords of the Admiralty, after reciting a grant
in 1674 to Sir Roger Strickland, in consideration of his retaking
the Henry from the Dutch in 1672 and of other services, of the
yearly pension or pay of a captain of a second-rate for his life,
and that he has set forth by his petition he is in arrear last
Christmas near two years and that from that time the Navy
Commissioners refuse to make out any further bills in pursuance
of an order of the Lords of the Admiralty to them as they pretend,
and therefore prayed an effectual order for payment of the said
arrears and that the stop of his bills at the Navy Board might
be taken off, a reference thereof to the Lords of the Admiralty
and their report of 4 Dec. last that he ought to enjoy the benefit
of the said grant; for causing bills to be forthwith made out to
the said Sir Roger from the time of the first stop of his said pension
and that the same be continued according to the said grant in that
behalf, any stop or order to the contrary notwithstanding. [2 pages.
S.P. Dom., Entry Book 50, p. 76.] |
Dec. 15. |
Certificate by Secretary Jenkins that the Earl of Middleton,
envoye extraordinary to the Emperor, took leave of his Majesty
23 June, 1680. [Ibid. p. 65.] |
Dec. 15. Whitehall. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of Thomas,
Earl of Sussex for a grant of 5,000l. per annum quit rents out of
lands in Ireland, to commence after the grants in being, till 2,000l.
(sic) be paid, being what his Majesty promised in portion with his
natural daughter Anne, now Countess of Sussex. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 55, p. 96.] |
Dec. 15. Whitehall. |
Commission to Matthew Ingram to be quarter-master of the
Coldstream Regiment. Minute. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 164,
p. 58.] |
Dec. 16. Whitehall. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of George
Weld, praying to be one of the Commissioners of Inspection in
Ireland. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 96.] |
Dec. 16. Whitehall. |
Reference to the Attorney-General of the petition of Edward
Morice of Kenvachey, Denbighshire, for a pardon for clipping
and coining, whereof he was indicted, but the grand jury found
the bill Ignoramus. [Ibid. p. 97.] |
Dec. 17. Whitehall. |
Order in Council that Secretary Jenkins take care that a letter
in the usual manner and as in former years be sent to the Lord
Mayor reminding him to pursue the Act for regulating Corporations. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 414, No. 155.] |
Dec. 17. |
"A discovery of the lands, tenements and hereditaments of
divers Papists within the county of Stafford," giving the names
and properties of 35. [Ibid. No. 156.] |
[Dec. 17.] |
"A bill to prevent the illegal exaction of money from the subject
and to make it high treason." (See Commons' Journals, Vol. IX,
p. 683.) [Ibid. No. 157.] |
Dec. 18. |
Secretary Jenkins to Sir Patience Ward, Lord Mayor, and the
Aldermen of London. As the election of the Common Council
is approaching, directing that the Act for regulating Corporations
be put in execution, in similar terms to the letter of 17 Dec., 1679,
calendared in the last volume, p. 312. [2 pages. S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 51, f. 376.] |
Dec. 18. Whitehall. |
Warrant for a charter for new infeftment to Sir William
Davidson of Curriehill, his heirs and assigns, of the lands of
Curriehill in the barony of Ballerno and shirefdome of Edinburgh,
reserving to Elizabeth Watson, relict of umquhile James Davidson,
her life rent of the said lands, on the resignation of the said Sir
William Davidson, with a charge of the holding from simple ward
to taxt ward. [Docquet. S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 6, p. 238.] |
Dec. 20. Whitehall. |
The King to the Provost of King's College, Cambridge.
Revoking the letters of dispensation of 13 Jan. last in favour of
John Lytcott, calendared in the last volume, p. 371. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 57, p. 31.] |
Dec. 20. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Earl of Middleton. Your last letter
was read yesterday before his Majesty at the Committee. I
watch an opportunity to promote your desire to be recalled.
This day the Commons have agreed of another address by way of
answer to his Majesty's speech. They persist to have the Bill
of Exclusion pass and an act of association upon it. They would
have Westminster Hall purged and regulated and so the
lieutenancies, they would have justices restored, &c. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 64, p. 54.] |
Dec. 20. Whitehall, Treasury Chamber. |
The Lords of the Treasury to the King. On the reference to
them of the petition of Sir Leoline Jenkins, Judge of the
Admiralty Court, Orlando Gee, Register, Thomas Bedford,
Deputy Register, and William Joynes, Marshal, of the said Court,
setting forth that for the last six years they have disbursed over
and above what they have received for perquisites of the
Admiralty 225l. 7s. 11d. in defence of the jurisdiction of that Court
and on other public occasions, and have taken great pains in
prosecution of criminal causes and other business in the
Admiralty, for which their fees amounted to 92l. 5s. 3d., which
they could never receive in regard his Majesty has pardoned
most of the fines out of which the same used to be satisfied, both
which sums make together 317l. 13s. 2d., and praying that their
said disbursements and fees might be paid out of the moneys
remaining in the said Court of the King's moiety of ships and
goods forfeited on the Act for regulating the Plantation trade,
being 310l. 2s. 3½d., or which shall be thereafter brought into the
same: they find the said accounts are truly stated and are
therefore of opinion that his Majesty may, if he thinks fit, direct
the payment of the said 310l. 2s. 3½d. in full satisfaction of the
said 317l. 13s. 2d. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 359, p. 71.] Annexed, |
Note by the Earl of Sunderland that his Majesty having seen
the within written report has commanded him to signify his
pleasure that the said sum of 310l. 2s. 3½d. be applied towards
the satisfaction of the said 317l. 13s. 2d. [Ibid. p. 72.] |
Dec. 20. Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Lieutenant. Warrant for leave of
absence for six months to Capt. Christopher Hales, who has
some extraordinary affairs requiring his presence in England.
[S.P. Dom., Signet Office, Vol. 10, p. 492.] |
Dec. 21. |
— to Sir Francis Radcliffe. This day your son took
post homewards. Dr. Tongue died last Saturday night. Lord
Stafford dies not till Wednesday sennight. |
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Mr. Boucher was called in and gave an account of Henry Cary,
a priest and surveyor of the Custom House in Bristol, but he
could say nothing of his own knowledge, but some members
declared he was the man that conveyed the four ruffians away,
who were to murder the King, and that he was put in by Lord
Clifford. Ordered that this be referred to the Plot Committee.
Account of other proceedings in the House of Commons on the
20th and 21st, which fully appear from Commons' Journals,
Vol. IX, pp. 684–687. [Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital 1, No. 74.] |
Tuesday, Dec. 21. London. |
Newsletter to Roger Garstell, Newcastle. Last Saturday
Dr. Tongue, to whose memory the nation is not a little indebted,
died in peace and gave undeniable testimony of his truth and
integrity in all he had done or assisted doing in relation to the
full discovery of the Popish Plot, in which he had the honour to
be with Mr. Oates in the priority. |
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This day, being the annual customary time, when all the wards
of this city choose new or confirm the old Common Council men,
the Aldermen met in their respective places and the inhabitants
made their election, in which was great alteration of persons,
they generally decrying all persons as were abhorrers or hinderers
of petitioning. A writ is sent to the sheriffs to execute Lord
Stafford to-morrow sennight, on which is demur by them as to
the sufficiency of it.—Account of the proceedings in the House
of Lords and the House of Commons on the 20th and 21st, which
sufficiently appear from Lords' Journals, Vol. XIII, pp. 723-725,
and Commons' Journals, Vol. IX, pp. 683–687, except as follows:
Two petitions, one of Lord Stafford and the other of his lady,
praying that he might be banished, were presented to the Lords'
House and read and rejected. [3½ pages. Admiralty, Greenwich
Hospital 1, No. 75.] |
Dec. 22. Dublin. |
The Lord Lieutenant to the Earl of Sunderland. On Mr.
Dowling's transmittal of his account of letters into England,
several sums being mentioned for expresses to me when at
Kilkenny, which heretofore had not been so mentioned, but
included in the State letters, he tells me now they are not allowed
on that side. |
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I desire therefore that such, not having been heretofore usually
exempted out of the charge of State letters, may now be allowed.
[S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 339, No. 148.] |
[Dec. 23.] |
"A Speech lately made by a noble Peer of the Realm" (the
Earl of Shaftesbury) in the debate concerning the King's Speech.
(Printed in Christie, Life of Lord Shaftesbury, Vol. II, p. cii,
and elsewhere.) |
[Manuscript and printed copy, the last printed for F. S[mith] at the
Elephant and Castle, near the Royal Exchange, Cornhill, 1681, and
endorsed "The hawker committed to the Gatehouse." S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 414, Nos. 157, 158.] |
Dec. 24. Whitehall. |
The information of William Serocold. Last November being
sick at Mr. Standen's house he got up to have his bed made and
came into Mr. Standen's kitchen, where he heard these words
spoken by him, viz., that the Lords who had voted against the
Exclusion Bill were all undone, for what the Commons had done
was in kindness to his Royal Highness; now they would proceed
in a severer way against him and that, if his Majesty dared to
prorogue or adjourn parliament before they had done, the Lord
Mayor would send for him by them that are called the Route
and make him see through his great spectacles. Standen further
told the informant that he thought the informant was not old
enough to remember what sort of men they were as for example
in the late civil wars, for whatever they set upon they never left
off till they had performed it, and that they were the same men
still and that they would never leave off till they had the Duke of
York out of the succession. Standen further asked the informant
whether he did not think it a great trouble to their ministers
of the Gospel to be shut out of the churches, but that he hoped
before the parliament had done sitting he should see the lawn
sleeves, the surplice and the ceremonies of the church quite laid
down and their ministers put in again. Standen likewise advised
the informant to read a book or pamphlet newly come out touching
the succession, which would convince him that the King had
nothing to do with the succession, but that it lay only in the
Parliament's breast to do what they would with it and that it
made out the same by Acts of Parliament. Sarah, Mr. Standen's
wife, replied, What need they make such ado about the
succession, when there was a lawful heir to the Crown already,
the Duke of Monmouth ? She did not doubt, when once the King
was dead, there were those living yet that would make out on
oath that the Duke's mother was lawfully married to the King
and that he was the lawful heir to the Crown. |
|
As they were discoursing to the above effect, Robert Sitwell,
a lodger in Standen's house, came in, whereupon Standen and
his wife fell into discourse with him, telling him there was the
notablest thing come out about the succession that ever was
penned and desired him to buy it and read it. Sitwell replied
he believed it was a simple thing and not worth his reading and
further said that a parliament man came to the coffee-house
where he was and said they had an Act of Parliament of their
side to empower them to sit notwithstanding a prorogation or
adjournment. |
|
About a week after a Mr. Foxcraft came to visit him, to whom
he told the information he had to make against Standen. Foxcraft
asked him why he concealed such gross things, for it was not
safe for him to do so. He replied that, had it not been for his
long sickness, he would have declared it as soon as it was spoken
and desired Foxcraft to take notice of his words as of one not
likely to live, telling him that, as soon as any friend came to him
that had time to write a letter, he would send to the Bishop of
London to desire that somebody might come and take his
information or that a coach might be sent to carry him backward
and forward. A letter was accordingly written to the Bishop and,
not receiving any answer in about a week, he wrote to Mr. Treby,
desiring him or somebody else to come and receive his information.
Next morning the informant received a letter from Mr. Sill, the
Bishop's chaplain, that the Bishop had ordered him to take the
informant's deposition, which he gave him in part, but did not
depose all he could, by reason of his weakness and of their being
interrupted. He afterwards dictated to Robert Watkins what
he had designed to declare to Mr. Sill, which information was
delivered to Justice Warcupp and carried by them both to the
Bishop, who desired Justice Warcupp to accompany the informant
with his information to Secretary Jenkins. |
|
Mrs. Standen said during the above-mentioned discourse that,
if the Duke of York ever came to town again and she saw him,
if there were either stones or dirt in her way, she would fling them
in his face; he was a rogue and a traitor. [9 pages. S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 414, No. 159.] |
|
Two other copies of the beginning and end of the above
information. [Ibid. Nos. 160, 161.] |
Dec. 24. Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Lord Mayor. The bearer, Mr. Weston,
your marshal, brought me this morning Serocold and Standen,
sent me, it seems, by your order. I caused to be taken in writing
the information Serocold gave against Standen. A neighbour
justice, Mr. Dewie, whom I sent to, coming and finding the scene
of this accusation to have lain within your jurisdiction, where
neither he nor I are justices, was of opinion, as I am, that it was
proper to remand them to you to do as to justice appertains.
I send a duplicate of the information. I keep a copy to show
it to his Majesty and produce it at the first Council that shall sit.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 62, p. 124.] |
Dec. 24. Whitehall. |
Warrant for a commission empowering the magistrates and
council of Stirling to levy 20s. Scots on each boll of malt or in
their option 2d. Scots on every pint of ale brewed, sold and
consumed in the said town and the liberties thereof for 17 years.
[Docquet. S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 6, p. 239.] |
Dec. 24. Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Lieutenant. Warrant for granting
licences of absence to the Earl of Ranelagh, Vice-Treasurer of
Ireland, whom the King has commanded to attend on himself
and his service in England, from his said employment of ViceTreasurer and from his several commands in Ireland. [S.P. Dom.,
Signet Office, Vol. 10, p. 492.] |
Dec. 24. Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Lieutenant. Warrant, after reciting
that Edward Richardson and Anne, his wife, had set forth by
their petition that they now are and have for many years been in
quiet possession of the manor of Mullalish and Legacory and
other lands in co. Armagh, which were granted by King James
to Francis Sacheverell the elder, grandfather of the petitioner
Anne, and his heirs, and are since descended to her as sole daughter
and heir to Francis Sacheverell the younger, son and heir to the
said Francis Sacheverell the elder, and that about 1638 the said
Francis Sacheverell the younger compounded with the Commissioners for remedy of defective titles for passing a new patent
of the said lands to him and his heirs and obtained their order
for passing it and a fiat was thereon drawn, but the passing of
the patent was delayed by some differences between the said
Francis Sacheverell and Marmaduke Symonds, who claimed some
mortgage on the said lands, which is since satisfied, and therefore prayed that new letters patent of the said lands now in their
possession might be passed to them and their heirs under the
rents now payable, a reference thereof to the Lord Lieutenant
and his report dated 30 Nov. last that it might be no prejudice
to his Majesty to grant such letters patent as the petitioners
desire, and the concurrence of the Lords of the Treasury therewith: for a regrant of the lands so granted by King James to the
said Edward Richardson and Anne his wife and the heirs of the
said Anne, under the rents now payable. [Nearly 2 pages. S.P.
Dom., Signet Office, Vol. 10, p. 492.] |
Dec. 24. Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Lieutenant. Warrant for licence of
absence to the Earl of Conway, who is commanded to attend
on the King and his service in England, from his employments
and commands in Ireland. [Ibid. p. 494.] |
Dec. 25. |
Newsletter to Roger Garstell, Newcastle. Giving an account
of the proceedings in the House of Lords on the 23rd and in the
House of Commons on the 24th, which fully appear from Lords'
Journals, Vol. XIII, pp. 726–727, and Commons' Journals, Vol.
IX, pp. 683–687. [2 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital 1,
No. 76.] |
Dec. 26. Whitehall. |
Warrant to Henry Howard, Commissary-General of the Musters,
for commencing the musters of the recruits of the three companies
in the Tower from 1 Nov. last, as was formerly ordered in the
case of the recruits ordered to be raised for the two regiments
of Foot Guards in lieu of the men detached for service at Tangier.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 59, p. 83.] |
Dec. 26. Whitehall. |
Warrant to Nicholas Johnson, Paymaster-General of the Guards
and Garrisons, for payment of 27l. 12s. to James Bridgeman for the
use of Henry Lee, ensign to Capt. Philip Howard in Col. John
Russell's regiment, being due to him on the musters of 1 July,
1 Sept. and 1 Nov. last, in which he was respited for not appearing,
but is since allowed on them. [Ibid.] |
Dec. 26. Whitehall. |
Warrant to the same, after reciting that the Duke of Albemarle
has represented that 22 suits of armour, viz. backs, breasts and
pots of the party detached out of the troop of Horse Guards
under his command and shipped for service at Tangier, but
afterwards commanded back to their colours, were left on shipboard for the light horse that relieved them, in regard the said
armour was better than that of the detached parties of the other
two troops of Horse Guards and was provided partly at the
gentlemen's charges and cost 3l. 10s. per suit; for payment out
of the moneys for contingent uses to the said Duke of 77l. for the
price of the said armour. [Ibid. p. 84.] |
Dec. 26. Whitehall. |
Reference to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland of the petition of
Daniel Hignet for a commission of survey of certain lands in
Ireland formerly granted him by his Majesty. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 61, p. 16.] |
Dec. 27. Whitehall. |
Order in Council that the following part of a report of the
Committee for Trade concerning the Turkey Company be entered
in the Council Book, viz., As we have represented to the Company
that, in case they desist from sending their general ships to Turkey,
it will be of great prejudice to his Majesty and to trade, they
thereupon assured us that, as they expect to receive an answer
from Lord Chandos concerning their affairs before the end of May
next, they intend to send away a general ship in June following
and afterwards one ship yearly, if they shall find it safe, but, if
by the continuance of their oppressions they shall fail therein, they
declare themselves willing that the trade be laid open and that
any persons whatever without being obliged to the rules of the
Company may proceed in it. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 414, No. 167.] |
Dec. 27. Whitehall. |
Grant to Thomas Spratt, D.D., one of the King's chaplains in
ordinary, of the canonry or prebend in the Chapel Royal, Windsor,
void by the death of Richard Milward, D.D. Minute. [S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 57, p. 31.] |
Dec. 27. Whitehall. |
Commissions to Edward Fitzpatrick to be captain of the company
late Sir Herbert Lumsford's and to Henry Fielding to be lieutenant
to Capt. Morgan, both in the Holland regiment. Minutes. [S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 164, p. 59.] |
Dec. 27. Whitehall. |
Warrant for a gift to Thomas Young, merchant burgess of
Edinburgh, of the escheat of Helen Barnes, relict of umquhile
William Chancellor, merchant in Edinburgh, together with her
life rent escheat. [Docquet. S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 6,
p. 240.] |
Dec. 27. Whitehall. |
Warrant for a gift to Alexander Chaplane, writer to the Signet,
of the escheat of Joseph Marjoribanks, merchant burgess of
Edinburgh, deceased. [Docquet. Ibid. p. 241.] |
Dec. 28. Whitehall. |
The King to the Governors of Christ's Hospital. Recommending
Thomas Street to be elected and admitted to the place of mathematical teacher in the said hospital, which is now vacant. [S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 51, f. 377.] |
Dec. 28. Whitehall. |
Commission to Charles Hatton to be captain of an independent
foot company in garrison in Guernsey in the room of Capt. Sheldon,
deceased. Minute. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 164, p. 59.] |
Dec. 30. The Fleet. |
William Serocold to Sir L. Jenkins. By my information
concerning Stephen Standen and your account to the Lord Mayor,
the latter has committed him a close prisoner to Newgate. Standen,
whose interest is great with the Warden of the Fleet, to whom I
have been a prisoner at large these six months on security, would
have me kept a close prisoner to prevent my appearing against
him. The Warden has fetched me in, where I remain and cannot
have any liberty, so I humbly pray for an order for my liberty.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 414, No. 163.] |
Dec. 30. |
Bond for 20l. by Edmund Everard and John Rous for securing
the payment on 1 July next of 10l. 6s. to William de Ligne.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 414, No. 164.] |
Dec. 30. Whitehall. |
Warrant for a presentation of William Topham, M.A., to the
rectory of Hemsworth, Yorkshire, ad corroborandum titulum.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 53, p. 41.] |
Thursday, Dec. 30. London. |
Newsletter to Roger Garstell, Newcastle. About 10 yesterday
the Lieutenant of the Tower brought Viscount Stafford up to the
rails, where was the old outward gate of the Tower, where the sheriffs
received him and gave the Lieutenant a discharge for his body.
Being ascended the scaffold, he seemed to some fearless of death and
in a cheerful unconcernedness read a paper, of which the enclosed
is a true copy, as I believe. After which he addressed himself
to the numerous spectators at every corner of the scaffold in short
speeches, chiefly reflecting on the evidence against him and
protesting his innocency, &c. Then he lay down once and twice
to fit his proper posture to receive his stroke. The third time
he lay down he said a short prayer in Latin and gave the
executioner the sign, who at one blow severed his head from
his body, though some say he overreached his blow and left a
small part uncut and, the axe sticking in the block, he perfected
the separation with his knife. At the fall of the axe the people
gave a mighty shout and another when the executioner held up
his head. |
|
Thus fell this once great man unpitied by all save such as are
in the same crimes or wish well thereto. |
|
In which are supposed several things observable, viz., that his
speech was drawn up in matter and style above his capacity and
sent the day before to the press and at execution the same verbatim
read and two or three copies by him given away; that he confessed
at the bar of the Lords' House there was a design and he in it to
bring in and set up the Romish religion, yet now on his salvation
he says he is innocent of all crimes laid to his charge. Many
other things are very observable, but too tedious for a letter. |
|
He had two Romish priests with him on the scaffold, one the
Spanish ambassador's priest. It is not doubted that they or some
of the same tribe drew up his speech and limited him in all he
said and did and are not a little glad he is gone out of the world
so well, as they called it. |
|
His body was put in a coffin and carried back to the Tower and
deposited in the chapel and was last night buried under the rails
about the Communion Table, at which not a few are offended. |
|
The blazing star appears constantly every night in our horizon
from 5 till 8 and the tail or brush increases in longitude more
and more. Last night it was very perspicuous and seemed
amazing. Our foreign letters still mention the like seen in many
parts. At Hamburg the heavens seemed on fire a considerable
time the length of several pikes. |
|
The French make now greater preparation for war than ever
and especially in Alsace and those parts and in his French dominion
most dreadfully harasses his Protestant subjects. Amongst other
temptations to turn Romanists he has published that they that
will turn shall be free from all arrests and payment of debts for
three years.— |
|
Account of the proceedings in the House of Commons on that
day, which sufficiently appear from Commons' Journals, Vol. IX,
pp. 695, 696. [Over 3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital 1,
No. 77.] |
Dec. 30. Whitehall. |
The King to the Lord Lieutenant. Warrant for a grant of the
office of Surveyor General of the Customs of Ireland to George
Monck, son of Lieut. Henry Monck, the present Surveyor General,
and John Stanley for their lives and the life of the survivor of
them in reversion after the said Henry Monck and Richard
Plummer, the said office having been granted to the said Henry
Monck for his own life and the life of the said Richard Plummer,
the said Henry Monck hearing that endeavours are using to
obtain reversions of his said office. [S.P. Dom., Signet Office,
Vol. 10, p. 495.] |
Dec. 31. Whitehall. |
Order in Council that, the Lords of the Admiralty having
given an account of a wreck lately near Jersey of a Dutch ship
laden with masts and deals, Secretary Jenkins write to the
Vice-Admiral and chief officers of the Admiralty for Jersey,
that they make strict inquiry after the nature of the said wreck
and what title his Majesty has to the said ship and goods.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 414, No. 165.] |
Dec. 31. Council Chamber. |
Samuel Duncalfe to the Earl of Halifax. Reminding him to
move his Majesty further about the town clerkship of Hull,
which the corporation have unanimously petitioned should be
conferred on the writer. [Ibid. No. 166.] |
Dec. 31. Whitehall. |
On the petition of Dame Anne Arundell and the report thereon
of the Lords of the Treasury, dated 24 Dec., as follows:—We
have enquired into Sir John Arundell's estate in Cornwall, and
are informed on the oath of Mr. Randall, receiver of the revenues
from Recusants' estates in that county, that the rents of assize,
demesne and farm rents without fines amount to 588l. 12s. 10d.,
and that there is paid out of it to your Majesty for chief rents
and others 273l. 15s., so no more than 308l. 17s. 10d. remains
clear, which is also encumbered with 1,000l. on a mortgage,
and there is also owing on securities 1,500l. We are likewise
informed by the said receiver that the rents of his lands in
Dorsetshire are but 181l. per annum, encumbered with an annuity
of 200l. for one life and other payments, so that nothing remains
save fines on renewing estates for lives, which have been lately
filled up in both counties, concerning which we have advised with
the Attorney-General, who is of opinion that, if your Majesty seized
two-thirds of his lands, you might have two-thirds of all fines arising
by copyholds which, we are informed, may be equal to the rent, but
not fines on leases, by which and the opinion of the said Mr. Randall,
we conceive you will not receive above 200l. per annum by seizing
the two thirds, whereas by the 20l. per mensem you will receive
260l. |
|
It appears likewise that King James accepted 20l. per mensem from
John Arundell, grandfather of the said Sir John Arundell, rather
than the two-thirds, though the estates in those two counties
and elsewhere were then of greater value than now. |
|
On the whole we are of opinion it will be no prejudice to your
Majesty to accept the 20l. a month, and we conceive it reasonable
the first half-year's payment be made next Easter term, he being
convicted a little before Michaelmas last:—Agreement by his
Majesty with the report and declaration that he will accept of
20l. a month from the petitioner, and the Lords of the Treasury
are to give order in it accordingly. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55,
p. 98.] |
|
Passes to the following persons between 1 September and 31
December, 1680:— |
Date. |
Name. |
Place. |
Reference. |
Sept. 17. |
The Sieur Adolphus de Halcke, envoy extraordinary from the Landgrave of Hesse |
Parts beyond seas. |
S.P. Dom., Entry Book 51, f. 368. |
Sept. 22. |
Geoffrey Palmer and his servant. |
Parts beyond seas. |
Ibid. f. 370. |
Sept. 24. |
Sir Thomas Higgons and George, his son, with two servants |
Parts beyond seas. |
Ibid. f. 372. |
Oct. 28. |
Dr. Charles Frazier |
Calais. |
Ibid. f. 374. |
Nov. 29. |
Dame Mary, wife of Sir John Holman, M.P., with George Holman, his brother, and Jane Holman, his sister, and two servants. |
Parts beyond seas. |
Ibid. f. 375. |
|
List of the officers of the Militia of London. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 414, No. 167.] |
|
Prohibition of reprinting a book of music in folio engraven
on copper, composed and printed by Pietro Reggio, for—years
without his consent. [Ibid. No. 168.] |
London. |
"Magnalia Naturœ, or the Philosopher's Stone, lately exposed
to public sight and sale, being a true and exact account of the manner
how Wenceslaus Seilerus, the late famous projection-maker at
the Emperor's Court at Vienna, came by and made away with
a very great quantity of powder of projection, by projecting
with it before the Emperor and a great many witnesses, selling
it, &c., for some years past. Published at the request and for
the satisfaction of several curious, especially of Mr. Boyle, by
John Joachim Becher, one of the Council of the Emperor and
a commissioner for the examen of this affair." [Printed.
Title page only. Ibid. No. 169.] |
|
"Salus domi inventa," or the home-bred friend to the sick,
an admirable spirit extracted from an English root, being an
effectual remedy for the cure of the stone, dropsy, jaundice,
worms in children, with most other diseases incident to
both sexes, and especially the scurvy. Chymically prepared
from that noble, well-known and universally approved
vegetable, horse-radish. [Printed. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 414,
No. 170.] |
|
Particulars of the farm of demesne lands in the lordship of
Grafton and of the leases of divers other parcels of lands all in
Northamptonshire, except one parcel in Lillingston Dayrell, Buckinghamshire, of the toll of the town of Old Stratford, Northamptonshire, and of divers fee farm rents issuing out of divers
lands in Northamptonshire, with note at the foot of many of
the leases of how many years were unexpired at Michaelmas
and other dates in 1680. [18 pages. Very much injured. Ibid.
No. 171.] |
|
" The Inconveniences of a long Continuance of the same
Parliament." (Printed in The Harleian Miscellany, Vol. VII,
p. 495, and The Parliamentary History, Vol. IV, p. cxxvii.)
[4 pages. Printed pamphlet. S.P. Dom., Car. II., Case G.] |
|
" Certain considerations relating to the Royal African Company
of England in which the original, growth and national advantages
of the Guiney trade are demonstrated, as also that the same
trade cannot be carried on but by a Company and Joint Stock."
[Printed pamphlet. Ibid.] |
[1680.] |
"The Deplorable Case of the poor sufferers by that Army
disbanded by the four Commissioners in 1679." On the
debentures given by the Commissioners, orders were given by
the Lords of the Treasury in the Exchequer, as enjoined by the
Act of 1679 for disbanding, but, the money given by the Act
falling short, some were paid and others, who had as much right,
were not. It is submitted that this is a debt occasioned by
Act of Parliament, and it is not doubted that Parliament will
pay the kingdom's debt. Some having been paid already, it
is hoped it will be esteemed but equal justice to pay others,
who have as much right. |
|
As the money on the Disbanding Act was raised by a land tax,
it is submitted whether it may not be so raised again, and, it
appearing by a report of a committee the first Session of the last
Parliament that but 108,588l. is due, that 4d. per pound on land
and 2s. on 100l. Stock, to be paid quarterly, will pay it. Otherwise
a reasonable imposition for two years on certain foreign
commodities will do it. [Printed. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 414,
No. 172.] |
|
Proposals offered to the House of Commons to support the
manufacture of England and to raise money to pay the poor
distressed people concerned in quartering and clothing the Army
disbanded in 1679. Suggesting that a considerable custom
be imposed on all prohibited foreign goods, which are now
privately brought in, and also a considerable custom on guns,
ammunition, and all utensils of war, and also on other iron goods,
which pay little or on duty. [Printed. Ibid. No. 173.] |
|
John Sergeant to Lord—. In this recess of mine, which I
underwent because I know not how far my protection would carry
during the Session of Parliament, I humbly propose my case to you,
being encouraged by your kind reception of me after I had been
at the Council, and commit it to your favour. |
|
At his Majesty's command and by an order from the Privy
Council, I came over to England, and I hope you and all then
present were satisfied with what sincerity I then unbreasted my
thoughts as to the Jesuits and their abominable principles, as
also anything relating to them, which had come to my knowledge.
Till I did so, I was in favour with the Roman Catholic party,
and had fair overtures of being provided for. But, as the Jesuits
have handled the matter, now none beyond seas dares succour
or favour me; also their own straitness of present fortune and
expectation of ruin renders them glad to lay hold of that occasion
to desert me. Father Warner, a sworn partisan of Peter Talbot
and Rector of the Jesuits' College at Liége, has drawn up an
accusation against me in the Roman Inquisition for speaking
against them before the Council, so that I daily expect censures
and excommunication, but what mainly concerns me is that
it will cost me my life, or, which is worse, an Inquisition dungeon
all my life, if I be forced to go into any Roman Catholic country,
so that I shall be most forlorn, unless his Majesty and the State
protect and support me in England. All this I shall suffer for
my fidelity to his Majesty, my sincerity to the Privy Council,
my unbiassable love to my native country and my honest
and conscientious declaring against their execrable maxims.
Nay, if we may trust their books, my life too is in danger
for so openly discovering their bad tenets before so august an
assembly. |
|
These considerations lay on me a necessity to apply to you,
that you would move his Majesty and the State that I may be
excepted out of the common banishment of Roman Catholics
from London and be continued in his Majesty's protection and
supported by his assistance, since I now more than ever need
both, having lost all my livelihood and incurred danger of my
life, by my adherence to his and the kingdom's interest against
those whose un-christian principles render them traitors to both
and enemies to all good men. |
|
I ought not to doubt your power and wisdom to manage this,
nor your goodness to exert both, yet, because this may perhaps
seem to entrench on political considerations, I propose some
reasons, which, I hope, will represent it as very agreeable to
policy to protect me. |
|
Notwithstanding all practicable severity towards Roman
Catholics, very many of the middling and meanest sort will
remain, who will run all hazards rather than not exercise their
religion, nor can this be done without entertaining priests, either
itinerant or settled, who, I am very confident, will be either
altogether or almost all Jesuits, for they are far better lurkers
than any of the others, they have also incomparably more riches,
so that they can assist people for less. Lastly, the Superiors
of the Jesuits have their subjects under an unlimited blind
obedience (which the others have not), so that they will venture
through the greatest dangers at their command, and the Superiors
will not care to expose and sacrifice many of them rather than
lose the hold they have in England and the riches they have
heaped up there. It will follow that all the rest, except some
few, will retire out of England, and only the Jesuits will remain,
and will have free scope to instil their bad principles into the
remnant of the Roman Catholics, and have in proportion more
power in England than they ever had. The prospect of this
advantage made Fitzherbert, a Jesuit, dedicate a book to the
Pope, showing that it was the interest of the Roman See (which
in a Jesuit's language signifies their own), that the English Roman
Catholics should be under a persecution. Now, if his Majesty
and the State think it their concern that some person they are
satisfied with and who has ever been opposed to their ways and
is of general acquaintance with those of that profession be
employed to drive out their detestable tenets from the hearts of
those they will otherwise delude and by such intelligence as he
shall most certainly gain from the more sober party discover
their tampering practices and distinguish their suspected devotees
from others, I offer myself to perform that charge, their persecuting
me on the score of allegiance justifying me abundantly for acting
against them. Also, I will be obliged by oath, if thought fit,
to be exactly faithful in representing each person or family as
I find them, and shall give an account of what discoveries I can
make of the Jesuits' motions. |
|
I will promise faithfully (his Majesty having granted me his
pardon for what is past) not to exercise any illegal function
nor to act or speak against the religion established by law in
England, but will bend all my endeavours to drive the Jesuits
and all their ill principles out of our native country. |
|
That my opposition to the Jesuits is real and hearty, their
letters found in Mr. Whitebread's chamber, when it was searched,
will be my uncontestable witnesses, which were directed to Rome,
accusing me there for an heretic. I have ever kept out Apostolic
Vicars (which are in effect the Pope's men) and all encroachments
of the Roman Court from governing the Seculars in England,
and in 1661 I brought a general assembly of that body to decree
and sign against the Pope's deposing power, as also that no
bulls or breves from Rome should be here accepted without the
leave of his Majesty and the State, which I doubt not the Jesuits
account heresies of the first magnitude. |
|
The above mentioned letters were brought before the Council
and the Bishop of London and the Lord Privy Seal acquainted
me with their contents. |
|
The English Jesuits beyond the seas have been more hot of
late than ever in writing and railing against the oath of allegiance,
in advancing the deposing power and even making the doctrine
of king-killing a point of their faith, by doing which in such a
juncture they show that their malice is so eager that it overruns
their prudence. [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 414, No. 174.] |
|
Request of Edmund Tassell, present Mayor of King's Lynn,
to be restored to his office of surveyor of the customs there,
having been lately displaced only on account of his being Mayor.
(He was Mayor in 1680.) [Ibid. No. 175.] |
|
Articles of High Treason and other high crimes and misdemeanours against James, Duke of York and Albany &c. That
he has confederated with foreign Popish powers to alter the
government in Church and State and to introduce a Popish
tyrannical government; that he has been privy to or passive
in the design of murdering the King that he might succeed;
that, when the plot was discovered, he traitorously revealed it
to several of the traitors and regicides, particularly to Father
Bedingfield, his confessor, and Edward Coleman, and, as further
information came to his knowledge, he gave notice thereof to
his confederates, the traitors, whereby some fled from justice,
and they had opportunity to destroy treasonable papers, and
having command of the Post Offices, when orders were sent to
seize letters with such and such superscriptions, he ordered matters
so, that no such letters were found; that he is reconciled to the
See of Rome, which is capital by the Act; that he has debauched
many to the Roman Communion; that he procured several great
offices for persons Popishly affected and for some declared
Papists; that he has procured pensions for several Papists; that
he contrived the breach of the Triple League, to weaken the
Protestant interest; that he advised several prorogations and
dissolutions of Parliament; that he endeavoured to create in
the King a disbelief of the plot; that he encouraged the design
of turning the plot on the Protestants; that he has always advised
the continuance of the friendship and alliance with the French
King, contrary to the repeated instances of Parliament; that
he advised the general peace, so destructive to the Protestant
religion and interest; that he has kept a strict friendship and
correspondence with the French King; that many Papists, his
servants, are kept in St. James' Palace; that, being a Papist,
he comes to Court and into the King's presence; that he has
endeavoured to take off Dr. Oates' testimony and his servants
that of others of the King's evidence as Mr. Dugdale's by
Mr. Tasborough; that he interceded for traitors, particularly
for Coleman; that, when the Papists fired London, a person
brought before him for that crime was dismissed by him; that
the Mass has been for several years celebrated in St. James',
one of the King's palaces; that he married a bigoted Papist
contrary to several votes and addresses of Parliament; that by
his interest almost all the stores, arms &c., were removed from
the Tower to Portsmouth and elsewhere, where his Popish creatures
governed, a little before the discovery of the plot; that his
departure from the Protestant religion laid the foundation for
the design against the King; that his advice gives laws to the
King's government, which has brought the Protestant interest
in the three kingdoms to such a low condition; that his apostasy
is the source of all our miseries at home and has occasioned great
hardships on the Protestants abroad; that he places such officers
in Church and State as are most proper to promote his Popish
traitorous designs; that at this present time he hinders the
meeting of Parliament in favour of the Papists; that he gave
money for carrying on the Popish interest; that he has private
conferences with foreign Popish ministers and particularly with
the French King's; that he endeavours to procure a stricter
alliance with the French King; that he encourages many of the
youth of the nation to go into the French King's service. [3½
pages. Found with Ferguson's letter of 14 Aug. calendared in the
last volume, p. 604. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 414, No. 176.] |
[1680 ?] |
Opinion of Francis Pemberton, that at elections a sheriff,
if he is doubtful whether a person who proffers to vote for a
knight of the shire be a freeholder, may tender him an oath
thereon, but, if he is satisfied, he should not tender an oath on
purpose to keep him from voting, because he thinks the party
will not take an oath. [Ibid. No. 177.] Annexed, |
|
Act of Hen. VI, limiting the right of election in counties to
40s. freeholders, with note that the sheriff is empowered to
tender an oath to all that he suspects not to have the said
estate, but to tender it to all promiscuously is a thing of late
custom and not required by the statute and to tender it to any
to take away his right of voting is very far from the true
intent thereof, which is not to try whether men will swear,
but whether they have 40s. per annum. [Printed. Ibid.
No. 177 i.] |
|
George Speke to his son, Hugh Speke, at Lincoln's Inn. We
hope to hear from you with speed the person's name and the
information. While I was there, he dared not appear. We have
also received Sir John Cop[? lestone's] and Mr. Barn[ar]d's
letter. I know neither Gange nor Perry. I came safe home
last night, but, had I thought of this, I should have stayed longer
to have fully acquainted P. Ru[pert] and the Lord Chanc[ellor]
and Lord Bath, on whom I hope you will wait and let Sir John
Cop[? lestone] know that I fear to write to him per post. (See
last volume, p. 451.) [Ibid. No. 178.] |
|
Extract out of the Compter Books about some of the Spanish
Ambassador's domestics, viz., out of the Wood Street Compter
Joseph Carreras and Catherine, his wife, at the suit of Robert
Farrer for 100l. entered 5 and withdrawn 12 May, 1676, and
he discharged: out of the Poultry Compter, Joseph Carreras,
at the suit of William Johnson, entered 1 June, 1680, and withdrawn and he discharged 23 Nov. following. [S.P. Dom., Car. II.
414, Nos. 179, 180.] |
|
Complaint against the Master (sic) and Fellows of Queens'
College, Cambridge. Mr. Thorp (B.D., 1627), being willing
to resign his fellowship, founded by Hugh Trotter, Treasurer of
York, and appropriated by him to Yorkshire, and finding none
in that college capable of it, is now willing to leave it to
Mr. Spinck, M.A. of 3 years' standing. The Master being desirous
to bring in his kinsman, one of the diocese of Lincoln, who is
but a B.A., and that by virtue of a dispensation, he and some of
the Fellows pre-elected the said kinsman to the said fellowship,
though not void, contrary to an express statute of their house.
(The only name in the List of Cambridge Graduates like Spinck
is Nathaniel Spinches, of Jesus, M.A., 1677.) [Ibid. No. 181.] |
|
Jeremiah Chaplin, gentleman usher quarter waiter, to the
King. Petition for letters recommendatory to the Lord Mayor
to admit the petitioner into one of the coal-meter's places void
by the deaths of Sir Richard Ford (died 1678) and Mr. Browne,
which the petitioner prayed for about a year ago. [Ibid. No. 182.] |
|
Cornet John Cole to the King. Petition for an allowance of
2s. per diem, the same as that granted to other officers in the
Duke of Monmouth's late regiment of horse (23 Sept., 1679, see
last volume, p. 248) when it was disbanded. [Ibid. No. 183.] |
|
Sir Palmes Fairborne to the King. Petition for allowance to
him of 225l. advanced to him, when he was ordered to raise last
August 300 recruits for Tangier, which he was not able in the
short time allowed him to perform, by the season of the year and
the great draft of men made in raising the army, whereon his
Majesty suspended the said order, inasmuch as he has been at
some expense in endeavouring to effect that service and all the
time he has commanded in chief at Tangier he has advanced his
own estate for the service there and near 600l. is now owing to
him for money advanced ever since last Christmas. [Ibid. No.
184.] |
|
William Law to the King. Petition to be admitted a pensioner
as lieutenant. He served faithfully in Dunkirk and Portugal
and afterwards in France as quarter-master in Sir Henry Jones'
regiment of horse afterwards commanded by the Duke of
Monmouth, by whom he was brought over to England, and
was made lieutenant of horse in the Duke of Albemarle's regiment
and suffered greatly by the disbandment thereof. [Ibid. No. 185.] |
|
Capt. John Gray and Lieut. John Dew to the King. Petition
for a renewal of their passes, which are on record in Secretary
Jenkins' office, to go beyond seas to try their fortune, having
served his Majesty at home and abroad 30 and odd years and
left their employment several times on his proclamation. They
had his letters of recommendation to go beyond the seas in 1678–9,
and hearing of men raising for Tangier came over from Holland
but cannot obtain any condition according to their qualification.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 414, No. 186.] |
|
Sir John Clayton to the King. Petition stating a grant dated
23 Jan., 1676–7, to him to erect four lighthouses at Corton,
Cromer, Flamborough Head and Ferne Island and a confirmation
thereof after 2½ years' contest and that, though he has spent
3,000l. in erecting the said lighthouses, he can make no benefit
thereof by reason of some defects in law in the said grant and
therefore praying his Majesty to accept a surrender of the said
grant and a licence to take a new grant for a lighthouse on Corton,
near Yarmouth, only at the yearly rent of 1l. and to receive one
farthing per ton, as in the former grant. [Ibid. No. 187.] |
|
Sir John Clayton to the King. Petition shorter than but
similar to the last. [Ibid. No. 188.] |
|
Eve Cohan now Elizabeth wife of Michael Verboom to Lord
Chief Justice Sir Francis North. Petition for relief. Was a
Jewess in Holland, but being threatened with death by her relations for becoming a Christian came to England, where she was
pursued by her brother and Vandersee, a kinsman, for fear of whom
she was forced to marry to obtain the protection of a husband,
and detailing various persecutions by her brother and kinsman,
who employed persons to arrest her husband 2 Oct. last on an
action of 200l., who so terrified her that she miscarried. [Ibid.
No. 189.] |
|
William Symonds to the King. Petition for a reprieve directed
to Sir Francis North and Sir Thomas Jones, Justices for that
circuit, the petitioner having engaged for service at Tangier and
having at Plymouth killed a drummer after great provocation
and being shortly to receive his trial at the Exeter assizes. [Ibid.
No. 190.] |
|
John Tomlinson of Bristol to the Lords of the Treasury. Petition
for some employment in the port of London, he and his family
having disbursed great sums for his Majesty's service, and he
having applied in 1679 to them for the surveyorship of the Pill,
belonging to the port of Bristol, which was given to another.
[Ibid. No. 191.] |
|
William Whorwood to the King. Petition for a confirmation
of a grant to him in March, 1679, of the estate of Nicholas Isack
of Exeter, forfeited for murder, in prosecution of which he was
put to great expense, being informed that the said grant is recalled
and conferred otherwise. The petitioner did his utmost to
promote the restoration, being eminently concerned in Sir George
Booth's design and 100l. was set on his head by the Usurper.
(See ante, pp. 410, 588.) [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 414, No. 192.] |
|
John Wren to Secretary Jenkins. Petition stating a reference
dated 28 Nov., 1679, to the Committee for Examinations of his
petition setting forth his case in first apprehending Prance and
that Bedloe had received the 500l. reward therefor, which
Committee gave Bedloe a fortnight to bring in his accounts how
he had bestowed the 100l. according to an order of a Committee
of Council of 14 Jan., 1678–9, which time is long since expired,
and all that is paid according to order is 20l. to the Constable
and 10l. to Morpeth and Hill so that 70l. remains of the 100l., and
praying that on perusal of Bedloe's accounts the petitioner may
receive the remainder out of his allowance in the Treasury.
[Ibid. No. 193.] |
|
William Johnson to the Earl of Conway. Sending him a
stomach mixture with directions for use; with the humble duty
of his wife and himself to his lordship and his lady. [Ibid.
No. 194.] |
|
"The Looking Glass," a satire on [the Duchess of Portsmouth],
beginning, "Methinks I see you newly risen," setting forth her
artifices to keep up her beauty, her influence on the King:—
"Amongst your ladies and his chits,
At cards and Council here he sits," |
|
the dependence of ministers and courtiers on her, naming
Judges Scroggs and Jeffreys, of whom it is said,
"He made the jury come in booty,
And for your service would hang Doughty," |
|
(see last volume, p. 542) and her management of affairs. [Ibid.
No. 195.] |
|
A collection of some observations of several clauses in the
Bill of Confirmation, lately transmitted, which may meet with
opposition in the Parliament of Ireland. |
|
1. That persons declared innocent on remainders be by order
of Chancery forthwith restored to their estates on the determination of the estates now in the possession of any nocent. |
|
This will be thought very severe: for many persons, who
claimed remainders on forged deeds, were declared innocent,
and several such deeds on trial have since been proved to be
forged, and therefore it is conceived the rest ought to abide a
trial at common law. |
|
2. That the lands &c. granted by the Acts of Settlement and
Explanation for satisfaction of adventurers and soldiers are
now by the Bill appointed to be sold for such uses as his Majesty
shall appoint. |
|
Also liable to objections, for some, both soldiers and adventurers, are wholly deficient and very many are partly so. |
|
3. The lands, houses &c. appointed for satisfaction of the '49
officers are also appointed to be sold and disposed of as aforesaid. |
|
This will in all likelihood meet with much opposition, for
their securities were distinct from all others and invested by
the said two former Acts in the Dukes of Albemarle and Ormonde
and their appointees for satisfaction of the arrears due to the
said officers, many of whom will be members of the Parliament here. |
|
Also his Majesty has lately granted a commission for discovery
of such part of that security as was concealed from them, with
power to sell and dispose of it to their use, on which commission a great progress has already been made, and more is daily
expected to be found out. If this be taken from them, they
will lose their security, and the expenses of the commission will
be wasted. This will greatly discontent the said officers, who
were faithful to his Majesty in those times of defection and
have not as yet received more than about three shillings in the
pound of their arrears. |
|
4. The rules laid down in the Bill for discovering and selling of
concealed lands will not in any measure answer the end intended, for
all are left at liberty, whether they will bring in their concealments
or not, there being no new rules for encouraging others to make
out discoveries, in case the present possessor do not discover it
himself, nor any penalties [imposed] on the possessor, if he
do not discover. |
|
5. All degrees of innocents are confirmed according as they
are now possessed, though they were decreed only to have such
estate as they had in 1641. |
|
This will swallow up a very great part of the lands which should
answer the ends of that Act, for most of those declared innocent
not only claimed but are possessed of much more than they had
title to in 1641. |
|
6. Many things in this Bill make void material clauses in the
former Acts. |
|
This will be looked on with a very jealous eye, for, if the two
former Acts, which are reputed as the Magna Charta of the
kingdom, should be so soon invaded, it may be apprehended attempt will be made to void the whole and so all men's estates will
be made uncertain. |
|
7. Though it is hoped this Bill will put an end to all troubles
in some short time, yet many of the King's Protestant subjects are
not likely to find so good effects from it in any convenient time,
for persons declared innocent on remainders may perhaps, forty
years hence, try to oust the person now in possession or their
heirs when they can have no reprize, and when the witnesses, who
could prove the forgery of their deeds of settlement, are dead. |
|
8. The old Protestant interest is not so fully provided for in the
said Bill as is requisite. Many of their estates were sequestered
by the Usurper, and few or none had decrees of innocence by
the late Court of Claims. [2 pages. Conway papers. S.P.
Ireland, Car II. 339, No. 149.] |
|
Answers to the Observations on the Bill for the Settlement of
Ireland. |
|
No known stock of any undisposed forfeited lands remains
in Ireland, except a few coarse lands in Kerry and Carbery which
are not worth the quit rent, and which nobody would accept
towards his reprizals during the sitting of the Court of Claims.
Consequently all the lands desired to be applied for satisfaction of
the adventurers' and soldiers' deficiencies must be found out by
enquiring into the defects of persons' titles, who for many years
have been in possession thereof. This has already caused some
disturbance in Ireland by reason of the Commissions of Inquiry
issued of late by virtue of the King's letters in order to the satisfaction
of some particular persons who are deficient. It is conceived that
nothing can now tend more to the settlement of the kingdom
than the securing of the present possessors and the putting an
end to further discoveries and inquiries concerning concealed
lands, to which are exposed not only the innocent Papists but
also the old Protestants, who have not passed new patents. |
|
As to the '49 officers, all that during the sitting of the
Court of Claims could be found out to be any part of their security
was then distributed amongst them. All that can be hoped
for from any further discoveries would hardly go further than
will defray the charge of the commission that has been some
time since granted by the King for settling thereof. Nothing
almost has been done under this, but a great many persons,
who possess lands or houses within the counties and towns
set apart for their satisfaction, are kept under perpetual
fear of having informations brought against them in the
Exchequer, where many have been commenced and hardly
one yet brought to a trial, but thereby the planting and improvement of such lands is delayed. Those who have made discoveries
of lands in their own possession, who, it is pretended, would be
betrayed and disappointed by this Bill, will have liberty to pass
patents thereof and thereby may secure themselves upon easier
terms than they could have compounded for with the '49 officers. |
|
2. Answered in the answer to the second consideration in
the other paper. |
|
3. It is conceived that it will be more for the quiet of the
kingdom that such innocent persons who fifteen years since obtained
decrees for their lands, and have since enjoyed them, should now
be finally secured in them against any discoveries that may
hereafter be made of the King's title thereto, than that they
should all be still subject to such future inquiries as any persons
who are deficient may make into the defects of their titles. |
|
4. All the ancient Protestants, who were sequestered by the usurpers and have good titles to the lands possessed by them, are
sufficiently secured therein without passing any new letters patent;
but, if any of them have any defects in their titles which they shall
desire to have remedied, they have by this Bill liberty to secure
themselves by passing of new patents. This is certainly a
favour and no injury to them, there being no necessity laid
upon any of them to pass new patents. Those who shall not
pass any will be in as good a condition as they now are, and will
enjoy their lands upon their former titles; and those, who have
need of new patents to remedy their former titles, can have little
reason to complain of the charge of passing their patents, whereby
their whole estates will be secured to them. |
|
5. The new commission designed by this Bill cannot, it is
conceived, be properly termed a new Court of Judicature, the
Commissioners being only appointed to distribute the King's
grace and favour to such as shall desire it, and they having power
only to help those who have ill titles, but not to prejudice any
that conceive they have good titles to the lands enjoyed by
them, and shall not therefore make application to them. There
is no mention in the Bill of fees to be paid to the Commissioners. |
|
6. It was never intended by this Bill that any persons, by taking
out new patents, should avoid any debts or settlements formerly
made by them, neither is there anything in the Bill that can
give any pretence for their doing so. [2¾ pages. Conway papers.
S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 339, No. 150.] |
|
Capt. Bernard Strode to the King. Petition for a troop of
Dragoons, his Majesty having given Capt. Brabazon 500l. in
consideration of the loss of his troop about a year and a half
ago (8 Aug., 1678, see S.P. Dom., 1678, p. 350), who was unjustly
displaced by the Earl of Essex, and the petitioner having
laboured under the like injustice for above 6 years, and having
given 200l. for his company in time of war. [Ibid. No. 151.] |
|
Capt. Bernard Strode to the King. Similar petition, but
praying that what his Majesty will be pleased to give him for his
great loss above those 6 years may be by the Privy Purse or
Paymaster of the Army and the next company, as Capt. Brabazon
was restored in the very same case. [Ibid. No. 152.] |
|
The case of Jane Perin, widow, on behalf of herself and her fatherless children. Giving an account of the proceedings on her appeal of
4 December, 1674, from the sentence of the Royal Court of Jersey
in favour of Sir Philip de Carteret, which was dismissed; of her
application for a re-hearing, which was granted 25 June, 1675,
but set aside 23 May, 1677, on the untrue suggestion of Sir Philip
that it was obtained in his absence by surprise; of her application
for a reversal of the last order, which was granted, and a summons
of 10 Sept., 1680, issued to Sir Philip to appear within 40 days,
and of a stay of the said summons till she should give security for
costs, which she put in, but found that Sir Philip had in the
meantime obtained an order of final dismission, and praying that
her cause might be heard and determined according to the justice
thereof. (See Sir Philip's letter of 10 Oct., calendared ante,
p. 57.) [2 pages. S.P. Channel Islands 1, No. 99.] |
|
Newspapers for the Year. |
|
The London Gazette, published twice a week from No. 1474
(from Thursday, 1 Jan., to Monday, 5 Jan.,) to No. 1577 (from
Monday, 27 Dec., to Thursday, 30 Dec.). No. 1519 is missing. |