|
| Aug. 1. |
The presentment of the Grand Jury of Devon. (Printed in
the London Gazette, No. 1646.) [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 80.] |
| Aug. 1. |
The information of Edmond Everard of Gray's Inn. The
persons that immediately or mediately tampered with him to
swear treason against the Earl of Shaftesbury, and Dr. Oates
and to the Presbyterian plot, are David Fitzgerald, Justice
Warcupp, Robert Power and the Earl of Clarendon. (He then
gives long details of conversations with the first three persons,
of whom the last said he was sent to him by the Earl of Clarendon.)
[9 pages. Ibid. No. 81.] |
Aug. 1.
Windsor. |
Commission to Sir John Lanier to be commander in chief
and governor of the island of Jersey. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 29,
p. 394.] |
Aug. 1.
London. |
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. They write from
Edinburgh of the 26th that Donald Cargill with his two followers
were tried before the Lords of Sessions the 24th, who convicted
them and sentenced them to be hanged at the Market Cross
on the 29th, their heads to be fixed on the porches of that city.
Several others were tried at the same time for being in the rebellion
at Bothwell Bridge and convicted and remanded to prison. Their
Royal Highnesses are in good health as is the Lady Ann. Great
numbers, both of Scots and English, are come thither to see
the approaching parliament. The Duke of York has appointed
the Earl of Atholl, Lord Privy Seal, to be Provost or Speaker
to the parliament. Lord Rothes, Chancellor of Scotland, lying
now speechless, it's believed, could not live many hours. The
27th the Duke sent his own coach attended by the Life Guard
to Edinburgh Castle to fetch the sceptre, sword and crown,
with which he crowned the King at Arms Lyon. He was also
to knight Mr. Richardson, one of the Clerks of the Council. The
same evening Lord Ancram was sworn one of the Council. |
|
Saturday evening Mr. Bolter, a bookseller, was seized by a
warrant from Sir L. Jenkins and committed to the Gatehouse
on misprision of treason. |
|
The Prince of Orange dines to-day with the Spanish ambassador. |
|
Letters from Durham advise that at the assizes there an
indictment was presented against Mr. Selbey, an M.D., for saying
that the monarchy of England consisted of three estates, that
he hoped the King was a Protestant, he believed him to be none
&c., for which he was fined 50l. Another indictment was presented
against Capt. Blackstone for saying that the people were subjects
to the House of Commons and that they called parliaments &c.,
but, the words not being proved, he was acquitted of that, but
for further saying that no successor was a lawful King till he had
taken the Coronation oath he was found guilty and fined 5l.
An indictment was preferred against one Mitford by a prebendary
of the Cathedral for disturbing him in divine service, but, it
apprehending that the prebendary told the congregation he had
done with spirituals and would speak to them of temporals
and thereupon began to recommend them to the choice of
parliament men, viz., Mr. Bowes and Mr. Fetherstone, on which
Mr. Mitford interrupted him and said they were neither Protestants
nor enemies to Popery, he was acquitted, the judge declaring that
this disturbance was not within the statute of Queen Mary on
which the indictment was grounded. Mr. Fetherstone recovered
40l. damages against a person who called him a Papist at the
same assizes. The Grand Jury, on which were Sir Ralph Carr,
Sir Ralph Cole and Mr. Bowes, members of the late House of
Commons, presented an address to the Court to thank his Majesty
for his declaration, as also for passing the Irish cattle bill, for
preserving Tangier &c., which was signed in Court by the Bishop
and the rest of the bench, but Sir Gilbert Gerard and Mr. Parkhurst refused it. |
|
His Majesty will dine with the Prince of Orange at the Spanish
ambassador's to-morrow incognito. An extraordinary courier
from the Prince of Parma to the Spanish ambassador here is
arrived, which assures him that the French have demanded
Antwerp and the Land of Waes to be delivered in 8 days.
[3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital 1, No. 117.] |
Aug. 2.
Derby House. |
J. Brisbane to Sir Roger Manley. Informing him that he
had communicated his letter to the Lords of the Admiralty,
who are of opinion that supplying Landguard Fort with a boat
is a matter foreign to the Navy. [Copy. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416,
No. 82.] |
Aug. 2.
London. |
Edmond Warcupp to Sir Leoline Jenkins. In obedience to
your commands Mr. Graham and I shut ourselves up to reduce
the papers you committed to our charge to application and
herewith you will find the proofs against the Earl of Shaftesbury
reduced to form and may easily judge how far they extend.
There wants only to be added what may be collected out of
Fitzgerald's papers and letters, which came not to us, and what be
contained in the papers seized at the Earl's house. The like
method is taken about Lord Howard's concerns, which will be
ready at your arrival and in our weak judgment the latter is much
stronger in proof than the former, so made by the papers found
about him, though the witnesses are fewer against him. You will
also find herewith a draft of an information of Mrs. Teresia Peacocke,
wherein she charges both the said lords with divers others. By
this information you will be instructed how to examine Mrs.
Fitzharris and reduce her to a full declaration of truth and Sir
William Waller may possibly be by this brought to produce the
charge against the King therein mentioned. She will be sworn
before you to this information and, I presume, at your arrival
you will send for her. Mr. Smith has attended two days with
his full account about the blasphemy and some other matters
in writing. John Macnamara and Turberville have also waited
your coming to make some new informations before you and,
had I not received notice at your house that you will not be in
town till to-morrow night at soonest, I should not have troubled
you now, but I hope your pardon, since the matters herewith
sent may possibly be considered of by Lord Hyde and yourself,
before you leave Windsor. Mr. Graham has employed so many
hours in this as none can imagine, considering how few days
have been allowed. We have sat ten hours at a time without
moving and, I believe, we shall reduce things into such a posture
that you will not repent the trust reposed in us. [Ibid. No. 83.] |
Aug. 3.
Windsor. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of Sir
Robert Hamilton and the report thereon of the Lord Lieutenant,
dated 29 June, 1681, on the reference to him of 28 Oct., 1680,
calendared ante, p. 71, which was that, as his Majesty had vacated
the grant of Comptroller General of the revenue of Ireland formerly
granted to John Hayes during pleasure on account of his negligence, if he shall grant Sir Robert Hamilton the said office as
proposed in the draft letter annexed to his petition and continue to
him the allowance as one of the Commissioners of Inspection, it will
not be above 20l. additional charge on the revenue, if the payment
of the said salary be not directed to commence before Michaelmas
next. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 134.] |
Aug. 3.
Windsor. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of Capt.
Henry Cornewall for a grant of a debt of Roger Vaughan, his
brother, of 616l. 10s. as receiver of the Hearthmoney in Herefordshire, he being killed at sea without leaving assets to satisfy it.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 137.] |
Aug. 4.
London. |
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. Edinburgh, July 28.
A petty jury of this city having cleared some persons, who
were tried for being in the rebellion at Bothwell Bridge, a great
assize was held on the 25th to try the actions of this jury, the
lords of the justiciary having remitted it to them. This assize
consisted of 25 persons, some noblemen, the remainder gentlemen,
who having been shut up for some time returned their opinions,
that there was an error in the judgment of the petty jury, who
were immediately committed to prison, our law making it
imprisonment and confiscation of goods. This was the first
great assize ever held in this city, so many hard and hot words
passed between the Advocate and Sir John Cunningham and
Sir George Lockhart, who managed for the jury. |
|
The 26th died the Duke of Rothes, Lord Chancellor. 'Tis
said his place will be supplied by the Earl of Atholl. |
|
The 29th Donald Cargill, his two followers and his two countrymen were executed at the Cross. The heads of Cargill and his
two disciples were cut off and fixed on the Netherbow and the
West Port. |
|
The long expected day of our parliament sitting is now come,
where the ceremony of riding to the Parliament House was performed with great solemnity. A vast number of people attended
as spectators. The sceptre (? sword) was carried by the Earl of
Argyle, the sceptre by the Earl of Mar and the crown by the
Marquess of Douglas. About 12 they write that [they came to]
the Parliament House, where his Royal Highness as Lord
Commissioner was sat on the throne, prayers being read by the
Bishop of Edinburgh as he stood up in his place, after which the
King's commission was read and then his Majesty's letter to the
Parliament (calendared ante, p. 354). His Royal Highness made a
speech much to the same purpose and, after the Parliament had taken
the usual oaths, they proceeded to the choosing of the Lords of
the Articles. (Account of how this is done.) His Royal Highness
then nominated a committee for elections and then adjourned
the Parliament till Monday, 1 August, the Committee for Elections
till Friday and the Articles till Saturday. These things being
done, the Parliament returned to the palace. The Earl Marshal
rode before with a permission cap and a batoon in his hand;
the Constable, having a permission cap, rode on his Royal Highness's right hand to Holyrood House, where the whole Parliament was entertained at a very magnificent dinner. Duke
Hamilton moved in the Parliament House that thanks might
be returned to his Majesty for the great honour he did his
ancient kingdom by sending his royal brother to reside among
them. |
|
The Prince of Orange at 1 this morning came to Arlington
House. He lies to-night at New Hall at the Duke of Albemarle's
and goes to Harwich to-morrow, where the King's yachts will
be to carry him for Holland. |
|
To-day the apprentices keep their feast at Sadlers' Hall, where
several persons of great quality dined with them. |
|
The Grand Jury of Maidstone have found an indictment of
30 Nonconformists at Dover. [Over 3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich
Hospital 1, No. 118.] |
Aug. 5.
Tower. |
Capt. Thomas Cheeke to [Sir Leoline Jenkins]. You told me this
afternoon you thought it fit I should propose the manner of
carrying College to Henley. I hope to be well enough to put
him into the sheriff's hands myself, but, if the gout should seize
me, I fear I shall not be able, but the gentleman porter, if necessary,
will supply my place. The way I propose to carry him is a coach
to be ready in Southwark by 3 or 4 next Saturday sennight, the
13th, and to give it out he is not to go till the 15th. The guards
I intend are 10 or 12 of the warders on horseback with carbines,
which I intend to have out of the small gun office, and some of
my own servants. The coach I intend shall go to Slow (Slough) or
Maidenhead and have a fresh coach there, that I may return
the same day, if I am well enough for the journey. The warders
must stay all night in Henley and the cheapest way will be to
allow them so much a day, for reckonings in inns are very
unreasonable. |
|
I have sent you a copy of the writ I received for Fitzharris, which is in case of sickness to deliver him by a
deputy. |
|
The great charge of prisoners and the garrison makes me very
unwilling to be out of the Tower, when Lord Alington is not in
town, but the King's commands are to me above any other
consideration and, if he commands me to wait on College alone
to Henley, I shall as readily obey that order as with a guard
and, if College's party attempt to take him out of my hands,
they shall never have him alive. [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II.
416, No. 84.] |
| Aug. 5. |
Trial of the Pyx. |
|
Gold and silver coined in the Mint from 14 June, 1679, to
19 July, 1680, the gold at 44l. 10s. the lb. and the silver at
3l. 2s. |
|
By weight. |
By tale. |
In the pyx. |
|
lb. |
oz. |
dwt. |
gr. |
l. |
s. |
d. |
l. |
s. |
d. |
|
Gold |
15,845 |
8 |
9 |
12 |
705,133 |
18 |
6¾ |
1,022 |
0 |
0 |
|
Silver |
111,363 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
345,227 |
2 |
2 |
322 |
9 |
3 |
|
Totals |
|
|
|
1,050,36 |
1 |
0 8¾ |
1,344 |
9 |
3 |
|
[Ibid. No. 85.] |
| Aug. 5. |
Trial of the Pyx. |
|
Gold and silver coined in the Mint from 22 July, 1680, to the
trial of the Pyx 5 Aug., 1681. |
|
By weight. |
By tale. |
In the pyx. |
|
lb. |
oz. |
dwt. |
gr. |
l. |
s. |
d. |
l. |
s. |
d. |
|
Gold |
9,252 |
6 |
14 |
0 |
411,738 |
16 |
11 |
588 |
10 |
0 |
|
Silver |
50,531 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
156,646 |
7 |
2 |
157 |
9 |
5 |
|
Totals |
|
|
|
568,385 |
4 |
1 |
745 |
19 |
5 |
|
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 86.] |
Aug. 5.
Windsor Castle. |
The King to the Lords of the Treasury of Scotland. Whereas
William Paterson, merchant in Edinburgh, having by his petition
represented that in 1679 he undertook to transport the rebels
sent to foreign plantations and that the ship was lost on the
coast of Orkney and most of the prisoners drowned to his great
damage, who was at the loss of more than 1,500l. sterling for
freight, provisions and other necessaries and that, he having
petitioned the Privy Council for relief, they by their letter of
6 March, 1680, desired the Duke of Lauderdale to represent
his case favourably to us and that notwithstanding nothing is
as yet done for his redress, we earnestly recommend his case to
your consideration, that you may fall upon the most proper course
for the reparation of his said losses, which we authorize and
require you to cause to be done in such a manner and out of such
a fund as to you shall seem most reasonable and just. [Nearly
2 pages. S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 6, p. 418.] |
Aug. 5.
Windsor Castle. |
Warrant to the Duke of Albany and York and the Privy Council
of Scotland to grant a warrant to Col. Gage and his officers,
who has been authorized to levy recruits in Scotland for the
Scots regiment under his command in the King of Spain's service
in Flanders, to beat drums for that purpose. [Ibid. p. 420.] |
Aug. 5.
Windsor Castle. |
Memorials of protections to James Wood, quarter-master of
the Earl of Mar's regiment, George Riddell, indweller in Leith,
and Jannet Gordon, widow in Kintore, for two years respectively.
[Ibid. pp. 420, 421.] |
Aug. 6.
Windsor. |
Warrant for a commission to Charles, Earl of Shrewsbury,
to be lord lieutenant of Staffordshire, with revocation of a patent
to Robert, Earl of Sunderland, to be lieutenant during the
minority of the said Earl. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 29, p. 395.] |
Aug. 6.
Windsor. |
Warrant to Joseph Reeve, High Sheriff of Surrey, for the
reprieve for 14 days of Thomas Wood, condemned to die for
killing Sarah Argles, the Coroner's jury having given their verdict
that she died a natural death. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54,
p. 88.] |
Aug. 6.
Windsor. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of Anne
Kelly for payment of 425l., the arrears of a pension of 100l.
per annum granted her in consideration of her brother, Sir Edward
Spragg's, services, and for continuance of the payment thereof
quarterly for her maintenance. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55,
p. 135.] |
Aug. 6.
Windsor. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of John
King to be empowered to be the sole translator of all the invoices
and bills of lading into the English language to be entered by
the subjects of Denmark, on the representation made to his
Majesty of the advantage that may accrue to the Customs by
appointing such an officer. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 135.] |
Aug. 6.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Lieutenant of the Tower. I showed
your letter to as many of the Lords as are met. They direct it
should be produced before his Majesty to-morrow. They take
no exception to anything in it, only there must be a precise
adjustment of the day between you and those that go to Oxford.
We think here of Monday, the 15th, but you shall know his
Majesty's pleasure on Monday. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 62,
p. 244.] |
Aug. 6.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Capt. Alford. I see by your letter of the
3rd your care and diligence in his Majesty's service. I shall
represent them as they deserve. In the meantime I desire you
to continue to give me such advices as may tend to our Master's
service. I laid your proposal of 16 July before Lord Hyde. He
will have a regard to your services. [Ibid. p. 245.] |
Aug. 6.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Lord Chief Baron. His Majesty has
declared his resolution to have a meeting here of all the judges
before the 29th instant. I guess it will be on or about the 26th,
but the day will not be fixed till to-morrow. However, I give
you this with the soonest that you may the better dispose of your
own occasions and that you may expect another letter, which
I suppose I shall have order to write on Tuesday. [Ibid. p. 246.] |
|
Note of the same to Justices Wyndham and Charleton and to
Barons Atkyns and Street. [Ibid.] |
Aug. 6.
London. |
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. They write from
Edinburgh the 30th that the clerk of Rugland has accused the
Provost thereof, alleging that he could not be a member of that
parliament, first, having been at the rebellion at Bothwell Bridge;
secondly, those that elected him had not taken the declaration;
thirdly, that 29 May, several of his neighbours having made
bonfires, he put them out; fourthly, that he put the town
treasurer in prison for refusing to advance money to buy
provisions for the rebels. These articles having been sworn against
him, he was committed to prison and the Advocate has orders
to draw up an indictment against him. The same day the Lords
of the Articles sat, where his Royal Highness was present, before
whom this information was brought. |
|
Last Thursday night arrived an express from Scotland with
a letter from the Parliament to his Majesty. (Summary of the
letter, which is printed in Wodrow, Vol. III, p. 289, note and in
The Acts of the Parliament of Scotland, Vol. VIII, p. 236.) This
letter was agreed to be sent by the Parliament last Monday,
after which the Duke adjourned them till Friday. |
|
The French will have perfected the fortification of Huningen
in 6 or 7 weeks. A great many wagons laden with ammunition
are arrived at Montbelliard from Burgundy. |
|
From Metz they write on the 2nd that five regiments of horse
and dragoons passed by that place to join M. de Bussey's army
in the county of Luxemburg. |
|
They write from Strassburg that a person is arrived there from
France to contract with the magistrates of that city for 500
Protestant families to deside (? reside) there. Though the wind
has been very fair, two Flanders posts are wanting and 'tis feared
the French have stopped their coming by having surprised some
places in Flanders and we are the more inclined to believe it
because our letters from Holland say that the French have
used (?) Chana, which was delivered them by the Prince of Parma,
and that the Count de Montbrun continues with his troops at
Pont St. Pierre and has made a detachment of 10 men per company,
which he has sent into the part of Flanders yet remaining to the
King of Spain, where they have forbidden the inhabitants to cut
their corn. The Chevalier de Lourdis, who commands a party
about Menin, has given the like orders in the country about
Bruges, and he obliges the inhabitants to furnish him with as
much forage per diem as he thinks fit. They now pretend
also the county of Bouhin, Barrhien, the old burg of Ghent,
Grammont, Ninove, Alost and generally all the open country of
Flanders. |
|
A petition is carrying about by some apprentices to the Lord
Mayor, desiring he would order an Address to his Majesty for the
calling of a parliament. [Over 3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich
Hospital 1, No. 119.] |
Aug. 6.
London. |
[E. Ridley] to [Sir Francis Radcliffe]. My last informed you that I
attended Mr. Chivens (Chiffinch) at Windsor with your letter and had
great promises of his friendship which I have not yet found, the
Lords having not met to read any petitions, which proves your
misfortune, for never was any reference more reasonable or better
recommended, yet I find a cautious humour too prevalent, for,
on the Secretary's refusing to insert his Majesty's pleasure to
stop process, I got Mr. Legg, who delivered the petition, to go with
me yesterday to Lord Hyde to tell him the King's command
in it, who would leave us to the Council and so have an order
there to stop process, which is only delay, for they will not do it,
so after almost pressing importunely we shall have it read at the
first meeting and I hope process will be superseded, for the reference
is plain and warrants them to do it. I took Mr. Heath with me,
that he might know in my absence how to attend them. Your
plea being blown upon by the Attorney-General makes it go the
worse at Court, where his Majesty intends you the most favour,
and I wish you had a report of any kind from the Treasury to him.
I have deferred my journey till Tuesday in hopes to see something
done to your satisfaction. [Imperfect, the end being lost. Ibid.
No. 120.] |
Aug. 6.
Whitehall. |
Sir Leoline Jenkins to the Lord Lieutenant. (Calendared in
the Ormonde Papers, Vol. VI, p. 119.) [S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 341,
p. 86.] |
Aug. 7.
Windsor. |
Reference to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London of the
petition of the Coalheavers for incorporation. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 55, p. 135.] |
Aug. 7.
Windsor. |
Reference of the petition of Seth Garrett for a grant of a fine,
imposed on John Platt and other confederates to ruin him, to
the Bishop of London, to do therein as he shall think fit. [Ibid.
p. 136.] |
Aug. 8.
Windsor. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of
William Law for a grant of a pension as lieutenant. [Ibid.] |
Aug. 8.
Windsor. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of Thomas
Doyley, engineer of the Mint, for a pardon to William Foster,
who has discovered some coiners and will discover more, to
enable him to give evidence against them. [Ibid. p. 137.] |
Aug. 8.
Windsor. |
The King to the Lord Lieutenant. Warrant after reciting
that Henry Dodwell of Grange, co. Roscommon, has and is still
endeavouring to bring several Protestant families together and
that the creation into a manor of the lands hereafter mentioned
would much encourage an English plantation there, for erecting
into the manor of Milltowne-Dodwell the town and lands of
Grange, alias Grange Dodwell, Milltowne, alias MiltowneDodwell, and divers other towns and lands in the baronies of
Athlone, Roscommon and Ballintober, co. Roscommon, and the
towns and lands of Touregoe, Lisnerower and divers other towns
and lands in the baronies of Tirrerill, Carbury and Tireragh,
co. Sligo, containing in all about 8,000 acres, with the powers
and privileges usual in creations of manors. [3 pages. S.P. Dom.,
Signet Office, Vol. 11, p. 10.] |
| Aug. 9. |
Edward Fitzharris to Secretary Jenkins. I have something
to communicate to you, which I suppose may be for his Majesty's
service, but I cannot wait on you at the office. The porter told
me yesterday at your house that nobody must trouble you there,
but, the nature of the business requiring secrecy, I desire you
would appoint when and where I may privately wait on you.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 87.] |
| Aug. 9. |
Monsr. Marin to Sir Leoline Jenkins. I had hardly returned
from my journey, when on going out of my house I was seized
by two sergeants who, notwithstanding his Majesty's safe conduct,
still keep me under arrest for fictitious debts. One of them
indeed I admit and I offer to give security for its payment, but
they will not give me any respite and neither the new letters of
credit of his Highness, my master, nor the King's protection are
regarded. If I may converse with you for half an hour, you may
judge for yourself of the cause of my adversaries. [French.
S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 88.] |
Aug. 9.
Windsor. |
R. Y[ard] to Sir Leoline Jenkins. About 7 this morning
I received yours of the 8th and immediately conveyed the
enclosed by Mr. Chiffinch to his Majesty, and, after his Majesty
was come out of his chamber, I got them again to return them to
you. I went likewise to Mr. Blathwayt for Mr. Warwick's cipher,
but he is now at London and has not left it, so I must stay till
his return, and then I shall transcribe it and send the copy as you
command. His Majesty with the Duchess of Portsmouth and
several other ladies and persons of quality went to-day to dine
with Mr. Chiffinch at Philbards. [Ibid. No. 89.] |
Aug. 9.
Bath. |
The presentment of the Grand Jury of Somerset. (Printed
in the London Gazette, No. 1647.) [Ibid. No. 90.] |
| Aug. 9. |
The loyal Apprentices of London to Sir Patience Ward, Lord
Mayor. Petition. Understanding that there has been and still
is a devilish plot of the Papists and Jesuits and that they have
burnt this City once and frequently attempted the firing of it
since, have assassinated his Majesty in his representatives, his
justices, have endeavoured to take off and discourage his evidence,
have suborned persons to swear falsely against several of his most
eminent Protestant subjects, and now on the dissolution of the
last Parliament have stimulated inconsiderate men to address
his Majesty in so monstrous way as perhaps never was known,
one whereof they have imposed on some few of us, who
inconsiderately subscribed thereto and now give out it is the
sense of the body of apprentices; therefore we, dreading the
consequences thereof, assure your lordship and the whole world
that we utterly disapprove their proceedings in that address,
but unanimously concur with your lordship, the Common Council
and the Common Hall, as believing that no means can be effectual
for the security of his Majesty and the nation without the sitting
of a Parliament, which we desire you would declare to the next
Common Council or Common Hall. [1½ page. Noted, as printed
for Joshua Evans. Ibid. No. 91.] |
Aug. 9.
Windsor. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of
Jeremiah Bubb, one of the gentlemen ushers quarter waiters,
for a grant of a fine of 50l. laid on Roger Beard, an attorney,
as a common barrator at the last Herefordshire assizes. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 55, p. 137.] |
Aug. 9.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Sir George Jeffreys and to the SolicitorGeneral. Informing them of his Majesty's desire that each of
them would be present and assistant at the trial of College at
Oxford, which is to be on the 17th. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 62,
pp. 247, 248.] |
Aug. 9.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Sir Thomas Vernon. I directed Mr. Ellis
to give you some account last post how the Shropshire commission
for the peace came to be the same with the foregoing one. The
list he sent you last post he had from me and I had it from the
Lord Chancellor, who lays the blame wholly on Mr. Barker.
Order is taken for a new commission reformed as in that list,
which will supersede the old one. I acknowledge as a great deal
of honour that you let me know the failures in the King's service
in that county. I will do all I can to have such things remedied.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 62, p. 249.] |
Aug. 9.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Lieutenant of the Tower. The bearer,
Mr. Graham, will deliver you the writ for the conducting of Stephen
College, now prisoner in the Tower, to the county of Oxford,
there to deliver him into the hands of the Sheriff of Oxfordshire,
who is directed to attend for his coming at Henley. It is his
Majesty's pleasure that the day you are to carry the prisoner
towards Oxfordshire be Monday next, the 15th, and, the sheriff
being to attend your arrival at Henley so as to be able to conduct
the prisoner that same day through to the Castle at Oxford, it
is thought needful you set out from the Tower between 3 and 4
that morning. Your letter to me about the way and the guard
you intended to take was read yesterday to his Majesty, who
took no exception to any part of it, assuring himself that you
would omit no precaution the law allows for the safe conducting
of the prisoner, for whom you are answerable. [Ibid. p. 250.] |
Aug. 10.
Windsor. |
Private information given his Majesty against Col. Dering.
1. He drank confusion to lawn sleeves. Was of his grandfather's
opinion neither for Lord Bishops nor Duke Bishops.—Proved by
Sir Thomas Taylor. |
|
2. He said he would raise a regiment, after he was turned
out, and nominated his officers.—Proved by Sir Stephen Leonard. |
|
3. At the elections he said he had the Treasury on his side.—
Proved by Col. Diggs. |
|
4. He said his father had not assisted him with a groat, had
he not assisted the Fanatic party.—Witnessed by Herbert Stapeley. |
|
5. He used an unseemly expression about a limited monarchy
(unquotable).—Witnessed by Sir John Tufton. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 416, No. 92.] |
Aug. 10.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Mr. Brisbane. I was commanded by
his Majesty on Sunday to lay before the Committee for Trade,
as I did this morning, an overture his Majesty took notice of
in my last letter from Admiral Herbert, viz., that, in case his
Majesty found the war with Algiers to be too chargeable and
uneasy for him, he would then consider whether it would not be
for his better service to act on the defensive and, instead of pursuing
his enemies with fleets, protect his subjects with strong convoys.
His Majesty observed that the proposition deserved to be considered, being against the Admiral's interest. To consider the
proposition the Committee will meet at 10 next Tuesday at the
Robes and desire to speak with some of the Admiralty Commissioners on this subject and particularly to know their judgment
of the expense of such a defensive war to the King compared
with his present expenses. His Majesty has likewise commanded
me to impart to your Board the advices I have concerning the
sickness being broke out in Cadiz and of the present state of our
pratique in those parts that the Navy Commissioners and the
Victuallers may partake of those advices and of the directions
of your Board for their better government on this incident.
[1½ page. S.P. Dom., Entry Book 62, p. 252.] |
Aug. 10.
Windsor. |
Warrant to the Ordnance Commissioners, after reciting that
Kingston upon Hull for its better defence was to be strengthened
by a new fortification (besides the blockhouses and castle, which
have been likewise ordered to be repaired) according to the design
of Major Martin Beckman, for causing the said fortification to
be built according to the said design and for buying any ground
that may be necessary to be taken in and for appointing commissioners, if necessary, to see the work duly performed. [S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 164, p. 69.] |
| [Before Aug. 11.] |
The humble address of the Watermen (Freemen) belonging
to the Thames to the King. Thanking him for his late declaration
and promising their steadfast loyalty and full obedience. (Printed
in the London Gazette, No. 1642, from 11 to 15 Aug.) [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 416, No. 93.] |
Aug. 11.
Brickhill. |
Bernard Hagedot to Francis Strutt. The words to the best of
my knowledge were, "If I were a Papist, I would have my throat
cut." The Earl of Bath knows our family was never stained
with any disloyalty and I hope it never will. On the back, |
|
Francis Strutt to Owen Wynne. I lay this before you
that notice may be taken thereof, if it concerns the State. At
my return from Lord Maxfield's (Macclesfield's) I lay at
Mr. Hagedot's, who told me one of my lord's servants had
told him, if they did not look about them, they would all have
their throats cut. [Ibid. No. 94.] |
Aug. 11.
Hampton Court. |
Warrant to Edward Griffin, Treasurer of the Chamber, for
payment of 20l. to the Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal in lieu
of 3 deer customarily granted to them yearly. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 53, p. 62.] |
Aug. 11.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Lord Chief Baron. In reply to your
letter of yesterday from Aspden, the day fixed on this day in
Council for you and the rest of the judges to be in London to
consider of several things his Majesty has to lay before them is
the 26th instant. I hope this will not disorder the measures
you have taken for Lord Montague's satisfaction or for your
own divertisements. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 62, p. 254.] |
|
Memorandum that at the same time notice of the abovementioned day was given to Justices Wyndham and Charleton
and Barons Atkyns and Street. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 62,
p. 254.] |
Aug. 11.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Bishop of Oxford. When I moved
the Council this morning for an order to have Lord Courcy straight
removed into Ireland, a frigate being now waiting for him at
King Road, his Majesty determined that, instead of going into
Ireland, he should be forthwith removed to Foubert's Academy
here and that the maintenance allowed him in Oxford should
be henceforward remitted hither. I desired leave before his
removal to know of the Duke of Ormonde and yourself the
particular reasons why both of you desired he might be removed
straight into Ireland, those being like to incline his Majesty to
the same thoughts, but it was otherwise ordered, and he is to
pass some time in the Academy before he pass into Ireland.
I did not forget to acquaint his Majesty and the Board that
he had received the Sacrament on Sunday sennight. [Ibid.
p. 255.] |
Aug. 11.
Hampton Court. |
The King to Samuel Thomson. Warrant, after reciting that
he is informed that there came into his hands as executor of
Sir William Thomson, deceased, a manuscript book or journal
of the proceedings between the King's Commissioners (whereof the
said Sir William was one) and those of the States General relating
to the late Marine Treaty concluded by them 1 Dec., 1674; for
delivering the said book or journal with any other papers or
writings (if any) that have come into his custody relating to the
said treaty to one of the Secretaries of State, that the same may
be placed in the Paper Office. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 359, p. 80.] |
|
Note of the like mutatis mutandis to Lady Grace Ford,
administratrix of Sir Richard Ford, deceased. [Ibid.] |
Aug. 11.
Hampton Court. |
Warrant to Thomas Bedford, deputy registrar of the Admiralty
Court, who had been secretary to the Commissioners that concluded the Marine Treaty, for the delivery to one of the Secretaries
of State of some papers relating to the said treaty remaining in
his hands. [Ibid. p. 81.] |
Thursday, Aug. 11.
London. |
Newsletter to Roger Garstell, Newcastle. Amongst divers
informations given before the Lord Mayor since the commitment
of Lord Howard, Lord Shaftesbury, Mr. College, Mr. Rouse and
Mr. Whitaker, there is one by James Carroll, a Protestant, born
in England but lived in Ireland, who was the first that made a
discovery of the Popish plot in Ireland to Lord Berkeley, the
then Lord Lieutenant, in 1672, as appears by his narrative lately
printed and a testimonial under the hand of the Earl of Essex.
He deposes that the beginning of June last he met Peter Lamport,
an Irish Papist and pretended merchant, at a house near the
Royal Exchange and, they knowing each other, Lamport told
him there had been a great talk about a Popish plot, but in a
few days he should see it proved a Presbyterian plot; that
Lord Shaftesbury and some Protestant Lords and others would
be sent to the Tower; that Fitzharris was a great rogue and
would certainly be hanged; that some others, who had sworn
to make it a Popish plot, would be hanged, unless they made it
appear a Presbyterian plot, adding, You see how you have been
ruined and slighted a long time, take my advice and make it out
a Presbyterian plot also. |
|
Carroll prayed him to explain himself. He replied, I am sure
you understand me; it is to be a Presbyterian plot, you will
easily be credited and now is your time to make your own terms
and, were I in your case, I would make good terms for myself
and do not lose this opportunity, after which they parted. |
|
About a week or more afterwards, meeting accidentally in
Tower Street, Lamport asked, What he thought now of his former
discourse. Carroll replied, I believe you know much of these
affairs as to make it out a Presbyterian plot, for some of your
words are already true, Lord Howard being now committed.
He answered that he knew more than Carroll would believe,
should he tell him, and therefore advised him a second time to
pursue his former counsel with much more to that effect. |
|
This Lamport has since been in France and returned a few days
ago and last Tuesday night was taken out of his bed by a warrant
from Justice Rycroft and examined and committed. |
|
Several persons as evidence against College are subpœnaed to
be at Oxford on the 16th and the report of several others to be
indicted there continues. |
|
It's also reported that all the judges have orders to meet the
26th to consider of proper means for trying the Earl of
Shaftesbury. |
|
The commission of Oyer and Terminer to be held at Oxford
the 17th is, I am informed, directed to Lord Chief Justice North
and Judges Jones, Raymond and Levinz. |
|
The poor oppressed French Protestants come over still almost
daily and all possible provision is made for their support there,
his Majesty having declared that he will take all such into his
protection. M. de Lortie, an eminent minister of the Reformed
Church at Rochelle, having been summoned to Paris, appeared
and, finding how matters went in that Court against all of that
religion, in his return home instead of going direct went for
Saumur and thence for St. Malo and there incognito got shipping
for England, leaving his family and estate, which, no doubt, he
will find difficult to get hither. Last Sabbath day he preached
at the French church in the Savoy. |
|
Three messengers are in search of Mrs. Fitzharris, who lodged
with her three children and a maidservant at the latter's house
in Petty France. Last Friday she went forth at large, as sometimes before she had been permitted, and did not return since.
The information she gave to the Lord Mayor on Friday, it's reported, is very considerable in favour of Lord Howard and to
the detection of some evil practices with her husband a little
before his execution. [Nearly 3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich
Hospital 1, No. 121.] |
Aug. 12.
Windsor. |
Declaration by the King concerning persons applying for
preferment in the Church or the Universities in the same terms
as those of 27 Feb. and 21 July calendared ante, pp. 187, 364, but
adding to the referees appointed by the last declaration John,
Earl of Radnor. [Original and 2 copies. S.P. Dom., Car. II.
416, Nos. 95, 96, 97.] |
|
Another copy thereof. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 57, p. 44.] |
Aug. 12.
Windsor. |
The Earl of Conway to Sir Leoline Jenkins. His Majesty being
informed there is matter of treason charged on Wilmore, it is
his pleasure you send a messenger to apprehend him and bring
him before his Majesty and the Council by 10 next Monday at
Hampton Court, in order to which you are likewise to summon
the Council and give them notice of his intentions to hold a Council
there. |
|
It is likewise his pleasure that you order Dr. Hawkins to go to
Oxford to be at College's trial that, in case Mrs. Fitzharris be
set up to destroy her husband's last confession, he may be there
to support it. |
|
You are not to summon the Council till your messenger has
apprehended Wilmore, because there is no other business. [S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 98.] |
| Aug. 12. |
Warrant to Thomas Atterbury, messenger, to search for, seize
and keep in safe custody John Wilmore, who is accused on the
oaths of several persons of high treason, and to bring him before
the Privy Council next Monday at Hampton Court, to answer to
what shall be objected against him. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54,
p. 89.] |
Aug. 12.
Windsor. |
The Earl of Conway to the Earl of Bridgwater. Signifying his
Majesty's pleasure that Sir Charles Cleaver and James Wilmot
be made deputy lieutenants of Hertfordshire. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 164, p. 69.] |
| [Aug. ?] |
Col. William Deane to the King. Petition stating that the
petitioner has endeavoured the encouragement of the great
fishery of Europe, which is in his Majesty's seas, and that in 1670
he distributed great numbers of books to members of Parliament,
so that they proceeded on a bill prepared by him, but it was
lost by the prorogation, and praying a reference of the whole
business to knowing persons. At the foot, |
Aug. 13.
Windsor. |
Reference thereof with the annexed proposals to the Committee
of Trade. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 99.] Annexed, |
|
The said proposals, suggesting that his Majesty should establish
a government of the Fishery in persons free from all other
business and well experienced in all things relating to the
affair with such powers and privileges as may be for the
encouragement and protection of the fishery; that Holy
Island should be granted them for the use of the said fishery;
that foreign seamen, fishermen and artificers coming to settle
in England should be made free denizens; that his Majesty
would hearken to the expedients the propounders have to offer
for raising a stock of money and that they might be granted
a farm of the tobacco duties for 9 years at a rent of 4,000l.
per annum more than the average returns of the said duties
for the last 9 years, they being ready to lay out 20,000l. in
buildings &c. if they might be repaid the said sum by a
defalcation out of their farm rent for the last two years of
the term with interest in the meantime for the same at 6 per
cent to be deducted half-yearly. |
|
With memorandum dated 17 Sept. that the proposals were not
thought fit to be allowed. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 99 i.] |
| Aug. 13. |
Acts of the Parliament of Scotland for ratifying all former
laws for the security of the Protestant religion and acknowledging
the right of succession to the Imperial Crown of Scotland. (Printed
in The Acts of the Parliament of Scotland, Vol. VIII, p. 238.) [Ibid.
Nos. 100, 101.] |
Aug. 13.
Windsor. |
Reference to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord President
of the Council, the Earl of Halifax, Viscount Hyde, the Bishop
of London and Edward Seymour of the petition of John Grant
for a grant of the provostship of King's College, now vacant.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 138.] |
Aug. 13.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Marquess of Worcester. I have two
of your letters of 20 July and 1 Aug. now before me. The
removal spoken of in the first I have watched, if anything were
stirred or done in it, but have not discovered any tendency that
way. When there is anything of that kind stirring, I will do
you what service I can; though I am not so vain as to think
I have credit enough to weigh anything in so important a business,
yet I shall be as watchful as I can to give notice of the thing, if
it should happen, which truly I expect not. The Denbighshire
Address I with Capt. Eyton presented and read to his Majesty,
who accepted it very graciously last Monday. I acquainted
him how it was intended for your hands to present it and with
the disappointments it met with. |
|
I enclose an extract of one of Sir Richard Bulstrode's letters
to me. He is the Resident at Brussels and would willingly do
right, as far as in him lies, to Lord Herbert in and for a gallant,
i.e. right English, behaviour of his on the impertinency of a
Frenchman that he fell into company with at Brussels. I refer
you to the paper itself and congratulate with you in that your
son shows himself so worthy of such a father and of so illustrious
a house. [1½ page. S.P. Dom., Entry Book 62, p. 256.] |
Saturday, Aug. 13.
London. |
Newsletter to Roger Garstell, Newcastle. Giving an account
of the proceedings in the Parliament of Scotland.—Their Highnesses are in good health. The corpse of the Duke of Rothes
is ordered to be magnificently interred at the charge of his
Majesty. |
|
Letters from Cornwall say that a few days since near St. Ives
there had been such a violent lightning, rain and thunder that
some persons were killed, and particularly at a great tinwork
called Rehstian the thunder so shook the earth over the works
that it fell in and under it were 24 poor men at work, who all
perished. Besides the loss of the men the works are made useless
for a considerable time and then to be retrieved at a vast cost. |
|
The discourse of the town is taken up about College's trial,
who, it's thought, will at 4 to-morrow morning be guarded from
the Tower to Henley, where the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire
meets him with another guard and there receives him from the
Lieutenant of the Tower. Yesterday several of the witnesses
against him went for Oxon and more to-day as also Justice
Warcupp, Sir William Jennings, Mr. Dugdale and Mr. Graham,
Principal of Clifford's Inn, who acts for the Attorney-General.
On Monday many others set forward for Oxford, where, it's
thought, will be a great appearance to see the issue of this great
trial. |
|
The list of the Parliament in Scotland is now in print. Next
post I will send you a copy of the bill drawn up there for securing
the Protestant religion not only in our time but in future ages. |
|
His Majesty leaves Windsor for this summer in a few days
and goes for Newmarket. |
|
It has been reported that Mr. College is a Papist and that he
had accused divers persons and made a large confession, but
to-day several of his friends have visited him, to whom he has
declared in most solemn manner on his salvation that he knows
not any treason to confess nor any one person in the world to
accuse of any such crime, that he was bred up in and professed
the Protestant religion to this day and would die in the same.
[3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital 1, No. 122.] |
Aug. 13.
Windsor Castle. |
The King to the Duke of Albany and York. Concerning the
right of the shire of Kinross to elect a commissioner. (Printed in
The Acts of the Parliament of Scotland, Vol. VIII, p. 239.) [S.P.
Scotland, Warrant Book 6, p. 421.] |
Aug. 13.
Windsor Castle. |
Warrant for a patent creating John Campbell of Glenurchie
Earl of Braedalbane and Holland &c. with special favours and
provisions, which are printed in Paul, The Scots Peerage, Vol. II,
pp. 203, 204. [3 pages. Ibid. p. 423.] |
Aug. 13.
Windsor Castle. |
Warrant for a yearly pension of 200l. sterling to David Rosse
of Balnagowne to be paid half yearly, the first payment to be
at Mertinmes next, in consideration of his constant loyalty and
also of the services and sufferings of his father, David Rosse,
who in 1651 brought a very good foot regiment to Worcester
and after the defeat there was carried prisoner to London, where
not only he continued in great hardship for several years till he
died, but also his estate was sequestrated and afterwards a very
considerable sum was paid for taking off the sequestration, in
consequence whereof the said estate has since lain under such
incumbrances and difficulties that the utter ruin thereof is
inevitable unless prevented by his Majesty's bounty. [1½ page.
S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 6, p. 426.] |
Aug. 13.
Windsor Castle. |
Warrant for a charter to William, Earl of Queensberry, and
his heirs male and of tailzie contained in the former charter of
11 Feb., 1680, and his assigns, of the lead mine already found
in his barony of Sanquhar and of all mines whatsoever found in
the lands and baronies mentioned in the said charter or any other
lands or baronies pertaining to him, together with the tenth
part thereof, and all other right and title which his Majesty or his
successors had, have or may have or claim to the same, with
power to work the same, with a dissolution of the premises from
the Crown and patrimony thereof and with a new union and
annexation thereof to the Earldom of Queensberry, lands, lordship, barony and regality of Drumlangrig. [Docquet. Ibid.
p. 428.] |
Aug. 13.
Windsor Castle. |
Warrant for a charter to John Lauder of Newingtoun and
Sir John Lauder, his eldest son. (The purport appears from the
ratification, printed in The Acts of the Parliament of Scotland,
Vol. VIII, p. 568.) [Docquet. Ibid. p. 429.] |
Aug. 13.
Windsor Castle. |
Memorials of protections to David Rosse of Balnagowne, Sir
Alexander Cunningham, elder, of Robertland, Patrick Stewart
of Ballachan and Robert Symmer of Balzordie, younger, for two
years respectively. [Ibid. p. 431.] |
Aug. 13.
Whitehall. |
Sir Leoline Jenkins to the Lord Lieutenant. (Calendared in
the Ormonde Papers, Vol. VI., p. 128.) [S.P. Ireland, Car. II.
341, p. 88.] |
| [After 13 Aug.] |
Charges against Justice Hodges of Hanwell, Middlesex.
6 Oct., 1678. He caused the houses of those that had served the
late King to be searched and termed them as dangerous as
Papists. |
|
27 Nov. He expressed his joy at the then report of Oates'
accusation of the Queen and showed the letter sent him by Sir
Francis Gerard to that purpose. |
|
18 Dec. He said a commonwealth was the best government
for this nation and that the Earl of Shaftesbury went not without
his private guard of 300 men against all attempts of the Duke
of York. |
|
22 Dec. He said he hoped the Duke of York would soon follow
the five Lords in the Tower. |
|
25 Dec. He said the Duke had most basely forsaken Coleman
and that it was better to trust the Parliament than the King
or Duke. |
|
7 March, 1679. When the Duke's journey to Flanders was
certainly known, he said he hoped he would never come back
and wished all the Papists in England were gone with him and
might never return. |
|
27 July. He took offence at the parson for praying for the
Duke of York and threatened to have him before the House of
Commons for it. |
|
13 Aug., 1681. On reading the Duke's speech to the Parliament
of Scotland he said, What glozing is here! Observe the Duke,
who is a Papist, is like to be zealous for establishing the Protestant
religion. (By a note on another copy of this information, it was
received 24 Feb., 1682-3.) [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 102.] |
Aug. 14.
Windsor. |
Warrant to the officer in chief commanding the King's own
regiment of Foot Guards for countermanding the late order for
the relief intended to be sent to the blockhouse of West Tilbury
and for the removal of the companies there. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 164, p. 68.] |
Aug. 15–25.
Gottorp. |
Monsr. du Cros to Secretary Jenkins. I am ordered by his
Highness, my master, to thank you for the affection which I told
him you showed on all occasions for him, and to assure you he
will always give you proofs of his gratitude to you, and will never
forget all the care you have kindly taken for his interests. He
is sensibly offended at the affront done him in England in my
person and thinks it unsuitable to his dignity that I should pay
those of my creditors who have had so little respect for him
and who have so ill-treated me. He wishes me, however, to give
satisfaction to those that were not authors of that insolence and
has assigned me for that purpose a sum that I shall not fail to
have paid. He had hoped that, according to his Majesty's orders,
those who caused me to be arrested would have been prosecuted
last term and, since this has not been done, he does not doubt
that next term his Majesty's orders will be executed and those
people punished with the utmost rigour. He is thoroughly
persuaded that it is not his Majesty's fault that I did not receive
in England sufficient reparation for that affront and no one can
be more absolutely devoted to his Majesty's service. |
|
I leave in a few days for Sweden as Envoy Extraordinary of his
Highness. You know that there is no Court in Europe with
which his Highness has closer connexions and that, the King
being his nephew and brother-in-law, his Highness could not
entrust me with a more important or a more honourable employment. It will be still more agreeable for me if I find at Stockholm
opportunities of showing the profound respect I have for his
Britannic Majesty and my gratitude for all the favours I received
from him. |
|
I beg you to let his Majesty know that I shall work for his
interests and glory at that Court no less than if I had the honour
of being his minister there. |
|
As my wife cannot travel to Sweden by land without great
expense and trouble, I should be greatly obliged if you could
kindly obtain for her from the King a yacht or some other vessel
to transport her to Gottenburg. [4 pages. French. S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 416, No. 103.] |
Aug. 15.
Hampton Court. |
Warrant to the Lieutenant of the Tower for keeping John
Wilmore, committed to his custody for high treason, close
prisoner, not permitting any person to have access to him nor
him to have the use of pen, ink and paper without leave from
the King or the Privy Council. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54,
p. 90.] |
Aug. 15.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Vice-Chancellor [of the University
of Oxford]. The bearer, Mr. Atterbury, is so well in his Majesty's
eye for his zeal and courage in his service, that I am glad of this
occasion to tell you so much good of an ancient acquaintance of
yours and mine. If you be called on to give him any testimony
touching his religion, you may do it safely. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 62, p. 258.] |
Aug. 15, near 4 p.m.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Attorney-General. I am commanded
to give you notice that David Fitzgerald is summoned in behalf
of College to appear at Oxford. He is informed by Baldwyn,
at whose house the said Fitzgerald formerly lodged, that the
point for which he is summoned is to prove that Bernard Denys
and young Macnamara were suborned against the Queen, by
which the party would hope to take off the credit of those two
witnesses against College. If Fitzgerald can give such evidence
against those two witnesses, it is thought you will not produce
them at all on his Majesty's behalf, unless what they have to say
against College be extremely important and no other of the
witnesses speak to that point. [Ibid. p. 259.] |
Aug. 15.
Kilkenny. |
The Lord Lieutenant to Sir Leoline Jenkins. A good while
since I gave you notice I had reason to doubt the chief management
of the Post Office here as to the safe conveyance of letters and that
the distribution of them was not in hands the Government might
confide in. I have since become more suspicious, amongst other
things by the Farmers keeping some packets of letters directed
to Mr. Thomas Sheridan on pretence that their bulkiness gave
ground to suspect they might contain some dangerous correspondence, but not sending them to me as they ought to have done,
it may well be doubted they had some other reason for their
detention. That the Farmers of the revenue should be also
Farmers of the Post Office may be at least incongruous, in that
it makes them masters of correspondencies relating to trade, but
that they should have it in their power to use arts to open and
close again what other letters they please or direct their friends
in England to letters like to be of use to them, I think ought not
to be suffered or indeed that any man should be principally employed
in that office but one that may be trusted by the Government. I
know no ill of Mortagh Dowling, the postmaster in Dublin, but I
know his dependence is on persons that have carried themselves at
least very doubtfully of late, and that it is an uneasy thing to
write in fear and I remember a packet of mine, after it came
to that office, was opened and a ring of 50l. price taken out of it,
that I could never since hear of, since that gentleman came into
the employment. I do not propose that the Farmers should
lose the benefit of their bargain with the Duke, but I think it
would not be unreasonable that the Government might approve
of the person to be employed by them. If it be conceived this
is not a matter worth stirring in, I am content it should rest
as it is. [1½ page. Holograph. S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 342,
No. 59.] |
Aug. 16.
Tower. |
Capt. Thomas Cheeke to [Sir Leoline Jenkins]. I have been sent
to three times to-day concerning Lord Shaftesbury's removal
to Sir Jonas Moore's, the Surveyor of the Ordnance, who has a
great house to himself and very cool this hot weather. Sir John
Michelwhit, one of the King's physicians, who has been often
with Lord Shaftesbury these two or three days, believes him in
great danger, if I should oblige him to continue in his warder's
house, which is so close, if a man were in the best of health, that
he would be starved in it. I removed the Earl of Powis out of
the same house for this very reason. Lord Shaftesbury has had
two fits of an ague in 24 hours, so I have given leave that my
lord may take a lodging at Sir Jonas Moore's, where I am as much
answerable for him as where he was. He is in very great danger,
if he were in much better air, but the custom of the Tower has
been frequent in these cases to remove prisoners to other quarters. |
|
To-day the enclosed was sent to Mr. Wilmore. I suppose he
has a fair excuse that he cannot attend the Court at Oxford
to-morrow. I hope you are very well satisfied with College's
safe delivery to the Sheriff of Oxfordshire. [1½ page. S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 416, No. 104.] |
| Tuesday morning, [? Aug. 16]. |
—to Lord Hyde. Mr. Swanton, the Recorder of Salisbury,
is dead. Mr. Ayres, his deputy, will probably be chosen, the
election being in the popularity. He is not a good man, nor
are any of his name. The King has reserved to himself the
liberty to refuse in those cases. If the choice were in the
magistracy, Sir John St. Loe would be elected. If you take care,
therefore, that the King may not approve of Ayres and that
Sir John St. Loe be recommended, that place will be filled with
an honest man. I had a letter this morning from cousin Johnson
concerning Mr. Warren. I find you have likewise had a letter
from him. I know him not but by reputation, which is very good.
I am going for London. (See post, p. 421.) [Ibid. No. 105.] |
Aug. 16.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Mr. Brisbane. The Committees that
sat this morning recommended to the Admiralty Commissioners
the suit of Francis Baker, who has acted several years as English
consul in Tunis. What he desires is that the convoy, which
his Majesty orders for the next Turkey ships that go out, may
be ordered to take him in and to set him ashore at Tunis. He
further prays that the said convoy may be charged to take care
of a merchant ship already freighted and bound for Tunis, which
intends to set out at the same time with the next Turkey ships,
and to see it safe at Tunis. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 62, p. 260.] |
Aug. 16.
London. |
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. Last Saturday his
Majesty's guards of horse and foot were doubled by the Earl of
Craven's particular command. |
|
About 9 on Sunday night College, the Protestant joiner, was
carried from the Tower by water to Kingston, where Capt. Legg's
company carried him to Henley and delivered him to the Sheriff
of Oxfordshire in order to his being tried. The Countess of
Rochester, before she died, declared that this College is a Papist
and that he was the first that brought a priest to her to convert
her. |
|
On Saturday Mr. Willmer (Wilmore), the foreman of the Grand
Jury that returned the bill against College Ignoramus, was taken
out of his bed by a warrant from Sir Leoline Jenkins and yesterday
was carried to Hampton Court to be examined before the Council
for high treason, where the King will be present. |
|
From Edinburgh of the 9th they write that since the adjournment of the Parliament the Lords of the Articles have agreed
for 5 months' more assessment to be paid after the other now
on foot is expired. The Committee for elections have finished
that affair, so that, when Parliament meets next, they will fall
on public business and it's said the Act for the security of the
Protestant religion will be first passed and then they will proceed
to declaring the succession in the right line. By an order of
Council there not only the field conventicles are suppressed,
but all the meeting-houses in the city are likewise shut up, it being
proved that a gentleman had been at one of these meeting-houses,
where he heard one that was declared rebel preach. The Council
have fined him 500l. sterling and committed him to prison till
the money is paid. |
|
The principal thing sworn against Mr. Willmer is that he has
disbursed several sums to pull down the idol at Whitehall, meaning
the King. After a full hearing the Council committed him close
prisoner to the Tower. |
|
Yesterday morning a Quaker found his son of about 20, who
had absented himself for some time, amongst the witnesses about
Westminster and asked him what business he had there. He
replied that he had been tampered with to swear against College
&c., that, when he told those that would have suborned him that
he did not know College, they said it was no matter, for he should
have instructions what to swear to &c. This person is gone this
morning to Oxford to give testimony on behalf of College. |
|
Yesterday morning an empty coach with six horses attended
by 30 or 40 of the Horse Guard was met on the other side of the
water, which has occasioned a rumour to-day, as if some persons
of quality were to be apprehended, but this is only a mere
suggestion. |
|
We have nothing from abroad worth imparting. [3 pages.
Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital 1, No. 123.] |
Aug. 17.
The Henrietta yacht. |
Warrant to the High Sheriff of Surrey for the reprieve during
pleasure of Thomas Wood, a condemned prisoner in his custody,
who had been reprieved for 14 days, in which time a report was
expected from the judges of assize, which report is not yet come.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 54, p. 91.] |
| Aug. 18. |
Warrant to Joseph Harvey, Serjeant at Arms, for seizing
Lord Blaney, to the same effect as the warrant of 9 July,
calendared ante, p. 349. Minute. [Ibid. p. 92.] |
Aug. 18.
Windsor. |
The King to the Vice-Provost and Fellows of King's College,
Cambridge. Signifying his pleasure that they do not proceed
to the election of a Provost till the Commissioners for Ecclesiastical
Preferments have reported their opinion in that case and he
shall have declared his pleasure therein. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 57, p. 43.] |
Aug. 18.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Sir Richard Graham. I enclose by his
Majesty's command the copy of an information sent me from a
Mr. Burnell, a justice of Lincolnshire. The most material things
in it relate to one Brownrigg of Knasburgh (Knaresborough),
who, his Majesty is informed, lives not far from your dwelling.
This Brownrigg has pretended, as you will see, that he has left
the substance of this information with a friend in Fetter Lane,
that it might come carefully to the King's hands, but his Majesty
has heard no more of it than what is enclosed. Mr. Marriott,
called in the deposition Macratt, and Wellens, his servant, have
been spoken with. What we can discover from them is that,
there being a design by some Irishmen to swear treason against
the Queen, his Royal Highness and the Duke of Ormonde, other
Irishmen took upon them to prove this to be a conspiracy. These
last Irishmen had, it seems, some allowance made them for their
support, till the indictments intended as above should be brought
on in judgment. This I acquaint you with, as being all I have
yet learned of this affair and it may minister some light in the
examining of Brownrigg, which I desire you to put into the hands
of such of your neighbour Justices, as you shall think fit for this
service. As soon as it is done, I shall desire you and them to
give me an account of what shall have passed. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 62, p. 261.] |
Aug. 18.
London. |
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. Letters from Oxford
of the 16th advise that College was brought thither the night
before in the Sheriff's coach attended by 12 men on horseback
with drawn swords, that Mr. Turberville and Mr. Smith, two of
the King's witnesses, came thither Saturday night and on Sunday
a whole coachful more, that Judge Levinz and Judge Raymond
were also arrived and that Lord Chief Justice North and Sir
Thomas Jones were expected there that night from Bristol. |
|
Scots letters of the 11th say that on Monday their Royal
Highnesses, the Lady Ann and 8 coaches full of ladies attended
by about 80 of the nobility and gentry went to Poletowne about
4 miles from Edinburgh to see the gardens, where they were
entertained with variety of wine and fruits. In their passage
thither the country people flocking in from all parts expressed
the greatest joy imaginable to see so many of the royal family.
Wednesday and Thursday the Parliament met, but considered
no business but that of elections, which were both days debated
with some heat, whereon his Royal Highness adjourned them till
last Saturday, the Lords of the Articles and the Committee
of the Elections being ordered to meet in the interim. |
|
One of the Horse Guards passing through Hammersmith last
Monday called at an inn to drink, but, the woman not bringing
it with the expedition he expected, he discharged his carbine and
shot her through the head, of which she immediately died, after
which he fled towards London, but, being closely pursued, was
seized and committed to prison. |
|
Yesterday his Majesty went down the river to Woolwich,
where he went on board the Tiger, which is bound for the Straits,
commanded by Lord Berkeley, and was so far pleased to honour
him as to dine on board. Thence he went to Sheerness, Chatham
&c. and is expected at Windsor next Saturday. |
|
By an express arrived yesterday from Scotland we have advice
that the Parliament on Saturday passed two Acts, one for securing
the Protestant religion and the other for settling the succession. |
|
We have no certain account of what passed at Oxford, but
that which looks nearest the truth is that yesterday, the Judges
being met, they read the commission, swore the jury and witnesses
and arraigned College and that then the trial was deferred till
to-morrow, because College insisted on Mr. Willmer (Wilmore),
prisoner in the Tower, being sent for, alleging he was a very material
witness for him, and accordingly Mr. Willmer was this day
conducted thither with a good guard. |
|
Postscript.—College was tried yesterday and convicted for high
treason. Willmer went not down. [3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital 1, No. 124.] |
Aug. 18.
Whitehall. |
Sir Leoline Jenkins to Mr. Asterley (Astrey), Clerk of the
Crown. An indictment being lately preferred at the King's
Bench in Westminster against Sir John Davys, Secretary of
State in Ireland, and the Attorney-General there being
directed on a nolle prosequi here to prefer the like indictment
against him in Ireland, I desire you to send me a copy of the
indictment that lies in your custody that proceedings may be
had against Sir John on the like indictment in Ireland. If you
send it me, I shall convey it safe to the Attorney-General in
Ireland. [S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 341, p. 90.] |
Aug. 19.
Derby House. |
Report of the Admiralty Commissioners to the Committee for
Trade, that the proposal of Admiral Herbert, in case the war
with Algiers is found too expensive, to act on the defensive and
protect his subjects with strong convoys, is inadmissible, because
there are already some additional convoys for the Mediterranean
fleet, which loses but few vessels by the Algerines, that the
removal of the vessels that guard the Straits would leave the
whole trade of England outside the Straits a prey to them;
that it would cause loss of seamen by taking away the
necessity of building and trading in great ships, because only small
ships would be used for the trade, if well convoyed: it will lead to no
peace, as the convoy vessels could not chase nor injure the Algerines,
and will proclaim that England cannot contend against 17 little
ships of pirates, and it will increase the expenses of the Navy,
for many more convoys to Virginia, the West Indies, &c., will be
required and many more ships than Admiral Herbert's eight ships
and a fireship now guarding the mouth of the Straits. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 416, No. 106.] |
Aug. 19.
Windsor. |
Commission to Sir William Quirinson, Bart., to be lieutenant
to Capt. William Wakelin's company of foot in the Coldstream
Guards, whereof the Earl of Craven is colonel. Minute. [S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 29, p. 398.] |
| Aug. 20. |
The Earl of Lindsey to [Sir Leoline Jenkins]. My son is
returned and confirms from his Majesty what you wrote as to
the placing or displacing of deputy lieutenants and justices.
I therefore present you with a list of the deputy lieutenants
and justices, who have refused addressing. If the King be in
earnest, the continuance of them cannot be for his service, for
what probability is there that those, who refused to thank the
King for the most gracious declaration that ever Prince put out,
should in danger assist him with their lives and fortunes ? and
how unsafe is it for a Prince to depend on persons, who in all
probability shall make use of his authority against himself ? If
there be any thoughts still of courting Presbytery, I believe it
is a great mistake and I presume the King has experienced it
will never answer his expectation. Surely his Majesty is convinced their principles are inconsistent with monarchy. I
therefore desire his order for the removal of the deputy
lieutenants in the enclosed list, which I may use as I see occasion,
for, till something of that nature be done in this county, it will
not be believed I have power enough with the King to place or
displace, nor can I safely answer for the militia. Though I can
make or remove commissioned officers, deputy lieutenants cannot
be made or removed without the King's particular order and to put
them out of their commands and let them remain in that capacity
will be a strange proceeding, most of them being officers. I
hope there will be never any occasion of service for the militia,
but, if there be, it will be an ill time to model it, when the enemy
is in the field. [2½ pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 107.]
Enclosed, |
|
The said list of justices and deputy lieutenants in Lincolnshire,
who did not sign the address. [Ibid. No. 107 i.] |
| Aug. 20. |
Notes of Lord Chief Justice North. Col. Hawley of Somerset
and Mr. Crosse, both justices, told me the late Countess of
Rochester affirmed to them that College was a Papist to her
knowledge and had been so a long time and I think Col. Hawley
said the Countess affirmed that College was instrumental in
bringing a priest to her. I desire they may be writ to to send a
testimonial of the certainty of what Lady Rochester declared.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 107.] |
Aug. 20.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Bishop of Bath and Wells. Col.
Hawley and Mr. Crosse, two justices of that county, have told
Lord Chief Justice North that the late Countess of Rochester
had affirmed to them that College to her knowledge was a Papist
and had been so a long time. This being this day related in a
Committee of the Council, I was commanded to acquaint you
to inform yourself from those gentlemen of what they know or
remember of this matter and to desire them to send a testimonial
under their hands of the certainty of what Lady Rochester declared
and particularly whether she did not say that College was
instrumental in bringing a priest to her. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 62, p. 263.] |
Aug. 20.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Bishop of Gloucester. You may
remember that Sir Stephen Fox on your promotion was earnest
to obtain from his Majesty a grant of a prebend you had in the
Church of Sarum. I interposed with him in the best manner
I could to let it go into your commendam, as it has done, for very
good reasons. He is now informed that you are on resigning
that prebend in favour of another and not of his friend. He
hopes you will call to mind how his Majesty had most readily
and frankly once granted that prebend to his friend and that
Sir Stephen desisted from further pursuit of it, because you and
I desired it. He desires me to acquaint you that, if it be to be
resigned, it ought in his Majesty's judgment (as he well hopes)
and in all equity to be resigned in favour of his friend. [Ibid.
p. 264.] |
Aug. 20.
London. |
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. I formerly told you
that the Spanish Ambassador had threatened the Hollanders
that, unless they speedily complied with his master according to
the obligation of the Nimeguen treaty, he must think of some
way of making as good a bargain for himself as he could for the
Spanish Netherlands and not suffer them to be lost all on the
account of dependences. |
|
Yesterday our Flanders letters arrived advising that it was
the general discourse there that a treaty was on foot for
exchanging Catalonia for the Spanish Netherlands. The Flemings
themselves seem very well pleased with the exchange that is like
to be made, and believe that so powerful a monarch as the King
of France will not only protect them but open the Scheldt and
fix the staple once more at Antwerp. |
|
The two Acts passed in Scotland are looked on here as of great
advantage to his Majesty's affairs and it's confidently reported
that his Royal Highness will not only make such a declaration
as the Act for the preservation of the Protestant religion obliges
him to, but take all such oaths as shall be needful for the security of
it. This I am the more apt to believe, because I am very well
assured that he has often declared that he would do it in
Parliament. One thing was very observable, that the Act for
settling the succession passed nem. con.; that about the security
of the religion admitted some stops and the question was put
to have it deferred for some time, but the majority passed it
presently. |
|
The French troops that I formerly told you were assembled
in Dauphiny have orders to march over the Alps and attack
Montferrat. They write from Vienna that the Count of Bethune,
Ambassador from the French King to the King of Poland, has
obtained 8 regiments, that that King was disbanding, for the
service of the malcontents in Hungary, which has so alarmed that
Court that a courier was dispatched to the French King
immediately to know whether he will declare if Europe shall
have peace or war, whose return was impatiently expected at
Vienna. |
|
His Majesty has granted a commission to Lord Radnor, Lord
Hyde and others to dispose of all ecclesiastical benefices in his
grant as shall from time to time become vacant. Accordingly
application is made to them for the Provostship of Eton (King's),
and most believe that Dr. Price, Fellow of Eton, will carry it. |
|
It is said that the Attorney-General spoke to this effect to
Dr. Oates at his appearing on behalf of College:—Your bread
you have from the King, your lodging in the King's palace, you
are obliged to the King for your life, and what esteem you have
amongst men is on the King's account, and now will you behave
so wickedly ungrateful for all his favour and mercies towards
you, as to stand here in Court in the justification of so notorious
a traitor, contrary to your allegiance to the King. There
Mr. Fitzgerald acquainted the Court that 15 persons of good
repute and some of very good quality had already given in several
informations of highest treason against the doctor and prayed
he might be immediately committed, but we hear not as yet that
he is. Mr. College is condemned. [3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital 1, No. 125.] |
| Aug. 20. |
Sir Leoline Jenkins to the Lord Lieutenant. (Calendared in
the Ormonde Papers, Vol. VI., p. 135.) [S.P. Ireland, Car. II. 341,
p. 91.] |
Aug. 21.
Cork. |
The Lord Lieutenant to Sir Leoline Jenkins. His Majesty's
gracious interpretation of the freedom in mine of 30 July, and
his intention that the bargain in hand for this revenue shall be
communicated before it shall be finally concluded is of great
encouragement to me and I trust shall be of no disadvantage to
his service. |
|
I think young Lord Courcy could not be better disposed of
than as the King has designed and I should have proposed it
but that his estate will not support him there, no, not with the
pension his Majesty gives him, unless it be continued to the full
and unless the suspension as to the moiety for the last year be
dispensed with in his case. In my way here the sheriffs, the
militia and country have come with much cheerfulness and
duty to perform what they owe to the King's authority. Tomorrow I go to Rincorran Fort. [Holograph. S.P. Ireland,
Car. II. 342, No. 60.] |
Aug. 22.
Windsor. |
The King to the Vice-Provost and Fellows of King's College,
Cambridge. Recommending Dr. Coplestone to be chosen and
admitted by them to be Provost of the College. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 57, p. 45.] |
Aug. 22.
Windsor. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Sheriff of Oxfordshire. Lord Chief
Justice North and others have given his Majesty an account
of your great care and good conduct in your office, especially
in the late trial of Stephen College, wherein his service and the
justice due to him in and from his own courts were more
immediately concerned, so that he is abundantly satisfied with
it, and has commanded me expressly to give you his hearty
thanks for it and to tell you he will be glad of an occasion to let
you see he retains a gracious remembrance of your faithfulness
and zeal. |
|
He has commanded me further to acquaint you that he thinks
Wednesday sennight, the 31st, may be a proper day for College's
execution and therefore has appointed it for the day. He directs
that the traitor's head be sent up to London, to be set up at
Temple Bar. He directs nothing relating to the rest of the
body, but leaves it to his friends or others to dispose of. He
further recommends it to your care that at his execution some
persons be present, that can write shorthand, to take his last
words, to prevent a misinformation and scandalous reports.
You are likewise desired to restrain any extravagant or undutiful
excursions of his tongue and particularly the distributing of
any papers, which you are desired to seize, if any such thing
be offered. |
|
Since there are lodged in your hands already a great many
prints and cuts, most of them scandalous and seditious, his Majesty
thinks fit that all papers and prints you have should be burnt
by the hangman at the time and place of execution. |
|
Just as I am closing, his Majesty has notice of Mrs. Fitzharris
and Mrs. Bloe, a woman that follows her, and also of Capt.
Yarranton alias Harrington (a most dangerous man that, as the
word now is, has managed that woman of a good while), with
Lun, a man of the same stamp, being come in a coach and four
horses as far as Colebrooke in their way to Oxford. If they should
desire or attempt to speak with College, they being all, as it is
conceived, egregious tamperers and designers in order to asperse
the King's justice and the government, it is his Majesty's command
that they be not admitted to any speech or commerce with College,
nor any other, who may be justly suspected to design mischief
against his Majesty or the government. [Nearly 2 pages. S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 54, p. 94.] |
Aug. 22.
Windsor. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of the petition of Dennis
O'Bryne for payment of the arrears of an allowance of 4s. per
diem from 29 Aug., 1678, being a lieutenant in France and coming
thence on his Majesty's command, and that as such he may be
inserted among the rest of the pensioners. [S.P. Dom., Entry
Book 55, p. 138.] |
Aug. 22.
Windsor. |
Reference to the Lord Lieutenant of the petition of Edmond
Fitzgerald about some orders in a suit for the mesne profits of
Port-lester prosecuted by him in the Exchequer in Ireland by
power from the Commissioners and Farmers of the Revenue
there. [Ibid.] |
Aug. 22.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Bishop of Oxford. His Majesty has
commanded me to give you his thanks for the very good choice
you have made of the Dean of Gloucester to do the gracious
offices of charity to College. It was a great joy to me to find his
Majesty to have an opinion so heartily good of your choice and
of Mr. Dean's qualifications. His Majesty is perfectly of opinion
that, if College be truly relenting, he is conscious of a great
many things that may be of consequence to be known and that he
can't be truly penitent without revealing them for the safety of
the King and kingdom. The doctor has no commission to treat
with the convict of a pardon on any terms and I do not see that
thing he can discover that can deserve a pardon, unless he at
the same time show a way that full proofs may be come by,
without taking notice of what he can say. If there happen to
be anything of moment that Mr. Dean may and that you think
advisable to impart to his Majesty, I should be highly of opinion
it should be written and addressed to his Majesty himself. It
shall be delivered to his Majesty's own hands and his directions
sent you on it. This opinion is of my own head without any command. I write by this express to the Sheriff that Wednesday
sennight, the 31st, is to be the day of execution. [1½ page. S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 62, p. 279.] |
| Aug. 23. |
Edmond Warcupp and Richard Graham to Sir Leoline Jenkins.
We herewith send all the informations in our hands of Florence
Weyer against Lord Blayney. The originals, we believe, are
in the Attorney-General's hands. The Lord Chief Justice will
be in town this morning and his answer shall be brought to you.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 109.] Enclosed, |
|
1. The information of Florence Weyer. Henry, Lord Blayney,
is newly arrived here out of France and lodges within four
doors of the Golden Lyon in Fleet Street and the informant
formerly gave in an information of high treason against him,
which he is now ready to make good. July 5, 1681. [Ibid.
No. 109i.] |
|
2. Florence Weyer to [Sir Leoline Jenkins]. The following
are the only persons of the King's evidences now discharged
for Ireland that have done great service here to prosecute,
viz., Florence Weyer, John Moyre and Hugh Duffy. The
minutes of his Majesty's letter are to be seriously to recommend
them to the Lord Lieutenant to take them into special care,
as well for their lives, having many enemies, as otherwise,
and to have all the persons by them impeached of high treason
tried at the King's Bench bar in Dublin, it being vain to prosecute them elsewhere, for they would be tried by the rest of
their confederates. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 109 ii.] |
|
3. Florence Weyer to Sir Leoline Jenkins. Lord Blayney is
returned to the City. To-day I had a fair conveniency to
have him taken, if you were at home. Unless there be some
speedy course to have him secured, he will be away. His
men lay in wait to surprise me to kill me. Aug. 2, 1681.
[Ibid. No. 109 iii.] |
|
4. The information of Florence Weyer against Henry, Lord
Blayney. Capt. Neill arrived at Castle Blayney, St.
Katherine's Day, 25 Nov., the fair-day of that town, where
he was entertained by Lord Blayney, going to a tavern with
Edward Rowley, Dr. Wyatt, Ardell Macmahon, Philip Bane
Macardle and the informant, where they caroused till about
10. Some of Lord Blayney's servants telling him that
supper was ready, he would hardly bestow time on it, yet
at last he took Capt. Neill home with him, the informant
being with Capt. Neill where they took the oath to be during
their lives sworn brothers and that each of them with their
adherents and dependents and all other they could procure
should prove utter enemies to the King and Crown of England,
the rest of the Royal family, and the laws and government
of the King and Parliament, and with all their zeal and might
endeavour to subvert his Majesty's loyal subjects. The
same oath they confirmed next morning, and for a badge of
their union Lord Blayney gave Capt. Neill a bay gelding, from
whom he likewise received a scarf of between blue and sky
colour with two silver heads. Thence they rode to the town of
Monaghan, where they passed some days in pomp and jollity.
Old Lady Blayney, minding how her husband was killed by
General Neill, became very pensive, which the present Lord
noting, he swore he was hugely satisfied his grandfather was
lost for siding with any but General Neill. The said lord
accompanied the said captain towards Tyrone and, taking
leave of him, bound himself by many solemn oaths to follow
him to France, which he observed. Having set his estate
for three years to Francis Lucas, he went in pursuance of
that horrid conspiracy. Being come back for more money,
he returned to France about May last, with 2,500l., where
or at Rome he remains at present. [1½ page. Ibid. No.
109 iv.] |
|
5. Florence Weyer to Sir Leoline Jenkins. Justice Warcupp
would not be pleased with me, unless I gave him a copy of
my whole informations touching the late plot in Ireland.
To satisfy him I brought the copy a little before Dr. Plunket's
trial, which was picked out of my pocket by George Murphy,
who receives the King's allowance and was never a discoverer
of the plot. He kept it till Lord Blayney arrived here, to
whom he most traitorously and in hope of reward sent word
to look to himself, for his treason was discovered, and that
he had the information against him to show him and sent
it him by Bryan Farrell, as Farrell confessed before Owen
Murphy and others, being the reason his lordship absconded
himself, which occasioned that sinister accident of the wounding
of Mr. Lumley. I have seen his letter with Farrell desiring
him to bring Murphy before him. Therefore may it please
you to issue your warrant for the two Murphys and Farrell
and have them examined before you. July 23, 1681. [S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 109 v.] |
| Aug. 23. |
Memorandum that there were brought into the King's warehouse
out of the Holland packet-boat at Gravesend 67 pair of pistols.
[Ibid. No. 110.] |
Aug. 23.
Windsor. |
Warrant, after reciting that Oliver Hawley and Charles Kelly
were tried and convicted at Maidstone for a robbery committed
about 2½ years ago in the Hundred of Blackheath on Francis
Moore, from whom they took about 7l., but were pardoned on
condition of transporting themselves within six months, as Hawley
did, but he, returning again before the time limited in the general
pardon, forfeited the benefit thereof and is liable to the sentence on
his said conviction, and that since his return, being made tidesman
in the port of London, he has been instrumental to the discovery
of many great frauds and abuses in stealing the customs; for,
in consideration thereof, a pardon to him for the said robbery
and also for his said return before the time limited. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 54, p. 93.] |
Aug. 23.
Windsor. |
The Earl of Conway to Mr. Brisbane. Signifying his Majesty's
pleasure, who has been acquainted with his letter concerning
the accident to Lord Berkeley's ship, to the Commissioners of
the Admiralty that Capt. Godfrey, the pilot, who brought the
ship into distress, be proceeded against at a council of war. [S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 56, p. 52.] |
Aug. 23.
Windsor. |
Commissions to Francis Marshall to be ensign of Capt. Markham's company in the regiment of Guards called the Coldstreamers
and to Louis Chevalier de Meziere to be ensign of Capt. Ralph
Delaval's company in Col. John Russell's regiment of Guards.
Minutes. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 164, pp. 69, 71.] |
Aug. 24.
Thurloxton, near Taunton. |
Richard Crosse to Sir Leoline Jenkins. You desired to be
informed by Col. Hawley and myself what we heard the late
Lady Rochester say of College's being a Papist. The day before
she fell sick she said that to her knowledge College was a Papist.
Others heard it then and another time at Lady Warre's table.
Sir Francis Warre can say more of it. I enclose a letter from
William Clarke of Sandford, late a Justice of this county and
formerly and now a trustee and steward to Lord Rochester's
estate, which will inform you of what College confessed to him.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 111.] Enclosed, |
|
William Clarke to Richard Crosse. I do not know that College
was a Papist, but have heard him say that, being about 14
years since a trooper under the Earl of Rochester, my lord
employed him to bring Tomson, a priest, to his lady to pervert
her, and that he did so several times and by means of that
priest she was perverted. This I believe to be the reason
she took him to be a Papist, and this he declared to many
others, who can be produced, if necessary. [S.P. Dom., Car. II.
416, No. 111 i.] |
Aug. 24.
Oxford Castle. |
The declaration of Stephen College of his innocency in all
and every part of the treasons so maliciously and falsely sworn
against him by Dugdale, Turberville, Smith and Haines, for he
never spoke a single word of these treasons to any of them or
ever heard them spoken, till they swore them in the Court and he
was never in any plot or conspiring against the King's person,
laws or government, nor knew of any, that is or was, the Papist
only excepted, and, had it been true, as it is false, that he was
to have seized the King either at Whitehall or at Oxford, he
solemnly declares he knew not one single person that would have
stood by him in that attempt and how likely he was to have
done it himself or that he should have trusted such profligate
and necessitous wretches as Papists, priests and Irishmen and
those that had discovered the treasons of their own party in
which they were engaged, if they have sworn truth—where
could be his hopes they would conceal his, had he trusted them,
being a Protestant ?—Mr. Masters was unjust to me in omitting
the material part of our discourse concerning the Parliament in
'40, for, when he cursed them and the last Parliament at
Westminster also and charged them in '40 with beginning the
war and cutting off the King's head, I said it was the Papists that
began that war and the King's death was the fatal consequence.
He also well knows that he had often in derision called me colonel
in Guildhall and I made him some such answer accordingly. |
|
Sir W. Jennings also did me wrong, for he swore false both as to
the words and place, for I do not remember I saw him in the court
at all but in the coffee-house, and my words were, I had lost the
first blood for the parliament, I wish it be the last. It's a wonder
he mistook me no more, since he is of Warcupp's, Crescit's,
Dugdale's, Smith's etc. club at the Feathers tavern by Fleet
Bridge. |
|
As to the printed papers Dugdale produced, I never saw them
called the Raree Show and intercepted letter in his hand before and
therefore did not and could not decipher any of the pictures to
him. I was not the author of the Raree Show nor do I know
who was, nor the printer or ever owned myself the author of
either of these papers. I am reported to be a Papist. I was
bred and lived a Protestant and as such I die. I never was at
any of their devotions except once at St. James' 17 or 18 years
since, though I worked for several of them. (Explaining the
reports of his bringing a priest to Lady Rochester and of harbouring
Papists, as in his dying speech.) It's said falsely also I married
my wife's own mother. There are some other scandalous and
malicious reports against me, as that I owned all that was sworn
against me except Haines' evidence, to all which I have been
examined by Dr. Marshall, whom the Bishop of Oxford sent to
me the day after I was condemned, and Dr. Hall, from whom
I received the Sacrament last Sunday, to whom I made the same
confession as I have here inserted, of which I again affirm the
truth, only I might have been guilty in heat of talk of uttering
some unbecoming words concerning the King or his Council,
and if so, I beg their pardon. Secretary Jenkins, Lord Killingworth and Mr. Seymour, when they committed me, interrogated
me to many things I should be privy to against the King, Mr.
Seymour saying I knew Lord Shaftesbury, Lord Howard and
Mr. Ferguson were engaged also, to all which I answered, I could
not accuse any of them or any other whatsoever. To-day (Tuesday, 23 Aug.) also the messenger, who brought me a message
of my death, told me I might save my life, would I confess who
was the cause of my coming to Oxford and on what account.
I answered, I was glad that confessing the truth of that would
do it and that I came voluntarily of myself. I rode my own
horse and spent my own money and neither was invited nor
depended on any person whatsoever and had only one case of
pistols and my sword and, had the Papists or their party offered
to destroy the Parliament, as was sworn and feared they would,
I was there to have lived and died with them and I thought in
this I had served the King also. But I found it was not that the
messenger wanted, and so with a curse he left me. |
|
I die by the hands of the enemies of the great God, His Christ,
His servants, His Gospel and my country. I earnestly pray
mine may be the last Protestant blood that murdering Church
of Rome may shed in Christendom and that my death may be
a far greater blow to their bloody cause than I could have been
by my life. The Lord God Almighty save England from Popery
and slavery, bless the City of London and unite all good
Protestants. [3 pages. Original noted as received from Lord
Conway 29 Aug. and copy noted as received from Harris, the Quaker.
S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, Nos. 112, 113.] |
Aug. 24.
Windsor Castle. |
Warrant constituting Sir James Baird of Auchmedden, the
present sheriff principal of the sherifdome of Banff, and Sir
George Gordon of Edinglassie conjunct sheriffs principal of
the said jurisdiction for their lives and after the decease of the
said Baird the said Gordon to be sole sheriff principal. [Docquet.
S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 6, p. 431.] |
Aug. 24.
Windsor Castle. |
Warrant for a presentation of George Young, present minister
at Stranraver, to be minister of the kirk of Kirkmaiden in the
presbytery of Stranraver and diocese of Galloway. [Docquet.
Ibid. p. 432.] |
Aug. 24.
Windsor Castle. |
Memorials of protections to William Baillie of Littlegill, Capt.
John Binnie and — Seaton Lady Barfut, for two years
respectively. [Ibid. pp. 433, 434.] |
| Aug. 25. |
The information of Lawrence Mowbray taken before Justice
Wolstenholme. Describing how he was seduced by John Smith
to swear falsely against Lord Shaftesbury and others as
Presbyterian plotters. (The substance appears from Mowbray's
evidence at College's trial, printed in State Trials, Vol. VIII,
col. 654, &c.) [3 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 114.] |
| Aug. 25. |
The information of Lawrence Mowbray taken before Justice
Wolstenholme. About April or May last Bryan Haines, discoursing with him about the many oppositions and discouragements the witnesses of the Popish plot met with, asserted the
King did not allow them maintenance nor countenanced them,
but rather the contrary, and that the citizens of London, who
used to supply them, were grown very backward in assisting
them and said that the Popish plot was not regarded by the King
and Court nor scarce by any and that the discoverers would become
odious, for the Papists every day increased their interest and
the Presbyterian interest seemed rather to decline, for that party
were more to be feared than any Dissenters whatever, and the
King and Court had a special eye on them, and therefore he said
that whoever intended to make his fortune must swear a plot
against the Presbyterians, for any plausible thing will be believed
against them, notwithstanding their severe prosecution of the
Papists, and earnestly pressed the informant to join him and
others in that design. The informant seemed to comply and
demanded who were to be brought into this plot. He replied,
the Duke of Monmouth, Lords Shaftesbury, Grey, Howard,
Lovelace and others that were protesting lords, and he named
many eminent citizens of London. The informant desiring to
know the heads of this pretended plot, they were interrupted by
company. Haynes has often acquainted the informant with
his necessitous condition, which has forced him to make desperate
resolutions, as that he would swear a plot against the Presbyterians
and particularized the persons before mentioned, nay anything
against anybody rather than starve &c. The informant has
heard the like resolutions and revengeful expressions from
Turberville with protestations that he would rather break the
Ninth, nay all the Commandments, and make the lives of
Monmouth, Shaftesbury &c. and others of the factious City
smoke, before he would submit to want. John and Dennis
Macnamara have endeavoured to persuade the informant to
side with Haynes and them to swear a plot against the Presbyterians, that the King was to be secured, and that horse and
arms and moneys were raised for that purpose by the Duke of
Monmouth, the Earl of Shaftesbury &c. and the citizens &c.
He has assured the informant that necessity and the hopes of
getting a general pardon from the King compelled him to what
he did herein. |
|
The like practices have been used by Ivey and Bernard Dennis
to seduce the informant to join them to swear against the said
lords &c. that they had raised men, money and arms to secure the
King and, if he would not yield to their desire, to depose him.
[2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 115.] |
| Aug. 25. |
The information of Robert Bolron taken before Justice
Wolstenholme. April and May last Justice Warcupp endeavoured
to persuade him to give evidence that the protesting lords would
have suborned him to have sworn high treason against the Duke
of York, the Queen and others and that he must depose that the
Duke of Monmouth, Lord Shaftesbury and Lord Grey, with
others, would have hired him to swear against the Duke of York
and the Queen that they were guilty of the Popish plot in
conspiring the King's death, for which he should be very well
rewarded. |
|
Neither the Duke of Monmouth, Lord Shaftesbury nor Lord
Grey nor any other person ever persuaded him to give such
information. |
|
Asking John Smith what they must do, when the Parliament
sits, Smith bade him not to fear, for in a little time the Parliament
will be rendered useless, and then the King will be persuaded
to reign arbitrarily, for any man might lawfully swear the King
was to be seized at Oxford. [Ibid. No. 116.] |
Aug. 25.
Windsor Castle. |
The King to the Duke of Albany and York and the Privy Council
of Scotland. A representation being made to us by Don Restarino
Cantelmo, a person of great honour and of eminent trust under
his Most Catholic Majesty in the Spanish Netherlands and brother
to the Duke de Populi in the kingdom of Naples, bearing that
the said brothers being able to prove by good evidences the
descent of their family to have been from the line of our royal
predecessors, Kings and Queens of Scotland, by a continued
course of pedigree from about 330 years before the Incarnation
to this time, and therefore desiring to have an account of this
their descent entered and continued in the most proper public
records of that kingdom and an authentic extract thereof given
them in the most solemn manner as the like is usually granted
to others in their circumstances, we hereby authorize and require
you to take care that all possible right be done to them and their
family in this their pretension, so far as the same shall be made good
to you by such documents and proofs as are usually received
and allowed by you on the like occasions, and that a testification
thereof under the great seal of Scotland, bearing an account of
their genealogy and descent, be granted them in the most solemn
and effectual manner as the like favour is usually given to persons
of the highest quality residing in foreign countries, who derive
their pedigree from that kingdom, and that the same may be
presented in this or the next ensuing parliament that it may
be approved by them. [S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 6, p. 434.] |
Aug. 25.
Windsor Castle. |
The King to the Lords of the Treasury of Scotland. Warrant
for payment to Charles Straton, eldest son of Capt. Robert Straton,
who served faithfully in the worst times, in consideration of his
loyalty and of his being employed to bring to the King the late
most loyal letter of the parliament of Scotland, of 100l. sterling
besides the expense of his journey hither and back to Edinburgh.
[S.P. Scotland, Warrant Book 6, p. 435.] |
Aug. 26.
Canterbury. |
Serjeant Sir Thomas Hardres to Sir Leoline Jenkins. I presume
you lately had an account of the dispersing of a seditious
conventicle here by me and others, who since appointed a time
and place for the conviction of the persons present. The enclosed
will give you an account of what false, scandalous and abusive
reflections passed on me at that meeting. Because they so
highly concern me in the execution of my duty, I hope it is not
unseasonable to acquaint you therewith, that you may better
understand the ground of any sinister information against me
by the same or the like hand, which I expect from such a malicious
observer, who has been several years hatching some mischief
against me for not complying with his unreasonable temper
and once trepanned me for my opinion concerning conventicles and Nonconformists, making use of it to my prejudice
above. |
|
If I must not only spend my time in his Majesty's service
without any recompense, but be hectored out of my own reason
to comply with a fiery pretender to reformation, I must quit
that service, unless I receive better encouragement. I never
thought one fire would quench another or that reformation in
the Church would be wrought by heat in the State, which is the
ill fortune of the present condition of this place. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 416, No. 117.] |
Aug. 26.
Wells. |
The information of Thomas Harris of Glaston, Somerset. In
Michaelmas term, 1677, he was lodging with Thomas Peter, a
victualler in Wych Street. One Sunday evening a person called
College came in and entered into discourse concerning Lord
Rochester and his lady, extolling the latter and vilifying the
former. I told him I heard my lady was turned Papist. He
asked me what I meant by a Papist. I answered one that
maintained the tenets of the Church of Rome. He then undertook to defend the said tenets with great violence, telling me
he would bring books next day that should confute all arguments
to the contrary. He likewise told me his name was Golledge,
not College, and that he had wrought for Lord Rochester at
Enmore. I never saw him before or since, but was informed by
Mr. Peter he was a joiner and lived at the back of his house.
[Original and two copies. Against one is noted, Wych Street is
near the Maypole in the Strand. Mr. Peter is a very honest man
and lives at the Crown and Anchor, Wych Street. Ibid. Nos.
118–119.] |
| Aug. 26. |
Commission to William Cholmley to be captain of the company
lately Capt. John Tongue's in the Coldstream Guards, whereof
the Earl of Craven is colonel. Minute. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book
29, p. 398.] |
Aug. 26.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Mr. Brisbane. The bearer, Mr. Ellis,
was recommended to me by my friend, Sir Joseph Sheldon,
when he lay on his bed of sickness. You will see how full a
certificate he has from Capt. Hodder. I beseech you to propose
him to the Admiralty Commissioners. I hope they will think
him a fit object of some encouragement in the way he is in.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 62, p. 265.] |
Aug. 26.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Earl of Clarendon. A certificate under
the common seal of New Sarum is come into Mr. Cooke's hands
that Giles Ayres is duly elected Recorder. Mr. Cooke (not knowing
anything of his Majesty's resolution, for I did not tell him of it)
told him that brought the town instrument it was but reasonable
and (? it) should be furnished with a certificate from the most
qualified justices and deputy lieutenants of the county that Ayres
was a fit man. This, he said, would give me the better access to
present the certificate to his Majesty. The person concerned
for Ayres found this to be a most heavy grievance and not fit
for them, who had been the very earliest in their add[ress] to
endure. Mr. Cooke persisted and, telling me of this, I let him
know his Majesty's resolution never to approve of this Ayres.
Something of your interposal in the other office would be
reasonable; nothing shall pass ours. [Ibid. p. 266.] |
Aug. 27.
Public Library, Oxford. |
Thomas Hyde, Librarian and Archdeacon of Gloucester, to
Sir Leoline Jenkins. College, the prisoner, still refuses to say
anything more than that he spake rash words. He had the
Sacrament administered to him last Sunday and has sometimes
endured the prayers of our Church to be prayed with him, but
somewhat unwillingly, and he has often refused it and professes
he does not benefit by them. But he is of very fanatical principles
and a great admirer of Quakers and says they are godly men and
(if it might be) desires their company, especially that of one
Titmarsh, who keeps a conventicle in Oxford, as does Butress
also. You may perceive what kind of men they are that call
themselves Presbyterians and trouble his Majesty. |
|
There lately came to him a painter, who perhaps might have
some message to him, but his pretence was that he came from
London on purpose to draw his picture in colours, but, scruple
being made about it and he being desired to come again to know
whether he might do it, he came no more. There also came a
Fanatic, desiring to pray with him, but being not permitted unless
he would use the Liturgy of the Church, he refused. His name
was formerly Bishop, but, being a hater of bishops, he changed
it to Martin, and, because he is by that name known for a notorious
villain, he changed it again. You may perhaps remember that
during the war he was town clerk of Oxford, in which office he
had the opportunity of doing much mischief to the late King
and his friends and contributed much to infecting the town with
ill principles. I doubt the present fellow, Prince, for whom the
town contends, is a man of bad principles and may do his Majesty
much prejudice in elections and other things and to the University
by stirring up quarrels between us and the town and putting us
to chargeable lawsuits. Two very fanatical letters, full of sedition,
come every week to Oxford and all over the kingdom. One is
sent to Mrs. Daye's coffee-house in the High Street, written by
Gay, a bookseller, who, being lately broke, is set up again in
Whitefriars, a privileged place. The other is sent to Fagge's
coffee-house near the market-place, written by Smith, a bookseller, usually called Elephant Smith. These fellows do a great
deal of mischief by spreading lies and false rumours to provoke
sedition and rebellion. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 120.] |
| [Aug.] |
John Wilmer, prisoner in the Tower, to the King. Petition for
his wife and relations to have access to him and for leave to see
such counsel and solicitor as he wishes in order to prepare his
defence against some informations of treasons made against him.
[Ibid. No. 121.] |
Aug. 29.
Rye. |
Robert Hall to Col. John Stroude. I think myself obliged to
give you an account of the ill proceedings of those ill-principled
men that were for choosing Mr. Tudman as burgess. To-day
was the election of a mayor, when Mr. Crouch was fairly elected
by the major part of the freemen that have their votes and were
never expunged. Notwithstanding Mr. Turnay pretends he is
chosen, having Mr. Jeake, the Independent preacher, and five
more that were expunged by the regulaters, who cannot vote
for a mayor, because they will not take the oaths. Mr. Burditt,
the mayor that is out and lieutenant here, (for whom I hope you
will make a better choice, he being turned out of his place in
the Custom House and not fit to be in any military employment
but Mr. Tudman's vicegerent), and Mr. Turnay with two or three
others are gone up to complain of Mr. Crouch. I hope you will
give Secretary Jenkins an account that we may all be put in a
way of serving his Majesty with our lives and fortunes. Mr.
Frewen has writ to Sir Denny Ashburnham an account of the
whole proceeding and desires you will join with him in discoursing
the Secretary. [Ibid. No. 122.] |
Aug. 29.
Great Warley, Essex. |
David Jenner to the Bishop of London. Henry Francis of
West Ham in Dr. Hollingsworth's parish is a very dangerous
fellow and, I believe, of College's seditious spirit. My reason
is that 3 or 4 March last I had a trial at Chelmsford for assault
and battery. Judge Weston directed the jury to give me good
damages on three accounts. 1. As I was a conformable minister.
2. As I was not only assaulted and beaten but wounded and
made lame. 3. As I had continued lame a good while (and
indeed I fear I shall never recover). But the said Francis, being
of the jury, told them and others, particularly Mr. Lenthall, an
attorney of Hornchurch, that I was a Papist and deserved to
have my gown pulled off and he would not have given me any
damages at all, and he said moreover that Judge Weston was
Popishly affected and that all or most of the bishops and clergy
were Popishly affected, that they ruined the nation and strove
to bring in Popery. |
|
After the jury had given me but 5s. damages, Francis railed
bitterly against the present government of Church and State and
in my hearing told Mr. Lenthall that all or most of the bishops
and clergy were Papists or Popishly affected and that Oliver's
and the Commonwealth's days were better than these and (as
Lenthall told me) he commended the regicides and said they
were honest, godly men and that the men of '40 or '41 were men
of sound and honest principles. I went immediately into the
court and entreated the counsel to acquaint the judge with his
scandalous and seditious words, which they promised to do,
and I advised Mr. Lenthall also to inform the judge and he says
he did so, but the judge died, as I hear, before he could wait on
his Majesty, so I never heard any more of it. |
|
Postscript.—The King's arms are wanting in our parish church
and the Commonwealth's are visible on the walls. I have used
all possible arguments to have the King's arms set up and the
Commonwealth's chopped out, but some dissenting and
schismatical men in the parish oppose both and are very vexatious
to me. I have told the churchwardens and constables I would
complain to you about it. [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416,
No. 123.] |
Aug. 29.
Whitehall. |
Reference to the Lords of the Treasury of Edward Trussell,
his Majesty's mercer, for payment of what his Majesty owes him
with interest. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 147.] |
Aug. 29.
Whitehall. |
The Earl of Conway to the Commissioners of the Admiralty.
Signifying his Majesty's pleasure that they give orders for a yacht
to be forthwith dispatched to Hamburg to bring over Lady
Wyche, with her servants and goods. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 56,
p. 52.] |
Aug. 29.
Whitehall. |
The Earl of Conway to the Earl of Bridgwater. His Majesty
approves of the persons proposed in your letter of the 22nd to be
deputy lieutenants of Hertfordshire and you are to cause
deputations to be dispatched to Sir Thomas Field, Richard
Harrison, Thomas Halsey and Thomas Atkins accordingly.
[Ibid.] |
Aug. 29.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Bishop of Oxford. We have news
here that College is come to a second penitence and makes very
candid confessions. If so, it were well some proper person be
employed to know of him, how letters directed to the Earl of
Shaftesbury came to be sent to his house and to ask him from
whom they came, by whom they were conveyed and why to his
house, for it can be proved that he said that all the Earl's letters
or most of them were directed to his house and that he knew
whence they came. |
|
He should be further asked who appointed him to take care
for the lodging of Mr. Serjeant, the secular priest, when he came
out of Holland, and why such care was taken to provide for
him. |
|
But, besides these queries that are to be put, by the bye, I
enclose several papers. Those inscribed No. 1 are said to be
his original confession or declaration before his death. Those
No. 2 are copies of the first. Those No. 1 were delivered yesterday
to his Majesty in Council by Thomas Bennet, a known Parliament
man and secretary to Prince Rupert. He pretended to know
no more of the contents but that they were College's writing and
that he had received them from Harris, a Quaker. Lord Conway
and myself examined this Quaker this morning. He pretends
to have received them both from one Yarranton (not Harrington),
a seditious libeller. He was questioned and detected last
parliament to be the author or else the publisher of a most
scandalous reflection on Sir Edward Deering in an edition of
Coleman's and other Popish letters. |
|
The King directs the papers Nos. 1 and 2 to be sent express to
you, that you may discover by such persons and means as your
prudence shall think proper: |
|
1. Whether he entrusted any papers with Yarranton and
when ? |
|
2. Whether these (to be shown him) are the papers and whether
those of No. 1 be of his own handwriting ? |
|
3. What end he had in depositing those papers in those hands ? |
|
4. Whether he was advised and instigated to it by others
and, if so, by whom ? |
|
Besides from the very papers themselves many material questions arise, as first: Whether he did not design with his own
hand the cuts to the ballad of A Raree Show, and whether that
very first design or crayon was not taken with the edition of the
cuts in his house ? |
|
Who that messenger was that brought him 23 Aug. the message
of his death, and who were present when the message was delivered,
it being most certain the messenger had no such commission or
instructions ? |
|
The King has granted the petition of the Trinity College scholar,
and he is to have College's head as well as the rest of the body
to be disposed of. [3 pages. S.P. Dom., Entry Book 62, p. 268.] |
Aug. 29.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Lieutenant of the Tower. His Majesty
on Mr. Wilmore's petition permits that his wife have leave to go
to her husband, but his meaning is that, if she will take that
course, she be under that restraint as not to go out without his
leave. [Ibid. p. 271.] |
| [Aug. 30.] |
Capt. Thomas Cheeke, Lieutenant of the Tower, to Secretary
Jenkins. I had waited on you often but have been laid up with the
gout and the heavy affliction of having lost my son from smallpox.
I send you this rebellious paper left at my house this morning,
and the fellow that brought it will call in the evening for an
answer. I beg you to let me know what I shall do with him,
whether I shall lay him by the heels for being so insolent and saucy.
Though my sorrow be great I have not omitted anything fit to
be done in the Tower. |
|
I had not given you the trouble of the letter you sent me yesterday, but that I had no faith in what Mrs. Wilmore told me. [S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 124.] |
Aug. 30.
Whitehall. |
Warrant for a patent or patents for 14 years to John Joachim
Becher for his inventions of erecting floating mills on the Thames
and all other navigable rivers for grinding grain and also of a
new way for smoking and drying fish, but with a proviso that,
if during the said term it shall appear that this grant is prejudicial
to the King's service and the good of the kingdoms or that the
said inventions are not new, the said patents may be recalled by
order signed by six or more of the Privy Council. [S.P. Dom.,
Entry Book 51, f. 409.] |
Aug. 30.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Attorney-General. The bearer, I
am confident, will have the King's grace and mercy towards him,
as soon as I move for him to-morrow morning, as I intend. If
he have need of your appearing for him by a nolle prosequi before
I can acquaint you with the King's pleasure, be pleased to do it.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 62, p. 272.] |
Aug. 30.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to Sir Richard Hart. I have yours of the
22nd and have recommended to his Majesty the zeal of your
endeavours for his service in confirming the loyalty of your neighbours by disposing them to give public testimonies of their affection
to the government. I shall be ready to contribute my offices
in complying with your desires touching the captives of your city,
though, the Council having met but seldom during the vacation,
I have had no convenient opportunity of laying this matter
before them, but I hope you will have in due time such an order
therein as may answer your intentions of obliging so considerable
a body as the mariners of Bristol. [Ibid. p. 273.] |
Aug. 30.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Bishop of Durham. Yesterday I
presented to his Majesty the address you sent me from the County
Palatine. He commanded me to return his hearty thanks to
you and by your conveyance to the rest of the loyal addressers
with an assurance he will be as good as his word given you on
former addresses. [Ibid. p. 274.] |
Aug. 30.
Whitehall. |
Secretary Jenkins to the Lieutenant of the Tower. Condoling
with him on the death of his son and signifying his Majesty's
permission to him to send Whitaker's petition to the Court it is
addressed to. [Ibid. p. 275.] |
Aug. 30.
London. |
Newsletter to Sir Francis Radcliffe, Dilston. Giving the news
from Brussels and Paris in the same words as in The London
Gazette, No. 1646.—To-morrow, Wednesday, the sessions begin
at the Old Bailey, where the Earl of Shaftesbury and Lord Howard
intend to move by their counsel to be removed to Newgate,
there being, as they say, some law for it in order to be bailed, or
that they may be prosecuted according to law and their own
desire for the liberty of the subject, but the Attorney-General
intends to show their lordships good law for their old reasons
and the next we expect to hear in that case is a close confinement,
as was when they did so last. [Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital 1,
No. 126.] |
Tuesday, Aug. 30.
London. |
Newsletter to Roger Garstell, Newcastle. What we have more
from Scotland is that most of the elections are discussed and
particularly that for Berwickshire, in which the Laird of Wedderlie
was received and Charles Hume, brother to the Earl of Hume,
rejected. On the debates thereof, the Earl of Eglinton alleged
against Wedderlie that he could not serve, because his electors
had pre-limited and determined him in what he should vote and,
it being moved they should condescend on the electors, which
had pre-limited and the votes wherein he was predetermined,
the Earl of Hume condescended on Sir Patrick Hume of Parlburt
(Polwarth) that he had pre-limited Wedderlie in the vote against
asserting the succession, on which Duke Hamilton and others
pressed that the Earl might subscribe this accusation against
Sir Patrick, but, the Earl's friends being against it, the Earl
declared he had it by information only and that his informer
should cause subscribe it. On the Earl's evasion it was left to
the Lords of the Articles, though it is supposed it cannot be proved
against Sir Patrick, all persons being very tender of subscribing
any accusation in regard of the law that, if it be not proved,
they render themselves guilty of the same accusation. |
|
The 23rd the corpse of the Duke of Rothes was magnificently
buried. The Parliament is adjourned to the 27th. |
|
The 26th the sessions began for Middlesex at Hicks' Hall and
yesterday for London at Guildhall, for both which the sheriffs
have returned able and honest jurors, viz., 50 for Middlesex and
68 for London, out of which 15 are sworn for the former and 19
for the latter. |
|
The Middlesex Justices having some time since made an order
grounded on a statute of 3 Henry VIII, by which the sheriff's
panel, they assert, may be reformed by the Justices, by which
they appoint the sheriffs to direct all precepts to liberties and
not to any bailiff of their own choosing of the Hundred or otherwise
that such liberties are in, and that such bailiffs of liberties return
fit and able persons &c., Mr. Bethell, the sheriff, did not comply
with this order, but acted according to the customary methods,
which the Justices were offended at and excepted against three
in the panel and demanded them to be struck out, which the
under-sheriff denied to do. Then the Court adjourned till
Saturday and then the High Sheriff denied the same. Then the
Court adjourned till yesterday, when they chose 15 out of the
panelled 50 and first gave them the oaths of allegiance and
supremacy and then the oath of grand jurors. No indictments
for treasons have as yet been presented to them. At Guildhall
the Grand Jury were immediately sworn and found many bills,
amongst others one against 5 persons for writing and dispersing
copies of Fitzharris' libel and one against Peter Lamport for
endeavouring to suborn James Carroll to swear a Presbyterian
plot and to deny his former evidence against the Papists. |
|
His Majesty having appointed the Archbishop of Canterbury,
the Bishop of London, the Earls of Radnor and Halifax, Lord
Hyde and Mr. Seymour to report to him the fitness and deserts
of all who should apply for or merit any vacant ecclesiastical
preferment in his disposal or places in either university, and that
no petition for any such purpose be presented to him by the
Secretaries unless approved of by 4 of the said Commissioners,
they have already sat twice. |
|
It is very confidently affirmed and by many believed that
Dr. Oates has so far incurred his Majesty's displeasure that he
is forbid the presence and turned out of Whitehall and his allowance totally taken off. How far it is true I know not. |
|
His Majesty has sent for the keys of the lodgings of the Earls
of Macclesfield and Manchester at Whitehall, by which it is
supposed they are no more Bedchamber men. |
|
Lord Mordaunt, who late fought a duel with Lord Arran, is
well and has been an hour in private with his Majesty, who has
given him leave to sail with his new-built ship formerly mentioned
to have been embargoed. |
|
As to Mr. College's execution to-morrow, we know nothing to
the contrary as yet, but it's reported that he gave what he intends
in his speech to-morrow in writing to a person of quality, who
yesterday showed it to the Prince and he to his Majesty, who
read it. What effect it will have, time will show. |
|
On Saturday there was a long hearing betwixt the East India
and the Turkey Companies in his Majesty's presence, which came
to no determination then. |
|
A great flood has destroyed the city of Mecca and washed away
Mahomet's tomb. |
|
The French have actually sent 16,000 men to Pignerol to take
possession of Casale. [3 pages. Admiralty, Greenwich Hospital 1,
No. 127.] |
Aug. 30.
London. |
Newsletter to John Squier, Newcastle. I formerly told you
Lord Mordaunt had built a man-of-war of about 50 guns, of which
he designed to go commander, some say into the Elector of
Brandenburg's service and others into the Straits. To prevent
the former, the Spaniard complained and the King, with whom
he was on ill terms, ordered the ship to be stopped, which she was
and has been at Woolwich ready to sail above six weeks, but
yesterday he came and submitted himself and kissed the King's
hands and was with him almost two hours in his closet and, it
is said, has made great discoveries, He has, however, obtained
an order for the sailing of the ship and will part in a few days. |
|
(About the Earls of Macclesfield and Manchester, Dr. Oates
and College, as in the last newsletter.) The hangman of this
city is refused the liberty of going to execute College according to
the request of the sheriff of Oxfordshire, they having occasion
for him here, the sessions of the gaol delivery of Newgate being
to-morrow, the remora being removed about the panelling the
jury, the Justices being obliged to accept the panel returned by
the sheriff, 15 of whom were sworn on the grand jury, before
whom several bills of perjury and subornation will be brought,
and one was found against Lamport for suborning Carroll. |
|
Scots letters advise that the Parliament met there, when the
bill for securing the peace of the kingdom was read but not passed.
They add that, having finished the business they were called
about, they will be dissolved in a few days, before which Mr.
Mitchell's business will be heard, Duke Hamilton pressing to have
it tried. |
|
The 23rd the corpse of the late Lord Chancellor Rothes was
carried from the great church of Edinburgh to be interred in his
own aisle at Leslie, the particulars of which funeral are in print
and will be published to-day, and the Parliament adjourned till
Monday last and the Lords of the Articles till Saturday, the
Committees to sit in the interim. |
|
From Dover of the 28th we are advised that the Mayor and
aldermen were called out of the church during service to suppress
several conventicles, but some people refusing to assist him
occasioned the not taking the minister. However, they took
the names of the persons there and design to prosecute them.
They did the same thing in the afternoon and found more people
at those meetings than in the morning. [3 pages. Admiralty,
Greenwich Hospital 1, No. 128.] |
Aug. 31.
Ripon. |
Sir Jonathan Jennings to Sir Leoline Jenkins. I hope you
received my last informing you that the attorney, Brownriggs,
was gone northwards, but that I had sent to apprehend him.
He was taken near Carlisle and is now under examination before
me, but, as I cannot get it finished to send by this post, I now
send a short account of the material things, and shall send his
examination next post. He owns the discourse on the road,
of which Crawford has already informed, and wrote a letter of it
to his friend, Walter Baines, in Plow Court, Fetter Lane, who
acquainted the Lord Mayor and Lord Shaftesbury with it and
gave each of them a copy of the letter, whereupon he was sent for
by Baines to come with all speed to London, which he did about
the beginning of this month and lay at Baines' house, but was
treated with by Stringer, Lord Shaftesbury's steward, and Wilson,
another of his servants, who is excellent at shorthand and went
down to take notes at College's trial, to go down to Oxford and
give evidence against Smith and Macnamara, two of the King's
witnesses, as if they were suborned by money paid them by
Mr. Marriott's clerk to swear falsely against College. This he
would not do, and so he was sent home, Stringer giving him only
12l. for his journey. I insert not their Christian names, because
he cannot certainly inform me of them. I thought it my duty to
acquaint you with thus much with all speed, that by the apprehension of Baines you may be informed how and where to apprehend
Stringer and Wilson, for Brownriggs cannot direct me to their
lodgings, all things being transacted by the mediation of Baines.
Brownriggs at first was stiff and reserved, but is now wrought
upon to be more open, and, I hope, will lay his heart open at
his Majesty's feet for his mercy. I should most humbly beg on
his behalf that you would become an intercessor, if you find he
makes himself capable of pardon. Brownriggs names not the
Chamberlain, as in Crawford's information, but Sir William
Waller. [1¼ page. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 125.] |
Aug. 31.
Dover Castle. |
Col. John Strode to Sir Leoline Jenkins. I have not troubled
you hitherto, being resolved first to see how we should be able to
deal with the fanatic magistrates here. When I came, I found
the gentlemen a little discouraged by the great opposition of the
Mayor and Stooks and a little more by having no answer from
you, but I put new life into them and gave it publicly out that,
if the Mayor refused justice or to put the laws in execution, I
would do it. Last Sunday Major Brames and other gentlemen
came into the church and informed the Mayor and all the jurats
of two conventicles, one of Presbyterians, the other of Anabaptists.
The Mayor, after long hesitation and though he had refused it
the Sunday before, seeing it would be done without him and
happily with more severity, went with all the jurats, except
Stooks and Richards, who though justices absolutely refused,
and dispersed them and they did the like in the afternoon, and
yesterday, after a debate in the Town Hall, they convicted them,
and the Mayor has promised that on Tuesday next, their Court
day, they will grant warrants to levy the fines according to the
Act. Thus we are hopefully entered into a reformation and,
if we compass this town, it will be a leading cord to the Ports and
other places. I encourage them, that, as they were the first
Addressers and have reformed the grand jury of the county,
so also they will go on in this good work. I beg you by a letter
to Major Brames or some of them to encourage them a little.
[2 pages. Ibid. No. 126.] |
| Aug. 31. |
The information of Richard Cooke and five others. Abraham
Stocke, senior, in company with several gentlemen at the Antwerp
at Dover, said that day that the King was the greatest mongrel
in England and, being asked why he said so, answered, because
his mother was a Frenchwoman, and said further he would own
what he had said and would set his hand to it. [Ibid. No. 127.] |
Aug. 31.
[Read.] |
The Commissioners of the Mint to the Privy Council. Offering
the underwritten reasons in confirmation of their opinion that it
is the interest both of his Majesty and people to continue the
coinage gratis by paying out of his revenue the charges, amounting
to about 10,000l. per annum. 1. From the books in the Mint it
appears that from the restoration in May, 1660, to the commencement of the first Act for the encouragement of coinage, no more
bullion was imported than what was coined into about 370,000l.
sterling, not above 60,000l. per annum, but in the 14½ years since
that Act have been coined 5,403,180l., or 372,000l. per annum.
2. That abundance of money begets abundance of trade by
making the circulation thereof quicker and easier, that the quick
and easy circulation of trade increases the manufactures and
their exportation, and that the abundance of exportations are
a greater increase of wealth to the nation than the very lands
themselves are most obvious truths. 3. The revenue is also
advanced, for the increase of Customs must hold pace with the
exportation of native manufactures and their returns. It will
appear by the Custom house books that the imports and exports
before the said Act hold no proportion with what they have been
since. 4. The Parliament by two successive Acts for settling
the present course of the Mint have taken notice of the great
advantage thereof. 5. If the seignorage in the Mint be set up
again, our neighbouring nations might ease the merchants of
the charge of coinage in their mints and thereby divert the whole
influx of gold and silver bullion to themselves. Should this
happen, whereas now we daily draw from them good quantities
both of gold and silver, especially gold, whenever it advances
with us but one per cent in value, because here it is turned from
their coin to ours for nothing, whenever it rises but one per cent
in value with them our gold will be carried thither, because there
it will be coined gratis, and then our money and trade would
soon decay. [2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 416, No. 128.] |
| [Aug. 31.] |
Similar paper on the same subject, in many parts agreeing
verbatim with the last, but with some differences. [2 pages.
Ibid. No. 129.] |
| Aug. 31. |
The speech of Stephen College at his execution. (Printed in
State Trials, Vol. VIII, columns 717–724, where in the last column
"Cushwait" should be "Crosthwait.") [20 pages. Ibid. No. 130.] |
| Aug. 31. |
Reference to the Attorney or Solicitor General of the petition
of Benjamin Collins for a pardon for subornation of perjury
whereof he has been convicted on the single evidence of one
Fowell. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 55, p. 139.] |
Aug. 31.
Whitehall. |
Presentation of James Arderne, D.D., to the rectory of
Davenham, Cheshire, void and in the King's gift by simony.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 57, p. 46.] |
Aug. 31.
Whitehall. |
Commission to Corlett (Corbet) Hen to be lieutenant to Capt.
Roger Langley in the King's regiment of Guards. Minute. [S.P.
Dom., Entry Book 164, p. 71.] |
| [Aug. ?.] |
Address of the Mayor &c. of Bridgwater to the King. Thanking him for his late declaration of his desire to govern by law,
support Protestantism, extirpate Popery and have frequent Parliaments and declaring their willingness to hazard their lives and
fortunes in his defence. Numerously signed. [On parchment.
S.P. Dom., Car. II. Case G, No. 9.] |
|
Passes for the following persons:— |
|
Date. |
Name. |
Place. |
Reference. |
|
Aug. 19. |
Sir Edward Hales and three servants |
France. |
S.P. Dom., Entry Book 51, f. 406. |
|
Aug. 23. |
Charles, Earl of Dorset and Middlesex, with six servants. |
Parts beyond seas. |
Ibid. f. 407. |
|
Aug. 23. |
Sir Cyril Wyche and Henry Harris, with two servants. |
Parts beyond seas. |
Ibid. |
|
Aug. 23. |
Henry Heveningham and Thomas Ryder, with two servants. |
Parts beyond seas. |
Ibid. |
|
Aug. 26. |
Peter de Cardonnell. |
Holland. |
Ibid. |
|
Aug. 27. |
John, Lord Vaughan, and Fleetwood Shepard, with two servants. |
Parts beyond seas. |
Ibid. |
|
Aug. 27. |
Henry Bulkeley, Master of his Majesty's Household, with his servant. |
Parts beyond seas. |
Ibid. |
|
Aug. 27. |
Cornelius Macguire and Brian O'Quin, natives of Ireland. |
Ireland. |
Ibid. f. 408. |
|
Aug. 27. |
John Moyer and Hugh Duffy, natives of Ireland. |
Ireland. |
Ibid. |
|
Aug. 27. |
Samuel Ball, Thomas Griffith, junior, and Charles Smithson |
France. |
Ibid. |
|
Sept. 7. |
Florence Weyer, one of the King's evidence going to Ireland to give evidence there. |
Ireland. |
Ibid. |
|
Sept. 8. |
Owen Murphy. |
Ireland. |
Ibid. |
