William III: December 1700 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: William III, 1700-2. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1937.

'William III: December 1700', in Calendar of State Papers Domestic: William III, 1700-2, (London, 1937) pp. 155-187. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/domestic/will-mary/1700-2/pp155-187 [accessed 19 April 2024]

December 1700



Dec. 1. Hampton Court.	Warrant for a grant of the dignity of a baron of England to Charles Mountague, esq., by the title of baron of Hallyfax, co. York, to him and the heirs male of his body, and in default of such issue to George Mountague of Horton, co. Northampton, his nephew. [S.P. 44. 348. p. 198: S.O. 3. 20. f. 207.]
[Dec. 1.]	"Bill [for] commissioners of trade, &c., salary to Michaelmas last" [signed]. (Treas. Cal., XVI, 157). [S.P. 44. 348. p. 198.]
Dec. 2. Hampton Court.	Memorandum of amendments made to Mr. Secretary Hedges' bill for £1850 salary, by H.M. command and in his presence (cf. Treas. Cal., XVI, 157). [S.P. 44. 348. p. 200.]
Dec. 2. Whitehall.	Sir C. Hedges to Mr. Lowndes. H.M. would have you take care of paying, as soon as possibly may be, a bill drawn upon you by Mr. Robinson, H.M. resident at Stockholm, for £2,800; Mr. Hume will bring it, when you are ready to pay. [S.P. 44. 101. p. 176.
Dec. 3. Whitehall.	Ja. Vernon to the governor of the old East India Company. The king having directed me to speak with the committee, I desire you and some of the committee will call upon me to-morrow. [S.P. 44. 100. p. 482.]
	A similar letter to the directors of the new East India Company. [Ibid.]
	The same to the mayor of Exeter. I have received a letter of Nov. 30, signed by you and Sir Edward Seaward, giving an account of your having seized treasonable papers writ by Mr. Hugh Speke, intended to be sent to France, and of his being in custody. I will lay them before the king and acquaint him with your zeal, and I believe he will direct them to be sent to the attorney-general with a view to prosecution. [Ibid. p. 483.]
	The same to Mr. Macky. I am informed that one Maxwell is coming from France, by way of Flanders, upon an ill design, bringing letters from St. Germains, and that he may land at Dover. You will have a strict eye upon all passengers in order to secure him and his papers. All the description I can give of him is that he is known as capt. Roe, brother to Maxwell of Karr, and wants two teeth before.
	A like letter was sent to Mr. Edisbury at Harwich.[S.P. 44 100. p. 483.]
Dec. 3. Hampton Court.	Commissions to Sharington Davenport to be lieutenant and lieut.-colonel of the 1st troop of horse guards [S.P. 44. 168. p. 272]: to Philip Chenevix to be major of brigadier Hugh Windham's regiment of carbineers and captain of a troop in the same [ibid.]: to John, lord Lovelace, to be cornet and major of of the 1st troop of horse guards: to Robert Dormer to be guidon and major of the same [ibid. p. 273].
	Warrant for a privy seal, to pay £200 [etc.] out of the estate of Edward, lord Griffin, in the county of Northampton, or elsewhere, to Lewis Williams. [S.O.8. 27. No. 67.]
	The same, to abate £1000 per ann. of the rent payable by the farmers of the Royal Oak lottery [ibid. No. 68: Treas. Cal., XVI, 166.]
Dec. 3. Whitehall.	Sir C. Hedges to Mr. Edisbury. One Harnick, a priest or Jesuit, and other disaffected persons are coming from France by way of Holland; and he brings letters from St. Germains, and some of his companions may too. Having no description of him or any of his company, you will search all suspicious persons who come to Harwich from Holland, and if you find Harnick or any of the persons hereafter named you are to seize them and their papers and give immediate notice to me.
	[P.S.] The names of the rest are Kendall, Noland, Karder, Fitzmorrice, Cooughlan, Farrell, Browne.
	The like letter was sent to Mr. Nash at Gravesend. [S.P. 44. 101. p. 154.]
	Ja. Vernon to the lords justices of Ireland. The king directs you to grant a licence to Luke Dowdall and John Walsh, to return to Ireland from France.
	The king has appointed the Court to go into mourning on Sunday next for the king of Spain. [S.P.67. 2. p. 335.]
Dec. 4. Whitehall.	Ja. Vernon to the Admiralty. The king directs that the petition of capt. Richard Long, late commander of the Rupert Prize be sent to you, that you may give such directions as you think proper for the petitioner's gratification.
	The petition set forth that in May, 1700, the ship was paid off, on her return from the West Indies, before the petitioner could pass his accounts. Having long since passed them and applied to the Navy Board for his wages, he is told he must stay till the recall of the ship; perhaps two years. Unless paid he cannot support himself here or fit himself to sea. [S.P.44. 100. p. 484.]
Dec. 5. Kensington.	By the king a proclamation. Whereas it hath been represented unto H.M. that divers frauds and abuses have been and are committed by collectors and others concerned in assessing, collecting and paying the duties granted by an Act, 6 and 7 Will. III. [cap. 6], intituled, An Act for granting rates and duties upon marriages, births and burials [etc.]; which duties were by another Act [8 and 9 Will. III, cap. 20] continued payable until Aug. 1, 1706: and whereas by means of the said frauds and abuses the sums intended to be raised by the Acts, toward satisfaction of the principal and interest monies charged thereupon, falls greatly short: and whereas by An Act for preventing frauds and abuses in charging, collecting and paying the duties upon marriages, births, burials [etc.], (fn. 1) it is enacted that the commissioners appointed for raising and levying the said duties should on or before Aug. 1, 1698, and so from time to time once or oftener in every three months, meet together [etc.: there follows a recital of sec. 7 of the statute]: and whereas by an Act for granting an Aid to his Majesty by sale of the forfeited estates in Ireland [etc.], (fn. 2) it is enacted that persons appointed to be commissioners for putting that Act in execution should be also commissioners for the several Acts for duties upon marriages, births, burials [etc., there follows a recital of 11 Will. III. cap. 2, sec. 145]: and whereas the said frauds and abuses have been in a great measure occasioned by the not meeting of the commissioners, and calling to account the collectors, and other persons concerned in the said duties, pursuant to the directions of the said Act:
	His Majesty therefore [etc.] hath thought fit to issue this proclamation, commanding all persons, concerned in assessing, levying and paying any of the duties granted by the aforesaid Acts, to be careful and diligent in performing their several duties. And his Majesty doth hereby command the commissioners appointed, that they, pursuant to the Acts, meet at their usual places of meeting in their respective limits or divisions, once in every three months, or oftener, and summon before them not only the assessors and collectors of the said duties, but also the surveyors and receivers general, and (if need be) any parsons, vicars, curates, parish clerks and others, to bring in their assessments and accounts, and registers, or copies thereof, to the end the commissioners may inform themselves whether the said assessments are made, accounts taken, registers kept, and the duties answered, pursuant to the said Acts.
	And his Majesty doth hereby command every ecclesiastical, or other person required by the said Acts to keep a register of persons buried, christned, born or married, that they do in the same registers respectively, according to the best of their knowledge, together with the name of every person so married, buried, christned or born, set down in writing the respective degree, condition or quality, according to which his Majesty's duty ought to be paid for every such burial, birth or marriage; and in case of burials the names of the heirs, executors, administrators, fathers, mothers, guardians, churchwardens, overseers or others, who by the said Acts ought to pay for the same, and where they dwell; and in case of births, the names of the fathers, mothers, or those that take on them the guardianship or care of such children, and where they live; and in case of marriages, the places of abode of the husbands, on pain of being prosecuted for the penalty of £20 imposed by the said Act on those who refuse so to do, with intent to defraud his Majesty of any part of the said duties. [Printed, 1p., and published in The London Gazette, No. 3661.] [S.P.45. 13. No. 181.]
Dec. 5. Hampton Court.	Warrant for a grant to Samuel Cox of the office of clerk of the navy office in Barbados, in the room of Edward Cranfield deceased. [Note] Bill signed 7th inst. [S.P.44. 348. p. 199: S.O.3. 20. f. 206, v.]
	Warrant for a grant to Jno. Cocks of the place of keeper of the king's Council chamber, in the room of Benjamin Coling, gent., deceased. [S.P.44. 348. p. 200: S.O.3. 20. f. 206, v.]
	Licence to Henry Bradshaw, high sheriff of Derby, to live out of the county. [S.P.44. 162. p. 84.]
	Commission to Francis Byng to be captain of the troop whereof capt. Robert Millington was captain in the royal regiment of horse: to Martin Temple to be cornet of that troop, in the same regiment, commanded by the earl of Oxford, whereof he himself is captain. [S.P.44. 168. p. 275]
Dec. 5. Whitehall.	Proceedings upon the petition to the king of Margaret Hill, widow of col. Thomas Hill, late governor of St. Christophers and captain of a company of foot there, shewing that her late husband had several years arrears due to him as captain of an independent company in the Leeward islands before 1689, and that he had sustained great losses by the French in his settlements and estates in St. Christophers during the late war. She prays the king to order the removal of some respites due to the said company, otherwise it will be a very severe addition to her misfortunes.
	To this petition was annexed a report from the earl of Ranelagh. and Mr. Blathwayt upon a former petition referred to them by the Treasury. Referred to the earl of Ranelagh and William Blathwayt. [S.P.44. 238. p. 448.]
Dec. 5. Kensington.	Warrant reciting that Isaac Knight and Richard Bolton, late captains of foot, were convicted at the last sessions at the Old Bailey of manslaughter for killing Richard Brothers, and were reprieved by the lords justices: the king, taking into considera tion their services in the late war, orders them to be inserted in the next general pardon for the poor convicts of Newgate, without condition of transportation. [S.P.44. 350. p. 105.]
	Warrant to the earl marshal of England: reciting letters patent granting to Robert Devenish (late York herald) the office of Norroy king of arms, to Laurence Cromp (late Portcullis pursivant) the office of York herald, to John Hare the office of Rouge Dragon pursivant, and to John Hesketh the office of Portcullis pursivant: and requiring him to place them in these offices. [Ibid. p. 106.]
Dec. 5. Hampton Court.	The king to the warden and other the electors of New College, Oxford and of Winchester College, requiring them to make choice of Richard Pyle for New College at the next election. [S.P.44. 150. p. 201.]
Dec. 6. Whitehall.	Sir C. Hedges to the Admiralty. A yacht is to sail to the Brill to bring Count Wratislau, 'who is coming hither from his imperial Majesty.' [S.P.44. 204. p. 298.]
Dec. 6. Hampton Court.	Licence to Sir James Read, high sheriff of Oxford, to live out of the county. [S.P.44. 162. p. 84.]
	Royal warrant to the lords justices of Ireland to pay 12d. a day to Charles Galician, John Bettieres, Peter Denys, John Odat, John Vialas, Peter Du Mas, instead of to Timothy la Fitte, Jean Fauche, Abraham Genevrau, Jean Duchesne, Charles Denie, and Jacques Marc. (Treas. Cal. XVI, 168.) [S.O.1. 14. p. 304.]
	The same: "for clearing the 5 French regiments for the time they were upon the establishment of Ireland to their disbanding." (Treas. Cal. XVI, 169.) [S.O.1. 14. pp. 305–7.]
Dec. 7. Hampton Court.	[Commissioners of the Treasury.] Warrant for a commission to Sydney, lord Godolphin; Sir Stephen Fox; John Smith, chancellor of the exchequer; Henry Boyle; and Richard Hill; for executing the office of treasurer of the exchequer; giving them or any three of them power to do all the acts which the treasurer might do apart or jointly with the under treasurer. [Note] Bill signed the same day. [S.P.44. 348. p. 201: S.O.3. 20. f. 206. v, "immediate," 9° Dec.]
Dec. 7. Dublin Castle.	The lords justices of Ireland to Secretary Vernon. One Patrick Hurly, dwelling in co. Clare, having some months ago sworn to have been robbed there of about £1500, sued the country for recovery of so much, but the jury did not find it; and he was imprisoned in order to be prosecuted for a sham robbery and perjury. But, having obtained a habeas corpus for his being removed hither, he prevailed with the trustees for the forfeitures to interpose with the Court that he might not be remanded into county Clare, under pretence of making considerable discoveries to them; and he lately sent them a letter offering to prove Sir Donogh O'Brien of co. Clare, bart., guilty of high treason: which letter they put into the hands of the attorney-general.
	Hurly sent about the same time a petition to us, desiring he might be examined upon that matter, and we sent Mr. Justice Coote and the attorney-general to take his examination, a copy of which we enclose, marked No. 1. Hurly likewise sent to Mr. Justice Coote two persons, Terlagh McMahon and Charles McCarthy, who also gave their examinations upon oath, of which the enclosed copies are marked No. 2 and No. 3. But these examinations, as well as Hurly's, having been drawn up by themselves before they came to swear to them before judge Coote, we thought he should again examine them separately and from their own mouths. But when he sent to Hurly that the said two persons might attend him, Hurly by letter acquainted him that they were gone into England: upon which he went and examined Hurly, whose second examination we send a copy of, marked No. 4 and No. 5; wherein he repeats that the said two persons are gone for England, by reason they expected no success with the Irish juries in their prosecution of Sir Donogh O'Brien. We laid these examinations before the Council yesterday; for Sir Donogh being a man of very considerable fortune, interest and figure in his country, we were willing to advise with them what measures were proper to be taken on this occasion: who were of opinion that the common method of the law should be pursued. So the examinations were by them put into the hands of the lord chief justice of the King's Bench, to be proceeded upon according to law.
	We likewise enclose a letter, unsealed, from Patrick Hurly to his brother in London, directing him to bring before you McMahon and McCarthy, with some other persons, who (he says) are at his instance come out of France, in order to prosecute Sir Donogh O'Brien.
	We cannot tell what the character of those persons may be. You will better judge, upon examining them, what credit they may deserve. You will let us know whether they attend, and what their informations may be. We propose that they may have such protections or licences forthwith despatched, as may be necessary to leave them without excuse for not repairing hither: inasmuch as we conceive it very material for his Majesty's service and the good of this kingdom that Sir Donogh O'Brien should receive his trial here, in as solemn a manner and as soon as may be. He is, upon some advice of this matter, come up to this town in order to offer himself to be tried.
	We think it not improper to acquaint you with the character of Patrick Hurly, so far as it has come to our knowledge. He went with the Irish, after the surrender of Limerick, into France; and, being there an agent for some of their troops, deserted from them with a sum of money, when the earl of Galway was in Piedmont, and returned into this kingdom since the conclusion of the peace at Ryswick. [Signed] Berkeley, Gallway. [Endorsed] R. 17 Dec.
	i. [Copy of] the information of Patrick Hurly of Moughna, co. Clare, esq. The informant saith that in March, immediately after the surrender of Limerick, being then with the late King James at St. Germans and generally employed for the Irish army there, he was told by Sir Richard Nagle that the late King James desired him to pitch upon persons fit to go for Ireland, to give such as King James thought to be his friends there an account of the designs he then had of going for England the summer following with a powerful army in order to recover his right, and that he (Sir Richard) gave King James the names of the following persons to choose likely men for that expedition (viz.) that he (Sir Richard) and Mr. John Cairney would find a man that they could confide in to send to all King James's friends in the counties of Cork, Waterford and Tipperary: Rowland White, esq. to pitch upon one to send to Ulster; Peter Martin, esq., to Connaught; and this informant to the counties of Clare and Limerick.
	Thereupon this informant desired liberty to consult with col. Charles O'Brien and capt. Randle McDonnell, because he knew them to be men of consequence in their counties, which he was allowed to do: whereupon to avoid suspicions it was resolved to send lieut. Charles McCarthy, because he was known but to very few of the inhabitants of co. Clare, and was a man of good sense and education this informant was sure of. Col. Charles O'Brien, capt. Randle McDonnell and this informant, having received instructions from King James, gave lieut. McCarthy credential letters to Sir Donogh O'Brien and capt. Christopher O'Brien, both of co. Clare, and others, and despatched lieut. McCarthy to take passage for Ireland (under pretence of returning to his allegiance to King William) on one of the English ships then at Nantes or Port Lewis, who transported some of the Irish troops to France.
	The informant, then at St. Germains, in March, 1692, wrote letters, which he sent by lieut. McCarthy, to capt. Christopher O'Brien, acquainting him with the designs King James then had to invade England, and advising him, by the direction of col. O'Brien and capt. McDonnell, that to make King James amends for not following him to France with the rest of the Irish, he ought to write King James a submissive letter, and send money to France to buy swords &c. for a troop of horse that he (Christopher) should raise on that occasion.
	Col. O'Brien and capt. McDonnell sent Christopher letters and messages by lieut. McCarthy to the same purpose: and the informant saw letters and credentials that col. O'Brien and capt. McDonnell sent by lieut. McCarthy to Sir Donogh and capt. Christopher O'Brien to Ireland about the intended invasion.
	When King James was at La Hogue, with an army, this informant saw lieut. McCarthy and capt. Terlogh McMahon, just then come out of Ireland, and they brought a £200 bill from a merchant at Rotterdam, which was to buy swords and saddles for a troop of horse, which Christopher O'Brien promised he would have ready to join any forces that King James would send to invade Ireland.
	He saw at La Hogue letters which McCarthy and McMahon brought to col. O'Brien and capt. McDonnell from Sir Donogh, with a bill of £400 which Sir Donogh said in his letter was for furniture for horse; and does not doubt to prove that Sir Donogh and capt. Christ. O'Brien encouraged levying a war against the present king and government, at a time when Sir Donogh was a Parliament man here, i.e. in 1692 and 1695, when King James was at Calais and La Hogue with an army to invade England.
	Further Sir Donogh raised men and horses for King James in the late rebellion, which went under the name of a troop, and commanded them after 13 Feb., 1688: and raised another troop in col. Daniel O'Brien's dragoons, and this informant remitted money to Sir Donogh for the pay of the troop, being then agent for that regiment.
	Sir Donogh was a justice of peace, or high sheriff, and, he believes, a commissioner of array under King James in the rebellion. Sir Donogh sent several head of black cattle to relieve the garrison of Limerick. About seven months before the battle of Aughrim, Sir Donogh, in the presence of the informant and capt. Thomas Taaffe, paid col. Sarsfield (then called earl of Lucan) about £40 to buy brandy for the Irish troops then guarding Portumna, Bannagher, Athlone, and other passes on the Shannon, for King James.
	About the end of 1692 he read a letter, which capt. Randle McDonnell said he received at St. Germains from a messenger sent by Sir Donogh out of Ireland, which he believes was in the handwriting of Sir Donogh, desiring that four French privateers, with land men on board, should be sent with English colours into the Shannon to carry some recruits to France.
	Capt. Teige O'Brien of Smithstown, co. Clare, commanded a troop of dragoons at the fight of Belturbet and at the Boyne under King James, and capt. Teige O'Brien is not, he believes, within the Articles of Limerick. He saw two letters with col. Charles O'Brien at La Hogue in 1692, in the handwriting of Teige, assuring col. Charles that he would be ready to join him with a troop of horse at his landing.
	He gave the attorney-general an account in August, 1699, of services he could do the king against several persons, particularly Sir Donogh, and about seven months after the informant was robbed in co. Clare.
	Sworn 22 Nov., 1700, before T. Coote: with a recognizance to prosecute the above information against Sir Donogh O'Brien. [Endorsed] No. 1.
	ii. [Copy of] the information of Terlagh MacMahon, of Cloonanoh. About the 20th of April, 1692, capt. Christopher O'Brien of Inisdeman, co. Clare, after enjoining the informant to a deal of secrecy, shewed him with a great joy two letters which he tould he received but the day before by one lieut. Charles McCarthy, who then came out of France, from col. Charles O'Brien and Patrick Hurly, esq., importing the good news that the king (meaning the late King James) would be with a powerful army in England before the middle of June following; and further told this informant that lieut. McCarthy brought messages and letters from King James, from col. Charles O'Brien and capt. Randal McDanell, to Sir Donogh O'Brien of co. Clare, bart., much to the same purpose.
	The informant then told capt. O'Brien he admired Sir Donogh or he would receive any such messages from McCarthy, who was a stranger to them, not knowing but that he was employed to try them, and then to betray them, and that his informant was sure if col. O'Brien, capt. McDanell or Patrick Hurly (who were all very well acquainted with co. Clare) had any messages of that importance to send, they could easily pitch upon some officer or gentleman of the county who was with them in France to come upon that errand, in whom they, as well as the persons they sent the messages to, could confide with more security than in McCarthy. O'Brien answered that it was much more prudent to send a stranger than any of the natives of the country, who must have been discovered by some of the English of the county, and that he was well acquainted with lieut. McCarthy in lord Killmallack's regiment, and that McCarthy brought such credentials from col. O'Brien and Hurly (who pitched upon him for that expedition) that he was not to be doubted. Christopher O'Brien further told the informant that Sir Donogh was resolved to send answers into France without loss of time and, notwithstanding all McCarthy's credentials, would send one of his own friends, and desired him (Christopher) to speak to this informant.
	The informant, when he saw the credentials and saw there was an apparent probability that King James would be in England soon, consented to go to France. Thereupon capt. O'Brien wrote three letters in the informant's presence to col. O'Brien, Randal McDanell and Hurly, desiring col. O'Brien and capt. McDanell to assure King James of his fidelity. Christopher delivered the three letters to the informant and gave him messages to the same purpose.
	Then the informant and McCarthy went to Sir Donogh, who, finding the informant willing to undertake the journey, wrote two letters to col. O'Brien and capt. McDanell, which he delivered to the informant, and gave the informant messages to King James, col. O'Brien and capt. McDanell, the substance of which was that Sir Donogh advised King James to send col. O'Brien and col. Gordon O'Neell with forces to Ireland as soon as England was invaded, which would certainly be before 10 June, 1692; and Sir Donogh said that he and his friends would have men enough to join them and would furnish horses for two regiments. For a further encouragement Sir Donogh gave the informant a letter of credit for £400, to be received by one Dr. Karney, who lived at Rotterdam, to be remitted to col. Charles O'Brien towards swords and saddles for one of the regiments, and 30 guineas for his own and lieut. McCarthy's charges.
	The informant arrived at King James's camp at La Hogue about four days before the French fleet was burned; and he and lieut. McCarthy then and there delivered all the messages: and about the end of 1692, after the design of the invasion miscarried, he saw two letters from Sir Donogh to col. Charles and capt. McDanell advising that four French privateers should be sent into the Shannon, with 200 or 300 land men on board, in order to carry off some of the Irish, who were persecuted by one Francis Burton of co. Clare and were willing to serve King James as recruits in France, and to take Burton and several of the Protestant inhabitants of the county, who lived near the river, as prisoners to France.
	About six weeks ago he saw one capt. McCarthy, capt. Richd. Hurly, capt. Hays and lieut. John Hurly in London. They were lately come from France and told the informant that they were employed in 1695, when King James intended to invade England from Calais, that they were then employed to come for Ireland from lord Clare and capt. McDanell, by King James's orders, with letters giving an account to Sir Donogh and Christopher O'Brien of the invasion then intended from Calais, and that, about two months before Sir Thomas Pendergast discovered the plot, Sir Donogh and Christopher sent them back, with letters of credit to buy furnitures and with encouraging messages to King James and to the chief of the Irish in France.
	Capt. McCarthy, capt. Hurly, capt. Hays and lieut. Hurly told the deponent they came purposely out of France to prosecute Sir Donagh and Christopher O'Brien and others upon that account, either by indicting them in Ireland or England, but when the informant left London they were not resolved which of these measures to take. [Signed] Terlagh MacMahon. Sworn 21 Nov. 1700, before T. Coote, with a recognisance as above.
	iii. [Copy of] the information of lieut. Charles McCarthy, late of Kilnamooly, co. Cork. In March, 1692, being then at the court at St. Germain in France, he was told by col. Charles O'Brien, now lord Clare, and by Patrick Hurly, esq., at Hurly's house in St. Germain, that an occasion offered wherein he might serve King James and thereby make his fortune, if he would undertake a service which they had recommended him for to King James. Having consented to what was proposed, viz. to come with letters to Ireland, he was introduced next day by col. O'Brien and Hurly to King James, who assured him, if he would be careful and expeditious in going with letters from him or to be written by his orders to Sir Donogh O'Brien, capt. Christopher O'Brien and others, into Ireland, he would take care of him and he should never want thereafter.
	Accordingly the informant was despatched two days after to Nantz in Brittany and so for Ireland on board with one Daniel Butts, who was the commissary that took care of the return of the fleet that was allowed by general Ginkell to transport the Irish forces to France. The informant embarked on one of Butts's ships at the end of March, 1692, and arrived at Baltimore, co. Cork, and came to co. Clare, and delivered his credentials to Sir Donogh and capt. Christopher O'Brien of Inisdemane, co. Clare, and gave them an account of King James's designs of invading England with a great force in the beginning of the summer following from La Hogue.
	The informant stayed but three days, when he was despatched back again, with one capt. McMahon, by way of Holland to France with letters directed to col. Charles O'Brien and to capt. Randall McDonnell and Patrick Hurly, and another directed to one Dr. Kearny at Rotterdam; who was not only to supply the informant and capt. McMahon with money, but was to send bills to buy swords [etc.] for a regiment of horse which Sir Donogh was to dispose of after the landing in Ireland.
	Capt. Christopher O'Brien at the same time sent by the informant letters and bills to col. Charles O'Brien for £200, for swords [etc.] for the troop he expected to have as lieut.-colonel to col. Charles O'Brien; and capt. Christopher O'Brien sent messages by the informant to col. Charles O'Brien and capt. Randall McDonnell, desiring them to assure King James that it was not want of loyalty and zeal to his interest that hindered him from going with the rest of the Irish to France, but that he would be better able at home to do him service than if he had gone to France.
	Capt. Teige O'Brien of Smithstowne, co. Clare, at the same time wrote a letter, and delivered it to the informant to be given to col. Charles O'Brien in France, to assure col. O'Brien, though the informant [sic] had not money to send him, as his cousin german Sir Donogh was then angry with the informant and would not procure money or credit for him as he did for capt. Christopher O'Brien, however he the said informant would be sure to have horses enough to mount a good troop for king James as soon as his forces landed in Ireland.
	This informant arrived with McMahon at La Hogue four or five days before the French fleet was burnt there in 1692, and capt. McMahon and this informant delivered the letters from Sir Donogh, and capt. Christopher and capt. Teige O'Brien.
	About six weeks ago the informant saw capt. Dennis McCarthy, capt. Richd. Hurly, capt. Hayes and lieut. John Hurly, and believes they are now in London. They told him they were employed by King James and others to come from France to Ireland in 1695, and that their design in coming now from France was to prosecute Sir Donogh, capt. Christopher O'Brien and others, for treason committed by them in 1692 and 1695: and capt. McCarthy told the informant that he was the person employed by King James to come to Ireland in 1695 to give his friends an account of the design he then had to invade England very soon, and that he (capt. Dennis McCarthy) delivered letters from King James and from lord Clare to Sir Donogh and others, and that Sir Donogh sent the said capt. McCarthy back to France, about two months before the plot of assassination was discovered, with letters to King James, lord Clare and others, and with letters of credit for a considerable sum in Paris for arms and accoutrements for horse. The said capt. McCarthy, capt. Hays, and lieut. Hurly told this informant they were then at a stand how they should proceed against the said Sir Donogh and others, either by way of indictment or to lay the matter before Parliament, and that they would take no resolution in it till they received answers and instructions from some friends in Ireland. [Signed] Cha. McCarthy. [Sworn 23 Nov. 1700, before T. Coote, with a recognisance as above.] [Endorsed] No. 3.
	iv. Copy of the examination of Patrick Hurly, taken before Thomas Coote, second justice of the King's Bench, dated 5 Dec. 1700. This 'examination' differs in some respects from Hurly's 'information' (No. 1). In it the deponent, described as of Motna, co. Clare, states that about three months after the landing of the Irish troops in France after the surrender of Limerick he was employed by King James to find proper persons to come into the counties of Clare and Limerick to inform King James's friends that he intended the next summer to invade England. The deponent after consulting col. Charles O'Brien, 'now lord Clare,' recommended Charles McCarthy, formerly of McCarthy More's and afterwards in lord Killmallock's regiments, who came over to Ireland, as he believes, in some of the English transport ships that came from Nantz. McCarthy had a credential letter written by Randall McDonnell by King James's direction, and directed to Sir Donogh O'Brien, capt. Christopher O'Brien, and others, King James's friends in the counties of Clare and Limerick: at the same time one Trant, formerly belonging to Sir Patrick Trant, was recommended by Sir Richard Nagle to come to Dublin. Others were sent into Connaught and other parts.
	About five days before the fleet was burnt at La Hogue the deponent saw McCarthy there with one McMahon, who brought credential letters from Sir Donogh O'Brien, 'now of Dromolan,' co. Clare, bart., and the like from capt. Christopher O'Brien of Nishton, co. Clare. After the defeat of the French fleet and the design of coming for Ireland was over for that time, about £200, out of £600 remitted by lieut. Carny at Rotterdam, was paid by the deponent to col. Charles O'Brien, in consideration of a settlement made by him in favour of capt. Christopher O'Brien, and his family, of which the deponent produced the draft, drawn by councellor Heas, with the directions of Sir Richard Nagle and one Mr. Brent.
	The deponent remembers that lieut. Charles McCarthy and McMahon went, he believes, with capt. Francis Terry for England on Friday last, and he is informed they took shipping in this port near Rings End. He knows not where they lodge but expects to hear from them. They desired the deponent to petition the government and judges here for instructions how to proceed in the prosecution against Sir Donogh.
	Sir Donogh O'Brien raised a troop of horse independent, called in Irish Caherinvurrah, two or three months after King James abdicated, and commanded the troop. Soon after he raised another troop of dragoons in col. Daniel O'Brien's regiment, and named all his own officers, and gave it to his brother Teige O'Brien, from whom he soon took it away and gave it to Teige O'Brien of Smithstowne, who commanded the troop a great part of the late troubles. The cause of the deponent's knowledge was that he was agent to the regiment, and saw several letters from Sir Donogh, wherein he named his officers. The deponent sent the subsistence [etc.] for the troop to Sir Donogh at Limerick, and sent commissioners pursuant to his directions. During the first siege of Limerick Sir Donogh was employed to supply the Irish garrison with beeves and muttons and a great number of hand quernes. He acted in conjunction with lord Clare, who was looked upon by the Irish as the chief person of that country. The deponent was then in Limerick. The winter before Athlone was taken, the Irish army, posted at several places on the Shannon, being straitened for provisions, col. Sarsfield complaining to Sir Donogh of their straits, Sir Donogh in the presence of the deponent, capt. Thomas Taafe, capt. Edwd. Lane, and others, gave Sarsfield about £40. The money was not extorted. The deponent believes he has among his papers letters and receipts of Sir Donogh O'Brien to lord Clare, Sir Richard Nagle and others, which he now deposits, which are all he has relating to the Irish affairs in this city. [Endorsed] No. 4.
	v. [Copy of a] further information of P. Hurly, taken before T. Coote. He deferred discovering his knowledge because, when he came into this kingdom after the Peace, he was served by Mr. Arthur, and others, and was obliged to live retired in the country. There were others then in France privy to the said matters, and who were employed by Sir Donogh O'Brien and capt. Christopher, and who can prove the matter more fully as to the business in and after 1692, of whose coming over the deponent was uncertain until he had written to them. Being confined in the country, he sent his wife directions to wait on the attorney-general in August, 1699, to give an account that he could do the king very considerable service and particularly against Sir Donogh. Thereupon the Court of King's Bench ordered the deponent a protection. He came to town the Michaelmas term following and waited on lord Galway; who ordered him to go to one Mr. Carter, to be examined by Mr. Justice Coote. He went to Carter, but, being a stranger to him and finding he intended to go suddenly to England, he only told him in general terms he could do the king considerable service. Carter then told the deponent he would return in a month, and desired him to defer his discovery until then, when all should be in a posture of prosecution. (Taken with a recognisance in £1000, 5 Dec. 1700.) [Endorsed] No. 5.
	[vi.] Dec. 5. 1700. P. Hurly to capt. Francis Thirry, at Young man's coffee house near Charing Cross. Dear brother, you must immediately wait on Mr. Secretary Vernon, and take capt. McMahon, lieut. McCarthy who went over along with you and capt. Hayes, capt. Dennis McCarthy, lieut. Tim. Crawly, lieut. Jon. Hurly and capt. Rd. Hurly, who are now in London, to give their informations against Sir Don. O'Brien &c. [Endorsed] Dec. 20. 1700; received this letter from the Rt. Honble. Mr. Secretary Vernon, Hen. Legat. [S.P. 63. 361. ff. 75–93.]
Dec. 8.	Bill for the auditor or receiver of Northampton to pay a debt of lord Griffin's, for £200 with interest, out of his lordship's estate forfeited in that county, to Lewis Williams, signed Dec. 8. (Treas. Cal. XVI, 166.) [S.P. 44. 348. p. 202.]
[Dec. 8.]	Bill [signed] for £300 p. ann., salary to Mr. Wm. Atwood, as chief justice of New York; and £150 p. ann. to Mr. Shelton Broughton, as attorney-general, to commence from Christmas, 1700. (Treas. Cal. XVI, 153.) [S.P. 44. 348. p. 202.]
Dec. 9. Hampton Court.	"Licence for Mr. Churchill to print several new books." William III, king of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, etc. Whereas Awnsham Churchill and John Churchill of our city of London, booksellers, have represented that they have been at great expense in purchasing several new English manuscripts of voyages, and travels, and in translating other books of travels and voyages, out of several languages into English, and in engraving maps and plates for the same, intending to print the voyages and travels in English, in several volumes in folio, (fn. 3) with new discourses and observations thereupon, which may be of great advantage as well to trade as navigation, which manuscripts and books are as follow, viz.:
	Baumgarten's Travels into Egypt, Arabia, Palestina, and Syria: (fn. 4) Browern and Herkman's Voyage to Chili: (fn. 5) Maucken's Voyage to Greenland: (fn. 6) Navaretti's Historical, political, moral and religious account of China: (fn. 7) Beauplan's Description of Ukranie on the confines of Poland: (fn. 8) Merrolla's Voyage to Congo: (fn. 9) Mich. Ang. de Gattin and Denys de Cerrti's Voyage to Congo: (fn. 10) Disasters and death of seaven sailors who wintered in Greenland: (fn. 11) Wagner's Voyage from Muscovy to China overland: (fn. 12) Pereyre's Voyage to Greenland and his Relation of Island: (fn. 13) Newhoff's Voyages: (fn. 14) Sir William Mounson's Collection of Voyages, and other naval affairs: (fn. 15) Philip's Voyage to Guineay: (fn. 16) Sir Thomas Row's Voyage to the East Indies: (fn. 17) A relation of a Dutch vessel shipwrekt upon the coast of the isle of Quelpoerts, and a description of the kingdom of Coree: (fn. 18) Ovalle's Historical relation of the kingdom of Chili: (fn. 19) Jen Rhyne Of the Cape of Good Hope, and of the Hottentotes: (fn. 20) Du Vair's Travels to the mines in Hungary: (fn. 21) Borry's Relation of Cochin China: (fn. 22) Oviedo's Chronicle and history of the West Indies: (fn. 23) Fernan Colon's Life of Christopher Columbus's father: (fn. 24) the two volumes in folio, one in quarto and one in octavo of Melchisidec Thevenot senr. his original voyages, which have not been already in English: Gemelli's Voyage round the World: (fn. 25) Baldar's Description of the Coast of Cormondell, Malabar and Zeylon: (fn. 26) Sepp of Paraquaria (fn. 27) and Del Techo of Paraquaria: (fn. 28) and they having besought us to grant them our royal privilege and licence for the sole printing and publishing the same for 14 years, we grant unto Awnsham Churchill and John Churchill, and either of them, their executors, administrators, and assigns, our royal licence and privilege for the sole printing and publishing the said collection of voyages and travels for 14 years [etc.]. [S.P. 44. 351. pp. 64–8.]
Dec. 9. Hampton Court.	Ja. Vernon to the Admiralty. I am to send you the enclosed report of the Ordnance Board, about building a wharf at Portsmouth, for your consideration.
	[Annexed] Copy of the Board's report to lord Romney, April 23, 1700 (v. sup.). [S.P. 44. 100. pp. 485–7.]
Dec. 9. Whitehall.	The same to lord Stamford. I am to send to you forthwith for the report you made upon a petition of lord Molineux, praying for the king's approval of his appointment of John Byron and Ralph Peters to be deputy stewards of the Hundred Courts of Salford and West Derby. [Ibid. p. 488.]
	The same to Mr. Mackay. Mr. Chetwynd, one of lord Manchester's secretaries, will be despatched tomorrow for France; you will take some pretence to detain the packet boat until he comes to Dover on Wednesday. [S.P. 44. 100. p. 489.]
	The same to the Treasury. I am to send you the enclosed memorial of the envoy from Tripoli, concerning the freight of his goods, equipage, and horses, brought to England in the Canterbury Galley, for your directions.
	[Annexed.] The envoy's case with capt. Ward, master of the Canterbury Galley, complaining of the detention by the captain of the envoy's goods. [Ibid. pp. 489–91.]
	The same to the attorney-general. The lords justices of Ireland have sent a draft letter for the king's signature, to form a corporation for leasing grounds for barracks; and another to empower persons to inspect them [etc.]. You will report your opinion. [Enclosed] Copies of two draft letters. [S.P. 44. 100. p. 491.]
	Ja. Vernon to the attorney-general. I send by command the enclosed relating to Hugh Speke, committed to the gaol of Exeter, that you may give directions for his prosecution at the next assizes.
	[Enclosed] Copy of a letter, 30 Nov. 1700, from Mr. Snell, mayor of Exeter, and Sir Edw. Seaward to Secretary Vernon: Speke to capt. Hodder, 24 Nov., 1700: Speke to the same, 25 Nov.: Speake to col. Hooke at St. Germains, 25 Nov.: the same to the same at Paris 24 Nov.: the same to the late King James 25 Nov. 1700. [Ibid. p. 492.]
Dec. 9. Hampton Court.	Commission to William Gilby, esq., to be lieutenant-governor of Kingston-upon-Hull. [S.P. 44. 168. p. 273.]
	The king to the dean and chapter of Wells, exempting (according to power reserved in the statutes) Thomas Cheney, one of the canons residentiaries, from residence, "he having been lately made master of the school in our college near Winchester." [S.P. 44. 163. pp. 133–4.]
Dec. 10. Hampton Court.	Warrant for a privy seal for a grant of a debt, due to the Crown from Ralph Hollingshead, to Thomas Bray, D.D.; to be applied, in part, for the reimbursement of moneys expended by Dr. Bray in raising thirty libraries sent by him to Maryland and other provinces in America (to the value of above £2,000) and completing the same according to such directions as he shall receive from the archbishop of Canterbury and bishop of London. [S.O. 8. 27. No. 69; S.O.3. 20. f. 208; Treas. Cal. XVI, 170.]
Dec. 10. Whitehall.	Allowance of the earl of Manchester's bill of extraordinaries from Sept. 1 to Dec. 1, 1700, [including] for extraordinary expenses at Fountainbleau, being there five weeks, £99 15s. [S.P. 44. 348. p. 203.]
	Warrant to Henry Legat, to repair to Silsted near Winchester and search for and apprehend — Bernard, for that he being H.M. natural born subject is a popish priest and has officiated in saying Mass. [S.P. 44. 349. p. 137.]
	Ja. Vernon to Mr. Macky. Mr. Chetwynd is now despatched: take care that he have a passage immediately to Calais. [S.P. 44. 100. p. 492.]
Dec. 10. Admiralty.	J. Burchett to Robt. Yard, enclosing copy of a letter from capt. Caldwall of H.M.S. Advice, dated at New York, Oct. 28 last, for the information of Mr. Secretary Vernon.
	[Enclosure.] This day the detachment that came with us and those that came from Ireland, [with] part of those that was here before, were troublesome in their quarters. Lord Bellomont directed them to be drawn out to their arms, in order to have the Acts of Assembly read them for suppressing all disturbances, with the penalties: which accordingly was done by lieut.-governor Nanfan: and, when they were ordered to march from the ground, they all demanded their pay for the time being on board ships, as likewise short allowance money for the time they were six to four men's allowance.
	Lord Bellomont and the lieut.-governor's answer was that they could not give them more than what was usually allowed, at which they all made a general mutiny, refusing to march, and pretended to maintain the ground with their arms. At which, per my lord's directions, the militia was drawn up into the fort, and part of our ship's company; and after four or five hours' debate part of them surrendered; and the rest, delivering up their arms, surrendered themselves, after seeing the ill consequence, with what preparations were made against them. The major part are in prison (some being escaped).
	Tomorrow my lord intends to try them according to martial discipline, and 'tis everybody's opinion they may come under the penalty of every tenth man to be hanged. [Endorsed] About the soldiers' mutinying at New York. (See Cal. S.P., America and W. Indies, 1700, No. 880.) [S.P. 42. 6. ff. 37–40.]
Dec. 10–17.	London bill of mortality from Dec. 10–17. Christned in the 97 parishes within the walls, 53: buried 62: plague 0. Christned in the 16 parishes without the walls, 92: buried 140: plague 0. Christned in the 15 out-parishes in Middlesex and Surrey, 99: buried 140: plague 0. Christned in the 7 parishes in the city and liberties of Westminster, 43: buried 82: plague 0. Christned, males 153: females, 134: in all, 287. Buried, males 205: females, 219: in all, 424. Increased in the burials this week, 54. Printed by Benj. Motte, printer to the company of parish-clerks. 2 pp. [S.P.32. 12. f. 110.]
Dec. 12. Whitehall.	Ja. Vernon to the Treasury, enclosing the account of disbursements by capt. Munden during the time he commanded some of H.M. ships in the Straits.
	[Annexed.] An account of money laid out by capt. John Munden when he was commanded to Tituan with his Majesty's advice and desire to the emperor of Morocco to raise the siege of Ceuta &c., and when ordered to the said place to lengthen the truce, as also when commanded to Algier to treat with the dey about lengthening the time limited for giving passes, &c. [Amongst the items: 50 dollars given to lieut. Vaughan for going several times to the camp of Ceuta.] [S.P. 44. 100. pp. 493–4.]
	The same to the lords justices of Ireland. I have your letter with the draft of two letters relating to the barracks, which has been laid before the king, and the letters will be despatched as soon as the attorney-general has perused that which constitutes the corporation for buying or leasing of lands.
	Fresh solicitations have been made in behalf of Sir Lawrence Esmond, but the king thinks nothing can be done in that matter than that the trustees should be acquainted with the circumstances, and what passed in his favour by order of the late queen.
	The king declared this day in Council that he had appointed the earl of Rochester to be lord lieutenant of Ireland.
	My lord keeper gave me this morning the enclosed surrender of Mr. baron Tracy; which he says, being enrolled in Ireland, will entitle the baron to his salary as judge there, to the time he resigned it. [S.P. 67. 2. p. 357.]
Dec. 13. Whitehall.	The same to Monsr. Marmande. I have received your letters as regularly as the Flanders post has arrived, which brings sometimes three or four mails together, and I have acquainted his Majesty with what seemed most material. You will do well to continue your accounts of all that passes in those parts.
	As soon as his Majesty received from Spain the notification of the king's death he ordered the Court to go into mourning, and has returned an answer to their letter. Copy. [S.P.32. 12. ff. 111–112.]
	Warrants to apprehend capt. — Gardiner and — Southers, for suspicion of having counterfeited and uttered malt-tickets. [S.P.44. 349. p. 137.]
Dec. 14. Whitehall.	Sir C. Hedges to chief justice Holt. Colonel Daniel Macdonnel, now a prisoner in Newgate, and convicted of high treason, having by petition represented to the king that, having been a prisoner ever since November, 1694, and closely confined, [he] is become very weak and sickly, and prayed that he might be removed to some freer prison, it is his Majesty's pleasure that he should be removed to the Fleet. [S.P.44. 101. p. 155.]
	Proceedings upon the petition to the king of Rice Atkins, asking for the next beadsman's place in Ely Cathedral. He had been a devout attendant "in his Majesty's royal chapel at Cambridge, where he was a servant to the college for many years". Granted. [S.O.8. 27. No. 70: S.P.44. 237. p. 224.]
Dec. 14. Whitehall.	Proceedings upon the petition to the king of John Harman, setting forth that being cook of H.M.S. Firebrand, in the squadron under capt. Tho. Butler in the West Indies, he lost his sight by endeavouring to save the ship from the violence of the sea, which broke into one of the sally ports. He prays relief to enable him to return with his family to Rotterdam, where he was born. To this petition was annexed capt. Tho. Butler's certificate. Referred to the Admiralty. [S.P.44. 238. p. 449.]
	Warrant to search for and apprehend — Ford and — Mollen, for suspicion of treason. [S.P.44. 349. p. 137.]
Dec. 16. Hampton Court.	Warrant for a commission appointing Lawrence, earl of Rochester, lord lieutenant of Ireland, in as full a manner as that office had been exercised by James, late duke of Ormond; Arthur, late earl of Essex; and Henry, earl of Romney [etc.]. [S.P.44. 248. p. 204: S.O.3. 20. f. 207, v.]
	Warrant to Sir Thomas Trevor, attorney-general. Whereas Sir Cha. Duncombe, knt., prayed us to grant him a noli prosequi upon an information formerly exhibited against him; and you reported that there have been two several informations exhibited against him for falsely endorsing exchequer bills, one in Middlesex and the other in London; that the information in Middlesex was tried in Trinity term, 1699, and the petitioner was acquitted; after which our counsel met to consider whether it was proper to proceed upon the other information, and it was not thought proper: and that you are of opinion that we may direct a noli prosequi: our will is that a noli prosequi be entered. [S.P.44. 348. pp. 205–6.]
Dec. 16.	Post warrant to John Pershall, esq., to Staffordshire. [Ibid. p. 206.]
Dec. 16. Whitehall.	Sir C. Hedges to the Admiralty. Upon your report of the 11th inst. the king directs that the mariners John Fulston, Thom. Jacobs, Francis Warrin, Richd. Hunt, Robt. Hatton, and John Rose, be allowed five months' pay of an able seaman. [S.P.44. 204. p. 298.]
Dec. 16. Hampton Court.	Warrant reciting that Gerald Bedford was convicted at the Old Bailey, in June, 1697, of piracy and sentenced to death: and directing him to be inserted in the next general pardon for the poor convicts of Newgate. [S.P.44. 350. p. 107.]
	Grant of the next almsman's place in Durham Cathedral to John Maddison. [S.O. 5. 31. f. 61.]
Dec. 17. Hampton Court.	Warrant for the presentation of Josias Alsop, B.D., to the rectory of Sudbourne with the chapel of Orford, co. Suffolk, void by the death of Theophilus Hooke, and in the king's gift pleno jure. [S.O.8. 27. No. 71: S.P.44. 151. p. 65: S.O.3. 20. f. 207, v.]
Dec. 17. Whitehall.	Proceedings upon the petition to the king of Wm. Butler, gent., who was yeoman warder of the Tower and was obliged to dispose of his employment. He prays a beadsman's place in Trinity College, Cambridge, "now in your Majesty's disposition, which is of no great value, yet very considerable" in the petitioner's circumstances, "it being but 30s. a quarter." Granted. [S.O.8. 27. No. 72: S.P.44. 237. p. 224.]
Dec. 17–24.	London bill of mortality from Dec. 17–24. Christned, males 136: females, 106: in all, 242. Buried, males, 160: females, 217: in all, 377. Plague, 0. Decreased in the burials this week, 47. 2 pp. Printed. [S.P.32. 12. f. 113.]
Dec. 18. Whitehall.	Sir C. Hedges to chief justice Holt. Last night I received your letter in answer to mine about removing col. Macdonnell to the Fleet, which you say you cannot do, that being not a prison for criminals, but can remove him to the King's Bench. His Majesty's meaning is that he should be put into some prison where he might have more air; therefore, if you remove him to the King's Bench, his Majesty's gracious intentions are complied with. [S.P.44. 101. pp. 155–6.]
	The same to the Council of Trade. The inhabitants of the town of New York have erected a church there, and fear it will be taken from them upon a pretended flaw in their charter. The whole matter is to be laid before the king in council here. (Cal. S.P., America and W. Indies, 1700, No. 1023.) [S.P.44. 101. p. 156.]
Dec. 18. Genoa.	Capt. Fairborne, H.M.S. Tilbury, [to the Admiralty]. On the 10th, in the night, the wind came to blow very hard, and next morning we found ourselves fair in with the isles of Eres. The gale continuing, and little hope of getting to the eastward, I I bore up for Toulon, and anchored there by the castle. I tarried there till the 15th, and was two days myself ashore, with several gentlemen belonging to my ship. The marquesse of Nesmond, who commanded there as lieut.-general, treated me with great civility, and sent one of the eldest captains to shew me their ships, magazine, store houses, and works, &c. I made the best observations I could upon the same, it being altogether a very great piece of work.
	The squadron lately commanded by Mr. Nesmond, who had been not long since at Tunis, lay moored in the new basin. Those ships lay all rigged with their upper tier of guns in, but all very foul and must be cleaned (as I believe) before they can put to sea again. This squadron consisted of twelve men-of-war and one fireship, according to the list undermentioned.
	Twenty men-of-war and two fireships lay in the Old Basin, unrigged and in no extraordinary repair, three 2nd rate, the rest from 70 to 40 guns; among them was the Happy Return. So there is in all at present at Toulon 32 men-of-war, 3 fireships and 3 bomb vessels. Their other ships are all in west France, they not having at present (as I am informed) any men-of-war at sea.
	They have at Toulon a new ship of 78 guns building, which is to be launched in February, when the dukes of Burgundy and Berry arrive there. Mr. Vaubon was at Toulon when I was there, but made no stay. [There follows a list of "ships rigged at Toulon."] Copy. [Endorsed] Capt. Fairborne, dated at Genoua 28 Dec. [N.S.] last, giving an account of the naval force at Toulon. [S.P.42. 6. ff. 41–42.]
Dec. 18. Hampton Court.	Docquet of the warrant for a charter to the earl of Melville of his lands, lordship, earldom and baronies, with a novo damus. [S.P.57. 17. p. 427.]
	The same for a charter to Robert Muir, provost of the burgh of Ayr, his heirs or assigns, of the five merk land of Midle Auchindrain, in the parish of Mayboil, bailiary of Carrick and sheriffdom of Ayr, upon the resignation of James Blair of Blairstoun, with change of holding. [Ibid.]
	The same for a charter of the lands and barony of Fairnilie, with the teynds parsonage and vicarage, to Robert Rutherford, writer in Edinburgh, his heirs and assigns, with a novo damus and a taxing of the marriage of the heirs of the said Robert Rutherford for a certain sum, and a dispensation of the other prestations [etc.] contained in former charters of the said lands granted to Patrick Ker of Fairnilie, and exoneration from the clause de novo alienando. [Ibid. p. 428.]
	The same for a gift to John White, collector of supply for the shire of Fife, his heirs and assigns, of the lands of Ballo in the parish of Falkland and sheriffdom aforesaid, some time pertaining to the deceased Robert Balfour of Ballo, holden of your Majesty in ward, and now fallen in your Majesty's hands through the alienation of the said lands or contracting of debts thereupon above the yearly rent thereof without your Majesty's consent. Paying yearly to your Majesty the services [etc.] in the original infeftments. [Ibid.]
	The same for a charter to John Scott of Woll, his heirs and assigns, of one two part of the town and lands of Dalcove, and of ten merk lands thereof, with 6 husband lands of the 12 husband lands in Dalcove, called the old husbandry, with 6 houses and 6 yards thereto belonging as for the principal, and 15 husband lands of the maynes and lands of Dalcove in warrandice of the said 6 husband lands and of other 6 husband lands there, extending to an five pound land of old extent, with houses [etc.], within the bailliary of Lauderdale and sheriffdom of Berwick: proceeding upon the resignation of the said John Scott and Walter Scott, his son, and of Margaret, Anna, Isobell and Christian Homes, daughters to Alexander Home, bailly of Lauder, and the deceased Isobell Lauder his spouse; with a novo damus and change of holding. [S.P.57. 17. p. 429.]
	The same for a charter to William Don, writer in Edinburgh, and Elisabeth Murray, his spouse, [in tail], of the lands of Woodside, extending to an four merk and an half merk land in the parish of Marbotle and sheriffdom of Roxburgh, upon the resignation of Alexander Don of Woodside and William Don, his son: with new gift and change of holding. [Ibid.]
	The same for a gift of the single and liferent escheat of William Johnston of Gratney, younger, to Sir Alexander Hamilton of Hags, writer to the signet. [Ibid. p. 430.]
	The same, nominating John Smart, writer in Edinburgh, and John Findlay, eldest son to the deceased John Findlay sometime procurator fiscal of the commissariot of Edinburgh, conjunct procurators fiscals of the said commissariot, and the longest liver solely. [Ibid.]
	Royal warrant. Whereas it is represented from our Lyon king of arms that John Scott of Thirlestain, great grandfather to Sir Francis Scott now of Thirlestain, having assisted James V, king of Scotland, at Sautry Edge with a troop of lancers of his friends and followers and was ready with the first to march into England against the English their invading Scotland, his said Majesty as a reward gave warrant to Lyon king of arms to give him a bordure of flowers de lis sicklike as in the royal bearing, a bundle of lances for his crest, and two men armed with jacks and steel bonnets with lances in their hands for supporters: of all which Lyon king of arms is fully satisfied from good testimony and an old inventory of the writs and evidents of that family, produced to him, wherein the warrant is fully deduced: but, being that the principal warrant itself cannot now be found, he is not at freedom to assign to the said Francis the double tressure as borne in our arms of Scotland: therefore we authorise Lyon king at arms to add to the paternal coat of arms of Sir Francis Scott a double tressure flowered and contreflowered with flowers de lis as in our royal arms of Scotland, and to give him crest, supporters and other exterior ornaments as is above expressed or shall seem proper. [S.P.57. 17. p. 431.]
Dec. 18. Hampton Court.	Commissions to — Petit to have the precedency of a lieutenant-colonel: to capt. Somervell to be adjutant-general in Scotland: to — Ogilvie to be a lieutenant in the regiment of guards. [Ibid. p. 435.]
Dec. 19. Kensington.	By the king, a proclamation, "dissolving this present parliament, which now stands prorogued to Thursday the 16th of January next," and making known "that in respect of some matters of the highest importance to this our kingdom, we do intend to give directions to the keeper of our great seal, for the calling a new parliament, which shall begin and be holden at Westminster on Thursday, the 6th day of February next." Printed. 1p. [S.P.45. 13. No. 182.]
	The king to the bishop and lord mayor of London about a collection for the poor. [S.P.44. 162. p. 84.]
	Licence to William Ward, high sheriff of Northampton, to live out of the county [ibid. p. 85].
	The like to Robert Constable, high sheriff of the county of York [S.P.44. 163. p. 135], and to William Hellyer, high sheriff of the county of Somerset. [Ibid. p. 136.]
Dec. 19. Hampton Court.	Commissions to Josuah Churchill to be captain of the company whereof Robert Gough, deceased, was captain in major-general Churchill's regiment [S.P.44. 168. p. 275]: to Tho. Bellasyse to be lieutenant of capt. Wm. Hopton's company in lieut.-general Sir Henry Bellasyse's regiment [ibid.]: to Francis Sanderson to be ensign of capt. Henry Pierce's company in the same: to Clotworthy Gowan to be chaplain to col. Henry Conyngham's regiment: to Francis Faure to be surgeon to col. How's regiment: to — Sommerville to be ensign of capt. John Fowke's company in the same. [Ibid. p. 276.]
Dec. 20.	Notes [by James Vernon] about Francis Therry. [There is a note] "Circumslauerer, Mr. Sarsfield." 2½ pp. [S.P.63. 361. ff. 94–95.]
Dec. 21. Whitehall.	Ja. Vernon to the Admiralty. I understand by Mr. Burchett's letter to Mr. Yard of 20th inst. that H.M.S. Dolphin has brought one Bolton from Jamaica, and that you desire to know what must be done with him. In answer I send you a copy of the king's letter to Sir Wm. Beeston of Dec. 13 ult., which was prepared by the Commissioners of Trade and approved by his Majesty in Council, containing directions for seizing Bolton. I also send an extract of several letters from Sir Wm. Beeston of May 3, Aug. 31, Oct. 8, relating to Bolton; with the proceedings about the sloop Mr. Bolton was taken in, and the deposition of one Butterworth. The Council of Trade may inform you upon what grounds they drafted the letter of Dec. 13.
	i. [Extract of a letter from Sir Wm. Beeston, governor of Jamaica, to lord Jersey, dated at Jamaica, May 3, 1700.] In answer to yours of Dec. 13 the Soldado Prize is on the careene and the Germoon cruising after pirates; but I expect her in every day, and then will despatch [her] away to Curassaw, according to H.M. commands. But upon enquiry I find that Bourk and Bolton are now amongst the French at Petit Guaves, with considerable quantities of Kidd's goods. Therefore I intend to send thither first to demand the persons and goods of those men; though I expect little success, the French in those parts entertaining all sorts of people, and will either refuse delivering them, or give them opportunity to get away. And in order to their removal I hear Bolton is going in a short time to Holland, where it is possible he may be found. From thence the Germoon shall go to Curassaw; but that governor is lately dead, and they being all merchants and assisting one another, I doubt of little good from thence. Though no doubt but much of Kidd's goods, to a great value, was carried thither by this Bolton; who had Kidd's ship, and all in her, given him, in a creek at Hispaniola, by Kidd, for Bolton's brigantine, and what Kidd could carry away in her; which though no doubt but were the money, jewels, and richest goods, yet there was vast wealth left aboard, which Bolton and his consorts carried to Curassaw.
	ii. [Extract of a letter from the same to the same, dated at Jamaica, Aug. 31, 1700.] The Foy and the Margate are arrived some time since, and I have acquainted you the 7th inst. [marginal note this is not yet come] that capt. Legg, commander of the Foy, was so fortunate to meet Mr. Bolton, soon after I had ordered him out in search of him, whom I intend to send to England with some others by the Dolphin, who will sail in a few weeks.
	iii. [Extract of a letter from the same to the same, dated at Jamaica, Oct. 8, 1700.] I now by H.M.S. Dolphin, capt. Acton, have sent Mr. Bolton, and given the captain a warrant to deliver him to the order of the Secretary of State or the lords of the Admiralty, for here are none that can testify against him; and therefore keeping him or trying him here had been to no purpose. I intended to send with him one John Everrit and had put him into the warrant. He was master of the sloop that Mr. Bolton was taken in, and knew much of his concerns, else nothing found against him. But he, having been kept always aboard the Foy, that brought them in, is it seems now aboard, and the ship is at sea. So he cannot be sent now; but, if anything about him be found material, he shall be sent by the next ship.
	With this I transmit the proceedings about the sloop Mr. Bolton was taken in; and the deposition of one Butterworth, who was an officer with Mr. Bolton when he traded with Kidd; but by some slight or other he got from the possession of capt. Legg, and is gotten clear of the island. He else could have been a great evidence of Mr. Bolton's dealing with Kidd: but I suppose there wants not evidence in England, nor can he deny it.
	"Mem.—In the same letter was enclosed a copy of the king's letter to Sir Wm. Beeston concerning Bolton, Dec. 13, 1699, countersigned by lord Jersey, which is entered at large in the Plantation Book: and the original papers sent by Sir Wm. Beeston in his letter of Oct. 8." [S.P.44. 100. pp. 495–8.]
Dec. 21. Whitehall.	Ja. Vernon to the lords justices of Ireland. I expected till yesterday to see if any of Patrick Hurly's witnesses intended to come to me of their own accords; but, hearing nothing of them, I sent a messenger to Young Man's Coffee House with Mr. Hurly's letter directed to capt. Therry; who was found there, and brought to me last night.
	He tells me that he came to this town, on Wednesday last was sennight, from Ireland, with MacMahon and Maccarthy. They embarked at Dublin in a Welsh collier, and landed at Marsham in Wales. He hired a horse to Chester, and from thence came up in the stage coach. He pretends not to know how the other two got to town, but believes they came up on foot. He says he saw Maccarthy in Grey's Inn Walks on Monday or Thursday last, but he has not seen MacMahon since he left him in Wales. He supposes he is in town, but he does not know where either of them lodges.
	He tells me his business in coming over was to seek service in Italy, where he has a brother that is a lieutenant-colonel with the Venetians. He owns he was in the French service during the war, but quitted them and went to Piedmont, while lord Galway was there. He says his coming over with MacMahon and Maccarthy was accidental, and he had no directions given him by Mr. Hurly concerning them; but he knew they had given information against Sir Donogh O'Brien, and that Mr. Hurly had sent for them from France (where they were officers) for that purpose, about six months ago, and he did not know but they might be going back again to France. I asked him whether he had heard from Mr. Hurly since his being in London. He said he received a letter from him on Wednesday last. At first he said that he had left it at his lodgings, but, when I told him a messenger should go with him to fetch it, he produced it. I keep the original and send you a copy.
	Upon this letter I asked him who were the five persons that the letter says he knew. He said he had forgot their names, but they were the same that were set down in the letter the messenger shewed him from Mr. Hurly. I pressed him to name them again from his own memory, but that he said he could not do. He said he did not know any of the five, or where they were to be found.
	I asked him what answer he had given to Mr. Hurly in relation to the direction he writ to him for. He said he advised him that what letters he writ to him should be directed to Humphrey Giles, at Sir Roger L'Estrange's Coffee House in Holborne. This he says he writ to Mr. Hurly on Thursday, and his letter to him was directed to Mrs. Mary Slingsby, at Mrs. Raskoe's at The Black Posts in Capell St., Dublin. If the letters of the last post and this arrive together at Dublin, perhaps this advice may come time enough for seizing Therry's letter before it be delivered, which seems very fit to be enquired after. He told me he writ two letters as Mr. Hurly desires, but he gave a very unsatisfactory account of them.
	The Circumflaberous, mentioned in Mr. Hurly's letter to have lodgings in the Temple, he says is one Sarsfield. I have sent to the Post House here to stop any letters that shall be directed either to this Sarsfield or to Humphrey Giles, for I question whether I shall have a sight of them otherwise.
	I have given Therry directions to be very diligent in finding out Maccarthy and MacMahon, which he says he can't do unless he meets them in Grey's Inn Walks. He is to bring them to me if he can, or at least to enquire where they lodge, and then I will send a messenger for them. I have bid him bring me an account on Monday next. In the meantime he tells me his own lodgings are at a baker's in Turn Stile Alley, Holborn.
	Till I hear from him again or see his witnesses I know not what to make of this matter.
	Memorandum. Mr. Yard writ to Sir R. Cotton and Sir Tho. Frankland, the 21st Dec., that Mr. Secretary desired that letters directed to Mr. Francis Therry or to Mr. Humphrey Giles [at the above addresses] or to either of them at Mr. Sarsfield's in the Temple, and to Mrs. Slingsby in Dublin, should be stopped and sent to him. [S.P.67. 2. pp. 358–362.]
Dec. 22. Hampton Court.	Licence to Bartholomew Burton, high sheriff of Rutland, to live out of the county. [S.P.44. 162. p. 85.]
Dec. 23. Whitehall.	Ja. Vernon to Monsr. Marmande. His Majesty has not seen Monsr. Meyer of late, so he has not an account of the courrier mentioned in your letter of the 24th inst.
	I have acquainted you of the receipt of the regent's letter, to which his Majesty immediately returned an answer and despatched it to Madrid. Copy. [S.P.32. 12. ff. 114–115.]
Dec. 24. Kensington.	Licence to Richard Wadeley, high sheriff of Radnor, to live out of the county. [S.P.44. 163. p. 136.]
Dec. 24. Kensington.	The king to the ministers, elders, and deacons of the French church in Threadneedle St., London. Whereas you have represented that you have made choice of James Colas de la Treille to be one of your ministers, we, according to the power reserved unto us, approve of him and grant you permission to admit him as such. [Ibid.]
	Commission to Francis Godfrey, to be cornet to capt. Ezekiel Everist's troop in brigadier Hugh Wyndham's regiment of horse carabiniers. [S.P.44. 167. p. 422.]
Dec. 24. Whitehall.	Proceedings upon the petition to the king of John Sanford, esq., setting forth that a waste piece of land belonging to him, called Maiden Down, co. Devon, adjoins several towns and parishes which are very populous and mostly consist in trade, the inhabitants whereof suffer for want of fairs, and have desired the petitioner to beg a grant, to him and his heirs, of two fairs yearly, to be held on the Down for all sorts of merchandise. He prays a grant of one fair on April 10, and another on Oct. 10, yearly. Referred to the law officers.
	There was annexed a paper signed by many of the inhabitants of Culmestocke, Burliscombe, Milverton, Wellington, and other parishes of Devon and Somerset, requesting Mr. Sanford to endeavour to procure the two fairs. [S.P.44. 237. p. 228.]
Dec. 24. Dublin Castle.	The lords justices of Ireland to Secretary Vernon. The original examinations taken against Sir Donogh O'Brien were given to the lord chief justice; who issued his warrant against Sir Donogh, and he was committed to gaol. He was next day set at liberty, having given very considerable bail for his appearance next term. We enclose a copy of his examination before Lord Chief Justice Pine and Mr. Justice Coote. [Signed] Berkeley, Gallway. [Endorsed] R. 30 Dec.
	The examination of Sir Donogh O'Brien, who saith that he became acquainted with Patrick Hurly in January, 1697. In February following the deponent wrote to Hurly about some money, hid and taken up in co. Clare, on behalf of a tenant of the deponent's, who was troubled for the money. The deponent does not know Dr. Carney of Rotterdam, and never drew a bill on Sir Daniel Arthur in Paris. He never wrote to col. Charles O'Brien (called lord Clare), or to capt. Randall McDonnell (now Sir Randall McDonnell) since 3 Oct., 1691, or before. He knew one Terlagh McBryen McMahon of Ballynacreggy, co. Clare, who was captain of dragoons in col. Daniel O'Brien's regiment, who he hears is since dead. He does not know lieut. Charles McCarthy, and he never sent provisions to Limerick. Several of his cattle were taken away, which he believes were sent there. He was made sheriff of co. Clare, in 1689, without his knowledge, at the request of the Protestant inhabitants to the then Mr. Justice Daly, judge of Assize. He had no troop in King James' army, but had a guard of about 20 men, servants to the Protestant inhabitants, to preserve the stock of the inhabitants. He never sent any messages during the war to any person in France. [S.P.63. 361. ff. 96–99.]
Dec. 24. Kensington.	Royal warrant to the lords justices of Ireland: reciting that the building of barracks in Ireland had been formerly ordered for the reception of the army and for the ease of the king's subjects there from quartering, and that it had been found necessary to provide for the inspection and care of repairing the same: and ordering the lords justices to pass letters patent constituting certain persons to be overseers of the barracks, viz. the chief governor or governors; the chancellor: the lieutenantgeneral: the major-general: the master of ordnance: the brigadiers: the quarter-master-general: the adjutant-general: the muster-master-general: the three chief judges: the attorneyand solicitor-general: William Robinson, and the surveyorgeneral. [S.P.67. 2. pp. 336–8: S.O.1. 14. pp. 296–7.]
	Royal warrant to the same. Whereas, for the ease of our subjects of Ireland from the trouble of quartering our army there, and for securing the dangerous passes and fastnesses from Torys and Rapparees, we have directed the building of convenient barracks: and whereas contracts have been made with the owners of the soil, yet legal conveyances and leases have not yet been made, for want of persons to take such estates and to contract for such rents as are to be paid: we, being resolved that the owners of the soil may be secure of such payments as shall be due, require you to cause letters patent to be passed constituting Sir Thomas Southwell, bart., Richard Ingoldsby, one of the brigadiers, Christopher Carleton, one of the commissioners of revenue, William Robinson and Richard Gorges, one body corporate, by the name of the Trustees for the barracks, to take grants and leases, and to purchase houses and lands, not exceeding the yearly value of £400: provided always that the approbation of such grants, leases or purchases be first had of our chief governors, which grants [etc.] are to be in trust for maintaining the barracks: and we authorise you out of the revenue to pay by way of advance one year's rent to the persons from whom the lands shall be taken; so as the said persons may never be liable to pay the rents out of their own estates. [S.P.67. 2. pp. 338–342: S.O.1. 14. pp. 297–8.]
	Royal warrant to the same, for the appointment of John Smith, serjeant-at-law, to be one of the justices of the court of Common Pleas in Ireland, in the room of Sir John Jeffreyson, deceased, during pleasure. [S.P.67. 2. pp. 342–3: S.O. 1. 14. pp. 298–9.]
Dec. 25. Whitehall.	Warrant to Henry Legat, to apprehend Francis Therry, Terlagh MacMahon, Charles MacCarthy, — Hayes, Dennis MacCarthy, — Crawley, John Hurley and Richard Hurley, for suspicion of subornation of perjury. [S.P.44. 348. p. 206.]
	Ja. Vernon to the governor of the old East India Company. The king has directed me to speak again with the committee. I desire that you and some of the committee will call upon me on Friday next. [S.P.44. 100. p. 498.]
	A similar letter to the directors of the new East India Company. [Ibid. p. 499.]
	The same to the Treasury. A representation being laid before the king from the Commissioners for trade and plantations about fortifying the frontiers of New York for the security of H.M. plantations on that continent, and lord Bellomont proposing that, to begin to build the fortifications, a credit might be allowed him for drawing small sums, I am to signify that you give directions for answering such bills to the sum of £2000. [Ibid.]
	The same to lord Romney. His Majesty directs that the Board of Ordnance supply lord Bellomont with spades, &c., for fortifying the frontiers of New York, and 1000 felling axes. (Cal. S.P., America and W. Indies, 1700, No. 1054.) [S.P.44. 100. p. 500.]
	The same to the Commissioners for trade, about lord Bellomont being supplied with utensils and money. [Ibid. pp. 500–2.]
Dec. 26. Kensington.	Licence to John Harbord, high sheriff of Nottingham, to live out of the county. [S.P.44. 163. p. 137.]
	Commissions to Henry Killigrew, to be ensign of lord Hastings' company in the 1st regiment of footguards [S.P.44. 167. p. 422]: to Robert Hawkins to be ensign of the company whereof major Jones is captain in brigadier Ingoldsby's regiment. [S.P.44. 168. p. 276.]
Dec. 27.	"Mr. Legat's account of cap. Therry." The 25th inst. I was by Mr. Secretary Vernon ordered to apprehend capt. Francis Therry, who lodged at a baker's in an alley in Holborn, but found that he had moved to one Jasper Brady at the Three Crowns in Holis Street, Clayer Market. I went thither. He was not there, but on Monday he had come there, hired a room and brought his trunk. On Tuesday he went from thence. In the same house lodged Mr. Dominick Sarsfield and his brother. Mr. Dominick gave me a letter which came enclosed in his, directed to capt. Francis Therry, London, [viz.]
	Dear brother . . . you must go to Mr. Thomas Mansfield's house, a merchant that lives in Grace Church St., and get the letter that one Mr. Richard Roche, now a prisoner here, sent under cover to Thomas Mansfield to Roche's sister, to be delivered to you: your affec. brother P.H. Dec. 14. 1700. Pray send me a sure address.
	I went to Grace Church St., but could not hear of any Mansfield. I then went to the General Post Office in Lombard St., and was told a letter so directed was given to one Michell, who belonged to that walk. [Michell told me] that he had a letter so directed, but could not find any Mansfield, so brought the letter back; but next day a young gentleman with long light hair enquired after a letter so directed and said his name was Therry, and the letter was given to him. I am informed by capt. Therry's washerwoman that on Tuesday capt. Therry came for his linen, which was wet. He told her he could not stay till it was dry, for he was going to Flanders. [S.P.63. 361. ff. 100–101.]
Dec. 28. Whitehall.	Ja. Vernon to the lords justices of Ireland. I told you in my last, of the 24th inst., that Therry had failed coming to me, and now I must acquaint you that he never intends it. I sent a messenger with a warrant on Wednesday night to apprehend him or any of the persons named by capt. Hurly, but he shifted his lodgings on Monday, and none of the persons Hurly mentioned could be found.
	On Wednesday I received a letter from Therry, writt from Gravesend the day before. He says he was just then going into the passage boat for Holland, having received directions from his brother, who is in the service of the Venetians, to come over immediately. He added that he had seen the Evidence again, and would have persuaded him to come to the office; but he refused it.
	I send enclosed the account the messenger gives who was sent for Therry, and what he heard of a packet that he received from Hurly. I believe after this I shall not be able to give you any further light into this matter, and I must leave it to your judgment what you will think of such shuffling practices as have appeared here. [S.P.67. 2. pp. 363–4.]
Dec. 28. [Dublin.]	[P. Hurly] to capt. Francis Therry at Young Man's Coffee House near Charing Cross. Dear brother, you will let my lord know I received his of the 19th, and will follow his advice. I am of his opinion that parliament is the proper place. We have seven very credible persons for the business of '95. What's done for '92 was but pro forma 'to try the foord here,' and though they should acquit him here, as I'm sure they will, that cannot hinder his being tried in England for '95, for no information was given against him here for that matter, which I did on purpose to keep it as the material stroke for England. In short, as things are laid, the earth cannot save him. He thinks, because I am here, that what's done against him there will signify little; but he will find a bloody mistake.
	For your life do not frequent them; and let them be dispersed, so as not to be found out by any of the Jacobites, who are all against us and the knight's[?] friends. He has a mint of money, and 20 emissaries there to lay it out. I will write to my lord, per next, the state of the case at large as he desires. [Endorsed.] Intercepted letter of cap. Hurly to cap. Therry, R. Legatt. [S.P.63. 361. ff. 102–103.]
Dec. 28. Whitehall.	Proceedings upon the petition to the king of John Fitz, esq., shewing that, markets being for the public good, he is willing to be at the charges of fencing and paving a convenient place up the Hill and on both sides of Cow Crosse and St. John Street in the county of Middlesex, for a market on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, for fruit and product of gardens and orchards, and on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for skins of sheep. He prays a grant to him and his heirs of such a market. Referred to the law officers. [S.P.44. 238. p. 450.]
Dec. 30. Hampton Court.	Royal warrant to the master-general of ordnance to issue 516 snaphance musquetts with swivles, 108 pikes, 30 halberts, 29 drums, to complete the arming of the 2nd regiment of footguards, to be delivered to lord Cutts: an account of the number and value of the arms to be transmitted to the paymaster of the forces; who is required to cause the value to be stopped, out of the first arrears that shall be ordered to the regiment, and to be paid to the treasurer of the Ordnance. [S.P.44. 168. pp. 277–8.]
Dec. 30. Whitehall.	Ja. Vernon to the Treasury. Referring to the petition of capt. Edward Rigby and your report, I am to signify that you order his fine of £1000 to be discharged, upon his paying £200 and giving security to pay the rest. [S.P.44. 100. p. 503.]
Dec. 31. Whitehall.	The same to the lords justices of Ireland. I have yours of the 24th, with the examination of Sir Donogh O'Brien, which I shall lay before the king; but I cannot expect any other directions upon it than what I received from H.M. upon your letter of the 7th inst., and the account I gave him at the Cabinet Council of Therry's withdrawing himself, when he was required to produce the evidence that should support capt. Hurly's accusation. H.M. commanded me to acquaint you that, if there be any who still prosecute Sir Donogh O'Brien, they may do it, and the law must have its course; but, if he has been causelessly brought into trouble, such practices ought to be discountenanced. [S.P.67. 2. pp. 364–5.]
	The same to the same. The earl of Rochester's commission has passed the great seal for being lord lieutenant of Ireland. The king does not intend he shall go over till next summer; in the meantime it is his pleasure that the government should be administered by the archbishop of Dublin and the earl of Drogheda, as lords justices during the earl of Rochester's absence. H.M. thinks that their commission should pass in Ireland, and I believe directions will be sent you next week for that purpose; and I am to give you this notice thereof that you may prepare for your return to England, where H.M. will expect your attendance, to give him an exact account of the state of that kingdom, which you have governed to his great satisfaction. [S.P.67. 2. p. 365.]
December.	The king to the vice-chancellor of the university of Cambridge. Whereas Henneage Dering, of Clare Hall, formerly resided there two years and a half and kept seven terms, and we are informed that his learning and abilities deserve our favour in recommending him for the degree of doctor of the civil law, although his term of residence be not sufficient in the ordinary method: we require you to confer the same upon him, he paying the usual fees [etc.]. [S.P.44. 150. pp. 202.]
Dec.	Note for the dividend. [S.P.32. 12. f. 116.]
	Notes of "arrears, 1700, and money lent." [S.P.32. 12. f. 117.]